#eww was i drawing blind??

[steel-and-fire]

Drawing Ferenir is my happy time. New icon, wooo!

[thebestsetter]

Thinking about Bachira Meguru assuming he's unlovable.

Being called a monster for their whole childhood really makes a mark on a person's life and self-esteem. But for Bachira, it was unavoidable.

At first, he tried to ignore the mean comments and pretend he didn't hear them. Maybe that would make the loneliness go away. Maybe it would make the problems disappear.

"He's a freak!"

"Eww, don't get too close to Bachira! You'll get lice!!"

"He's stinky"

He heard the whispers. He just used to pretend he didn't. For both his and the children's sake. So he could pretend he was normal. At least for a while.

And, sometimes, even parents, grown-ass adults, called him weird. Shouldn't they set an example for their kids? They tell them: "Don't judge other people! You never know what they're going through!", but are always the first to talk shit about someone, even if said someone is a little kid.

"Poor kid. It's probably the parents' fault."

"He says he sees a 'monster'! He's probably schizophrenic."

"My son is afraid of him. Specially when he's playing soccer. He said he's very scary"

He tried to ignore them. He really did. He tried to smile through it all and treat people the same way he always had nevertheless: with respect. Because crying would make his problems real. He didn't want them to be real. And he was doing a good job at it! But one faithful day, he snapped. The final nail in the coffin.

"When I grow up, I want to be a football player, just like Zico!" 11 year old Bachira said, showing the whole class a drawing of him, Zico and his monster playing soccer together. His smile was as bright and blinding as ever, specially because he was talking about his passion: soccer. He loved it so much. It helped him escape the harsh reality for a while.

The class went silent. They used to think Bachira was weird, to put it slightly, but this? It just made him even more weird! They all knew that he could never be a football player. He was an outcast. A freak. He was a monster. And monsters couldn't live with humans. Nobody wanted a monster on their team.

And so, instead of clapping like they did with the other kids' drawings, the class started to laugh. It started out quiet, but later it turned into a full, loud laugh. All of them. And Bachira always dreamed of making everyone there laugh, but not like this. They weren't laughing with him or because of him, they were laughing at him.

"Uh? What's happening, miss?" He asked the teacher, confused and on the verge of crying. He couldn't cry here. Not in front of them, please. That would be another thing for them to laugh at.

He swears on his life that he heard the teacher laugh a little, before the adult crouched down to match his size, grabbed his drawing and put it on his desk, while the other kids' drawings were being stuck to the board with tape. And then, he heard one of the worst sentences he ever heard in his life. One that he knew would definitely keep him awake at night:

"Meguru, being a football player is too hard for you. Why don't you settle for something more real and reachable? Like a doctor or a lawyer?"

He didn't understand. Some kids here wanted to be astronauts, others wanted to be models. Hell, one wanted to be a dinosaur babysitter. And their drawings were hanging on the wall, like they were going to be achieved. Bachira felt like no one believed in him. Like he was being put aside.

He then realized the problem wasn't what he wanted to do. It was him. Anyone could be a football player, but he couldn't. Because he was a monster. He was different from others.

And so, the tears began to fall. One by one, first from his left away and then from his right eye. His vision began to blurry. Left eye, right eye. Left, right, left right. Kids laughing, teacher laughing. His drawing on the desk. Left, right. Left right. He couldn't even see his own hands anymore from how blurred his vision was. He looked to his side. Left, right. The door. His escape. He needed to leave.

So, without second thought, Bachira ran towards the door. He couldn't care less for the teacher calling his name. He wouldn't come looking for him anyway. Nobody would. Nobody cared enough to do it.

He sat behind a tree, protected by it's shadow. He continued to cry. Hard. He put his hands in his eyes to try and stop the tears from falling, but he couldn't. He needed to let it all out. He just wished he had someone by his side during his breakdown. He really wanted a shoulder to rely on.

"Hey"

Maybe he was, indeed, schizophrenic. Because, the moment he looked up, he saw a girl he swore was too pretty to be real. The sunset made her have an angelic glow, and the wind made her hair flow just the right way. Her face was like a greek statuate, and he swore he could hear a soothing symphony playing in the background when he met her eyes: they were the most beautiful color he had ever seen, and he could imagine himself being lost and found in them. She was just too pretty. Too pretty to be here for him. And so, he managed to stop crying for a while and said, between sniffs:

"Did you lose a bet?"

The way your face contorted was almost comic.

"What?"

"Did someone pay you to come here? Where are the cameras? And how much was it?"

"I didn't lose any bet" you said, frowning. "I came here to check on you because I wanted to. I don't get why everyone laughed at you. Your dream is not stupid. Nobody's dream is."

"Even Richard's? He said he wants to be a dinossaur nanny" he said before he even thought about it. He then widened his eyes, because what if you were Richard's friend? What if you hated him now because he said something bad about your friend? What if he already screwed everything up? What if...

"Okay, you win. That one's actually stupid." You laughed. He made you laugh. This time, someone was laughing because of him. He felt like he was capable of everything at that moment. Your laugh was a sweet, infecting, honey-like melody. It made him wanna laugh too. He didn't realize it, but he had already stopped crying, and was now just staring at you with big, blown and unwavering eyes. His mouth slightly parted, like he was studying you and comitting everything about you to memory. Almost as if you were indeed an ilusion, and would disappear the second he blinked. He couldn't believe you were real. You were real, and you were talking to him.

After a while, you stopped laughing and finally noticed his intense staring. Suddenly bashful, your cheeks turned a bright red.

"I-I just want you to know that you shouldn't be ashamed of your dream. I think- no, I'm sure you can achieve it. You just have to work hard for it. I-I've seen you playing sometimes, and it's honestly amazing how focused you are. Bachira, I want to be your friend. That's it, if you'll let me-"

He hugged you. Hard. If it was any other time, he would have been afraid of scaring you off with the sudden hug, but he couldn't care less right now. He needed this. He needed a friend. You were just what he needed. You were perfect.

He started to cry again. This time, the first tear came out of his right eye. Right, left. His vision was getting blurred from how hard he was smiling. Right, left. Right, left. Your arms hugging him back. Right, left. The sound of the school bell, signalizing the end of the school day. People would see you and him hugging and you would probably be called weird by them for being next to him, but you still didn't break the hug. Right, left.

He didn't want to escape like he did during the class incident. No. He wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted time to stop, to be in your arms for eternity. He didn't want to pull away. He finally made a friend. You were his first friend.

Bachira Meguru used to think he was unlovable, but you proved him wrong. You proved he could, in fact, be loved. He wasn't a monster. He wasn't a freak. He was Bachira Meguru. Your best friend. And he wore that title with pride. Later on, he had the honour to be called your boyfriend, and he was even prouder of that one.

He used to think he would never find happiness. That's why, the moment the ref blew the whistle signalizing the end of Japan U-20 against Blue Lock eleven match and securing Blue Lock's victory, he couldn't think of anything else besides his girl. He ran across the field to you. Because you were like a magnet. He couldn't be apart from you, or else it felt like the whole earth would explode. He was yours and you were his. You both were meant to be.

"You did it! I love you, Meguru!"

He laughed. A pretty, genuine laugh followed by a couple of tears, beginning from his right eye, of course. His mother was recording behind you both, the blue lock team was smirking and whistling at the sight of you two and the television was streaming the moment for the whole world to see. But neither of you cared about the extra eyes. You were the only ones on the world. You always made him feel like that, and he hopes he makes you feel that way, too.

"I love you so much. Thank you."

Thank you for being with me. Thank you for being there. Thank you for not leaving me. Thank you for accepting the title of being my girlfriend proudly. Thank you for being you. Thank you for everything. Thank you.

He then lifted you and spun you in the air, smiling hard. He brought your lips closer and then kissed you. A kiss full of emotion and love. So much love: raw and pure.

You proved he wasn't just lovable. He was also capable of loving. And there's nothing prettier than loving someone.

Bachira Meguru was lovable, and you made sure to show him that. You loved him, and he would do everything to keep it that way forever.

~A/N: there's a "saying" that says that if you're crying and the first tear is from the left eye, you're crying from sadness. If the first tear comes out of the right eye, they're happy tears!!

Masterlist

[theoutcastrogue]

Vi's hopefully coming to her senses (or will, when she gets the "fucked up alcoholic streetfighter" bit out of her system), which were previously muddled to a mush. That's what you get when you're smitten on one hand, and blinded by a blood feud on the other.

It helps that Silco's dead. It wasn't enough on its own, she still ended up in a uniform (eww) bringing armed cops to wage chemical warfare against her home. But this time it's because she gave up on Powder and felt responsible for Jinx, she's not fully blinded by revenge any more, and thus was able to draw a line somewhere. All in all, I like her corruption arc!

It also helps that Caitlyn went from "your people deserve so much more" (liberal take, oblivious to how Piltover actually needs to have less for Zaun to have more) to "you're not like the others" to "ugh, you ARE like the others, it's in your blood" in the blink of an eye. So I do hope Vi will come to her senses.

…Or that's what I would hope if I knew for sure that the lore of League of Legends (of which I know next to nothing, and I'm deliberately not looking it up) is not an issue. Basically, I don't know if there's a predetermined endgame here. Are they like, free to kill a protagonist if it makes for a better story? No idea.

actually the best part of the new season is that the jayce/heimerdinger/ekko plotline is My Plant Is Dying And I Don't Want It To :( meanwhile jinx is on the run from the cops, mel is getting kidnapped by witches, viktor is becoming jesus, and caitlyn and vi are speedrunning fascism

[khaleesiofalicante]

"Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide" - Donald Winnicott

Izzy going with Maryse and Alec staying😭 the opposite-parallels hurt me ok?!?!? Also the reason he says is also kinda sad and shit is all complicated!!!

Sometimes that’s what it means to be a son. To make sacrifices for your parents.

Sometimes that’s what it means to be a parent. To make sacrifices for your children.

This!!

The way he never walked away and he never gave up are some of his best qualities but at the same time the reason it all went down. Love me some good analysis...

Alec-Maryse post-divorce parallels... Wow

SIZZY RIGHTS!!!😎 Also not them stalking him djhdjdjd

He reminds himself of what Ragnor told him. Love how he is always learning and trying to understand better🥺

Rules and shit really are complicated...

"And you Isabelle, you live inside my heart. You always will.” Lightwood siblings is something that can actually be so personal..

But she doesn’t know how to be sad. So, she decides to be angry. He wonders if all younger siblings are like that. I dont like this call out...

FUCK VALENTINE. CLACE RIGHTS BITCH!! I WILL PROTECT THEM WITH MY LIFE✨🔪💙 JACE IS SO FUCKING IN LOVE AND I SAY GOOD FOR HIM!!

Love is blind, and love is stupid, and love is dangerous, and love is beautiful.💜💜💜

But Jace could ask him to part the ocean and Alec will die trying. *sobbing* I'm fine :)

Competitive little shits kdhsjdjkd, although Alec does win this one... He has the psychopath father and all shit

Simon and Clary supremacy only!!

OMG Anjali and Rafael are absolute nerds and I'm love them jdhdjs

If we don't have a google folder together, then what the point??!?

They get turned on by the weirdest shit jdvsjdjs

Charlotte Fairchild is the most badass of all tbh

We all should be scared of Anjali😌

I like that Alec didn't make it hard for Rafael when he wanted to go to Stanford but I also expected more fight form him... And from Magnus oh gods why is this so fucking sad😭

I support Rosewood rights and wrongs!😎

The parallels of their pictures!! Max not giving a fuck and Rafael being so careful!! And the way Max is jealous of Rafael "having everything together" and Rafael being jealous of Max for being so "unafraid and chaotic" Brb I'm gonna cry..

I hate everyone. Magnus just gets dragged over and over. And the tweets holy fuck!! I hate that I laughed with the cinnamon roll one smh

“Will you keep an eye on him for me?” Rafael asks him instead. "Always,” David replies. 🥺🥺🥺

I understand Max being mad, but fuck if he didnt stressed me out so much here!!! Just, kindly stop :)

For whatever his issues, Max knows how to keep a promise. Not me crying over this😭

How do you make someone feel better if they aren’t feeling anything at all? Ok, that and the fact that the divorce issue starts here hurts a lot🙂 I love this chapter<3

I can't finish this Timeline for a few hours bc I have to get up (eww) but just some thoughts till now:

Note to self: This man is the bane of his existence. Pun intended.😂😂

Him always answering to the ones who need help got me emo for some reason🥺

I think of you everywhere💛 David really know how to go from horny to soft in 0.1 secs djhdjsksks

The staff is the real MVP here!! I love them all so much and they live in my head 24/7 and they are all amazing<33

Anyway, song rec: Be alright By Dean Lewis. Its really a shame cheating is not a trope here (its not, Idk how I would survived that shit jdhsjsj) because the playlist would be ✨stunning✨

Remeber to take a break when you need it. Byeee💚

GET THAT SLEEP GIRL. GET IT. WHOOOOOO.

If TLND had cheating, I would have thrown myself into the river (and i am like scared of rivers) gotta draw that angst line somewhere lol.

also, i may or may not have a magnus and camille playlist with a lot of cheating/toxic songs lol.

I feel like Be Alright is in the divorce au playlist (or maybe lbaf?) but there are too many songs there and I can't find it lol.

Sending you some sertonin. Have this song rec from my David playlist: Pomme - Ceux qui rêvent

[halothenthehorns]

TLTNL- The Fountain of Fair Fortune

Harry made to hand the book to Remus out of habit, but Lily offered, "I'll read the next one." She was enjoying the honest bliss Harry seemed to be carrying while reading these, something she'd been afraid would be long absent with his recent bout of memory returns, but thankfully just being in Sirius' presence seemed to be holding him in good spirits for now and she wanted to keep this up however she could. So she passed her infant along to her husband and happily found the next story.

"I call dibs on my favorite then," Sirius declared at once as he watched Lily skip around their order.

Remus got a bad feeling about letting Sirius do that, because he was now worried about that look he was being given like his mate was going to be picking the story for him as well, but Lily was ignoring the both of them and starting.

High on a hill in an enchanted garden, enclosed by tall walls and protected by strong magic, flowed the Fountain of Fair Fortune.

Once a year, between the hours of sunrise and sunset on the longest day, a single unfortunate was given the chance to fight their way to the Fountain, bathe in its waters and receive Fair Fortune for evermore.

On the appointed day, hundreds of people traveled from all over the kingdom to reach the garden walls before dawn. Male and female, rich and poor,

"Why would a rich person show up? Judging by the tale, that person should automatically know they're not getting picked," James rolled his eyes.

"Rich people can be unhappy," Sirius shook his head at him, "I'm sure they think their woes are justifiable enough even if no one agrees."

"I still doubt the fountain would ever choose someone with gold to spare," James shrugged.

  young and old, of magical means and without, they gathered in the darkness, each hoping that they would be the one to gain entrance to the garden.

Three witches, each with her burden of woe, met on the outskirts of the crowd, and told one another their sorrows as they waited for sunrise.

"My mother always told me they were sisters, not strangers met," James said in surprise.

"Like the one before, I'm sure they all get tweaked with every retelling," Sirius shrugged.

The first, by name Asha,

"Ooh," Lily couldn't help but coo with a small smile as she turned to Harry and explained, "that's what we were going to name you if you were a girl."

"That's what she wanted to name you," James corrected. "I wanted to name you Poppy, or Rose."

"The flower thing is getting ridiculous James," Lily sighed with a small smile saying otherwise.

"I disagree," James defended, "the one thing I ever remember Petunia telling me was all the women in your family being named for flowers, and I don't need your mother to have another excuse to dislike me if I break that tradition."

"You're being ridiculous," Lily said in exasperation, but James was still going full steam to Harry.

"Her mothers name is Delilah, her Grandmother was Fern, and then there was her sister Iris-"

"Of all the things you remember from that one dinner," Lily blushed faintly as he tried to keep going.

The two parents began arguing the point, leading Sirius to lean over and whisper to Remus, "think they're arguing about this a bit more than necessary?"

Remus started to smirk and say, "those two? The ones who argue like that about what to eat for dinner?" Then he paused, kept watching, and muttered, "though Harry was a surprise as well."

Sirius couldn't help but snort, but then Harry got their attention and they decided to keep going.

was sick of a malady no Healer could cure. She hoped that the Fountain would banish her symptoms and grant her a long and happy life.

The second, by name Altheda, had been robbed of her home, her gold and her wand by an evil sorcerer. She hoped that the Fountain might relieve her of powerlessness and poverty.

The third, by name Amata, had been deserted by a man whom she loved dearly, and she thought her heart would never mend. She hoped that the Fountain would relieve her of her grief and longing.

"Must be some magical fountain to have the potential to heal any of that," Harry muttered.

"The things we still wish magic could do," James agreed.

Pitying each other, the three women agreed that, should the chance befall them, they would unite and try to reach the Fountain together.

"I think Asha wins from that group outright, she's the one most likely to die, the other two's fortune could change without some mystic help," Sirius muttered with a sideways look at Remus, who was blatantly ignoring him.

The sky was rent with the first ray of sun, and a chink in the wall opened. The crowd surged forward, each of them shrieking their claim for the Fountain's benison. Creepers from the garden beyond snaked through the pressing mass, and twisted themselves around the first witch, Asha.

Lily smiled brightly, gaze flickering to her child and back to the story with even such the silly happiness of the character she liked best being chosen.

She grasped the wrist of the second witch, Altheda, who seized tight upon the robes of the third witch, Amata. And Amata became caught upon the armour of a dismal-looking knight who was seated on a bone-thin horse.

The creepers tugged the three witches through the chink in the wall, and the knight was dragged off his steed after them.

"Seems a bit ridiculous all four were let in," Remus couldn't help but scoff at this logic. "What was to stop the whole crowd from just forming a chain and all going in together to reach the fountain."

"Clearly it's because they didn't expect idiots like you to be sitting around questioning them when they made up this fairy-tale," Sirius snipped.

The furious screams of the disappointed throng rose upon the morning air, then fell silent as the garden walls sealed once more.

Harry shivered heavily, at the reminder of being in hedges that blocked out the noise of a crowd. He was being ridiculous, he told himself sternly without looking at any of them who had surely noticed. It had already happened, no need to get spooked over a kids story!

"It's alright Harry," James kept eyes on his infant as he spoke calmly and softly, though the child was gurgling with delight and for once looked better off than the adult watching.

Asha and Altheda were angry with Amata, who had accidentally brought along the knight.

"Only one can bathe in the Fountain! It will be hard enough to decide which of us it will be, without adding another!"

Now, Sir Luckless,

"Much nicer than I would have called him," Sirius snickered.

as the knight was known in the land outside the walls, observed that these were witches, and, having no magic, nor any great skill at jousting or duelling with swords, nor anything that distinguished the non-magical man,

"Then, why was he a knight?" Harry asked, trying to picture in his head and not coming up with anything.

"Anyone can put on a costume I suppose," James chuckled.

was sure that he had no hope of beating the three women to the Fountain. He therefore declared his intention of withdrawing outside the walls again.

At this, Amata became angry too.

"Faint heart!" she chided him. "Draw your sword, Knight, and help us reach our goal!"

"Honestly I'd have tried to retreat too," Sirius rubbed at the back of his neck with his face pinched up. "Being stuck around three women who are assuredly going to get into a fight, I'd happily stay out of that one."

"Faint heart indeed," Lily sniffed, now easily picturing Sirius in that get up instead of Sir Cadogan from before.

And so the three witches and the forlorn knight ventured forth into the enchanted garden, where rare herbs, fruit and flowers grew in abundance on either side of the sunlit paths.

They met no obstacle until they reached the foot of the hill on which the Fountain stood.

There, however, wrapped around the base of the hill, was a monstrous white Worm, bloated and blind. At their approach, it turned a foul face upon them, and uttered the following words:

"Pay me the proof of your pain."

Harry couldn't help but shift restlessly again, despite the description, his mind flashing to a Sphinx from so long ago, but then the infant burst out laughing as James continued to make faces at him, and Lily kept reading in such an assured voice with a warm smile it easily soothed the dusk filled night from his nightmares.

Sir Luckless drew his sword and attempted to kill the beast, but his blade snapped.

"Credit for trying?" Remus offered with a halfhearted smile.

Then Altheda cast rocks at the Worm, while Asha and Amata essayed every spell that might subdue or entrance it, but the power of their wands was no more effective than their friend's stone, or the knight's steel: the Worm would not let them pass.

The sun rose higher and higher in the sky, and Asha, despairing, began to weep.

Then the great Worm placed its face upon hers and drank the tears from her cheeks.

"Eww," Lily muttered with a crinkled nose, while James started snickering at the expression and promised her, "don't worry Lily flower, I'm the only one who can do that to you."

"More eww," Sirius told the pair while Lily rolled her eyes at them and kept going loudly.

Its thirst assuaged, the Worm slithered aside, and vanished into a hole in the ground.

Rejoicing at the Worm's disappearance, the three witches and the knight began to climb the hill, sure that they would reach the Fountain before noon.

Halfway up the steep slope, however, they came across words cut into the ground before them.

Pay me the fruit of your labors.

Sir Luckless took out his only coin, and placed it upon the grassy hillside, but it rolled away and was lost.

"Poor bloke," Remus tried to smile at what was likely meant as a joke or just another instance of the characters trying to take the story too literally, but sadly he had an idea of being down to your last Knut.

The three witches and the knight continued to climb, but though they walked for hours more, they advanced not a step; the summit came no nearer, and still the inscription lay in the earth before them.

All were discouraged as the sun rose over their heads and began to sink towards the far horizon, but Altheda walked faster and harder than any of them, and exhorted the others to follow her example, though she moved no further up the enchanted hill.

"Courage, friends, and do not yield!" she cried, wiping the sweat from her brow.

As the drops fell glittering on to the earth, the inscription blocking their path vanished, and they found that they were able to move upwards once more.

"You think that's just what this magical fountain is full of? The sweat and tears of all the witches and wizards over the years?" Sirius pondered.

"That was vaguely gross, and yet I kind of believe it," Remus chuckled.

Delighted by the removal of this second obstacle, they hurried towards the summit as fast as they could, until at last they glimpsed the Fountain, glittering like crystal in a bower of flowers and trees.

Before they could reach it, however, they came to a stream that ran round the hilltop, barring their way. In the depths of the clear water lay a smooth stone bearing the words:

Pay me the treasure of your past.

Sir Luckless attempted to float across the stream on his shield, but it sank. The three witches pulled him from the water, then tried to leap the brook themselves, but it would not let them cross,

"You'd think by the third time they'd realize something was up other than just try to go around," James snorted.

"Yeah, these dense broads should be asking the fountain for something more to do with smarts than love or whatever," Sirius smirked.

"Remind me again how you're not the one married," Lily muttered, though she couldn't help but agree with him, these witches weren't exactly using a lot of problem solving skills.

and all the while the sun was sinking lower in the sky.

So they fell to pondering the meaning of the stone's message, and Amata was the first to understand. Taking her wand, she drew from her mind all the memories of happy times she had spent with her vanished lover, and dropped them into the rushing waters. The stream swept them away, and stepping stones appeared, and the three witches and the knight were able to pass at last on to the summit of the hill.

"There they have it," Remus mock applauded.

The Fountain shimmered before them, set amidst herbs and flowers rarer and more beautiful than any they had yet seen. The sky burned ruby, and it was time to decide which of them would bathe.

Before they could make their decision, however, frail Asha fell to the ground. Exhausted by their struggle to the summit, she was close to death.

Her three friends would have carried her to the Fountain, but Asha was in mortal agony and begged them not to touch her.

Then Altheda hastened to pick all those herbs she thought most hopeful, and mixed them in Sir Luckless's gourd of water, and poured the potion into Asha's mouth.

At once, Asha was able to stand. What was more, all symptoms of her dread malady had vanished.

"I thought the worm did that," James scratched at the back of his head as he tried to recall his mothers old retelling with this instead. "The three trials cured the other three and then Sir Luckless didn't because he no longer needed to or some such."

"You've got to stop comparing retellings," Lily shook her head at him before continuing.

"I am cured!" she cried. "I have no need of the Fountain, let Altheda bathe!"

But Altheda was busy collecting more herbs in her apron. "If I can cure this disease, I shall earn gold aplenty! Let Amata bathe!"

Sir Luckless bowed, and gestured Amata towards the Fountain, but she shook her head.

The stream had washed away all regret for her lover, and she saw now that he had been cruel and faithless, and that it was happiness enough to be rid of him.

"Good sir, you must bathe, as a reward for all your chivalry!" she told Sir Luckless.

"What do you think he'd even ask for? To have his name changed?" Sirius kept picking at the idea while Remus and James snickered along.

So the knight clanked forth in the last rays of the setting sun, and bathed in the Fountain of Fair Fortune, astonished that he was the chosen one of hundreds and giddy with his incredible luck.

As the sun fell below the horizon, Sir Luckless emerged from the waters with the glory of his triumph upon him, and flung himself in his rusted armor at the feet of Amata, who was the kindest and most beautiful woman he had ever beheld. Flushed with success, he begged for her hand and her heart, and Amata, no less delighted, realized that she had found a man worthy of them.

The three witches and the knight set off down the hill together, arm in arm, and all four led long and happy lives, and none of them ever knew or suspected that the Fountain's waters carried no enchantment at all.

"Dun, dun, dun!" Sirius cried, throwing his arms in the air for emphasis.

"I've got to give him that one," James chuckled.

"I can see the moral it was going for, but remember it had chosen Asha first," Lily said with a creased brow. "If the water wasn't meant to heal, and the poor thing would have died by the journey of just getting up to the magical herbs that did heal her, than it's still a good thing she dragged someone along who knew what they were doing."

"Agreed, teamwork seems to be the point of it all," Harry said watching those around him, his mind on a much more recent memory from his past where he was sure he wouldn't have made it out anymore than his godfather if not for his friends backup.

Albus Dumbledore on "The Fountain of Fair Fortune"

"The Fountain of Fair Fortune" is a perennial favorite, so much so that it was the subject of the sole attempt to introduce a Christmas pantomime to Hogwarts' festive celebrations.

"Oh, this was it!" Remus burst out laughing.

"You mentioned the school tried to put on a play once, should have known it was Dumbledore's actual idea," Sirius snickered.

"Let me finish," Lily scolded, having read ahead and contradicting him.

Our then Herbology master, Professor Herbert Beery,1 an enthusiastic devotee of amateur dramatics, proposed an adaptation of this well-beloved children's tale as a Yuletide treat for staff and students.

"Ah well, lets see why it was such a disaster then," James said eagerly.

I was then a young Transfiguration teacher, and Herbert assigned me to "special effects", which included providing a fully functioning Fountain of Fair Fortune and a miniature grassy hill, up which our three heroines and hero would appear to march,

"We absolutely should have got those parts," Sirius huffed.

"Padfoot," Remus began slowly and kindly, "think about what you just said."

It took him a second, but his slightly pouting expression didn't change much. "Flip it to three hero's and a heroin then, Lily could totally be a knight."

"Thanks," she muttered, "I always do feel luckless with you around."

Sirius went wide-eyed but defended his claim, "come on Lily, you know it's perfect! Remus is Asha-"

"Because no one saw that coming," Moony said while giving him the stank eye.

"Prongs is Amata," he kept going on the same breath while James put his arm around Lily without contesting being love sick most of his life.

"-and you're the random person that got plopped down with us but we'd never replace."

She eyed him for a moment like she couldn't decide if she was supposed to be insulted or warmed by that, Sirius had a gift of managing both at the same time.

"Since when have you ever been poor and down on your luck?" Remus accused. "I think I should just play both parts."

"Let you steal the show?" Sirius gasped. "I can play a part!"

"Honestly, I think he has enough energy to play all four main characters," Harry muttered.

while it sank slowly into the stage and out of sight.

