#everyone always asks 'wheres the MOM with adopted SON huh?' like shes right here

[spacedlexi]

me restraining myself when i see lee and clem get left out of parent child video game duos

[musicfeedsmysoul12]

“Hey, Izuku?” Ruggy asked as she flipped through a book.

“One second- just because you had a powerful Quirk doesn't mean it makes you an automatically perfect person!” Izuku said to the man in front of him.

“Oh and what do you know?” sneered the male soul in front of him.

“Because your file shows how awful of a person you were! The cheating, the stealing, the abuse you've inflicted on co-workers, the fact you tried to murder someone because they got into a hero course and you didn't?” Izuku spread his arms out. “Pick one?”

“And what were your Quirks?” the man sneered.

“Well I'm the only one here from a world with Quirks but I was Quirkless and I actually work here. I have a paradise.” Izuku said to the man who scoffed, looking like he was puffing his chest up, freezing when nothing happened.

“What…” the man stuttered.

“Yeah, you only get your Quirk back in paradise. Not here. You're just as Quirkless as I am. Now, level six.” Izuku glared at the man who scowled but obeyed, shaken by the loss of his power. “Yeah Ruggy?”

“You plan on reincarnation right? I overheard you talking with Lily and Penny,” Ruggy closed her book, looking nervous. “Can I ask why? I mean you're the adopted son of Greg. And I know Sharkie was offered deification, so… “

“Ah, well… there's a few reasons why I want to reincarnate at least one time.” Izuku said. “I never got to experience a mortal life. I died age eight. I never got to grow up in the mortal world, got to be raised by my mom. I miss her so much and I've always wanted to get the second chance for her to be my mom you know? She was a good mom. A bit smothering, and she had some shitty friends but she… she loved me more then anything.” Izuku sighed. “She was Buddhist and got reincarnated right after death, and I like to check in on her. Which brings us to another reason I want to reincarnate. I have a… destiny.”

“A what?” Ruggy blinked in confusion, tilting her head to the side.

“A destiny. Its not uncommon but its not common either? It means I have a greater purpose as a mortal and I never met said destiny. My original world actually went to well…” Izuku spread his arms out to indicate where they were. “Hell.”

“Yeah,” Lily agreed. She shut her own book. “You get people like Izuku here whose entire destiny was connected to the survival of his world or you get people destined to eat seventeen hot pockets in an hour.”

“Due to this, I kinda feel that I need to reincarnate?” Izuku said with a shrug. “I’ll end up in a world just like my original one. I'll be Midoriya Izuku again, Dad said he arranged it so my mom IS my mom again. One of the people in charge of reincarnation owes him a favour. I'll fulfill my destiny, then come back and be deified so I can hang out with Dad and everyone here.”

“Huh.” Ruggy frowned. “That's kind of a lot on your shoulders.”

“Eh, not really. Like oh yeah it's a big destiny but I have the choice to go back. I choose to do so. I'll make new choices and stuff. Maybe I'll make better friends then the one I had,” Izuku sighed. “Hey, Lily you checked in on him right? Thanks again for that.”

“You’re welcome Izuku. And Bakugou is doing good on level two. He's moving up to level one next week,” Lily smiled.

“Oh good. I think I'll drop by then,” Izuku said thoughtfully. “I wasn't willing to while he was on level two but if he's made enough progress I might.”

“Will he get reincarnated to?” Ruggy asked.

“Not to the same world I will.” Izuku said. “They try to keep people with powers to their usual worlds but I think given his entire thing was that he'd been taught for years he was the best and sure he'd made attempts at being a decent person before he died, even if he failed, they probably will put him into a world without just to limit the chances.”

“They will,” Lily confirmed. “While we hope he wont backslide, Quirks are connected to souls and if he gets out into a similar situation… well, the risks are high.”

“All the therapy in the world, even if it remains part of his soul, can be broken,” Izuku agreed. Ruggy got quiet, looking down. “Hey, Ruggy-”

“I… I don’t want to go back to being her,” the former Karen confessed.

“You won't. No one gets set up to fail here- you will be allowed to grow up in a better family.” Izuku told her. “At your core you are a good person, and you don’t want to hurt people. You just… hurt and it came out in an unhealthy way. You fully realize where you went wrong and are trying to make up for that. No one would test you by putting you in a situation where you would end up repeating the same mistakes in your hurt again.”

“Exactly. The universe isn't that cruel,” Lily said. “Or the people in charge of reincarnation aren't. Sure controlling where people go in their new lives isn't always allowed but for people like you? They make sure there aren't repeats.”

“Can we request universes to?” Ruggy asked, obviously wanting to change the subject right then. “I think superpowers would be nice.”

“Heh, maybe we’ll reincarnate together then. Be friends in our mortal lives and after lives,” Izuku nudged the woman who smiled back widely.

[shushiyuii]

A giant going out to eat with their friends and getting a tiny in their food that looks more appetizing then the meal.,, (crimeboys??)

ITS TAKEN A WHILE BUT I DID IT, OVER 2K FUCKING WORDS TOO. I REWROTE THIS ONCE ADNJADNAJD AND I HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT LOL /s

Warnings: Soft vore, choking and maybe mentions of fatal? (It's not as bad as it sounds i promise)

Words: 2K+

There was one restaurant known worldwide, known for its delicious recipes from a world-renowned chef, Philza Minecraft. It’s not only known for its mouth-watering meals but also its delightful sweets from their baker, Kristin Minecraft.

Phil and Kristin had met back in their college days in one of the most famous schools for culinary with everyone going there being talented individuals and exceeding expectations of taste tasters across the world, the school’s purpose was to help drive those expectations even further.

Phil was a fine-dining chef whilst Kristin was studying in the baking course. Both had run into each other in coincidence and continued to run into each other since. And well, the two had simply fallen in love fairly quickly, they became the school’s admirable couple. It was love at first sight.

So, you couldn’t be surprised that Phil purposed so quickly after graduation, it was a simple picnic date where Phil attempted to bake a special cupcake for his beloved Kristin. And in the middle of that cupcake was an engagement ring.

They got married soon after, then settled down, started a restaurant together which became known as Tasty Treats. Then came their two little bundles of joy. Wilbur and Techno, they grew up in the restaurant, showing their own cooking talents. But not as much as their parents.

Techno had a particular interest in potatoes, any food he made with his parents had to be made with the ingredients, not that his parents minded this interest. It was just they had no idea why he had an interest in such things.

Techno was more like his father than his mother, and it was the opposite for Wilbur, more like his mother than his father. Although talented with his baking it wasn’t really his main interest, he just helped his mother where he could. His interest was music.

He was often just playing music for the restaurant, his own songs or general music. People noted that Wilbur did have a lot of musical talent, one that was similar to a siren’s lullaby. It was hypnotic, if you heard it, you’d be leered to the restaurant without a choice.

That’s how they met their third bundle of joy.

It was known that Borrowers lived amongst Humans, some being known as family or friends, they were known to live in Human’s walls or under floorboards and such. They weren’t eaten commonly as they used to be since Borrowers had evolved to be resistant to digestive acids.

Tommy had been a young Borrower, a kid living in the restaurant’s walls. He was abandoned by his parents and had grown to be somewhat independent on his own. He definitely wasn’t sneaky or cautious, but he got the job done.

Many of the customers and the owners were aware of a Borrower amidst their walls but they didn’t mind them, since well, the Borrower wasn’t doing any harm to them.

Now how did Wilbur’s music come into play? Well, Tommy would often listen to Wilbur’s music above a loose vent covering in the room. Wilbur was just a teenager and Tommy was just a child at the time.

Tommy was allured to the boy’s music, he found joy and comfort in Wilbur’s music, many had seen him at this point, but he had just become a part of the restaurant at this point, he had yet to be caught yet though.

Wilbur was just happily singing but got called over to help his mom with baking, to which he happily agreed and put his guitar aside by the chair, much to Tommy’s disappointment. Tommy stood up and was about to go back to his little space in the walls when he felt the rumbling in his stomach.

Right, he needed food.

So, he made his way to the kitchen. He stealthily entered the kitchen (as much as he could) and made his way over to the counter, he scanned around for anything to eat and a particular mixing bowl caught his eye and he made his way over to it, without the humans noticing him.

Once he saw the mixing bowl, he was delighted to see that it was a cookie dough mixture, the chocolate chips already in place, all they needed was to be cut into shape and baked. So, before the inevitable happens, he may have helped himself a bit.

But big mistake, “Wilbur! Could you pass me the cookie dough mixture, please? Darling?”, “Yeah! Course Mom!”. The sounds of the humans scared Tommy to a point he fell into the mixing bowl and when he looked up, a wide-eyed human stood above him…

…

“Mom! There’s a Borrower in the mixture!” Wilbur yelled out in confusion. “What?! Bring it here!”. Wilbur then brought the bowl to the other side of the room where his mother was. He placed the bowl down with Tommy struggling to get out of the mixture.

Kristin peered down into the bowl, her eyes widened as she immediately pulled out the Borrower, it scared Tommy. Was he going to be killed for stealing their food?! Was this his end? Tears stung into the boy’s eyes as he looked away from the human who was holding him in between her fingers.

“Wilbur, pass me a cloth, will you?” The hold then changed to a much comfortable one as he now laid on the human’s hand, “Awe you poor guy, you’re just a kid”. Tommy looked up angrily and with fear, he managed to speak up. “I’m not a little kid! I’m a big man!”.

Kristin's eyes softened and she smiled at the Borrower, “A big strong man, huh?” she asked with playful curiosity as Wilbur handed her the cloth, “Mhm!”. “Well, big strong man. Could you tell me your name?”.

“Tommy…”, “Nice to meet you, Tommy, I’m Kristin”. Tommy looked to Kristin to see a comforting face, it assured Tommy it was safe. Then, Kristin used the cloth to wipe over Tommy and clean him up. And once he was, he got another smile.

“You hungry, Tommy?”. To which Tommy nodded, he was then handed multiple chocolate chips to eat. Whilst he ate, he listened to the two humans’ conversation. “You think this is the borrower living in the restaurant?” asked Wilbur, “I think so”.

The two continued to talk as they worked, Tommy answering questions he was asked and that was show they met.

Now years later, Tommy was a teenager himself helping out in the restaurant. Multiple changes had been made to the restaurant to become a lot more Borrower friendly so their new son Tommy could easily move around.

Yep, Tommy had been adopted by the Minecraft’s so he was now Tommy Innit Minecraft. And he couldn’t be happier with his family.

“Tommy hun, mind taking this over to your father please?”. It was a small pot of seasoning his mother had prepped for his father’s latest recipe. “Yep, Will do Mom!”. He yelled as he grabbed the seasoning from his mother’s hands. He almost lost his balance from the weight of the seasoning but managed.

He made his way over to the kitchen, where his father was with Techno, “Dad! Seasoning!”. He yelled as he almost toppled over from the weight of the seasoning. His father noticed and immediately put everything aside, running over to catch his son.

Tommy landed in his hand and the seasoning in his father's hands. “Thank you, Toms”. Tommy then regained his balance, “Where’s Wilbur?”.

“Dunno”. Techno responded as he stirred the potato stew he was making. “It’s been forever since we’ve seen him! When’s he coming?!”. Wilbur’s musical talent had been recognised and had been offered a scholarship at one of the world's most prestigious music colleges.

He didn’t want to miss out on seeing Wilbur again.

“Tommy! A little help please!”. His mother called which snapped him out of his thoughts, he then ran over to the front to his mom and carried out the tasks given to him.

Now he was stirring a bowl for his mom as the day was almost finished, as they were closing his mind began to wander. Then, the bell before the door rang, it caught Tommy off guard to a point to which he fell into the bowl. “Sorry we’re-“ His mom cut herself off.

“Wilbur!”, She suddenly yelled. Running over to her son and embracing him into a tight hug. “Hi, mom! I missed you!”, he hugged back. “I missed you too, honey!”, he placed a kiss upon his forehead.

Then, Techno and Phil entered the room, “Wil!” his father said enthusiastically as he joined the hug of the two. “Hi dad!”, Wilbur laughed. The hug then broke apart and then he got a ruffle of his hair from Techno.

The four of them laughed, “How’s college been for you, mate?”, “Tiring, but great! I’m having a lot of fun!”. “Good!”. The four continued to converse until silence overcame them, they were all wondering the same thing. “Where’s Tommy?”.

The four then agreed to split up and find the Borrower, Wilbur searched the front kitchen, Techno in the back, Techno the storage and Kristin the serving area.

“Tommy! Where are you!?”, yelled Wilbur as he lifted the lids of pots to try and see if the Borrower was hiding in ingredients again. “Tommy!?”, he yelled again then noticed the out of place whisk in a mixing bowl, with Tommy struggling to breach the surface.

He then picked up Tommy, carefully yet playfully lifted him by the leg. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?” he said with a playful tone. Tommy then began to spit out curses. “Fuck you! Lemme go dickhead!”.

“That’s how you greet your brother after not seeing him for months, Tommy?”. Tommy then stopped his struggles and looked to his brother, “No- I-“. Wilbur then laughed, “Calm down Toms- I’m just messing with you!”.

“Dickhead!”.

“Be quiet Gremlin since you’re covered in batter. I suppose we better get you cleaned up, huh?”.

“Don’t you fucking dare!”

Wilbur then lifted the boy above his mouth, smirking at his brother’s struggles. He then open his mouth, bringing his tongue out to taste him, he licked at the batter covering him, “Chocolate pudding? That’s always been one of my favourites!”.

He then carefully dropped Tommy into his mouth, feeling no struggle, he knew he had permission. So, he closed his mouth and poked his tongue at Tommy. To which his tongue got attacked by the playful struggles and hugs.

He then pinned Tommy to the top of his mouth, swallowing the chocolate pudding. He then opened his mouth to bring Tommy back out as his fingers carefully picked up the boy. Tommy complained as he was brought out of the mouth.

“What, you want to be swallowed?”. Tommy’s poutful expression was enough of an answer. “Alright! Alright!”. Then put the borrower back into his mouth. The once Chocolate pudding turning into a taste of Strawberry and Vanilla.

Soon, after tasting the borrower, he tilted his head back and was about to swallow. When the bang of the door scared the fuck out of Wilbur. “Wilbur!” Techno yelled, “We can’t find Tommy!”. His family soon joined the room.

The family stood as Wilbur almost toppled over, holding his throat and stomach. Tilting his head upwards as he began to choke. “Wilbur?!”, his father then ran over to Wilbur. He grabbed his son’s shoulders.

“T-tom-“. Wilbur choked out, Phil’s eyes widened as he realised what was happening. “Techno! Go grab water!”. Techno ran over to the sink, filling the cup to the brim and running over, handing the cup to Wilbur.

Wilbur gulped the water down, the lump in his throat moving as it finally made its way to his stomach. Wilbur panted as he finally got air into his lungs. “J-Jesus…”. Phil patted his back gently to soothe his son.

“Are you okay?”, he asked. “I-I’m fine”. Wilbur’s hand then suddenly moved down to his stomach, and he stared down at it. “Are you okay, Toms?”. “I almost died! Dickhead!”. Wilbur’s then rubbed his stomach in circles and sighed.

“Tommy’s fine too”. Then, he stood up with the help of his family and made their way home. Once he was in his room he put a hand to his stomach, feeling Tommy comfortably sleeping. ‘Yeah, sleep sounds good’. Then laid back, falling asleep himself.

[hangezoeenthusiast]

Brother

m!reader

synopsis: you were best friends, brothers, that went down in flames and ashes by every. single. thing. dream did horribly(this depicts that dream is canonically puffy's son)

y/n/n = your nickname

warnings: angst, cursing, slapping of the hand, yelling, fighting, blood, cigarretes, wounds, pushing, drowning, punching, killing of mushroom henry, explosion, prison, distinct description of death ig

word count: 2,353

song: brother by kodaline

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜, 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙨 (𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨) 𝙤𝙝 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙝, 𝙬𝙚 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙

"Dream, look what I found, a cave!" you exclaimed. "Let's go look what's inside." stated Dream. You two were only 9, searching the world for treasure. "Ohh, Dream, I found some diamonds, you want some?" you asked. "Nah, it's your y/n/n." he looked at you with bliss basking in his eyes.

𝙒𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨, 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙

"What's that in your hand, Dream?" you questioned. "It's cigarretes, I found it on the ground." You slapped it out of his hands, "Dream, you can't have that!" "Why not Y/n/n, come one, aren't you curious."

“Mom told me that those could kill you.”

“Well don’t listen to mom, she doesn’t know anything.” debated Dream.

𝙒𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙨, 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙡𝙙

“Y/n, don’t you see, L’Manchild is trash, come with me, Sapnap, George, and Eret, the castle is way much better.” Dream tried to convince you to betray L’Manburg like Eret did. “No Dream, it’s L’Manburg by the way. And also, even though we are siblings it doesn’t mean I’m always going to be on your side.”

He was disappointed in you. He thought that L’Manburg poisoned your mind and thoughts, and that he would be your savior, destroying L’Manburg so they could be free of your mind. That failed though, and you sided with the 2 British Children, and the British Man-Child.

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪

“Watch out Dream!” you exclaimed. You blocked an arrow coming towards Dream’s way. “Thanks Y/n.”

“This doesn’t mean I forgive you though.”

𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝙢𝙚

“Y/n, are you ok?” he questioned. You had gotten hit by a stray firework, skin burning off into blisters. “Yeah, it just hurts a bit.” you groaned. It did not hurt a bit, it hurt a lot.

“Y/N, I know you, you feel like shit don’t you?” he told you. “Yeah actually.”

“Ok then, let me just get some stuff.” He started to get a few items, like healing pots, bandages, some towels, and cleaning alcohol. “Ok I’m back, which wound you want me to take care of first?” “The burn.” you responded.

He picked up a towel, and some alcohol, and placed it on the burn wound. “Ow.” you hissed.

“Shut up you big baby.”

You hid your pain from Dream. He then bandanged your arm, and then made you drink the healing potions, but you retaliated.

“Clay, I’m not drinking that , you could poison me.”

“I’m not gonna poison you, just drink it.”

“But what if it tastes bad?”

“It’s not going to taste bad, just drink it.”

“Ok, give it to me.”

“Wait, let me feed it to you.”

“WHAT, I’M NOT A BABY.”

“DO IT.”

“NO, LET ME DO IT MYSELF.”

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚

You met up with Schlatt at a cliff near the sea, he wanted a private meeting with you. He knew that you were betraying him, and giving intel to Pogtopia. “Hey L/N, I need to ask you something.” “Yeah, what is it Schlatt?” “Can you swim?”

“No I can’t, why?”

“It was just random, Y/n, I need to tell you something.” He got closer to you, and getting into your personal bubble, “Hey Schlatt, can you back up a little bit?” you asked. You were starting to be uncomfy around him.

“Nah, I’m not.” That was the last words you ever heard. He pushed you off the cliff, making you fall into your impending doom. Schlatt asked you that weird question so he could kill you, he couldn’t have a weak spot in Manburg.

You fell, and you fell, until your body hit the cold, freezing water. Your body trying to resist the water to enter, skin turning blue. You closed your eyes, accepting your fate, until you saw a shadow behind your eyes, reaching for you.

𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧

“Are you ok Y/n, Y/n, wake up.” You felt hands patting your cheeks hard, trying to wake you up. You dragged Dream’s hands of your face, “Ok calm down, I’m ok.”

“OK, WHAT DO YOU MEAN OK, YOU ALMOST DIED.” he yelled at you. “Dream, at least I’m alive.” “Ok, just never leave me.” he hugged you. You patted his back, “Ok Dreamie.”

𝙊𝙝 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙨

“Hey Dream, guess what?” “What is it Y/n?” “I got a new tattoo!” “WHAT!” he screamed at you, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GOT A TATTOO.”

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝

“Dream, don’t you realize that we’re adopted?” “No we’re not.” he retaliated. “Clay, who, disgustingly, did the dirty with mom to make us, huh, answer me.”

“Well she... oh.” “It’s ok Dream, we’re still mom’s children and we are still brothers.”

𝙒𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨, 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙚𝙨

“Are you sure you wanna do this Y/n?” “Always Dream.” You guys were sparing, reluctantly from Puffy. It was a chance that you would’ve gotten a limb cut off, but you didn’t consider it.

5 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 20 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚

You both were laying besides each other at age 10, talking about random things when Dream asked you something, “Hey Y/n.” he whispered to you. “Yeah Clay?” “When we’re 20, will we still be brothers?” “Of course Dreamie, always.”

𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝙢𝙚

You got stabbed by Technoblade, through the ribs, bleeding on the ground. Dream ran towards you, trying to hurry up. “Y/n, hey, wake up.” You were spluttering out blood from your red-stained lips, “It’s ok Clay, I got another canon life.” “Ok, I’ll wait for you at your house.”

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚

You heard talking, especially from the side of you. “Wake up or I’ll throw water at you.” “Wake up bitch.” “Fuck you.” you groaned. You got up, and saw Dream near you. You palmed your face and dragged it down, “Why are you here?”

“Because you got killed by little Mr. Blood God and I was waiting for you.”

“Well don’t.”

𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧

“Hey, you son of a bitch, come back here!” Dream yelled after you. “No I’m not, you exiled Tommy out of nowhere, why, just because he was just pissing you off.” you exclaimed.

There was no reason for him to exile Tommy, and for what, power over him, “Dream, get back here, we’re not done talking about this.”

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 ��𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚

"DREAM, I SWEAR TO ENDER COME BACK-" You stumbled on your words, when you were faced with a weird phenomenon. It was an exploded piece of land, and you wondered what was it. You then realized that Dream had put Tommy in that area so he could keep an eye on him. "DREAM, YOU COME HERE RIGHT NOW MISTER, I GOTTA BONE TO PICK WITH YOU."

You heard whimpering from behind a tree, and you slowly walked towards it when you saw a messed up Tommyinnit, clothes ripped in various places to the point where they weren’t even clothes, feet barefooted, and dirt messily placed on his face, like he hadn’t ever taken a bath in his entire life.

You placed a hand in front of you, “Hey man, you ok?” He pushed your hand away and sobbed, “No, you’re the reason for this.” “What do you mean Tommy, I didn’t do this.” you inquired. “It was your stupid brother Dream, he blew up this place, he even killed my cow, Mushroom Henry.”

-

You slammed the door behind you, and stomped towards Dream, and punched him in the nose.

“OW, WHAT THE FUCK Y/N.”

“NO, YOU WHAT THE FUCK, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, TOMMY IS A CHILD, HE DOESN’T DESERVE THIS TREATMENT, YOU BARELY TREAT HIM LIKE A NORMAL PERSON, YOU KILLED MUSHROOM HENRY, BLEW UP HIS HOME, BLEW UP HIS ITEMS THAT HE SPENT MANY HOURS AND DAYS GETTING, WHY DREAM, WHY DO YOU LIKE GIVING PEOPLE SUFFERING IN THIS SERVER. I’M SICK OF YOU AND YOUR TREATMENT TOWARDS EVERYONE, IT’S LIKE YOU OWN THE PLACE.” you rambled, getting every thought out of your head.

You were infuriated with Clay, the way he treated everyone was sickening.

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙗𝙮𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙖𝙮

“The reason why I didn’t tell you is because I knew you would be mad.” he tried to reason with you. “NO, WHAT YOU DID WAS INSANE, HE’S A CHILD DREAM, HE’S 17, AND YOU’RE PRACTICALLY TORTURING HIM. You deserve to go into prison.”

𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧

Everyone gathered around Dream, waiting for him to retaliate against Tommy, but he didn’t, he knew his inevitable fate, his fate to live the rest of his sad life in prison, with barely to none human interaction.

“Dream, I told you months ago that you deserved prison, and you finally got it, I hope you rot in prison, feel the flesh seep off your bones, hope you feel the pain that you gave Tommy during exile during your painful time.” You stated him in his eyes, trying to reflect the betrayal through yours.

𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝙢𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚

“Hey Y/n.” Sam said. “Hey Mister Prison Guard, how you doing?” you joked. “Ummm, normally I wouldn’t do this, but Dream needs you right now.” You paused your joking face and blankly stared at Sam, “What do you mean he needs me?”

“Um, he wants you to visit him, now normally I would brush his request right off, but he keeps on nagging-” You cut off Sam, “It’s ok, I’ll visit, but only for a short period of time.”

-

You got to the prison with Sam, when you had to go through a whole process of setting your bed, getting a whole bunch of potions thrown at you, setting your items in a locker, etc.

You were standing in front of the lava wall, waiting for Sam to do something, “Y/n, are you sure of this?” he questioned. “Yeah.” you shrugged.

Sam pressed a few buttons, and the lava slowly fell down, making a big clearing, for you to see your brother.

Brother, you couldn’t believe Clay was related to you, you were ashamed, you couldn’t even be around Tommy. “Go on the honey block, and move with it.” Sam demanded of you. You standed on the block, and waited for Sam. “Ok Y/n, see you on the other side.” “See you on the other side Sam.” you saluted him.

The honey block began to move, and you with it. It went on and on, until you reached the obsidian prison that held Dream.

“Hello brother.”

“Hello Dream.”

There was a moment of silence until you spoke up, “Why did you call me here?” “I don’t know, I just wanted some company.” “Company, company, I have important stuff I need to go do and you just wanted plain old company, that’s bullshit, tell me the real reason.”

He rolled his eyes, “What if I just wanted to hang out with my little bro?” “That isn’t your ulterior motive, Dream.”

“Well, seriously, I do want to hang out with you, I have no one in here.”

“Good.”

“Ahhh, so I get that you’re upset with me.” he chided. “I’m more than mad are you I’m fur-” “Yadadada, I’ve heard this speech a bunch of times.”

You stared at him with confusing lacing your eyes, “When did you become this way?” “What do you mean?” he asked. “So manipulative and deceiving, how?” “I’m not manipulative.” argued Dream. “Yeah, sure, and I wasn’t adopted, Dream, why did you become this, this instrument of destruction, where is the big brother I know, the one who allowed me to sleep in his bed when I had nightmares, the brother that would help me with enchanting my items, where is that Dream?” Your eyes started to water, Clay didn’t go along with his promise, he messed up everything, you both where supposed to go through everything together, every little single thing.

“I’m sorry, Y/n/n.”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it, you aren’t allowed to call me Y/n/n, only my family calls me that.”

You looked back, heading towards the wall of lava, calling out for Sam to take you back to the real world, where Dream’s presence isn’t there. You said one last thing, “You’ll never be my family, not while you continuously hurt people I care for, consider me a nuisance in your life, a little bug that you need to get rid of, you know what, just don’t consider me as anything, not anymore.”

(An oh break)

𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧-𝙚𝙧

“It’s ok Y/n, I’m here, I promise I will never let anyone hurt you, never.”

That flashback, he swore to protect you through the rough times. I guess he didn’t fulfill his promise, he hurt you. The one he sworn to protect with his whole being, with his heart and soul, with everything he had until he crumbled.

(This was emotional damn, I cried during the prison part a little bit, just a little tearing up)

[lyallblacklupin]

Wolfstar x Friends (Truthful Thanksgiving Day!)

This is a wolfstar fanfic based on Friends’ season 6 episode 9: “The One Where Ross Got High.” 

Remus realizes that he should go and check on Sirius and help him in setting the plates for today’s Thanksgiving dinner. Sirius has taken the lead in cooking department and was very emphatic about his dislike towards people interfering and commenting about his cooking skills, so Remus has been smart enough to steer clear from his way. However, as the game finishes at Marlene and Dorcas’ apartment, who were also their neighbors, Remus gets up and tells them that he’ll meet later. He is always hopeful when Marlene and Dorcas are left alone because there is always a chance was for them stop their pining and finally becomes more than just roommates.

He comes in his and Sirius’ apartment, and finds that Sirius is looking drop-dead gorgeous, wearing muggle clothes. Half buttoned red collar shirt, black pants and  damp hair dripping into his silver eyes, which means he just came out from a shower as the scent of tropical shower gel is also mixing with the aroma of turkey filling the room. Sirius looks up when he senses his presence, and beams up with the widest smile. Remus smiles back but then the other one is smiling for too long, and also there is something strange about that smile—something uncomfortable—as if he is sitting on a cactus plant but struggling to pretend that all is well.

