#given the way that she sticks by Rose No Matter What after he believes in & listens to her

[yandere-writer-momo]

Heart Shaped Wound

Chapter 42

Author’s note: this chapter took awhile because I had to test run the mother’s personality a few times just to get it right. So please enjoy!

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     Waking up on Hanayama’s bare chest after a nap was a lot different than laying with Katsumi. Hanayama was covered in more scars and he had a lot more mass to him. 

     He was warm like a heated blanket and he smelled like a combination tobacco, whiskey, and roses. It was such an interesting scent that somehow fit Hanayama. He was a tough guy with a gentle side. One that he seemed to only show her.

      To say she was flattered would be an understatement. She was flattered with his favor of her but at the same time, she wasn’t too sure.  Her trust in him has diminished. (Your name) felt as if his possessiveness has become too much for her to handle. It’s as if he truly believed she was obligated to choose him.

     (Your name) reached a hand up and pushed a few stray strands of hair out of his handsome face. Her fingers absentmindedly tracing over the scars on his handsome face.

      Hanayama began to stir from her touch. His dark eyes fluttering open to see (your name) softly tracing his features. His eyes softened as he gazed down at her.

     “Good evening.” Hanayama rose to sit up in the bed, draping his large upper body over her as he maneuvered her to lay in his lap. “Are you ready to get around?”

    (Your name) stretched her arms over her head and yawned. She wasn’t prepared for what was to come but she couldn’t complain. Hanayama always had something extravagant planned for her.

      “As ready as I’ll ever be.” (Your name) smiled at him. 

       Hanayama hummed as he stood up. The giant man making his way over to the phone to push a button.

      “The servants will be in here shortly.” Hanayam then made his way to his suit case to pull out a black suit with a deep red blouse. “We’ll be matching again. I hope you don’t mind.”

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     The servants smoothed out the wrinkles in the mesh red dress (your name) wore. Thick blood red velvet covered up most of her modesty while the mesh shoes off her neck, arms, sides, and legs off. This dress was incredibly fancy. Fancier than the last few dresses he’s given her, matter of fact.

     She felt like a pretty present ready to be torn apart the second they returned from this date. It made her stomach churn a bit at the thought.

     (Your name) stared at her elegant visage in the mirror. Her fingers twirling the loose curls from her bun in anxious fervor. She was nervous for this date. She felt like Hanayama had something up his sleeve.

      “You look ravishing.” (Your name) nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Hanayama’s voice. 

     Hanayama made his way over to her, his large body loomed over her smaller one. The yakuza leaned down to press a chaste kiss on the nape of her neck. 

      “I’m so excited to show you what I have planned for tonight…” 

      From the way he was speaking to her, she hoped it wasn’t what she was thinking.

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     Hanayama lead her down to the restaurant within the hotel. Its prestigious appearance intimidated her. She felt so out of place especially being someone who wasn’t from a background of money. Not to mention, they were the only people here… how much money did Hanayama have?

      As they approached the table in the center, (your name) felt the hairs on her arm stick straight up, her skin crawling when she felt a familiar presence nearby. 

      Hanayama pulled out her chair for her with a content expression on his stoic face. He had something big planned. She just knew it.

    Hanayama sat across from her. Waiters bringing out wine and a hors d'oeuvre of oysters the moment he sat down. 

      “I hope you enjoy our meal together. I tried to book the best place for tonight. I want you to have the very best.” Hanayama stated, his dark eyes never leaving her face as he watched her sip her wine. “It’s a seven course meal so I hope you’re hungry.”

       “You’re so kind to me, Kaoru.” (Your name) smiled at him to try to hide her nervousness under his gaze. “Why do I interest you so much? And you can’t say it’s my dashing good looks.”

       Hanayama felt a smirk on his lips at her joke. What he felt wasn’t just physical attraction. He wouldn’t go to such lengths just because he thought she was pretty. He’s been with a lot of beautiful women but none of them have him such a thrill like she did. None of them were powerful enough to defend themselves if he wasn’t around. He wanted someone who was on equal footing with him. 

       “You’re strong. I couldn’t be with a weak woman.” Hanayama took a big swig from his glass before his eyes shine with some unknown emotion as his eyes stated deeply into hers. “You’re the only one who is qualified to stand by my side.”

       (Your name) hummed. Hanayama was a yakuza boss. She didn’t doubt he lived a dangerous life but he has only shown her the elegant parts of it. The illusion of the glamorous life. Did he plan on shielding her from his world forever or would he have her be a part of it? Fighting by his side?

     “Kaoru? Am I to be-“ (your name) nearly choked on her spit when an older woman made her way towards the pair. Her long (hair color) hair matching (your name)’s perfectly. What was her mother doing here?

      “I thought since we were in Brazil, that you could see your family.” Kaoru whispered as he stood up and pulled out a chair for (your name)’s mother to sit. “It took a minute for me to find her…”

      Hanayama stopped speaking once he saw the look on (your name)’s face. Why was her expression so displeased? Don’t most people want to see their family when they’re close to home? Had he made a mistake?

     “Lindnha (pretty girl)! You haven’t spoken to your mother in a few years now.” (Your name) pulled her hands away from the table when her mother tried reaching out to grab her hand. “You didn’t tell me you were dating a business man.”

      “I don’t see how it’s any of your business when I left Brazil two years ago.” (Your name) took another sip from her glass of red wine. She could feel a headache coming on. Why on earth did he invite her mother here… unless he was planning on proposing? He wouldn’t do that right? They haven’t even known each other for three months yet nor were they exclusive. 

       “I’ve been trying to find you a husband for awhile. You need someone to take care of you. That way you’re not fighting anymore.” (Your name) took a deep breath in and a deep breath out at her mother’s words. She needed to remain calm.

      “I am very capable on my own.” (Your name) gave her mother a fake smile, one that didn’t reach the corner of her eyes. She must try to remain composed. She didn’t want Hanayama to see her break down.