I think I may say, without vanity, that both my Fountain and my Hill performed the parts allotted to them with simple goodwill. Alas, that the same could not be said of the rest of the cast. Ignoring for a moment the antics of the gigantic "Worm" provided by our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Silvanus Kettleburn, the human element proved disastrous to the show. Professor Beery, in his role of director, had been dangerously oblivious to the emotional entanglements seething under his very nose. Little did he know that the students playing Amata and Sir Luckless had been boyfriend and girlfriend until one hour before the curtain rose, at which point "Sir Luckless" transferred his affections to "Asha".

"May as well have done a play over A Midsummer Night's Dream." Lily chuckled at how confusing all this could get.

Suffice it to say that our seekers after Fair Fortune never made it to the top of the Hill. The curtain had barely risen when Professor Kettleburn's 'Worm', now revealed to be an Ashwinder2 with an Engorgement Charm upon it,

"Whose terrible idea was that?" Remus muttered, then he remembered his old Care of Magical Creatures teacher hadn't exactly been any more steller than Harry's in recognizing when particular magical creatures should be in a situation.

exploded in a shower of hot sparks and dust, filling the Great Hall with smoke and fragments of scenery. While the enormous fiery eggs it had laid at the foot of my Hill ignited the floorboards, "Amata" and "Asha" turned upon each other, duelling so fiercely that Professor Beery was caught in the crossfire, and staff had to evacuate the Hall, as the inferno now raging onstage threatened to engulf the place. The night's entertainment concluded with a packed hospital wing; it was several months before the Great Hall lost its pungent aroma of wood smoke, and even longer before Professor Beery's head reassumed its normal proportions, and Professor Kettleburn was taken off probation.3

"And the school didn't want to try again?" James demanded. "Where's their sense of adventure?"

"Safe in the hospital wing," Lily giggled.

Headmaster Armando Dippet imposed a blanket ban on future pantomimes, a proud non-theatrical tradition that Hogwarts continues to this day.

"They are really missing out," Sirius insisted.

Our dramatic fiasco notwithstanding, "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" is probably the most popular of Beedle's tales, although, just like "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot", it has its detractors.

"Of course it does," James rolled his eyes.

More than one parent has demanded the removal of this particular tale from the Hogwarts library, including, by coincidence, a descendant of Brutus Malfoy and member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Mr. Lucius Malfoy. *

"Is Malfoy on the board of governors already?" Lily spluttered in pure disgust. Admittedly more outraged than anything he'd pulled so high in the Ministry while only being a few years above her and she was still at the bottom.

"There's a nightmare we need to fix soon," Remus agreed in disgust.

Mr. Malfoy submitted his demand for a ban on the story in writing:

Any work of fiction or non-fiction that depicts interbreeding between wizards and Muggles should be banned from the bookshelves of Hogwarts. I do not wish my son to be influenced into sullying the purity of his bloodline by reading stories that promote wizard-Muggle marriage.

"How dare he hear someone else's opinion on something," James mocked.

My refusal to remove the book from the library was backed by a majority of the Board of Governors. I wrote back to Mr. Malfoy, explaining my decision:

So-called pure-blood families maintain their alleged purity by disowning, banishing or lying about Muggles or Muggle-borns on their family trees. They then attempt to foist their hypocrisy upon the rest of us by asking us to ban works dealing with the truths they deny. There is not a witch or wizard in existence whose blood has not mingled with that of Muggles, and I should therefore consider it both illogical and immoral to remove works dealing with the subject from our students' store of knowledge.4

"And Malfoy didn't take to this idea? What a genuine astonishment," Sirius said dryly.

This exchange marked the beginning of Mr. Malfoy's long campaign to have me removed from my post as Headmaster of Hogwarts, and of mine to have him removed from his position as Lord Voldemort's Favorite Death Eater.

"A children's novel got those two started against each other," Lily said deadpan.

"Ah, it would have been something, I'm happier it's something memorable," James rolled his eyes.

"Oh look, they're are notes at the end of this one," Lily said in surprise.

"The man has notes on his notes?" Sirius demanded in disgust.

1Professor Beery eventually left Hogwarts to teach at W.A.D.A. (Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts) where, he once confessed to me, he maintained a strong aversion to mounting performances of this particular story, believing it to be unlucky.

Harry blinked slowly at the mention of that, suddenly a world of questions about other wizarding schools popping to mind he'd have to ask about later. He was more surprised than anything Sirius hadn't gone there.

2 See Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for a definitive description of this curious beast. It ought never to be voluntarily introduced into a wood-panelled room, nor have an Engorgement Charm placed upon it.

"Anyone sensible could have told them that," Remus rolled his eyes.

3 Professor Kettleburn survived no fewer than sixty-two periods of probation during his employment as Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

"Kettleburn just got better in my memories!" Sirius burst out laughing.

His relations with my predecessor at Hogwarts, Professor Dippet, were always strained, Professor Dippet considering him to be somewhat reckless. By the time I became Headmaster, however, Professor Kettleburn had mellowed considerably, although there were always those who took the cynical view that with only one and a half of his original limbs remaining to him, he was forced to take life at a quieter pace.

"A shame, we might sympathize with Hagrid more since Kettleburn seems exactly like him when he started," Remus chuckled.

"On the plus side, if the pattern continues, hopefully that means Hagrid will continue to mellow out as well," Harry said with a wry smile.

4 My response prompted several further letters from Mr. Malfoy, but as they consisted mainly of opprobrious remarks on my sanity, parentage and hygiene, their relevance to this commentary is remote.

"I disagree, those sound extremely relevant!" James protested.

He was ignored as Lily told this one was done.

HPHPHPHPHP

*First and only time, hopefully, I'll have to edit these books for my purposes. The actual line is 'one-time' member of the board, but of course he hasn't been taken off yet. I believe the timeline of Dumbledore writing for this happened sometime between books two and three, when he was still looking for the other Deathly Hollows as a side project, but due to the purposes of this fic it's obviously been modified a bit more.

[secretstories]

Temporal Anomaly

This story is NOT canonical, but it was fun and I wanted to write it. Using a time travel trope for this one. Hope you enjoy :)

“Approaching temporal anomaly.”

“Admiral, maybe it's best if we get someone more… scientific to do this?”

Amidral Vir slowly engaged the jetpack in spurts costing through the blackness of space seriously glad he didn’t get vertigo as stars plunged into infinity on all sides leaving him floating in a vacuum of nothingness.

He knew people who had been driven mad by this experience, they used to call it cosmic hysteria before someone actually put a real name to it. He engaged his com, “That would be a good idea if any of you nerds knew how to use a jetpack. Just tell me what I’m looking for.

There was a pause over the end of the line for a moment before a voice came over the line slightly nasal making him think of pocket protectors and those little rubber things you put on the end of your finger to help turn pages, “Ok Admiral, when you get the the anomaly, I want you to hold up the device and press these buttons in sequence.”

He rolled his eyes. Ah yes someone more scientific to press a few buttons.

He floated a bit more forward stopping just short of something very…. Strange. From where he was it looked like he was staring into a fractured pane of glass where the individual pieces only remained together because there was no force acting on them. He could see the light on the front of his space suit being reflected back at him, and behind that his own silhouette.

“Are you guys sure this things is an anomaly…. Looks like someone just chucked out their broken mirror.”

“That’s what our scans are saying, Admiral.”

“Alright so I just” He paused, and sighed, “Which buttons was I supposed to press again.”

There was chuckling from the other end of the line as he walked through the instructions. He did as ordered only half listening to the chatter of the nerds on the other end of the line. Instead he got a closer look at the…. Whatever it was. The lite from his suit was too bright and scattered off the glass so much he couldn’t see his reflection, but, rather continued to blind himself.

“Some kind of warp tunnel?”

“No, warp tunnels are more volatile and tend to draw things into them. This would have already pulled the Admiral in if-”

He tried to tune them out and tilted his head this way and that

He shouldn't have let his mind wander. As krill had once said his rain was  like a small child, and if left unsupervised it was prone to doing things it shouldn’t. He reached up a hand fingers parallel to the glass.

He slowly moved his hand forward his brain imagining the cool, slick surface of glass beneath his fingertips.

He felt as his glove impacted something.

“ADMIRAL N-”

And he was sucked violently forward, so violently it felt as if his body was going to rattle apart. He was spun this way and that pulled apart in all directions and then snapped back together like a rubber band. His feet flew over his head, he worked desperately to fight against the the blackness at the edge of his vision as he plunged downard into what must have been an infinite well of gravity, and then with a jolt, it stopped.

His head spun and his body hurt.

His hands and arms floated out to either side of his fingers trialing in the air beside him. His feet were kicked up before him and his head spun circles, far worse than they had during flight training.

And then he was 

Gone.

Fading away with the stars overhead, and a bright light passing over his body.

***

“The suit is certainly huma, though I can’t say I have seen this model in a while.”

“And it has a jetpack! Hell yeah! Our mystery visitor has class.”

“Now, the real question remains. Who could it be? We are the only ship in this sector.

“Don’t tell me we are going to open it up and see a gooey corpse…. Eww.”

“No, the suit is broadcasting vitals. WHoever is inside is just fine.

Adam struggled to open his eyes but when he did he was blinded and the world spun around him. He tried to lift his hands against the light, but his suit felt like led weight was boring down on him.

“He’s waking up” Someone announced 

He groaned.

“Get the helmet off him or… her I suppose.”

There was a sharp hiss and the world around him was flooded with light. He grimaced and turned his head to the side.

There was a gasp from around the room.

“Well glaze my ass and call me a doughnut.”

“This is it, I have OFFICIALLY seen everything.”

“Holy shit!”

He grimaced past the light and managed to hold up a hand before his eyes. He blinked a few more times.

Someone stepped in blocking the light assailing his eyes, and finally he was able to drop his hand, and nearly leaped back in his skin. A man stood over him grinning from ear to ear, tall, broad shouldered snow white hair and…. An eyepatch.

“Well you are once handsome devil if I do say so myself.”

He sat up scrambling back a little.

The man grabbed his arms, “Whoa there champ, hold on before you crawl out of that suit.”

“Who the fuck are you!” 

“Come on, son, ever looked in a mirror.”

His mouth opened and then closed and then opened again.  He turned his head wincing at the light nearly crawling off the bed when his eyes fell on another shape. Small, brown grey, with large prismatic orange eyes.

“Fascinating.” Krill said. There was a loud snap as he pulled on a latex glove, “I guess probing is in order

He leaped to his feet pointing, “Hell no you little gremlin, keep away from me.”

“Wow, I remember you having a much better sense of humor.”

“Oh you boys stop harassing him, look he’s scared.” He turned his head towards the new voice falling upon wide bespectacled eyes, and long dark hair pulled back from her face in a tight bun. The lines around her eyes had deepened and her skin wasn’t so tight but, he would know that face anywhere.

“Katie.” He said in confusion.

She smiled at him, “That’s right, now get down from there, we promise we won't hurt you.” She glowered at Krill, “And we CERTAINLY won’t PROBE him either.”

Krill huffed, “killjoy.”

Slowly Adam crawled down from where he stood on the bed stealing glances at the white haired man off to his right, who was grinning at him. As soon as he was down the other guy moved forward taking him by the shoulder and turning him this way and that, “Wow its like looking in a mirror, only, you know some twenty years younger.”

The other man tilted his head back, “Forgot how handsome I am.”

Adam pulled his face away, “W-what is going on.”

The other man grinned, “ well why don't’ you tell us your side of the story, and we will try to fill in the holes.”

He rubbed the back of his head, “Well I was…. I was investigating a temporal anomaly and I.”

“You touched it, you touched it didn't you.” The older man interrupted.

He felt himself go red, “I…. no..”

“He he, looks so cute when I lie.”

“How do you know he’s lying.”

“How can’t you know. Look, his ears are all red.”

Adam reached up to cover his ears, “who are you.”

The older man rolled his eyes, “man I am dumb sometimes.” he held up his hands, there is only one explanation for this my young friend. He reached up wiggling his fingers through the air, “Time travel”

“Time travel?

He nodded, “Time travel. You see you are me and I am you just, you know older…. How old are you right now?”

“Twenty uh…. Twenty six?”

“Don’t look at me. I am Forty six and fabulous.”

Adam frowned, “But your hair.”

The older Adam frowned at him, “I go grey early, can you blame me. Look, I think you have some white hairs yourself. But you won’t find a man my age with a body like mine this side of Andromeda.”

“Sure you do.”

“Haven’t heard Sunny complain.”

Adam opened his mouth closed it and then, felt his face flush red again, “You….” He trailed off cutting the question short.

“Oh look at him, he's going red.”

Older Adam waved a hand, “Well that isn’t hard to do. Watch this.” he turned to look adam in the eye, “Sex.”

He felt his face flush even worse, and he turned away.

“Adam!” Katie scolded, “Stop tormenting him.”

Older Adam grinned, “But it’s so fun, I can finally understand why my brothers did.”

“I still think we should study him, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Krill was sayin. He didn’t sound like he had aged a day.

“Don’t you think that would be a little much, Krill. This is a lot to take in.”

Older Adam through an arm around his shoulders, turning his head to look at him, “Yeah we don’t want to do ‘science’ he wants to look at the ship.”

He took  a deep breath, “I… I….”

“That would be a yes, don't worry he’s just getting his brain to boot up. Takes a minute when he’s nervous. Now get out of that smelly suit and let's take the grand tour.”

What other choice did he have, and he was given the privacy to pull off his suit and undersuit, at least that is until someone threw open the curtain and barged in. he nearly squealed and fell over, grabbing something to hold in front of him.

Older Adam just laughed, “nothing I haven’t seen, son…. Ha ha, son, thats funny.”

He did not lower the pillow he was holding in front of his private business, “Do you have any sense of personal boundaries.”

“Nope, those fled with age.” he doessed him a bundle and Adam ended up dropping the pillow on reflex just to catch the clothing sailing towards him.” His older self nodded in approval, and Adam felt himself go bright red again, “Those should fit, i mean we are the same size, haven't started shrinking yet.”

Adam awkwardly pulled on the proffered clothes finding it strange when he identified his own smell.

With one waved hand he was led from behind the curtain, and out to where the others were waiting. They stared at him, and he looked down at his feet.

“Come on, I’m excited for you to see this. Plus I have some serious advice for you.” older Adam grabbed him by the arm and walked him into the hall.

He looked around in awe almost immediately as a large spindly creature trudged past down the hall.

“What was that?”

“Just some new friends we have made in the last twenty or so years.” They walked up the hall and took the stairs down. The ship was darker than it used to be, much more lived in, but it was familiar.

“Here this way to the rec room.” 

They turned a corner and the floor opened up into a familiar space, though it had more TV’s and even a vintage arcade game now. He nodded in approval, “Hey everyone, c’mere.”

The entire room looked up, and he sudden felt himself the center of more than a dozen eyes.

“Holy shit, is that?”

“yeah , yeah it is.”

Another man moved out of the crowd, and Adam felt his eyes widen, “Ramirez!” he looked up at the other man shaking hismelf, “You aged…. Really well, holy shit.” Ramirez grin, straight white smile lighting up his face, “That’s a compliment coming from you.

Adam snorted, “In your wildest dreams Ramirez.”

“ I’ve had wilder.”

He held out a hand, “Uncanny.” Adam took and looking down saw something glittering on his hand, “You’re married!” 

Ramirez laughed and held up his hand, the wedding band glittering bright on his finger, “yep going on about ten years now.”

“Who? Tell me.”

Ramirez shook his head, “No, I don’t think I will.”

Other faces popped at him from out of the crowd, “Mav/” He asked wide eyed. The woman moved forward grinning wickedly. He hair was short on the sides and long on the top braided back into a viking-esque haircut, “Oh look it’s baby Adam’ how cute.”

Old Adam patted him on the back, “doesn’t it just remind you of the old days.”

“When you were still a raging idiot…. Oh wait, I was thinking of right ow.”

It was at the same time that the two of them frowned and responded with near identical “Hey.”s 

The entire room laughed at that.

Ramirez looked at older Adam very seriously, “You know what I would do if I were you.”

Older Adam sighed, “Do I want to hear this?”

“If i was you.” Ramirez continued, “I would kiss myself/”

Adam blanched and old Adam roared with laughter, “Kiss yourself, Ramirez isn't that like…. Incest somehow.”

“Selfcest and I don’t think it counts, but seriously, thinking about it. You could know exactly how good you are at kissing and be able to work out any bugs.”

Adam backed away as older Adam looked at him contemplatively.. Adam backed into a wall, and older Adam just laughed slapping him on the back, “Oh stop looking so worried, I wouldn’t do that to you unless you wanted a go, but you aren't as fun as Ramirez.”

“But I am you.”

“I know, I remember what I was like.”

“What you ‘were’ like?”

He shrugged, “Yeah you loosen up as you get older, don’t worry kid. You can thank Sunny for that.”

He put a hand on his shoulder and led him out into the hallway.

“Sunny! Is she here?”

Older Adam beame, ‘I know that look. Lets see your 26 right, so you two are dating/”

He nodded a bit nervously.

“Yeah shes here, we’ll go see her next. She will want to see you for sure.”

Together they stepped down the hall and Adam nearly keeped ovr as a sudden shape appeared before them white and billowing in the hallway.

“And then there were two.” Conn Said, his dark eyes glittering rather maliciously.i the darkness.

“Convict.” Old Adam said.

He turned his dark eyes to look at Adam, “Same dumb different age.”

“Charming Conn.”

“You didn’t change much.” Adam muttered  as the two of them pushed past Conn down the hall.

“Don’t let him fool you. He has gotten better as time  has gone on. A real asset to this ship. Saved me from an assassin a few times.”

“Assassins!” 

Old Adam shrugged, “Yeah Assassins, “People don’t like what I…. what you and I represent.”

“What do we represent?”

“The union between humanity and alien life of course, or the GA in general. We are the face of the galaxy my friend.”

Adam frowned, “When does that happen.”

“It already has you are just a bit dense, but soon enough you will see. Right now you are a household name for humans, and it only takes a few more years for your name to become intergalactic.”

He felt himself go a little weak as white- hair Adam smiled at him, “yeah, the Stress will turn you white early, but it's a good life, and so far I don’t regret anything I have done….. Tough there is one thing….”

He paused, and Adam leaned forward  little to hear him feeling that this was important.

However, they were silenced rather quickly by a sudden massive shape scuttling towards them from across  the ceiling, and then dropping onto the floor. Henearly leaped out of his kin.

But then the thing came into view, a massive adaptid, with blond fur on its face, “POS garbage system gonna need fixing.” The voice was strange, echoing unnaturally like it was coming from a static radio.

The adapted stopped and sniffed the air, its eyes fixing in on him with a hungry expression, one that turned to confused a moment later, its bright green eyes widening with confusion, “Father.”

“Glados!”

She turned her head to look at white hair Adam, “What is this, some kind of joke.”

He shook his head, “No glados. I younger me has come to visit from the past.” She sniffed at him.

“Holy shit.” he muttered, “Wh-what are yo undoing here.”

“What does it look like I’m doing! She snapped, trying to fix this POS ship is what I am trying to do, but the coil drivers are going bad and Narobi’s people forgot to order morem, so now I have to finagle the things back together. Do you know how hard it is to fit down those dark cramped hallways, and then every now and again some asshole runs into me and screams, practically defines me every time.” She snarled, showing great white glittering K-9 teeth.

Older Adam patted her on the shoulder, “Deep breaths Glados, everything will work out, I promise.

With a deep sigh, Glados did as told, taking two great heaving breaths before calming down.

“Better?”

She nodded her huge head, eyes softening a bit, “Anyway. I have to go fix this. It was interesting to see you again, father.” and then she turned around and scuttled into the darkness. As she departed Adam was surprised to find a shape clinging to her belly …. An adapted male.”

“She…. shes…. uh  married? Dating?”

“Yes, though she's been looking for a third.” He chuckled, “She’s been trying to convince Conn, believe it or not.”

Adam snorted and nearly fell over, “What!”

“Imagine a bunch of baby adaptids who could survive in the vacuum of space. It would be one of the greatest evolutions their species has ever seen.”

He rubbed his head almost dizzy, “And is he considering it?”

Old Adam shrugged, “I don’t know. I think if we told him no directly to his face he might actually consider it, but I want to see if Glados can convince him first. I’d rather he agree on his own than out of spite.”

Adam held his head behind his back and shook his head, “This is all, this is insane.”

Old Adam snorted, “Not so much kid. This is your life.”

They were lead down through the next few hallways in near silence, “So what were you going to tell me earlier?”

Old Adam tilted his head, “What was…. Oh yeah! I remember now” he turned to look at him with a very serious expression stopping in the hallway and then laying a hand on his shoulder, “The one thing I regret.”

He waited on tenterhooks.

“Go on.”

“I regret not advancing my  relationship with Sunny sooner. You love her, kid. You love her so much you don’t know what to do with yourself, but for some reason you are so worried and embarrassed about it that you can’t do it. I gey your nervous and awkward, but she doesnt care, and no one else that matters will care.”

He felt his face flush and his hands go warm, “I…. I don’t know about that I, I’m not.”

‘Not ready? Well lets be honest, you will never be ready,and the longer you wait to feel ready is the longer that beautiful warrior is going to go thinking that maybe….. Just maybe you are going to turn away and pick someone else. The longer you wait is the longer she is going to wonder if she is good enough, the longer she is going to think you are going to leave her for some human.”

He stood on the floor stunned, “She thinks that? But she’s never…”

“Never said anything. Of course she’s never said anything. She doesn’t want to drive you away, and she loves you enough that she wants you to be happy even if that means her being miserable” he grabbed Adam by the shoulders and nearly shook his brain out of his head, “You found her, I promise you found her ok, no need to look anymore, no need to worry. She isn’t going to leave you, no matter what you do, and possibly despite everything you do.”

His heart was hammering in his chest as the other man lead him up the hallway hand gripping around his wrist.

“So….so you two…. I’m … I mean you and Sunny are.”

Older Adam turned to look at him over his shoulder, “I challenged her to trial by unarmed combat seven years ago, and every day I regret that I hadn’t done it sooner.”

Adam sputtered, “Trial by unarmed combat but that!.”

Old Adam frowned at him, “I know what it is. I am leader of a drev clan too.”

hIs head was spinning, his heart was hammering and he felt ready to fall over as they turned the next corner and down into a little workshop that he recognized well. It was more cluttered than it had been before,and the walls were practically plastered with schematics and blueprints, but the smell of metal and adhesive were strong.

Old Adam left young Adam at the back of the room and walked forward to where a lone figure was sitting on a bench busy tinkering with  a few pieces of equipment.

“Hey, hot stuff.” He said, leaning in to kiss her cheek, making Adam’s face flare red as he looked away.

The head lifted, bright light running over blue carapace, “Mmmmm hey snow white.”

“Never gonna let me live that down, huh.”

“Nope.”

“There is someone here I want you to see.’ He said, and the way he reached out, touching her arm tenderly made his entire body erupt into tiny fizzing bubbles. He swallowed hard and looked up at the ceiling.

Sunny looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened, freezing in place as she stared at him. He raised an awkward hand to wave, “Er…. hi.”

“No way…. Is this serious.”

Old Adam grinned, “yeah.”

Sunny shook her head in awe before the expression adjusted into a frown, “Great, now I have two children to take care of.” She looked pointedly at old Adam who just grinned.

She turned and looked Adam back over one more time, “I forgot how hot you used to be.’

His grin fell and he glowered at her, “Used to be!”

She grinned at him and shrugged, “What your old, and decrepit now.”

“I’m not even fifty!” 

She stood and walked over looking down at him. Was it just him, or did she seem a little taller?

She brushed a hand through his hair, “You are adorable. What would you say to a fight.”

Old adam frowned again, “Hold on, why do you want to fight him”

She looked over her shoulder, “I don’t know he's younger…. More…. spry .”

“Spry!”

She grinned, “And probably a little more flexible too.”

“Now hold on, I don’t recall you complaining before.”

“Hard to complain when you are trying your best, but you know things get old…. Not so much stamina anymore.” She grinned again 

Adam wanted to sink through the floor, and felt that he might if he got any warmer. As if he might sink through the floor and melt into a puddle.

“I’ll give you stamina, woman.” 

Adam resisted the urge to cover his ears.

Sunny turned her head back to him looking almost hungry, “You always had a nice body.”

“You keep talking about this in the past tense, and I don’t appreciate it.” Old adam lifted his shirt and patted his abs, “See all six still there.”

Sunny raised an eyebrow, “Bet he's a little more….” She tilted her head to the side, “Firm.”

Older Adam looked scandalized by the comment and Adam himself just wanted to die, “Can we NOT talk about that please.”

Sunny sighed, “Still haven't gotten over that have you. She patted his shoulder. Took me FOREVER to convince you and lord was it difficult, but I swear if you just do it, than you won’t have a problem anymore.I swear it vanished overnight.”

“Please stop.”

She sighed, “Alright fine, but you better give younger me a chance sooner before this idiot did, I swear he regrets it with every fiber of his being.”

“I get it! I Get it! I am hearing what you are saying and now we can go ahead and stop right now.” 

The two of them just laughed at his expense, and Sunny put an Arm around him, gently brushing a stray hair from his cheek, “I’m sorry, I know that makes you uncomfortable, we’ll stop.” He relaxed a little and a smile twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Older Adam smiled a little, “Sorry, kid, guess I was having a little too much fun at my own expense.” He winked, though with the eyepatch it looked just like a blink.

Did he really do that that often?

“So…. aside form the other stuff, is there anything I should know? Any advice.”

Older Adam frowned and tapped his fingers, “IF you ever meet a cute little alien that looks like an eyeball with fuzzy hair, don’t touch it whatever you do.” he Shivered and grimaced.

“Um, turns out I am very very allergic to honey so any sort of scent or flavoring that involves it is not going to go well for me.” Sunny added, “So keep me away from it.”

He nodded.

“Also do not attempt any sort of inverted backspin with your jetpack. I was in traction for a month.”

Adam frowned, guess that sort of ruined his weekend plans .

Old Adam rubbed his chin, “Ad face it kid, you're going to get old, but that doesn't mean you should act old. I tried it once and it was miserable.” He prodded Adam in the chest, “Expect your left knee to give you shit  and the fucking heartburn is killer, but keep up your workout routine for your own happiness.”

Sunny paused and then went very quiet, “IF I insist on seeing my mother…. Let me go, but don’t let me do it again. NEVER let me go back again.”

WOrried he nodded again unsure of what to do.

There was another pause, “Also, my brother Kanan, give him some poetry books next christmas.”

Adam snorted in surprise, but from the look on her face he went quiet, “Yeah, I think I can remember all that.”

Older Adam put a hand on his shoulder, “looks like they found the temporal anomaly, and it’s time to send you home kid.”

Older Adam accompanied him into the docking ebay wearing a space suit. It was very strange to hear himself give orders, but partially exhilarating at the same time. He…. he didn’t hate how he sounded when he was giving orders. A group of others came t osee him off and he got to see other members of the crew.

Nairobi, with a colorful scarf tied up on her head, Jackie standing Next to Simon, who looked just as stiff as ever, but managed a smile at him. There was Katie and Krill, who wandered forward and leaned up. He leaned down to listen to his friend expecting another sarcastic comment, but instead, “Relax Admiral, relax and maybe you won’t go grey so early.”

Adam smiled a little and stepped back glancing over at his older counterpart, “All told…. It looks kind of good on me.”

Krill shrugged, “Stress doesn’t, now get back to your people before they freak out.”

“You mean before YOU freak out?”

“Oh I am already freaking out I assure you. That is a fact of life.”

Adam smiled and stepped back as Sunny walked over. She put her hands on his shoulders and then leaned down gently resting her forehead against his before pulling away, “Be safe and try not to do anything overtly stupid, which i KNOW is a tall order.”