“So guess who’s coming to Thanksgiving dinner?” Sirius says, still smiling weirdly.

“Filch and Mrs. Norris?” Remus jokes, and flops down on the sofa in Sirius’ direction.

“I miss James.” Sirius rolls his eyes, “No, Effie and Monty!”

“Oh that’s great!” Remus relaxes, “They haven’t seen the place since I moved in.”

Suddenly, Sirius is grinning a little too wide, and looking anywhere but him.

“Yeah, and if you don’t mention that we live together that’ll be great! I was thinking about eating around 4!” He says all that in one breath, and Remus has to take a second to process of those words, and then it hit him.

“Why can’t I tell them that we live together?” Remus asks, trying his best to ignore the way Sirius was becoming jumpy and nervous as he starts to stir something white in the bowl.

“Cause they don’tknowthatwearedating. Do you think we should eat in the kitchen?”

“Why haven’t you told them?” Remus asks, a little confused.

“Well…ummm,” Sirius finally looks at him, his eyes guilty and soft, “I was going to, I really was, but at some part out of nowhere, I didn’t.”

Remus was too much concentrated on the way Sirius was becoming too much fidgety that it was almost entertaining to watch him, but he retaliates anyway.

“What!? Why haven’t you told them? Wouldn’t they be happy? I mean they mean so much to you! They are just as your parents as James’—“

“SO! DINNER IN THE KITCHEN AROUND FOUR! I’LL SEE YOU THEN!” Sirius’ voice is raised, and his face is a too sardonic to keep Remus from chuckling a little.

“Sirius…” Remus calls him in a singing voice which never fails to dissipate the tension from Sirius’ body, as he stops and looks at him with big puppy eyes, “Why wouldn’t they be happy?”

“Well, umm, because, umm mainly,” Remus is getting irritated until the other finally says, “They don’t like you.”

“WHAT!?” Remus is gaping at him because not even in his drunken mind he ever had the thought that James’ parents would not like hm. They were too good to take Sirius in as their second son, the Potters were the only pureblood family to be the best in their hospitality, and were very much embracing as they didn’t object when Sirius told them that he was gay.

“I’m sorry! Remus!” Sirius becomes jumpy again, advancing at Remus to calm him.

“Why! Why don’t they like me??”

“I don’t know…I mean maybe you are very quiet and sarcastic...and that may consider to be rude or something…or maybe because when you are reading, you don’t respond people who are trying to tell you an idea for making your bed a little hotter?”

Remus crosses his arms, looks at Sirius, deadpanned face.

“Is this why they don’t like me, or you don’t like me?”

Sirius smiles guiltily, “I know I should’ve told them, and I don’t really care what they think, love, but I’m sorry.”

“You know what, it’ll be okay!” Remus suddenly feels optimistic because of course, it’s not Sirius’ fault and he hates to see the guilt in his eyes, “Because when they come over, I will be all charming. I will make them fall in love with me, and then we’ll tell them.”

“You really think that would work?” Sirius’ silver eyes lights up.

“Hey, I can be pretty charming, babe. Won you over didn’t I?” Sirius laughs and leans in to brush his nose with his.

“I don’t think my parents would ever be a hopeless romantic like me.” They kiss the tension away, and then after waits for James, Peter and Marlene to come over for the dinner. Apparently, Dorcas have just moved in with Marlene, and according to her, she is going to meet some of her dancer friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, much to Marlene and Peter’s enthusiasm because Hot dancer friends and hopeless singles? Why Not?

The Potters comes to Sirius and Remus’ apartment, and there is all meet and greet session going on before Sirius exclaims, not at all coping with his subtlety, “Look! Look who it is! It’s Remus, Mom and Dad!”

“Oh it’s so great to see you, Remus.” Mrs. Potter smiles funnily, apparently not reaching her eyes, while Mr. Potter is just staring at him with his narrowing eyes but Remus is determined to change their impression about him.

“Mr. and Mrs. Potter, you look wonderful and it’s great to have you here! Let us take off your coats!” Remus can see the confused looking Potters, as he reaches for Mr Potter’s shoulder, “Woah! Snowing out in the Hollows?” He wants to slap himself for his needy sarcasm because there is a painful silence and Sirius is giving him THE glare.

“No.” Mr. Potter replies, walking away to sit in the living room.

“You are going to be fine, sweetheart.” Sirius slips his arm to tug Remus by his waist, “Just be yourself…but not too much.” He quickly pecks him on the cheek and scurries away to sit with the Potters.

In the meantime, Remus goes over to James who is in a heated discussion with Marlene.

“Hey, Prongs? Your parents like me, don’t they?” Remus asks.

“Pfft! Of course! They like you.” His eyes still on Marlene casting a delicate spell of the dessert Lily has made for the dinner.

“Pads just told me that they don’t?”

“Yeah, they don’t like you.” His eyes were still on the glass tray.

Sirius’ eyes are wandering around even though Mrs. Potter is talking to him with such amusement about her new neighbor.

“Honestly, Sirius, you should meet her! Her son is your age and is so cute—“ but she stops when Mr. Potter clears his throat a little prominently, slightly shaking his head. “Yeah I might stop myself, but you should meet him! He is such a nice kid.”

Remus can see the discomfort etched to Sirius’ face as he won’t stop scrunching his nose, but then he is gesturing him to come and sit among them. Remus does nothing but obey him.

“So, dad, Remus is one of James’ best friends! You remember him right?” Sirius beams up.

“James sure is a great guy!” Remus interjects, thinking hard of something eloquent and of course, charming, “I’ve always felt how a young man turns out as a reflection on his father.”

 This pretty seems like a success, because there is nothing sarcastic about it. The tone was okay, the words were just fine, hope the smile is not too wide.

“Uh huh.” However, Mr. Potter doesn’t seem to cooperate with him as he takes a sip from his wine, and Sirius’ facial expressions are now coming out too strongly.

Mrs. Potter comes to sit beside Mr. Potter, and now James is here to with his stupid grin and messy hair.

“Oh, Mum!” Sirius jumps on his chair which almost jerks Remus out from his, “Remus was just saying that he likes your cardigan.”

“Oh, thank you, Remus. I just bought it.” Mrs. Potter is smiling which makes Remus excited.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s very beautiful! It’s crème colored and tight and—“ WHAT!? TIGHT!?

Now everyone is staring at him, and he couldn’t feel more mortified.

“I did not mean tight—I mean not too tight—not that I was looking—I mean why would I look because I’m—“

Sirius elbows him to stop. James doesn’t stop sniggering, and Mr. and Mrs. Potter has a resigned look on their faces.

“What’s the matter with him?” Mr. Potter is now whispering but werewolves can hear still, right?

“I think he’s stoned again.” Mrs. Potter whispers back before Sirius gasps. Oh he heard that, too.

“What?” He is glaring now.

“Dude! I need to talk to you.” James is flushed red as he grabs Remus by his arm, dragging him to the room. Remus is feeling hot and cold, and he has an urge to hit someone in the face. Maybe James.

Once there were in the room, James begins, “Okay…I think I know why my parents don’t like you.”

“You do!? Why?”

“Okay look, we were young,” James chuckles hesitantly but Remus doesn’t join, “Okay, after fourth year, summer holidays happened. I got high in my bedroom. And then my parents walked in and smells it. So I said that you were here who got stoned and jumped out of my window to escape.”

“What!? Why did you do that!?” Remus is almost there in hitting the other’s face.

“I don’t know…you were the first name that popped in my head. I’m sorry!”

“What about Sirius!?”

“I knew that wouldn’t be believable because he comes from Noble house of Black! But look I didn’t think it would matter—“

“How can that not matter!?” Remus is surprised at his voice becoming so high-pitched.

“How was I supposed to know that we’ll become closer after you told us about your furry little problem? And also and most importantly how was I supposed to know that you’ll end up living with Sirius after Hogwarts, who happens now to be my adopted brother!”

“What about that all Friends Forever stuff?”

“I don’t know…I was all high…” James is trying his best to make out puppy eyes, but no, Remus is not going to fall for them 

Then the door is slammed shut as an angry looking Sirius is in the room. Remus turns to face him, and he looks very cute. Is this the time? Says a small voice in his brain.

“Mum and Dad sent me here to find out that if you” He points at Remus, “were getting James stoned!?”

Remus tells everything in one breathe, and is little entertained to watch Sirius getting enraged as if someone has lit him up by fire. Before Remus knows it he is lunging at James to rip him out.

“You’re—dead! Son of—“ He is hitting, but more like pinching, squeezing James, who is murmuring ‘sorry’s’ Remus pulls his boyfriend back, as much as he is enjoying the fight, he knows that it’s no use of getting defensive at each other because the problem still lies within.

“Look, that’s not going to help. James, you tell the truth to your parents.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay I’ll tell them.” James sets his dangling glasses on the bridge of his nose, while Sirius is still glaring daggers at him. He slips out of the room carefully away from Sirius’ thundering rage, leaving him and Remus alone in the room.

“Okay, so I guess it will be alright.” Sirius sighs, looking extremely tempting. Remus holds him by the waist which seeps away the tension from Sirius’ body. He makes a humming sound and buries his face in the taller boy’s chest.

“I’m glad you’re shorter than me.” Remus says in his hair

“Why?” A very grumpy and muffled voice reaches him, immediately making him laugh.

“Because you can relax your whole self in my arms when you are having a tough day.”

There is silence but Sirius has held him a little tighter now, then the muffled voice returns again, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

 The dinner goes on, and clearly James is trying his best to avoid the conversation with his parents.

“Why is it so important for Sirius?” Marlene says to Remus while eating the leftover yams from Lily’s plate, “I mean he doesn’t have to care. Just tell Mr. and Mrs. Potter that you guys are dating and living together, going to get married soon, and have kids like a happily after…”

Remus is staring at her how she is not at all interested, while making eyes at Dorcas who has just stopped by to borrow a bowl for her party.

“Is there something in your yams? Or is that just the effect of pining after your roommate?”

“Shut up.” Marlene scoffs, finally meeting his eyes. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“The Potters are Sirius’ only family. Can’t you see they call him ‘son’ and he calls them ‘Mom and Dad.’ He needs their approval too, and I understand that. I would have felt the same if my parents didn’t like Sirius which they don’t the way I want them to, because apparently he is a Black.”

“Yeah, but come on, your parent at least know that you guys are serious about each other. I meant SIRIUS.”

“Ha-Ha. That joke’s a hundred million years older now.”

The dessert is served, and nobody is looking forward to the mishap Lily has done. Trifle! Who doesn’t like a trifle? Except that it is not a complete trifle but also a shepherd’s pie. So it’s a no-no. 

“It tastes like feet!” Peter whispers harshly when everyone has left from kitchen to the living room.

“I like it.” Remus snapped his head up from his plate to see Marlene eating it passionately.

“Are you kidding?” He snorts.

“Well, what’s not to like? Custard? Good! Jam? Gooood! Beef? GOOOOOD!!”

Remus can say he is not that surprised because Marlene has two most foremost things in her life which includes food and being a raging lesbian.

Sirius has thrown his dessert from the balcony, and is currently convincing Lily that a pigeon ruined his dessert.

“So the bird grabbed it? And try to fly away with it…and then just dropped in on the street?” She asks, utterly confused.

“But if it’s any consolation before the pigeon dropped it, he seems to enjoy it.” Sirius replies while Remus has to keep a hand on his mouth to secure the laughter bubbling out of him.

James is still sitting with Marlene and Peter, not making any effort to do his job. Sirius glares at him probably the fourteenth time.

“James, let’s go.” He says, as Remus is sitting in the living room, watching the scene.

“Oh yeah, about telling Mom and Dad, I was thinking maybe writing a letter.” He tries to laugh with Sirius who has a stony face.

“You know what, you had your chance.” He turns away to step towards Mr. and Mrs. Potter sitting on the couch. “Mom, Dad, James smoked weed in fourth year.”

“What!?” They both says in a unison.

“You are such a tattletale!” James hisses, and then sheepishly sits in front of his parents, “Mom, Dad…umm remember in the summer holidays, when you walked in my room and smelled the you-know-what.”

“Yes.” His parents says in unison again, but this time their glares are fixed at Remus.

“Well, I told you it was Remus who smoked it but it was me…I am sorry…”

“It was you?” Mrs. Potter looks hurt. However, Remus can see Sirius still not looking contented with the situation.

“And, Dad, you know that employee who you fired from your hair potion company, he didn’t burst the batch of glass bottles, James did!”

James looks stunned as Mr. Potter is looking at him with a disappointed look.

“The chandelier in the dining hall didn’t break because of the thunderstorm coming from the opened window, Sirius’ spell did!” James retorts.

“James has been suspended from working in the Ministry for eight months!”

The Potters gasps.

“SIRIUS AND REMUS ARE LIVING TOGETHER!” It was Remus’ turn to gasp, but Sirius was raging like a dog who has been hit on its tail.

“JAMES MARRIED MY BROTHER WHILE HE WAS DRUNK, THEN GOT DIVORCED!”

“I’m in love with my roommate!” Marlene yells from her table.

“I wasn’t supposed to put beef in the trifle.” Lily says apologetically.

“I WANNA GOOOO!” Peter shouts, looking bored.

Remus is taking a while to process all of that has happened but eager to see how the Mr. and Mrs. Potter are going to deal with it.

“That’s a lot of information to get in 30 seconds.” Mr. Potter is rubbing his temples.

But then Mrs. Potter stands up, “Peter, if you want to leave just leave.”

“And no, Lily dear, you were not supposed to put beef in the dessert. It did not taste good.”

Lily looks sad, but Marlene is convincing her that she loved it.

“And I’m sorry, Marlene, but I think you should start by confessing your feelings to your roommate.” Mrs. Potter continues. “Sirius, love,” She smiles at him, “Why did you have to hide the fact that your important relationship is beyond me?”

“And we kind of figured about the broken chandelier, son.” Mr. Potter is also smiling now.

“James…” Mrs. Potter turns to her son with an upset look, “Drugs…Divorce?”

“What happened, son?” Mr. Potter asks.

“I got tricked into all those things…” James tries to defend himself but actually trails off.

Remus feels his heart thudding in his chest.

“Remus!” Mrs. Potter exclaims and he abruptly stands up from his chair, “You’ve been James’ best friend all these years, stuck by fighting his drug problem!”

James huffs while Sirius snorts.

“And now you take in up on Sirius as well! I don’t know what to say...” Mrs. Potter chuckles and then says, “You are a wonderful human being!”

Remus almost screams, “Thank you!”

“No, Thank” Mr. Potter gets up and kisses Remus’ cheek, “YOU!”

Remus can feel that he has never smiled so wide.

“James and Sirius, I don’t know what I am going to do about the two of you.”

They both look miserable, and Remus can recall their Hogwarts times when they would receive detentions and Mcgonacall would ask him to make the two of them realize their mistake and never do it again.

“I’ll talk to them.” Remus says, smiling ear to ear, as he is sandwiched in Mr. and Mrs. Potter’s embrace.

[pparkerpoetry]

Face Reality (Part 12)

Title: Secrets Fester (but they aren’t the only things that grow)

Summary: Tommy's hybrid half urges him to seek out his family. Sam is hiding something, but they don't know what. Tubbo learns about a part of himself he didn't know existed and is reminded of his past.

Part One

Part Thirteen

Masterlist

___________

Tommy woke up last a few days later to a soft trilling in the corners of his mind. He groaned- it was his turn for a thin day, apparently. He wasn’t surprised, he’d read that families tended to group their days close together. 

 He sat up and sighed. His thin days were always embarrassing, his stupid little bird brain always wanted to spend time with his family, and constantly wanted cuddles. Tommy didn’t want cuddles.

 Yes you do.

 Tommy huffed. No, he didn’t want cuddles. He wanted to get through the day without getting teased. Maybe he could just stay in his room all day. Yes, that was a good idea.

 Make a nest? His mind asked, getting excited.

 He rolled his eyes. Okay, maybe he could make a nest. That was relatively normal, right? His hands moved to grasp the blankets and shape them into a sort of circling wall, with enough space in the middle for him to curl up underneath his wings. He ignored the happy cooing that his mind wanted to release- he couldn’t just chirp and trill, that’d bring noise, and noise meant someone coming in, which meant embarrassment. He didn’t want that.

 Flock, The bird in him trilled sadly. Where’s your flock?

 “Busy,” Tommy grumbled, moving a wing to cover his face. “So shut the fuck up.”

 He stayed there, keeping the sounds at bay, for a long time. Too long.

 There was a knock at the door. “Hey, Tommy?” Ranboo asked. “Are you alright? It’s almost noon, and you never sleep in this long.”

 Tommy opened his mouth to say he was fine, but a distressed chirp escaped instead. He winced, hoping Ranboo didn’t hear it.

 “Uh, pardon?” Ranboo chuckled a little. “Can I come in?”

 He wanted to say no. But the part that wanted to say no was overpowered by his bird brain. Literally. “Yes.” He sighed reluctantly.

 When he walked in, Ranboo immediately spoke. “Aww, Tommy, is it a thin day?”

 He nodded miserably, forgetting that his wing was covering his face. 

 “Aw, Tommy, come on, most of us are in the living room.”

 His stupid bird sounds made him give out a happy trill, and then he cut it off with a grumble. “They’re gonna tease me.”

 Flock? Flock? 

 Ranboo lifted Tommy’s wing and stared at his face. “If I make them promise you aren’t going to say anything, will you come out? It’s not healthy to suppress this.”

 Tommy sighed. “Fine. But they need to promise to not take any photos for blackmail.”

 Ranboo left the room, which his mind didn’t like, but he sucked it up. Eventually, Ranboo came back and beckoned Tommy to follow him.

 When they got to the living room, he frowned. “Where’s Dad?”

 Flock? Where is the flock? Why is it not complete?

 “Prison.” Purpled sighed. “Something about making sure the prisoner didn’t die.”

 “That’s okay though,” Tubbo smiled. “We’re here! We’re enough, right?”

 Tommy’s frown deepened. “I guess.” He went over and flopped on top of whoever was on the couch. He wasn’t sure who, but someone started preening his wings and he let out a happy sigh that morphed into a purr. 

 All of them remained close to the living room for most of the morning, taking turns being near Tommy since his body radiated warmth and the house tended to be a bit colder (which didn’t make a whole lot of sense, since Sam liked warmth, but..). 

 Sam came back a little after lunch. 

 “What took you so long?” Fundy drawled, head hanging off of the couch and feet dangling over the back. “You got a secret girlfriend?”

 Sam had been drinking some water, and nearly spit it out. He was content to stick with choking on it, instead. “No,” He said weakly. “Nope, no girlfriend here. I just had a weird conversation with Dream and had to think about it a bit.”

 Everyone squinted at Sam for a moment, but Tommy interrupted by barreling into him. “Hi, dad.”

 “Hey, Tommy,” Sam smiled. “Your turn, huh?”

 Tommy chirped a bit, burrowing his head into Sam’s chest and letting his wings circle them both.

 “Who’s the clingy one now?” Tubbo mused from a chair. “Hint, it’s not me.”

 ________

 Sam was having an odd day. He hadn’t been lying when he said he’d gone to the prison, but Dream was being weird.

________

 “So, how’d those hybrid hunters end up?” Dream asked nonchalantly. 

 Sam turned. He was just about to leave, but… “You knew they were coming? And you didn’t warn us? I have the emergency contact button for a reason, Dream.”

 Dream chuckled. “I knew you wouldn’t have your device on, since you exploded, and well, I couldn’t be bothered to reach anyone else by now. Haven’t you learned, Sam, that I just don’t care?”

 Sam glared at him. “You’re lucky my boys took care of them. Tubbo and Purpled could’ve been killed, since humans are no use to the hunters.”

 “Humans?” Dream laughed again, before realizing Sam was serious. “Sam, no one on this server is completely human. I made sure of it.”

 “What?” Sam shook his head. “You’re saying they’re hybrids, too?”

 Dream was quiet. “I’ve already helped you enough. I think you’ve gotta give me something in return, if you want more.”

 “Alright. Be like that, then. See you next week.” Sam sighed, leaving the prison. His brain was muddled with thoughts.

 When were Tubbo and Purpled going to show their true colors? What hybrids were they? Was Dream even telling the truth?

 __________

 And, well… He took a detour before he got home, sure, but he hadn’t been lying when he said he didn’t have a girlfriend… but it felt weird keeping a secret, even if he’d been keeping it for a while.

 He had Tommy to think about before tonight… would he be able to leave the house? Tommy seemed pretty attached. 

 The day went by okay after he got home, to be fair. There was one incident where Tommy tried to get on top of the fridge to divebomb everyone since he was too tired to fly up, but Sam got him down. 

 Having a relatively tame Tommy was a nice change, but it was odd. Sam kinda wanted his energised son back, even if he was a little annoying at times. 

 At any rate, he’d made some half put together excuse as to why he needed to leave for the night, and planned on leaving through a hidden back door connected to his room once he was ready. He looked in the mirror and scrunched his face up. He hated wearing suits. He was more a sweatshirt type of guy, or he wore his mask when he was working, but never suits. Why was he doing this again?

 He patted down his- jacket? He wasn’t sure what it was called, but he straightened it (some part of his brain snorted at that), then fiddled with his tie.

 The door burst open before he could stop it, and then it was just Sam, in a fancy suit, staring at Tommy, both looking like deer in headlights.

 “Where you going, big man?” Tommy asked, less clingy than this morning as his human side was taking back more control. 

 Sam winced. He couldn’t lie to Tommy, even if he wanted to. Not directly. “I’ve uh, I’ve got a date.”

 Tommy lit up. “No kidding? Who’s the lucky lady?”

 “I’m gonna refrain from answering that.” Sam chuckled nervously. “Are you going to be alright while I’m gone?”

 “Are you crazy? We gotta tell the others so we can hype you up, and then we’re gonna meet our new mom!” (Sam didn’t know it, but Tommy’s mind was spamming flock)

 Sam’s eyes widened. “No, no, no, Tommy, I don’t think that’s a good idea-”

 It was too late. Tommy had already run down the hall, and Sam barely had time to sit down on his bed before the entire herd of his sons came barreling back, outraged that Sam had kept such a momentous secret from them.

 “Are you nervous?” Tubbo asked, towards the back of the group.

 Sam shrugged, “I mean, yeah, but-”

 Fundy grinned. “It’s gonna go great, dad. You’ve got nothing to worry about, she’s going to love you.”

 Sam cringed, “I, uh, I’m sure she will?”

 “Yeah! That’s the spirit!” Tommy cheered. “On the other hand, can we go meet her? I promise we won’t be weird.”

 “Can you promise that?” Ranboo teased. “But yeah, can we?”

 Sam sighed. “I mean, I guess,”

 “Do we have to put on suits?” Purpled complained, “Cause if we have to, I don’t wanna go.”

 “No,” Sam said, putting his head into his hands. “You don’t have to put on a suit.”

 “Hey hey hey,” Tommy said, sitting next to Sam on his bed, “Now is not the time to be sad. You are going on a date with a woman, and that is Pogchamp. Now is a time to celebrate. Let’s go, you’re going to be late, and you can’t be late if you’re going to absolutely win her over like I know you are.”

 “Thank guys,” Sam said, and he meant it a little. Now he had something to worry about other than his date. “You’re right, let’s go.”

 It was… an interesting walk. His boys were hyping him up, which he appreciated, but he was nervous. He had been hoping to wait a little longer to tell them. Of course they found out on one of his only dates after he’d adopted them all.

 Finally, after a stroll through the woods, they arrived at the place: a lovely little clearing with fairy lights that shone and twinkled as the sun set with a table in the center set in the middle. There was food, and candles, and it was all very romantic, but the boys weren’t focused on that. They were focused on the person who was standing by the table, in a suit, rose in hand.

 Purpled was the first one to speak. “Ponk?” He stepped closer and fell into a hug from the man who was, indeed, Ponk. “Is this really you?”

 “Yeah, Purp. It’s me. I’m sorry you had to go through all that you did alone.” Ponk said, surprisingly softly. “I wanted to see you, but Sam told me to let you heal a bit, first.”

 “Bitch.” Purpled said, but it was clear he was trying not to cry. “I missed you.”

 “I missed you, too. I thought you would’ve come to see me earlier.”

 Purpled shook his head, refusing to leave Ponk’s hug. “How could I? We just found out you guys were a thing today, I was too scared to visit you otherwise.”

 Ponk turned to Sam with an exasperated look. “Sam, I thought you said you were gonna tell them!”

 “Well, I had every intention to,” Sam said defensively, “but everyone kept getting hurt and it never seemed like the right time.”

 “Wait,” Tommy butted in, “How long have you guys been dating? I thought this was like, a first date type thing and that’s why he was so nervous.”

 “Aw, Sam! You were nervous?”

 Sam, in question, flushed a little. “I mean, how could I not be? You’re so amazing and all, I-”

 “How long?” Tommy asked loudly. “You aren’t answering my questions, and they need answering! Now!”

 “Well,” Ponk winced, “Sammy, you answer it. They should hear it from you.”

 “What do you mean we should hear it from Sam?” Tubbo asked. “How long has this been going on?”

 Purpled squinted at Ponk. “And why don’t you want to answer?”

 “A little over a year and a half.” Sam blurted out, and all eyes turned to him.

 “What?” Tommy cried out. “And we didn’t know? You’re our dad, you’re supposed to tell us these things!”

 Sam was at a loss for words. “I didn’t know you guys cared about my love life?” He tried as a weak response.

 “Of course we care,” Fundy argued. “We always care, and that’s why we came here to make sure that whoever you were dating was fit to be our other parent. We just… weren’t expecting Ponk.”

 “Who were you expecting?” Ponk asked, confused. 

 “Well, Tommy thought it was a girl.” Tubbo said, and Tommy tried to deny it.

 “You thought-” Ponk laughed. “You thought Sam was dating a girl?”

 “Sam didn’t say he wasn’t!” Tommy protested.

 It was quiet a moment longer, until Ponk interrupted it, arms still around Purpled. “Wait, Sam, your love life? You love me?”

 All eyes turned to Sam as he blushed furiously and scratched at the back of his head. “Well, I mean, you’re really funny and your smile is really cute, and I really like spending time with you…”

 Tommy glanced from Sam to Ponk, both blushing and looking at the ground bashfully, and groaned. “Oh, my god! We get it, you’re in love! Get a room.”

 The two adults both spluttered, trying to get a response, before Tommy spoke again. “Go ahead, say ‘i love you’ and all that gross mushy stuff. Pretend we’re not even here. I swear, we’re not gonna say anything. Just go for it.”

 “I mean,” Sam started, looking up at Ponk, “if you want to, of course I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, or anything...”

 “I love you.” Ponk blurted out.

 “I love you, too.” Sam responded breathlessly. “A lot. Like, probably too much.”

 Ponk hid his face a little, and held out his hand. “I, um, I got you a rose,” 

 “I saw. You’re adorable.”

 It was quiet, and Ranboo coughed a little. “C’mon, guys, they probably want us to leave. It’s their date, after all.”

 “Do we have to?” Purpled asked, “This is more entertaining than any movie we’ve watched, I wanna keep making them embarrassed.”

 “I agree with Ranboo,” Tommy said, “We should probably go. However, I also agree with Purp, because I want to stay.”

 Ponk shrugged. “I mean, I can woo Sammy here another day if you all wanna just go watch a movie, or something. Sam? You alright with that?”

 Sam had to admit he'd wanted a nice night with just him and Ponk, but part of his mind was worried for Tommy, since he was still going through a thin day. “Sure, I guess we can watch a movie tonight and do something else later.”

 So, they all walked back to Sam’s base, boys in front, politely pretending that they didn’t notice Sam and Ponk holding hands in the back. They didn’t want to notice it. They also pretended to not notice the little sweet whispers that the two exchanged, and the boys were starting to regret their decision to not leave the two alone.

