#familial/sibling love saving the day instead of cliche love at first sight

[chirpsythismorning]

Me when Frozen is on the ST5 DNA board

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #373

“warm me up in a nova’s glow  /  and drop me down to the dream below”

Have you ever kissed someone that you thought you’d never kiss? Welp, never thought I'd kiss a girl for most of my life. When was the last time you ate take-out and what was it that you ate? Mom bought us breakfast at Bojangle's the morning after my sleep study. I got a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit. Do you enjoy when guys hit on/flirt with you or does it normally make you uncomfortable or annoyed? When was the last time more than one guy was flirting with you at a time? It makes me uncomfortable, especially if it's very obvious and pushy. Like some respectful flirting is fine and can be flattering if I'm single, but you better respect my boundaries and not act like a dog. I don't think two guys have both been openly interested in me since Juan and Jason in high school. Can you name five things you enjoy looking at pictures of? Animals, flowers, waterfalls, expressions of love between people, and boudoir. Would you rather have an eternal winter or an eternal summer? Both sound pretty sucky, but an eternal summer sounds worse. Do you know much about the Greek gods? Not anymore. I did in high school, as mythology was an elective I took. Are there a lot of stray cats and dogs near where you live? Not in this neighborhood. How would you cope with living in isolation away from society? How long do you think you could cope before you went mad? Oh god, I couldn't cope. I'd lose my shit so fast. Have you ever found any hidden treasure? No. Would you ever want to hibernate through the winter? No, I enjoy winter. Which holiday do you prefer, Halloween or Christmas? I like the Halloween vibe more, but I enjoy Christmas more as a holiday. Do you prefer hot or cold drinks overall? Cold. What’s the smallest thing you’ve ended a relationship over? I don't believe I've broken up with anyone over something small. Have you or a member of your family been diagnosed with COVID yet? My older sister got it. It was hell. What’s the dominant color in the room you’re in at the moment? An off-white. Do you know who your mom’s favorite singer is? James Hetfield of Metallica. Easy. What room in your house is the messiest? The spare room. Have you ever used a “puppy face” to get your way? Ha, yeeeaaah... If you could change any law that exists in your current country, what would it be and why? Here comes free healthcare. For obvious reasons. What were the last toppings you had on a pizza? Pepperoni. Would you rather spend an hour walking a dog or riding a horse? Riding a horse. Do you freak out when you need to visit the doctor or the dentist? Nah. Do you prefer The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit movies, if you like any of them? I haven't watched either. Which Harry Potter film was your favourite? What about your least favourite? I haven't watched those, either. What do you think about nose piercings? I like them. Nostril studs especially are really cute imo. How many floors does your house have? One. What’s your favorite flavor of Kool-Aid? I don't really like Kool-Aid anymore. Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Yeah, a cyst. Do you enjoy sappy love songs? Unabashedly. Do you wear a one-piece or a two-piece when you go swimming? One-piece. What would be your biggest pet peeve in a relationship? Not communicating your feelings straight-up. Be straightforward and honest with what you're going through with your partner, for the love of God. Have you ever had a teacher hit on you? Have you ever hit on a teacher? No to both. Do you tend to eat more on Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas? Christmas, because of chocolate stocking stuffers and boxes from Dad, haha. Do you know what an "AMV" is? Yeah, I used to make them. Do you think you have a sad life? In some ways, yeah. What’s one award show you have to watch every year? None. Who do you like more: the Batman or the Joker? The Joker, particularly Heath Ledger's. Do you like Rammstein? Love 'em. What is your favorite small dog breed? Aesthetically, I think pugs, but I've said before and I'll say it a thousand more times: I don't support breeding them. What was the first comic book you ever had an obsession over? I've never been obsessed with a comic book. Do you like kids pop-up books? Those were my absolute favorite kind AS a kid. What is your mother's mother's maiden name? Ummm I'm pretty sure Collins. Have you ever pet a monkey? No. What’s your favorite Owl City song… besides "Fireflies?" I actually really like "Hot Air Balloon." What’s your fave Miley Cyrus song? I don't know many, but I do know "The Climb" is absolutely gorgeous. Fave Rascal Flatts song? Probably "My Wish." But I also really like "Why" and "What Hurts the Most." Fave Justin Bieber song? None. Miley Cyrus, Demi Lavato, or Selena Gomez? Jesus, you really like bands that I don't, haha. I don't know any Demi or Selena songs, so idk. Fave Eminem song? Oh man, I do like a lot of