       The waiters brought another bottle of wine and three bowls of soup. (Your name)’s mother giving Hanayama a smile filled with ulterior motives, the kind she gave every rich man she saw. It was why she despised her mother so much, but there was still a part of her that adored her. It was always a battle in (your name)’s heart on how she felt about her mother.

      “If you two get married, you could wear my old wedding dress.” (Mother’s name) smiled at (your name) before reaching out to poke at (your name)’s muscular arm. “You will have to lose a lot of those muscles. You’re too big to fit in any proper lady clothes. You need to be daintier.”

      Hanayama felt his cheeks heat up. How dare her mother speak ill of her. How dare she talk down upon her. Hanayama tried to reach for (your name)’s hand but she pulled away. Her eyes staring down at the table. He hasn’t meant to upset her.

      “You were so kind to reach out to me so I could see my daughter. I’m so happy she found such a thoughtful man.” (Mother’s name) turned to glance at (your name) who remained silent and unmoving. “So how did you two meet?”

      “In a fighting tournament-“ (Your name) flinched when her mother dropped her glass, shattering it on the tile floor. The older woman trying to cover up her distaste at her daughter’s words.

       Hanayama’s eyes narrowed at (Your name)’s expressions. She’s never been upset like this before and he didn’t think her mother and her had this bad of a relationship.

      “What are you going to tell me next? He’s a…” (Mother’s name) felt her (eye color) orbs widen in horror at (your name)’s downcast expression. “Você é uma garota bonita! por que você está com um criminoso feio? Eu não te criei melhor? Achei que tinha dito para você encontrar um homem rico! (You are a pretty girl! Why are you with an ugly criminal? Have I not raised you better? I thought I told you to find a rich man!)”

       (Your name) took another sip of her whine to try to drown out her mother’s hissing. She didn’t need this. She just wanted to enjoy her vacation. 

     “Não estou interessado nesse tipo de coisa. Posso simplesmente gostar de alguém, independentemente de sua origem? (I am not interested in those sorts of things. Can I not just like someone no matter their background?)” (Your name) softly replied as she began to stir her soup, her eyes meeting Kaoru’s. He probably had no idea what they were talking about. She felt bad but she hoped he knew she wouldn’t speak ill of him. Especially in a foreign language.

       “Primeiro um pirata e agora um gangster? Você não tem vergonha? (First a pirate and now a gangster? Have you no shame?)”Her mother hissed under her breath, her cheeks flush from her outburst. “Eu sou uma mãe tão ruim que você me desaponta uma e outra vez? (Am I that bad of a mother that you disappoint me time and time again?)”

       (Your name) stood up and made her way around to press a kiss to Hanayama’s cheek.

     “Please forgive me. I am not feeling well. I’m going to head back to the room.” (Your name) then made her way out of the room. Hanayama’s eyes widening when he spotted wetness in her cheeks. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go… it was supposed to be a perfect night so he could…

     Hanayama reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. He knew it was a little soon but he wanted to lock her down before the others did. He quickly shoved the box back in his suit jacket. He didn’t need her knowing about it now.

       “I’m so sorry for my child. Are you still going to be relocating me to Japan?” Hanayama turned to glance at the woman before him. Hanayama was in now mood to discuss a word with this woman especially because….

     “Eu entendo portugues. (I understand Portuguese).” Hanayama then rose up from his spot to head after (your name), leaving the older woman dumbfounded. The gangster snapping his fingers for his guards and staff. “Send the amount to my card and escort this woman from the premises. I would prefer for her to never be seen again.”

      The guards nodded and grabbed (mother’s name) by her arms and dragged her out. The older woman confused on what was going on, her expression panicked when she saw the gangster head off after (your name).

      Why was her daughter entangled with such dangerous men? Didn’t she know of the danger she was in? 

       She didn’t struggle as the guards escorted her out of the building, at least not until one of them threw a bag over her head.

      “It’s nothing personal, ma’am. But you just upset the boss of the Hanayama group.” One of the guards sighed as they shoved her into the trunk of a car. “Not to mention boss’s future wife.”

     “Hey now. We’re not supposed to talk too much about that until he proposes.”

       “We can talk as much as we want. Dead men don’t tell tales now do they?”

       Before she could even scream, the trunk was slammed shut. The woman now left in darkness.

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       Hanayama opened the door to see that the bathroom door was shut. The yakuza boss sighing as he took a seat on the bed.

       “I didn’t realize you two didn’t get along.” Hanayama whispered, only to be met with silence. “I shouldn’t have invited her. I apologize.”

       The door opened. Revealing a disheveled (your name).

      “I can’t get this dress off.” (Your name) sighed as she sat beside Hanayama. “And it’s not your fault. You didn’t know she would be like that.”

      Hanayama grabbed the zipper and began to pull down. His fingers brushing lightly against her soft skin. Hanayama taking in a deep breath once the zipper stopped right at her hips. He needed to gain some control no matter how tempting it was to rip the rest of her dress off and have his way with her.

      “I still appreciate your efforts.” Hanayama’s eyes widen when he felt her briefly press her lips against his. “I’ll get around-“

     (Your name) was suddenly laying on her back on the bed, Hanayama standing above her. His body shaking as his hands pinned her arms above her head.

      “I want you.” Hanayama whispered as his eyes stared deeply into hers. “And I need you to tell me… do you want me.”

       “What do you-“ (Your name)’s breath hitched when she felt Hanayama rock his hips into hers. 

     “Do you want me?” Hanayama asked with desperation. “All you need to do is tell me.”

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Author’s note: now this is up to the commenters. Do we accept Hanayama and keep going with the story? Or do we split off to his route and then the other option is to continue the story?

[8bitsupervillain]

Higurashi When They Cry Hou Ch. 3 Tatarigoroshi pt. 5

The role of Mr. Exposition for this chapter will be played by Coach Irie (presumably Tomitake was eaten by a lion off camera at the start of this chapter).

What's the old expression? Robbing the cradle? For when a person is pursuing a romance with someone far far younger than them. It's an odd attitude to take with the girl you apparently want to adopt as your daughter (skipping ahead slightly). Unless that's your fetish I guess.