 Despite that, they all watched a movie, huddled in a nest that Tommy had made. He stretched his wings around those that he could, but ultimately was content to just huddle up against Sam and sleep, instead of watching the movie. 

 Sam was curled up next to Ponk, which was a little odd considering the height difference, but they made it work. Sam wasn’t sure where the rest of his boys were in the nest.

 At some point that night, once it was late and it was just him and Ponk awake, he felt Ponk shift. 

 “Where are you going?” Sam asked sleepily, clutching the sweatshirt that he’d let Ponk borrow. “Why are you leaving?”

 “It’s late,” Ponk whispered. “I need to get home.”

 “No,” Sam pouted. “I don’t want you to go home. You should stay here for the night.”

 “I appreciate it, Sammy, but I really-”

 “I almost died a few days ago and you’re not going to do what I want?” Sam murmured, waking up slightly. 

 “Oh, Sam,” Ponk said, sadness weighing his voice down. “Don’t joke about that. You worried me, when you didn’t talk to me for a week, then I found out from Tubbo that the hunters were back. I was so worried that I’d get there too late, and you’d be gone. Hell, before I found out, I thought you were breaking up with me.”

 “I’d never do that. Don’t be sad.” Sam said tiredly, but Ponk wasn’t done.

 “And then, and then I found out this morning that you’d gone against some, some fucking god, and you won, and you’d adopted Purpled, and I found out all the shit that he’d gone through and how you reacted, and I’m scared.”

 “Of what? I’ll protect you, Ponkie.”

 “I’m scared that one day you’ll go up against some big bad villain and you won’t make it out alive, Sammy. You take on so much, and what if I can’t help you?”

 Sam looked up, and saw that Ponk was crying softly. “Oh, Ponk. I’m always going to come back, because I have a reason to. I’ve got you to come back to, I’ve got my boys. I’ll fight with everything I’ve got to make it out alive.”

 “But what if that isn't enough?” Ponk stressed. “I joke all the time, and I mess around, but I’m scared. I don’t want to lose you.”

 “You won’t.” Sam assured him, pulling Ponk back into a hug. “Stay the night?” He asked again.

 “Okay,” Ponk relented, sniffling. “But I’ve got to go home in the morning. Are you going to let me go?”

 Sam smiled sleepily and pulled Ponk closer, burying his head in his shoulder. “No promises. I love you.”

 “I love you too, you big sap.”

 _______

 Tubbo woke up last the next morning. His head hurt, like he had a headache, and his mouth was dry. He wasn’t aware that he’d woken up last, as he was still curled up in the nest and didn’t really want to do… anything. His head hurt too much.

 He let out a little whine, burrowing his head into the blankets as the light hit his face.

 “Tubbo? You up, man?” Who was that? That was Tommy, right?

 “Tommy?” He murmured. “My head hurts.”

 The voice chuckled. “Not Tommy. I’m Ranboo. I dunno, you need an advil, or something?”

 “I don’t know,” Tubbo groaned. “Make it stop.”

 He heard a slight humming. “Maybe I should go get Sam.”

 “No,” Tubbo pouted, curling up even more. “Get Tommy. I want Tommy.”

 Footsteps echoed away from him, and Tubbo moved one of his arms under his head. His fingers brushed against his ear, and-

 “What?” He sat up, poking at the back of his ear, momentarily blocking out the pain of his head. “What?”

 Sam walked into the room, “What d’you mean? Anything wrong? Ranboo said your head hurt, or something.”

 “Sam,” Tubbo started, hands still covering his ears. “Why am I growing fur?”

 A look of sudden surprise was painted across Sam’s face before it settled on a grimace. “Well, Tubbo, you’re a hybrid.”

 Tubbo looked up quickly, wincing at the pounding in his head. “I’m a hybrid? How do you know?”

 “When I visited Dream he mentioned it,” Sam mumbled a bit, before speaking a little louder. “Anyway, it’s probably going to hurt. I’ll send someone to go grab Tommy, since most of us were born with our hybrid features rather than growing them.”

 Tubbo thought Sam spoke more, but he wasn’t listening. His head was still hurting, and the pain was still increasing. He wanted Tommy. He missed Tommy, where was he?

 How had he gotten on the couch? Was he crying? Oh. His head hurt a lot. “Tommy?” He sniffled, too far gone to hate how vulnerable his voice was.

 “I’m here, Tubs. I’m here.”

 “What’s going on?” He managed, trying to turn to his side but yelping when the pain spiked.

 “You’re probably growing something.” Tommy said nonchalantly, putting a hand into Tubbo’s hair. 

 Tommy’s hands put pressure on the side of his head. “Ow,” Tubbo cried, and Tommy rushed an apology. It was quiet for a moment. “What am I growing?”

 “I can’t tell yet.” Tommy hesitated. “Your ears look pretty cool, though. They’ve gotten all long and furry.”

 “My ears are furry?” Tubbo didn’t quite catch Tommy’s reply as he fell asleep despite the pounding in his head.

 _________

 The next time Tubbo woke up, he was alone. He was still on the couch, but daylight streamed through the windows and the house was silent. Where was everyone?

 His head felt much better, but his mouth was still dry, so he pried himself off of the blankets and padded into the kitchen for a glass of water. He turned the faucet on and yawned as the water poured out, reaching up to scratch his head.

 His hand hit something smooth and solid, right above his ear.

 Tubbo turned off the faucet as his eyebrows furrowed, walking over to the bathroom, glass still in his clutches. No one was in the halls, and he frowned as he pushed the bathroom door open. 

 His gaze raised to the mirror, and the glass slipped from his fingers to shatter on the ground. He didn’t register the water that soaked through his socks, but he stared, unblinking, as his eyes filled with tears. He stumbled backwards, yelping as he fell into the tub and sobs racked his body.

 “Tubbo?” Tommy’s voice called from down the hall. “I heard a crash, are you alright?” The voice got louder and Tubbo’s cries did, too. Tommy’s head popped through the door frame. “Tubbo?”

 In the corner of the shower, Tubbo was huddling with his legs pressed against his chest and head ducked down. When he spoke, it came out soft and trembling. “We promised.”

 “What?” Tommy started, but was cut off by Tubbo.

 “We promised that you wouldn’t be the next Wilbur, and I wouldn’t be the next Schlatt.”

 “Yeah?” Tommy said, tilting his head, crouching down in front of Tubbo and holding his hands out, palms up. “And we kept it. We’re fine, okay? We’re safe, and nothing is going to happen. Let’s get clean-”

 “Then why have I grown horns?” Tubbo cried, tears streaming down his face. “I was finally able to move on, and now I’ve got a permanent reminder of him. He promised he wasn’t my father, Tommy, but what if he really did lie about everything?”

 “Oh, Tubbo.” Tommy said softly. “Schlatt’s not your father.”

 “How can you be sure?” Tubbo asked, but he moved into Tommy’s arm for a hug. His chin rested on Tommy’s shoulder.

 “Because,” Tommy reasoned, “Your horns aren’t the same. His curved around his ears, right? Yours stick up a little. And your ears!” Tommy smiled, and lightly flicked one of Tubbo’s ears. “You’ve got some yellow fur growing. I’d bet good money that you’re a moobloom.”

 “You bet good money for stupid reasons, though, Tommy.” Tubbo murmured, falling asleep again as Tommy’s wings wrapped around him.

 Tommy went to reply, but Tubbo had fallen asleep. “You’re lucky that you’re my best friend, bitch.” He grumbled, picking up Tubbo to move him to the couch again. He’d clean up the bathroom too, but Tubbo was more important.

 His best friend was more important.

 Family was more important.

 More important than anything.

[tweedlydumbtweedlydoo]

Rafe Cameron x reader (pt 3)

Summary:  You, a pogue and Rafe Cameron, a kook are friends of benefits, secretly of course. But what happens when you get pregnant?

Part 1 // Part 2 

A/N: Here is part 3!! Please please please read the author’s note at the end! Thank you so much for the continued support of this. You all are AMAZING. I love y’all. xx

Tag list is at the end. Let me know if you want to be added xx

**MASTERLIST**

Requests: {OPEN} CLOSED

I am currently taking requests for:

The Vampire Diaries/The Originals

Elijah Mikaelson

Damon Salvatore

Criminal Minds:

Spencer Reid

Derek Morgan

Supernatural (I’m only up to season 2, so please don’t request something with spoilers)**

Sam Winchester

Dean Winchester

Outer Banks (Netflix):

John B Routledge

JJ Maybank

Rafe Cameron

********************************************************************************************NOT MY GIF, CREDIT TO OWNERS

There was screaming and cries all around you. What happened? Oh right, someone shot a gun. There was a pang in your side, huh, that kind of hurts. When you looked down you could see your white shirt turning red, that looks like blood. Is it mine? Looking at the eyes in front of you, you could see a panicked Rafe. He didn’t look high anymore, they looked normal, like the ones you fell in love with. Turning your head, you could see John B rushing to you out of the water. Then you let your eyes fluttered closed.

John B and everyone around watched in horror. He was quick, catching you before you fell against the sand. “Y/n!” Slowly he went to his knees, with you in his arms, your back against his chest.

“What the hell, Rafe?!” John B yelled, looking up at Rafe. 

As soon as that gunshot rang out, Rafe’s high was over and he was back to reality. “I-I didn’t mean too!” His hands go up to his head, gripping at his hair, “Is she alive?” 

JJ pushed Rafe out of the way and dropped to your side, holding his hands against your stomach, “Someone call 911!”

Kie screamed. JJ was yelling about being stupid for bringing the gun in the first place. Pope was yelling about keeping pressure on the wound. John B was yelling at y/n to stay with him. Hands were shaking him, “Rafe! We gotta go man, the police are on their way.” Topper. He was in a haze, watching the scene in front of him. He doesn’t remember doing it, but his feet carried himself through the sand and to his truck.

“Oh god, JJ there’s a lot of blood.” John B cried, rocking back and forth.

“I know dude, I’m trying!” He looked around, “I need more towels!”

John B looked around, “Where the hell is the paramedics?!” His hands were gently rubbing your cheek, “Please, please stay with me.”

Kie and Pope quickly returned with the towels gathered from the beach.

Pope dropped to y/n’s side next to JJ and put more towels, but the blood just kept seeping through. “Kie, run up to the road and flag them down.” Pope instructed. Kie nodded before running off.

John B cradled you in his arms, “I can’t lose her…I can’t.”

That’s when JJ and Pope knew, you were the mystery girl he was in love with.

~

“Please, let me ride with her!” John B begged the paramedic, who shook her head, “I’m sorry son, you can’t. Is there anything else we should know about her?”

John B nods, “S-she’s pregnant. 2 months…” The paramedic nodded before hopping into the back with you.

JJ grabbed John B’s shoulder, “Come on man, I’ll drive you. We’ll follow behind.”

“She’s coding!” Is the last thing he heard as the doors shut and the paramedics drove off.

~

John B’s knee bounced up and down as he sat in the hospital chair. His head was in his hands. It had been 4 hours since they arrived and there was no word. He’d called your mom, but she was out of town with your dad and wouldn’t be home until tomorrow.

“She’s going to be fine, John B.” Kie comforted, “She’s strong.”

“What the fuck are you doing here?!” John B looked up when he heard JJ yelling. Walking through the waiting room doors was Rafe and Topper.

“Please, I just wanted to make sure she was okay.” Rafe begs, “I don’t want to start anything.”

“You’re the reason she’s fighting for her life, asshole!” Pope yelled.

Kie stands and goes to the boys as people begin looking around, “We’re all going to get kicked out if you idiots don’t shut the hell up!” She whisper yells, “JJ, Pope, go sit back down.” JJ and Pope didn’t move, “I said go.” She gave them a little shove and they finally obliged and sat back down.

“Please, Kie, is she okay?”

“We don’t know. We haven’t heard anything.” She points to chairs on the opposite side of the boys, “Sit down.”

Topper and Rafe follow Kie’s orders and sit down.

“If she dies, it’s on you Cameron.” John B snaps, looking up at Rafe before standing and storming off.

~

After two more long hours, a surgeon walked out into the waiting room, clip board in hand. “Is the family of y/n y/l/n here?”

All the pogues, Topper and Rafe stood from their seats. 

“You all are family?” The surgeon asked.

John B nodded, “We’re her family.”

“Our mother loves to adopt kids.” JJ comments when he sees the surgeon looking at all of them. The surgeon continues to look at them weird before shaking his head, “Alright.”

“How is she? Is she and the baby okay?” John B asks.

The surgeon motions back to the chairs and sits down. They follow and all sit back down, John B at the edge of his seat.

“It was touch and go for a while, but she is one lucky girl. She lost a good bit of blood and she coded in the ambulance. However, we finally managed to get a pulse when she arrived. Then, we took her straight into surgery. The bullet was a through and through, hitting her spleen. We did have to remove the spleen, there was no way around that. However, she’s going to have to be very careful the rest of her life because now she’s going to be prone to infections. But other than that, she should make a full recovery.” The surgeon explains.

“is..what about the baby?” Kie asks, “Was the baby okay?”

The surgeon nods, “fetus is fine.”

“Can we see her?” JJ asks.

The surgeon nods, “Only 2 at a time though. I’ll have a nurse show you to her.” The surgeon stands.

“Thank you, doctor.” Rafe holds his hand out to the surgeon who nods, returning the hand shake and walking off.

The pogues and two kooks share glances, Pope asks, “So, who’s the first two?”

Rafe knows he won’t be one of the first two, so he doesn’t even try it, “John B, you and Kiara go back first.”

~

Rafe waits patiently in the waiting room with Topper and the other pogues. You were going to be okay.. and so was his baby. His mind’s running a million miles a minute. It had been confirmed, you were pregnant with his baby. He’d overheard some girls at the Boneyard talking about it and that’s when he stormed off to you. Was that what you wanted to talk about when you stopped by his house that day? He’d been such an ass to you. The drugs had taken control of him and he just let it, which caused him to lose the best thing that happened to him. He wondered how you’d ever forgive him after this.

~

John B was the first one you saw when you woke up. His hand was holding yours and he was smiling through his tears, “Hi..”

You smiled weakly, “Hey.”

He gently pushed hair off your forehead, “I thought I had lost you.”

“What even happened?” wincing you laid your head back on the pillow, “This shit hurts.” John B looks at Kie who nods, “I’ll go get the nurse,” she stands from her chair and exits the room.

“Well, you got shot.” He chuckled softly, rubbing his thumb along the back of your hand, “You saved my life and managed to get shot while you and Rafe fought over the gun..”

“Oh.”

He nods, “Yeah.”

“The baby?”

“Perfectly fine.” He smiles and places a kiss on your hand, “They had to remove your spleen, but the doctor said you’ll make a full recovery.”

You weakly bring your hand up to his cheek, wiping a tear, “Don’t cry. You’re going to make me cry”

“I’m sorry, I thought I was going to lose you.” He uses his hand to wipe the other cheek, “I couldn’t lose you.”

~

It was JJ and Pope who came in to see you next. They stayed for a little while before you had to kick them out because JJ kept making you laugh, and it hurt. The next person that walked through your door was Rafe, carrying a bouquet of flowers.

“Can I come in?” He asked from the door.

You nodded and sat up a little, “Yeah.”

He comes in and sets the flowers on the bedside table, then stands at the end of your bed. He looks like a mess. His hair was messy; his face red and splotchy. His hands were shaking as he gripped the edge of the bed. He hadn’t had his drug fix since before you were shot and he could feel himself drifting into withdrawals.  

“Y/n I didn’t mean… I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” He whispers, “All those things I said that night, I didn’t mean them. It was the drugs. I was stupid enough to try them.”

“Why did you do it, Rafe? The drugs? You always told me that you hated them..”

He nods, “I know and I did but I got in a fight with my dad. About you. Someone saw us on the mainland together and he snapped on me. Then I went to a party with Topper and it was just there. And I thought one time wouldn’t hurt. But then I got hooked.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I could have helped you.”

He shakes his head, “I don’t know, I was stupid. After my dad said all those things, I thought it would be best to push you away. I didn’t deserve you and you didn’t deserve to be with a joke like myself. Then yesterday I overheard someone say you were pregnant and I snapped. I was high when I came to talk with you at the Boneyard.”

“Yeah I know. You had the same look in your eyes that night at your house.” You looked down at your hands, “Rafe, you scared me that night. I mean you were a completely different person. You weren’t the man I fell in love with.”

He rounds the bed to come to your side, taking a seat in the chair, “I know.. but I’m going to stop. For you and for the baby.” He takes your hand in his, “Then we can be together and be a family.”

You slowly pull your hand from his and set it back on your lap, “Rafe, I don’t know if we can be a family.” You whisper, “I’m a pogue and you’re a kook. Always will be. Your family will never accept me or this baby.”

“Screw my family. I love you and that’s all that matters. I don’t need my family’s acceptance.” His eyes are filling with tears, which match with yours.

“Rafe, I don’t know if I love you anymore. After everything that has happened, you showed your true colors.”

“But it was the drugs, y/n. I’m going to stop, I’m going to get help for you and for the baby. That wasn’t me.” His bottom lip trembles, “Please, I need you.”

~

It seemed like you had a big decision to make. How would you choose between the two?

John B had been your best friends for years. He’d been there for you when a stupid boy broke your heart. He’d taken care of you anytime you had one too many one night at a party, He opened his home to you whenever you needed a place to stay. He was available any time of the day, ready to talk if you needed it. If you called him crying about a bad date with a guy, he’d “I’ll be right there.” And then he’d show up at your house, your favorite candy in his hand and would hold you for hours or listen to you talk. He talked about you all the time to Pope and JJ, but he never let on who it was. They never knew who he was in love with until that night you were shot that you were his mystery girl. You were his everything and he was your person.

But Rafe Cameron. He had been just another guy you fell into bed with. He was the asshole everyone warned you about. However, that’s not what you saw in him, you saw someone different. He would open doors for you. He held your hand whenever he could and would give you a kiss whenever the moment allowed. It was like he couldn’t get enough of you. He carried you on these dates every Saturday, never missing a beat. He treated you like a princess. He made you laugh, more than anyone ever had. He was a softy around you, not the hard ass everyone else saw. He made you feel beautiful. He didn’t make you feel you were different than him. He called you every night before he went to bed to tell you about his day and he’d listen to your rants to the late hour of the night. You didn’t know this, but even around his kook friends, he defended your honor. He never let them talk bad about you. Rafe Cameron was your first real love.

How could you choose between your first real love or your best friend?

~

It had been 2 weeks since you had been shot. You had decided it would be best to recover at your own home instead of at John B’s. You needed time to think about your decision and being at your home could give you that. Both boys came by your house every day to check on you.

John B showed up one morning a basket in his hands. It was filled with your favorite candy, salty snacks, bubble bath and your favorite scented candles.

“What is all this?” You ask, smiling. You sit up in your bed and pause the show you’d been watching.

He gives a small shrug and walks over, “A little care basket from me and the pogues.” He gently sets it in front of you, “Kie helped me pick out the bubble bath and candles.”

“John B you didn’t have to do all this.”

He takes a seat on the edge of the bed in front of you, “Well, you did kind of take a bullet for me. I’m pretty sure a basket wouldn’t make up for that, but it’s a start.” He chuckles.

“Well, thank you. I really appreciate it.”

He nods, “anything for you.”

A quiet silence fell upon the two of you and he cleared his throat, standing, “Well, I guess I’ll go and let you rest.”

You grab his hand as he stands, “No, stay? Please?”

“You sure?”

You nod and pull the covers back beside you. He then slips off his shoes before climbing in bed next to you. As he gets comfortable you slip under his arm and lay your head on his chest, getting comfortable yourself. This wasn’t anything new for the two of you, however, after the spoken feelings, there was a difference.

~

Your recent cravings ended up being cheez its and pickles and you were currently munching on some, Rafe sitting next to you in the bed. The two of you had just put in a movie.

Rafe scrunched his nose up as he watched you eat the cheez its and pickles, alternating between the two with each bite.

“What?” You ask, popping a cheez it in your mouth.

“I just don’t see how that tastes good.” He chuckles.

“It’s like the best thing every.”

He shakes his head at you, “You’re adorable..”

You blush, “You won’t think I’m adorable when my hormones decide to change gears on you and I’m pissed because you put your shoe in the wrong place in the closet.”

He gives a small shrug, “I’m prepared for it.”

“We’ll see about that, Mr. Cameron.” The two of you went back to watching the movie, but not a few minutes later, Rafe spoke up.

“I talked with my family last night and told them about you and the baby.”

You quickly paused the movie, “Okay… how did that go?”

“Well, they were pissed at me at first, but after they calmed down, my dad and Rose agreed you could move to Tanneyhill, live in the apartment over the garage.” He smiles, taking your hand in his, “We can move into the apartment… and be a family.”

“Rafe, that all sounds amazing..”

“I can sense a but in that.” He frowns.

“But I don’t know about us yet.”

“I’ve come over every day to check on you… I’ve brought you flowers and whatever you were craving.” He looks at you in disbelief, “I’ve sat here for hours and watched movies with you. And I’ve been clean since the night you got shot.”

“I know and you’ve been so amazing,” You take your hands in his, “and I’m so proud of you, but first of all, I’ve never formally met your family and they’re just offering to house me? For how long, until the baby comes and then we’re kicked to the curb? It just sounds too good to be true. Plus, you broke my heart that night, Rafe. You were an asshole and you said some hurtful things.”

“You don’t know about us because of John B, isn’t it? You’re in love with John B?” He quickly got off the bed, “I can’t believe this.”

You winced as you sat up on the edge of the bed, “Rafe I never said I was in love with John B! John B has nothing to do with this.”

“I can give you so much more than him, y/n. I have money, I can provide for us. John B can’t even keep himself afloat! He barely scraps by! And that’s MY baby you’re carrying.”

“Yeah but I don’t want money, Rafe! I want love and support, money or not. If you really knew me, you’d know that! Plus, it doesn’t matter who’s baby it is. It is who’s there for me and the baby that matters. Just because I’m carrying your baby doesn’t mean I have to be with you.”

“I can give you the world, y/n. At the tip of a hat, we can have anything we’re going to need. You and the baby will have anything you need.” He crouches in front of you, “You wouldn’t have to work, you can stay home with the baby. We would never have to worry.”

“Rafe, you aren’t listening to me.. I don’t want money. I don’t care if you have money coming out of your ass, I don’t want it! I want you to show me this is what YOU want. That you won’t leave me high and dry when things get bad or you decide you don’t want to be held back because you have me and a baby to think about. I have a future to think about. A future that will also have an effect on the child I’m carrying.”

He stands and runs his hands through his hair, “Okay. Okay…” He looks at you, “I will show you that I’m ready for this. That I’m ready for the responsibility of taking care of you and our baby.”

Your breath hitches in your throat as you watch him take one knee in front of you, his hands taking a hold of yours, “Marry me.”

*******************************************************************************************

Part 4

A/N: AHHHHH  Our very own Rafe Cameron has dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. What will she do?? Who will she pick?? 

Please leave a comment or message me who you think she should pick!! I’m seriously stuck on which boy to choose so I may let you guys decide. 

Obx taglist:  @emmalvei-blog , @tregua-oca , @weirdbiwitch , @losers-club6 , @treestarrrrrrrr , @omgwhattheeven , @normatural , @lreincarnationl , @laurenron , @junkiemuppettxx , @beth-winchester21 , @divcrdown , @timotaychalabae , @moose-squirrel-asstiel , @tangledinsparkles , @prejudic3 , @fratboystark​ , @ilikealotofpeople-younotsomuch​ , @turtlee-says-rawr​

Won’t let me tag: @lanarichards5 

[chronicallylatetotheparty]

Watching (the Adventures of) Merlin season one on Netflix

Episode One: The Dragon's Call

. . . I feel like going to the capital of the kingdom indiscriminately slaughtering magic users wasn't the best idea.

Why? Well, that guy did just get executed.

And now his mom is mad. You tell that sorry excuse for a king, witch lady.

I don't like Uther, in case it was unclear.

Wait... if you could teleport why not just grab your son and ditch before he loses his head? Literally.

Oh, wow. Arthur is a dick.

Morgana. We have no choice but to stan tbh.

Dragon, you're really rubbing me the wrong way.

That's right Merlin! We need more than Because Destiny Says So!

Where did the spiderwebs come from? That sleeping spell gives me Sleeping Beauty vibes.

Ah, yes. The old drop-the- chandelier-on-the-villain trick. :(

If she went after Uther instead of Arthur I would have no complaints.

Manservant? You call that a reward for saving your son?

Episode Two: Valiant

Snake!Shield

Oh, he's gonna- Yup, dead. That's what happens when you deal with knights who cheat.

Where did that guy even get a magic shield in the first place?

Is there a thriving magic black market or something?

I love Guin.

. . . I feel like Sir Valiant didn't think this through. If bite marks are visible.

Ugh, you're the worst Uther.

It's only the second episode! Did you forget who saved your son already?

Stop being a jerk Arthur.

Lol. Merlin bringing a dog statue to life in order to practice for the Snake!Shield.

Bye Valiant!

Episode Three: The Mark of Nimueh

Whatcha up to with that egg, new witch lady?

You gonna poison the water of all of Camelot? Seems like a jerk move.

Dang that's a lot of dead bodies...

No, I like Guin's dad!

Yes! Cure him Merlin!

No! Stop arresting Guin, Uther!

You tell him, Morgana!

That plague monster that hatched from witch lady's egg is creepy.

Dead monster!

Arthur is kinda oblivious to Merlin's magic ngl.

Yay! Guin's free!

What do you know about witch lady Nimueh, Uther? Hmm? Why she want you dead? Besides the obvious reasons.

Episode Four: The Poisoned Chalice

Wow, Nimueh really doesn't like Merlin saving the day.

Wow, Nimueh really orchestrated an entire diplomatic incident in order to kill Merlin while also ensuring Camelot is destroyed by its neighbor. Impressive.

I really like Merlin and Guin's friendship.

Dang. Merlin really drank poison in order to save Arthur.

Merlin saved Arthur's life, Uther! Let him return the favor!

Oh, wow. Arthur really disobeyed his father in order to save Merlin's life.

I didn't know Merlin could cast spells while deathly delirious. And several miles away from him too.

Uther you b****! The antidote is right there! Let Arthur save his friend!

Putting your own son in a cell is such a jerk move.

At least Arthur and Guin manage to sneak the antidote to Merlin.

Quick aside: Internet spoilers say Uther needs to die for Arthur to complete his himbofication- I mean character development. So, if you could get on with that? Thanks!

Episode Five: Lancelot

Wow, that's a very CGI griffin.

Lancelot is so precious- Uh, I mean effective! Saving Merlin and all.

I know, Guin. I know.

Always thought it was a stupid rule to only let nobles be knights.

You're really going to commit magical forgery for someone you just met, Merlin?

I mean, Lancelot is earnest, hardworking, modest, kind despite his tragic backstory and it's his childhood dream to be a knight...

Yeah, I'd commit magical forgery too.

Lol, knocked you on your ass didn't he Arthur? (The second time at least)

I don't remember griffins being man-eaters!

Uther stop arresting people! Ugh, you're such a classist.

Let Lancelot help fight the griffin, Arthur! You need all the help you can get!

Well okay letting him go was nice of you.

Lancelot-Merlin tag team!

Wow. Lancelot really strode in with Camelot's singular braincell by figuring out Merlin has magic.

(The bar is low, okay.)

No, don't take away the braincell! Stay! The griffin was a team effort!

Okay, Lancelot's lawful good tendencies are a little annoying but, hey, nobody's perfect.

Episode Six: A Remedy to Cure All Ills

Edwin, no. Leave Morgana alone.

Oh, beetles! Curse beetles! That's not creepy at all.

Gaius how do you know Edwin?

What diabolical plot are you hatching Edwin? Oh, you're replacing Gaius in the royal court. That's kinda rude.

Merlin's so happy meeting another magic user that isn't trying to kill him (yet).

Le gasp! Uther's purge killed Edwin's parents? WhO cOuLd HaVe fOreSeEn tHis!?

But seriously. No wonder Edwin wants Uther dead.

I know Edwin blackmailed Gaius with exposing Merlin but he also wants to kill Uther!