He grinned and pulled on his helmet. “No promises.”

She then turned her attention to older Adam, turning her head so he could kiss her on the cheek, reaching down to squeeze his hand, “Same goes for you, you hear me.”

He grinned, “Here you are to ruin all my fun.” She took the helmet from his hands gently placing it on for him with a tight snap before checking the seal and when smacking him about the head.

“Hey!”

“Yep, it works.” She announced laughing as she backed away, and the two of them turned.

They stood in the airock as it was depressurized, and their feet lifted off the ground as the door opened. Together they engaged their jetpacks and slowly coasted forward.

The universe unfurled around them.

It hit him now just as fresh as it had the first time, and he turned his head to look at the older Adam, who was already looking at him, and he was under the impression that his older self still felt the same way, which made him feel right.

At least that was something he’d never lose.

The temporal anomaly appeared before them as they reversed thrusters and came to a slow stop.

Older Adam turned to him, grabbing him by the front of the space suit as they looked, “You gotta promise to do one more thing for me kid, just one more.”

“Yeah, what”

“Waffles…. You, you tell her she’s a good girl, tell her she’s a good girl from me.” The man’s voice was partially choked up, “Can you do that?”

Adam nodded, “I’ll tell her.”

“Good,” And then he was shoved back into the temporal rift and vanished.

[meganshinsou-tm]

Crimson|Ink. (m)

↳ chapter eleven: seoul

❧ genre:  tattoo-shop/hitmen au | tattoo artist/hitman kirishima

❧ fic warning: major character(s) death; happy ending

❧ chapter warnings: piercing session, needles 

❧ chapter song: Seoul by RM

♬crimson|ink playlist | ♧ character profiles | artist credit

[multi-chap masterlist] [previous chapter - next chapter]

Kirishima groaned as he stood from his stool, he had just finished an excruciatingly long piece on one of his clients and finally they were done for the day. After cleaning the guy up and bandaging him Kiri gave him aftercare instructions then sent him on his way to the front. 

He spent the next few minutes cleaning his tray, taking apart his machine and sanitizing the chair and tray, disposing of his used needles and ink cups. Cracking his neck and knuckles, Kiri set off for the kitchen to get a drink. When he rounded the corner his red eyes fell upon you at the counter, humming and bopping along  while you were occupied with something.

Grinning, he walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, after taking a sip of it he made his way behind you, hooking his head over your shoulder and cringing immediately.

“What the hell are you doing?”

You smiled and turned your head, looking him in the face. “Uh eating?”

“You know the entire point of pizza rolls is what's inside of them, so why are you squeezing all the shit out? Not to mention it looks disgusting!”

You elbowed him lightly causing him to grunt before placing himself beside you. There was a plate on the counter, full of cooked pizza rolls, the innards of them piled on one side and just the breaded shell of them piling up on the other.

“I’m not squeezing all of it out, just a little. These things are way overstuffed and that shit burns the sides of your mouth when they just explode. It’s called taking precautions!”

“It’s called wasting you weirdo.”

Your (e/c) eyes cut sideways at Kiri, making him smirk. He was soon gifted a middle finger and a friendly “fuck you Eijirou,” to which he just shrugged chuckled.

“Well only if you’re offering.”

A chuckle passed your lips before your teeth playfully tore into a pizza roll and you started to chew it lazily while crossing your eyes and moaning, body slumping over onto Kirishima and becoming like dead weight on him.

“Still wanna take that offer,” you muffled the question.

Kiri knew you were trying to look as idiotic as you could but it was also adorable. You started to eat the small items one by one, dramatically groaning and moaning, falling over the man and causing him to struggle and push you off until he just decided to wrap his arms around you. Kiri chuckled, teeth nipping and trying to steal one of the pizza rolls from your fingers. It got to the point where he was literally fighting you for one out from between your own teeth. Eventually the cheese spewed from the side of it and Kiri won the prize but he decided to rub the food across your cheek and smear its contents.

“Eww Kiri, stop,” you whined and tried to push him away.

Since your day out together, you and Kirishima had pretty much completely started over and were growing closer. He was becoming like one of the other guys to you, more touchy and comfortable, playful and friendly, just more fun to be around. 

Of course he had his days sometimes but the good days finally started to outweigh the bad ones. You didn’t dread seeing him every day anymore, wondering what petty insults he’d spew out. Instead of insults the two of you would banter and joke, all in good fun. You were finally growing closer.

After Kiri had made enough of a mess on your face he let go and ate the remainder of the pizza roll still hanging from his teeth.You lightly punched his shoulder and grabbed a napkin to clean up with, feeling the oily substance clogging your skin.

“And you say I’m wasting.”

Kirishima chuckled and drank the rest of his water and tossed the bottle into the trash can. He grabbed a napkin himself and wet it with warm water then stood before you, his hands cupping your face.

“Here, let me help you,” he smiled.

You stood there and let him wipe your face clean, reaching a few pieces that were close to being in your hair and eyes, which were examining his face closely. The sharp edges of his jaw and chin, the plumpness of his lips. How deep the red color of his eyes really were and also that scar on his right one. Your hand came up, fingers lightly tracing it.

“I still find the story about this scar to be extremely funny and adorable.”

An amused look crossed Kiri’s face as he tossed the napkin in the trash can then took your hand that stroked the scarred flesh and lowered it down. He walked to lean back against the counter and you took a spot next to him, both of you crossing your arms and you laughing at the obvious size difference when the muscles in his arms flexed under the sleeves of his raglan shirt and his chest somewhat bulged. You tried your best to size up to him, earning a genuine laugh from Kiri himself. After you relaxed and shrunk back down, Kiri ran a hand through his spiky hair.

“You find me almost blinding myself as a toddler funny and adorable?”

“Okay when you put it like that of course not,” you replied, rolling your eyes with a smile.

Kiri smiled back, always amused to fuck with you, “Having a glass eye would’ve been badass though.”

“I guess it would be pretty hot, but I like your red eyes, so if it means anything, I’m glad you only got away with a scar.”

“Well aren’t you sweet,” Kiri cooed and looked at you with a grin.

Rolling your eyes again you lightly flicked his forehead and passed him to go to the fridge and got a bottle of water. After unscrewing the lid and taking a sip you wiped your mouth and stood before the red-head, a finger poking his chest.

“Eijirou, I’m always sweet, what are you talking about.”

“You’re like a damn sour patch kid little one,” he grinned and grabbed your hand, encasing it in his massive one and pulling you forward, “One minute you’re sweet yeah, but then you can turn sour, it may be hours later but it happens.”

Your head shook and your lips pouted, “Why I’d never,” you replied.

“Bullshit, I can see your horns showing right about -” 

Not a second after the word left his mouth your hand holding the water bottle was coming up to be pressed to his neck, Kiri was fast though and grabbed your wrist before the ice cold bottle could touch his skin. His tongue clicked as he shook his head at you and you giggled. 

“My point exactly you little fucking demon.”

“Pft, you act like I’m the only one with horns here, ” you chuckled and brought your free hand up to tousle one of Kiri’s spiked up horns, soon his other hand was gripping that wrist as well.

You gasped at the ferocity of his hold and the intense gaze he held. Your own eyes couldn’t leave his sharp crimson red ones. Suddenly you were now the one leaning back against the counter, the massive tattooed red-head standing before you, small wrists still tightly gripped in his giant hands. You swallowed nervously feeling how his aura changed drastically from playful to now predatory. Kirishima could tell how you were shrinking beneath him, not so playful anymore.

“Oh I’m completely aware of my own little one, and of how much bigger they are than yours,” he chuckled, the sound bringing a light to your eyes and coaxing out the girl inside of you that always loved to meet a challenge no matter what.

You hummed in reply, (e/c) eyes sharpening at Kiri and the tip of your tongue rolling between your canines as you smiled sinfully at him. Going to jerk your wrists from him once more, Kiri only tightened his grip but you pulled with so much force it brought him face to face with you, the tips of your noses brushing as you breathed upon each others mouths. He was right where you wanted him though. One of you were going to crack and it was going to be him.

“Scared Potter?” You questioned in a terrible British accent.

“Shut it Malfoy,” Kiri replied with a flawless British accent and smug look.

The two of you stared silently for a second before falling out into hysterics, laughing, snorting and cackling together. Tears were pricking your eyes and Kiri’s face fell to the crook of your neck as he tried to hide his own. He had let go of one of your wrists and casually your hand slid down his palm until his fingers clasped around it, holding it gently in his own. 

It was the polar opposite of how he held your wrists. Instead of rough and fierce it was soft and tender, like there was a distinctly different way he needed to touch the two different areas. You smiled and his head pulled away from your neck. Kirishima looked down on you, freeing your other wrist so he could wipe the joyful tears from the corner of your eye. With a hum you melted into his hand.

The man wanted to verbally awe at how sweet and cute you were, your long lashes fluttering shut and your cheek nuzzling his palm that easily cupped the entire side of your face.

“You know you got that sour patch thing wrong Ei. Don’t you know your slogans, ‘first they’re sour then they’re sweet’,” you chuckled and the lids of your eyes opened slowly.

“I guess I did,” Kirishima replied almost mindlessly, letting his hand caress from your face and into your hair.

This wasn’t the first time Kiri had been caught up in you. Ever since making up, more and more he found himself slipping, letting you lure him in with those damned eyes, that sweet voice and spitfire attitude. He couldn’t say it out loud, not yet at least, but you were so perfect - perfect for him. 

Through the weeks when he’d feel anxious or fed up with a client or sketch that wasn’t coming along, it was like you could sense his energy and just appear in his room to take his mind off things. Sometimes you’d waltz in wanting him to teach you drawing techniques or just to whine to him about how Sero and Bakugou were teasing you.

You calmed him. Especially on days after he’d come back from being an executioner. Even before you came along, on those days Kiri would always be in a mood, sometimes still high on the smell of blood and the adrenaline coursing through his veins. It felt like he was an animal, trying to shake it off while the inner beast craved for more. On those days he wouldn’t take customers, just shack up in his studio and draw. Now, on those days you’d find him, and just the sound of your voice calling out his name or your hand touching him would immediately put that beast to sleep like you were some kind of tamer - his tamer.

Without another thought Kirishima was bringing his face closer to yours, you looked unafraid, in fact it's like you were waiting for him. Your free hand came up, cupping his own that held your face and you breathed out his name in that soft and airy way that always made him melt.

“Shit, am I interrupting something?”

Kiri’s sharp red eyes glanced sideways to see Bakugou standing at the end of the counter he had you pressed against, your body went limp, a quiet whimper leaving your lips and tugging at his heart. Maybe the intrusion was for the best though. Slowly Kiri lowered your hand and his, but he wasn’t going to leave you hanging without some sort of kiss. With a soft smile he pressed a tender peck on your forehead, you hummed with content and smiled as he pulled back away.

“Alright princess, my turn,” Bakugou sneered playfully before grabbing your wrist himself and pulling you towards him roughly.

Kirishima rolled his eyes at the blonde who started to slather your cheek with playful nips and pecs, making you giggle and push away.

“Down boy, down!”

Chuckling, Bakugou calmed and released you so he could get himself a drink. Kirishima plopped down in one of the chairs by the table and asked what he was up to, to which he shrugged and sighed.

“Well I was going to see if y’all wanted to go ahead and close up. I’m about to blow my brains out with how fucking dead it’s been all day.”

You started to clean up your plate of pizza rolls and checked the time on the microwaves clock.

“Katsu, it’s only like six, we don’t close until ten on weekends.”

“We can close whenever we want to princess. Plus, there’s no point in just sitting on our asses.”

Kirishima huffed and crossed his arms behind his head, leaning back in his seat and letting his giant legs stretch out. “May be dead for you, I just got done with a four hour piece. Did you ever think that maybe people just don’t want to come see you Bakugou?”

“Fuck you shitty hair,” Bakugou snarled, crossing his arms and glancing over at you minding your own business. He grinned and clicked his teeth, tilting his head in your direction. “I know someone who does though.”

Your brow rose and you looked over to the blonde before pointing to yourself.

“Me?”

Bakugou chuckled and slid closer, “Yes you princess. Didn’t you want a piercing a few weeks ago? On that pretty little face.”

“I did! What were the ones you suggested again?”

He smirked and brought a hand up to cup your chin, his thumb ran over the plump flesh of your bottom lip then across the your cupid’s bow. Kiri’s red eyes narrowed while he watched Bakugou touching your lips, the same lips he should’ve been ravaging right now had he let himself go wild.

“I suggested a little monroe, right here,” Bakugou replied and poked right above your top lip, “And a nose piercing but like I said, your face is too fucking pretty do much more than that.”

“Oh yeah, well I think the monroe is really cute. I just don’t think I want a nose piercing though, and I don’t want a cliche belly button piercing either.”

You thought for a bit longer and Kiri watched closely, Bakugou shrugged and took a drink of his water. Your fingers snapped and you beamed.

“My nipples!”

Bakugou spit out his water, at the same time him and Kirishima both let out a shocked, “What?”

“You heard me! I want my nipples pierced! I think they look pretty good on some girls and with my quirk I won’t have to suffer for months, waiting on them to heal.”

Kiri shook his head and stood from his seat, “What’s with you and always wanting something that requires you to be practically topless huh?”

“I’m confident in my skin Kiri, there’s no shame in that.”

“Yeah Red, stop body shaming our girl here, if she wants to pierce her tits then let her pierce her tits!”

Kirishima glared at Bakugou. 

“Shut the fuck up, I know what you’re doing!” The red head looked at you, his eyes pleading, “Look if that’s what you want then go for it, but maybe I can take you to another place?”

“Ei, why would I go anywhere else when we have one of the best of the best right here. Plus, I trust Katsuki.”

The blonde gave Kiri a shit eating grin from behind you, soon his arms were around your waist and his head was hooked over your shoulder and he pressed a kiss to your jaw.

“Yeah Ei, she trusts me. You shouldn’t want anyone else doing this for her anyway. I’d fucking murder someone before I let her go to another place.”

“See, he’s got my back Eijirou, I’ll be fine.”

Kiri groaned and went to try and plead more but you were quickly dragging Bakugou by the hand out of the kitchen and to his studio. The blonde flipping Kirishima off and sticking out his tongue. With a growl Kiri took off after you, following into the studio.

“This will be fun and I’ll have some new work to show off to the guys!”

“You’re not going to be flashing your shit around here,” Kirishima sternly stated.

You chuckled and took a seat on the piercing chair. Kiri followed like a puppy, right by your side and not looking to leave. Your hand grabbed his own and you smiled.

“I was talking about my lip piercing. Don’t worry Ei, the others will be just between me and certain special people.”

“Me, I’m special people!” Bakugou grinned as he pulled out all the tools needed.

Needles, jewelry, napkins, gloves, a marker, alcohol pads, etc. Bakugou mentioned he’d do the lip piercing first since it wouldn’t take long and was the easiest. 

You sat and let him disinfect your upper lip. His face extremely close to your own as he used a marker and carefully marked the perfect spot to place the piercing. You turned to look at Kiri, asking his opinion. Shortly he smiled and nodded, saying that it looked perfect. Your small hand squeezed his and you turned to look at Bakugou again.

“These will be cold,” he mentioned and held up some small clamps.

Using them, he took your lip between them, causing you to gasp. The marked spot was easily visible through the hole of the clamps and they securely held your lip still. His other hand reached over to his tray and grabbed the piercing needle, placing the tip of it right on the inside of your lip. Your eyes crossed as you tried to look down at the clamps. Bakugou had to stifle down a chuckle from how dumb you looked.

“Okay, you’re gonna feel a pinch but it won’t last long. Take a deep breathe in and - “

Right on cue with your exhale Bakugou pushed the needle through the flesh, your eyes blinked and hand squeezed Kiri’s again at the pinch the blonde mentioned and you hissed but the discomfort was extremely short lived. 

You watched Bakugou smile proudly and praise you with a, “good girl.” 

He threaded the end of the jewelry on the end of the needle then pushed it all the way through, placing the used tool on his tray and grabbing the studded top of the jewelry and twisting it on top of the piece he was holding in your lip. The process was over as fast as it had begun. Bakugou grabbed a napkin and dabbed the small amount of blood clean before he stood back and grabbed a small mirror.

“Take a look princess.”

You grabbed the mirror and smiled upon seeing the shimmering stud placed perfectly above your top lip, resembling a much more extravagant beauty mark.

“Aww, it’s so cute Katsu!”

After handing the mirror back you quickly healed the piercing and wiggled your lips around and giggled at the weird sensation of metal in your mouth. Looking sideways your eyes were seeking approval from the Kirishima.

Kiri smirked and poked at the piercing, “It suits you little one ... alright that’s it. Let’s close the shop now!”

“Eijirou,” you giggled and whined as he tried to tug you out of the chair.

Kirishima sighed defeatedly, “Are you sure you want this?”

“Yes I’m sure. What, do you think they won’t look good on me or something?”

Red eyes rolled and Kirishima tried his hardest not to even vividly picture what you’d look like with those sinful piercings or the things he’d crave to do.

“That’s not it at all, they’ll look great. It’s just ... they’re a lot more painful than what you just got.”

“Hey shit for brains, stop trying to scare her. I know what I’m doing, I’ve pierced plenty of tits in my career. Look princess, do you want this?”

You looked at Bakugou and nodded eagerly without even thinking.

“Alright, then get your sweet ass up and go strip for me.”

Kirishima glared at Bakugou and if looks could kill the blonde would be way past dead. 

Your body hopped down from the piercing chair and you pat Kiri’s chest as you walked by him, Bakugou playfully smacked your ass moving you along towards the divider that was located in the corner of the room without another word.

The two men stared at each other, Bakugou with the smuggest of smug looks and Kiri seething with envy.

“You’re fucking enjoying this aren’t you,” Kiri growled.

“Oh you have no idea, now if you’d kindly leave, you know shop policy Red. These types of piercings are private.”

Kirishima looked over to the divider you were standing behind, his jaw clenching at the thought of what was about to happen. He didn’t not want you to get the piercings, he just didn’t want you to get them from Bakugou. 

His friend was very cunning and the two of you already flirted way more than you and he did. In fact the two of you were way more touchy and sexual in your interactions. This situation would only rile Bakugou up even more, Kiri knew it but then again he had no control over you, no claim to you. 

You were free to act on your own accord. It was times like these where Kirishima would second guess his actions and be more inclined to finally just put aside his stupid ways and confess his feelings, if it meant having you to himself and only him. But if he did that right now it would partly be for the wrong reasons.

Finally Kirishima decided he’d confess to you, but in due time. 

To do it out of spite or sheer jealousy would be ignorant. You were both in a good place with each other now, sometimes taking things slowly was for the best. Kirishima wanted you, more than he fucking wanted life itself, but he had already fucked up too much and he was trying not to do it all over again, plus you still needed to know about the beast he kept caged until a certain phone call would release it. 

With a sigh he shoved Bakugou out of his way and slowly stormed out of the room without a word, closing the door shut behind him.

Your head poked out from behind the divider at the sound, eyes looking at the door then to Bakugou who was gathering all the utensils and tools needed for your next piercing. Your lips jutted out in a pout briefly at Kiri’s disappearance before you sighed and crossed your arms over your chest, walking out from behind the divider and back to the piercing seat. 

Bakugou turned his head to glance at you from his peripheral and smiled. He glanced back at his utensils and went about explaining the process to you. How all his tools were extremely and thoroughly sterilized. His hands held up two separately packed needles, one for each breast, a packaged set of clamps, and two barbells for the jewelry. There was also a type of jelly the needles would be dipped in the ease the process and a shorter set of barbell jewelry.

“These are longer than usual ones but its to allow room for swelling, but after you’ve healed yourself I can replace them with normal length ones. Of course, it being a piercing, it’s going to be uncomfortable but trust me it’s not unbearable. Do you have any other questions before we get started?”

You nervously chuckled, arms still crossed over your chest and a hand reaching to scratch the side of your neck. “Uh - do they have to be ... h-hard?”

Bakugou smirked, watching your face blush red from the question. 

Usually you were a raging ball of witty sexual remarks, confident and not in the least bit bashful. This look though was appealing to the blonde. He shrugged his shoulders and clicked his tongue as he picked up the package with the clamps in it.

“Nah princess, that's what these are for. They hold the nipple in place, they aren’t the most comfortable thing and they’re probably the most painful part of the process but they help as a guide for the needle.”

You seemed to deflate with a sigh and nodded.

“But if you really wanted me to, I could tease them for you, free of charge.”

You chuckled and went to playfully kick at the cocky man, but he caught your ankle and tugged harshly, pulling your body down the chair and making your back come into contact with it. You gasped when he was suddenly before you and between your legs, all at once you were reclined back at an angle and almost shell shocked from your mind trying to catch up. Red eyes glared intently at you, full of fire and pride.

“Or do you want to do that for me yourself?”

“You fucking wish Katsuki,” you grinned underneath him.

Bakugou’s face lowered and his nose brushed along your cheek as his warm breath fanned your ear before his teeth nipped at it. A low chuckle left his lips and it caused a shudder to ripple through you. 

“You fucking bet I do. I still haven’t had my fun with you yet princess, you said to name a time and place right?”

“Katsu,” you breathed out through gritted teeth, his own dragging down your cheek to take hold of it. Your eyes glazed over and stared into his own.

“Hmm,” he grunted and released your flesh then let his tongue lightly lap at the teeth marks, his hand squeezing your thigh. “What if I said right now, right here? Make a filthy little mess of you on my chair.”

You started to breathe heavily, Bakugou’s hand on your thigh traveling up. Slowly your arms started to uncross and fall to your sides, hands gripping at the leather of the chair. Bakugou looked down at your bare chest now littered with black ink, a wicked smile crossing his handsome face. A breathy ‘fuck’ left his lips and his head lowered slowly and you screwed your eyes shut. 

There was a fire building low in your gut, skin hypersensitive and thoughts nothing but mush. Out of nowhere something extremely cold was wiped across one of your nipples, causing you to flinch and all arousal immediately disappear.

“What the fucking hell Bakugou!”

“Oh I’m sorry princess, were you expecting something else,” he chuckled as you looked down to see him wiping a now warm alcohol pad across your sensitive bud.

“Fuck you,” you rolled your eyes, head falling back against the chair.

“All good things come to those who wait, don’t worry, I’ll fuck you sooner than later. But for now, let me do my job and make these pretty things even better!”

Kiri sat impatiently in the kitchen, a hardened finger carving a small line into the table from constantly moving it back and forth while waiting for your piercing session to be over. 

A few more minutes and he was jumping up from his chair when he heard the door down the hall opening, your precious giggle echoing down and into the kitchen. Soon you stood before him, a smile on your face that now gleamed even more from the jewelry that adorned your top lip. Kirishima smiled back and you walked closer to stand before him.

His hand cupped your cheek, relief washing over him to see you were free from any telling marks and free from the studio room period.

“You heal yourself?”

You nodded with a grin and grabbed at your breasts to squeeze lightly, “I’m all good Ei, feels perfectly normal and pain free. Well - I mean it doesn’t feel normal anymore, it’s a different feeling but you get what I’m saying.”

The red head chuckled, his thumb nudging at the piercing on your face. “I really do like this one, it’s cute.”

“Thanks Eijirou, I’m really glad you like it. Play your cards right and maybe one day you can see the others.”

Kirishima went to reply but soon Bakugou was beating him to the punch and yelling out your name from down the hall. You both looked to see his spiky blonde head peeking out from the doorway of his room.

“Remember I told you we’d go out when we got back from that deal?”

There was a light in your eye, body turning to face away from Kiri and to Bakugou.

“Yeah, why?”

“What do you say we go to the club tonight?”

Kiri silently groaned behind you, nostrils flaring. It was like he couldn’t get a fucking break today. Bakugou grinned smugly at his friend, knowing he had been cock blocking him at almost every corner. You nodded at Bakugou then turned back around to Kiri and took his hand.

“You’ll come to right? We can all go out together!”

It felt as if the heavens had opened up and an angel was finally giving Kirishima an opening, a break! That angel being you with that perfect smile and those pleading eyes, pleading for him. 

Kirishima smirked and looked up at Bakugou who was just shaking his head, smile still on his face and not even phased that you were including everyone else. 

Fingers came up to cup your chin, looking up, red eyes looked back down and a sweet peck was pressed to your cheek before a sharp toothed grin sparkled.

“Of course little one, whatever you want.”

[yuhengbeidou]

hm I was thinking....jiang meng...idk doesn't sound so good

but jiang ziming,,, that's GOOD

Yesterday, 1:11 PM

jiang ziming

you have done something

THAT SREALLY RELALYYGODO

Yesterday, 1:14 PM

ahahah am I still on a good strike?

Yesterday, 1:15 PM

WAH THAT WAS SO GOOD

Yesterday, 1:15 PM

,,,au in which jiang ziming is a THING

1

Yesterday, 1:15 PM

AU in which madam qing told jiang xi about the child and jiang ziming was raised between the two sects

1

Yesterday, 1:15 PM

HOLY FUCK YES PLEASE

please, jiang xi and xzy and madam wang talk and....and :((( aaaaaaaa mengmeng with tWO DADS

amazing

Yesterday, 1:17 PM

MENGMENG WITH TWO DADS

god he would be SO MUCH MORE ARROGANT ahahhahaa but still the core of goodness

1

and his fashion sense would be TOP NOTCH

and maybe he would get a holy weapon for once

1

Yesterday, 1:17 PM

bitch ass desktop twitter keeps refreshing and changing to the ugly blue color I'm gonna qi deviate

1

anyway, please, him wearing maybe, both blue and dark green robes or smt?

1

Yesterday, 1:18 PM

eww no ugly blue please

1

Yesterday, 1:19 PM

his getting more educated in medicine!!!! idk was it ever mentioned in 2ha? if he got anything passed on from madam wang or he was just...study the blade (be gay)?

1

Yesterday, 1:19 PM

ohhh god what if what if he starts wearing jiang xi's ribbon that hao draws

1

but in blue

1

but same style

clipped to the sides of his hair

1

Yesterday, 1:19 PM

i think he was just studying the blade HELP

SO FUCKING GAY

now he gets to play with herbs and be a little less gay

1

jk that's even more gay

Yesterday, 1:20 PM

 madam wang feels a little weird but xzy laughs and pats her back and says "like father like son eh, I least I taught him manners"

1

Yesterday, 1:21 PM

or something :(((

Yesterday, 1:21 PM

Omg xzy the fucking best always

Yesterday, 1:21 PM

and mengmeng,,,,so good with medicine pfff shi mei who

1

Yesterday, 1:21 PM

He’s not at all jealous

1

Yesterday, 1:21 PM

HE'D MAKE FUN OF THEM HELMP "oh, my little peacock came back from the big boss peacock?"

1

Yesterday, 1:22 PM

And Xue Meng would whine “a-die!!!!!!” And run to hug him

Yesterday, 1:22 PM

...are we doing like...a divorced couple type of sharing custody of a child now? because it feels like it

Yesterday, 1:23 PM

He still wouldn’t call Jiang Xi daddy though but maybe something a little friendlier than Jiang Xi

I think so omg

Yesterday, 1:23 PM

adhjsks I LOVE IT

Yesterday, 1:23 PM

It is a shared custody thing

Yesterday, 1:23 PM

hm

how would he call jiang xi...he's very rude now lol going all JIANG XI

probably? jiang yechen or sect leader jiang, keep the formalities but

1

Yesterday, 1:24 PM

I know right how dare he just call jiang Xi like that so rude

Jiang Xi is so indulgent of him honestly

1

I say he can say jiang Yechen though

Jiang Xi doesn’t know how much affection he’s allowed to show Xue Meng

So he just keeps teaching him nonstop and working him to the bone every time Xue Meng visits

1

Yesterday, 1:26 PM

yeah really idk by the end of the blind dates I think jiang xi was like "eh, ,,,let him call whatever Idc"

1

Yesterday, 1:27 PM

Xue Meng needs money and jiang Xi will hand over the entire bank account

1

Yesterday, 1:28 PM

agagahahahaha I CRY but, also xue meng maybe goes too far and he hurts himself and jiang xi sighs and goes "can't you be more careful?" and heals him and then goes off in a 3 hours long lecture about idk, how to be careful, and how not to do that enxt time, and how to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

1

Yesterday, 1:28 PM

oh do you think jiang xi also pays him child support?