Telling you, time loop. TIME LOOP Keiichi! Groundhogs Day! Other popular time loop media! Majora's Mask? Zero Escape? Whatever.

I'm sure this statement will age fine. Why yes, I am preemptively adding Irie to my list of "secretly behind it all."

Skipping a little because, hey did you know Satoko's parents died? They died, quite mysteriously so, perhaps because of a curse? Perhaps because of mundane happenstance?

*Looks at the countdown timer that says "Time Until Irie or Keiichi Makes Satoko Cry"*

Sometimes I post screenshots to advance the plot, sometimes I post the ones that just amuse me. For instance, the above, and also:

Take Rika to the beach, wax her up and catch some gnarly waves brah.

I must applaud the visual novel for showing some restraint and not playing out the entirety of whatever game the gang was playing that resulted in Keiichi helping with the barbecue dishes. I was preparing myself for another hour or so of tomfoolery. Perhaps Ryukishi also knew that people might just start eating their computers if they had to endure more silly antics(TM).

I'm just going to say it, given how they've been doling out the information and exposition dump in this chapter I would be totally fine if they more or less just skipped over the Watanagashi festival entirely. I know they won't, you know they won't, gonna have to show it for whatever festival hijinks they get into then. Also, I like the threatening aura Shion is putting out.

There was a part earlier, when Keiichi is talking to Irie about Satoko's parents where Irie used the phrase: going on an eternal vacation as a euphemism for death. Which is a pretty nice replacement phrase, anyway them bringing up Satoshi's "transferring" reminded me of that. That's right I can remember things that happened more than ten minutes ago!

This particular conversation does make me wonder about whether Shion could possibly be partly responsible to the Watanagashi disappearances/deaths. She seems pretty convinced that Satoshi was, in fact, murdered super hard, but she just doesn't have any actual evidence of that. So is she maybe holding out hope that maybe Keiichi's right and he did just make tracks when the cult was coming after him? Or is she reacting so forcefully because she doesn't want other people to try to find him and thus die gruesomely as a result of their investigations? Is this, in her own roundabout way an attempt to protect Keiichi from the conspiracy?

Ow, my whiplash! Also with the voice acting that last line of Keiichi's he makes a weird sound. I know he's fake crying, but it's like a weird chortle, like someone vocalizing the "speaking" noise Sans from Undertale makes.

So true, I wish it would rain more. Last time it rained it was so warm that a noticeable steam rose from the road, it was pretty neat.

In which our boy Keiichi sticks his foot in it.

The role of Tomitake will now be performed by Rena Ryuugu. Also, remember when I mentioned the whiplash? I was not prepared for the complete back to back tonal shifts.

I think this is the first time Mion has been forced to actively talk about the curse. In Chapter one: Onikakushi, she mentions she doesn't believe in the curse when confronting Keiichi who is rapidly losing it. In Chapter two: Watanagashi, the curse is brought up, but I'm not sold that the person who was talking actually was Mion. So I think this is the first time she's being forced to talk about the curse no matter how much she really doesn't want to.

[allthewriteplaces]

Magnolia In May ~ Chapter Six

Chapter Summary: Jessie and Tommy finally spend a little time together, the two of them and the kids go on a picnic and there may or may not be ducks involved.

Chapter Warning(s): None.

Word Count: 5,067

Chapter Six

One week had passed. Life at Arrow House went on. A routine was quickly established and I took great care in sticking to it, ticking off each task like a list in my head. Predictability, to be able to know what was going to happen in advance, how things were supposed to go, and what was expected of me, eased the anxiety and gave me a sense of safety and security. Every morning, I rose early and got dressed. I always laid my clothes out on my bed the night before and had one outfit for every day of the week so I wouldn’t waste too much time picking something to wear. Then I would quietly go down the hall and wake Ruby and Charlie for breakfast.

Suffice it to say, neither of them appreciated having to leave their beds when they were just so comfortable, but we took things slow and steady, giving them time to get their bearings before I dressed them and brushed and combed their hair. Then after they’d eaten and brushed their teeth, they waited in the classroom for their instructors to come. They told me their last governess, a buxom, round-faced woman named Margot acted like a drill sergeant, practically dragging them out of bed. Charlie said if she had a whistle, she’d probably blow it to wake them up. They were also told that children should be seen and not heard.

Governesses were supposed to like children, or at least that was what I led to believe. She didn’t read to them, play with board games and cards or make up stories with them, she even brushed them away when they wanted to show her what they’d learned on the violin and piano and it hurt their feelings deeply. Long story short, they didn’t like her one bit and I can imagine the feeling was mutual, which is why she left before Thomas could fire her himself.

Now and then, we would go outside. I let the kids run around on the grass for a bit to get some fresh air in their lungs, and I would stand on the cobblestone, watching them play, like kids their age should be doing. Sometimes we drew on the driveway and played hopscotch, or we would simply sit on the grass to eat lunch. I wanted them to live life as stress-free as possible, to be kids.

Today, since the weather was nice, I’d asked Mister Shelby if I might take them out for a little drive; a change of scenery might do them some good, and maybe we would even stop by the park. Between the many business meetings and being shut up in the study, we didn’t see him much, aside from mealtimes.

He agreed, though he insisted I carry a weapon with me at all times. “Do you know how to shoot?” he asked, leaning back against his chair. There was no trace of humour in his eyes, or in his voice. This was a serious matter. Of course it was. These were his children he was talking about.

I shook my head. I had never used a gun before. I’d never even held one. The best form of self-defense I had been given was a rulebook that every woman needed to follow.

Rule number one: Never go anywhere alone, always travel in groups of three or more. Rule number two: Never venture out after dark, that’s when it’s the most dangerous. Rule number three: Stick to the roads you know. Rule number four: If anyone follows you, go into a crowded place. This way, they’ll be less inclined to do any harm. Another tactic is to shout or scream, take a few different turns and confuse them, make it as though they’re going through a maze. If all else fails, fight. Punch, kick and bite, like your life depends on it.