That gives him a pass in my book.

Gaius no. Let Uther die.

Edwin stop trying to kill Gaius! You're going to-

Yup, here comes Merlin and-

Edwin's dead :(

Well he was trying to overthrow the kingdom. That's... bad... I guess.

Episode Seven: The Gates of Avalon

That title is misleading. It's more of a natural portal/magic lake type thing.

Arthur saves a father and daughter from bandits (Which they hired but shhh)

And they immediately try to put a love spell on Arthur

For human sacrifice purposes of course

Idk why the Sidhe want a human prince's soul -look at him, you don't know where he's been- but that's the price for readmission

I wonder how the dad killed one of his own kind? Was it an accident or...?

Exiling the daughter too makes me suspicious of Avalon's justice system

Evil laugh is a bit out of place for someone who is trying to restore his daughter's immortality

(They are so whiny about being mortal. Hey, we put up with it all the time!)

The fairy-like Sidhe moving in accelerated time so they just look like tiny orbs of light was an interesting touch. The blue faces and razor sharp teeth is not a good look for them, lol

They make Arthur ask to be married ('cause it takes a while for the love spell to go into full blown mind control or something)

Prompting Uther to threaten to kill both of them

(I feel like they didn't think this through)

Morgana admonishes Uther for being the worst

He replies that first love rarely lasts and that Arthur is inexperienced in such things. Plus that Arthur only met the girl yesterday

... I can't believe Uther is the voice of reason this episode

He doesn't get any points though. Due to the whole "threatening to execution his son's 'crush' " thing

The daughter is having second thoughts about using Arthur as a human sacrifice

Dear old dad puts those to rest and they try drowning Arthur in the lake that is/is the portal to, Avalon

Merlin's really leaning into the whole "Cool motive. Still murder.", thing huh?

Like, he did NOT hesitate to blow up both of them

Episode Eight: The Beginning of the End

Why do magic users keep going to Camelot!? The king is trying to KILL YOU!

Wow, this grown ass man is threatened by a literal child... I hate Uther so much

Morgana is the MVP of this episode. I love her

Protect that druid kid!

I feel like you're being paranoid Uther

You tell him Morgana!

Dragon, no. Stop prophesying death and destruction.

Wow, this grown ass dragon is threatened by a literal child...

Aaaand Morgana got caught sneaking the kid out of the city :(

Uther she is your adopted daughter! Stop putting people in cells!

Arthur is gonna sneak him out now?

While Morgana distracts the king?

Yes, excellent. What could possibly-

Merlin stop listening to that destiny dragon! Hearing his voice in your head is no basis for trust!

Cutting it close... Yay! They made it!

Mordred!? MORDRED!?

THAT little boy is Mordred!?

... Okay, I'm more inclined to believe the destiny dragon now

Still think letting him die would be a dick move

Episode Nine: Excalibur

What're you up to with that tomb Nimueh?

Oh! It's some kind of undead knight. Yes.

Throwing down the gauntlet. Pfft! Always thought that was a stupid idea.

Also: that Black Knight literally crashed your party!

Ugh, knights.

Nimueh if you can just teleport into the heart of Camelot while Uther is alone why don't you just stab him? Grab one of those pointy things he likes so much and stab him in the back. Easy peasy!

Stealing this joke but Don't do evil magic kids. It fries your brain cells.

Wait, the Black Knight is Uther's brother-in-law!?

Arthur's mother died in childbirth!?

Uther asked Nimueh to use her magic so he could have Arthur!?

Equivalent Exchange!?

Uther went on a genocidal rampage because he didn't bother with the instruction manual of ancient and powerful magic!?

Actually, that last one is not surprising at all.

I can't believe they're using the Wife in the Fridge trope. That appliance hasn't even been invented yet!

Ooh, Merlin's going to use his magic to destroy the Black Knight so Arthur doesn't have to fight him

As he's killed two knights already

Aaaaand, yup, he's still there. His cloak didn't even catch fire...

Arthur stop being a bastard. It doesn't suit you

Dragon forged sword! DRAGON FORGED SWORD!

Only Arthur can wield it. Yup, got it. How could this possibly go wrong?

Uther drugged Arthur and took his place in the fight... I have mixed feelings about this.

Wait, the dragon was very specific about only Arthur using that super special sword! Oh, snap.

Well at least the Black Knight is dead. Again.

Oh, dragon is not happy.

I know the dragon said "where no mortal soul could find it" but are you sure you wanna throw it into Avalon, Merlin?

Those people were gonna suck Arthur's soul out of his body

Episode Ten: The Moment of Truth

The way this episode title just lies to your face like that...

Oh, you're Merlin's mother! Thought we had an anime protagonists type thing going on

I... would like to say Uther is being unreasonable when he decides not to cross borders to get rid of some bandits. But I can totally see everyone hating him so that's a no go.

Lady, you were in a whole different kingdom. Why for the love of Merlin did you send him to Camelot!?

We're off to save the village! Morgana and Guin are coming too!

A wild Arthur appears!

Morgana better at swordplay than Arthur confirmed!

Merlin! I didn't know you had friends!

Granted he's a bit rough around the edges but

Okay. If it were literally anyone else besides Arthur. I'd say he was right about lords and knights being useless snobs.

Actually. He's right about lords and knights being useless snobs. Ah, that felt great.

Wow, the homosexual subtext is strong with this one.

The girls can tell Arthur came for Merlin.

But get your foot out of his face! I don't care how royal it is!

Look at Guin over here calling out Arthur for being a dick

And talking him into letting the women fight. She's on a roll

Aw, Merlin's friend died. :(

And he took credit for Merlin's tornado (so Arthur wouldn't find out about Merlin's magic)

Episode Eleven: The Labyrinth of Gedref

Lol, that unicorn could use a haircut.

No, Arthur. I said a haircut not an arrow to the chest!

Bad things? What kind of bad things Gaius?

Uther what's the point of having an expert in magical lore if you're not going to listen to him!

And all the crops are dead. Fantastic.

I know it's a magic thing but stating outright that the blight only targets edible plants is still really unsettling.

And the water's turned to sand. Great.

Who're you and how come Merlin is the only magic user that can't teleport?

What kind of tests mister Keeper of the Unicorns, sir?

Arthur I know you don't want to believe it's your fault... But it's totally your fault.

Uther no. People are starving.

You tell him Arthur.

Oh, the "theif" was a test!

Aaaaand he failed the second one. :(

Merlin's got a lot of faith in Arthur.

It's interesting how the Keeper can only direct the curse caused by the unicorn's death. Or rather the trials surrounding the curse, but can't break it himself.

Unicorns have some powerful magic.

The Labyrinth was barely on screen for five minutes! Surely something with Unicorn in the title would be more appropriate?

Arthur drinking a poisoned cup so Merlin could live?

That's some strong parallels right there.

The Keeper of the Unicorns is such a troll! Sleeping potion, hah!

The day is saved, Arthur lies to Uther's face about killing the Keeper and the unicorn resurrects itself.

Still needs a haircut though.

Episode Twelve: To Kill the King

Whatcha up to Guin's dad?

Oh that guy isn't suspicious at all.

You didn't think it was shady when he asked to meet in the middle of the night!?

Philosopher's Stone!?

Wow, the guards found him quickly.

What- No! Don't arrest Guin's dad!

Uther, he's a blacksmith! Stop being paranoid!

Will you stop executing people!? That inn keeper didn't know that guy was a dangerous sorcerer!

No, nononononono! He surrendered! Why did you do that!? Guin's father was important to Morgana!

That's why she gave him the key!

Dragon has his priorities straight.

Shut up, Merlin. You literally blew up a father and daughter for trying to kill one(1) person. (No really, you could see their hands flying off.)

Morgana deserves a little murder. As a treat.

Yes! Get him! Kill the bastard!

No! Why would you make GUIN say that!? Who are you and what have you done with Guin!?🔪🔪

UGH, he literally committed genocide!

The "that would make me as bad as he is" DOES NOT APPLY!

What- Oh, he still has the fairy's staff.

No. Stop it! Let Uther die!

Oh, God, Uther is such an abusive piece of GARBAGE!

Stop! Don't fall for it Morgana!

*sees dagger being pushed closer to Uther's "heart"* Yes! Yes! YES!

*Morgana saves him* NO!

NO!

NOOOOOO!

*inarticulate ranting in the background*

Episode Thirteen:

Okay, the cgi might be getting a little better 'cause the Questing Beast is freaky

Old religion? What is that? And how come it's conveniently absent from the previous episodes?

Dang, they really here just casually gaslighting Morgana like that 😡

Merlin you know Morgana has visions! You couldn't have been a little more careful? She warned you. Now look at Arthur, he's got the heroic death disease

Granted that thing does seem like a handful

Why do you only act like a father when it's a matter of life and death? Why can't you be a father literally any other time!?

"The old religion is the magic of the Earth itself."

Well that sounds fascinating, dragon. Are you going to elaborate? No? Later then?

Soooooo, is the old religion actually a religion or is it a magic? It's really unclear...

"You will be a better king than your father could ever hope to be." Guin, you're back!

I expected a place called the Isle of the Blessed to be less... creepy

Nimueh! Whatcha up to girl? Plotting the demise of a kingdom? Not today it seems

Oh there some Equivalent Exchange type nonsense going on is there?

Arthur you were supposed to be in a coma not listening to Guin!

Oh. Oh, no.

Merlin saying goodbye as he prepares to trade his life for his mother's is 😢😭

Wow, that dragon really knew Nimueh would give Merlin's mother the curse and didn't say anything. The little b*****!

No wonder Merlin's mad at him. Stop breathing fire at him! It's your own fault!

Gaius, no! Not the dead mentor trope!

"You stood by and watched as our friends died." Damn, Nimueh isn't pulling her punches.

Merlin vs Nimueh! Ready? Fight!

Anime protagonist power up! Dang, Nimueh's dead... I feel like that wasn't supposed to happen.

At least no one else is dying. Since Nimueh's death appeased the Equivalent Exchange laws of the old religion.

[hiatuswhore]

Worth It • 2

Part 1

You never thought you would say Midsummers was one of the best nights of your life but it was.  Running off with your friends, drinking some beer, and talking about the plans on the Royal Merchant gold was amazing.  What goes up must come down.  As the van came to halt you sighed looking out the window at your house.  Pope was asleep in the passenger seat and John B sat in the drivers’ seat exhausted.  You all had already dropped Kiara off and you were the final stop until they all went back to John B’s.

“Why don’t you just come back with us?” JJ suggested as you stared at your house, dread was written all over you.  Giving JJ a tired smile you leaned in placing a tender kiss on his lips. 

“And then Howard Reynolds would have his own militia consisting of his military buddies hunting me on this island,” You said, earning a chuckle from JJ but you were more than serious.  Sliding the van door open stepping out you jumped as your foot touched the rubble on the concrete.  Standing outside of the van JJ hung out of it looking at you with his signature boyish grin.

“Please wrap it up already you two. I’m tired,” John B called out and you chuckled before looking at JJ again.  Leaning in kissing JJ as you pulled back you lifted the body of your gown.  Slowly walking toward the house as you could hear the van disappearing down the road that familiar feeling of dread returned again.  Unlocking the door all the lights were off, but as soon as you stepped inside the foyer the kitchen light flicked on.  Glancing at the staircase you considered booking it for a moment.  The light gleaming into the foyer from the kitchen told you someone had been waiting for you.   Stepping into the kitchen you were greeted with your fathers’ back as he poured himself a drink.  No longer in his suit, he was wearing grey sweat pants and a long-sleeve white shirt.

“Dad,” You said quietly and your father turned leaning on the marble island bringing his glass to his lips.  Standing there your eyes started watering and shifted nervously.  The curls in your hair by now had fallen but the white flowers in them were still very visible.  His calm stare made you more nervous than anything as you wondered what he was thinking.  Not too far from him was a glass and you could see the pink remnants of your Mother’s wine.  She had been waiting as well, “I’m sor-”

“Don’t,” He cut you off and took a sip of his drink again.  In his glass contained a dark substance that you figured was his locked up bourbon.  Standing there watching your father finish his drink the silence was suffocating.  Looking down at your gown fiddling with the silk between your fingers.  Every part of you wished you had just listened to JJ’s suggestion, maybe this could have been a morning issue.

“Dad please say something,” You pleaded, taking a deep breath you swiped your eyes before any tears could fall.  On the back of your hands revealed your now smeared mascara.

“Why do you insist on hanging out with that boy.  I knew John B’s Father,  Pope’s parents are good people, and I love the Carrera’s but that JJ is a delinquent!” Howard yelled and you furrowed your eyebrows at him.

“No, he’s not!” You yelled and the argument the two of you had constantly was building up once again.  During each of those arguments, your father never listened to any of the things you would say about JJ.

“He sank a boat.  All he is ever doing is getting in trouble.  So what is he? Huh?” Howard screamed and you could hear your mother’s footsteps.  Tears escaping you, you froze for a second as your father looked down at you.  His military background and assertiveness always overpowered you in these screaming matches, “What is he then? (Y/n) (M/n) Reynold’s speak when spoken to!”

“The son of a drunk!” You screamed back and in the corner of your eyes, you could see your mother standing in the doorway.  Surprisingly your father backed down a bit at your words.

“Maybe we should all just get some sleep,” Your mother said trying to defuse the situation but you shook your head.

“No, because you’ll both just sweep it under the rug.  Like you always do,” You said wiping away your tears again they continued falling, “All my life the two of you have put me in boxes.  (Y/n) have the best grades, (Y/n) have the best manners, (Y/n) have the best friends. I can’t do that. I can’t be perfect I’m not perfect.  Then finally I make friends who accept me for who I am and you guys pick them apart.  Even Kiara you judge her for hanging with the guys.  You judge John B for his situation even though Mom you were him once.  You judge Pope because he’s lower class.  Dad hates JJ for reasons I don’t understand.” “Because he’s too much like how I was (Y/n),” Your father said and you shook your head still not comprehending.

“You’re a war hero dad.  A big deal and once upon a time my favorite person in the whole world,” You said as your mother pulled you into a hug you clung to her tightly.

“I was destructive back then sweetheart.  Before I enlisted nothing mattered other than not thinking about my father who was,”  Your father paused for a second, and as you watched him it was amazing how the glint in his eyes changed.  In the corner of your eyes, you could see your brother peaking into the kitchen.  Silence filled the room for a while before your father spoke again, “Everyone how about we get in bed.  Tomorrow Kai I want you to straighten up the guest room.  Which means get all your stuff back into your room.  (Y/n) call your buddies, ask them to come over for breakfast. Goodnight.”

Watching your father walk out of the room you looked over at Kai.  Both of you were wearing the same shocked expressions.  Your mother guided you both back to your rooms but neither of you said a thing.  Texting JJ asking him to come over as your father had asked you were still shocked.  The next morning getting ready it was odd to see JJ walking into your front door bright and early.

“Maybe I am going insane but all the cars in the driveway,” JJ said and you chuckled nodding your head you had no chance to get a word out.

“My wife’s almost done we’ll be eating in the back okay,” Your father’s voice boomed as he stood in the opening of the kitchen.

“Alright, we can set the table then,” You said but as you walked past your father stopped JJ in his tracks.

“Actually you and Kai can set the table. JJ and I have a long overdue man to man conversation,” Howard said and JJ nodded nervously not cracking a single grin.  Looking at your father and your boyfriend you were uncertain.  

“It’s okay,” JJ said trying to reassure you, hesitantly walking to the backyard your mother was chipper.

“What’s Dad talking to JJ about?” You asked and Kai peaked up at you as he placed the plates on the patio table.  Walking over your mother smiled again gently touching either side of your face.

“We talked for a long time about what you said.  And we did forget who we once were so we are going to be better,” Your mother said, looking at her with furrowed brows you only nodded.  Helping Kai finish setting the table you were not only anxious about JJ but where the others were at. 

“Hope we’re not late,” Hearing Pope’s voice you chuckled turning around to see him as well as Kiara and John B.  They all assisted your mother in bringing the food out as she went overboard with cooking.  When your father and JJ finally came out you were surprised to see they were both smiling.

“All right let’s all get eating,” Your father said, and as you all sat you still eyed them suspiciously. Nibbling your food as everyone was having side conversations your curiosity was getting the better of you.

“Okay someone needs to tell me what happened or I’m going to freak out,” You said drawing all the attention over to yourself.  Howard looked at JJ and they chuckled as if they had their own little inside joke.

“First Emery and I want to apologize for how we have treated you all.  All four of you have been amazing to our daughter.  We forgot we were once you.  Emery grew up in the system and my father was drunk who would beat me for just existing.  JJ is going to live with us for a while,” Your father announced and you looked over at JJ to find confirmation if this was real.  The grin on his face told you this was no joke.

“We realize that adopting him would make it awkward for (Y/n) and JJ to date since legally that would make them siblings.  So instead I am going to build a case against Luke Maybank and the end goal is for us to be able to foster JJ.  I also wanted to extend that offer to you John B,” Your mother explained and you all looked over at John B who was shocked, “I understand if you all don’t want to be crammed here but I have connections.  I can find people here on the island willing to foster you. Either way, I can get DCS off your back. ”

“Thank you I would appreciate it,” John B said but none of what was happening felt real.

“Sweetheart, are you going to say something?” Your father asked and the attention was back onto you.  The shock felt almost paralyzing as all the news felt almost unreal.

“Well since (Y/n) died hey JJ how are you with video games?” Kai asked and JJ jokingly contemplated for a moment.

“I’m pretty freaking amazing actually,” JJ said and Kai raised an eyebrow at the statement, going into his competitive nature.

“Welcome to the family. I hope you’re prepared to die,” Your brother said and you smiled watching the two bicker.  As everyone reverted to their side conversations again JJ’s arm found its way around you.  Watching him playfully banter with your brother you could not help but just smile and watch fondly.  Glancing at you as he noticed your stare he chuckled.

“What?” He asked and you just shrugged sheepishly.

“I was right,” You said smiling and JJ raised a brow in confusion. 

“You’re right about a lot which thing particularly,” JJ asked leaning into him you smiled looking at the rest of your loved ones.  You wanted to stay in this moment forever because you took a chance on the blonde with crappy parents, and yet he was worth it. They were all worth it.

Outer Banks Masterlist

[snowe-zolynn-rogers]

Pairings: None Yet

Word Count: 1,838 Words

Summary: With the evacuation of Mistral and Atlas successful, Cinder's attack, team RWBY and team JNR get to Vacuo.

Warnings: Food Mentions, Fighting Mention, Yelling Mention, Muteness, Disowning Mentions, Death Mentions, Dead Body Mention, Near Death Mentions, Stabbing Mention, Grieving, Abandonment(?Sorta) Mentions, let me know if I should tag anything else.

Notes: Sign Language looks like ‘this’.

Light The Beacon: Chapter 2

It was about halfway into the flight to Vacuo, May called them yelling that someone from Salem's group had invaded the airship Qrow was fighting her the best he could with the civilians onboard while May herself was taking over as the pilot.

"The only ones who can fly between planes are Ruby and Oscar." Yang announced as Hazel was already shaking Oscar awake.

"We have a situation on Qrow's ship. Salem's group has infiltrated and he can't fight them." Oscar got up, activating his semblance and jumping from the airship to fly to Qrow's airship where Qrow, in bird form, was luring Cinder away from the airship to protect the civilians onboard.

Cinder finally managed to land a hit on the crow and Qrow was suddenly falling.

Oscar was about to go get him but a flash of rose petals meant that Ruby was catching her uncle and another flurry of them meant she was back on the team's ship with him while Oscar took his turn to lure Cinder from the airships.

The fight was easy once he spotted the Grimm arm she had. He took the opportunity away from the airships to use the same feeling he had during the fight with Salem and he heard her screaming when he regained his wits on his descent to the sea.

He reactivated his aura and flew back up to the airships, Ruby's petals guiding him back to the team's airship as he watched Cinder plummet into the ocean and the splash that came with it.

Their flight went unimpeded from there, no more of Salem's allies apparently aboard the airships or those who were there were just smart enough to not do what Cinder did and risk their life.

Landing outside Vacuo wasn't anything but a grumbling mess as they got everyone off the airships and a few in the group went to meet with Theodore, the headmaster of Shade as he came to greet them on the edge of town. Ruby brought Yang and Blake.

"Hello, Sir. My name is Ruby Rose, I hope you don't mind but we've brought the people of Atlas and Mantle here temporarily because their cities were destroyed just last night." She explained.

"It should be fine. We got your message from Amity Tower and we made room for any hunters to stay in the Shade dorms while the rest can stay in the hotels of the city."

"Thank you. So much. It means a lot that you'd help on such short notice." Ruby told him.

"To be truthful, I was rounding up for an army to send to Atlas. They would've gone out this morning." He told them.

"Thankfully, it didn't come to that." Ruby smiled a bit.

"Yes, thankful. Your people look famished. When we saw your aircraft coming, we started making food for those onboard." Theodore alerted them.

"Hell yeah, I'm starving." Yang muttered. Theodore chuckled and smiled at the girl.

"Sorry, she means that she hasn't eaten since yesterday. I don't believe anyone has, to be honest." Blake shoved Yang with her elbow a bit to quiet her complaints.

"Of course. With all that horror around, it must have been difficult, no doubt. Whenever you're all ready, brunch will be at the Shade dining hall for everyone, no need to rush yourselves." Theodore smiled fondly at them and then made his way off to Shade academy, the majority of people of Atlas and Mantle following him as the teams stayed behind to recuperate.

"That was horrible." May lamented.

"I know." Emerald sighed.

"We made it, though." Hazel told the girls, patting their shoulders.

"We did. And we can be proud of ourselves. We saved both cities, guys. That's nothing to scoff at!" Ruby practically jumped for joy.

"We know it was good, Rubes, but it was bad. And it's still bad. She'll only be gone for so long. Who knows when we have to do that again. We can't just forget about her and pretend to live normal lives like we did before." Yang pensively spoke as Hazel finally got Oscar, still asleep, from the airship.

"But Yang-"

"We basically hinged everything on Oscar. We basically piled work on him when he just unlocked his semblance. He's only fifteen, Ruby! He's a child and we brought him into the forefront of a war that we can't win! He's a kid, he can't fight a war, it's not possible!" Yang snapped.

"Did you think the same thing when I was fifteen? That I was incapable?" Ruby asked, eyes glaring at her older sister.

"No, but I hoped you wouldn't take after me or mom or anyone in our family! I wanted you to be different so I never had to worry about you maybe getting killed on a bloody battlefield for a war you can't win!"

"I'm sorry I'm not what you wanted." Ruby bit and turned, walking to Shade academy.

"Yang." Blake softly whispered.

"Don't...Don't yell at me. Please. I know that was wrong of me." Yang whispered.

"I was going to say it's okay. We're all stressed. We all need a break. Maybe we can take a day to all calm down. Everything is a lot right now and I get it. So just calm down and try to talk with her later." Blake assured her.

"Okay. Thank you, Blake." Yang smiled a bit. "How's our collective adopted son?" Yang asked.

"Oscar's fine. Still sleeping, actually. We should probably wake him before we head to Shade." Hazel told them softly, trying not to wake him.

"He's been asleep for about six hours and he was asleep for about six before that, are we sure he's okay?" Penny asked.

"He's fine. The semblance just takes a lot from him." Jaune told them, boosting Oscar's aura so he could regain his aura faster.

"So his semblance really was that thing flying around?" Robyn asked.

"Yup, looks like I’ve got a new flying buddy." Qrow smiled.

"Great, new bird child. Now you’ve gotta make a nest and shove him into it." Robyn joked, elbowing Qrow.

"Marrow, you okay?" May asked as he finally came out of the aircraft.

"I'm just really tired and in pain from Harriet trying to break my ribs during the flight." He heaved, glaring at the girl still tied up even while Elm and Vine no longer were. Vine was looking over Harriet and Elm was shaking that cloaked figure.

"Alright, come on." May started leading him to Shade. "When we get there, you're eating and laying down." She muttered to him.

"I know." He mumbled as he let her lead him.

"Alright. We should all eat. We need to wake up Oscar on the way there." Weiss told them.

"Yeah, I'm starving, let's get going." Yang told her, happily swinging her arms around Blake and Weiss and beginning to walk to Shade, everyone else following.

"Oscar, wake up. We're in Vacuo." Hazel jostled him slightly.

"Hmm?" Oscar grumbled.

"We're in Vacuo. We're going to eat at Shade academy and then you can sleep more if you want." Hazel told him.

"I'm up." Oscar tried to move to get up only to find he was being carried. "Can I walk?" Oscar asked.

"You can. I suppose I can't carry you like a ragdoll constantly." Hazel smirked, setting him on the ground softly and Oscar followed after Hazel and Emerald, while Neo held a full conversation with Emerald in sign language.

'Roman loved it here. He always liked the sand.' Neo signed to Emerald.

"I suppose it is rather pretty. I can see why he liked it so much." Emerald smiled.

"Why did he go to Vale then?" Oscar asked.

'He left Vacuo after his family threw him out. He didn't have a semblance so they thought he was worthless.' Neo signed sadly.

"That's horrible." Oscar muttered.

'I know. But that's how life is. At least, after he got shunned from the Torchwick family, he travelled the world. He found me in Anima after a hunter raided the place my Master kept me.' She explained.

"So you are from Anima?" Oscar asked.

'Yes, I lived in Sayuri before my parents sold me. After that, I lived in Azami until Roman found me.' She signed, Emerald rubbing her arm as she held her against her side.

"Roman would be proud of you." Oscar smiled.

'I know he would.' Neo smiled back at him. Elm was guiding the cloaked figure to Vacuo, which made a large number of the people in the group confused because they'd all thought it was a body, not someone alive.

"Am I delusional or is that corpse walking?" Qrow asked the girls.

"Corpse? No. He was just severely injured. Marrow wanted time for him to heal and come up from the heavy sleeping medication he was sedated with on the flight and didn't want you to freak out or cry on the airship." Elm announced, pulling Qrow over to hug and showed him the cloaked figure.

"You got really lucky, huh?" If Qrow was crying hugging Clover, nobody would mention it.

"You made it." Qrow whispered in disbelief.

"I lost a lot of blood and got a pretty big scratch, but yeah, I made it. And I'm sorry for putting my orders over you." Clover hugged him back, making Qrow give a watery laugh.

"Scratch? Harbinger skewered you." Qrow sniffled, finally managing to wipe his face.

"I think of it as a scratch. Because it missed every vital organ. I guess my luck saved me in a way." Clover began leading Qrow after the group, keeping them moving toward Shade.

"Stubborn." Elm smiled, patting Clover's shoulder as she walked with Vine to keep Harriet under control.

"Can you let me go now? I get it now." Harriet asked.

"Get what, Hare?" Vine prompted.

"Don't follow the orders of a tyrant." She sighed and Vine finally took the cuffs off her.

"I'm sorry for basically going rogue." She apologized.

"It's fine, you didn't do much harm. It's been hard for you and we never actually made sure you were okay after Tortuga died. She was your sister but we all got so caught up grieving we never helped you grieve when you lost her the most." Elm explained.

"Even worse, we barely made it a week of mourning her before we practically replaced her on the team with Marrow." Clover admitted.

"We have to remember Tortuga as she was, not mourning what she is now. She will always be a part of our team. Bringing Marrow in was never replacing her. She could never be replaced." Vine assured Harriet.

"We're sorry we never took care of our own and leaving you to grieve alone, Hare." Clover brought her in to hug her.

"Thank you." She whispered, staying quiet for the rest of the walk to Shade. Oscar was happy most of his friends were getting along. he wasn't sure how long that would last, but he wanted to cherish it while he had the time.

[charincharge]

Cruel Summer, Part 7

cruel summer masterlist

AN: Usual warnings apply. Thank you for all your comments and interactions -- you are all wonderful.

Aelin is going to murder her family. Okay, not actually. But, for some reason, they’ve decided they haven’t been spending enough time together, and that this week is going to be completely taken up by family activities. Which, usually Aelin would love. However, the only activity she wants to partake in is making out with Rowan Whitethorn’s face, and her family is making that physically impossible.