THATS MY LOVER AND HER HUSBAND

1WAHH I LOVE IT JIANG XI BEING A CHIDING PARENT

wait... can this be a thing

please god i want a happy AU so bad

jiang xi definitely pays child support. sisheng peak is not super rich but xue meng basically has a trust fund

he has everything he ever wanted

including several ponies

Yesterday, 1:32 PM

agdhsjs YES I WANT IT TOO, the,, the family being such an amazing family like, madam wang MADAM WANG SHE'S THE BEST,, xzy he is THE BEST, jiang xi he is TRYING

1

can you...imagine it tho,,,the entire sisheng peak fire aprty wouldn;t happen,,,jiang xi would step the fuck out he WOULD SO MUCH MORE, that's my SON and the woman I LOVOHFEIEHHSsomethingdik and hER HUSBAND FUCK OFF MU YANGLI BITCH

1

or is it mu yanli? idk

Yesterday, 1:35 PM

yeah mu yanli FUCK OFF

JIANG XI COME PROTECT UR FAM

 hgsnfgfhgjgg except they haven't done anything in 20yrs

1

jiang xi puts gu yue ye's reputation on the line for family

we love to see that

Yesterday, 1:41 PM

MY LOVER AND HER HUSBAND IDK SOUNDS RIGHT

1

Yesterday, 1:44 PM

do you think...................after some time, when xue meng is a little older like idk 10 or so and jiang xi shows that he's a good ish father or....ya know, xzy just talks with madam wang and asks "do you still love him?" and what can she say....he was her first love as far as canon tells us and "I, still care about him yes" so, xzy on a personal adventure to make them talk~ and shit~ sure he wouldn't want her to sleep with him again but..

1

what if he bullies jiang xi into admitting he CARES too it doesnt have to be love but, them meeting at gu yue ye and drinking tea and talking about medicine and she feels like she's back home in her youth and :((

1

Yesterday, 1:46 PM

WHY IS XZY THE ONLY HUSBAND EVER

IM CRY

Yesterday, 1:48 PM

please and....WAIT AND when jiang xi adopts the son,,, of course the sisheng family knows about it and they are all so excited well maybe not xue meng lol he doesn't want to admit it but ya know, COMPETITION is COMPETITION no matter what

1

but in the end things work out and, sometimes the adopted son shows up with jiang xi at sisheng and xue meng spars with him and teaches him things cwn taught him and ufffffffffffff

1

Yesterday, 1:51 PM

BROTHERS

THEY ARE BROTHERS

EXCEPT XING'ER CALLS XUE MENG GE

WHAT IF I CRY

Yesterday, 1:53 PM

GE

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

xue meng bosses him around but xing'er is such a sweetheart he smiles and ENJOYS it then he goes to jiang xi and he's all shining and he can't stop talking about xue meng honestly...that poor guy was probably an orphan so...

1

Yesterday, 1:54 PM

i'm fucking crying about a character with ZERO BACKGROUND lol

1

XING'ER HE IS PRECIOUS

maybe in this AU there is no yifu fuckery just soft daddy son interactions

1

jiang xi puts one hand on xing'er's head and rubs it a little when xing'er tells him about xue meng gege

he is so happy his sons get along

1

Yesterday, 2:01 PM

please this is too sweet for me I'm going to die

1

yes, the entire family!! together!! +ranwan by extension

1

I also love how you just went XING'ER like,,,without a second thought you said XING'ER I LOVE IT

[justjessame]

Hellfire and Angelic Grace Chapter 11

John was holding Lilana, the light fading outside the bedroom windows, feeling a contentment he hadn’t felt in so damn long he’d almost forgotten how it could feel. Her lips were making a map of his chest and he was shocked at how his body was STILL responding. He’d lost count of how many times and how many ways they’d come together since he walked in to comfort her.

She glanced up from beneath her eyelashes, kissing the hair covered chest that she wanted to touch and taste forever. “I want more,” she whispered and he chuckled, his voice hoarse. Lilana moved so she was straddling him, moving lower until he was back inside her heat and then, once again, it felt like the world stopped. “Dear fucking-” she moaned, and it broke whatever spell that hit when they joined. She rocked, letting him feel every slick inch of the inside of her and John’s moan met hers.

“Lilana,” he rolled and was on top of her moving hard and fast, the way he had quickly learned she loved. “That’s it, sweetheart, fuck you’re tight,” his head found her shoulder, and his lips were tasting her skin as greedily as she had his. “You taste amazing, fuck, Lilana, right fucking-” and with a roar, he came again, deep inside of her as she bit into his shoulder to keep from screaming loud enough to breach the well insulated walls of her bedroom.

He stayed cradled between her thighs, their breathing coming down together, their hearts syncing. Her stomach growled and he laughed. “I think I’m hungry.” She giggled. “Which is weird, because I feel so fucking full.” She wiggled and he knew exactly what she meant. He was still inside of her, still coming down, still filling her perfectly. John’s eyes met hers and he saw everything he was feeling reflected. “Think the boys are gonna let us do the walk of shame quietly?”

His thumb brushed her lower lip, that lip that begged to be tasted again. “I think they will if they know what’s good for them.” He dipped his head and gave into temptation. She tasted like every damn thing he couldn’t live without. Her laughter bubbled up when his stomach rumbled against her. “Damn, guess I’m a little hungry too.”

Lilana’s hands were sliding through his hair. Her eyes studying his face, the scar along his eye, the scruff on his face that burned just right on her skin, those eyes of his that burned and twinkled at the same damn time. “You’re fucking gorgeous, John Winchester.” She tugged his head back to hers and licked into his mouth. “I don’t know why I finally found you, but I will die before I lose you.”

 It was full dark by the time they came out of her bedroom. Lolly laying against her door, looking like she’d been abandoned. Lilana’s hand reached down automatically and slid through her fur. John’s fingers linked with her other hand, and smiling they walked down the hallway. They could hear the voices of the boys, and another voice, one that made John’s hand tighten in hers.

“John?” She asked, looking up, but the new voice cut in.

“Ah, Papa Winchester,” what accent was that? Lilana tried to place it. “Why don’t you bring Lilana in here and join us?” Ut oh.

Entering the living room, Lilana’s eyes landed on a man in a well made dark suit. He was smaller stature, but so was she, and she had a feeling that wasn’t all they shared. Dark hair, dark facial hair, and a look like he’d really enjoy tearing the wings off of flies in his spare time. Daddy? She wondered, with an internal snarkiness that she felt he heard because of the smirk he flashed at her.

“Lilana, my dear, come, come.” He was gesturing as though he owned her house and she shot him a look. “My apologies, sweetheart, habit.” He took the chair she’d sat in the previous night. Looking very much like the King of Hell, if she were being honest. Fuck.

Pulling John by the hand to the sofa, she sat and drew him down next to her. She kept his hand in hers. “Crowley, I suspect?” Lilana was happy to note that her voice was steady. Good. “Wait,” she leaned forward studying him. “I know you.” She did. She knew him, she’d seen him on the worst night of her life. “You pulled me from the car.” His eyes widened. “You took me from the wreckage, you were at my bedside.”

“I thought you were-” he stopped, his voice had gone breathless. A sign of weakness, and clearly Crowley didn’t want to sound weak. “You were unconscious.”

“I saw you from above.” John glanced at her. It was the same voice she’d used in the dream, almost hers, but not quite. “The corner of the room. You spoke to me.” Crowley’s eyes met John’s. “You said you’d get them, that they’d watch over me.” Her head tilted and John could see the reflection of the glow of her eyes in the wall of glass behind the King of Hell. “Thank you.”

Lilana’s eyes closed and she sighed, and then sat back as though exhausted. “Winchester, explain.” Crowley was unnerved. What had just happened? Her eyes, had anyone ever seen that type of bright light before? So blinding, so white and blue tinged.

John’s hand tightened on Lilana’s, drawing her back to the conversation. “Sorry, I think I might have zone out for a moment.” She took in the tension in the room. “Shit, did I-” she sighed and felt all four sets of eyes zero in on her. Lilana sighed. “Yeah, OK, so sometimes I seem to channel something or someone.” She made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. “What? He’s the KING OF HELL.” She gestured at Crowley like he won this round of weirdo Olympics.

John’s eyes landed on Crowley with a raised eyebrow. “Want to weigh in, Father Dearest?”

Crowley snorted. “Hark who’s talking.” He sighed and sat back in his chair. “I don’t know, Winchester, how would I?” He studied his daughter’s face. “How long has this been happening? The ‘channeling’?”

Lilana settled into the sofa. “Forever?” A shrug. “Mom mentioned it when I was sixteen like it was a family joke.” Her eyes met Crowley’s. “You know the type, ‘remember the time Li-Li talked in that weird voice and freaked out her nanny so bad she wet herself’, the nanny not me.” She rolled her eyes. “My life has been FILLED with weird. The pool guy who hit me with the net, nearly drowning me in our old house. He didn’t realize he’d touched me, he swore, but before he did it Lolly wouldn’t let him in the gate, and afterward she snuggled him. Weird.”

John and Crowley’s gaze met for a split second. “What else?” Dean, from behind her. She tilted her head and grinned.

“Forgot you were hovering there, why don’t you grab a seat. You too, Sam?” Once everyone was settled in, she continued. “More freaky weird? There was my friend Annie’s mom. She kept badgering Mom and Dad to let me have a sleepover, but when they gave in and I insisted Lolly come along, she backed out.” She bit her lip. “The guys who wanted more, but when they arrived at the house, took one look at Lolly growling and drooling and darted away.” She felt John shift with irritation. “Not all of them, clearly. I don’t know, up until the other night, it was just weird stuff over and over, interspersed with me spouting off cryptic shit in a voice sort of mine, but not.” Her eyes squinted. “And the light. Mom swore that sometimes it looked like my eyes glowed.” She rolled her eyes.

“It’s true, Lilana,” John’s voice was quiet and she turned to look at him. “They glow.” What?

“Lilana,” Crowley’s voice drew her attention back to him. “I’m not sure you understood everything they told you-”

“Half angel, half demon?” She snorted, who would understand that? “I don’t.”

“Your mother, Abigail, was-” He closed his eyes. “She and I weren’t supposed to-” Not enough strength, not by a mile. “What we had was forbidden.” His eyes opened to her watching him. “Our love, you, it was beyond forbidden. She-”

“Evaporated.” Lilana’s voice was hushed, but sure. “She ceased to exist. All because of me.” The pain he heard was real and it was echoed inside of him. “Maybe I shouldn’t-”

Four voices shot that idea down. “Darling, no.” Crowley took up the argument easily. “You mother, she was a great deal like you, she said things, knew things, that she shouldn’t. You were meant to be.” He sounded as certain as she had. “It hurt to lose her, I won’t deny that, it’s a loss I feel to this second.” Li-Li’s eyes were shining with tears. “But YOU? You are supposed to exist. You make her loss at least mean something.” His eyes flicked to John’s hand in hers. He growled. “Could you stop mauling my daughter right in front of me, Winchester?”

Li-Li’s eyes glanced down at their linked fingers. “Mauling? We’re holding hands-” she searched for something to call him. Damn it. “What do I call you?”

Crowley came up short at the question. Call him? Father? No, too formal. Dad? No, too casual. Daddy? No, too cringe inducing. He shot Winchester a look. Please, all that is unholy, do not let her be calling Papa Winchester ‘daddy’. “I’m not sure, Lilana.” They sat and studied one another. “What would you like to call me?”

Another moment of silence. Father? Ugh, that would sound like he was her priest, which would be hilarious, but weird. Dad? Nope, she had one, he was dead. Daddy? Eww, there was an amount of ew that couldn’t be un-thought, and that word brought them all to the surface. Papa? She shot a look at John. Yeah, no, not after he’d called John that multiple times. “Can we play it by ear?”

A nod. Great. “Back to the issue at hand-” he shot their linked hands another sharp look. “Mauling.” Lilana rolled her eyes.

“Mauling?” She held up their hands for a better look. “This is mauling?” John could hear the playful bent in her voice and shut his eyes against the thought of what may be coming. “Damn, guess we should be happy he didn’t come straight into my bedroom earlier, right, honey?” She blinked at John, his eyes opened and he had to fight a laugh. “I mean, not to brag, but that was MAULING.” She dragged the word out and felt the sofa on her other side shake. Turning she saw Dean turning almost blue from holding in some type of emotion. “You OK, Dean?”

That did it. Dean let out the breath he’d been holding, a combination of deflated squeak toy and horror left him and Sam was laughing from his own chair with abandon. Crowley and John were staring at one another and Lilana could almost feel the heat.

“Oh stop it.” It was directed at Crowley, because of course, he rolled his eyes. “You don’t get to throw your parental weight around here, mister.” She stood up, releasing John’s hand reluctantly. “I don’t KNOW you, and whose fault is that?” He opened his mouth, but she kept going. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, my protection and forbidden love, bullshit. YOU’RE King of Hell, right? Well, toss your weight around and do supervised visits or something.” She threw her hands up in the air and headed for the kitchen. “Now, since I just experienced MIND BLOWING marathon sex with the sexual wizard that is John Winchester, I’m starving. Anyone want dinner?”

[magicalicefairy]

You might like it (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x Reader

Warnings: fluff, super fluff

Word Count: 3.2k (sorry, not sorry)

You entered the General Store in Valentine and looked around. The store was packed with food and other useful things. You walked along a shelf and discovered canned vegetables, salmon and sweets. Neatly prepared and clean.

"Miss?" You heard a voice behind you.

You looked a firmer man in the face. You came closer to the counter and put your hands on it .

"Um, hello, I'm looking for some perfume, lavender perfume, to be exact, do you have something like that in your Store?" You asked and looked at him hopefully.

"Perfume?" he laughed. "No, no, not really Miss. We don't have such things here.

"Oh, thanks anyway." You nodded and left the store

"But if you need supplies, you're welcome any time" he said before you closed the Store door behind you.

You were not surprised that you couldn't find a decent perfume in Valentine, but still you were a little disappointed. The sun blinds you and you pulled your hat further into your forehead.

"And found what you were looking for?" Arthur asked.

I really wanted a lavender perfume, but he doesn't have things like that in his assortment." You tried to imitate the shopkeeper.

Arthur laughed, put his hands to one side and shook his head.

"What?" you asked him.

"Lavender perfume seriously? What are you? One of those fancy ladies of Saint Denis?" he said, still laughing.

He was right, you were not a fancy lady of Saint Denis. You were an Outlaw. You didn't like skirts or even dresses. You usually wore jeans and a shirt, a scarf or collar. You looked like you wanted to rob the next stagecoach. But you still had the right to smell good.

"Yeah, you're right." you admitted, but quite disappointing.

Arthur looked at you. "Come on, you don't smell that bad"

"Thank you Arthur, how nice." Now you were the one who laughed.

"Come on, Miss, her noble steed is waiting for you" he said with a slight bow and led you back to your horse. Together you rode back to the camp.

  "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Arthur asked as he fumbled the lower street with his binoculars. "The stagecoach should be right here!"

What?, yes, I just wanted to pick some flowers, these ones, they're called "busy lizzy" and they are just beautiful, they only grow in the summer." you couldn't take your eyes off the flowers. The pink just looked beautiful."

What do you want with Flowers in a robbery of a stagecoach?" he asked, looking at you. "Stick the flowers in the nose of the driver so that he smothers?

"Oh my god Arthur, no, we'll kill him, of course, well if we have to." you said as he stared at you with a raised eyebrow.

You could hear clatter of hooves in the distance. The carriage was on the way.

"Come on hurry and cover your face!" Arthur already pulled the bandana over his nose. In a hurry you picked some flowers and put them in the saddlebag of your horse. With a jump you sat on the back of your black Arabian and your face was covered.

"Ready?" Arthur asked

You nodded and spurred your horse. "Let's go boy!"

You could feel the wind in your hair and your eyes were fixed on the carriage in front of you. Arthur led his Mustang stallion past the coach and pulled his revolver."Hands up, Gentleman that's a robbery!" he yelled at the carriage driver. His passenger was just about to draw his own weapon when you held your gun in his back.

"Not so fast my friend," you said.

The man raised both hands in the air. You stretched out and reached for his revolver.

"Thank you, sir," you said while looking at your newly acquired weapon.

"Open the coach! Now!" Arhur prepared his weapon ready for firing.

The man was almost crying and shaking all over. "I can't Sir, we have no key for it Sir."

"Dammit" escaped your mouth. If we don't hurry up, The law will show up here!"

Arthur didn't take his eyes off the two men."

Looks like we have to blow it up." He took out some dynamite and threw it to you.

"What's with them?" you said pointing with your gun at the two men."

Oh please, Sir, Miss, don't kill us, we have family to look after." said the man that still had your gun in his back.

"Agh damn, I'll tell you one now, you're getting off, get lost and not telling anyone what happened here! Understood?" Arthur let dismounted the coachman and his companion the coach

"Thank you Sir, Miss," both thanked you.

"Go on and get lost i said!" Arthur barked, aiming his weapon at both men.

"S-Sure" the coachman said and both ran up the hill and disappeared.

"I just hope they both shut their mouth Arthur, otherwise it will look quite different here in a few minutes." You said to him while you got off your horse.

You started to liberate the horses from their bridles and gave both of them a clap. Both horses rushed away and had disappeared like the two men before.

"Okay, let's get it done" you said to Arthur.

He nodded. "It's going to be pretty loud, i guess someone will notice it." You ignite the fuse and threw the stick of dynamite in the direction of the carriage. You both took a big step backwards and not 5 seconds later there was a deafening bang.

"Oh, shit" you screamed "Arthur! It worked!" You enthusiastically lifted your fist in the air.

"Come on" and you were already on the way to the cracked carriage door. Arthur climbed into the carriage and you handed him a bag to transpot your loot.

"Oh we have the checkpot!" you heared Arthur calling from the coach?

"Seriously?" You tried to catch a glimpse into the coach.

"Yes, yes, jewelry and money!" Arthur could barely hide his pleasure."

Then go faster and pack everything in the bag!" you pushed Arthur and your eyes were on the street, looking for the law .And then you heard it. Hooves pounding on the floor.

"Hurry up, someone's coming," you said to Arthur, pulling on his sleeve. And you could barely remember the next moment. Law men came around the corner on horses. At least eight men with drawn weapons.

"Shit, shit Arthur the law! Come out there and let's leave" you shout

Arthur packed the remaining things and jumped out of the carriage. You whistled for your horse and pulled your revolver, ready for shooting.

"Come here, behind the fallen log!" Arthur grabbed you by the hand and pulled you to cover. The men came riding in a high speed now. You hear a shot hiss through the air and the first rider fell dead from his horse. Arthur had just opened fire without saying anything. You were so shocked that you were paralyzed.

"What are you waiting for?" Arthur screamed. "I could use some help here!"

You shaked your head and pulled your weapon out of the holster. The law tried to encircle you, but Arthur shot the next man off his horse. Another man came riding up to you and not two seconds later you aimed at his head and he fell dead from his horse. Suddenly your Arabian and Arthur's Mustang ran down the hill.

"Go on, get on your horse!" ordered Arthur and you ran to your horses. With a good swing, you sat in the saddle and gave your horse a spur.

"Follow me!" Arthur rode along the path and into a forest. You followed him and tried to avoid the further shots of the law.

"Arthur, they are still behind us!" you shout through the wind. Suddenly you heard a shot and the next moment you felt like the saddle lost it's position and you slip off the horse. One of the law men had made a bad shot to your luck and shot your saddle. You and your horse were unhurt, but your horse ran away scared.

"Shit!" you heared Arthur and watched him turn his horse.

Despite everything, you had ache and gasped for breath when you hit the ground with your saddle.

"The woman is on the ground! Quick!" One of the men was close to you. Damn close. Your vision was blurry and you couln't see that much. You could feel someone over you and realize that it was not Arthur.

"Fuck off!" you mumbled. The man was aiming for you and the next moment the man was knocked out. Arthur had thrown himself on him and shot him a bullet in the head. Arthur had no mercy on the rest of the law. When he was done, he ran to you.

"Everything OK?" he asked as he helped you on your feet.

"Yes, yes, i'm okay, it was just the impact, but otherwise I'm fine." you said to him.

Your gaze wandered to your saddle. The belt was broken and you couldn't use the saddle anymore.

"Great" you mumbled.

Arthur watched your gaze and looked up at the saddle.

"You're lucky that the man was an idiot and didn't hit you or your horse.

"Yes, you're right, but where is he anyway?" your eyes wandered around looking for your stallion. You whistled for him and heard a neighing nearby. Slowly he got dragged.

"I think Charles can fix that" Arthur said distractedly.

Your eyes looked sadly at your saddle when you suddenly saw the saddlebag.

"Oh no, my flowers!" you said and reached for the bag. Too late, the flowers were crushed and the leaves fell off. You flew onto your bag during the impact.

"What a pity!" you said.

Arthur looked at you incredulously and said "Seriously?" He touched his forehead with one hand. "You are worried about the flowers"

You sat by a campfire in the camp. You just took a bowl of Pearson's stew when Jack sat down next to you.

"Hey Auntie, how are you?" Jack asked and sat next to you.

"Hello Jack, I'm fine and you?" you asked him. He was really pure sugar."

All right, I just heard Pa talking to Uncle Arthur, they said you fell off the horse, I just wanted to know if you're okay!" Jack said.

"Aww how nice of you! Thanks Jack" and you stroked his head. Jack looked satisfied with himself.

"Eww, i can't eat that" you said to yourself. Your gaze wandered to Jack. "Ehm, I said I have no appetite anymore."

I know what you mean" he said with a laugh. "I would rather have sweets.

"Oh yes, chocolate wouldn't be bad right now" you looked dreamily in the air.

"Oh yes, chocolate! I haven't had one in a long time!"Jack said with a sweet smile on his face.

"Do you have any auntie?" He asked with big eyes. You shook your head depressed. "Unfortunately not Jack, I'm sorry!"

Jack lowered his head. "Well, eventually there will be chocolate again!He smiled at you and you smile back. "Well, Jack, I have to ask Charles if he fixes my saddle, see you soon! You gave him a kiss on his head and went to Charles tent.

  You sat in front of your tent and were reading a book. The sun was already setting and it started the cozy time in the camp. Charles had promised to repair your saddle and Kieran would take care of your horse, even if your stallion had no injury, he had offered it. He's especially nice to you and also pretty shy when talking to you.

You were just so engrossed in your book when you heard a throat clearing. Your gaze wandered over the book and you saw Kieran, who stood quite nervously in front of your tent. "Kieran?" You ask, looking puzzled.

"Hey" he said and scratched his head nervously.

"I hope I don't disturb you"

"No! No way!" You said and put your book aside. "What's up?"

Kieran looked extremely nervous and he also seemed to hide something behind his back.

"Well, when I heard about the riding accident, I was worried and I know you are fine and thank God, nothing has happened to you!" All this bubbled out of him at a tremendous speed that you could hardly understand.

"Yes, Kieran, I'm fine! I- "you just wanted to say when he interrupted you.

"Here! For you! "He held out a bouquet of Flowers under the nose. Surprised, you looked to the bouquet and then to Kieran. Totally perplexed you didn't know what to say. Kieran seemed desperate with  every second. He thought you didn't like them.

"You don't like them!" He said sadly and a little embarrassed. "I'm an idiot!"

"No" you said. You took the flowers. "They are beautiful! Thank you Kieran" you gave him a smile and he blushed bright red.

"I was just astonished! How did you know?"

"Arthur thought you might like it," he said. "You were with him in the robbery.

"Oh Arthur?" You mumbled.

"Yeah, but good that you like it" He turned to go.

"Well, I'll let you read again in peace, nice that I could make you smile."

"Thank you Kieran!" And you saw him going to the horses.

You looked at the flowers, they were just beautiful. That was really nice of Kieran and Arthur, that he had noticed that. You were looking for a container in which you could put the bouquet and you decided for a simple clay jug. "Perfect! Now they just need water. "You said to yourself and set out to get water. The sun had already set and the campfires seemed to dance in the night. Pearson was already preparing for the stew.

"Mr. Pearson?" Your look went under the table, he was just picking vegetables from a box.

"Miss? you heared from under the table

"I need some water for these flowers" you said.

"Behind the wagon" he grumbled, you thanked him and walked behind Pearson's wagon, where a barrel was already full of water. The jug was filled quickly and you made your way to your tent.

"Hey querido" you heared behind you, you turned around and saw Javier walking towards you, with the usual grin on his face.

"Hello Javier"

He stopped in front of you and took your hand to put a kiss on it. Typical for Javier. He was a ladies man. He knew how to treat a woman.

"I have something for you hermosa" he said, handing you a small package.

"Oh thanks Javier! What is that?" You asked.

"Open it" Javier said with a grin on his face. You set the jug aside and began to open the brown paper. A small box appeared and you opened it carefully. A perfume came to light.

"Oh Javier! You didn't- "

"Ah ah ah no, do not say anything! Try it! " He interrupted.

You pressed the pump and sprayed out a pleasant lavender scent. You could not believe what was happening here.

"Where did you get it from?" you didn't know what to say.

"Oh, Arthur said you might like it and I thought why you should not have it!"

"Oh Javier!" You could not believe it. "Thank you!" You gave him a hug.

"No problem, everything for the beautiful lady" and he bowed. "Come sit by the campfire and I'll play a song!" He said.

"Later, Javier, I would like to bring that into my tent and take care of the flowers," you told him.

"As the lady wishes. You know where to find me! "He winked at you and walked over to the campfire where Sean and Charles were already sitting. You put the jug with the bouquet and the perfume next to your bed. The thought that Arthur was behind all this didn't let you go. He was paying attention. Was he just an attentive person or was there more behind it? You could not say it, because he was not the one who brought the flowers or the perfume. Lost in thought, you did not realize how Jack appeared next to you. Startled, a small shriek escaped you.

"Oh god Jack!" You placed a hand on your chest."

Oh I'm sorry Auntie!" He said excitedly. "I just wanted to give you that!" He handed you a bar of chocolate.

"Jack, where did you get them from?" You asked him.

"Uncle Arthur gave it to me, I'm supposed to share it with you." He said pointing to Arthur, who had meanwhile joined Javier, Sean and Charles.

"What?" Completely perplexed, you let yourself fall on your bed. Jack sat down next to you. He took the chocolate out of your hand and started sharing it. You didn't know what was going on, but now it was obvious there was more. Arthur apparently liked you and you wanted to know what's up.

"One moment Jack, wait here!" You said and stood up.

"But Auntie! The chocolate! "He shouted.

"Eat Jack!" You shouted over your shoulder and you were just walking away towards Arthur.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" You asked Arthur. Everyone was staring at you. Javier was pleased to see you. "Heeey querido, come sit down." Arthur looked at you and nodded. He followed you away from the campfire, just outside the camp.

"How is your back?" Asked Arthur.

"Alright, thanks" you said. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes?" He seemed a little nervous"

Kieran gave me flowers today," you said.

"Oh, how nice of him" you heard him say. He looked weirdly wooden.

"Exactly the flowers that I picked shortly before our robbery" you were looking for answers in his face. "And Javier gave me a lavender perfume that I mentioned only to you."

"Oh," he said again. "That's very attentive of you, Arthur," you whispered "That was Javier and Kieran, not me." He said.