Eminem. I know it's so cliche, but I genuinely adore "Love The Way You Lie." It gives me goosebumps. Do you think you could survive a month of solitary confinement? NO. Absolutely not. I would lose my motherfucking mind. What is something that you find utterly boring? Sports, save for dance, are incredibly blah to me. What noise/sound can put you to sleep? Gentle, steady rain tapping on the window. When you are upset, do you tend to shut others out? YYYYYYYYYYYEP. When was the last time you felt abandoned by someone? bleh Does the sight of blood gross you out? No. Do you like red roses, or do you prefer another color? I love red ones, but I really, really like the ones with a pink-peach gradient. Have you ever gone through a red light? I think I MIGHT have accidentally because I was zoned out, but I don't THINK so. Do you fail to stop for stop signs, sometimes? I can't recall if I ever have. What is one of your major turn-offs? Misogyny. The moment you act like you exceed my worth just because you have a dick, byyyyyeeee~ During which year of your life were you the most unhappy? 2016 was hell on Earth for me. Have you ever seen a blue jay in person? I have. Do you like leaves better in the summer/spring, or in the fall? I'd like to meet someone that actually chooses anything besides fall, lol. Do you like the appearance of green eyes? YES! Do you typically like green-colored candies? Yessss. It's not rare for them to be my favorite flavor of whatever the thing is. Who is the most energetic and happy person you know of? My nephew, omg. Have you ever encountered a black widow? I actually have seen at least one to my memory. They're native here. Has an animal ever peed on you? Yes. Do you prefer green or purple/red grapes? I enjoy both, but I prefer green IF they're actually firm. What color is your birthstone? Purple. Why did you leave your house last? To go to the TMS office. I have to go there every day (but the weekends) for two months for treatment now. Is anything on your body sore? Well, inevitably my upper right arm, where my tattoo is. It looks so fucking beautiful redone though, it's all worth it. :') Have you ever eaten a cookie cake before? If so, was it good? Hell yeah man, cookie cakes are great. Do you lose interest in someone easily? I'm quite the opposite. Who was the last person you flirted with? Sara. Do you still talk to the person you fell the hardest for? No. Who’s the last person that slept over your house? My sister and her husband. Have you ever regretted kissing someone? Yes. Are you currently sad about anything? I mean, I always am about something. How would you feel if your last ex fell in love with someone else? I would be super happy for her. Who was the last person who left your life and hurt you? Colleen. Do you know anyone who died of breast cancer? I might know of somebody, but all I know personally are survivors. Do you miss any of your old friends? Well of course. Have you ever been used before? I don't know. Ever taken a picture kissing someone? Yes. What’s the last thing you and your sibling laughed about? I Don't know. I haven't seen either in some time. What’s the last thing you took a picture of? A meme to send Sara, haha. Do you listen to classical music? No. Do you tell your parents who you like? Why or why not? I mean, I don't just randomly bring it up because just being like "hey I like this person _____ now" seems weird. Now if I was asked or mentioning it is somehow relevant, then I will. Who’s the most annoying person in your neighborhood? The damn dog next door who never shuts up. Name one of your psycho exes? None. I was the "psycho ex," and it's embarrassing as shit. Do you make your own clothes and/or add designs to them on your own? No. Do you ever feel guilty eating meat? It's not something I always actively think about, but subconsciously, I absolutely always do. Especially knowing my family doesn't buy from "ethical" markets, but instead big ones. "Ethical" in quotations because there is no moral way to slaughter an animal for food, but at least there are smaller farmers who can give their livestock a better, cleaner, happier life. What are you listening to at the moment? I'm semi-watching Gab play Bioshock. I'd never seen the game before, so just kinda vicariously checking it out. Seems all right. Does anything hurt right now? My tattoo is definitely in the sore phase. It'll start scabbing soon. I literally can't stop looking at it, I love it so much. How many years have you lived at the house you’re living in right now? Around 1 1/2. Have you ever lived in a different country that the one you’re living in? No. Which of your parents will you see next? I live with my mom and rarely see my dad, so. Do you like Chinese food? Only pork fried rice and egg rolls, really. What sort of music were you brought up on? When all of us kids were very little, Mom would usually play her rock channels on the radio, sometimes a (clean) CD. She also would ensure to play kids' cassettes sometimes, too, like Raffy or whoever it was. Once Ashley reached a certain age, she would always ask for a pop channel to be put on, so most of my childhood was that and some country music, too.