She opens her messenger and reads through her meager back and forth with him, explaining her lack of presence in the park. Rowan’s not a big texter, she learned. He replies in clipped answers. It’s impossible to read him. She messaged him the day after Friending him, not wanting to look too desperate, but also, she can’t stop thinking about the way her whole body pulsed as he’d leaned toward her in the brewery back hallway.

She is fairly certain she’s going to combust when she actually gets to touch him. Their chemistry is undeniable. Like two pieces of a magnet, unable to stay away from each other. She can’t believe he thinks she was dating Dorian, when she thought she’d made it so incredibly obvious she wanted to jump Rowan. And now that it’s a possibility… Her heart pounds with frustration at her family’s unintentional cockblocking.

Aelin hears Gavin and Evie squealing in the foyer, despite the early hour, which means Aedion and co. have arrived for the day. Aelin decides to descend from her room, waiting to hear what family activity awaits today. Hopefully it’s more active than yesterday’s beach day where she had nothing but free time to fantasize about all the things she wanted to do with Rowan on a beach and stress about how long he takes to reply to her messages. She did get a great base tan, though.

“Ah, look who’s decided to grace us with her presence,” Rhoe jokes. “Just in time to leave for the park.”

Aelin lights up. “We’re going to the park today?” She racks her brain. “But it’s not Saturday?”

Aedion ruffles her hair, earning a frown from Aelin. “How could you forget what today is, kiddo?”

“Because time has no meaning during the summer? And don’t call me kiddo, old man,” Aelin says cheekily. Aedion pokes her side, and she swats his finger away. “No, seriously, what is today?”

“It’s the Ashryver Alzheimers Foundation Fair,” Rhoe says, his tone serious. “So, let’s all be very nice to your mother today. She’s already at the park setting up.”

Aelin frowns in apology. She can’t believe she lost track of the time so much so that it’s already her mother’s charity event. Evalin spearheads the foundation. It’s her life’s passion. She created it after her own mother passed away from Alzheimers. It’s the one day of summer the park turns into more of a County Fair, filled with local food booths, a petting zoo, a fashion show, a silent auction, animal adoptions, and a big band for dancing in one of the eating tents. All the proceeds go to the foundation. Her mother works relentlessly all year long to put together the event, and it’s always incredibly fun.

Aelin takes out her phone and opens her messages again as Rhoe tells them to be ready to leave in ten minutes. She grins when she sees a message from Rowan waiting for her.

So, am I ever going to see you again, or…

Aelin replies too quickly. YES! We’re actually going to the park today.

Rowan messages back immediately. Out of excuses to avoid me?

Another message arrives in rapid succession. Just kidding. I know it’s a big ~Ashryver~ day here. Lorcan is just about to give us our morning assignments. Who came up with these activities? They’re insane.

Aelin smirks, wondering where he’ll be assigned. It’s the most Rowan has ever texted back.

It’s for charity! And you’ll love it. I’ll see you soon :)

I’ll believe it when I see it.

“Who’s got you smiling like that?” Aedion hovers over Aelin’s shoulder, and Aelin clutches her phone against her chest as she whips her head around to glare at her brother.

“No one.”

“Uh huh, sure.” Aedion frowns. “It’s not Chaol again, is it?”

Aelin grumbles. “Oh my god, why does everyone always think that?”

Aedion laughs. “I don’t know, maybe because he’s been the only guy you’ve dated for the entirety of your life? Even though you keep breaking up for good reason?”

Aelin flicks him off. “It’s not Chaol. He has a new girlfriend. Thank you very much.”

“So spill.”

Aelin shakes her head.

“Nox? Cain? Archer? Mikhail?”

Aedion lists the names of Dorian’s friends, other board members’ sons, and surrounding neighbors. Of course those are the only people he would consider. Someone from the park wouldn’t even cross his mind. Mostly because her family would not approve in the slightest.

“Come on, kids, let’s go,” Rhoe calls, rushing past the siblings in the foyer and saving Aelin. She exhales quickly as they pile into the car. Since Evalin will have so much to transport at the end of the day, they forgo walking.

The park is just opening when they arrive, and they spot Evalin immediately. She works to set up signs and balloons at the entrance. Rhoe goes to stand dutifully beside her, holding her purse and other accoutrements. The woman is a whirlwind, but a productive one. The park has been transformed before Aelin’s very eyes. Aelin breathes in deeply. She can already smell the scent of roasting meats and fried dough.

“Need any help, mom?” Aelin asks, and Aelin’s never been so grateful as when Evalin shrugs her off and tells her to go find her friends.

Aelin is halfway booking it to attempt to find Rowan when Gavin and Evie run up to her, each grabbing a hand and pulling her toward the animal adoption booths. “Let’s go look at the animals, Auntie Ae!” Evie announces sweetly, and Aelin sighs. She guesses she’ll have to look for Rowan later in the day.

Aelin takes her niece and nephew through the petting zoo, giving funny voices to all the farm animals, which delights them. She gives the cow a particularly high voice, which sends Gavin into a fit of giggles. Next to the petting zoo is a long row of adoption booths, and though Aelin knows she shouldn’t, she goes and looks at the puppies.

“Oh my god,” she exclaims, looking at the little of small golden puppies in the pen. The attendant smiles.

“I know. They’re precious, right?” Aelin nods, her hands itching to reach out and pet them.

“Do you want to come meet them?” the attendant asks, and Aelin nearly jumps into the pen with excitement. She sits down, Gavin and Evie with her, and within seconds, they’re swarmed by little balls of yipping fur, trying to climb over them and attack them with kisses.

Aelin hugs a puppy tight to her chest, letting it lick her face. She’s so happy she could almost cry.

“Not who I thought I’d run into you kissing today,” Dorian’s voice calls from the other side of the pen. Aelin flashes him a warning glare, but Dorian just laughs. “You look like you’re in heaven, Ace.”

“I love her,” Aelin says, nuzzling the puppy in her arms.

“Ah, I was wondering where my children ran off to. We’re not getting a puppy,” Aedion says, telling his kids to get out of the pen. “You too, Aelin,” he says with a soft chuckle.

Aelin reluctantly puts the puppy back on the ground, and it starts crying immediately. “She loves me too!” Aelin’s heart tugs. “I’m sorry, puppy. I hope you find a good home,” Aelin says as she climbs out of the pen.

“We’ll be here until closing,” the attendant says with a knowing smile.

“Come on,” Dorian says. “The pig race starts in ten minutes.”

Aelin looks around, trying to spot that bright head of silver-blonde hair, but it’s nowhere to be found. Resigned, Aelin follows her family to the races.

The rest of the afternoon flies by, filled with delicious food and ridiculous activities. But with each hour that passes, Aelin becomes more and more anxious to see Rowan. By the end of the day, Aelin still hasn’t seen him anywhere. She told Dorian to keep an eye out for him, too, but they must be on opposite schedules because wherever Aelin’s family goes, Rowan is not.

“Aw, don’t frown,” Dorian coos, pushing her cheeks up into a smile. “Should I go win you a stuffed animal? Will that make you feel better?”

Aelin checks her phone. No messages from Rowan. She sighs and looks at her best friend. “Yeah, win me a giant stuffed animal, please.”

Dorian rolls his eyes. “Let’s not be greedy, okay?”

Aelin laughs as they head over to the long row of games. Dorian attempts a bottle toss and fails miserably, missing each time.

“They’re glued down!” he insists, and Aelin laughs loudly.

“Sure, tell yourself that.”

“Whatever, I want to try again,” Dorian insists, but Aelin convinces him to go down the row of games, trying a new one each time. Dorian successfully fails at each and every one, and by the last one, he’s practically fuming. “They’re rigged!”

Aelin tries her hand at the bean bag toss and wins her first try. She turns to Dorian with a wide smile. “Sucker.” She hands him the small teddy bear awarded to her.

“Is this a mirage?” a low voice rumbles from behind. Rowan’s hand brushes against the small of her back, making Aelin shiver. “Or do I actually see Aelin Ashryver in front of me?”

“I’m real!” Aelin insists, spinning around quickly to see Rowan’s frowning face. “Are you okay?” she asks.

Rowan sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. “Really not looking forward to my final gig of the day.” He nods his head in the other direction. “I didn’t even think kissing booths were real outside movies, but apparently they are.”

Aelin is stunned silent at the words kissing booth, so much so that she doesn’t even clock Rowan saying he’ll see her later and heading to the booth. She watches as he relieves Fenrys of his duty and takes his seat behind the heart shaped awning. Aelin’s never participated in the kissing booth before, deeming it silly to pay $10 for a staff member to kiss her cheek, but the staff member giving out kisses has never been Rowan Whitethorn before.

Frantic, Aelin opens her wallet and groans. A single dollar bill sits inside. She looks up at an amused Dorian.

“Need a loan, Ace?”

“Don’t be mean,” Aelin begs. Dorian pulls out his wallet. He rummages through and pulls out a crisp hundred dollar bill. Aelin raises her eyebrows.

“It’s all I have.”

“I’ll pay you back,” she says, and Dorian’s laugh trails after her as she makes her way to the kissing booth line quickly. She can’t believe how much it’s filled up in the mere minutes since Rowan took over.

She hears the girls in front of her giggling about how cute he is, and Aelin can’t say she disagrees. She also can’t believe she’s actually doing this, but she can’t not.

When she arrives at the head of the line, Rowan looks remarkably surprised. He sits up straighter in his seat and clears his throat, a slight blush tinting his cheeks. He looks up at her with his wide green eyes, and it takes all of Aelin’s self-restraint not to lean in and kiss that blush right off his face.

“Hey,” he begins, startled. “I didn’t think…”

“You didn’t?” she interrupts, a glimmer of mirth in her eyes.

He rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. “I may have really thought you were avoiding me. Which would be totally understandable. I definitely made things weird.”

Aelin laughs. “I’ve been texting with you all week!”

“I know,” Rowan chuckles. “I just… I didn’t want to assume anything anymore.”

“I don’t think I can be any clearer than this,” Aelin says and slides over Dorian’s money.

Rowan looks up at her through his flutter of blonde eyelashes. “Aelin, this is a hundred dollar bill.” He pauses. “It only costs ten.”

“It’s for charity,” she says, hoping her confidence outweighs the pile of nerves swirling in her stomach.

Though most girls had been turning their heads to the side, giving Rowan their cheek to kiss, Aelin leans straight forward, her face head on with his. She watches his internal debate rage, his eyes flickering from her eyes and down to her lips and back up again. Aelin leans forward a smidge further, and his eyes darken. Aelin’s stomach flips, waiting for him to close the distance. She inhales and exhales uneasily, and finally, Rowan leans in and slowly presses his lips against hers. It’s soft and perfect and ends far too soon.

Aelin’s eyes flutter open. She hadn’t even realized she’d closed them. Rowan breathes heavily as he pulls away, and Aelin is satisfied to see that his blush has bloomed further on his cheeks. With how flushed she feels, she’s sure she looks similarly.

“What time does your shift end?” Aelin asks, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

Rowan looks at his watch. “Forty minutes. Why?” he asks.

Aelin leans forward, hoping her voice sounds steadier than her legs feel as she whispers, “I’m going to be waiting under the pier. And I’d like to collect on the rest of my ninety dollars.”

Rowan brings his hand to his face to cover his wide smile and nods. Electricity crackles over Aelin’s skin as she walks away, and without even looking she knows it’s because he’s watching her.

She finds her family quickly and congratulates her mom on a successful day before letting them know that she feels like walking home alone. They’re all so tired and distracted from starting clean up that Aelin’s suspicious behavior barely even registers with them. Except for Aedion who raises an eyebrow at his sister, but she waves him off, saying she just feels like some quiet time.

Aelin climbs down onto the beach and heads for her spot under the pier. The sun fades over the horizon, giving way to a beautiful bright moon. The ocean seems to glitter under it, and the sound of breaking waves soothes her as she waits. She slips off her sandals and sinks her toes into the cool sand and leans against one of the thick wooden posts of the pier’s structure. She rolls her shoulders backwards and tries to loosen up and relax, but the anticipation is killing her.

It feels like she’s waited forever when she finally hears the sound of soft footfalls approaching on the sand. She turns nervously. She wasn’t actually sure he’d show up. But there, in all his silver-headed glory, stalking towards her is Rowan.

She’s about to greet him, but she doesn’t get a chance, because before she says a word, his mouth crashes to hers. Gone is the tender, sweet kiss they’d shared an hour ago. This one is desperate, a culmination of weeks of misunderstandings and tension and heated glares. Aelin opens her mouth against his, letting him in, letting him take whatever he wants of her. Her skin feels like it’s on fire where his hands roam across the fabric of her shirt and down to her ass. Aelin groans against Rowan’s mouth and wraps her arms around his neck, not wanting any space between them.

Rowan’s strong arms reach down and lift her legs, wrapping them around her waist, and Aelin can feel him hard against her. She pulls him even closer. Now it’s Rowan’s turn to groan. It’s music to Aelin’s ears. She rocks against him again – anything to elicit that noise from his mouth again.

Rowan backs them into the wooden post and braces himself with one arm. Aelin doesn’t have time to think about how impressively strong that must make him. To hold her up with one arm and his hips, pinned against her. The wooden pole of the pier scrapes against Aelin’s back, and she hopes her family is asleep by the time she gets home otherwise they’ll have some serious questions. But Aelin’s already thrown caution to the wind. She’s burning, completely electrified by Rowan’s touch. She lets her head fall back as his open mouth trails down her bare neck.

“If you leave a mark I’ll kill you,” she manages to croak out between pants. And Rowan chuckles against her neck but doesn’t stop his affections. “I’m serious,” she breathes out. “It’s summer, and I’m not wearing a scarf.”

Rowan lets his teeth drag across her neck, gently scraping the skin, and Aelin fully shudders in his arms.

He finally pulls his face away, but doesn’t let Aelin slide out of his arms, still keeping her pinned to the wide pole.

“Hi.” He smiles, his dark eyes staring into hers. The dark pine green glows with want.

“Hi,” she says in return.

He pushes her hair, which has fallen out of her ponytail, away from her face and tucks it behind her ear. Rowan smiles wider and kisses Aelin softly again. His lips lingering on hers until they’re practically breathing into each other’s mouths.

“I told you I wasn’t avoiding you,” she mumbles quietly into the space between their lips.

“I’ll never doubt you again.” He looks at her seriously. His eyes plead with silent apology and future promises, and they slice through Aelin, making her feel something that she’s not sure she’s ever felt before.

“I want to do this with you all the time,” she says as she unhooks her legs and finally slides to stand on the ground.

Rowan chuckles, and she can feel his chest vibrating against hers. “I think we can arrange that.”

She looks up at him, and he looks right back, his gaze unwavering, and Aelin knows in this very moment that she’s in trouble.

Oh boy.

As they resume their kissing, this time slow and languid and toe-curling, Aelin can’t help but think she’s not sure she’s ready for a Rowan Whitethorn.  

~*~*~*~*~

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[somepinkthing]

@angstymdzsthoughts for your YZY ultimatum AU where the nie bros adopt Wei Ying after he’s been kicked out.

Part 1 of 2 because I hate myself

[Part 2]

---

Wei Ying wished he could at least say goodbye to Jiang Cheng and shijie.

“I am so sorry, A-Ying,” Jiang Fengmian said, looking as close to tears as his serene face had ever seemed to Wei Ying. It’d been a long week for him, to say the least.

“It’s alright!” Wei Ying chirped back, “I’ll be okay!”

Wei Ying had been ready for this, even if Jiang-shushu wasn’t. After Madam Yu had uttered that ultimatum for the whole of Lotus Pier to hear before storming off with both of the children she bore, what else could be done? Jianf Fengmian could stall as long as he wanted but he had his own children and a wife and a sect to think after--Wei Ying knew he couldn’t hold a candle to the real family he might end up costing his uncle. 

“If you need more money, say so,” Jiang-shushu said. Wei Ying jingled his completely packed wallet.

“I think you should take more food after all,” Jiang-shushu said, wringing his hands.

“You’ve packed me with all I could possibly manage to carry, “Wei Ying said with a laugh, “I’m going to be mugged the second I step foot out there! And qiankun pouches don’t make things lighter! Please spare me! Anything else and I’ll be crushed!”

Jiang-shushu huffed affectionately at him before falling back into silence. 

This mood was way too heavy for Wei Ying’s liking. Slowly, he reached down to fiddle with his Clarity Bell. It was the first present shijie had ever given him. Jiang Cheng had been so excited, bouncing up and down yelling at him to hurry up and open it. A sign that he was of Yunmeng, recognizable wherever he went.

Well, time to bite the bullet.

Wei Ying made to untie his bell but his uncle’s hands stopped him. 

“Keep it. That way, if there’s ever an emergency ...” Jiang-shushu trailed off at the end. Yu Ziyuan was a woman of her word. Even if it were an emergency, Wei Ying would never be welcome back, bell or no bell. They both knew that. 

“Just keep it. Please. It belongs to you,” Jiang-shushu whispered.

Wei Ying nodded and gave his uncle’s hands one last squeeze before stepping onto the boat that would take him from his (former) home. 

He looked back until there was nothing else to see.

—-

5 Months Later

“Sir? Are you alright?” a hesitant voice called out to him. Wei Ying looked up to find a rather attractive boy peering down at him. He had wide, harried looking eyes that reminded Wei Ying of the pheasants he used to hunt--they’d look around with those eyes right before running. Behind the young man was a carriage, the driver leaning forward and scowling. 

Ah. Wei Ying was in the way of the road then. 

“I apologize, young master,” Wei Ying said, standing up with a smile, “I’ll move out of the way!”

“I-It’s okay!” the other boy said, following Wei Ying to the side of the road and looking him up and down. “You-you’re not injured are you?”

Wei Ying shook his head. “I thank you for the concern, young master, but I just slipped on the ice a bit and decided to take a rest.”

“A rest? On the ground?” the boy asked, aghast.

“Yep! I slipped and hurt all over! The snow will comfort me and my bruises.”

The young man looked down at Wei Ying’s feet. “Yes, with shoes like that you would slip on the ice. You must not be from around here. You should really pick up some winter gear. I know a few good stores that could take you right away!”

“Would that I had the money to,” Wei Ying replied wryly before he could stop himself. This boy didn’t need to know how destitute he had let himself become. Turns out, no one wants the help of a child rogue cultivator, no matter how talented. He had thought that Qinghe might have some work for him, given their abundance of smaller demons crawling on the mountains, but he had been unprepared for the winter. But, again, this young master who traveled around in a carriage would hardly understand that. Probably the son of a wealthy merchant or something. He was a friendly one though, those were rare. 

The boy in front of him immediately looked uncomfortable, biting his lower lip and dropping his gaze.

“I-I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to pry. Um, if you want…”

He was interrupted by the carriage driver.

“Young Master Nie, I am to bring you straight home. Your brother was very specific! We don’t have the time to be stopping for every peddler on the street!”

From a top disciple to a mere peddler. Oh, how the mighty fall. Wei Ying couldn’t even dispute it though, he thought to himself. He was a peddler now, wasn’t he? His pride and the rapidly dwindling supplies Jiang-shushu had packed him with was all that was stopping him from going back to begging and fighting for meals with dogs at this point.

“B-But!” the boy started to say but immediately retreated when he saw the driver roll his eyes at him.

Huh. Odd. You’d think that a carriage driver would show more respect to his master. Was this boy truly that easy to bully?

“Young Master Nie, get back in the carriage. We are late as it is,” the driver moaned, frustrated, “Do you want to be caught standing here when your brother comes to look for you?”

The boy pouted but immediately moved to acquiesce, shooting Wei Ying an apologetic smile. Apparently he was that easy. Or perhaps it was the threat of his brother.

Wait. 

Did that driver say Nie?

“My brother’s got better things to do. He’s not going to come looking. Don’t be so tense,” the boy said as he started to climb inside.

“Who’s not coming?” a clear, low voice sliced through the bustle of the town as a looming figure descended from the sky. Nie Mingjue’s boots hit the ground with a heavy thud. 

And this could only be Nie Mingjue, newly decorated with the paraphernalia that marked him as the teenage leader of Qinghe Nie. Madam Yu was always careful to keep Wei Ying with the other disciples at conferences so he had never met the infamous Nie Mingjue nor his brother in person, but his presence matched everything that Wei Ying had heard about him in the past. So then, that boy was…

“Huaisang, want to explain to me why you broke curfew?”

Ah. Nie Huaisang. His reputation preceded him too, Wei Ying thought as he watched Nie Huaisang cower from his brother’s line of questioning. 

“I took a little longer, that’s all…” he squeaked out.

Nie Mingjue scoffed. “A little longer? Is that what you call over three hours of my scouring for you? Do you think I don’t have anything better to do?!”

“Well then, go do them,” Huaisang muttered, defiant for but a few seconds before yelping pathetically when his brother marched forward and grabbed his ear. 

“You’re mouthy!” Nie Mingjue growled, “Do you know how many people I have out searching right now? You’ve been gone since this morning! I told you to be back by lunchtime and it’s after dinnertime now! The sun has gone completely down!”

“I get it! It won’t happen again! DaGe, let go of me!” Nie Huaisang whined, batting at his older brother’s hand. Nie Mingjue gave his ear one last hard twist before relinquishing his hold. 

“See to it that it doesn’t.”

Then, swiveling around to face the front of the carriage, Nie Mingjue’s face turned even more stern. He opened his mouth, presumably to yell at the driver. That’s when he saw Wei Ying. 

“Huaisang, who's the kid?”

“I didn’t have the chance to ask,” Huaisang muttered, pouting as he came up behind his brother. “He’s not from here, that’s all I know.”

“Yeah, I’d say,” Nie Mingjue snapped back, “Yunmeng Jiang’s Clarity Bells aren’t exactly given out on the streets of Qinghe.” 

Wei Ying’s hand immediately shot down to cover his bell. Nie Huaisang’s eyes whipped down to it before he could fully hide it from sight. His eyes widened and he stopped rubbing at his sore ear. 

“You are a disciple of Yunmeng Jiang?” Nie Huaisang asked, doubt coloring his voice. 

“I-I am not,” Wei Ying said. He could see the gears turning in the young master's head upon hearing his answer.

“Then…. Oh.” 

Awkward understanding and recognition settled on Nie Huaisang’s face. Wei Ying looked down. He didn’t want to see the pity that would be there. Yu Ziyuan leaving Jiang Fengmian until he tossed out his street rat was the gossip of a lifetime. There’s no way the story hadn’t reached Qinghe Nie. 

Suddenly, Nie Mingjue moved forward. In a few long strides, he stood before Wei Ying. He put his hands together into an upright salute.

“Qinghe Nie’s Nie Mingjue greets this young master,” Nie Mingjue said sharply, tone obviously hinting at the two boys to remember their manners.

“O-Oh! Qinghe Nie’s Nie Huaisang greets this young master,” Nie Huasiang greeted, following his brother’s example.

Wei Ying hesitated but even he wouldn’t dare refuse to greet a sect leader, especially after being greeted himself.

“Wei Ying greets Sect Leader Nie and young master Nie.” He sunk into a low salute. He used to be much more lax with them but with the way things were now, he could no longer afford to be so familiar with such high ranking cultivators. He was no longer anyone’s equal.

“You do not claim a sect?” Nie Mingjue rumbled, coking an eyebrow.

“I am… afraid the rumors are true. I am but a lone rogue cultivator now,” Wei Ying replied.

Nie Mingjue’s brow furrowed and he looked Wei Ying over.

“How old are you?”

“Wei Ying turns eleven this year.” The answer only deepened the frown on the young sect leader’s face.

“That’s too young to be a rogue cultivator, is it not?”

Well, everyone else and their moms sure believed it was. Hence why Wei Ying was so down on his cash. Wei Ying bit his tongue and refused to let his bitterness seep out. In truth, they were probably right.

“I am talented enough to be useful, sect leader,” Wei Ying replied. And he was. Youth aside, he already had his golden core mostly formed and he could fly on his sword for short bursts. He had soundly beaten Jiang Cheng in the sword fighting competition during the last discussion conference, taking first in his age group (Madam Yu had been livid and he had wished he hadn’t but the point stands). 

“Yes, I remember hearing that about you,” Nie Mingjue affirmed before turning to his brother.

“Do you have an extra coat in there, Huaisang?”

“I do! I’ll get it!” Nie Huaisang said eagerly, scrambling back into the carriage.

“Sect Leader Nie, you’re too kind! I don’t need—” Wei Ying stared to protest, but a heavy hand on his shoulder cut him off. Nie Mingjue’s hand was large and fully covered Wei Ying’s bony shoulder, squeezing lightly. It was… surprisingly nice. And warm.

“Work it off, if you like. I could use talent in my sect right now. Come show me what you can do and I’ll give you the chance to work for the shelter I’ll provide.” Nie Mingjue’s hand tightened on Wei Ying’s shoulder, but it didn’t feel like a threat. Despite the strength behind the grip, Wei Ying was reminded of when his shijie would hold his hand and speak to him gently. It was comforting.

Huaisang rushed out of the carriage with a fur cloak and some gloves. He handed the gloves to his brother so he could drape the cloak around Wei Ying’s shivering form.

“Are you going to come stay with us?” Nie Huaisang asked. He almost looked excited at the prospect. He pulled the cloak tighter around Wei Ying as he spoke and began to do the buttons before Nie Mingjue batted his hands away and told him to let Wei Ying dress himself.

“The disciples my age don’t come to the Unclean Realms to train often so it’d be nice to have a friend! And you must have so many stories from all your travels!” Nie Huaisang chirped, eyes twinkling at the idea of having someone to talk to that wasn’t his brother. 

“Well, kid?” Nie Mingjue asked as he handed Wei Ying the gloves. 

They were warm.

Wei Ying nodded.

---

tbc

[shinidamachu]

Ours

Summary: The stakes are high. The water's rough. But this love is ours. Word Count: 10.816 Genre: Fluff? Angst? Who’s to say? Certainly not me, the author. Fandom: InuYasha Pairing: Inukag Format: oneshot AO3 Link: 🌹 Fanfic.Net Link: 🌹

“Sota, put this thing away. I won’t ask you again.”

“Fine!” The teenager let out in exasperation, putting the phone back into the confinement of his pocket.

His grandpa was making him lose his mind. In the interlude of fifteen minutes, the old man had managed to rant about how kids these days always had their faces stuffed into some kind of screen twice.

The bit about damaging the sight and going blind by the age of thirty-five because of it? A lecture all of its own.

“In my time,” he began, making Sota fight the urgency to groan, “we treated the elderly with respect and behaved at the table. It’s a sacred moment!”

“We’re not even eating, anyway! Kagome and her stupid boyfriend are late.”

“Sota! Manners!” Intervened his mom. “We don’t want InuYasha to think Kagome’s family is made up of inconsiderate barbarians, do we?”

Sota rolled his eyes, but remained silent. It was gonna be a long night.

There they were, in Earth’s lamest restaurant, waiting for his sister to arrive with her new boyfriend, who, going with the odds, was probably a goody-two-shoes nerd, just like that Hojo guy.

There was no one his age within the radius of a mile.

He was starving.

And to top it all off, bored to death.

It wasn’t like Sota didn’t love his family. He really did. Besides, seeing Kagome again was something he was looking forward to. Since she had moved out for medical school, they hadn’t spent much time together and although the boy would never admit it, he had quite missed their daily bickering.

He just wished they could met at home, in company of his TV and video games, where he could actually avoid his grandpa’s constant scolding in the holy peace of his bedroom.

“Look! Look, look, look, look, look.” As if on cue, the man in question elbowed Sota’s arm, coaxing him to eye the restaurant entrance. He silently snorted, wondering why his grandpa felt the annoying need to repeat the same word grumpier and more demanding each time. Didn’t he know Sota could hear him just fine from the first one? Nevertheless, wanting to get it over with, the boy did as he was told. A silver haired gentleman stayed awkwardly in the middle of the entryway, his attention torned between the salon and the outside. Even from afar, his demonic heritage stood out, but the dog ears crowning his head wasn’t the only remarkable feature he carried. “See his arms? What a disgrace, to dishonor his own body like that. I pray you, my boy, that you never inflict such disappointment on your old grandfather. I couldn’t bear the pain of seeing my only grandson grow into mafia scum.”