He looked nervously in the air.

"But you were attentive and you knew it." You smile at him.

"Why didn't you give it to me?"

"I- I would not have dared ... I don't know how. I don't know what you think about me. I'm much older than you- "he said quickly

"Arthur," you interrupted him. "What are you talking about? Listen to yourself."

You took a step closer. "I don't like my voice that much" he said sarcastically. A soft laugh escaped you.

"Thanks, for your attention," you said and you kissed him on the cheek.

Arthur blushed under his hat.

"Next time come to me," you ordered him sternly.

"Promised, my lady" he bowed slightly and you had to laugh.

You looked into his eyes and you feel like you came closer, how your lips came closer.

"Uncle Arthur! Auntie! "Jack screamed and you jumped apart abruptly."

Jack everything alright?" You asked.

"Yes" he nodded. "But I ate the whole bar of chocolate"

Arthur and you looked at each other and you both laughed out loud.

"Come on, let's get you back to your mother." Arthur pushed Jack toward the camp.

On the way back, you took his hand and he smiled at you.

[ghosttoasts]

The Accident

This is inspired by @linkeduniverse as well as the Linked Universe Modern Au that was created in the Discord

Link couldn’t help but laugh aloud when Misam jumped onto his back, demanding that he give her a piggyback ride back to the car.

“C’mon, Link! I’m the birthday girl and you promised you’d give me piggybacks!” She reasoned as she swings her legs back and forth.

Misam didn’t seem to care that her light blue dress could be riding up or getting wrinkled. She wasn’t usually one to get all dolled up. She preferred to play in the mud like her brother but their mother had convinced her that she should look a little nicer when they went for dinner.

If Misam was honest, even if she didn’t like dressing up, she loved it when she got her hair done. She was especially excited when Link offered to do her hair. The end result was amazing. Her brother had done a beautiful crown braid with her golden hair and had even braided in a few leather flowers into her hair.

Angus chuckles softly as he wraps an arm around his wife’s waist, kissing her head before going back to watching their children.

“We did good, didn’t we?” He hums as he unlocks the car so that Link could immediately help his sister inside.

Eileen nods as she squeezes Angus’ arm. “Yeah, I think we did pretty good with those two.” She glances up at him and grins a little. “And maybe, we can do it again with a third.”

Angus was about to agree when he froze. His eyes widened as he gazes down at her in shock before his face splits into a grin and he hugs her tightly, pressing kisses all over her face. Eileen laughs at the loving attack and hugs him back.

Link hums to himself as he helps Misam into the car. He buckled her up and kisses her head before pulling away and closing the car door. He looks back at his parents and pretends to gag at the display.

“Eww, stop kissing in the middle of the street. We gotta get home for cake!” He whines as he scrunches up his nose in faux disgust.

Angus rolls his eyes at the boy. “Oh quiet you. You’ll understand someday.”

“Suuuuuure.” Link replied, sticking out his tongue towards his guardians jokingly.

Eileen laughs as she shakes her head fondly. “Get in the car, hun. We’ll be home for cake as soon as possible.” She kisses her husband's cheek before making her way to Link. She kisses his head before ruffling his hair. “Now get.”

Link chuckles as he walks around the car, fixing his shoulder-length hair before getting into the car.

Angus gets in and starts the car, buckling up as the engine started. He looked around and once it was clear be drove onto the road and began to drive home.

Link smiled to himself as he watched the scenery go by. They didn’t live in the city. They lived about an hour or two away in a smaller town. He prefers it really. As rambunctious as he can get, he wasn’t one for large crowds. He preferred spending time with his family or close friends.

He looks to the right at his sister and chuckles as she sees her drawing on the window fog. He did the same thing when he was young, for the sole reason that it bothered his parents. He relaxes in his seat once more, closing his eyes and sighing. Life couldn’t get any better.

When he opened his eyes, the sound of the right signal going filled his ears. He grins and leans forward, about to ask if they were there yet when he saw it. The bright headlights heading right for them. It seems like time slowed down as he watched the vehicle approached.

It was going too fast. Too fast. He opened his mouth to say something when suddenly his body jerked roughly and his head slammed into the window with a deafening crack, but he couldn’t tell if it was the window or his head. Glass shards flew through the car, cutting any skin the shards came in contact with.

He made a weak sound as his ears rang and black spots grew and spread across his vision. He thought he saw the glow of flames in his peripheral before it all went dark.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

A sharp yet steady beeping was the first thing he could register as he slowly began to resurface from the darkness. What was that sound? Why couldn’t he see anything?

After what felt like an hour, but was most likely not even a few minutes, he slowly opened his eyes only to snap them shut when he was met with a blinding light. He kept his eyes closed for a few moments once more before slowly opening them and blinking rapidly.

A few minutes later his vision cleared and he took in the scene around him. Where..where was he? He looked down at himself only to see that majority of his body, from what he could see, was covered in bandages. Why was he covered in bandages?

He looks up when he hears footsteps approach and sees a man in a white coat, staring at him with shock and disbelief in his eyes.

Link looks around again before looking at the man once more. “What happened?” Though when he spoke, his voice was broken and hoarse; it also hurt his throat.

The doctor swallows. “You..you were in an accident..I’m sorry. You were the only one to survive. Your family died on scene.” He says softly.

Link blinks and was silently before speaking once more. “who was my family?”

The doctor feels his heart sink for the boy. They were reluctantly expecting this. The boy had a severe head injury which needed multiple surgeries to stabilize. The fact that the kid could speak was surprising.

“Your parents. They died on scene.” He knew it was wrong not to tell Link about his sister but they can’t have him going into shock the moment he wakes up.

Link nods and looks up again. He didn’t really feel..upset. Well, of course, he was upset but he didn’t even know who his parents were. How could he mourn people when he didn’t even know their names?

This is my first fanfic so it’s not the best but I like it— kinda

[thosemarriedmediums]

TAH Transcript: #25 Beyond Belief-Rosemary’s Baby Shower

No copyright infringement intended. Special thanks to the folks on the Thrilling Adventure Hour wiki! 

[Can be purchased on the thrilling adventure hour patreon]   The previous episode is She Blinded Me With Seance (TAH #20).

The next episode is Love Love Me Doom (TAH #32).   Read under the cut: 

And now, coming to you from Hollywood Los Angeles California America it’s the nation’s favorite new time podcast in the style of old-time radio: the Thrilling Adventure Hour. 

Recorded live at Largo at the Coronet in Hollywood California America; tonight’s episode Beyond Belief Rosemary’s Baby Shower. Starring Paget Brewster as that married medium Sadie Doyle. Featuring Janet Varney as Donna Henderson, Mark Gagliardi as Carlysle Ravencastle, Craig Cackowski as his Renfield and Chris Hardwick as Count Desmond Cross. Narration by Hal Lublin. Music by Andy Paley & the Andy Paley Orchestra.  

 SPOOKY INTRO MUSIC 

Spooky Hal: And now it’s time to send the little ones to dreamland and set your radio’s dial to spooky. Bolt the doors, lock your windows, and steel yourself for mysterious suspense in this evening’s final feature: Beyond Belief.  

Meet Frank and Sadie Doyle; the toast of the upper crust, headliners on the society pages and, oh yes, they see ghosts!    

Frank: Who cares what evil lurks in the hearts of men? 

Sadie: Unless evil’s carrying the martini tray darling. 

 CLINK FX 

 Spooky Hal: Join Sadie Doyle as she walks beyond belief in tonight’s dark episode: Rosemary’s Baby...Shower. Our story begins in the very heart of darkness: Detroit, Michigan. 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: Attend me minion! 

Renfield: Yes Master. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: As I woke upon the dusk and took to the pidge mine eyes beheld and my ears beheard portance.  

Renfield: Portance, master? 

Carlysle Ravencastle: An owl backwards flew. The crickets, nocturn’s metronome, performed in hosanna in the russet moonlight. If mine understanding of these omens is true then the end draws neigh.  

Renfield: How master? 

Carlysle Ravencastle: A child is born of unholy union. I must away eastward to enact my part in that which follows for I am Carlysle Ravencastle Dark Husband to the Midnight.  

Spooky Hall: Meanwhile at an upper westside brownstone, a baby shower is soon to begin. 

 SFX DOORBELL 

 Sadie: Donna dear, Sadie’s here. 

Donna: [out of breath] Sadie! You’re early! 

Sadie: [oof] Well there was less traffic then anticipated darling, apparently the weather’s put people off the roads. 

Donna: What weather? 

Sadie: Well it’s raining frogs darling. Well more of a drizzle really. 

Donna: Ha well, my point is you’re early! 

Sadie: Oh Donna darling I’ve forgotten. You can’t open the door at all what with you a vampire and the sun’s still out.  

Donna: Mhm. It’s unlocked Sadie. 

Sadie: Then I shall let myself in. Stand back all vampires. 

 SFX DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING 

 Sadie: Olly-olly-oxenfree! The door is closed the nasty ole sun won’t roll around you here no more. Let’s take a look at you. 

Donna: Oh ta-dah!  

Sadie: Oh Donna darling look at how pregnant you are! You’re absolutely glowing! 

Donna: [scoff] Yeah, glowing as a house! Let me show you to the bar.  

Sadie: Mother of the year. Tell me Donna does the baby take after you or its father?  

Donna: Oh it’s a girl. 

Sadie: Oh that’s wonderful! 

Donna: I’ll say! 

Sadie: But not what I meant. Is baby girl Henderson a werewolf like her father or a vampire like her mother? 

Donna: Well she’s definitely got some werewolf in her. 

Sadie: Wha- how can you tell? 

Donna: Well during a full moon she kicks like a karate guy but she’s got some vampire in her too. 

Sadie: So you’re drinking blood for two? 

Donna: She’s a b-negative girl, just like her mommy.  

Sadie: [pleasantly surprised] Well I’m b-negative! 

Donna: [laughs] I know! And I’m dying for a drink. 

Sadie: [chuckle] It’s the same for me darling, let me pour two martinis. 

 SFX DRINK POUR 

 Donna: Oh, no martini for me Sadie. Vampire for one and uh, “glowing” for two. 

Sadie: Oh did you think I was pouring one for you Donna? No, [laughs] that’s adorable. No, I just like to clink before I drink!  

 SFX DRINKS CLINK 

 Sadie: Ooh! 

 SFX DOORBELL RING 

 Sadie: That must be the girls. 

Donna: N-no I don’t think so, the sun hasn’t gone down. I don’t think you ought to answer that door Sadie.  

Sadie: Tosh darling stay back. 

 SFX DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE 

SPOOKY BACKGROUND PIANO 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: And who art thou, Liquor stinker of-er? 

 PIANO STOPS 

 Sadie: [groan of disgust]  

Sadie: Donna was right, you are not the girls. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Far from it. 

Sadie: Not so very far but sounds (?). 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You would mock my voice? 

Sadie: ...And your parasol.  

Renfield: I shall see to your parasol master.  

Sadie: Master, eh? Sadie. Waggles. Eyebrows. What’s your story, pale, bald, and pointy? 

Donna: Psst. That guy’s a Nosferatu Sadie. 

Sadie: Nosferatu? Wha-is that what it sounds like? 

Donna: What does it sound like? 

Sadie: A leftover scrabble rack played as a bluff.  

Donna: What is that? 

Sadie: [slowly] Nosferatu - would be a, a double word score… that’s 24 points! [chuckles] 

Donna: Yeah a Nosferatu is a-sort of a vampire. 

Sadie: Oh, the sort that carries a frilly parasol?  

Renfield: [clears throat] The master’s parasol protects him the dread sun and it is the least frilly in his collection. 

Donna: [chuckles] Typical Nosferatu. 

 SPOOKY BACKGROUND PIANO 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: I am no mere Nosferatu, I am Carlysle Ravencastle Dark Husband to the Midnight. I alone sired Dos Vampere Nosferatus of the Great Lakes region. Our teeth are the sharpest, our skin is the palest, our eyes are the blackest! The night is my domain!  

 PIANO STOPS 

 Sadie: Well, I’m Sadie Doyle; girl husband to Frank Doyle. My nose is the cutest, my glass is the emptiest, my buzz is the fading-ist, the bar is my domain. 

 SPOOKY BACKGROUND PIANO 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: Mere human! Turn not from Carlysle Ravencastle Dark Husband to the Midnight, rather,  

  THRALL SOUND 

 Carlysle Ravencastle:  KNEEL BEFORE ME IN THRALL! 

 PIANO STOPS 

 Sadie: Did you-did you think of all of your name by yourself? There’s so much of it. 

Donna: Hmm? Oh! Sadie all Nosfuratus have those kinds of names. There’s one in my coven’s book club goes by Maryella Unpleasant Princess of the Maelstrom. Heh. She could stop a clock, the face on that one.    

Carlysle Ravencastle: How is it that you resist my thrall? 

Sadie: Oh. Who me? Oh, I don’t thrall darling, not in this outfit. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You are powerless to resist! 

Renfield: Yes, powerless! 

Sadie: And what’s your name darling? Guy who’s its dark husband of the poor manners did not introduce you. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Do not address my Renfield. 

Renfield: Do not address his me! 

Sadie: Well I’m charmed Mr. Renfield.  

Donna: No no his name isn’t Renfield Sadie. Renfield is, maybe industry slang for the human agent of a vampire. 

Sadie: Oh. 

Donna: Mhm. 

Sadie: Do you have a Renfield Donna?  

Donna: [scoffs] Nah they’re kinda a status thing. I-I ain’t that kind of showy. 

Sadie: Hm. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Enough! Where is the child? 

Sadie: What child?  

 SPOOKY BACKGROUND PIANO 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: Born of union unholy, bespoke of in auguries and foretokens, the harbinger of what is to come. 

 PIANO STOPS 

 Donna: I mean, auguries and foretokens, who is this guy?  

Sadie: I-do even you understand the words coming from your gnarled little mouth? 

Renfield: Master, master look! Look to her belly. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: [gasp] Wait, are you pregnant?  

 Are you!? 

Donna: As a house. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Is yours a union unholy?  

Renfield: Is it?! 

Donna: [offended gasp] Now if you’re asking what I think you are it’s none of your business pal! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Could it be that the harbinger is as yet born? Were the auspices untrue!? 

Renfield: Were they!? 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Did I misapprehend them? Crickets hosanna. Moon russet. Owl backwards... 

Sadie: Owl backwards. [sarcastic] Wow! Wow wow.  

 SPOOKY BACKGROUND PIANO 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: NO MATTER! As I shall from your womb steal my prize. 

Donna: [gasp] 

 SFX DOOR OPENING 

PIANO STOPS 

 Count Desmond: Hold, Carlysle Ravenclaw! 

Donna: Door! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: [screams] 

Donna: [yelling] Sun! Sun! Sun!   

DOOR CLOSE SFX 

 Count Desmond: Sorry! Sorry sorry sorry. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: And it’s Ravencastle-  

  [overlapping] 

Renfield: Ravencastle!  

Carlysle Ravencastle: Ravenclaw is a Hogwarts house. 

 Count Desmond: Shut up you Hufflepuff! 

Sadie: Who- Who is-Who is this now with his own very pretty little black parasol? 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Count Desmond Cross! 

Sadie: Well if you know so much what is he doing here? 

Count Desmond: Did you think you would return to my city and with impunity threaten a member of my coven? 

Sadie: Me? 

Count Desmond: No, not-not you. Him! You! Be silent! 

 THRALL NOISE 

 Sadie: I-I be tipsy. Clink!  

    SFX CLINK 

 Donna: Sadie this is Count Desmond Cross, the, the head of my local. 

Count Desmond: Say is that a Renfield?  

Carlysle Ravencastle: Gaze upon my minion Count Desmond Cross and feel your blush of envy! 

Count Desmond: Wow a Renfield! I was thinking of getting one but the [quietly] payments. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You simply must. 

Count Desmond: I know, it’s so expensive now. The interest alone! 

Sadie: [clears throat] 

Donna: [laughs] 

Count Desmond: Adorable! Adorable! 

Donna: So [clears throat] uh what are you doing at my baby shower Count Cross?  

Count Desmond: There are omens about, portance; a crow roared like a lion! In the park, rosebushes bloomed with tulips. 

Sadie: Oh oh! It drizzled frogs! Is that an omen? 

Count Desmond: Maybe. But traditionally that’s more of a plague. Could be some mummy business or an ogre wedding sometimes you know... 

Sadie: [laughs] 

Donna: Desmond this party was supposed to be you know -ladies only-. 

Count Desmond: Child my presence requires no invitation! What with your unborn being born in what’s called an unholy union.  

Carlysle Ravencastle: [gasp] I knew it! 

Renfield: He did. 

Count Desmond: Being that you have lain with a werewolf-  

Carlysle Ravencastle: Ewwwwwww. 

Renfield: Ugh. 

Count Desmond: I know.  

Renfield: That’s gross.  

Donna: I- 

Renfield: That’s totally gross. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: (?) 

Donna: I- 

Carlysle Ravencastle: How does he even?  

Sadie: Dave is the darling-ist werewolf.  

Donna: Oh stop.  

Sadie: Darling honestly, you’d lay with him given your druthers.  

Carlysle Ravencastle: I would not. 

Renfield: He totally would.  

Sadie: Darling, no. 

Count Desmond:  Now usually unholy union refers to when a prince of darkness takes a human bride but something like this happens and it’s 50/50 so you-you know, you wait on the omens which in this case are pointing to a harbinger. 

 SPOOKY PIANO MUSIC 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: And mine hands shall sculpt this ominate clay to a being of perfect destruction. I shall throw him on a potter’s wheel of innasty bastardry and fire him in a kiln of dismay! The resulting depravity vase will serve to hold the flowers that are this world and the waters that are chaos. Forever and a day! 

 PIANO STOPS 

 Count Desmond: Are you done now? This will not stand! Donna is of my coven. This baby is mine by the unholy right of dibs. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Do you think I have traveled low these many dales to arrive here to be cowed by you Desmond Cross?! 

Sadie: [giggles] Dales. 

Count Desmond: I-  

Sadie: [laughing] 

Count Desmond: I think that is just what you have done! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You! Will! Be! Cowed! 

Count Desmond: Oh no sir you shall be cowed! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: No  

Desmond and Carlysle at the same time: you will-  

[overlapping] 

Count Desmond: You ought to be cowed! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: you are stewing in my cow at the moment! 

Count Desmond: Who’s gonna be cowed? This guy! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You are so cowed! Cowed! 

Desmond Cross: Cowed! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You are rippling with cow! 

Sadie: Gentlemen- 

Desmond Cross: Cowed! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Cowed! 

 Sadie: gentlemen, please! This is a baby shower. It’s not a place for gentlemen nor fighting and especially it is no place for fighting gentlemen. Now the two of you go outside or Sadie Doyle shall roll up her sleevies. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: None command Carlysle Ravencastle Dark Husband to the Midnight. We shall duel for dominance over this child to be.  

Sadie: You and I. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: No! I shan’t fight a woman.  

Sadie: [chicken noises] 

Count Desmond: Shall we duel by proxy Carlysle Ravencastle? 

Carlysle Ravencastle: (?) Coward. 

Count Desmond: And with what pawns do you suggest we duel? Demons? Raves!? Don’t say c.h.u.d.s it sounds like a much better fight then it actually is.   

Carlysle Ravencastle: I invoke the right of Orna Thou. 

Donna: [gasp] 

Renfield & Donna: Oooo.  

Count Desmond: Really? [chuckles] Orna Thou? 

Sadie: Wha-wha-what did he do now? 

Donna: Usually when vampires duel by proxy they summon a demon but by vampire law if you invoke the right of Orna Thou before a duel it means they gotta use a proxy that’s right here in the room. 

Sadie: Vampire law...I would not watch that show.  

Carlysle Ravencastle: I shall duel via my Renfield. 

Renfield: Master?  

Carlysle Ravencastle: Silence! 

Renfield: Yes master.   

Count Desmond: Uh, I guess I’ll take the boozy sass-mouth. 

Donna: Me? 

Sadie: No. No. Choose again.   

Count Desmond: No? There is no no when there is THRALL!   

THRALL NOISE   

Sadie: Oh. Well then, I have an ever so good idea. 

Count Desmond: What is this now? 

Carlysle Ravencastle: She won’t thrall. I tried earlier and- 

Count Desmond: That is the darn-dest thing. 

Carlysle Ravencastle: I know quite! 

Count Desmond: Thrall must be rusty. 

Sadie: Donna, darling, dear.  On the topic of thrall and on the heels of my promise to roll up my sleevies-  

Donna: Mhm.  

Sadie: what do you think of the following? [whispers] 

Donna: Oh! Oh! And then and then [whispers] 

Sadie: Oh yes yes! But only if I [whispers] 

Donna: Okay! Okay! Let me see. Hey fogleroy! I got some thrall for you right here! 

 THRALL NOISE 

SPOOKY PIANO MUSIC 

 Carlysle Ravencastle & his Renfield: [giggling] 

Carlysle Ravencastle: You dare try to thrall Carylse Ravencastle Dark Husband to the Midnight!? I place you in thrall! 

Donna: [yells] You better not! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Ooo! You are strong.   

Donna: I am pregnant! And you come in here with a frilly parasol, a-a human accessory and way too much eye make-up trying to steal my baby? I will show you some thrall mister! 

 THRALL NOISE 

 Carlysle Ravencastle: I shall show you some thrall! 

Donna: Thrall! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Thrall! 

 [overlapping] 

Sadie: Donna! Thrall! 

Renfield: Go Master go! 

Sadie: Thrall! Thrall! 

Donna: [strained grunt] 

Renfield: Thrall her! Thrall her! 

Donna: [whimper] 

Renfield: You got this one Master! 

 Count Desmond: This is highly irregular, I mean this battle isn’t even proxy! Perhaps I should help her. I’ve got some thrall right here! 

Donna: And don’t you dare help me! 

Count Desmond: [monotone] Yes mistress.  

Sadie:  Oo! Donna you thralled the Count! Heh. 

Donna: Yeah, did I? 

Sadie: [monotone] Yes mistress. Oo oh Donna oh you thralled me.  

Donna: [surprised gasp] 

Sadie: And I was simply previously unthrallable! 

Donna: [excited laughter] It’s probably these hormones! I- did I-, did I thrall the guy I was trying to thrall in the first place? I- 

Carlysle Ravencastle: [monotone] Yes Mistress.  

Donna & Sadie: [sigh of relief] 

Donna: Good. Good. Now-now get your pasty husband of the midnight keister the heck outta my house! 

Carlysle Ravencastle: Yes Mistress. -Wait what am I doing!? I’ve never been enthralled nor shall I remain- 

Donna: [cuts him off] Less lip over there!    

THRALL NOISE   

Carlysle Ravencastle: [monotone] Yes mistress. I’ll just take my parasol and go.  

Donna: No no no no no. Leave the parasol buster!  

Carlysle Ravencastle: But it is the daytime... 

Donna: [chuckles] Yup! Enjoy it.  

Renfield: Masters, huh?  

  SPOOKY PIANO MUSIC 

DOOR OPEN AND CLOSE SFX 

EXPLOSION SFX 

Carlysle Ravencastle: [SCREAMS] 

 Sadie: A dramatic end to a dramatic fellow Mistress.  

Donna: Oh! Oh gosh, uh. Sadie, I remove you from my thrall. 

Count Desmond: And me? I wouldn’t mind not being in thrall if that would be cool with you. 

Donna: Eh. 

Count Desmond: Fair.  

Sadie: [sigh of relief] Oh good. Oh darling thank you. I think I’ll have a drink. Oh who am I kidding? I know I’ll have one. [laughs] 

Donna: You know I think I’ll join you.  

Sadie: Donna dear, glowing. 

Donna: Oh that wasn’t the kind of drink I meant. Come here Renfield. 

Renfield: Me? 

Donna: You as b-negative as you look?  

Renfield: Please don’t make me your drink.  

Sadie: Clink! 

 SFX BOTTLE SMASHING 

 Renfield: Oh please please don’t toast against my forehead. 

Sadie: Oh. Too late! [laughs] 

 SPOOKY PIANO MUSIC 

 Spooky Hal: A happy birthday after all for the arrant child as Donna Henderson proves a mother’s love conquers even the gravest foes. 

 WORKJUICE INSTRUMENTAL 

 Brian Stack: This has been the Thrilling Adventure Hour Podcast. If you like what you’ve heard please leave a comment on Itunes. The Thrilling Adventure Hour is written by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker and directed by Aaron Ginsberg. Special thanks to Joel Spence, Barre Duryea, Jesse Honig and me Brian Stack. For show dates, photos and more information visit ThrillingAdventureHour.com. From the oral tradition to the aural tradition, one of the many fine distinctions available from the Thrilling Adventure Hour.  

[aceandsparrow]

Survivor 36: Episode 10

[S] Seriously, the jury is just my two favorite players from this season. Weak. [A] Wait, Chris was one of your favorite players? Eww, no.

[A] After last week's tribal, all I care about is that Michael doesn't go home.

[S] Kellyn drawing lines in the sand every episode already, now Laurel is at a critical decision point every episode.

[S] Could I "play" this challenge by leaving Kellyn locked up, effectively eliminating her?

[A] Bets on who doesn't get picked? I bet Donathan. OMG I was right and now I feel a little bad.  Sidenote: I wish one of these days we got to see how the schoolyard pick plays out. I get that for time it has to be cut, but I'd love to see some of the social strategy, etc.

[S] Dom's strategy appears to be "not row." [A] Seriously, Dom is SHIT at challenges. Michael over there being a beast holding that boat to the platform and Dom's struggling in the water then grimacing when his teammates jump back into the boat near him.

[A] Both teams falling for the decoy pieces. Nice.

[S] Wait...Donathon was eliminated from food and Ghost Island. Shitty.

[S] Stop with the fucking rocks...  [A] Enough with the goddamn rocks.

[A] Kellyn: "Things keep going my way." Me: "Well now you HAVE to go home." [S] Nothing is as big as Kellyn's head...

[S] *gif of Nelson from the Simpsons going "haha" at Angela losing her vote*

[A] You know what would have been a better Ghost Island concept? Going to Ghost Island and actually running into ghosts from the game, i.e. former players.

[S] Dom just called Naviti "the family." What is this, the Fast and the Furious?

[A] Kellyn, keep believing that none of this is possible. That'll work great for you. [S] I love that Kellyn is so trusting that she thinks it CANT be that Desiree wants to flip. That sort of blind loyalty means Kellyn won't win.

[A] If Michael just helped Donathan get an idol and Donathan still votes his ass out...well he sure would be keeping with the tradition of that idol's history.

[S] Kinda interesting that Angela couldn't turn over her own immunity necklace.

[A] For the love of god, don't let Kellyn win immunity.

[S] How are all of these people so bad at saving their ball once it starts rolling?

[A] Well that was quite a tantrum from Kellyn. [S] Aww....did poor Kellyn not win the challenge? Boo hoo.

[A] I'm waiting for Wendell to find out Donathan has an idol and be all offended that they weren't honest with him from the start.

[A] Kellyn wants Michael out and then will 100% turn this into a women's only game.

[A] Desiree is a bit crazy.

[S] "Kellyn would have been the best blindside ever." AGREED! [A] SECONDED!

[S] And no one knows Angela lost her vote.

[wolfie-dragon-rider]

Blind Spots Chapter 14: The Burglar Princess

Two horn blows echoed around the harbor, making the Terrors yelp and flutter. Hiccup knew the signal well, though he hadn't heard it in years.

Allied fleet approaching.

Hiccup, Stoick, and Astrid were waiting at the docks for the ships to arrive. The riders were without their dragons, however. Given the fact that this was the first diplomatic envoy to Berk in three years, they decided it was best if they introduced their new dragon-friendly society in small steps.