[mangled-dreams]

Sins of the Mother: 11

Part 11: Death

Previous: Collection, Agreement, Terms, Truth, Accident, Goodbye, Grieving, Visions, Recovery, Disillusion,

Waking up feeling more groggy than when you went to sleep you rub your eyes and yawn. The edges of your mouth stretch painfully and tears line your eyes. Licking your lips you blink a few times looking around your familiar room.

Everything looks just at it had last night, everything except one little detail. Dark lies next to you on your bed. It's a king, so there is more than enough room and you immediately attribute that fact to why you hadn't noticed before, but the fact still remains: Dark is in your bed sleeping.

His suit is crumpled and creased, your normal night time attire is still sung around your frame, and there is no indication that anyone got undressed. Blinking you look around once more before settling on Dark's sleeping features. Awake he's very pleasing to look at, it's no different now that he's asleep but you do note some differences between waking Dark and sleeping Dark.

Careful not to rock the bed too much you shimmy yourself closer. You've never imagined you'd see Dark with bed head, but from the state of him you assume he doesn't sleep soundly. Without thought you brush his jacket in a failed attempt to smooth it out before realizing you're touching him and retract it. You don't remember the last time you had a guest in your bed that didn't look to you as a mother. Tucking your legs under you, you rest against the headboard looking Dark over. He seems peaceful, relaxed, and... you can't quite put your finger on it, but he looks happier.

Covering a yawn again you know you should get up, take a shower, dress, eat something, go anywhere else to give Dark his privacy to sleep. You don't. Instead you gingerly touch a lock of his lush black hair. In the wake of a night's sleep you find his hair is naturally on the curly side. You play with the curls.

Soon, without meaning to your fingers move deeper into the thick tresses of hair, lightly scratching at his scalp. The soft mewing sound Dark makes startles you, your hand disappearing from his hair. He frowns, eye brows pinched together in disapproval of your withdraw, and he turns into you. Sitting ridged with your hands nearly straight in the air Dark curls his an arm and his head on your thighs.

When he finally settles again the breath you had been holding rushes out. After a few drawn out seconds you relax looking down at Dark with a tenderness you didn't think was possible. He reminds you of your siblings. Perhaps he's just as confused and scared of what's going on as you are, maybe even more so. You've noticed the little signs in his speech, the way he looked at you when he brought up Savannah in your car.

Leaning back into the headboard you take up lightly scratching Dark's scalp again, your fingers playing with his luscious locks once more. Call it years of doing this exact thing with your siblings, call it need for comfort in such a trying time in your life, hell, call it loneliness, but whatever you call it it soothes you.

Closing your eyes you try to allow yourself this little moment. You allow yourself to think that this--this change in your original idea of your future won't be so bad. You allow yourself to believe you can, perhaps, one day be happy with Dark--no, Damien. The longer you allow yourself to feel comforted and happy and content the more you feel a tug in your chest.

At first it wasn't anything to worry you, however the more it happens the more intense it gets. Before you really understand what is happening your breath becomes labored. The tug you'd first felt begins to pull sharply. Breathing heavily you press a hand to your breast bone. You've had panic attacks but never like this. Could it be your worst panic attack, or could it be something else?

Black spots slowly take over your vision as you attempt to control your breathing. Nothing you are trying is helping. You can't recall when but the weight on your lap disappears and hands grab your wrists. Through the black spots dotting your vision you see Dark looking up at you.

This confuses you even in your disoriented state. There is no way that Dark should be below you. He towers over you, how... how can he be looking up to you.

"Y/n, look at me. Listen to my voice. You can fight this." Dark says loudly, but it's not a shout. His voice is strong and steady as he talks to you. His voice resonates through you. In a way it's comforting and you feel connected to it, cling to it for safety.

"Dam--Damien, it hurts..." you whisper clutching at your shirt. The feeling gives another sharp pull in your chest.

"Dammit, Savannah, leave her alone." Dark growls his voice rumbling through your whole frame. You feel as if it should shake your whole house. It frightens you on some level, more than that it comforts you. You know he's not angry with you, he's not upset that you're in this state, he fears for you.

In your moment of comfort something new and even more frightening happens. A vision passes just in front of Dark. The black dots still in your sight doesn't affect the image of your ancestor standing in front of you. The eyes so many artists portrayed as kind an gentle are anything but. A firm scowl graces her doll like features as she looks down at you.