Sota didn’t respond the overdramatic affirmation. He was wonderstruck.

In spite of the anxiety the guy irradiated, he still looked pretty cool, dressed on dark jeans and an elegant white shirt. He had his sleeves rolled up to the biceps, displaying an impressive amount of tattoos. They covered all of the skin, from his wrists to his forearms, possibly ending at the shoulders. It was hard to make out the different shapes, given the distance, but every single one was drawn in black ink.

“Stop staring, you two.” Sang his mom. And Sota was about to obey.

But then, in entered his sister.

Kagome clung to the tattooed, supposedly criminal man, causing him to relax on the spot as her gaze scanned the room.

When the girl finally found them, her face lighted up in an excited smile. She said what, reading her lips, Sota interpreted as ‘there they are’ before taking him by the hand and heading right to their suddenly silent table.

It seemed that the night wouldn’t pass by without its share of emotions, after all.

“InuYasha,are you ready? I don’t want to be late!”

The hanyou sighed in front of the mirror. Did she mean finished with dressing up ready or psychologically ready? It didn’t matter. The answer was no for both.

InuYasha had tried on almost every clothe he had. It served him right for letting piles and more piles of worn-out band t-shirts compose his wardrobe.

His mother had a point. He could definitely use a little makeover.

Every piece felt either too ordinary or too odd, so InuYasha gave up and went back to the button-down shirt he had put first — one of the few decent things he had to wear.

Now closed in their bathroom, determined to pay his mother’s atelier a visit as soon as possible and obsessively aligning the outfit, he couldn’t help but think the reflection staring back didn’t look like him at all.

“Actually, can we reschedule?”

“No way!” Squeaked his girlfriend, her steps louder and louder in her approach. “We’ve been postponing this for too long. Okay, I’m coming in!” She announced, opening the door at once.

“Whatever happened to privacy?”

“It moved out when I moved in.” His girlfriend threw him her best heart stopping smirk and walked in his direction. “Don’t you look gorgeous?”

“Keh. You always say that.” And he had yet to hear it without blushing.

“It’s always true.” Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck. With the extra inches the heels provided, she was nearly his height and her rose lips hovered temptingly within the reach of his. “Won’t you get hot on this shirt, though? We’re in the middle of summer.”

“I’ll be fine!” InuYasha burst out before he could bite back his tongue. Kagome considered him attentively, her narrowed eyes growing wide in realization.

“You’re hiding the tattoos, aren’t you?”

InuYasha looked away.

“I want them to like me.”

It was a difficult enough task to achieve. Being a half breed, he was despised by demons and feared by humans — apparently his ears, fangs and claws, not to mention the unusual color of his eyes and hair, were a lot for them to take in. The absolute last thing InuYasha needed was for her family to think he was some sort of delinquent too. Which, of course, they would.

He figured, since people would be afraid of him either way, he might as well took it to his advantage and do whatever he wanted, consequences be damned. As a result, whoever wasn’t scared of his demon blood sure pissed their pants at the sight of his tattoos, taking him for a criminal. InuYasha couldn’t care less. There was a good amount of fights against human opponents he won that way.

But that was before her.

Not caring is easier when you have nothing to lose.

InuYasha didn’t doubt his actions would blow up on his face, eventually. It was all they ever did. But never, not even in a million years, he could have predicted Kagome. Now consequences were here to bite him in the ass.

Her folks had plenty to unpack the way it was. At least with the tattoos he could do something about.

“InuYasha…” Her slender fingers caressed his chin, demanding his focus entirely for herself. He complied. “You don’t have to do this. I want you to be yourself.” She grabbed his right arm and rolled the sleeve all the way up, revealing the intricate mosaic of figures, doodles and forms he collected along the last decade. “They are going to love you.”

“Easy for you to say, now that my family worships the ground you walk on.”

It had only taken a mild sunday lunch. By the end of it, Kagome had Mr. and Mrs. Taisho eating from the palm of her hand, just like she had their son. That was the day his mother had furtively handed him the engagement ring she inherited from her mother, claiming Kagome was the one he should give it to when the right moment comes. There was no falter from his part.

A month had passed, Kagome and his mom texted one another on a daily basis, and the damn thing still weighed deep inside his pocket. InuYasha carried it with him everywhere, waiting for the perfect occasion and concerned that she might find it if he left it lying around.

“Well, worship is such a strong word...” Said Kagome, doing with his left sleeve the same thing she did with the other, but this time allowing herself to trace the black marks of his arm, lingering on the newest, the little sakura flower InuYasha had gotten solely for her. He raised his eyebrows. “Okay, maybe your parents do it a little bit, but your brother hates my guts. You gotta give me that.”

“Nah, Sesshoumaru hates everyone. You ain’t special.”

“Huh… Thanks?”

InuYasha smiled at her adorable grimace, but it was short lived.

“What if they don’t? Like me, I mean.”

Both of them knew it was a real possibility.

If they were being honest, they hated each other at the beginning themselves. Most of it, undoubtful, due to repressed sexual attraction. Still, they were constantly jumping at each other’s throats before starting to jump at each other’s bones.

Attracting and repelling like magnets, they have been through a crazy amount of screaming, crying and slamming doors. Once it was clear that what they had was much more than sex, the need had risen to protect that love at all costs.

They had to.

Every odd was against them.

He was a half demon. Most people hated him at worse and tolerated at best — and that had a lot to do with his family’s money, Kagome being one of the uncommon exceptions. In fact, she was the exception to essentially every rule he had.

She was also a human. No, not only a human. That would be too easy. The girl was a priestess. Her family was responsible for a fucking shrine.

Their relationship was the epitome of taboo.

So they had kept it on the low for as long as they could, adopting a discreet profile even after she moved in with him. They didn’t want to risk it, didn’t want to jinx it. It wasn’t worth it.

Their love was theirs and theirs alone, too precious to fall into the cruel claws of the world.

It was a shame it couldn’t stay that way forever.

Sooner or later they would have to leave the safe heaven inside those walls and he was terrified of finding out whether or not they could take it.

Kagome’s kindness, her unprejudiced beliefs... They had to come from somewhere, and she affirmed it was from her family. How would her folks react, however, once those beliefs were put to the test? InuYasha learned from experience that, sometimes, people struggled to stick to their morals the second they stopped being convenient.

“Then it will be just another bump on the road. What’s one more?”

Her hands flew to undo his top button — and nothing more. Tensing involuntarily when her digits contacted the exposed skin, InuYasha let out a shaky breath as she retreated to explore his chest over the shirt, shamelessly going lower.

“Weren’t you the one in a hurry just now?”

“I am.” She defied.

“I’m not.”

InuYasha placed his hands on her waist and pressed her against the nearest wall. He couldn’t help it, not after the things she said. Especially when she said them with that dress on — light blue, contrasting with the darkness of her hair, the skirt hugging her waistline, widening at the bottom. No sleeves. Only provocative, unbelievably thin straps. So different from her everyday white clothes.

It was his favorite and he had no doubt it was intentional.

“InuYasha…”

Her mouth was off limits. InuYasha knew better than to mess up her makeup mere minutes away of such important event. Her neck, on the other hand…

“Don’t you look gorgeous?” He asked, nose burying on her skin.

“Uh, uh. D-don’t you sweet talk me.” Kagome tilted her head, giving him unrestrained access and grabbing a handful of his hair as he hooked her leg around him, fingers lifting her skirt up, venturing further and further.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She was limp in his embrace. InuYasha recognized by instinct when his body was the only thing preventing hers from melting to the ground.

“We… We’re doing this.”

“I know.” He eagerly kissed her collarbone, downing to the start of the cleavage. 

“It’s just a harmless dinner...” She was panting now, nails traveling through his back, applying sufficient pressure to make quite the damage had he been naked. InuYasha went up her throat, his tongue wandering free.

“Hmmm.”

“...And then… T-then we’ll go... to my childhood house.” Kagome paused and he knew it was to hold back a moan as he relentlessly kissed his way up to her chin and jawline, finding destination at her earlobe. “You’ll get…” He bit it. “... T-to see my old bedroom,” bargained her. InuYasha smirked.

“I’m listening,” he whispered, returning to her neck. InuYasha had every intention to suck on the inviting flesh until it left a mark, but restrained himself. Something told him her family wouldn’t be fond of it.

His resolve not to claim her lips, though, were increasingly fading. Whatever. Better beg for her taste now and for her forgiveness later.

Reading his thoughts — as she often did —, Kagome gently pushed him away. Good. Their proximity, allied with the escalating scent of her arousal, wasn’t making them any favors in the ‘getting out of the house’ department.

“Come on,” she tapped his hand, subtly pleading for him to release her leg, a lead that InuYasha followed with extreme reluctance. He observed as his girlfriend regained composure. The fingers that not long ago were mapping, grasping and scratching every inch of him now fixed the dress strap he had no memory of pulling down. To a newcomer, it would look as if nothing had ever happened. “We’ll have a wonderful time.”

“To be fair, I was having a wonderful time just now.”

“Oh, I can tell you were. That’s exactly why we better get going.”

“Fine.” InuYasha sighed, letting himself be dragged out of their bathroom as she giggled at his less than thrilled disposition.

And there was something about her laughter — so vibrant and carefree — that, combined with the welcome comfort of her hand on his, made InuYasha feel invincible. Having Kagome by his side was like entering the boxe ring already ten points ahead.

“Do you want to go through the basics again?”

Crossing the living room, InuYasha recited his mental notes without missing a beat, the perfect picture of an A+ student, even if for the most part of his life, he had been a solid C+.

“Don’t swear. Don’t bring up your father. Don’t mention we live together.”

“Good! Unless...” Kagome stopped and turned to him. Half hesitant, half hopeful. “Do you think I should tell mom I moved here?”

InuYasha was conflicted. It was only fair that she did. His parents had heard the news the day she brought all of her stuff in. And in spite of knowing he’d give her the world if she so wished, Kagome never asked for much.

Yet, he was scared. Scared that Mrs. Higurashi disapproved the arrangement. Scared she would tell her daughter to leave.

What, then?

He had forgotten how his apartment — their apartment — used to be before the bright colors and pout-porris. Before the plants, the second toothbrush on the sink, the pictures frames and the intoxicating scent her body left all over the sheets.

And he didn’t want to remember.

According to Kagome, however, her mother was an understanding, open-minded woman, who put her children’s happiness above everything else. Which certainly  worked in his favor, since InuYasha had turned making Kagome happy into his daily mission and, modesty aside, he believed to be doing a pretty damn good job so far.

InuYasha starred at their fingers, still interlocked, and reminded to be brave.

“If you feel like you should...”

“I do! I honestly do. We used to tell every little thing to each other. I miss that.”

“Then go ahead.”

“Really?” She thanked him with a tight hug, her palpable excitement coming off her in a giant wave that almost washed all of his doubts away. Almost. 

“What about the others?”

“Sota is a child, it’s not of his business.”

“And your grandfather?”

Kagome moved within his embrace, revealing pursed lips when she did.

“Yeah... He’ll definitely need more time. Let’s give it three to five years!”

A surprised laugh left his lips when he saw the truth behind the joke.

“You’re freaking out about telling him, aren’t you?”

“Am not!”

“You totally are!” He said, deflecting from the fact that he, too, was panicking and that waiting five years or more to have that talk was actually a very appealing idea.

“It’s just… He can be a tad traditional sometimes.”

“Awesome!” InuYasha said, with every drop of sarcasm he could gather. “We both know I’m all about traditions.”

Smiling, she reached for his hand again.

“Shall we?”

They call it ripple effect. It’s the situation in which one event produces a certain impact, inevitably spreading and producing further consequences. The concept usually comes with the classic example of throwing a rock in a steady pond, which InuYasha thought fitting. Whenever the half demon first stepped into a crowd of strangers, he pretty much felt like that rock.

Heads would turn straight to him in cascade. Surprise. Terror. Disgust. Condescension. Pity. As years went by, he had gotten it all.

Be as it may, soon enough the staring would abruptly get directed anywhere else and be replaced with whispers they didn’t know he could hear. Eventually, the waters would settle, but after the initial contact, the pond could never go back to the way it was. Neither could the rock.

His father had taught him to keep his chin up no matter what. The hatred of lesser men was an irrelevant price to pay for being unique. He should be proud of who he is. His mother had told him not to seek validation from others when he already had people who loved and cared for him unconditionally. Those were the guidances InuYasha religiously lived by. Still, sometimes, the hanyou wished he was allowed to just be. 

That night was surely the case.

The restaurant was crowded. It should be, in such a busy hour. The habitual glaring didn’t go unnoticed by InuYasha when he walked in — it bore holes on his flesh and broke into his bones. As usual, he brushed it off.

His focus oscillated like the flames inside the ornamental lanterns that provided warmth to the place in shades of red, orange and yellow.

Before him, undistinguished buzz raised above the background music and the pervasive smell of food served as a cruel reminder that he hadn’t put anything in his stomach since lunch. The lights, the sounds, the people, the scents. It was an overwhelming sensation to contemplate it all. In another day, in a calmer state of mind, he would have spotted her family in a heartbeat. Kagome, the loving daughter she was, had shown him enough pictures of them for the task to be a child’s play. Still, he didn’t dare to look. Not yet. Not when he was so unsure of what he might find written all over their faces. The same phrases on different pages.

Behind him, a delighted Kagome chatted in the staircase with the woman she had introduced as her middle school history professor. InuYasha had promptly forgotten her name. In no mood for engaging the conversation and wanting to save all of his small talk for dinner, he had politely excused himself, opting for walking ahead while the two of them reminisced.

Obviously, he had underestimated her communication skills, because a considerable amount of time had passed until Kagome caught up to him. Her arm tangled up with his quite easily. All at once, everything was gone, reduced to the speck of dust they were. There was only Kagome, searching the room in concentration. And there was only him, dazed by the smile that accommodated so well on her face, by the colors dancing on her cheeks and lights glittering on her eyes.

“There they are!” Kagome announced, breaking the spell.

His throat went completely dry. On his brain, sirens ran off, telling him to run for his life. How disappointed would she get if he grabbed her and fled? InuYasha also wondered, in vain, what the opponents he had faced would think, if they discovered what a coward the man who had ruthlessly knocked them out truly was. Kagome guided him towards the table where her family awaited, dispelling the intrusive thoughts away.

“Sorry we’re late!” She sat down and so did InuYasha, taking the free spot by her side. “We got caught up in traffic.”

“That’s alright, honey.” Mrs. Higurashi reassured with a tone as sweet as her smile. “I’m just glad you’re here now. We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. So much!” She replied, drinking each component of her family in, as if to carve their features into her memory so she might have something to hold onto until they met again. After a brief pause, Kagome kicked off the introductions. “Everyone, this is InuYasha. InuYasha, this is my family.”

Her grandfather was a perfect materialization of the pictures InuYasha had seen, with his wrinkled skin, grey hair and stoic expression. Her mother, too, matched up his expectations. The woman portrayed an effortless type of beauty, all dimples and heart-shaped face framed by wavy, short brown hair.

It was Sota who surprised him the most.

From Kagome’s descriptions, InuYasha was under the impression the boy would be way smaller than he actually was — although he was small, considering he was still a child. The half demon couldn’t decide if Kagome was oblivious to Sota’s growth due to her crazy student schedule or if it was her big sister bias that affected her judgement, but it was clear that Sota was gonna be taller than her in the near future. The boy also looked very clever for his age — even to someone in InuYasha’s case, who knew little to nothing about kids — and stared at him with something suspiciously close to expectancy.

InuYasha cleared his throat.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“The reciprocal is hardly true.” Whipped a dissonant baritone, so rigid it cut the air. “I haven’t heard much of you, that’s for sure and certain.”

There was no naivety left on InuYasha to believe the lack of reciprocity the man mentioned had anything to do with whether Kagome had told them detailed stories about her new boyfriend or not.

Apparently, Mrs. Higurashi had picked up on how shallow his last sentence sounded as well, because she was quick to swoop in and smooth things over.

“You were, indeed, a mystery, InuYasha.”

“I told you why.” Intervened Kagome, in an apologizing tone. “We were still figuring things out.”

“Well, if you two are done with figuring things out, can we please eat?” Sota retorted. InuYasha had no complaints there. Unfortunately, the elderly man interrupted them with the unapologetic conviction of someone who wasn’t aware a conversation was being had, or that simply didn’t care.

“Are you a Yakuza member?”

It didn’t go unnoticed by the hanyou that the man had addressed him twice without calling his name once. Nonetheless, the question was absolutely directed to InuYasha. Even if the word ‘Yakuza’ wasn’t instantly associated with the tattoos he carried, there were other indications. The abrupt silence that followed, one step away from a cliff of awkwardness, for instance. Or the hawk eyes of Kagome’s grandfather, studying his every move.

Luckly, he had warned his girlfriend in advance something like that could happen. More often than not, it did. To the point where he was used to it. And as much as she didn’t like it, he resolved to brush it off, at least for the night.

“Because of the tattoos?” He asked, playing dumb. “I get that a lot, but no. I just think they’re cool.” InuYasha shrugged, then felt the uncontrollable need to over explain himself: “The tattoos, I mean. Not the mafia.”

That earned him a laugh from Sota and a chuckle from Mrs. Higurashi. Kagome and her grandfather didn’t find it so funny.

“Grandpa, tattoos are very common thing all around the world! Don’t you think if everyone who had one was a Yakuza member, we’d be in serious trouble by now?” InuYasha observed her spit the acid comeback, thrown off to see their parts inverted. Usually, he was the one starting fires left and right and she was the placid source of water that always put them down. Again, the man ignored it.

“Then what do you do for a living?”

InuYasha almost smirked. That was precisely the sort of cliche interrogatory he was expecting — no, that he was wishing. After walking on so many eggshells, they were finally entering known territory and, as he felt the firm path of a parents pleaser answer forming under his feet, his confidence boosted.

“I’m majoring in business administration. My father wants my brother and I to learn as much as we can, if we’re gonna run the family company someday.”

It was extremely satisfying to watch the guy trying and failing to come up with any judgemental thing to say. His mouth sealed into a thin line.

“But what InuYasha really wants is to be a boxer.”

His head snapped to Kagome, astonished that she would turn him in there and then. The girl was not kidding when she demanded him to be himself.

“No way!” Sota exclaimed the words in the precise way his sister did when she was excited.

“Isn’t this dangerous, dear?” Mrs. Higurashi was genuine concerned. Her cinnamon irises studied him carefully, as if already searching for wounds. It reminded him of his own mother.

“Actually, InuYasha is undefeated.” Kagome replied for him, not bothering to hide the pride tone in her voice. 

So it’s chill when you brag about it, but when I do, I’m a cocky jerk. He amused, simultaneously deciding it sounded better when she did, anyway.

“Awesome! How come I have never seen you fight on TV?”

At Sota’s crescent interest, InuYasha answered in a bursting of atypical modesty.

“I didn’t get there just yet.”

“I’m sure it’s a matter of time.” Encouraged Mrs. Higurashi. Kagome’s grandfather scoffed. “I must ask you, though: how did you two met?”

“My sister isn’t the most athletic of girls.” Agreed Sota.

“I can’t believe I missed you.” The girl fired back.

“That’s true. But I can tell you first hand that she’s got a mean right hook.”

Her brother was thrilled. Her mom, not so much.

“She punched you?”

“Oh, my.”

“No! I gave her a couple of self defense classes, that’s all.” InuYasha hurried to explain.

“Oh!” Mrs. Higurashi seemed visibly relieved her daughter didn’t walk around purposefully breaking the criminal code. “Well, in that case I really appreciate it. Thank you, dear.”

“So that’s how you met? Self defense classes?”

“Not quite.”

The self defense classes came way later, in what InuYasha labeled as the ‘denial’ phase.

It started on a random night. They were arguing over something stupid, for a change. Things escalated rather fast and, against his better judgement, they had angry sex on her couch. He hadn’t thought much of it back them, telling himself they were just blowing off steam, that it wouldn’t happen again.

Only it did.

Over and over.

It was useless to fight it. No way to escape it. After a while, InuYasha had stopped trying and accepted the fact that every road lead him back to her bed. What he couldn’t, wouldn’t, refused to acknowledge, however, was that somewhere along the way, an invisible line was crossed and, as animosity gave space to awkward cordiality and awkward cordiality gave space to unlikely fondness, Kagome became much more than a mind-blowing fuck, even if at first he was too stubborn to say so.

And so, InuYasha came up with socially acceptable excuses to spend more time with her without it coming off as a big deal, hence the self defense classes. They were perfect for them, once it was something he mastered and it involved lots of physical contact. Besides, the half demon slept better at night, knowing Kagome could throw a proper punch at anyone who got too handsy. It wasn’t part of the ordinary self defense program, but then again, she was no ordinary girl. Although her spiritual powers assured no youkai would lay a finger on her, the priestess was on her own in terms of human threats. What InuYasha did was making sure that was enough.

They’ve been inseparable ever since.

“We’ve met through Miroku long before that.” Kagome clarified, conveniently leaving the petty behavior and childish arguments they had that first day out of it. “InuYasha is his roommate. Also, Sango has been friends with him since he was ten.”

“Oh!” The table nodded in understanding, working the math for themselves. It wasn’t a difficult calculation to make.

Miroku was a close friend of her family. Quite literally, given they were neighbors for as long as the bastard could remember. His family was spiritually gifted like no other and took to themselves the responsibility to help little Kagome Higurashi to improve her abilities to the fullest. As a result, they grew up together. People often confused them for siblings and at heart, they were.

InuYasha met the nuisance of a friend several years later, when both of them entered college. Graduation certainly wasn’t his biggest goal in life. Far from it. It was more like a boring thing he had to do in order to conquer his deserved space in the real world. Regardless, the half demon was eager to enjoy his first shot at independency.

He found a great place right outside campus, but the extent of time he could afford it without resorting to his folk’s pockets was limited. Doing all of the domestic chores by himself wasn’t appealing, either. He needed a roommate.

A river of candidates flooded his inbox — it was truly a fantastic deal — Miroku stood out for being the only human to reply to his advertisement. Curious, InuYasha booked an interview. The man was clearly a womanizer, appreciated a good booze and was the farthest thing from what he claimed his family to be. Or from what InuYasha looked for in a friend.

And yet, to his total bewilderment, they hit it off right away.

How was he supposed to know Miroku would fall for Sango?

His best friend Sango. 

The same Sango who helped him to train under the correct and outraging pretext that she had always been faster, that his defense was pathetic and that she would hate to see him get his ass kicked.

Gorgeous, confident, heart of gold Sango…

Yes, standing back from it now, InuYasha was a fool for not seeing it coming, since that was the obvious part.

The not so obvious one was that the two lovebirds would engage into a very loving, very serious relationship and that when Sango’s turn came to move out for college, Miroku would suggest an old friend to fill the vacant roommate position in her new apartment. A freshman as well, named Kagome.

And so InuYasha’s undoing began.

An unplanned dinner with mutual friends was hardly the most remarkable way to meet someone, but whenever InuYasha thought about the exquisite series of coincidences, about all of the incidents bound to happen in order to put them face to face in that distant autumn night… Well, he couldn’t shake the feeling it was meant to be, even if he had never had much faith in destiny, soulmates or any of that corny crap, there was no denying that suddenly every love song started making sense.

Flash forward and Miroku switched places with Kagome to better attend the living situation for the four of them. And that was that.

“What a… Delightful turn of events.” The venomous remark of the Higurashi patriarch brought the hanyou back to the present. This polite facade was what bothered him the most and InuYasha wanted the man, just for once, to say what he actually meant to say.

“Isn’t it?” Said Kagome, her enthusiasm palpable. If the girl had noticed the sarcasm hidden in that comment — and InuYasha was willing to bet so —, she made a point to disdain it, landing one hand on his knee, a discreet act of support.

Her grandfather clenched his jaw.

“InuYasha, you mentioned your family owns a company.” Mrs. Higurashi changed the subject unapologetically. “Any chances we have heard of it?”

He clung to the distraction like it was a life jacket.

“Probably, yeah! Taisho Inc.?”

“As in Toga Taisho?” Sota asked, his chin dropping. “Toga Taisho is your dad?” 

“And Izayoi is his mom.” Kagome added, fixing a knowing gaze on her own mother, whose bewilderment now mirrored her son’s.

“The Izayoi?”

“The one and only.” The hanyou nodded, accustomed to the heated reactions his distinguished bloodline got him. For better or for worse.

“Oh, her brand is fantastic! I read somewhere every clothing collection is environment friendly. And they’re so affordable, too!”

“Mom, you’re jabbering.” Interjected Sota.

“Sorry.” She said. More to be polite than anything else. “I’m a huge fan of her work!”

“So I’ve been told.” InuYasha glanced at Kagome, who stared at him right back. It was all it took, and he would be able to draw a meticulous picture of what she was thinking: both their mothers, chatting and enjoying a cold cup of tea under the setting sun like long date friends. Knowing his mom — and now Mrs. Higurashi — that was quite a possible scene.

“I’m sure the two of you will meet at some point.” Proclaimed Kagome. “Anyway… You won’t believe who InuYasha and I bumped into when we arrived—”

“Miss Kaede.” Sota and Mrs. Higurashi simultaneously answered, and at Kagome’s questioning expression, the boy shrugged. “She saw when we got here and came to say hi.”

They ordered minutes after.

The meal was hot and tasty, one of the best InuYasha had ever had. It helped that having dinner with her family, as it turned out, had been an overall pleasant experience. Light. Breezy. Sota and Mrs Higurashi did a wonderful job at keeping him comfortable. InuYasha would go as far as saying they had liked him, and for that he was insanely grateful.

Kagome’s grandfather, however, was a whole other story. The guy despised him and didn’t lift a finger to cover it, but he had spent the rest of the night relatively quiet about it, so InuYasha labeled it as progress.

He had offered them a ride home and they had accepted, just like Kagome said they would. It was funny, the speed in which he grew accustomed to their dynamics. Kagome and her brother mindless bickering, their mother pretending exasperation while secretly pleased, the drive filled with childhood tales and life updates, a innocent joke every now and then. It was decidedly something InuYasha could be a part of.

Their property was a rustic piece of land inserted between one urban construction and the next, refusing to be touched by modern convenience. Kagome’s enchantment for the place was justified. Growing up in there couldn’t have been anything less than magical.

“It’s not much,” Mrs. Higurashi apologized, “but it’s home.” She opened the door and turned on the light.

The house seemed bigger on the inside. Not fancy big. Cozy big. On every wall, past and future merged themselves in harmony. The decoration, simple and of good taste, spoke anecdotes of the merry family living there.

As they entered the living room, a movement alarmed his senses, and in a quick motion InuYasha dove in just in time to grab the falling ornamental vase before it hit the ground. The responsible for the almost disaster meowed and jumped off the glass shelf, making a point of stepping on InuYasha with indifference to then greet the others.

“You must be Buyo.”

“Nice catch!” Congratulated Sota.

“Oh, my! Thank you, InuYasha. This vase is very dear to me.” He handed her the adornment, which was immediately restored the its rightful spot. “Kagome, why don’t you show your boyfriend around?”

Obediently, her daughter let go of the purring cat and played the role of guide, giving him a comprehensive tour through her former home. Truth to her word, she saved the best for last.

“Before we get in, I want you to remember I was young and didn’t know any better.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He established, gesturing for her to rush and turn the knob.

Her bedroom was a gleeful explosion of pink and purple. From the roof to the floor, most of the surfaces were bathed in different shades of the combination. Sheets. Teddy bears. Carpet. Alarm clock. Curtains. Posters that could now pass for vintage. InuYasha was impressed. Despite all reason, the aesthetic actually worked.

He barked a laugh.

“What did you have against the other colors?”

“Shut up, I was five!”

InuYasha ignored her in favor of snooping around. Objects that dared not to stick with the pink or purple agenda were inevitably highlighted by it. He went after those first.