When I turned fifteen, the age where girls started going to parties and hanging out with boys, he became a tad more protective. He gave me a small steel dagger with a jagged edge and a wooden hilt with my grandmother’s initials carved into it. It wasn’t much, but if used correctly, he said, it could do enough damage to render my opponent defenceless and give me enough time to make my escape.

Eliza also became more protective, too. She sat me down one night after my cousins had gone to bed and gave me the talk that all mothers (or in this case, aunts) are supposed to give. It was unappealing back then.

When I explained all of this to him, he stood from his desk and unlocked a drawer. In his right hand was a revolver and I drew a long breath as he lined six led bullets up on the desk in a nice, neat row. They were gold and the tips were that odd colour between grey and blue. He loaded it and my heart lurched as I heard it click and he pointed it my way, not to hurt me, but to show me how I was supposed to hold it.

Then he unloaded it again and then went out of the room, asking me to follow. Soon we were outside and a wooden door which looked like it had been ripped off its hinges, stood in the middle of a patch of grass.

“Stand here,” he instructed, then he placed the weapon in my hand, using his own to adjust my hold on it. “All you have to do is raise it, point and squeeze the trigger. Aim for the lower chest, that’s where all of the vital organs are, or anywhere on the head. That will damage the brain.”

The anxiety wound up in my stomach once again. My eyes never left the weapon.

Maternal instincts had been instilled in me since I was a little girl and everytime I looked at Charlie, everytime he spoke or I saw his eyes twinkling, and everytime I would see Ruby walking toward me with a smile or heard her laugh, I felt something warm and endearing fill my heart.

The very idea that I needed to know how to use this, that there were people in this world who were capable of harming me or the children and that I would have to take a life in order to protect them, terrified me.

“Don’t shoot until you have a clear shot where no one else will get hurt. Once you have your target locked, shoot. Don’t hesitate. Don’t show them mercy, because they aren’t as noble and compassionate as you are. I should know.” His hands released mine and he stepped back a bit. “Now, repeat back what I just said.”

“Raise, aim for the vital spots, wait for a clear shot and then…” I heard the gun click as I squeezed the trigger. Nothing happened, of course. It wasn’t loaded.

“Very good, now let’s see if you can hit those marks, eh?” He reached into his pocket and put three of the six bullets into the cartridge and then handed the revolver back to me, standing back and placing his hands on his hips.

The weapon shook with my trembling hands and he placed one of his on top of mine again. “Sorry, I’ve never done this before.”

“Don’t worry, everyone gets nervous their first time,” he assured me, but while his tone was soft and calm, his face was serious. “But when it comes down to protecting yourself or your loved ones, you must do whatever’s necessary. I have already told the children what to do if the worst should happen. They’re more likely to take them to get to me than harm them.”

He paused again, that wandering look from when he talked about France, appearing in his eyes. Then as if coming out of a daze and remembering I was there, he continued.

“I almost lost Charlie once. He was too little to remember any of it, but one minute he was in my arms, the next he was gone. I will never forget the way my heart stopped, how it felt like the air was sucked out of my lungs and my whole world shattered. If that happens, find a safe place to hide, stay there until I come and find you. Don’t go after them yourself. I will take care of it, do you understand?”

Imagining Charlie in the hands of some monster, it made my stomach drop and my heart ache with anger. Who would ever dare to harm a child, especially a boy as sweet and innocent as he is? Exhaling, I could feel him move some hair away from my eyes with his fingers.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Shall we get back to it?” He drew a long breath and his easy smile returned and his mind came back to the present as I raised the weapon. I imagined a face, a black patch over one eye, and a sickening grin on his face. I also tricked my mind into hearing the children screaming, which motivated me. “That’s right, deep breaths. Focus. You won’t be able to do much if you can’t think clearly. Loosen your grip….Aim….and…now.”

The gun clicked, the bullet flew and made a big dent in the old door as it ricocheted off the top. Without waiting, I tried again, lowering it until it was locked onto the right (technically left) side, where the heart was located. My nose wrinkled in concentration and I almost managed to hit it, but I went too high up.

“It’s alright. That’s why we’re practising. Third time’s the charm.”

Once more, I raised the weapon and it hit right where I wanted to.

“See? You’re a natural. Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”

I felt my heart race a little bit at the comment, a blush coming up on my cheeks and the heat rising to my chest. He was teasing me…I knew as much. But his tone was soft and playful and I thought I could detect a spark of flirtatiousness there, as well, but maybe it was just me overreacting?

“Are you alright?” he asked me, brushing a hand along my shoulder. “You’re shaking.”

“I’m fine,” I answered, still catching my breath and recovering from my adrenaline rush. I lowered the gun, moving my finger away from the trigger. It wasn’t loaded anymore, but I needed to be just as careful as I would be carrying scissors and knives. “I just thought of a scenario and I gave it all I had.”

“And what did you think about?”

“The kids. You.” I swallowed a lump in my throat and looked down at the ground, hoping he didn’t see the tears gathering in my eyes, but he was smarter than I was in many ways. He easily picked up on my fear and without warning, brought me into his arms, resting his chin on my head and rubbing my back soothingly.

“It’s alright. No one is going to lay a finger on them, or you. Not if I have anything to say about it, yeah?” I nodded and eased into his touch, only looking away when from the corner of my eye, I saw Frances standing near the door to the inside of the house, leaning on the frame as she caught her breath.

“Mister Shelby, is everything alright? I thought I heard gunshots and I came as quickly as I could!”

“Everything’s alright, I’m just initiating the new governess, that’s all. I’m sorry if I worried you there for a moment.” She seemed to know what he meant and I could sense the relief on her face. “Are the children awake yet?”

She shook her head. “Yes, sir. They’ve been asking for Jessie.”

“Tell them she’s talking to Daddy and that she’ll be there soon.”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Will there be anything else?”

“No. Thank you. That will be all.”

Frances retreated back inside and I could see her own worries lifting a little at seeing his friendly, reassuring smile. One of the main reasons I loved my place at the Shelbys was that Ruby and Charlie clearly followed their father’s example, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and apologising when they unintentionally did or said something wrong.