"You disappoint me. Falling in love with a demon." She sneers in a tone just as cold as her gaze. "Disgusting."

Gritting your teeth you keep from remarking. You didn't want to or even mean to... to... Your eyes widen at the thought you could be in love with Dark. Even though now is not the time, nor the place to have such a thought you can't help it. Staring at Savannah you ask, "Do... Do I love him?"

Snapping her head, Savannah looks away from you. It's as if the question completely and utterly disgusts her. "A Scarlet is never meant to love. We use others to gain our purpose. It seems I failed that point."

"What? No! What about your children? Your grandchildren? They don't deserve that kind of treatment. No one can flourish on cold calculated partnerships. That's not a life!" You shout watching Savannah instantly crowd you. Her face inches from yours. She stares directly into your eyes. It's unnerving and you want to get away but refuse to show that much weakness.

What's to say she won't go after Ollie or Fern, what of your cousins, aunts, or uncles? Will anyone that bares the Scarlet name be safe from her?

"Learn to respect your elders, child." Savannah snarls. Her breath hits your face in a hot caress. You close one eye and wince but refuse to pull away from her.

"I give respect to the ones that deserve it, Savannah. You're nothing but a murderer that made a deal to save your own skin. No real mother would ever do anything to harm her children, much less treat them as if they're less than human." You snarl just as intensely back. "No one would respect a murderer like you if they knew the truth."

You've never seen this look aimed at you, but you have see the eyes of a bloodthirsty murderer in pictures and videos of true crime stories. The moment you uttered your response something in Savannah snapped. As if in slow motion you saw her face completely change and it scares you. Instantly you fear for your life.

Slim delicate hands wrap around your throat. Despite their size there is overpowering strength determined to crush your trachea. Tiny squeaks leave your mouth each time you try to draw in a breath. You scratch and pull at Savannah's hands desperate to get the air into your lungs again. A slow burning begins fueling your desperation for much needed oxygen.

Dark stares in horror as you scratch at your throat. He can only assume Savannah had reached out to you using a spell. You're looking, acting, talking as if speaking with the witch of nightmares. Grabbing your hands Dark tells you to stop, to think and fight back magic against magic.

Your eyes never look at him, your voice never calling out to him, but the look of fear in your eyes tells him everything. Savannah is trying to kill you--to choke the life out of you. A life he doesn't want to see snuffed out.

"Y/N!" Dark barks pleading for you to hear him, to acknowledge he is there with you still.

In the blackness around Savannah you hear your name, low and easily unheard, but then like aloud speaker had been turned on blast you hear Dark's voice.

"D--Dark..." You manage to squeak out. Realization hits you then. This isn't Savannah. She's nowhere near you. Even as you have this epiphany it doesn't change the fact that Savannah is still choking you and breath isn't making it to your lungs.

"Magic! Use your magic!" Dark shouts again keeping your hands away from your neck.

Magic. You think trying to recall a spell, an incantation, anything that could help you. Nothing comes to mind. The black spots are getting larger and even doting Savannah now. You just know the end is getting closer and if you don't do something now you'll die.

You can't do that to Ollie, Fern, your dad, even Dark. You can't just leave them because of Savannah and her ego or whatever she has going on. No. No!

Pushing deep into yourself you touch the magic slowly brewing inside yourself. Like you've read and have been told the longer you practice and learn spells the stronger your magic will get. You are nowhere near the strength Savannah must have but you have something she does, and as cliche as it is, you have the love of your family to give you strength.

Starring Savannah square in the eyes you push your magic at her without words, or preparation, or even enchanted ingredients. You know what Savannah lacks and that's exactly what you'll give her.

Within seconds Savannah releases your throat. Horrified screams rip from her mouth as the sins of her past rush her like zombies, ghosts forcing her to feel the pain and anguish of their loss, of the betrayal, heartache, sorrow. A fitting punishment this round.

You know it won't kill her. Not by any means, but it will distract her and break her concentration on the spell. You just know to project herself like she is it's concentration based. Within seconds, like a candle being snuffed out, Savannah disappears and the darkness greets you.

"Come on." Dark whispers pressing his large hands into your chest. Your breathing and heart stopped the moment your body went limp in his arms. He'd nearly thrown you to the floor and began CPR to revive you. Seconds tick by into minutes as he frantically tries to save you like a normal human.