"I can see the first one. New ship design, I think. Same flag though," Stoick said from beside Hiccup. The heir nodded, not being able to see anything, but trusting his dad's word for it.

"So these are the infamous Bog-Burglars?" Their ships are fast, at least. Faster than ours," Astrid said from Hiccup's other side. He chuckled.

"Better get used to that. The Burglars are fast and sleek in every way," he said, remembering the old days when he helped one Burglar in particular play a lot of swift pranks.

"I don't think I've ever met a Bog-Burglar. How often did they visit?" Astrid asked.

"They used to visit every few months, if not more. But lass, you were always training in the forest when the Bogs visited. I think your father considered them a bad influence, actually," Stoick said.

"Oh, Cami was definitely a bad influence. Always pulling me away from your chiefing lessons to pick locks and spar with wooden swords. She always won," Hiccup laughed, and Astrid chuckled as well. "I guess that probably hasn't changed…" he said, trailing off when he remembered how much had changed since the Bogs were last on Berk. Five years had passed, in which he lost his eyes and a leg, but gained a dragon best friend and a girlfriend. How had she changed? Was she still the same old Camicazi who would drag him along to explore caves and ambush unsuspecting Vikings?

"From what Bertha's letters said, she hasn't changed a bit. You two were so close back then. Inseparable whenever she visited Berk. You know, you told me you were gonna marry her at one point," Stoick said, and Hiccup froze.

"Dad! I was like five! Gods!" he shouted, feeling terrified when he felt Astrid's hand tense in his. "It's not like that, I promise! I love you!" he desperately told her, not wanting her to feel jealous. To his surprise, she laughed instead.

"You... hahaha… why did you never tell me that? You were in love with a Bog-Burglar!" she shouted. Hiccup was sure his face was bright red by now.

"It wasn't like that…" he muttered.

"Oh, me and Bertha were counting on you two marrying, though. You two seemed like such a good match. Politically and personally. We were about to sign the betrothal contract, but then the war got worse, and… they couldn't visit anymore. Until now," Stoick said, and Hiccup felt like throwing up.

"What! But she's… she's like a sister to me! Eww! And… there's a contract? But what about Astrid?" he shouted, wondering if he was about to be shipped off to another island to marry.

"No, nothing came of it. You were too young, and when we communicated again, you were with Astrid, and it was clear no one would make you happier than she does," Stoick said, before leaning in. "Now, don't tell Cami I told you this, but Bertha wrote me that she reacted just like you when she was told about the marriage contract," he whispered, and Hiccup felt a little less mortified.

"So you two were close?" Astrid asked, and Hiccup nodded.

"We were best friends, I suppose. Not like you and me, or me and Toothless, but… she never cared about all the things people on Berk cared about, you know? She didn't care that I was small and not very strong. She still chose me to be her partner in crime. I never understood why exactly, but we clicked. I… I hope we still do," he slowly said. Stoick remained silent, but Astrid squeezed Hiccup's hand encouragingly, before drawing a little heart on the back of it with her finger.

"About that, Hiccup. I… tolerated those transgressions when you were younger, but now you've grown up and I expect you to behave as one would expect from the heir of Berk," Stoick said, and Hiccup sighed.

"Sure, as long as the heir of Bog Island behaves according to her position as well," Hiccup deadpanned, unable to imagine Camicazi being quiet and polite for more than a minute.

"Argh, that girl is hopeless, and I don't understand how Bertha raised her, but you know what I mean. And it's not just what you say or do, but also what you look like. So stand tall! Chin up, shoulders back!" Stoick said as he roughly pulled Hiccup's arms around, trying to make him look a bit more impressive.

"Like that matters for Bertha. She saw me covered in yak manure when that prank went wrong when we were eight. I bet she still sees that when she looks at me," he said, blushing when Astrid laughed next to him. "What?!"

"Why did I miss the best moments from your life?" she asked, and Hiccup groaned.

"Probably because I wouldn't be able to handle you and Cami at the same time. In fact, I fear for my life today," he said before smiling. "Seriously, though. I think you'll like Cami. She's a lot like you in many ways."

The conversation then fell silent as the ships maneuvered through the harbor until Hiccup could hear the creaking of the hull and the flapping of sail.

"Hail, Bertha! Did you have a good journey?" Stoick called out as ropes were thrown and knots were tied around them.

"Very well, Stoick! Njordr blessed us with good winds!" Hiccup felt like he was eight years old again when he heard the voice. A wooden gangplank was moved past him, connecting the ship to the pier.

Somehow even Bertha's footsteps on the plank were familiar. And then came even more familiar footsteps, quick and flighty, like she barely even touched the ground.

"Long time no see, Haddocks! It's been too long!" Bertha said, stepping onto the pier.

"I'm still not seeing you," Hiccup said almost automatically, before realizing with horror he didn't know if his father had told them about his blindness.

An awkward silence fell, in which the only sounds were the boats creaking and Cami's footsteps coming closer. Hiccup could tell she was walking right up to him, looking at him closely, and he felt cold sweat run down his back as he awaited her verdict.

"Hmm… So this is why you never wrote letters? An acceptable reason, I suppose. I figured you were just being a stupid boy," she suddenly said as she poked his blindfold, and Hiccup couldn't help but laugh when he realized she still had the exact same sense of humor as when they were kids.

"Oh, like you were much better, you never wrote me either!" he said.

"Well, I figured you'd write me when you got yourself in a mess again and needed my help getting out as usual. I'd never need your help!" she said teasingly, and Hiccup used his hand not holding Astrid's to lightly punch where he thought her shoulder was.

"Oh, you're still short!" he said, noting that the adults seemed to have moved away a bit, letting them talk in peace.

"And you're still scrawny! I bet I'll still kick your butt at swordfighting," she dared him, and he sniggered.

"Maybe, though I've had some training. Cami, meet my combat trainer and… betrothed, Astrid. Astrid, this is my childhood friend, Camicazi," he said, gesturing between them.

"Hmm, why am I not surprised you needed a girl to teach you how to hold a weapon?" she said, before turning to Astrid. "You're an axe gal? I'm more a fan of swords. Quick, precise, in-and-out before they know it."

"You can't throw a sword, though. And I think my axe will punch through armor your little toothpick would just bounce off of," Astrid taunted, and Hiccup felt relieved and terrified at the same time at how well they got along.

"Well, maybe we should settle this the old-fashioned way. I first want to try to duel Hiccup, though. See if he's still as clumsy as I remember him," Cami said, and Hiccup grinned. It felt like no time had passed at all, like those childhood memories were yesterday.

"Hiccup! Why don't you and Cami… hang out for a bit. Me and Bertha will handle the treaty, you two don't have to be there," Stoick suddenly interrupted their conversation.

"Wait, I thought you wanted me to learn about chiefing?" Hiccup asked, skeptical. He sensed Cami nodding beside him, and figured she had expected a boring day of diplomacy as well.

"I did, but… well, I think you earned a day off. Go… have fun," Stoick said, and Hiccup frowned, not sure what that was about.

"How about we introduce Cami to Toothless and Stormfly?" Astrid said, and Hiccup smiled brightly.

"Toothless? Who's that? You already have kids or something? Why are you having kids?!" Cami exclaimed, punching Hiccup's arm.

"Nah, he's my new best friend. Also, he's a dragon," He said, rubbing his arm where she punched it.

"What?! I'm no longer your best friend? Though honestly, I can't blame you, it's hard to compete with a dragon. Let's see who this badass is who kicked me out of your heart!" Cami shouted, before grabbing his free arm and pulling him to the village. Astrid followed, still holding his right hand, and Hiccup felt lighter than he had in years.

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

"Ooh, pretty good… for a boy!" Cami shouted as she narrowly dodged Hiccup's cane, before hooking her sword around his metal leg and twisting it. Hiccup tried to escape, jumping up and striking again with the cane, but another feint from Camicazi and he was on his back, her sword on his throat.

"But girls are still better," the Burglar laughed. Seeing the fight made Astrid smile. Training with a new partner was obviously good for Hiccup. In fact, just Camicazi's presence seemed to have made him happier than Astrid had seen him in years.

"Oh really? We'll see about that," Hiccup said, wrenching the sword from Cami's hand without warning before pulling her down to the ground with him. Within seconds the two were rolling around the grass, trying to gain the upper hand while laughing madly. Astrid kept dulling her axe, preparing it for a duel with Camicazi. She had been eager for it, but now Astrid figured it could wait a bit. The two friends were having too much fun to interrupt.

"Got you now!" Hiccup shouted as he pulled her over his shoulder and ran off, almost immediately falling again when she kicked his back. Though the kick obviously hurt, he didn't stop laughing for a second. The transformation in Hiccup was incredible, and a small part of Astrid was jealous, though she recognized that there was nothing romantic or sexual between them. It was something purer, more innocent and childlike.

As they ran around the cove, they attracted the attention of the dragons. Toothless seemed confused about who this new girl was, and kept looking between them, though Hiccup's enthusiasm infected him as well. Stormfly seemed hesitant to come between the wrestling friends and stuck close to Astrid.

She was most surprised about Blendin, the Changewing Hiccup had adopted a while ago. Blendin had been very nervous about Berk, and wouldn't really show himself to the Vikings, instead staying in the forest and around Hiccup's house.

But the Changewing took a keen interest in Camicazi, running after her and sniffing her when she knocked Hiccup down and stood triumphant over him. He hadn't done that with anyone, not even Astrid.

And Cami seemed to like Blendin as well, easily adapting to his moments of invisibility, turning to the dragon and 'looking for him' in an exaggerated way, before throwing her arms around his neck. Meanwhile, Toothless pulled Hiccup back to his feet. The boy looked happy, but a little lost when he couldn't find Cami with his cane.

When Cami noticed Hiccup's expression, she gently grabbed his arm and pulled him towards her. Hiccup looked relieved, but then his expression changed to terrified when she threw him behind her before running away, causing Hiccup to chase her. Astrid wondered why Hiccup reacted so well to her, when he'd have shirked away if it had been anyone else pulling him like that.

Maybe it was the fact that she hadn't seen his awkward behavior the last few years. Or that, as much as she threw Hiccup around and obviously took advantage of his blindness during their play, she didn't make bad jokes about it. She seemed to accept his disabilities with an ease no one on Berk had managed.

Maybe it was their shared childhood memories that made Hiccup lower his guard. Unlike the Vikings on Berk, she had never made fun of him or hurt him.

Maybe it was simply the lack of stress. Hiccup was always aware that he'd be chief of Berk one day, and couldn't allow himself to be seen this… irresponsible and childish. As Astrid looked at him charging blindly at Camicazi, she couldn't help but notice he seemed like he forgot all his problems and responsibilities.

Maybe it was a combination of all these things. Astrid didn't want to dwell on it too long, happy to see Hiccup so happy. It was obvious why Stoick had decided to give them more time together. These moments seemed so rare lately. His dark days kept coming and going. She had hoped they'd disappear after a while, but every now and then it still happened. But right now Hiccup looked the complete opposite of depressed.

The pair kept running around the cove, helped and hindered by their dragons. At some point Cami became the hunter, jumping over Toothless to get to Hiccup.

"I win!" she shouted when she caught him, pushing him back against a tree. "And I deserve a prize. How about…" Astrid smiled as she looked at them, it was obviously some kind of in-joke. Then she noticed the Burglar's eyes being drawn to Hiccup's face, and she realized what was about to happen.

Astrid's shouted "No!" came too late. Camicazi had already pulled Hiccup's blindfold off with quick fingers, and even from the other side of the cove Astrid heard her sharp intake of breath when the girl saw Hiccup's scars.

Time seemed to freeze as all sound stopped. No one dared to move as Cami looked in horror at what was left of her friend's face. Hiccup looked pale and nervous, waiting for her verdict.

"You… You look like a monster…" Cami said, the words coming out as a twisted chuckle.

Astrid saw Hiccup break and shatter. By the time she got her legs to work he had already jumped on Toothless and flown away, as fast as he could. His blindfold was still in Cami's hand.

"I… I don't understand… what happened?" Cami asked, her earlier confidence gone. Astrid didn't waste time on her, instead she ran back to Stormfly.

"Come on girl, we've gotta catch them!" she shouted, driving her dragon to fly as fast as she could.

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

"Hiccup, let me in," Astrid told the locked door in front of her. Hiccup had never shut her out, but now he had holed himself up in his room, more upset than she had ever seen him. And she wasn't sure how to get him out.

"Please open the door. It's just me!" she begged, forcing herself to stay calm when no response came. The only thing she could hear through the door were Toothless' sad croons.

"Hiccup, I know you're in there. I know you're hurting, just let me help you!" she said, leaning on the door. She felt useless. She thought they had made progress. His dark days seemed to become less frequent and intense. But now this. This was worse than she had ever seen him. She had seen Hiccup at his darkest and lowest points, but he had never refused to let her help him.

Astrid considered kicking the door in. It would show Hiccup that she wouldn't let him shut her out. But would it really help? Would it scare him more? Maybe he needed some time alone? Or maybe she just couldn't help him anymore? She wished she could ask her mother, but Hiccup had made her promise she wouldn't tell anyone about his dark days.

Astrid sighed deeply, hoping Hiccup couldn't hear it through the locked bedroom door.

"I'll give you some alone time, okay babe? If… If you decide that you… you want me with you, you can always send Toothless to get me. I… I'll come back later to check on you, okay? I love you," she eventually told him, waiting for a few seconds for a response that never came. Removing her hand from the door, she turned around and walked down the stairs, feeling exhausted. Just as she reached the bottom, the front door opened.

"Astrid! Is Hiccup here?" Camicazi asked as she walked through the door, Hiccup's blindfold in her hand, and Astrid froze. Suddenly she was overcome with anger at the girl who had hurt Hiccup so much.

"I know Hiccup probably doesn't want to see me, but I just wanted to tell him I'm sorry. I brought his blindfold, and…" Astrid didn't let Cami finish the sentence.

"You're not sorry," Astrid said with barely concealed fury.

"What? Of course I am, why wouldn't I..." Cami started, but Astrid wouldn't let herself be stopped.

"You can't be sorry for something you don't know you did. You have no idea what you've done, do you? He trusted you! And now you've broken him, and he's worse than ever!" she shouted, and Cami took a step back.

"Astrid, I… I didn't mean to… I didn't know… I should have been more careful..." the Burglar stuttered, but it just fueled Astrid's anger.

"That's right, you didn't know! None of you know! None of you understand what your jokes and insults and gasps and pity do to him! I don't even fully understand what it does to him! And he doesn't want your pity! He just wants to be treated like a normal human being, instead of an abomination! He's up there, probably having a waking nightmare, unable to do anything other than cry and curl up into a little ball, because one of the few people he trusted called him a monster! I worked for years to help him! Every time he'd get a breakdown, I was there, telling him he's not weak. And we had progress! He became a little more confident. But now you've destroyed all that! Months and months of encouragement, gone!" Astrid screamed as she unsheathed her axe, not caring about the fear in Cami's eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

"Shut up! Don't bother apologizing! Stop wasting my time! I have to figure out how to get Hiccup to come out of his own dark mind again. Do you know how to do that? Do you have any idea how I can get Hiccup to open up?" Astrid asked as she turned around, unable to look at Cami anymore.

The Burglar didn't say anything, and Astrid found that she couldn't stop talking.

"Because… Because I have no idea anymore! He won't even let me comfort him. And I don't know how to help him! I keep thinking we're making progress, but then a week later he's as sad and broken as ever. It's like no matter what I do, it just keeps getting worse," she said as she dropped her axe, keeping her back turned on Cami. Her anger was flowing away, but it was being replaced by something Astrid couldn't quite identify.

"H-Have you talked to Hiccup about this?" Camicazi softly asked, and Astrid's head whipped back when she remembered she wasn't alone. She wanted to take it all back, to deny the vulnerability. But what was the point? Cami had seen it all now anyway, and maybe she could be someone to confide in.

"No, of course not. It would only make him feel worse if he knew what his breakdowns do to me. And I haven't talked to anyone else about it either. Hiccup made me promise not to tell anyone about his breakdowns, so I can't ask my mother without breaking my promise," she admitted between as she turned away from Camicazi again and faced the corner. She was quiet for a while, trying desperately to collect herself, but the flood was too much. A minute later the words were pouring out again.

"But I sit there, holding him, talking to him, day after day, night after night, and he's just… he's in so much pain, and I can't do a damn thing to help him! It hurts. It hurts so fucking much to see him so scared and anxious, and I hate the gods for torturing him like that, and I hate myself for not being able to find the right words to help him. I hate myself for maiming him and causing all this," she continued to talk, all the frustration flooding out in an uncontrollable wave. Tears escaped from her eyes, even though she tried not to let them fall.

"And I'm tired. I'm so fucking tired, Cami. I'm tired of comforting Hiccup, only for him to get another episode a few days later. I'm tired of walking on eggshells every time he has a breakdown, not knowing if my words will help or just hurt him even more. I'm tired of seeing him struggle so much," she said, not caring how weak Cami would think she was. It was like a dam in her mind had collapsed, and now feelings and thoughts she wasn't even aware she had were all pouring out.

"And he's so strong! That's the thing, he's so strong, all the time, that it only hurts even more when even he can't handle what's happening to him. So I try to be strong for him. I try not to show how much it affects me. But it's hard. It's so hard to just keep myself from screaming in frustration and pain when he breaks down again. And I don't know how much longer I can handle it. We're engaged, for Thor's sake. We're going to be married for the rest of our lives. But if I can't handle staying strong for him for two years, how can I do it for decades?" Astrid asked out loud, not surprised when there was no answer.

"It's not that I hate doing it. I love him so much, and I want to help him, and I'd hug and comfort him for a dozen hours each day if that's what it takes. But it's just so… It all feels so pointless. It sometimes feels like during such an episode, Hiccup is in a dark maze where he can't even hear or feel me anymore, and I have to find him and get him out. But every time the maze becomes more complicated, and I'm running out of things to say to guide him. I feel like my words have less effect with each passing day, and I'm scared. I'm so scared that one day, I won't be able to find him anymore. That he'll be too far away and I can't reach him. I just don't know what to do anymore. I thought I knew what helped him and what didn't, but now I'm becoming more and more unsure," Astrid said, still sobbing, crossing her arms to hug herself.

"I watched you and Hiccup play earlier, and I thought he was so happy. He seemed so cheerful, more cheerful than he had been in months. I mean, he has happy moments, but with you it was like he was a carefree child again. Like he had nothing to worry about for once. He's been so stressed out lately. And I thought that maybe Hiccup needs a vacation. Maybe he could go with you to Bog Island for a week or two. Away from all the responsibilities and pressure he has here."

"B-But… But now I don't even know if that would help him anymore. I'm scared that he'd just be more confronted with his blindness if he traveled to an unfamiliar location, and that would just make everything worse! I just… I just don't know anymore. I don't know, Cami. I just don't know," Astrid exclaimed as she buried her head in her hands, more tears running down her cheeks.

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

Hiccup was cold. That's the only way he could describe his current state. Despite being literally surrounded by Toothless' warm belly and wings he was too cold to even cry.

These were the worst dark days. Normally they were just… pain and fear. Life would be too much, and he'd shelter himself from the onslaught. They were painfully hot episodes, filled with blazing anger and burning shame.

They were horrible, but Hiccup had power in them. Agency. He could still move, react, respond, even if he often chose not to.

The cold days were different. It was like falling in a freezing ocean. It starts with a huge shock, a change he could barely even comprehend. Followed by a flurry of panic and movement. He had to run, swim, flee, even if there was no escape from the horrible discovery.

And finally, when his strength had run out and his arms were too heavy to move, the cold came. The nothingness. Freezing him in place, unable to think or move. Unable to even panic. His only movement were shallow breaths. Anything deeper and he'd drown.

A stable island had been under him just minutes before. He'd never realized how much he had trusted Cami. Maybe even more than he trusted Astrid. From the moment she had stepped off the boat this morning, Cami seemed to have accepted his blindness, dealing with it better than anyone on Berk did. She didn't patronize him for it, like changing the rules of their sparring to make it easier for him. But she didn't pretend it wasn't there either.

It had been the perfect blend of acceptance and acknowledgement he'd unknowingly been craving for years. And it had been too good to be true.

Toothless crooned sadly, and his gentle licking of Hiccup's hair somehow registered in his numb senses. He might be floating in a freezing ocean, but Toothless was right there with him, a rock to hold on to.

Somewhere, far, far away, he could hear Astrid's voice talking to him through the door, but he was too numb to listen. It was all he could do to not shatter. Footsteps down the stairs, followed by shouts. A tinge of panic deep within said he should pay attention, but it froze almost immediately.

The voices changed, became softer. Footsteps on the stairs again. This time softer, lighter. Scratching and clicking from the lock. His breathing quickened even more. The door opened softly. Astrid's voice reached his ears again, echoing from downstairs. It was different. Fragile. Sad. Scared.

Toothless opened his wings, and Hiccup drifted into the ocean again, away from his rock. But before he could scream, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. He knew that scent. Those hands.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but you need to listen to Astrid," Cami said, dragging him towards the door with a gentleness he didn't know she had. Her hand was warm, and the warmth spread through his limbs. When they reached the door, he heard a sniff from downstairs, like someone was crying, and his frozen mind suddenly jumped into action. Was that Astrid?

Everything was too crazy to make sense of, and Hiccup didn't resist when Cami slowly led him down the stairs, nudging his legs to take the stairs one at a time. They creaked slightly, but the only thing Hiccup heard was Astrid's shallow breathing. He hadn't heard her like that in years, not since just after he lost his leg.

Then she suddenly started talking, about the things they had never talked about. The dark days, the endless cycle of panic and calming.

The things he never noticed. Her pain. Her exhaustion. The cold disappeared, replaced again with burning shame. How had he not seen it? Considered it? He wanted to step in, interrupt Astrid's painful monologue, throw himself at her feet and beg for forgiveness. But he was still too shocked to get his legs to move. As she kept talking, the numbness disappeared, replaced by pain and regret.

Then Astrid's words dissolved into nothing but sobs, and Hiccup couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward, being careful not to startle her. When he was sure he was only a foot behind her, he quickly put his arms around her and pulled her towards him, her back against his chest. Astrid made a shocked sound, before going stiff in his embrace.

"It's alright. Just let it out. I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere. This doesn't make you weak," Hiccup whispered the same things into her ear she would normally whisper in his, things that always made him feel a little better.

Astrid made a sound that sounded like a mix between a laugh and a sob, before turning around in his embrace and burying her face in his neck.

"It's gonna be alright, I'm right here, and I'm never gonna let you go. Let me comfort you for once," Hiccup said, and Astrid put her arms around him as well, tears soaking the fabric of his shirt. He heard the front door opening and closing, and he knew Camicazi had left them alone.

"Y-You heard everything, didn't you?" Astrid eventually asked, and Hiccup could hear the fear in her voice.

"Pretty much," he answered, hoping she wouldn't shut off on him.

"Oh gods, Hiccup. I'm sorry that you had to hear that. I'm sorry…" Astrid started, but Hiccup interrupted.

"Don't apologize. I'm the one who should be sorry, I locked you out. I shouldn't have done that, I was just… in a very dark place. And I'm sorry I didn't see that you were in pain. I'm the most useless boyfriend ever," he said, doing his best to stop his voice from trembling. Astrid was always so strong for him, he had to be strong for her now.

She hiccuped between her tears, before punching lightly on the arm. "Y-You weren't supposed to know! I… I thought you'd be… angry, or… you know…" she softly said, and Hiccup just sighed. He lowered his hand and grabbed hers, lightly squeezing it.

"I'm not angry. I couldn't be angry with you. I'm just… I don't know… I'm not angry you feel this way. I'm just… disappointed you didn't tell me, I think. I… I want to help you, Astrid. Just like you help me! I won't think you're weak!" he exclaimed, and he could feel Astrid shake her head.

"I didn't think you could help. I still don't know how. I'm just… I'm tired, Hiccup. I'm tired of being unable to help you. And how can you help me with that?" she whispered, and Hiccup slowly moved out of their embrace and grabbed her hands, trying to smile even though his heart was aching from the pain he could hear in her voice.

"Astrid, listen to me. You help me. You help me every single day. You're my light. You make everything brighter just by being there. And… in those dark moments, you do help. You help me more than I can ever explain, and I don't thank you often enough for that. I see that now. But tell me, are you feeling better now? Did talking help?" he asked as he pulled her down with him to sit on the floor.

"I… I suppose it did. I feel… lighter now, like I was wearing heavy armor, and now it's gone and I'm free again," she slowly said as she grabbed his hand, and he squeezed it again.

"That's what I feel every time you do that for me. And more. It's just… You keep me connected, and I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm sure that, if I didn't have you with me during those… breakdowns, I wouldn't be able to come out of bed anymore," he explained, and he could hear her breathing calm a little. It was nice to finally talk about those dark hours. Normally they never mentioned it, it was just something that happened, and he thought they were both dealing with it as well as they could. But he now saw that they did have to talk about it, and about what it did to Astrid.

"Maybe, but… what's the point if it… doesn't solve anything? Why can't it just get better? I love you, Hiccup, blindness and scars and metal leg and all. And I don't think any less of you for having dark days. But… But… But why can't it just be simple for once? Why can't we be like other seventeen-year olds? The others, like Snotlout or the twins, they seem to have it so… easy. Why can't we have that? Why can't we just play and prank and train and… sneak into each others rooms to make out instead of cry, and… do whatever normal teenagers do, instead of just… dealing with all this shit? It's not fair!" Astrid said heatedly, and he couldn't stop his wistful sigh.

"I wish it was that simple too. But Astrid, I want you to understand something. I didn't have these dark days until after everything. The blindness, the Red Death, the leg. Before that I never cried. But I am infinitely happier now anyway. Astrid, you and Toothless bring so much happiness to my life, that I'd rather lose another leg than go back to that time before. I'm so happy you're with me, and that you'll be my wife one day, and… maybe I'm just not allowed to be that happy all the time. Maybe the gods need to balance it all out, so they send me nightmares and dark visions, but it's still worth it, Astrid! Don't ever doubt that you're not helping me, because you and Toothless are the best damn things that have ever happened to me!" he exclaimed, before releasing her hands and putting his arms around her again, resting his chin on her head.

"You asked what the point is of comforting me if I'll just break down again a few days later? The point is those happy days in between. Those bright days I probably wouldn't have if you didn't convince me to get up and face the world again. It's worth it, Astrid. Life is worth living, even if it's dark sometimes. It just makes the rest brighter."

Astrid slowly nodded against his chest, and he held her a little tighter. He rubbed her back and pressed kisses against her hair until she stopped crying.

"So, you feel a little better? Are you ready for another bright two years now?" he finally asked when she moved out of his embrace, and Astrid snorted, before squeezing his hand.

"I guess so. Thanks, Hiccup. We… We should have talked about this a long time ago," Astrid eventually said, before pulling him into another hug.

"We should have. But we did now, and the next time you feel this way, just tell me, okay? I want your days to be as bright as mine are," Hiccup said, and he could feel her head nodding on his shoulder.

They sat there for a little while longer, both of them calming down from their dark moment. Finally, Hiccup slowly pulled out of the hug and stood up, before offering his hand to Astrid.

"Shall we find Cami and talk to her as well? I think we owe her an explanation," he said as he pulled her to her feet.

"Yeah, I think we might have traumatized her with our tears. But she left your blindfold here. And… she wanted to apologize to you. For earlier. And… And I want to apologize to her as well. So… are you ready to face the world again?" Astrid asked, and a moment later she was tying his blindfold around his face again. He smiled, before grabbing her hand and leading her to the door.

"I'm ready for another bright day."

Thanks for reading! I'm sorry it took so long to update, school started again. But there's only 5 or so chapters left to the wedding you've all been waiting for!