They even volunteered to help cook and clean sometimes. I am not proud to say that not all households I had stayed in treated their staff with the same level of respect and gratitude as they did. A few of the maids I’d eventually become friends with told me the very same thing.

Eventually, I would learn that this was because Thomas knew what it was like to have every bit of dignity stripped away. He also knew that no matter how far up the social hierarchy he and the rest of his family managed to climb, or how legitimate they became, who they were and where they were from, would always be a harsh reminder that politicians, judges, lords and ladies, would look down upon them, never admit them into their palaces, as he’d said, and would treat them like the scum of the earth.

“Would you care to join me?” he asked suddenly.

“Join you, Mister Shelby?” I tilted my head to one side, confused.

“Tonight,” he added.

My pulse quickened. I was surprised by the question to say the least. Or maybe it was because my thoughts had started to wander and twist the meaning of his words. I knew I should probably say something to avoid looking foolish. “Do you mean….”

He raised an eyebrow and a smirk made its way onto his face. “What?”

“I…” I couldn’t finish my sentence. My mouth went dry, my tongue felt like it had gone numb. I couldn’t put my words together. I was completely and utterly speechless and it was humiliating. I knew I was flushing, just like I did that night at the dinner table when all he did was push in my chair for me like any other gentleman would do. In the background, I could hear the birds singing in the trees and a little grey squirrel scampered up the trunk and into its nest.

Realisation hit him and he laughed. “There’ll be plenty of time for that, love, I promise, but there are other things I wish to do first. After all, I don’t have just anyone in my bed. Unless that’s what you want, I’ll be happy to oblige.”

He paused and the pressure in my chest dissolved.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.

“Have you ever laid with a man?” His voice dropped and I looked at him, astonished. He was bold, perhaps a bit too blunt, but there was also that mischievous glimmer from before.

“I—” I paused and then shook my head. “Those are not the sorts of questions you should be asking a lady, Mister Shelby.”

He stared at me for a few moments and then nodded, acknowledging his error and kicking up a bit of dirt with his boot. “Forgive me, that was a bit rude of me to ask such questions. I was going to say, before I let myself get carried away, that we could have dinner together, just you and I.”

“What about the kids, are you sure they’ll be alright without us?”

“I have already asked Johnny if he could take the kids for a few hours. He’s coming by later to pick them up. They’ll be happy over there and would probably stay all day long if I let them.”

I wasn’t sure who Johnny was, but if Thomas trusted him with his kids, that meant he was harmless and I wouldn’t have to worry about their safety while we were together.

Later, I walked with the kids to the car. When I told them we were going on a picnic, they were positively thrilled. They’d hoped their father would be coming along with us, and I was prepared to tell them that he’d join us another time, but to my surprise, just as I was about to climb into the driver’s seat, he came running out of the house and said he didn’t have anything important to do so he’d be joining us after all.

I wish I could have captured the look on their faces. I’d never seen them smile so brightly, and I could tell it had been a while since Thomas saw them smile like that, too. They were glad that he was finally going to be spending some time with them outside of meals, which was exactly what they’d been hoping for.

“We’re not taking the car,” he said, inclining his head and Charlie stepped out.

“Then how are we going to get there?” he asked. Ruby climbed out after him and their eyes met their father’s. I also wondered what sort of tricks this man had up his sleeve. With a smile, he made a motion with his head for us to follow him, which we did and when at last we stopped, we were standing a little ways away from a vardo, a traditional horse-drawn wagon held up by four wheels, with two being used for steering.

This one was painted a mossy green. Brown curtains provided a suitable entrance as well as shelter from the harsh rays of sunlight. A green tarp covered the bow-top roof and a black horse stood. He was content enough to munch on the blades of grass that sprouted at his hooves while he was waiting. The whole scene looked like something I had seen in a Van Gogh painting!

The kids glanced at each other and ran up ahead, seeing who could get to it first, and once they did, they climbed inside, already itching to get going. It was a good thing I held off telling them about the plans we had made until now or else they probably wouldn’t have slept the whole night because they would be too excited.

“Come on!” Charlie said, impatiently, waving me over with his hand in an exaggerated way. I could hear Thomas chuckle beside me and when I turned my head to look at him, his smile reached all the way up to his eyes.

“We’d better hurry, or they might leave without us,” he said, slipping his hand through mine and then without warning, he took off into a sprint, practically dragging me along with him. We eventually caught up with the kids, who were sitting inside and waving at us. There was a three-step ladder that they could use to climb in, and they were short enough not to bump their heads on the roof. Whereas Thomas and I needed to duck.

The inside looked fancy and well-kept, and there were some built-in seats up near the front where the driver and a few other people could sit and brown curtains that could be drawn to keep out the sunlight, or to provide a little bit more privacy.

One of my uncle’s dearest friends’ name was Patrin Holland, but everyone else called him ‘Paddy.’ He had one that looked almost exactly like this one, except now and then there would be these stunning pieces of antique furniture that they would take from the side of the road, items that were often discarded and would otherwise rot away, polish them, give them a fresh coat of paint and they would look almost brand new.

“One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” he would say.

His main occupation was training and trading race horses, but now and then he would stop by the cottage for a chat and a cup of tea and would let the children go for a ride in the vardo if they wanted to, and it didn’t come as a surprise that the answer was always ‘yes.’ Alice always said it was better than Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage, because there was no magic spell that had been cast on the vardo to make it look beautiful, it was perfect the way it was.

They often wondered why we couldn’t have one, but Eliza and Albert said that they didn’t have any room for one. Plus, if we did, it would make the rides in Paddy’s less special.

Paddy and his wife, Sarah, had six children of their own. Four boys and two girls. Their oldest son, Django, was (and still is) one of my dearest friends and one of the kindest, most loyal men I’d ever met. He was tall, with beautiful brown hair and brown eyes and he had a warm laugh that made me feel at ease, even when I didn’t feel like smiling, or laughing.