"Come on! Y/n, don't do this!" He shouts pinching your nose, lifts you chin enough to get air through your throat and breaths twice into your mouth. He tries to remain steadfast and calm but the longer you're dead the less likely you'll come back. No, he can't think like that. Even if you die he'll bring you back. He'll... He'll... "Please, come back." Dark pleads compressing your chest to keep your heart beating.

Gasping loudly you startle Dark. His body jerking away from you before quickly pulling you into his lap. Never has he wanted to cry in relief in all his life. Sighing with a sense of relief Dark sweeps your hair from your face. A light glistening of sweat covers your skin.

"My chest." You complain feeling sharp pains all long your rib cage.

"I can fix that." Dark tells you smiling just slightly. He'll never admit to it, but the feeling and sound of your ribs breaking under his first few compression will haunt him for a time.

Your whole body aches and muscles burn, you have huge migraine, and you feel sticky and gross and dead tired. There is a rawness in your throat that burns when you breath or speak. "Did I die?" You ask remembering the feeling of Savannah's hands around your throat.

Dark catches your eyes. "Yes." He answers dead seriously. You see the horrifying truth staring back at you in his dark brown eyes. Dark truly believed you died in his arms, under his watch where you are supposed to be protected. "Don't do that again." He tells you burying his face into your stomach. It hurts but not as much as if he'd pressed his face into your chest or neck.

Breathing with more ease than a few minutes ago, considering you weren't breathing just a minute ago, you raise an aching hand and run it through Dark's hair. "I hate to ruin the moment, but I need to shower..." Pausing a moment you add, "And see a doctor."

Dark obliges you. After a very quick and awkward shower he drives you to the hospital where they are told you'd been attacked in your home. The police were called, Dark handled the conversation easily making the officers and hospital staff believe his tale. You let him without a fight.

Savannah is enough of a pain in the ass right now, you don't need the police to get involved. Laying back in your hospital bed resting a peacefully as you can you hear quick footsteps getting closer to your room. Within seconds the door is shoved open. Two crying blurs rush your bed climbing up the stiff mattress to cling to you.

You yelp in pain when tiny but heavy hands press into your chest. Wrapping your arms around your chest you sit up breathing heavily to keep from crying out much more.

"Sis!"

"Y/n! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Forcing a pain filled smile you look at each twin in turn. "It's okay, you... ah... you didn't know." You tell them breathing through the pain. Even with painkillers you still have quite a bit of pain when your chest is pushed on. Thankfully nothing is misaligned and surgery is not required. Of course you doubt Dark would allow you to go under the knife to fix broken bones.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry." Fern says getting off the bed to let you lay back down. Ollie does the same.

Taking a few steady breaths you ease back into the bed with an apologetic smile on your lips. "Yes, sweetheart, it does hurt. You'll have to be gentle with me for a while, okay?" You ask closing your eyes. Tears line your lower lashes.

"Fern, Oliver, don't run off on me... oh GOD! Y/n, who did this to you?" You father cries rushing to your bedside next to Fern. "Oh, my baby."

You sure are a sight, that's for sure. Gauze and bandages are wrapped around your neck where you'd clawed at your own skin to get Savannah's hands off your throat. Dark circles formed under your eyes and you have bruising running up and down your neck for added effect. Despite Savannah's hands being so small the imprints left on your neck are much larger.

"Do I look ready for prom?" You joke needing it to keep from crying.

Your father gives you a half smile even as he looks so close to crying. "Baby, you always look beautiful."

Two tears slip down your face. You may be a grown woman that raised three children and took on the responsibilities that shouldn't have been yours, but at heart you're still that 18 year old needing her mom and dad to hug her and tell her everything is okay. "Daddy, I was so scared." You whisper unable to keep your eyes open.

Garrett stands again and moves to the top of your bed. He'd hug you if he didn't think it'd cause you more pain. Brushing your hair from your face he presses a kiss to your crown. "I know baby. I know. I love you Y/n. I'm sorry."

You let yourself cry then. Ollie and Fern both sit in chairs on either side of you, their heads resting on your legs, their hands holding yours letting you have this. Above you Garrett is stroking your hair whispering to you that it'll be okay.

Dark stands just outside your room. Anger runs through his veins. He still doesn't understand what Savannah's plan truly is but attacking you is unforgivable. Clenching his fists Dark vows a painful death to the woman. He swore his protection to you and he plans of ensuring that this threat is taken care of.