“So many CDs!” InuYasha contemplated, inspecting her collection attentively. Music was a passion they shared. Even though she was a pop kind of girl and he fell more into the rock line, they had been able to find common ground, eventually. Like Rihanna. Or The Beatles. “Are you kidding me?”

Kagome acknowledged his raised brows and the copy of a NSYNC album he was holding with a giggle.

“I stand by it.”

Books also filled the room. For starts, there was the Biology ones, piled up on her writing desk in a greater amount than what could be considered healthy — and more worn out than the math editions. On the main bookcase, he ran his claws through the good stuff. Jane Austen. J.K. Rowling. Stephen King. He wasn’t much of a reader, himself. His relationship with literature came down to the bedtime stories her mom lulled him to sleep with and A Song of Ice and Fire, which Kagome was currently reading because of him, albeit they had binged Game Of Thrones together.

Among her personal, reduced library, there was one book that gave the impression not to belong. It was larger, made of aged, tawny leather and no inscription was printed on the spine. Curious, InuYasha pulled it out, discovering the item to be a photo album. He pointed to its cover. 

“Can I?”

“Knock yourself out.”

She paid no attention to him as he sat on her bed and cautiously flipped through the pages, too lost in her own nostalgia.

The compilation began at a hospital room. A younger Mrs. Higurashi exhibited a teary smile to the chubby newborn nestled against her chest, the arms of an equally jubilant man involved them in a hug. Mr. Higurashi had elongated traits that narrowed his chin and pronounced nose in a gentle manner, like time had purposefully left his boyish attributes untouched. He resembled Sota. In everything except his wavy, dark hair. InuYasha grinned. Kagome had her father’s hair.

The photograph below showed three pair of legs, lazily lying on white sheets. A woman, a man and between them a baby, the size difference contributing to make the latter even cuter. Next to that, a picture of baby Kagome old enough to sit up, dressing onesie pajamas and chewing on a pacifier. Her grandfather appeared every now and then, feeding her porridge, kissing her tiny palm, exasperated at the paint mess she had done on the hall.

InuYasha watched her grow up the deeper he advanced. From crawling to standing behind Mrs. Higurashi, wrapping her little arms around the long skirt of her mother as she did the dishes. From that, to climbing onto a chair to help her father with the baking, covered in flour in front of the kitchen table while he proudly cleaned her up. Picnics. Beach trips. Birthdays. Every milestone was documented. After her first day at school — a big red ribbon on her hair —, new characters came to scene. Miroku, by her side on the backyard, one of his teeth missing and autumn leaves sticking to the two of them everywhere, twin wide smiles on their lips. Buyo, only a kitten napping on her lap as they sat on a tyre swing. She was wearing a beautiful dress and sneakers, her feet inches away from the ground.

There was a significant passage of time when InuYasha turned to another page. He knew it because, abruptly, Sota was there too, even though Mrs. Higurashi had been pregnant just a few images ago. The subtitle read Kagome, giving her baby brother a bath. In reality, she had used shampoo to pin all of his hair up. Her growth was perceptible as well.

There were no pictures of Mr. Higurashi anymore.

Instead, Sota, Miroku and some other friends conquered a little more of space, as Kagome got closer and closer to become the woman InuYasha came to know. The final picture was of her high school gang. Ayumi, Eri, Yuka.

And Hojo.

She had dated him back then and they were friends to this day. Naturally. Because Kagome was fundamentally a good person. And the fucker was unabashedly still into her.

The worst thing was, he couldn’t even bring himself to resent the guy. As a matter of fact, the hanyou pitied him. If InuYasha was in his shoes, he doubt he could ever move on from Kagome. Be that as it may, he much would have preferred they had held a grudge, blocked each other on social media and called it quits. Like normal people did.

Kagome was staring out the window by the time InuYasha shut the album and returned it to its shelf. He let his face fall into the curve of her shoulder — a flawless fit — in the process of embracing her waist. She leaned her head to him, her fingertips caressing his forearms.

Out of respect, they had left the door open, but it was just for show. His keen senses ensured they could get away with innocent displays of affection without having to worry about unexpected interruptions.

“What are we lookin’ at?”

“The Goshinboku.” The view of her bedroom was composed by a stunning garden, a mighty tree standing tall in the center of it. “When I was a little girl, there was a tyre swing attached to it. My dad built it for me. And grandpa almost had a heart attack because the tree is supposed to be sacred.”

The fresh memory came rushing back, of a lovely girl, her sleeping cat and a tyre swing.

“He sounds like a good man.” InuYasha let it out, mentally kicking himself at the same time. Don’t bring up her father, remembered his inner voice, a second too late. Damn it, he thought, I was doing so well. But they were alone. And Kagome was the one to raise the subject.

“The best.” She agreed, the longing painfully distinguishable in her timbre. “The colors are his fault, actually. He let me pick them and insisted I’d help him painting, saying it was my room and therefore I should be an active part of its making in order to truly look my own. I felt like such a grown up, with that brush in my hand! It wasn’t until years later I realized he had done most of the heavy work, of course. My enthusiasm about the colors decreased with time, I gotta admit. But I never wanted to change it, because whenever I see them, I’m taken back to that day.”

InuYasha was at a loss for words.

In one night, Kagome had shared more about her father than she had in their entire relationship, the topic always a delicate one.

To measure her pain, he tried to imagine what would be like. His life without Toga Taisho in every step of the way, with his goofy jokes and thunderous laughter, teaching him how to shave, talking about girls, buying him his first pair of boxing gloves. Cheering him on. Most fathers wouldn’t be as supportive of his career choice. Especially when it meant stepping down from the family empire.

Unthinkable.

InuYasha couldn’t even began to understand.

Unexpectedly, he was assaulted by the crushing need to hug his old man.

“He’d be proud of ya. You know that, right?”

“I do.” Kagome sighed. She was at the verge of crying, he could tell. “I wish he had met you.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

“So...” Kagome bravely pushed her sorrow underneath, recovering the cheerful temper that was so typical of her. “Did you find anything good in that photo album?”

“Oh, yeah!” InuYasha nodded, taking her unsaid ask for distraction for what it was. “Miroku won’t hear the end of it.” She laughed and he relaxed at the sound. “Come on, let’s go downstairs. Your grandfather is getting distraught.”

“How did you do that?” Sota watched the TV screen in awe as their characters fought. InuYasha had just released a powerful blow, inflecting several damage on his opponent.

“Left-Right-B-B.”

Sota pressed the combination and as soon as he did, his character recreated the attack, hitting InuYasha back full force. The kid learned fast.

“Sweet! You gotta teach me more of this stuff! Can I come over to your place sometime?”

“Sure!” He answered, in autopilot. Kagome quietly pinched him in the tigh and the half demon realized his mistake. Don’t mention we live together. What an idiot he was. InuYasha wouldn’t have to mention anything if her brother saw it with his own eyes. “I-I mean, if that’s cool with your mom. It ain’t a quick drive.”

“For real?!”

“Yeah, just… Text me first.”

“You got it!”

InuYasha shrugged apologetically to his frustrated girlfriend. It was the best he could do.

“Kagome?” Mrs. Higurashi swiftly called from the kitchen. “Can you help me with the desserts, please?”

“Coming!”

Involuntarily, his ears twitched to follow her trail of noises. Steps. Crockery getting handled. Whispers.

“Alright: your honest opinion. Go!”

“Oh, I think your opinion is the one that counts.”

“It’s the one that counts the most. It’s not the only one that counts.”

“In that case, I must say you make a lovely couple. InuYasha caused an excellent impression on me. The way he looks at you… Your father used to look at me just like that.”

“Mama!”

There was a pause.

Out of habit, InuYasha kept hitting the right buttons, but his interest was far away from the game.

“Now, what else are you wanting to tell me?”

“How did you know?”

“A mother always does. What is it?”

“InuYasha and I… We’re living together.”

“I had my suspicions.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Are you happy?”

“The happiest.”

“Well, then. That’s all that matters to me.”

“Thank you! I love you so much!”

“I love you too, honey. But it might be wise not to let your grandfather know for now.”

“I figured as much.”

“One more thing.”

“Shoot!”

“Are the two of you using protection?”

“Mom!”

“What? It’s a fair concern.”

InuYasha had darkened multiple shades of embarrassment, all of them red. Sota took advantage of his temporary stupefied state to deliver the final blast, settling their score.

“Yes!”

“I totally let you win.”

“You wish!”

The two women walked into the room, dessert glasses on their hands. Sota accepted the one his mother offered him while Kagome sat on her previous spot by InuYasha.

“This candy is a family recipe.” Mrs. Higurashi explained. “It’s also the reason why we didn’t order a dessert at the restaurant.”

InuYasha hadn’t complained. In terms of food, sugary snacks were hardly his favorites. He opened his mouth, planning to decline the treat in way that wasn’t too rude, but his girlfriend beat him to the punch and sticked a spoon full of the stuff inside his mouth. The flavor outburst on his tongue was unprecedented, caramel being the base of it. The kickoff was undeniably sweet, pursued by a salty ending that assured a refined balance.

“Holy f… ork.” Don’t swear. At least this time he managed to caught himself before the failure.

“I’m glad you liked it.” Said Mrs. Higurashi, as InuYasha grabbed his portion from Kagome’s grasp and ate the whole thing in eager spoonfuls.

“How come you never made me one of those?” He threw Kagome an accusatory glance.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t think our relationship is that solid yet.”

InuYasha was formulating a sly remark when he heard her grandfather struggling to carry a heavy wood box.

“Sir, wanna some help?” He volunteered, already jumping to the rescue.

“I’m old, not invalid.”

“It wasn’t my intention to suges—”

“Grandpa, please don’t be dramatic.” Intervened Kagome. “We don’t want a broken hip, do we?”

Grudgingly, the elder turned his burden over to InuYasha, who followed him out into the storehouse. He was serenaded by the crickets and the constant instructions of the wrinkle bag, urging him to be careful.

“Where do you want this, sir?”

“There.” He pointed to the left corner of the room and InuYasha accomplished the task without breaking a sweat. Or a priceless relic. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” The temptation to spin on his heels and exit the building was tremendous. For Kagome, though, he had to make an effort. “I guess is safe to say you don’t like me or my tattoos very much. That’s alright, I get it. You just met me. But I promise you, sir, I would never, ever, do anything to hurt your granddaughter. I’m a hundred percent committed to Kagome. In fact…” InuYasha fished the ring off his back pocket and presented it to him. “I intend to propose to her in a near future. You don’t have to answer right now, just know it would mean a lot to her… To us, if you could give us your blessing.”

The man glared at the ring as if it was a viper ready to strike.

“I wasn’t aware this relationship of yours was that serious.”

“Well… It kinda is. I… I love her.”

InuYasha felt naked, so very naked, under the somber gaze of that man. However true his words were, he wasn’t the type to pour his heart out, let alone to someone he had met for less than the duration of a night. Vulnerability was something to be avoided. Let your guard open, you get knocked down. A lifetime of boxing will teach you that. Still, Kagome was worth way more than his stupid pride. 

“I see. In that case, you must end it at once.”

“What?”

“I held my peace because I was convinced, the moment my granddaughter introduced you as her boyfriend, that this was bound to break. Do not take it personally. I can’t possibly be the first one to point it out and chances are I won’t be the last. You are far from the man I imagined her future husband to be. Yet here you are, speaking of marriage. It is up to me, then, to open your eyes and remind you the implications of it.”

“The implications of it.” The hanyou half repeated, half questioned. The superior tone in which the man expressed himself was enerving and the fact InuYasha had no idea of where he was trying to get only worsened the tension.

“Your mother is human, is she not?” All of the pieces fell into place right then. He would rather they hadn’t.

“Yes, she is.”

“Then you better than anyone must know of the hardships she had to endure as a result of her lifestyle.” 

InuYasha was numb. Completely anesthetized. It was to be expected his stupor would soft the pain of the bad memories. It didn’t.

Romeo and Juliet got nothing on his parents. His mom had told him the story time and time again. They had met each other on a tropical storm. Her car died and of course he was there to help. She kept his coat. He kept her phone number on a piece of paper that accidentally was ruined by the rain. When their paths crossed again, he was a divorced father and she was engaged. They managed to get it right anyway. Timing was a comical thing. It never worked with rationality.

Both families were against it. Strongly against it. His mother was no longer welcomed in the house. They had burned to the ground any evidence she once belonged to that place. The only thing she took with her was the ring of her deceased mother that InuYasha now held inside his clenched fist. She wasn’t allowed in the Taisho mansion either, but it just meant his father wouldn’t set foot feet there as well.

There were grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins InuYasha didn’t have the chance to met. Because they didn’t want to. Other than from Sesshoumaru and his mom, that was it for him in the family section.

He used to resent it. When he caught a homesick Izayoi crying. When his father yelled at the management of some restaurant about their anti-human politics. When she was denied entrance because InuYasha was in her arms. When the family tree of the other kids in school was so much more complex than his. Fortunately, he came to terms with it. Family had little to do with blood.

“It wasn’t her fault and it wasn’t your father’s, either.” InuYasha heard him go on. “Regardless, this is the way things are. The way things have always been. And pretending otherwise is to believe in fairytales. You can not blame me for wishing a better fate upon Kagome.”

“Kagome is happy. I know she is!”

“For now. What would be of this so called happiness in the long run? Keep in mind Kagome is a priestess. What if this union causes her to lose her spiritual powers? Even if she doesn’t, a child born out of it would carry demon genes. It can not be avoided. It can affect their reiki greatly.”

“W-we haven’t talk—”

Kids. The subject was never discussed between them. It was not a secret Kagome wanted to have children. She should have children. Motherhood suited her. InuYasha, on the other hand, didn’t give the topic a lot of thought. He just accepted that, taking in consideration the lengths he was willing to go to make her happy, babies weren’t even that bad.

Now, his treacherous brain was plaguing him with the forbidden images. Another aged, tawny leather photo album, theirs to fulfill with pictures of a raven haired, golden eyed toddler. Kagome, pregnant with his child. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t bad at all.

“Listen close, boy. I take no pride in that, but when cancer took my son away… It tore this home apart. Kagome? She was the one to put it back together. It was an unfair burden, for someone so young to take. And it meant countless sacrifices from her part. My granddaughter had to grow up too fast too soon. She deserves the luck of an ease love. You seem like a decent man, tattoos aside. That is why, if you love Kagome the way you claim to do, you will let her go.”

“InuYasha!”

“Huh?”

“I’m talking to you!”

“I’m driving!” Even to himself, the excuse sounded weak. For fear Kagome would pick up on his bullshit, he opted for diplomacy. “Can you repeat what it was?”

“My family! Did you like them?”

“Yeah, they’re great.”

She could sniff it out his lies from miles away, one of her many infuriating talents. It was a good thing InuYasha wasn’t lying, then. Her mom and brother had won him over without even trying. Her grandfather was difficult, to say the least. But ultimately, he only had Kagome’s best interests at heart. How could InuYasha not hold someone like that in deep appreciation? They shared the same priorities, after all.

“I’m glad.” Kagome sticked a palm out of the window, to cut the chill night air. Not even that diverted his concentration from the road ahead, hands sweating at the tigh grip on the steering wheel. They let the silence set, until her profound exhale disturbed it. “Do you miss your motorbike?”

Before Kagome, a classic black Harley used to be the love of his life. He had saved every penny he ever gotten in order to get it. It was the first significant thing he had ever bought with his own money. Sadly, the maintenance was pretty expensive and by the time they started going on double dates with Miroku and Sango or Koga and Ayame, an average car proved to be the obvious, more practical choice. It had its advantages. Convenience. Economy. Illegal activities on the backseat. His mother was radiant, too. She had somehow convinced herself owning a motorcycle was a creative way of signing his own death certificate.

He didn’t regret it.

But he couldn’t chase the wind in a car. Kagome wouldn’t hold him for dear life in a car.

“Sometimes.”

“Me too. Maybe we can afford to buy it back, someday.” His stomach sank. There would be no ‘someday’. Not for them. “InuYasha?”

“Maybe.”

He turned the radio on and neither of them talked the whole way home.

Water was pouring down, warm and nice against his skin. InuYasha stood under the shower far more than the necessary. His hope was that if he stalled long enough, Kagome would be sleeping by the time he left the bathroom. It was an act of pure cowardice, but it was for the best. If she was awake, he would be tempted to take her one last time, and what kind of monster he’d be by the morning, when they would have to say goodbye?

Kagome was sitting on their bed, waiting for him with his AC/DC shirt on. InuYasha should have anticipated she wouldn’t be entirely oblivious to his internal turmoil. He hadn’t done the neatest job hiding it and she knew him like no one else.

“Alright, what is wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Just who do you think you’re kidding?”

“Can we please do this tomorrow?”

“No! You’ve been acting strange since we left. I tried to give you space, but I won’t be able to sleep unless you put my mind at ease.”

From all the scenarios he had ran on his head of how this conversation would go, this was without a doubt the worst one. He didn’t want to end their relationship in the middle of the night, dressed only on his sweatpants, risking her to storm off that late. He owed Kagome more than that. Massaging his temple, InuYasha realized his hands were tied. She wouldn’t let it die. He sat by her side and ripped off the band-aid.

“We should break up.”

Her reaction to the news was a mystery InuYasha wasn’t dying to find out. She could cry, she used to do it for less and his ego would appreciate it. She could scream at him, it was totally understandable. She could slap his face, he probably deserved it. She could leave. He wouldn’t blame her.

“No.” Plain and simple.

Whatever he expected her to do, that wasn’t it.

“No?”

“That’s right.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“We’re breaking up!”

“No, we’re not. Are you in love with someone else?”

“Well... No.”

“Have you stopped loving me?”

“That’s… That’s not the issue.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m bad for you, Kagome! Can’t you see that?” His ferocity made her quiver and cursing himself, InuYasha counted two heavy breaths to try and tone it down. “Can’t you see everything you’ll miss out just to be by my side? I can’t do that to you. I won’t. What we have… It can be easy here, but in the real world...”

“Did my grandfather put you up to this?”

His startle gave him away. It was pointless to deny.

“He only said what we already knew and were too stubborn to accept.”

“How dare he?!”

“He’s right, y’know? This is the best thing for you.”

“How dare you?” She poked his naked chest, her fury unleashed like InuYasha hadn’t seen in a while. “Who are you to make this decision for me?”

“I’m someone who saw his mother be casted out and humiliated on a daily basis over it!”

“Have you ever asked her if she would do it again? Because I’m pretty sure I know the answer. And mine is the same.”

“What about children? You wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they would inherit your spiritual powers if you had ‘em with a human.”

“I don’t care about the stupid bloodline tradition! It’s not like demons and humans are at war anymore. Any child we might have will be loved, powers or not powers. I refuse to let outdated morals dictate how I live my life, I refuse to let them get in the way of my happiness. And I can’t believe after everything we’ve been through you would give up of me that easy.”

“Easy?” InuYasha hissed. Kagome didn’t back down one bit at his rompant. “You think this is easy for me? This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and if it’s possible you’re making it even harder. For once in my life I’m being selfless. For once in my life I’m putting someone else first. Because I fucking love you!”

Finally, finally, her lips crushed into his. It was a long time coming, as if every single event since he had seen her in that blue dress earlier were building up to that moment. He welcomed her touch like was second nature, greedly pulling her close to devour her lips. The taste of mint toothpaste flooded his senses and suddenly the whole universe shrunk to the shape her mouth. Her slow hands went from his cheeks to his wet hair, tangling on the messy strands and inducing the nape ones to rise up.

Only then InuYasha understood.

He was fooling himself.

Selfish. His love for her always was and always would be selfish. He could try to stay away, he could try to shut her out. In the end of the day, all she had to do was snap her fingers and he would be running to her. There was no escaping it. She wanted him, he was hers.

Little by little, InuYasha broke the kiss, their foreheads still connected as their hearts restored their normal pace.

“I don’t want to make things difficult between you and your family.”

“I’m sorry about tonight, InuYasha. I was so excited with the idea of you and my family getting along, I forgot to be more careful and pushed it too far with grandpa. Let’s give it time, okay? He’ll come around. If he doesn’t, you are not the one making things difficult. He is. People tend to be afraid of what they don’t know. It doesn’t matter. It’s not theirs to know, it’s ours. And we shouldn’t allow their opinions to interfere. No prejudiced beliefs can take me from your side. As long as you want me, there are no deal breakers. So what do you truly want?”

“What I truly want…” He got up and went to their wardrobe, reaching the depths of the drawer where he kept his jeans for the hidden ring. He found it and fell into one knee in front of her. “It’s to spend the rest of my life with you.” She gasped, hands flying to cover her mouth as her eyes overflowed. “This might be crazy soon, but it has also been a crazy night. Kagome, will you—”

“Yes!”

She knocked him down in a hug that turned into another kiss, tender than the prior. They had time to pleasantries now. They had all the time in the world. InuYasha wanted to laugh at the expense of his unplanned rebellion. There he was, making the exact opposite thing her grandfather had ordered him to do. And he was still a bit unaware as to how.

“Will ya let me put this thing on your finger or what?” He questioned when she pulled away.

“In one condition.”

“Which one?”

“Don’t you ever break up with me again.”

“It won’t be a problem.”

A/N: this is for the brilliant @dyaz-stories​ who requested “The stakes are high. Tthe water's rough. But this love is ours” + “And any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored. Cause my heart is yours” for the lyric game.

I hope you don’t mind the “my father” to “my grandfather”change, but I thought it was more fitting, given the circumstances. Sorry I made you the bad guy, grandpa, but someone had to be! Also, I know the lyrics say that the snide remarks about the tattoos would be ignored, but no matter how hard I tried to stand by it, Kagome refused to be silenced.

About the tattoos: I’ve read somewhere cherry blossoms mean female beauty, love, happiness, renovation and hope. They symbolize the end of winter and beginning of spring… which is pretty much everything Kagome represents to InuYasha.

That being said, happy Inukag Week! Yes, I do celebrate it as if it was a hollyday. No, I do not think I’m obsessed. I like this couple a normal amount. And this fanfic just happens to fit the prompt “acceptance” from day one, so here you go @inukag-week​

[hushedhands]

Challenge 75

Thank you for voting, @petit-bon-homme​! Since @the-third-me​ wasn’t eligible to participate in the election, and you didn’t have a specific prompt in mind, I went ahead and used their prompt to write your challenge! Team work makes the dream work! I’m sure there’s a metaphor about voting somewhere in there, right? 🤷‍♀️

Without further ado I give you: Addy finding out that America is pregnant with baby number 5 and bursting into tears. 

Eleven-year-old Addy had a bruise on her leg from where Lief had kicked her at lunch, and it hurt. Aunt Kenna often asked for her help wrangling the smallest Schreave, because even though Astra and Kile were both older than Addy, Addy was Lief’s big sister and he needed the most attention because he was the youngest. So Astra, Kile, Leo, Rogan, Jamesy, Josie, and Maisy all got to go to lunch with Aunt Kenna, and Addy stayed behind to get Lief ready. Meri used to help Addy with this part, but Meri and her little brother Herrick were going to a school in Angeles this year to meet more kids. Addy thought there were plenty of kids in the Palace already, but no one asked her.

Lief always got mad when it was lunch time because, even though he was just a toddler, he knew nap came after lunch. This time, he took his outrage out on Addy’s poor shin.  As far as Addy was concerned, she never wanted to see a little kid ever again.

Not only that, but now that she was eleven years old, Addy’s lessons were getting really hard. She was learning pre-algebra and it made her head hurt. Ms. Alvaraz said that was because Addy was having to think about numbers in a brand new way. Whatever the reason, it took Addy much longer to work out math problems now. She also had to memorize more vocabulary and spelling words than ever before. Between her lessons, her chores, appearing on the Report every week, and her responsibilities as big sister, Addy needed a vacation. Maybe Aunt May could take her somewhere fun.

Until then, she’d just try to be alone as much as possible. Quiet reading time in her room always made her feel better when she was overwhelmed like this. Unfortunately, her plans were spoiled that night when her parents asked her to stay for all of family time instead of sneaking away early to relax. Addy was at a really good chapter in her book about kid magicians, so she was hopeful that her parents would let her go soon.

“Okay, are you guys ready to listen?” America asked, joining Maxon on the sofa facing three of their children. Lief was still playing on the floor, but he was sort of listening.

“We’re ready Mommy.” six-year-old Maisy reassured her.

“Good.” America glanced at Maxon, “Should we try to tell Lief now, or maybe another time?”

Maxon fiddled with a photo album in his hands as the tried to decide whether Lief was old enough to understand what was going to happen. “We can work with him later.”

“Okay.” America turned her attention to her older children, waiting patiently on the sofa. “Dad and I have big news.”

“We’re going to the carnival!” Jamesy exclaimed.

“We’re going to the zoo!” Maisy exclaimed.

For some reason, Addy didn’t guess the real news right away. She’d had this talk with her parents enough times to know better, but the truth was so extreme that her brain fully rejected it as a possibility. “Maybe we’re going to the library this weekend?”

“Better than all of that.” Maxon grinned excitedly. “Your mom and I have been talking for a while—“

“Puppy! It’s another puppy!” Jamesy realized.

“It’s not another puppy.” Maxon laughed. “Listen, Mom and I have been talking, and we really want Lief to have someone in the family who’s close to his age, so he can play with them and study with them the way you guys do with each other. Addy, you have Jamesy, and Jamesy, you have Maisy, but Lief is so much younger than all of you that he’s really on his own.”

“We play with Lief every day.” Maisy pointed out, confused.

“Right, but he’s a baby and you’re not.” America said, and Maisy preened at being considered a big girl. “He’s at a very different stage than you three, and it would be good if he had someone closer to his size.”

“So…” Jamesy blinked, “Are we moving more friends into the Palace?”

“No, son.” Maxon and America shared an adoring smile with one another. This was the first time they’d ever been able to have this conversation with most of the kids big enough to really understand what was happening.

America squeezed Maxon’s hand and said, “I’m going to have another baby.”

Maisy gasped, clapping her hands together. Jamesy was stunned, “Another baby?”

Addy knit her brows together, “Wait, you’re talking about it, or you’re having it?”

“Having it.” America smiled, serenely happy. “Birdy, I’m pregnant.”

“Mommy, is it a girl?” Maisy asked right away.

“We don’t know yet, honey.”

“Is it twins?” Jamesy asked, trying to imagine twins like their cousins Leo and Rogan, in his mom’s stomach.

“Definitely not.” Maxon chuckled.

“What are you, crazy?!” Addy snapped.

The room fell awkwardly quiet. Maxon chastised her, “Adrienne Schreave, what’s the matter with you?”

“What’s the matter?! Why didn’t you ask me before you decided to just have another baby?! I’m the one who changes half the diapers. I’m the one who reads half the bedtime stories. I have to give baths and handle snack time and help everyone with their homework! You and Mom barely even see us, you’re always at work. All you’re doing is making one more baby to play with, and then leaving the rest of us to clean up your mess!” Halfway through her tirade tears started welling in Addy’s eyes, and by the end she was bawling like she was the new baby.  

“Adrienne, you may not speak to your mother—“

“It’s okay, Maxon.”

Now that Addy was clearly upset, Jamesy and Maisy seemed a lot more uneasy, too. They took most of their cues about how to respond to unusual situations from her. Jamesy frowned, “Will we really have to do all of that work?”

“No!” Addy rubbed her snotty nose with her arm. “You never have to do it, it’s always me! Didn’t you guys even think about how this would effect me?! Lief is still in diapers! I have to start geography soon! I don’t have time for another baby!” Addy yelled.

“Okay Addy, go lay down.” America encouraged her with a soothing voice. She wasn’t being sent to her room to be punished, she was being freed from this conversation. Addy fled the family room gratefully, running as fast as she could to the safety of her bedroom and slamming the door behind her accidentally. She blew her nose and washed her face, then she cried her eyes out on her bed. She didn’t even want to read her book anymore. How could her parents do this to her?