[Link to masterpost]

[slavicviking]

Midnight Hunt (HTTYD)

Set in 1920s. Dragons don’t exist, at least that’s what they want you to believe. Loosely inspired by “Fantastic Beasts and where to find them”. Some Hiccup/Snotlout friendship with some Hiccstrid.

Doodle

“Remind me again - why did I agree to this?”

Snotlout clutched his too-long coat closer to his wide chest. He stepped from one foot to the other, trying to warm himself up. The attempts turned out fruitless in the face of the traditional autumn freeze up in the city of Berk. His feet and fingers had long since gone numb, even as he shoved his hands inside his father’s oversized coat. The scratchy material smelled strongly of his usual perfume, filling Snotlout’s nose with Eau de Voyage he knew and hated so much.

The roads were empty at that hour of the night and all the lights in the shabby town houses had long since been turned off. The people of Berk attached much importance to being well-rested and town fell completely silent by a certain hour. Snotlout sighed dramatically, terrible feeling of loss hitting him at the thought of his comfortable, warm bed, waiting for him in the small apartment he and his friend shared. Snotlout valued his sleep, a lot, and he would most definitely be snuggled into his linty comforter, his mind miles away by now– oh, how he wished he could do that – but for his dear cousin who burst into his room at an ungodly hour and pulled him out into the freezing night.

The few street lanterns that stayed on provided little to no help when navigating the abandoned streets of his hometown. Having grown up here, he knew Berk like the back of his hand, yet with the sun long since gone, the town transformed into something new and foreign in a way. The edges of the tall buildings became smudgy, endless street melted with the night sky and the dark void from the alleys on the sides caused something fairly unknown to stir up in his chest. It was not the same Berk anymore, not with the darkness that covered and loomed over the unfamiliar silence.

“Because you’re the best cousin ever?” Hiccup replied from his crouching position, not looking up from the map of Berk he clutched in his hands. He used a torch of his own invention to shed some more light on the piece of old parchment.

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” Snotlout rolled his eyes and directed his own, much simpler, flashlight towards one of the dark alleys. The unknown that seemed to be hiding in the utter darkness between the local bakery and a clothes’ shop made him slightly uneasy. (Definitely not scared, Snotlout almost snorted out loud at the stupid thought – Jorgensons simply didn’t get scared.)

“Mhm,” Hiccup hummed to himself. In the dim light of his torch Snotlout could see the growing smirk on his cousin’s face.

Thump.

“What was that?” The shorter of two cousins looked around apprehensively, flashing the torch around. Hiccup shielded his eyes with his free hand when the stream of light flitted over his face.

“Probably a rat or something,” He folded up the map and stood up, dusting off his trousers. He tipped Snotlout’s flashlight to the side, wincing at the bright light, and patted the shorter of the two on the back. “Ease up, Snot.”

“Ease up? I don’t- Hey, where are you going?” Snotlout shouted when he saw his cousin already a few feet away. He growled under his breath and trotted to catch up to Hiccup, his frozen muscles screaming in protest. The tall man was casually strolling down the street, flashing his torch to the sides from time to time. Snotlout shoved him in the arm.

“Ow – what was that for?” Hiccup’s hand went to rub his arm as he looked down at his cousin.

“Oh, I don’t know…” He pretended to ponder on that for a moment, rubbing his non-existent beard. (Not like he couldn’t grow one, he most definitely could, he just… chose not to. He was too much of a competition for other guys already, no need to make it any harder for them.) Snotlout shuddered at the cold air, hugging himself and the coat. “Maybe…because you’ve left me there?!”

Hiccup paused and clamped a hand over his cousin’s mouth as he looked around apprehensively.

“Shhhh, pipe down, would you… We don’t exactly want people to know we’re here, do we?” His shoulders relaxed as he kept his hand over Snotlout’s mouth and continued. “Besides, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Knowing he struck the chord with this one, Hiccup chuckled to himself. Snotlout took the chance and licked the inner side of his cousin’s hand. He grinned, satisfied, once the taller of the two jumped and pulled away in disgust.

“Eww, what in Thor’s name?!” Hiccup began to energetically wipe his hand into his coat. Green, unamused eyes shot up to meet Snotlout’s blue ones. “What are you? Five?”

“Who’s being loud now, huh?”

Hiccup growled under his breath, still trying to clean his hand as much as possible. His flashlight dangled from the strip tied around his wrist and the unstable light flickered between the buildings and the pavement. A rat rushed right under their feet and Snotlout yelped, drawing his hands closer to his chest. The animal disappeared in a dark alley on the side with a faint sound of something falling to the ground. Hiccup didn’t seem to have noticed, too busy with adjusting his torch again.

“You’re unbelievable, you know that, right?” Hiccup muttered as he briefly glanced at his cousin, something between a smirk and a grimace crossing his face. Snotlout snorted, his tense muscles easing up as the noises from the alley quietened. The dark clouds revealed the moon for a short moment, enfolding the streets and houses of Berk in cold, pale light. Hiccup turned off his torch, though Snotlout kept his on, gripping it tightly in his hand. He saw his cousin fishing out the map again as he moved further down the street.

“So,” Snotlout inquired, trying to steal a glance at the map. “where to now, Dragon Master?”

”That’s the only place I can think of,” Ignoring the nickname given him, Hiccup pointed to a small building a few blocks away. Quirking an eyebrow, Snotlout read the roughly written caption underneath.

“If you get arrested again – I’m not bailing you out,” Hiccup rolled his eyes and shoved the old piece of parchment into his cousin’s hands.

“First of all, I’m not going to get arrested, Snotlout,” He turned away to tinker with the strap of his old leather bag, his voice slightly muffled. Once he was done, he took the map back with a shrug. “And, second of all, how could I have known that baby Nadder was going to set that building on fire?”

“Common sense?” Snotlout only shrugged when Hiccup shot a glare his way. Enjoying his cousin’s obvious frustration, he let himself relax more. Teasing Hiccup like that was familiar, he liked familiar.  “You know Astrid is going to flip when she hears about that, right?”

“This is precisely why,” He reached to scratch his scruffy chin the way he always did when he was nervous. “Astrid is not going to find out about it.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Thick clouds covered the moon and Berk plunged into chilling darkness once more, leaving Snotlout glancing to the sides and behind him ever so often. A bedraggled rat or two zoomed past them and he had to fight the urge to kick them away. Lone lanterns stood tall by the raddled pavement, one of them flickering and buzzing continuously, as if it couldn’t decide whether to work properly or not. The flashing light fell upon their destination.

Hiccup flipped on his torch and lit up the building before them. Letters from black metal gleamed in the darkness, familiar header of “Gobber’s forge” now visible. Snotlout looked around and felt his heart surge to his throat once he spotted a pair of gleaming eyes staring right at him from one of the alleys. Once he blinked, the terrifying peepers were gone, though the unsettling feeling in his chest remained.  

“Um, H-Hiccup, Smothering Smokebreaths are dragons that tend to travel in pack. There’s a chance he came back while we were away,” Snotlout paused. He saw their building, the Dragon’s Edge as they liked to call it, at the end of the street, one of the windows bright with blinding light compared to the rest of the town house. Probably the twins. He noticed Hiccup looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face. Snotlout decided to ignore it, finding his chopped nails much more interesting. “ Y’know… I’ll better check it.” Just as he was about walk away, Hiccup took a hold of the collar of Snotlout’s coat and pulled him back roughly.

“Oh, no, you don’t. I need you.” Snotlout huffed and slapped Hiccup’s hand away, eyes worriedly flickering to the dark alley. His cousin placed his hands on his hips and eyed the building before him. “I have a feeling he’s here.”

Hiccup’s hunch, as it turned out, was justified as a crashing sound came from the store. The two cousins glanced at each other quickly before rushing to the heavy glass door with a noticeably-sized hole separating them from the thing they came for. Hiccup, squinting his eyes, pressed his face to the doorframe and saw a lone Smothering Smokebreath sitting on a pile of metal tools, numerous objects strewn on the floor. Gobber’s desk was tipped to the side and loose sheets of paper flew around the room in chaos.

“Oh, boy,” he muttered as he gently pushed the door. It opened with a loud creak, noisily moving over the shattered glass and strewn objects on the floor. The small dragon flapped his wings impatiently once Hiccup got inside, the creature’s long tail circling the pile protectively. Broken glass crunched under Snotlout’s heavy boots. The Smothering Smokebreath hissed, a stream of dark mist coming from the dragon’s grey skin. Hiccup held out a hand behind him. “Close the door, Snotlout.”

He did as he was asked and slowly moved closer to his cousin, feeling the creature’s eyes on him. He noticed the change of Hiccup’s facial expression as his eyebrows lowered and eyes narrowed. His hand fished for something in his bag carefully.

“What now?” Snotlout asked quietly as the dragon used one of his paws to sweep more metal under himself.

“Give me the necklace,” Hiccup murmured. Snotlout quickly rummaged through the big pockets of his coat, finding the object and placing it in his cousin’s outstretched hand.  With the shiny piece of jewellery hanging of his fingers, Hiccup tried to close the distance between him and the dragon. That, however, turned out to be more difficult than either of them anticipated.

While his partner in crime tried persuading the Smothering Smokebreath to leave the nest, dangling and showing off the shiny necklace, whispering sweet nothings, Snotlout furrowed his brow. There was something…something else. A cream-colored object caught his eye among all the shiny metal.

“Hiccup!” Startled, the tall man swung to the sides a little, eyebrows traveling high enough to disappear in the mop of tousled hair.

“Wh- Snotlout, what?”

“There’s something in the nest. Like porcelain, or something.” Snotlout pointed to the nest with his index finger, wincing when the dragon hissed aggressively from his spot a foot or so away.

“Porcelain?” Hiccup inquired, one of his eyebrows travelling high. He narrowed his eyes at the collection of shiny metal,  a look of realization crossing his face after a second. “Snot – it’s-it’s an egg!”

“Mr. Fogfart is Mrs-?“ He shot a quick look at the dragon and tapped his bare chin. “Huh.”

“We can’t move them,” Hiccup stated, pacing around the shop, shaking his head.

“Well, we can’t let them stay here either,” Snotlout gestured to the Smothering Smokebreath. Mrs. Fogfart flapped her wings a little, observing them from the corner of her eye. His cousin halted and knelt on the ground, crunching some of the glass underneath. He went to furiously rummage through his bag, spilling all of its contents on the old panel floor.

“What are you-“

“Aha!” Hiccup pulled out a small plastic pouch and raised it into air triumphantly. Snotlout eyed the weird green-ish item inside.

“Dragon nip?” He quirked one of his eyebrows sceptically. “Isn’t it illegal?”  

“Uh,” Hiccup reached to scratch his chin, his eyes shifting to the side, and shoved the leather bag in his younger cousin’s barrelled chest. “No?”

“Dear Thor,” Snotlout used his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “We’re getting arrested, aren’t we?”

“No, we’re not.” Hiccup quickly stood up, brushing off the dust from his trousers. “We’re just going to cheat a little.”

Despite Snotlout’s hum of disagreement, he positioned himself on one of the sides of the cluttered room while Hiccup carefully moved closer to Mrs.Fogfart. He reached into the little bag with the pulverised dragon nip, smearing a bit of it onto his fingers. The Smothering Smokebreath raised her head curiously, the new scent clearly gaining her attention.  

“On three,” Hiccup whispered. His cousin prepared a leather bag, ready to move quickly and with the required precision. They had only one chance to do it after all. Hiccup reached towards the dragon with his nip-covered fingers, the reptile’s eyes dilating slightly, slits turning into black circles, soft and round.

“One,” Mrs. Fogfart dared to move closer, sniffing the hand with new-found eagerness.

“Two,” Her small head slid over Hiccup’s palm, looking for more, the dragon nip making her sleepier, calmer.

“Three!” Snotlout jerked from his spot on the other side of the room, swiftly throwing the sack over the dragon’s little body, careful not to disturb the egg in the nest. Hiccup strewed a bit more of dragon nip inside and nodded to himself, satisfied, as he checked on the dragon only to find her sound asleep. He then carefully moved the egg into his pouch, making sure it wouldn’t crack. Leaning out of the window, he frowned.

“We should get back,” he noted, once again checking on their precious find.

“But what about the-“ Snotlout gestured to the mess in the small forge, pieces of broken glass crunching under his feet as he moved around.  

“Now? We can’t,” Hiccup chewed on his lip. “I’ll…I’ll let Gobber know.”

Snotlout bit his tongue, swallowing a rude reply. In the end, Hiccup was right – they couldn’t do much now and their time was limited. Still, they cleaned as much as they could, pushing the broken shards of glass away, somewhat organizing the pieces of paper strewn across the whole shop. The effects were silly, but at least they tried.

They stumbled onto the road shortly after, speeding to get to their shabby town house as quickly as they could, Hiccup apprehensively glancing at the egg in his bag and Snotlout notoriously checking on fast-asleep Mrs.Fogfart. Jumping over the stairs, the two of them burst into the basement, hugging their respective bags close to their chests. They quickly put the sleeping dragon in her usual spot among other Smothering Smokebreaths, her small egg by her side. With a tired nod, they closed the heavy doors of their hideout, simultaneous sighs of relief escaping them. Suddenly exhausted, they trudged upstairs and parted their ways with one last tired smile at the success of their secret mission.

Hiccup did his best to open the door of his part of the flat as quiet as possible, wincing when the old, badly-oiled frame creaked along with the smallest of movements. He paused for a moment and, feeling safe, moved inside the room, twinge of pride in his chest.

“So,” the torch in his hand almost fell to the ground when he heard her voice. “did you find the dragon?”

“Astrid! Hi Astrid, hi, hello Astri-“ Hiccup rambled as he turned to face his fiancé. His hand went to prop himself on the shelf by the door only to slip away awkwardly, causing a huge mess, and he cursed under his breath. Coughing into the wide collar of his coat, he started to fix the fallen books. A soft laugh from the side startled him.

“What do you find so funny, hm?” A smile tugged at his lips trying to imagine how it looked for her.

“Did you seriously think I wouldn’t find out?” She questioned with a half-hearted roll of her eyes, walking up to help him up with the things on the shelf he accidentally messed up.

“Well, uhm,” He bit his lip as he took a book from Astrid’s hand and put in between two others. “Am I in trouble?”

“Of course.” She nudged him with a wink. “But... Maybe tomorrow. Come on, you need some sleep – you look half-dead.”

He breathed a laugh at the comment, shaking his head slightly. A yelp escaped him when a fist collided with his arm.

“Why would you do that? I thought you said tomorrow-“

“That was for leaving me out of the fun,” Astrid shot him a quick look.

“I promise I’ll take you with me next time,” He squeezed her hand, happy to see a small smile forming on her face. Daring to be a little bit braver, he leaned down to his fiancé to steal a kiss. She stopped him with a finger on his lips and a smirk on her face. She patted his cheek gently and plopped on the bed with a soft laugh.

“Tomorrow?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. She answered with a quick smirk.

“Tomorrow.”

Name of the dragon suggested by wonderful @tarched :P

The rest of my writing

[lpdwillwrite4coffee]

CHILDREN OF LILITH CHAPTER FOUR

Nikki stared at her elongated shadow on the concrete as she and Kaelin walked back to her apartment. Her friend was pleasantly tipsy, and with the use of some kind of Voodoo magic, still able to walk in her dangerously high heels.

Kaelin knocked elbows with her. “See? I told you tonight would be fun.”

“Yeah,” Nikki said, and she knew she didn’t sound convincing.

Kaelin looked at her and sighed. “Really? You couldn’t even fake it for me?”

“No, really, tonight was great,” Nikki tried.

“Uh huh…” Kaelin rolled her eyes. “You know why I drag you out on nights like this, right?”

“To make sure I still know how to do the Cupid Shuffle?”

Kaelin hurried ahead and spun, walking backwards in front of Nikki, holding her gaze. “Because you’re twenty-five, Nikki. You should be out doing wild, possibly illegal, things and living your life.”

“You know, one day you’re gonna do that—“ she said, gesturing to Kaelin still stepping backwards “—And there’s going to be a giant sink hole behind you that goes straight to the center of the earth and I’m not going to tell you.”

Kaelin scoffed. “Of course you will. You wouldn’t let your best friend fall to her death would you?”

“Depends if you’re still holding my favorite sweater hostage or not.”

Kaelin smacked her head dramatically. “I knew there was something I forgot to bring back tonight. Oh well, guess I still get to wear it to work on Monday.”

“Not if I break into your apartment and steal it back.” Nikki said.

“And that would be totally justified seeing as I’ve had it for months.”

“Uh, Kae? You might wanna watch the curb,” she said, pulling at her friend’s arm.

Kaelin tripped a little and laughed. “Oops! Okay turning back around now.” She grew quiet as they rounded the corner. With Nikki’s apartment building in sight, she said, “Nikki, I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life. I just want you to be happy, and… well lately it seems like you haven’t been.”

Nikki took a deep breath. “You’re right,” she said with a nod. “I haven’t really been living so much as… existing.” She shrugged. “I don’t know… I’ve been thinking about school a lot.”

“Are you thinking about going back?”

“Maybe. I don’t have that many credits left to graduate. I could try going part time.”

Kaelin smiled, warmth reaching her eyes. “That’s good,” she said, giving her an encouraging squeeze on the arm.

Nikki ducked her head. “I just want to feel like I’m doing something with my life,” she said. “I just want to have a purpose, you know? Feel like what I do matters.”

“Hey, you matter,” Kaelin said, slowing her stride. “Degree or no degree, you’re still the most important person in the world to me.”

“What about that cute bartender at that last club? ‘Cause you two would make some adorable children.”

Kaelin laughed. “Nikki!”

“I’m serious, he was hot!” Nikki grinned when Kaelin swatted her in the shoulder and the two started walking again.

Trashcans in the alley next to Nikki’s apartment crashed together, followed by alarmed animal noises, and the two women jumped.

“What the hell was that?” Kaelin asked, moving closer to Nikki.

“Stray cats probably, or rats,” Nikki said, digging out her keys from her purse. “I’ve been hearing a lot of noises from back there lately. I think some of the local vermin have found a nice food supply courtesy of the Indian restaurant around the corner.”

“Eww.” Kaelin screwed up her face. “That’s so gross.”

“It’s Manhattan. Almost everything you’ve touched has been chewed, crawled, or defecated on by a rat.”

Kaelin pulled up short. “The fact that you just said that with a totally calm voice is upsetting.”

“What can I say? I have nerves of steel.” Nikki winked. Looking back at Kaelin while she unlocked her door, she said, “I’ll call you tomorrow okay?”

“Yeah, we’ll grab lunch and then go buy you a bunch of rat traps.” The trash cans clanged again and she added, “In bulk.”

“Goodnight Kaelin,” Nikki called, stepping into her building.

“Goodnight,” Kaelin drawled, continuing down the street to hail a cab.

Nikki waited until her friend was inside and driving off before closing the door.

* * *

To every Hunter, gifted or not, patrolling alone was like hoping to get struck by lightning. It was dangerous and not a sign of mental stability. But for Griffin the thrill was addictive. And the only life he was risking was his own, so he didn’t really see the problem.

However, the longer he was out, the more he was starting to think all the Vampires in the city decided to stay in that night and play Scrabble. He’d canvassed the entire Lower East Side without a single incident, and he contemplated stepping over the territory line into the East Village, hoping to provoke a few Vamps out of hiding.

Six months ago he would’ve been alarmed by how comfortable he was with that idea. But that was then.

The dogs gave an interested huff from inside their cage, alerting him to an unseen presence.

Guess tonight won’t be a loss after all, Griffin thought, slipping around the corner, into the shadows of an alley.

Pulling one of his semi-automatics from his holster, he maneuvered through the darkness in silence. His gaze swept along the sides of the buildings, checking fire escape landings, window ledges and behind dumpsters. The dogs stirred, aiming him to the far end of the alley, back towards the sidewalk. If Vampires were walking the street, he’d need to draw them towards a more secluded area away from civilian eyes.

Griffin ducked into a dense block of shadows, pressing his back against cold brick. The click of high heels drew closer, accompanied by two female voices, chatting softly.

The dogs rushed the cage door, clawing ferociously. He winced as pain lanced up his skull. Closing his eyes, Griffin drew in a full breath and straightened his spine. The dogs stayed locked in his head.

Fuzzy beginnings of two shadows crept along the ground, and the voices were louder. His finger itched as it hovered over his Glock’s trigger.

The footsteps halted and a woman laughed. “Nikki!”

That was all he heard before the dogs went berserk. They bit and tore at his mind, battling to free themselves. Trapped in a white haze of agony, Griffin fought to keep himself quiet. His knees went soft, and he thought he’d collapse onto the rough gravel. But his legs held, and so did the cage.

He glared angrily into the dark. Alright Cujo one and two, you trying to give me brain damage?

In pain and half blind, Griffin backed away a step and knocked against a pair of metal trashcans. Two startled cats hissed at him, offended, and ran off.

Shit.

“What the hell was that?”

A woman glanced into the alley, and Griffin thanked God a hundred times over that she couldn’t see him.

“Stray cats probably, or rats…”

Griffin’s breath froze in his chest. He recognized that voice... She sounded like the barista from that morning.

She crossed in front of him and the dogs leapt against their cage once more, making Griffin’s head feel close to splitting. She was digging in her purse for something, and looked down the alley… Making eye contact with Griffin.

She couldn’t see him- he knew it from her neutral expression as she continued searching her bag- but somehow her gaze met his dead on, and it made his heart trip.

Pulling a set of keys out, she continued talking with her friend as she moved out of sight. Only then was Griffin able to breathe.

…For about three goddamned seconds.

The dogs growled, this time spinning in their cage towards the ledge above him. Something was scaling the building at an inhuman speed, scraping against the brick. Griffin tipped his head just in time to see a pair of boots disappear onto the roof.

He rolled his eyes. Of course a Vampire would make an appearance with a civilian who could possibly ID Griffin a couple yards away. Of course.

“Goodnight,” he heard Nikki’s friend say, and her footsteps faded.

A nearby fire escape rattled, and he watched another Vampire push open a window and crawl inside. The main door clattered shut and Griffin stared across the street as more Vampires were birthed from the shadows. A male and female crossed the asphalt and blurred up the front of the building, gone in the time it took him to inhale.

Nothing about this made sense. Vampire packs went after easy kills away from witnesses. They didn’t pull a Mission Impossible in Hunter territory just for fun. And they were going inside Nikki’s building…

The dogs howled, furiously gnawing at every lock Griffin had secured them behind. Sucking in air through gritted teeth, he went around the back to the service entrance and waited until his gift settled enough for him to focus. Adjusting his grip on his gun, he tested the door handle. Unlocked.

The narrow corridor was empty, as was the stairwell, and Griffin cursed to himself. She must have already made it up a few floors. One of the polished brass mailboxes hadn’t been closed all the way, and he hurried to read the name. Anderson, Nikki. Apt. 5D.

Top floor, corner apartment. No wonder the pack had focused on the roof… it was the fastest route to her.

Griffin bolted up the stairs, praying he caught up to Nikki before the others. Rounding the corner on the fifth floor, he caught a glimpse of her dark auburn hair just as the skin at the back of his neck began to itch. He was being followed.

Her keys were already in the deadbolt when he called out to her.

“Excuse me!”

Nikki turned, bewildered.

He offered a tight smile, pulling to a stop a few feet in front of her. “You’re really not gonna want to go in there.”

Angry hissing sounded behind him and the dogs snarled back.

Griffin spun, aiming his weapon. The hallway was crowded with Vampires, fangs extended and irises blanched, warping their human faces into demonic masks. Several peeled their lips back, teeth shining in the harsh florescent light as they growled like jungle cats.

Griffin smirked. “So which one of you had the bright idea of coming onto my turf to feed?” He stared at the dark haired brute in the middle. “I’m guessing it was you, huh princess?”

“Get out of our way, Hunter,” one of the females snapped.

“I’m sorry, did you skip your Boundary Lines 101 class? ’Cause you should know you’re in my neighborhood now.”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder, inching forward. “We can change that.”

Griffin aimed his gun at her chest. “Now don’t get too cocky, Vampirella. You might bite off more than you can chew.”

She hissed but took a step back. Griffin’s smirk broadened.

“Okay, here’s the deal,” he said, looking to the one he assumed was their leader. “You came into my territory with the intent to feed. I should put a bullet in all of you, but I don’t wanna wake the neighbors. So I’m giving you thirty seconds to get the hell out of here before I finish you.”

The male eyed him. “You can’t prove we came here with ill-intentions.”

“Oh yeah, ‘cause I’m really worried about having inculpatory evidence when I take the stand.” Griffin cocked one eyebrow. “So what’s it gonna be? You leave now, or tomorrow morning they’ll be sucking you out of the carpet with a Dirt Devil.”

“You’re outnumbered.” The male grinned, flashing his fangs. “Eight against one. Those aren’t good odds.”

Griffin laughed. “Those aren’t even the worst odds I’ve had this week.”

Nikki took a half step towards Griffin. “Excuse me, what the hell is going on?”

Keeping his stare forward, Griffin said, “I’ll explain in a minute. Just… stay there.”

“You better listen to him cupcake,” another male sneered. “We wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

Griffin moved closer, putting himself between her and the others. “Hey sugar plum,” he mocked. “How about you shut up and pay attention to the guy with the gun?”

“You won’t kill us without cause,” the lead male said. “Hunters don’t break code like that.”

A cold chuckle rippled out of Griffin. “I think you’re a little confused. See, you’re using present tense,” he said. “You should be using past.”

For the briefest of moments, the pack looked collectively stunned.

Griffin tightened his grip on his gun. “Now, I’m not going to tell you again. Leave, or I’ll make you leave.”

“I’d like to see you try,” the petite female said. She leaned forward, preparing to jump, but she wasn’t looking at Griffin. She was staring at Nikki.

Griffin pulled the trigger, bullet hitting the female in the shoulder a few inches from her heart. It was a warning shot, but not just for her. It was for the whole pack.

The female shrieked, pressing her palm to the gushing wound.

“I’d think twice before doing that again,” Griffin told her. “’Cause next time I won’t miss.”

“What the fuck are you people doing?” Nikki shouted from behind him. “Are you insane?”

Griffin had to ignore her. “Leave. Now.”

“You just made a huge mistake,” the lead male snarled through his fangs.

“And you’re making an even bigger one by sticking around.”

“Okay, I don’t know what the hell kind of fun you think you’re having, but you people need to go back to wherever you came from, and quit screwing around in my building.” Nikki yelled louder, waving her arm out.

No one moved.

Frowning, the leader started whispering to the other male beside him, with the injured female interjecting angrily. The only way to tell they were speaking was the slight movements of their lips, their voices inaudible. At the end of their discussion, the first male leveled his stare on Griffin and smiled.

“Enjoy the rest of your night, Hunter. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again very soon.”

Griffin curled his lip. “Can’t wait.”

On the male’s orders, the pack blurred down the hall, disappearing around the corner.

Griffin blew out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, lowering his weapon. When he was certain the pack was gone, he holstered his Glock and turned towards Nikki.

And was met with a can of pepper spray aimed at his eyes.

“Whoa!” He ducked away from the nozzle.

“Who are you?” Nikki yelled.

Griffin raised his hands in front of him. “You mind pointing that elsewhere? That stuff stings like a bitch.”

“Who are you?”

“Okay, take it easy—”

“Don’t tell me to take it easy! Who the hell are you?” She motioned to where the pack had been moments earlier. “Who were they? What did they want?”

Griffin arched his brows. “Which question do you want me to answer first?”

Nikki scowled at him. “What’s your name?”

“Griffin O’Connor,” he said.

Nikki stared in confusion, but quickly a light of recognition appeared. And then she just looked pissed.

“You’re that guy. You came into Rush this morning…”

Her glare could’ve melted plastic.

“Are you stalking me?”