Eliza used to tease me and say we might end up married someday, and really, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ if he asked me. She wasn’t even mad when I told her I’d once snuck out of the house one night and walked to his family’s camp. The air was cool, it was nearing the end of summer and autumn was making its entrance a little earlier than usual. He’d just come back from collecting wood for the fire and as soon as he saw me, his face lit up.

We sat on a log in front of the fire while his father put the younger kids to bed and his mother washed the laundry and pinned it up on the clothing wire. She did her own washing, but she also did the washing for her friends and neighbours. The girls, Theodora and Tillie, would often pitch in and help and came with their mother on errands.

Crickets chirped in the long grass and the full moon was shining, a rare sight in these parts. It was actually pretty romantic, much so in fact, that he kissed me. I had never been kissed before, but I knew what to expect. It would be awkward at first, and it kind of was, but then as we got more comfortable with it, and each other, it became more and more like the kisses I’d read about.

And that was pretty much it. We didn’t say a whole lot and sure enough, I went back home. I didn’t want Eliza and Albert to worry or to think something bad happened to me. No, it was the total opposite.

She was on the bottom step when I got home. She looked pale and I knew there was no sense hiding the truth about where I’d gone and who I was with. I trusted her with everything that was going on in my life and she was… thrilled. Was it because she was relieved, or because I’d just kissed a boy? Something she evidently never imagined me doing in her wildest dreams.

“Something on your mind, love?” Thomas asked in jest, his voice light and joking as he settled into his own seat. Coming back to the present moment, I looked around the vardo as Charlie adjusted his position on the seat. Ruby laid her head on my shoulder and I brought a hand up to stroke her hair. She was smiling, too.

“Just thinking,” I replied.

“About what?” she asked, her eyes were big and bright.

“About how excited I am,” I said, and it’s true. I was excited. I hadn’t gone on a picnic since last autumn, but now that it was nice and warm outside, it seemed like a good opportunity to get some fresh air.

He then turned to me with a teasing smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. I could see now where Charlie got his good humour and mischief from. It was as clear as day.

“Well in that case, I hope you’re ready for an incredibly lavish picnic day,” he commented, his tone playful and flirty.

“I’m never one to pass up some fine dining!” I replied with a laugh of my own. With a flick of the reins, we started driving out of the estate into the countryside and took in all of the sights for the first time. It really was a beautiful day, and the bright, warm sunshine added a certain ambiance to the trip. I could feel my heart feel a little lighter as we left the estate behind and started the journey.

Despite it being only my second day working for Thomas and Charlie, I was really beginning to feel welcome in this family, as though we had known each other for years, and I felt my heart warm with each passing moment spent in their comfortable presence.

“Such a beautiful day,” I said. The place was beautiful, the sun shone on the lake, making the water shimmer. The soft breeze blew through the neighbouring trees and tall grass. We got out of the wagon together and I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air.

“It is indeed,” Thomas agreed with a soft smile as he looked around, his eyes full of delight and happiness as he let out a sigh of satisfaction. He really did seem to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

“Look! Look at the ducks!” said Ruby, pointing a little ways ahead of us to where a family of ducks were swimming in the lake. I knelt down beside her to get a closer look at them.

“There’s four of them! A mama, a papa and two little babies,” I said in glee after seeing how cute they were, playing and swimming in the lake below.

“Just like us,” said Charlie, putting a hand on my shoulder, then turned to his father. “Right, Daddy? That one’s you, Jessie’s the mama, that one’s me and Ruby’s the smallest one.”

“You’re right, that does look like us,” he nodded.

“Daddy’s making a lot of noise,” Ruby giggled and I smiled at her.

“Daddy does make a lot of noise, doesn’t he?” I asked jokingly.

“Yeah,” said Charlie and Thomas gasped in mock offence.

“I do not!” he said.

“Do to,” Ruby argued, moving from her spot, over to her dad.

“I can’t wait to tell my cousins!” he exclaimed with a grin.

“Hold on! I have an idea!” I reached into my brown bag, pulling out a pad of paper and a pen. I turned to an empty page and began to draw the ducks. Charlie watched me as the pen moved across the paper.

“How do you do that?” he commented.

“Magic!” I replied, putting up my hands and their eyes widened.

“Can you draw a cat, too?” Ruby asked, looking up at me with a curious expression. I smiled back at her, then once I was done with the ducks, I began to sketch a cute little cat on the paper and a yarn ball.

“What about a soldier?” asked Charlie. “Or a teddy bear.”

“Not sure if I can draw a soldier, but I can draw a teddy bear.”

Beside the cat, I drew a teddy bear. It wasn’t anything spectacular, just a few quick little doodles.

“Daddy, look at the kitty cat.”

“How charming!” Thomas exclaimed enthusiastically, looking over my shoulder at the little drawing I had made of the cat.

“Meow!” Charlie said, mimicking a cat.

“Meow!” Ruby repeated.

“Meow!” I replied.

“Daddy, you try,” said Ruby.

“Oh, do I look like I can do a good cat meow?” Thomas teased with a playful smile. She sat up and then got on her knees, holding one of her white hair ribbons above his head, like it was an actual cat toy, a pleading look on her face and a grin appeared on Charlie’s face.

Tommy couldn’t hide his delight at the challenge, and he began to make quiet purring noises from his chest, laughing to himself as he did his best impression of a cat purring. He pantomimed a pretend cat’s paw in the air, his voice trying its best to mimic meows.

Even if it wasn’t the best cat impression I’d heard, there was something very endearing about the noises this grown man was making just to put a smile on the faces of his children who were giggling non-stop now. I found myself smiling happily along as well as I watched the three of them.

“Well, do you think that’s an accurate depiction of a cat, or am I too far off the mark?” he asked with a small, joking laugh.

“No, I think that’s pretty accurate.” I chuckled softly.

I couldn’t help but feel my heart flutter and my stomach flip just the slightest bit and I felt myself slowly inching closer towards him in response, pulled in by the pull of that invisible magnetic force. I tried my best to hold back a little blush that was rising on my face.