Her parents were already way too busy to help her with her homework or teach her how to play soccer. And now, with another baby, they'd be too busy for years and years. She’d have to grow up teaching herself everything, all alone. Everyone would leave the Palace like Meri had, and Addy would be all alone forever, with no one to help her learn to braid or bake cookies or play piano. Forever.

She hated her family. She wanted to be an orphan like in her books, and then she could be adopted by a nice magician lady who would never ever have more babies. They could move to a cottage by the sea and cast spells, and Addy’s new magic mom would love her so much and be her best friend forever.

Daydreaming about her imaginary life helped her stop crying, and her parents found her zoned out like that, sprawled across her bed, when they joined her fifteen minutes later.

America crawled into bed with Addy and stroked her hair, “Okay, we get it Bird. You need to be babied, too.”

“I do not!” Addy was insulted.

“What your mother means is, we’ve been leaning too hard on you. You’re the oldest, and that means more responsibility, but Jamesy and Maisy are plenty old enough to help out now. You were younger than Maisy when you started diaper duty, after all.”

“Honey, you won’t have to raise a finger to take care of this baby if you don’t want to.”

“Yes I will.”

“We promise.” America reiterated.

“And what about when the baby gets bigger, huh? What about—“ Addy sat up and pulled up the leg of her leggings to show her big, purple bruise, “—when the baby is a toddler and Aunt Kenna needs help getting it to lunch time, so it starts kicking me—“

“Ouch, Bird.” Maxon sat down, studying her wound carefully. “Lief did that?”

“Yes! Today! Stop having babies!” Addy felt herself choking up again.

“Okay, so Aunt Kenna needs more help.” America nodded with a breath. “We can do that. It’s been hard ever since Miss Paige left, but you’re no substitute for Miss Paige. We need an adult to do that.”

“Yeah.”

Maxon stood and left the room.

America sighed and pulled Addy closer, “We didn’t know you were so stressed out, Addy. You’re still a kid, your royal training hasn’t even started yet. Let us help you. What else can we do?”

“Can you ever help me with homework?”

“Well…”

“Of course not.” Addy groused. “I should have known. You’re too busy having babies to help with homework.”

“Hey.” America poked Addy gently. “It’s not the baby’s fault that your dad and I let things get too hectic around here. The baby’s innocent. Just a cute little baby.”

“I hate babies. I’m never ever ever ever having babies.” Addy flopped back down on the bed.

“Okay.” America pressed her lips to Addy’s hair and said into her red strands, “You can be the awesome Queen aunt who gives her nieces and nephews fun presents at Christmas.”

“I’m never being around kids either.” Addy complained, but she didn’t mean that. She liked kids. She was one, after all.

“Okay, we’ll find a time when your dad or I can help you with homework once per week. How about that? The rest of the time, you have Astra and Kile, right?”

“Right.” Addy supposed. “That would be good… but Mom, you still never even taught me to french braid, and you promised to teach me last winter!”

“Fine.” America considered it, “A few private french braiding lessons, just the two of us. I can tell Silvia to put that on my calendar.”

“Really?”

“Yes, honey. Your dad and I love you. A new baby doesn’t change that.”

Addy scoffed. She’d heard that line a thousand times.

“What?” America asked.

“Sure you don’t love your kids less when you have a new baby, you just see them less and spend less time with them, and think about them less because you have to split up your attention so much.”

“Adrienne—“

Maxon returned with a bag of ice wrapped in a soft washcloth. He pressed it to Addy’s bruise tenderly.

“Think about it, Mom.” Addy sat up again so both of her parents could see her face. “If I was your only kid, you’d spend all of family time with just me. Every weekend we could do things together, and you wouldn’t always be napping from being pregnant all the time.”

“I’m not pregnant all the time!” America objected, though that’s exactly what May had laughingly said when she’d found out about the new baby via telephone.

Maxon said, “Addy, if you need more attention from your mother or me, we can do that. If you need fewer responsibilities with your younger siblings, we can do that too. As I said, Jamesy and Maisy are more than old enough to start pitching in. We will find help for Aunt Kenna, and you won’t ever have to change a single diaper on this baby’s bottom if you don’t want to. Okay?”

“I don’t believe you.” Addy said. “You’ll be at work, and Mom will be busy with Lief, and the baby will have a stinky diaper and—“

“And I will ask Jamesy for help.” America insisted. “Or even Maisy, she’ll be seven years old by then. That’s plenty old enough to change a diaper.”

Addy blinked, “When… when do the changes start?”

“Right away.” Maxon promised.

“I need help with my homework.” Addy insisted.

“Okay, well I’m here now, Bird.” Maxon said.

Addy glanced over at her backpack, almost ready to pull out her math homework when there was a knock at the door and Jamesy appeared, “Sorry but Lief is trying to climb the curtains.”

Addy wilted. So much for homework help. 

Calmly Maxon replied, “Pick him up, stick him in the playpen, and I will call Uncle Ryland to come upstairs for the rest of family time.”

Jamesy nodded, but he paused and said “Addy… I can give baths at bath time too, okay?”

“Okay.” Addy nodded. “Thanks, Jamesy.”

Jamesy left with a sympathetic smile and America ran a hand through Addy’s hair, “How about an allowance, Bird?”

“What?” Addy looked up sharply.

“You’ve been asking for book and lipgloss money. You have a lot of responsibility around here, and I think you’re ready to be in charge of your own pocket money too. What do you think, Maxon?”

“Absolutely.” Maxon agreed. “Budgeting is going to be a huge part of your job as a grownup, if you choose to become Queen. And your mother and I never meant to take you for granted, Bird. Perhaps an allowance will remind you each week that your help is valuable to us.”

Addy swallowed, “How big would my allowance be?”

America and Maxon shared a look. What did their princess daughter really need? “Ten dollars per week?” Maxon guessed.

America nodded. Enough for a book or a few lipglosses.

Addy’s eyes widened as she realized how quickly she could save up to 100 dollars. It was more money than she’d ever had before, what all could she even buy with 100 dollars?

“Okay, thank you.” Addy agreed.

Maxon adjusted the ice pack he still held to Addy’s bruise and said, “Now, you don’t have to be thrilled about the new baby, but you’re not allowed to take out your frustration on your mother. She needs our support now. You know how this works. She’s going to be tired and achy, and hungry and weepy from now until—“

“The new baby turns fifteen.” America joked.

Addy bit at her lip, “I really didn’t mean to yell at you… I couldn’t help it, all my air was coming out of my lungs too fast—“

America sat up and squeezed Addy close. “I know, I’ve cried like that before.”

“If you guys ever have a baby again after this, we need to have the family meeting before you’re pregnant.” Addy insisted.

Maxon nodded and rubbed his forehead, “We needed to ease you into the idea. That’s how we did it before we had Maisy, we told you months before we found out your mom was pregnant, and that seemed to go very smoothly—“

“Maxon, you are not making plans for another baby right now, are you?” America caught him.

Maxon froze, “Ah, no! No, of course. As far as we know, this baby will be our last, Addy.”

“This baby will be our last, Addy.” America corrected him.

“Right, that’s what I said. As far as we know.” Maxon winked. “Now, what’s that you were saying about homework?”

Addy slid off her bed and hurried over to her backpack, unloading her math homework quickly. On her way to join her dad at her desk she paused by her mom, still relaxing on Addy’s bed, and hugged her close. “Hopefully this is a really easy baby, and it won’t make you too tired or sick.”

“Thanks, sweet bird.” America smiled broadly, finally getting the reaction she’d been hoping for all along. “I hope so too.”

[ambidextrousarcher]

Sarcastic StarBharat Reviews-Episode 18: In which there’s a (completely unnecessary) rain of lotuses

This is the promised reuploaded review. Under the cut, not tagging anyone.

This episode begins with a shot of fireworks bursting over Hastina. “Let it be known throughout Kururashtra that Maharaj Pandu has won the Swayamvar of Kuntibhoj’s daughter,” announces Satyavati in the throne room. The courtiers all cheer Honey Boy’s name. Camera cuts to Drama Queen as Ms. Always Patnidharma makes an entry. “I’ve brought food,” she says. “Hmm. Keep it,” he replies curtly. She gestures to the servants, who do so. (Why are we paying so much attention to Drama Queen eating. Ms. Always Patnidharma seems tense, too, and she’s holding Sukhda’s hands. I can’t see anything apart from the fact that according to StarBharat, both Gandhari and Sukhda have manicured hands and long, buffed nails.) Drama Queen eats a morsel, looking thoughtful. He says, “The taste is different today,” Sukhda says “Kumari Gandhari has made it to the flavors of Gandhar,” Ugh. Must every other episode have a syrupy sweet scene? This isn’t Sasuraal Simar Ka or something, it’s supposed to be the Mahabharat! “If you don’t like it, I can tell them to bring something else,” says Ms. Always Patnidharma. “No,” says Drama Queen, “The flavor of Gandhar is good. Different, but good.” There’s sweeping melodic music, like this is some kind of grand love proposal, complete with smiles all round. I’m counting this canon fail #34 for good measure. “Will you not sit?” he asks. So help me, someone who actually does exist! She looks shocked. Sukhda nods at her and leads her to sit. “I see Gandhar’s kitchen has entered Hastina,” he says. “This is the first try,” replies Ms. Patnidharma shyly. “It’s a good try, unfortunately, it will not be appreciated here, only Kuntibhoj’s culture will have an impact here in Hastina.” Of course, Drama Queen, drag that into this too. “What is the harm if some of the food is from here, some from Gandhar and some from Kunti?” Wow, what a terrible analogy. He pushes the food away. “Do not seek to teach me! You have no right to advice me!” Dude, she’s your wife. Cease all this ott drama, will you? “I’m trying to calm you down. I can understand that you’re still tense,” she says. This is followed by an even more terrible temple analogy I can’t make sense of, which ends with “We must accept God’s will. It’s better to forget bitterness and welcome Pandu and Kunti…” she touches his shoulder. He, predictably, lashes out. “Do not touch me! I have not given you that right. Whenever I try to accept you as my wife, this is what stops me. You show me again and again how much myself being disrespected gladdens your heart. Neither will I welcome them, nor shall you. I am your husband. My orders are your limit. Whether you accept them or cross them, I leave that on you.” Ugh, dude, how terrible can you be??? Then comes the telltale peacock feather. Ugh, for the last two episodes, we were free of this guy and here he comes up again. Skip. Skip. Skip. This is about bonds of marriage, apparently. Scene changes to Kunti and Pandu bending to take Kuntibhoj’s blessings. He stops her and asks her to take blessings from her birth-father, Shurasena. I’m counting this as canon fail #35. No Yadava dad would be so terrible that he would not even say one word to his daughter if he were actually around during her marriage. Please correct me if Shurasena is actually this terrible, okay? Shurasena digresses, saying that the honor is that of the man who brought her up. Honey Boy agrees with Shurasena, saying that the person who gives up their child just after its birth will always have second place in the child’s life. Camera pans to Ms. Melodrama. Girl, I get it okay? You didn’t want to do what you did. I got that the first time. Also, hats off to the writers for dragging it this much. They take the blessings and Pandu leaves ahead. Kunti hugs Priyamvada. “Can you see how great my husband’s thoughts are?” Oh no. “I’ve become very lucky on marrying him,” Girl, this guy literally dies because he’s too horny to keep it in his pants, okay? That’s not my definition of wise. “Yes, Princess, I can see that. All I ask is that you do not do anything to jeopardize that luck.” Kunti looks askance at Priyamvada. “I cannot cheat my husband!” “Lying for advantage is called cheating. Hiding the truth to protect yourself is not cheating.” “Do not spin webs of lies, Priyamvada,” “The truth of the world is unknown to those who have lived their entire lives in palaces, Princess, yet this very same truth can turn into a weapon in the hands of an enemy.” She ties a black thread on Kunti’s wrist. “What are you doing?” Kunti asks. “This is a charm, Princess, for the happiness of you and your husband. Swear that you will not tell him about your past until this is tied on your hand,” You…do realize she can untie it anytime, don’t you? Ms. Melodrama goes off on a rant about the number of wrongs she did. Canon fail #36, I’d say. The Kunti of the Mahabharata is a pragmatic person, I think she felt guilty about Karn, sure, but not to this extent that she about stopped living her life and its joys. Besides, I think that, if she gets the choice, she’d choose her five sons. (I really want to yell Arjun’s name, but I desist.) There are servants standing right behind her all the while she’s bemoaning her child’s fate, you honestly want me to believe this wasn’t the servant’s gossip of the day and stayed secret in this show? (In canon, it does stay secret, but this isn’t canon) Cue first half of precap scene and then Mr. Glitterwash makes an entry, praying to his Godly dad (I don’t think he knows yet) There’s badass music I’m trying to tune out, because as far as I am concerned, that guy ain’t badass. “Help!” Someone yells. Ah, I see, this is where he turns into Batman. A really poor imitation of Batman. Canon fail #37. This guy isn’t nearly as heroic. In fact, in canon, his entire motivation in life is to kill Arjun. Seriously. He’s the King of Anga, the hotbed of sexual slavery and he does nothing to save anyone there. There’s a kid flailing on a chariot crying for help, everyone scatters in his wake, until enter Mr. Glitterwash, who runs behind the chariot. The chariot strikes a stone on a grassy cliff, the kid goes flying off the cliff and Mr. Glitterwash does his Batman gig. Hang on, isn’t this guy’s selling point the ‘fact’ that he had been ‘poor and downtrodden’ (which he never was)? The guy literally had gold everywhere on him! He’s freaking wearing golden-colored shoes! What the…?     Canon fail #38. Being born of God or not, Mr. Glitterwash is as human as anyone else, and he should have died after that stunt, as he lands on solid Earth. Now, if he’d landed on water, he might have survived. Instead, the Sun apparently gives him energy and he saves the other kid. “Son!” The other kid’s mama rushes to them. “Karn!” Oh, this is his adopted mom making an entry. “Radha,” says a random guy, “Your son is divine,” “Radha ma!” exclaims Glitterwash. She dunks a pot of water on him and breaks the pot. She drags him off protesting. I don’t know what the point of this is…until she asks him what the hell he was doing. Oh, so they are setting him up as heroic. I see. Anyone reading this, please don’t start thinking that this stuff is canon. IT’S COMPLETELY NON-CANON. “I was saving the child!” “Who’ll save you? Bhairav himself?” AARGH. This guy is not heroic! I’ll keep repeating it. She tells him that he’ll be punished. He asks her if she is angry. She tells him to stop making her angry and then ask this question like a wet cat. Speaking of wet cats, this guy seems to have dried up awfully fast from the drench he got like, 2 seconds ago? He’s like “I’m Adhirath’s son, it’s my duty to protect.” Huh? What? You know what, I can’t find it in myself to care. She replies that it’s her duty to protect him from his father. He says that his father is with the King in Kuntibhoj. She replies that they are coming back with the Queen and they should get ready for the Darshan. He goes “You mean they are going to see us?” “Why would they see us?” she asks. “We are neither criminals, nor brave warriors,” “You said that if a King looks at us, we will be very lucky.” “Or very unlucky. The gaze of great people have great consequences.” Okay, quit it with the melodrama foreshadowing already, will you? “Then they should definitely look at us.” “But how?” He gets an inward look in his eye. Uh-oh, I don’t like this at all. They’re gonna glitterwash him more, it’s obvious. Pandu and Kunti enter Hastina on a chariot to the sound of cheers. Priyamvada’s parting words about keeping her secret flash in Kunti’s mind. The chariot stops. “Why have you stopped, Adhirath?” asks Pandu. “The Mahamantri is here to welcome you, Maharaj,” he says. There is a round of the obligatory pranipaat’s. Vidur says that Satyavati has asked Pandu to visit Lord Rama’s temple before going home. Pandu asks if Vidur won’t welcome his Bhabhishree and Bhraata. Vidur smiles and says he’ll be their charioteer. He sends Adhirath home. Adhirath runs to Radha who tells him that their son has gone to prepare for the King’s welcome. Adhirath asks Radha why she didn’t stop him, as he might use the bow and arrow. (Okay, this…doesn’t seem believable to me.) Gilligan Cut to Mr. Glitterwash praying to Surya and drawing his bow and arrow. “You don’t understand the seriousness of this. I’ll have to stop him now, where is he?” asks Adhirath. Um, but excuse me, please. Karn is canonically Drona’s student. He canonically learnt weaponry from Dron, so what exactly is the issue? Oh, I know! The issue is canon fail #39. Considering Karna is Drona’s student, and that charioteers have to defend themselves often, it’s kind of ridiculous that Karn using a bow can cause such haha-huhu. Scene cuts to Karn who’s praying to Surya so that his objective is achieved without harming anyone. Canon fail #40. Nothing of this sort, which leads a rain of lotuses, ever happens in canon. And Karn is seriously not the sort to worry whether he hurt someone or not. Vidur takes the reins of the chariot in hand just as Karn shoots the arrow which strikes a bed of lotuses causing them to rain on Pandu and Kunti. Ms. Melodrama remembers the flowers from her stuffing them in a basket along with Glitterwash and promptly goes into mind-angst mode. She laments that the ‘light of her heart’ (who’ll want to kill her biologically youngest son later for the crime of being a better warrior) had been sent with these flowers. “Vidur, who caused this rain of flowers? Who exhibits such great archery” What the-? BTW, THIS IS NOT CANONICAL! Archery is not some divine gift that Glitterwash got. He worked towards it, as did other, better archers, heck Bheem is better than Glitterwash most of the time in canon. Ms. Melodrama holds the lotus close. The strains of the song “Suryadev Sogaye…” starts as Glitterwash comes forward. She’s anxiously looking for him as he is approaching from the back. She turns back, still looking for him. Episode ends. I suppose this is a catchphrase by now, but I am dreading the next episode. Precap: “I’m disturbed by what I heard in Kuntinagar,” says Ms. Melodrama to Ms. Always Patnidharma. She says something I don’t get and then says that a thorn in the garden of a new house is not a good omen. Ms. Always Patnidharma tells her that her elder brother loves Honey Boy a lot. Scene changes to Poseur and Drama Queen sitting at a board of dice. “Prince Pandu has defeated us handily, I have nothing but hate in my heart for him.” says Poseur. Drama Queen demonstrates his immense ocular muscle control as he strikes the board with a knife.

Wow, I got through this episode in one sitting! *Pats self on the back* Gosh, my tolerance levels are getting better for this wank.

[probably-eating-poptarts]

New  Blood | Chapter 2

Tensions rise and plans are made

Universe: Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning

Pairing: Thomas Hewitt x OC

Word count: 1,980

| Chapter 1 |

A/N: This chapter was honestly so hard to write considering the fact that, like… nothing interesting happens 😂 But I felt it ended where it needed to end, and I have ideas already set for where I want this story to go, so stay tuned! (@tentacles-and-coffee, would you like sum tag? 👀)

Chapter song: Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival

✧༝┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉༝✧

That night was chaos at the Hewitt house.

“What the hell were you thinkin’, Ma? That bitch should be on Tommy’s choppin’ block, not off runnin’ your damn errands!”

“Now Charlie, you oughta know by now we can’t just kill off every single person that comes through; someone’s gonna catch on eventually–”

“It’s Hoyt, goddammit! Hoyt!”

A bony, long-fingered fist slammed into the worn butcher block table with enough force to topple one of the cloudy old mason jars spaced around at each place setting, and spittle flew from pooched, cracked lips. Luda Mae threw her hands up in exasperation before stomping into the kitchen, fed up with her son’s tantrums.

She returned a moment later, setting down a casserole dish fresh out of the stove. “That was a good girl, I just know it. She was just passin’ through and there wasn’t no reason at all to do away with her! Besides, her granddaddy is old John Elwood and you know he and his kin would come snoopin’ around if she up and disappeared!”

Hoyt spat carelessly onto the scuffed hardwood and curled his lip in a mockery of a smile. “You just jealous, Mama?” he wheedled. “Sad that you ain’t had no little bitch to gussy up, huh? Is that it?”

“That’s enough, now!” She snapped, her tone booking no room for further argument. “You won’t lay a single finger on that girl if I have anything to say about it, so just hush up and eat your supper.”

The old woman sat herself in her chair with a sense of finality, staring down her eldest child as if daring him to open his mouth again. Luda Mae had given her boy a lot of slack after his return from the war, and she loved him dearly despite the attitude he liked to give her these days, but at some point a mother just has to put her foot down.

The two locked eyes for several tense moments before Hoyt sucked sourly at his teeth and called over his shoulder, “C’mon in here, Tommy, and let’s eat.”

From the shadows of the hallway a looming shape moved; dim light from the dining room spilling over the burly, hulking form of the youngest Hewitt as he ducked under the doorway to enter the room. He had been patiently awaiting his adopted brother’s permission to join the rest of the family as always, but he found his thoughts distracted from his meal tonight with the topic of their discussion. Who was this girl, and why was Mama so taken up with her? Would she just end up like everyone else who found themselves on the receiving end of the infamous Hewitt hospitality?

He could tell that Mama was none at all happy with that prospect, and he found himself struggling with the uncomfortable possibility of having to choose between the wishes of his mother and the demands of his sibling. Cross as he could be sometimes, Charlie (Hoyt, Tommy reminded himself) had always been the one to give Thomas direction in his days following the collapse of the slaughterhouse; who to kill, who to detain, who to hobble for his… ‘personal enjoyment’.

But if his brother commanded him to kill this stranger, and then Mama told him not to… What would he do?

Shaking off the unanswerable conundrum for now, Thomas tucked into his meal with his usual gusto and decided he would just cross that bridge if or when he ever came to it. For now, supper was hot and the evening was still young yet…

*

“Thanks again, Bobby. I’ll tell Opa you said hello!”

Addie waved farewell to the bearded man and folded the small stack of paperwork he’d just finished filling out neatly as she made her way back towards her truck and now-empty trailer, hauling herself into the driver’s seat before cranking the engine and pulling out of the livestock pavilion.

Just a ways down the road - right where Luda Mae said it would be - a tiny little tea shop sat tucked away on the downtown strip between a record store and a newly refurbished post office. Addie had to drive almost half a mile more to find parking that accommodated the size of her rig, but she enjoyed the walk nonetheless as she made her way back past quaint storefronts and other folks out for a morning stroll.

The shop itself was cozy, if not slightly disorganized on the inside, but the rather eccentric older woman behind the desk knew exactly where everything was when Addie explained what she was after. When she finally left the store nearly a half hour later - the small silver bells above the door tinkling a merry goodbye over her head - she had two boxes of green tea and a little novelty tea strainer she’d been… somewhat coerced into buying all tucked away in a little paper bag under her arm.

From there it was just one quick stop by Luda Mae’s place, and then she’d be on her way home. The trek out always took much longer since she made extra stops at other farms to pick up livestock, but if she played her cards right, she’d probably make it back to Elwood Dairy by suppertime.

Someone at the pavilion had even managed to fix her radio, so with the windows cranked down and CCR blasting over the speakers, it was only just before noon when she found the little turnoff and rolled into the diner’s parking lot.

Roiling thunderclouds were gathering as Addie made her way across the asphalt towards the rickety front steps, and she paused for just a moment to study the looming darkness reaching out across the restless treetops in the distance.

“Looks like we’ll be in for a pretty nasty summer storm,” came Luda Mae’s voice from just behind the porch door. She pushed the screen open with her elbow and waved Addie inside, ushering her towards one of the antique tables where a porcelain teapot and mismatched teacups sat waiting.

The two women chatted amicably for a while as the tea Addie had acquired steeped; watching the broiling noon sun slowly and mercifully fade away beneath the creeping shadows of the oncoming storm cell.

“So do you stay with Old John up there at the dairy?” Luda inquired.

“Yes ma’am,” Addie replied, “Ever since I was a kid.”

“What about your folks? Do y’all all live on the property together?”

The younger girl pursed her lips and looked down into her cup, swirling the dark contents within.

“M’not really sure where my biological father is,” she finally confessed. “And my mom signed over custody to my grandparents when I was about six, so I’ve been with them almost my whole life. She comes around now and again, but we don’t really see her all that often.”

Her shoulders lifted and fell in a quick, nonchalant shrug. “Besides, growing up on the farm was really nice; and with Oma being sick lately, I came back from college to help out more.”

Luda Mae perked up. Sweet, well-spoken, and educated? “What were you schoolin’ for, then?”

“Well I finished my degree a couple years ago, actually.” The hint of pride in her tone was hard to hide. “I was really just taking extra courses during the fall before I left campus.”

Before she could elaborate the screen flew open with a sharp thwack, accompanied by a growling roll of thunder. Well-worn snakeskin boots thumped heavily against the dusty hardwood floor, announcing the arrival of the scowling sheriff Addie had seen briefly during her previous visit.

“Mama,” he nodded in greeting to the older woman, his sharp, beady gaze boring into Addie so coarsely that an instinctive shiver of apprehension tumbled down her spine.

“Hoyt! Come on in, honey; let me get you something to drink and introduce you to Miss Adeline Elwood, old John’s grandbaby.” As she spoke, Luda Mae tottered up from the table and pulled out a glass coke bottle from the old cooler by the register, popping the cap off on the attached bottle jack before passing it to her son.

The seemingly permanent frown he sported turned a fraction more sour, just for a moment, before breaking into a fractured grin - as if he had forgotten the art of smiling properly. “Pleasure’s all mine, ma’am.”

Both Hewitts joined Addie at the table, chair legs scraping as bodies settled into comfortable positions.

“So you mean to tell me ain’t nobody out here drivin’ that rig of yours?” Hoyt asked her with an air of haughty surprise. “We ain’t used to seein’ decent womenfolk around these parts all by themselves, y’know.”

Addie hid her clenched teeth behind a sociable smile. “Yep, it’s just me. Been hauling cattle by myself for a few years now since my Opa is staying home more often.”

The sheriff whistled low and reclined comfortably against the back of his chair. “Yeah, word spread fast when miz Rosie got sick. How’s she been holding up these days, hm?”

“About as well as can be expected,” Addie replied with a cock of her left shoulder. “We’re all just taking things one day at a time.”

He nodded sagely and took a swig of his drink, still watching her every move like a hawk zeroing in on an unsuspecting mouse.

“Now, you never got around to tellin’ me what you were upstate studying,” Luda Mae interjected with a gentle pat on the younger woman’s arm. “Such a bright young thing, aren’t ya dear?”

Clearing her throat, Addie fiddled with the excess of her ponytail before taking a brief sip of tea long since gone tepid. The wiry old coot was starting to make her rather tense. “I got my degree in animal science over at TAMU two years ago, and I’d been taking some agricultural classes right before I came back home to help around the farm.”

“Sciences, huh?” Hoyt sucked on the dip between his teeth. “Awful high aspirations for such, ah… lovely young lady such as yerself, dontcha think?”

Addie leveled him with a rather icy stare.

“Well that may be so, but since veterinary options tend to be rather limited around these parts, I figured I may as well learn how to do it myself.” She hit him then with her coyest, most femininely charming smile. “Sometimes a lady’s gotta help herself if there’s no man around to do it for her.”

With a sly wink to seal the deal, she pushed off from the table and tipped her head to both Hewitts in turn. “The tea was lovely Miss Mae, but I really ought to be headed on home, now.”

“Oh please, sweetheart, don’t go botherin’ with all that ‘Miss’ stuff.” The older woman began to gather their empty china. “Luda Mae will do just fine now.”

Nodding her understanding, Addie swapped final goodbyes and stepped back into the oppressive Texas heat, barely deterred by the flagging breeze pulling the surging storm cell ever closer.

“You drive careful now, y’hear?” Luda Mae called from beyond the screen. Hoyt stood at her shoulder - an ominous figure looming within his mother’s shadow - and he crooked his fingers at her in a little wave as he smiled that rusted out grin around the wad of tobacco always present within the rotting crease of his lips.

Ingrained southern manners had the young woman returning that broken-doll gesture with the barest tilt of her head in acknowledgment, and she clambered quickly into the confines of her truck cab where she felt a modicum of safety behind thick glass and sturdy American steel. She wasn’t going to outrun this beast of a downpour, but she was ready to get as much of a headstart as she could.

Things were looking to get nasty very quickly.