“What? No.” Griffin shook his head, offended. “Look, this… this was purely coincidence.”

“You come to my work, and then you show up in my apartment? That’s one hell of a coincidence.”

“Yeah, believe me, I’m just as baffled as you are.”

“And who exactly were those people?” She asked, jerking her head towards the end of the corridor.

Griffin frowned. He wasn’t sure how well she would take the news that Vampires were real and that they wanted to eat her. And he really didn’t want to tell her with pepper spray aimed for his corneas.

“Who were they?” She repeated.

“I’d really like it if you’d put that down,” he said, pointing to the can. “Like I said, it stings.”

“I’ll put it down once you tell me who the hell those people were,” she said.

“Alright…” Griffin took a deep breath. “They weren’t people.”

Nikki stared, blank-faced for a moment, before rolling her eyes. “Okay, that’s it,” she said. “Get out.” She pointed down the hallway.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Get out of my building.”

Griffin blinked. “You’re… throwing me out?”

“Damn straight.”

“I tell you they weren’t people and you’re throwing me out.” He coughed out a disbelieving laugh.

“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” she told him. “I’ve had it up to here with crazy people butting into my life today. Now get out!”

“You- you saw everything that happened, right? You saw what they looked like, what they could do,” he said. “Hell, you even saw me shoot one of them. And you think I’m crazy?”

“Look, I’m sure you’re a nice person when you’re on your meds, but right now you’re just pissing me off. So if I were you, I’d leave.”

“What the hell did you think all of this was?” He threw his hand out. “Some kind of abstract performance piece?”

“I’ve heard the community theater does a lot of weird stuff,” she said, half shrugging. “So how about you go find your little acting buddies, okay? I’m sure they’re worried about you.”

Griffin laughed. Loudly. It bubbled out of him in manic waves.

“What’s so funny?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nothing,” he said, still chuckling.

“Good. You can get going now.”

“The thing is…” He cleared his throat. “I can’t.”

“What?”

“I can’t leave,” he said, sobering. “This wasn’t a stunt. It was real.”

Nikki sighed. “Oh for Christ’s sake… Just leave me alone,” she yelled. “Go home, or back to the institution or wherever the hell you came from, and forget you know me!”

Griffin didn’t yield. “I can’t do that.”

“Fine. Then I’ll remove you myself.”

His head jerked up in surprise. “You’re gonna what?”

“You heard me. I’m removing you from the premises.” Adjusting her aim with the pepper spray, she nodded her head to the side. “Start walking.”

Griffin held his hands up in surrender and turned. “Well this is a first.”

“Why do I doubt that,” she muttered, following him.

“Look, I know what you must be thinking,” he said. “But I’m not the bad guy here.”

“Oh really? The man with the gun isn’t the bad guy?”

He stopped and swiveled around to face her. “If I was, I would’ve tried to kill you already. And that wimpy can of pepper spray wouldn’t have stopped me.”

Nikki held his gaze and felt completely exposed again, just like she had that morning.

Steeling herself, she shook her head. “So you’re not a murderer. Good for you. You still need to leave.”

Griffin frowned in thought and nodded. He continued walking, staying silent until they reached the entry way of her building.

“You can call me crazy, that’s fine. I’ve been called worse, actually,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “But how are you gonna explain away what you saw?”

Nikki paused. “People do weird things to themselves all the time. Dental work and freaky looking contacts… That’s all that was.”

Griffin turned slowly, facing her again. “Uh huh,” he murmured. “And the rest?”

She swallowed the expanding swell of panic rising in her throat.

Blurred… those people had blurred away from them. Not run or sprint… blur, at inhuman speeds. The outlines of their bodies had faded, turning them into hazy forms of color. And the noises… people couldn’t growl like that.

Fake, she told herself. It was all fake…

Griffin’s eyes skipped over her features, evaluating her. His voice was gentle as he said, “You’re lying to yourself… Aren’t you?”

Nikki bit the inside of her lip. Fangs… she thought. They had fangs. And he shot one of them and it didn’t even knock her off her feet…

The tentative hold she had on her conviction slipped. She lowered the pepper spray to her side.

“What were they?”

“You’re not gonna like my answer,” Griffin said.

“I don’t care.” Nikki shook her head. “Just tell me.”

He waited, searching her face again. Satisfied with what he saw, he inhaled deeply and opened his mouth.

“Vampires.”

The word hung in the air between them. Nikki wanted to laugh, to call him insane again and walk away.

“Vampires,” she repeated, voice sounding weary in her own ears.

“I know,” he said. “I’d think it was a joke too… If I didn’t live it.”

He said it with chagrin, dipping his head, and Nikki took the chance to evaluate him this time. He didn’t exhibit the obvious signs of lying. He was calm, gaze unwavering, and he wasn’t flushed or sweating. So either he was a sociopath or…

He was telling her the truth.

Trust him! The voice of the woman on the subway platform echoed in Nikki’s head. Trust him! It’s the only way to survive!

“You don’t happen to hang out with homeless people do you?” She blurted out.

Griffin arched an eyebrow at her. “Um… No.”

Now he was eying her like she was the crazy one.

Nikki sighed, waving a hand dismissively. “Never mind,” she muttered. She refocused, staring up at him. “What did you mean by ‘if I didn’t live it’?”

“You mean the gun didn’t give it away?” He asked, glancing down to where his holster was peeking out from his trench coat. “It’s my job. I hunt Vampires.”

Nikki felt the color drain from her face. “Of course you do.”

The front room of her building was too small. Its yellowing wallpaper and grimy tile floors were creeping towards her, threatening to crush her. She closed her eyes, tried to breathe, but she smelled only must and decaying drywall and she couldn’t stand it.

“I need some air,” she gasped, pushing past him out onto the sidewalk.

Griffin followed, hovering a safe distance away like he thought she might puke.

“I know this is a lot to handle,” he said. “I wish you hadn’t seen what you did tonight, really I…” He swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

Nikki placed her hands on her hips, staring at the ground as she inhaled.

“Okay…okay…” she muttered.

When her head was clear, and she was positive she wasn’t going to pass out, she glanced up at him.

“So what do I… what can we do? I mean…” She looked to the sky as if it would give her an answer. “They’re gone right?”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Griffin said. “They probably doubled back and snuck in.”

From the way the dogs were growling, probably was more like an actually.

Nikki’s eyes widened as she glanced up at the building. “Really?”

“Yup.”

“Great, that’s just… great.” She glared at the top row of windows. “They’d better not be going through my underwear drawer.”

Griffin laughed in spite of himself.

Nikki folded her arms over her chest. “Okay. So, do I wait out here while you go… Take care of that?” She gestured to the door behind him.

“Uh…” Griffin looked over his shoulder. The thought of leaving her unprotected made his insides twist. “No. No I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Alright. So what now?”

Griffin gaped, unsure. “Huh?”

“You just said you saved my life… from Vampires,” she said, exhaling roughly. “You’re the White Rabbit in this situation, so tell me, am I following you?”

It was a long moment before he could answer. “It’s a dark tunnel to go down.”

Nikki’s gaze didn’t waver. “I can handle dark.”

Griffin didn’t doubt that.

“Okay,” he said, taking a step forward. “Right now, the safest place for you to be is with me and my friends.”

“You mean the people you were with this morning?”

Griffin nodded. “They’re Hunters too. We can protect you while we figure this out.”

“Figure out what exactly?”

“Honestly? I’m not sure,” he admitted. “But I’ve been doing this for a long time, and that-” he jerked his thumb over his shoulder “-was a first. Whatever reason they had for following you, I can guarantee it isn’t good.”

Air rushed out from between Nikki’s lips as if she’d been knocked in the gut. She dragged her hand through her hair, brushing it back from her forehead.

“Well at least you’re not trying to sugar coat anything.” She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I respect that.”

Griffin took another hesitant step towards her. “I actually don’t live too far from here. I’m about six blocks that way.” He motioned down the street. “We can go there and talk.”

“What about…?” She wiggled her finger at the top corner of the building.

“They know better than to try anything at my place. Vampires can be stupid, but generally speaking they’re not quite that idiotic.”

“Oh. Good to know.” Nikki cautioned another glance at her tainted home before sighing. “Okay. After you, Van Helsing.”

Griffin smiled. “You sure like your literary references, huh?”

“Hey, I read,” Nikki said, smirking as she fell in line next to him.

They didn’t speak for two blocks, but Griffin caught her looking over like she wanted to ask a question. After the fourth time, he broke the silence for her.

“What?” he asked, a crooked grin playing at his lips.

“Nothing,” she said, tearing her eyes away. She waited a moment, biting her lip, and then gave in. “It’s just… why didn’t you leave?” When he didn’t say anything, she continued. “I mean, that took a lot of effort to convince me. I can’t imagine you go around doing that sort of thing every day, especially if it jeopardizes your, um, secret identity?”

“I’m not Batman,” Griffin interjected.

“Okay,” she relented. “Well, what I’m saying is, you could’ve saved yourself a lot of trouble by going ‘oh well, her funeral’ and walking away.”

Griffin shook his head. “I never could’ve done that.”

“Why not? You risked getting blinded by my wimpy pepper spray.” She mocked his word choice. “And you marked yourself as a loon in the process. You didn’t have to do all that just for—”

“I couldn’t have left in good conscience knowing you were still in danger.”

Nikki stared at him as they walked. “You would’ve let me yell at you all night, if you’d had to,” she said. “Wouldn’t you?”

“Probably. At least until you called the cops on me.”

“Believe me, I thought about it.”

They grew quiet again and Nikki found herself scanning doorways and roof tops, looking for anyone who might be following them.

“You can relax.” Griffin interrupted her thoughts. “They took off a long time ago.”

She frowned. “How do you know?”

Deciding it was best to wait before explaining his extra Spidey-senses, Griffin tipped his head, saying, “It’s something you learn with the job.”

“And, how do you even have this job?” Nikki asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I don’t remember Vampire Hunter being an option at the college career center, but then again, maybe I just wasn’t looking hard enough.

He chuckled. “It’s kind of a complicated process.”

“Perhaps you can work it into the conversation somehow.”

“Sure,” he said with a nod. “And I think I’ve got a Vampire Hunting for Dummies book lying around somewhere. I’ll dig it out for you.” He cocked his head and grinned.

“So you slay the undead and you’re a comedian. You’re quite the multi-tasker.”

Griffin beamed. “I try.”

Nikki was a few steps ahead when she realized he had slowed in front of a tall brick building with no windows.

“Wait, this is where you live?” she asked, craning her neck as she stared. “No offense, but this kind of looks like a warehouse.”

“That’s ‘cause it was.”

“Oh.” It was all she could think of.

Pulling his keys from his pocket, Griffin headed up the three cement stairs to the door, and stopped. “I’m gonna apologize in advance,” he said, turning the lock and opening the door.

“For what?” Nikki frowned, following him inside.

A woman pacing in front of the kitchen table with a phone pressed to her ear stopped midsentence when she saw them. Relief was quickly followed by annoyance.

“Never mind Tasha, he just walked in.” She hung up and shoved her cell into her back pocket. “Where the hell have you been?” She asked, looking to Griffin.

He scowled, shutting the door behind them. “I went out for a walk.”

Lisa’s gaze bounced between Griffin and Nikki before she gestured to the other woman. “And what, this one followed you home?”

Griffin opened his mouth to counter but Nikki beat him to it.

“I’m gonna choose not to be offended by the dog reference and instead take it as a compliment on my shiny, well-groomed coat,” she said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

Lisa flushed. “Sorry. It’s, uh, been one of those days.” She offered Nikki her hand. “Hi, I’m Lisa.”

Taking it, Nikki nodded. “Hazelnut latte, no whip,” she said. Glancing over Lisa’s shoulder, she smiled at the guy sitting at the table. “Hey there triple red eye.”

“Hey!” Boz waved enthusiastically.

Lisa eyed her for a moment. “You’re the barista from this morning.”

“Sure am.”

Boz stood and came over to shake hands. After he introduced himself he stepped to the side and Nikki caught the approving, well done sir, nod and wink he gave to Griffin.

“Oh my God,” Griffin muttered, chin falling to his chest. “No, guys, she’s not-”

Nikki shook her head. “We didn’t-”

“We’re not-”

“I know about Vampires,” Nikki exclaimed. The resounding silence made her cringe, and she lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “That could have come out better,” she muttered.

“Um,” Boz started, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Sorry, how do you…?”

Nikki looked to Griffin. “You wanna take this one?”

Lisa’s glare was back and laser-point focused on Griffin. “You went patrolling?” It was more of an accusation than a question.

The light in Boz’s eyes dimmed. “By yourself?”

Griffin slid his arms from his coat and hung it by the door. “Yeah,” he said. “But before we get into it, we need to talk.” He glanced at Nikki and said, “I think we have a problem.”

Lisa pressed her lips into a thin line. “Only one?”

Griffin ignored her. “A pack followed Nikki into her apartment tonight. And she lives in our territory.”

Boz sighed. “Ah, crap.”

Forcing a more compassionate expression, Lisa gestured to the kitchen. “Why don’t you come in and have a seat,” she said to Nikki.

She cleared off the magazines spread over the table, making a place for her. Nikki pulled out one of the straight backed chairs and sat down, glancing around the large front room in wonder.

If Griffin hadn’t already confirmed it, Nikki would have assumed the place had once been a warehouse. Exposed pipes and brick were visible above the wood cabinets in the kitchen, and the nearest corridor was comprised of the same brick and drywall. A staircase curved up the right side of the room, leading to a half open-air hallway, its wooden banister polished from hands continually running over its surface. Despite its size and simplicity, the house was warm and inviting.

“Would you like something to drink?” Lisa asked, tossing her magazines on top of the fridge.

Nikki tilted her head towards the gurgling auto-drip. “I could probably use a cup of coffee,” she said, and Lisa nodded.

Griffin stood at the coffee maker, pouring his own cup, and Lisa skirted around him to reach the cabinet. He didn’t acknowledge her. His frigidity was worse than his anger. It seeped into her bones like frostbite. Lisa forced herself to look up at his unyielding profile.

“You didn’t leave a note,” she whispered. “We got back and you were gone. We didn’t know where you went.”

His response was to sip from his mug, staring at the grocery list stuck to the cabinet door in front of him.

“We… I was worried,” she said.

“I already told you Lisa. You’re off the hook. You’re under no obligation to keep worrying about me.”

“Griffin, that’s not--”

The force of his gaze made the words die on her tongue. She stung wherever he looked, liked being snapped with a rubber band. But it wasn’t the resentment that made air lodge in her throat, it was the flash of something underneath it- something broken and devastatingly ragged.

“Not now, Lisa.” Griffin turned away from her and strode towards the table.

She stared after him, watching as he took his seat next to Nikki. Clamoring for emotional footing again, Lisa stepped over, handing Nikki her coffee.

Boz swung his chair around, straddling it. “So, you wanna take it from the top?”

“I was out when I saw a pack go into Nikki’s apartment,” Griffin said. “They didn’t look like they were just prowling for a meal. They were focused… on her.” He glanced at Nikki over the rim of his mug.

“Were they aligned?” Boz asked.

“I didn’t get a good look at their wrists to check for ink, but I’m fairly certain they were. They knew about territory lines. They just didn’t care.”

Lisa settled into her seat next to Boz. “How many?”

“Eight,” Griffin answered, eyes glued to the opposite wall.

Boz whistled low between his teeth. “That’s a big pack.”

Nikki frowned. “There were only six in the hallway,” she said, glancing over at Griffin.

He paused, lowering his mug. His gaze was soft as he said, “Eight, total.”

She didn’t have a chance to ask what he meant before Boz spoke.

“That’s a big pack just for one woman.” Boz blinked at Nikki. “No offense.”

“None taken.”

Griffin leaned forward on his elbows. “They must’ve had a reason for going after her,” he said. “Packs don’t stalk their victims into buildings where they can be seen. Snagging her while she was still on the street would’ve been easier.”

Boz hummed, propping his chin on the back of the chair. “You’re kinda dressed up…” he cautioned, motioning to Nikki’s outfit. “Did you go out tonight?”

“Yeah, I went out to a couple of bars with my friend,” Nikki said with a nod. “Is that important?”

Griffin tilted his head, catching her gaze. “They waited until you were absolutely alone before zeroing in. Which means they didn’t want any witnesses, even drunken ones, who might report you missing.”

“This is starting to sound less like a thrill seeking meal, and more like an attempted kidnapping,” Lisa said.

“And they didn’t give up anything useful?” Boz asked him. “A slip of the tongue, or tapping out their plan in Mores Code?” When Griffin shook his head, Boz shrugged. “What about any stereotypical clichés like, ‘give us the girl’ or ‘we’ll be back’?”

“There was a definite ‘we’ll be back’ vibe when they left, yeah,” Griffin said.

Boz’s mouth twitched. “Oh. Goodie.”

“Have you thought maybe this is some kind of retaliation?” Lisa’s tone was sharp, her stare focused on Griffin.

Nikki could practically hear his skeleton creak in protest as all of Griffin’s muscles tensed. Boz straightened, brown eyes wide as he looked between his two friends, but his face was neutral. As neutral as one could be in the pulsing hot silence.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Griffin asked, grip tightening on his mug handle.

“It was only a matter of time before an Alpha caught on and decided to do something about it.”

“So this is my fault now?” He snapped.

“I’m not saying you’re at fault,” Lisa said, leaning forward. “But actions have consequences.”

“So does inaction,” Griffin countered. “What was I supposed to do, just sit around and watch the body count go up?”

“Of course not. But Vampires take the Codes very seriously--”

“Yeah, because it’s an endless supply of loopholes.”

“And those loopholes keep them alive.” Lisa’s voice was raised, fingers jabbing into the tabletop. “We should have been better prepared for what could happen when we started threatening their lifeline.”

“We were careful.”

“Not careful enough. Did you really think we’d be able to start hunting in their territory without an Alpha getting pissed? We played with fire and now—“

“Lisa we get it,” Boz cut in. “Look, what happened can’t be changed, so hopping on the shoulda-coulda-woulda train isn’t gonna do us any favors.”

His words were the bell ringing an end to that round of a fight. One Nikki was sure had been ongoing for some time, given the instant temper flare ups.

Boz rolled his shoulders and spoke again. “Okay, so speculations aside, I guess now we focus on how to deal with the situation at hand.” He nodded to Nikki.

She cupped her hands around her mug, shifting in her seat. “Sure, yeah, let’s handle my… situation. But could we take a minute, or five, and in that time how about we backtrack a bit because I’ve still got a dozen or so flashing question marks floating above my head that I’d really like to get rid of.”

Griffin turned to face her. “Sorry,” he said with a decidedly calmer tone. “You’re right. We should have explained everything first before we jumped into… the rest.”

“Yeah. That would be helpful.”

Boz grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Awesome, I love Q and A sessions.”

Nikki looked around at the trio. “Okay, how about we start with this Alpha guy you keep talking about. Who is he?”

“Manhattan has an Alpha Vampire,” Griffin explained. “He’s effectively the boss of all Vampires in the city, if they’re aligned to him, which the majority of them are.”

“Think of him like Don Corleone, only with less marinara sauce,” Boz added casually.

“And aligned Vampires have to follow the Codes- the rules that were set up for Vampires and Hunters.”

“And one of those rules is not feeding in your neighborhood?” Nikki asked.

“Right.” Griffin nodded.

Boz angled himself towards Nikki. “New York is split into territories. There’s Hunter territory, Vampire territory, and No-Man’s land. Vampires are banned from feeding on our turf, and if they break code they’re killed. But within their own boundary lines and No-Man’s land, they have free reign.”

“Free reign? You mean it’s okay for them to feed at all?” Nikki’s lip curled.

Griffin shook his head. “No, it’s not okay.”

“But we’re outnumbered,” Lisa interjected. “The population ratio between Hunters and Vampires has always been in their favor, not ours. At best, that makes patrolling difficult. But it’s impossible for us to be everywhere at once.”

“The Codes were supposed be a safeguard,” Boz said, looping his arms around the chair back and lacing his fingers together. “An attempt at coexisting without much conflict.”

Nikki frowned. “But it didn’t work.”

“If anything it made being a Hunter more difficult,” he said. “Vampires would still cross over and feed in our territory, but unless we caught them in the act, our hands were tied. That’s how it was for Hunters for decades.”

Lisa leaned back in her seat. “And then things changed.”

Nikki took a long gulp of coffee, hoping the caffeine would improve the speed at which her synapses were firing. She was a fast learner but she was having to remold her entire world paradigm. And that kind of thing required a second cup of coffee.

“Guys, let’s fast forward through the history lesson for right now,” Griffin said. “We can have study hall later.”

Nikki cast a thankful glance at him. Dropping her gaze, she noticed the line of tattoos on the inside of his wrist again.

“You said aligned Vampires have tattoos,” she started. “Are they like yours?”

Griffin ran his thumb over the markings. “Sort of. They have theirs on the left wrist, and it’s a different design.”

“So why do you have those?”

Boz extended his arm, tugging up his shirt sleeve. “To show that you belong,” he said, exposing the tender skin that bore a similar line of symbols.

Lisa followed suit, flashing the inside of her wrist. Hers were the same two markings as Boz’s, but Griffin’s was longer by one character.

Nikki leaned closer to Griffin. “What do they mean?”

Griffin looked down at his wrist. “They’re a language, like hieroglyphics.”

He stretched his arm across the table for her to see and pointed to the first symbol- a plain black dot.

“This means I’m a Hunter.”

His index finger slid to the next; something that reminded Nikki of an archery bow with two dots on the outward curve.

“This means I’m part of a group. The dots count the number of people I’m with. ”

He paused, staring at the middle symbol- a semi-circle with two lines dashed through diagonally on one end and two dots on the reverse side at the other end. It’d been a long time since he’d explained its meaning to anyone, and he still dreaded it.

“And this…” He swallowed. “Is the mark of a Seer.”

Nikki frowned. “A what?”

“A-”

“A Seer,” Lisa interrupted. “He can read people’s subconscious. Emotions, memories, dreams… Anything that’s below the teleprompter surface of your mind, he can see it.”

Griffin’s shoulders tensed and he stared at a spot on the table so intently it was like he was trying to bore a hole through it with willpower alone.

“So, is that why you’re a… a Vampire Hunter?” Nikki asked.

Griffin nodded. “It’s a big part of it, yeah.”

Nikki glanced at Boz and Lisa. “Are you guys… Seers too?”

Boz laughed. “Lisa? A Seer? She can barely read billboards, let alone interpret a person’s subconscious.”

Lisa glared at him. “You’re not funny.”

“I’m hilarious and you know it,” he said, dismissing her with a wave.

“So it’s just you,” Nikki said, looking to Griffin again.

“But he’s not alone,” Boz added. “There are others.”

“Boz,” Griffin sighed.

He gestured obscurely. “I mean there are other people with abilities. Not necessarily like yours… Well, there’s Mother Mary, but she’s not a Hunter— anyway, you see what I’m getting at.”

Nikki squinted at him. “Is this like the X-men or something?”

“Oh man, I wish!” Boz grinned broadly. When he was met with blank stares his face fell. “I like the X-men.” He shrugged.

“So, there are other Hunters who are… special?” Nikki asked, unsure of her word choice.

Griffin nodded, glancing up. He lost his staring contest with the table.

“We don’t have to get into all of that tonight,” he said. “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

Nikki considered it for a moment. Hitting pause on the ‘Vampires are real and there are Hunters who kill them’ talk probably wasn’t a bad idea. She could use a night, or a year, to digest everything that had been thrown at her. But…

“No, that’s okay,” she heard herself say. “Might as well just get it all out there now while I’m still lucid and not huddled in a corner somewhere, rocking back and forth, muttering to myself about monsters.”

Griffin smiled, but there was still a shadow in his eyes that made Nikki’s chest tighten.

“Alright,” he started. “Well, there are different kinds of abilities. There are Seers, Telepaths, Empaths…” He started counting off each one on his fingers. “Then there are Psychics and Mediums, and Veil Walkers-”

“Veil Walkers?” Nikki repeated. “What does that mean?”

“To be honest, I’m a little vague on the details,” Griffin said. “I know they’re able to communicate with people who have died, like Mediums, but they lose themselves in it. People I know who’ve seen a Veil Walker say it’s like they have delusional schizophrenia.”

“And they’re Hunters?”

“No. Most are nearly incapacitated by what they can do,” he said. “They can be good resources for information but they aren’t very effective Hunters.”

“Oh and don’t forget the Telekinetics we heard rumors about,” Boz interjected.

Nikki frowned. “What?”

“You’ve seen Carrie, right?” Boz said. “You know…” He wiggled his fingers strangely. “And stuff goes flying.”

Nikki took in a very long, steady breath. “Okay, so to summarize, Vampires exist. They like their rules, but only when those rules benefit them. You guys are part of a super secret society, complete with matching tattoos, that hunts Vampires. And some of the people in said society can do metaphysical Jedi mind tricks and that’s actually a good thing. How am I doing so far?”

“We should put you in charge of writing our Wikipedia page.” Boz smiled.

“Great, okay, but… How doesn’t anyone know about this stuff? Everyone just thinks Vampires are myths or masturbatory material—“

A shocked laugh exploded out of Boz and he ducked his head. “Sorry, continue,” he said, clearing his throat.

“How has no one noticed a ton of corpses showing up with bite marks on their necks?”

“Vampires don’t actually leave bite marks,” Griffin answered. “Their saliva contains enzymes and proteins that speed the healing process. Which means when they bite someone, the skin heals without the trace.”

“But I’m sure there would be suspicion when people got to the morgue mysteriously exsanguinated.”

“They don’t drain their victims either,” he said. “That would be like someone drinking a gallon of tomato juice. Unless a Vampire is injured, they only need about a pint of blood each time they feed to survive.”

“But you said they kill people…”

“They do.” He paused, holding her gaze. “For fun.”

Nikki’s throat went dry.

“They won’t kill their victims from feeding on them. They’ll take what they need, and then kill them because they can.” He leaned forward, pressing his forearms into the table. “A Vampire is strong enough to crush bone and rupture organs with their bare hands. You saw how fast they can move.” Nikki nodded, and Griffin continued.

“When you’re turned, you’re not the same person you were as a human. That darkness we all have in us is woken up and made stronger, and once it’s fed it’s nearly impossible to control. Eventually you’re not feeding the beast because you can’t stop yourself, you’re feeding it because you like it. Power like that is addictive, and when it gives so much in return… No one wants to deprive themselves of that.”

A chill ghosted over Nikki’s arms. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she let the weight of Griffin’s words settle under her ribs.

Trying to keep her voice even, she said, “I guess going home really isn’t an option for me, is it?”

“It’s too dangerous,” he said. “We don’t know why that pack targeted you. They may have moved on by now, but if they see that you’re alone they’ll come after you again.”

She sighed, looking down at her empty mug. “Great. That’s just… great.”

Griffin wanted to comfort her, to tell her she had nothing to worry about, but the words wouldn’t come. And even if they did, it would feel deceptive. He was in no place to guarantee her anything.

When Nikki glanced up, the intensity was identical to when she’d found his stare through the darkness in the alleyway. The sapphire blue was enough to stun him.

“You’re absolutely sure if I walk out that door, they’ll find me again?”

Griffin nodded, unable to look away from her. “There are thousands of Vampires in this city, and they’re hard to spot, even with ink on their wrists. They look human, and if they’re a month out of their transition they can go out in the sunlight. Day or night, no matter where you went, you wouldn’t be safe.”

“Which is exactly why you should consider staying with us,” Lisa said. “At least until we get things straightened out.”

A weight settled under Nikki’s sternum, pinning her where she sat. She watched Griffin for a beat longer before glancing away.

She inhaled, looking around the table. “Well, you don’t look like you’re going to murder me in my sleep.”

Lisa smiled at her. “We’ll take that as a compliment.”