“Can we eat now? I’m absolutely starving!” Charlie announced excitedly, looking towards the basket that sat a few inches away from where we were sitting.

“Me, too,” said Ruby. “Daddy, listen. My tummy’s making noises.”

He pressed his ear to her stomach and nodded. “It sounds hungry.”

I stood up and heard her giggle as he scooped her up in his arms.

“Wanna help me get the basket, Charlie?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He followed me back to the vardo and we brought the basket with us and put it on the ground.

“Alright, let’s see.” I opened the basket and looked inside as if I were looking into a chest of treasures. “My, my! What do we have here? Some sandwiches, a jug of lemonade, now this is a perfect picnic if I’ve ever seen one!”

The kids happily ate their lunch and chattered excitedly, tossing the crusts of the bread to the ducks and I laid down on the grass, listening to the wind rustling in the treetops and hills all around us.

Ruby crawled across the grass and laid down beside Thomas, putting her head on his chest. “Daddy, can we do this everyday?”

“Wouldn’t you get tired of it, my darling?”

“I guess,” she shrugged.

“Every other day?” Charlie asked, hopefully.

He laughed and I closed my eyes. Tomorrow, there would be new problems and challenges to face, but for now, we continued to eat sandwiches and drink lemonade and feed ducks, enjoying the peace and quiet. It was nice just to disappear for a few hours, anonymous, where no one could find us.

To be continued!

Taglist: @zablife @runnning-outof-time @izabesworld @cillmequick @sherbitdibdab

[skye-huntress]

RWBY Volume 9 Reaction

Episode 5: The Parfait Predicament

A reminder that my asks are open, whether it is related to this episode, RWBY in general, or even some other topic

So instead of dying, Ever After residents “ascend” and come back with renewed purpose

The Red King’s purpose was “to play the game and win no matter the cost” and when Alice beat him, he ascended and became the Red Prince, and he became even more mean-spirited and underhanded.

And with the Herbalist, he struggled to fulfil his own purpose when Ruby failed to answer his questions.

I think I’m starting to see why humans in the Ever After tend to cause chaos wherever they go no matter what they do, and why things react to Ruby differently than the others

Perhaps Alyx omitted certain details from her story, or perhaps the story was edited after the fact. It’s not like anyone would have believed it was anything but a story.

Nose hairs? Glad I don’t have to eat it

I don’t think all three of you need to go with the cat? Blake, you just want to stick with Yang, and Weiss is just looking for an excuse not to go look at nose hairs

Guess we’ll leave the most emotionally vulnerable of you in the care of a mouse who can’t stay awake for more than five minutes

The return of Penny’s sword, and one of my suspicions seems to be panning out. It’s not Crescent Rose that has been lost, it’s Ruby who has lost sight of a part of herself.

We have what appears to be Alyx’s knife, though why would that still be in the Ever After if she had already moved on, unless she intentionally left it behind. The girl had supposedly given up her saddest and happiest memories for it, so that certainly raises questions to why she would do such a thing.

Is Summer’s image on that blade to imply that it used to be Summer’s weapon? If that’s here, then maybe she ended up here, too. This was a possibility I had considered, there’s more than one way into the Ever After, but it would have probably only have happened after she confronted Salem, so I have a disturbing hypothesis

Seems the blacksmith’s workshop wasn’t entirely there, not that the laws of space or time seem to apply much in the Ever After. There’s a chance Ruby will come across it again

The Curious Cat may be a Cat Most Curious but they are still a Cat that does Cat things

Ruby’s crest is a symbol of a promise from her mother? I know they share the same crest, but I didn’t consider the crest itself was the exact same. I think it’s safe to say when Summer left it, but I wonder what the promise was exactly. We’ll probably see that crest again when Ruby is forced to examine how and why she chose to become a Huntress

So if they eat too much of the parfait, they might get too big. I wonder if someone was tempted to eat just that little bit more to end up slightly bigger

So anyone the Jabberwalker consumes does not ascend, meaning it is effectively the only being in the Ever After that can kill the other residents. It’s like it’s the Ever After’s version of a Grimm

The Cat can give other beings a new purpose? I believe I’ve said this before, but this Cat clearly has a deeper purpose than just being curious

There’s the Rusted Knight, and yes, as soon as I got a good look at his shield that confirmed who he was, but that didn’t explain the “Rusted” part

So there’s only supposed to be one Jabberwalker, and Neo clearly did something to it and now she can make multiple copies. And I have a suspicion that even these copies can all do the same thing. It’s probably not a coincidence, they attacked the place Team RWBY were, Neo is probably still hunting them and she’s even more dangerous than ever.

Seeing another place destroyed as they are forced to flee is having a particular affect on Weiss. Unsurprising, given recent events.

Of course, I can’t not mention that after the Jabberwalker fight, Weiss was the one to get Ruby moving, while after observing the destruction, it was Ruby’s turn to do the same for Weiss. They are partners, after all.

It’s seem people were right about the Rusted Knight’s identity, although I don’t think anyone had an older Jaune on their bingo cards. I kind of figured it might be the case since his weapons were the same, but were covered in rust. He fell last, but he seems to have been here a lot longer than anyone else. In fact, it is entirely possible he is the same Rusted Knight from Alyx’s story

That makes it all the more noteworthy that Team RWBY all arrived at the same time and found each other almost immediately. There’s a bond that draws them together that isn’t shared by Jaune or Neo. Neo’s desire to kill Ruby is probably the reason she showed up the same time she did but ended up in a much darker place, close to the only creature in the Ever After that can apparently kill

Back to my hypothesis about Summer Rose. I’m sure I’m not the only one to consider this but what if she is the Jabberwalker. It’s similar to a Grimm in how it consumes life, but it has some level of intelligence, and it’s voice sounds a little like the Hound’s. After arriving in the Ever After, perhaps it changed her and since time doesn’t to affect when you enter the Ever After, she could have arrived before Alyx or Jaune. And if Alyx, Jaune or whoever else “killed” her, she’d probably just “ascend” and come back. However, if my theory is even partially right, there is a way Ruby can fight off the Jabberwalker even without a weapon, the only thing holding her back is herself

[noxianwilled]

✒️ + Cassiopeia uwu

send me ✒️ + a ship (romantic or not!), and i will write a meta about it.

— @vixtionary

Without any official ages or interactions or anything, this is purely speculation based on how I see it ofc but here we go!

I see Katarina and Cassiopeia as being close in age (1 or 2 years apart) — so there was very little room for Kat to grow used to being an only child before she had siblings, and I don't think that sort of jealousy was ever a factor. While Soreana obviously favoring the younger may, at times, have made the eldest sour as a child, I do think Katarina wasn't ever one to blame her siblings or turn her frustrations on them for her parents' behavior, so I don't think this would have had a huge impact in her relationship with Cass.

Kat's bio suggests she had... an unconventional childhood, to say the least. "So it was that Katarina’s childhood—if it can be called such—had little room for kindness or rest. She spent every waking moment honing herself into the ultimate weapon, testing her endurance, her dexterity, her tolerance for pain." Based on that, I think most of her time was filled with assassin training, which definitely led to some distance from her sister, who instead took after their mother.

Still, they were together since they were basically babies. They definitely had a bond, and honestly I think it was perhaps the most normal thing about Katarina's childhood. Cassiopeia was her closest (possibly only? until Talon?) friend as a child, because she wasn't given the room to care for relationships and connections and playing or whatever, she was already being made into a weapon. But at home, with her sister, there would be a little bit of room for that.

They're very different in personality, but Katarina had genuine love for her sister. I think their relationship was fairly typical in that they could be getting along in one moment and fighting the next then getting along again the next; like most siblings, they likely fought over stupid stuff (though i tend to see them arguing and pulling hair more than. really fighting, since Cass wasn't trained like she was and Kat would pull her punches a little — actual physical fighting, messy and without rules, was likely more reserved for Talon).

Katarina was, nevertheless, a very caring older sister. They'd have played together as children, braided each other's hair, stayed up late talking and giggling until they fell asleep. She'd have been there to look after her baby sister and kick the ass of anyone who harmed her in any way. She'd have been there to listen to Cassiopeia no matter how trivial her concerns may seem to others. And especially when they move to Shurima I figure that may have brought them particularly closer, as they went to an entirely foreign place and sticking to those you know and love is a very natural response at first.

But as they grew older, I think their differences were not only more apparent, they were also capitalized on by their parents in a way that certainly made them more dire. I don't think what we see of Marcus in the comic changes that previous characterization — his feelings for Soreana could be sincere, he could have acted on what he believed best for the empire (and house Du Couteau) by supporting Swain, he could have come to regret it later with the dismantling of nobility and the attack on his wife being somehow connected to Swain — and the division within their household would still be somewhat obvious. Soreana had her own secret agenda, and she was grooming Cassiopeia to follow in her footsteps, much like Marcus had his own, less secret, goals and to an extent prepared Katarina to be like him.

So I don't think the gap between them was created when Marcus left Shurima with Katarina, it only widened with that and as Cass became more involved with the Black Rose. She knew her mother kept it a secret from the rest of the family, and it became her secret too. I think it'd have been easier for her, as a teenager, to keep that secret from her sister by letting that natural distancing happen than by lying to her face (though I have no doubt she could have done it; Katarina was easily deceived by those she loves precisely because she didn't expect falseness from them). Soreana, too, probably had no interest in Cass keeping Kat close. Which is to say, after Kat leaves with Marcus, I don't think there'd have been an effort from the younger sister to reach out to the eldest, at least not for a time.

Time enough for Katarina to be sent to her first mission, fail due to her own pride and need to prove herself, and their father to disown her and have Talon try to kill her. Considering Kat eventually made with her brother, I can see her eventually trying to reach out to Cassiopeia. She loves her siblings and, again, wouldn't want her issues with their parents to get in the way of that. But I also think there's a huge divide between them, and Cassiopeia was raised to be politically inclined. Associating with her disgraced sister when the public stance was that the family renounced her likely wouldn't have been a wise move in that sense, regardless of how she felt about Katarina.

Kat would see the way it is and drop it and not try to reach out again. She wouldn't even be entirely resentful because Cass could be unwilling to reconnect for a number of reasons, not the least because Kat would have rejected her connection to the Du Couteaus just as actively as she was rejected. She wouldn't have wanted to talk to them or see any of them for a considerable amount of time. So she made her part in breaking up their bond, too.

The last time they saw each other in person, they were teenagers. Any contact after that was short-lived, and Katarina has no idea what her sister has been up to, much less of her transformation. All she knows is Cassiopeia remains in Shurima with their mother. Learning of Soreana's ties to the Black Rose, she certainly expects Cass is also involved by then — which makes her no less an enemy than the rest of the family.

I do think she loved her sister (I wouldn't say loves because she doesn't know the person Cassiopeia grew up to be, not really), I think she misses her still, and I think, much as is the case with Talon, she'd like to believe there's salvation for Cass — that she can still find a better path, that they don't have to be enemies. As always, though, Katarina would put the empire before family. If it came to it, for Noxus, she'd kill Cassiopeia too. And at this point Katarina is only waiting for when her sister will resurface to get her shot at trying to kill her.

[teabooksandsweets]

A City of Bells

Chapter III — Part II

Henrietta, during lunch, had to be reproved three times by Grandmother for bolting her food. The fact was that she was in a tearing hurry to get Jocelyn to the house with the green door. Things always came back, she had learnt that morning, the spring, the sunshine that had been buried under the earth and, as she had been given to understand at Easter, dead people too. And if dead people, then why not live people? Why should not Ferranti come back? Couldn’t Uncle Jocelyn make him come back? In her dream, when she could not get inside his house, it had been Jocelyn who had opened it with a golden key.

“Oh, hurry up, Uncle Jocelyn,” she cried impatiently. The meditative way in which he was spreading butter on his biscuit was almost unbearable to watch.

Jocelyn ate a bit of biscuit very slowly and remarked sweetly that it was now a quarter to two and he did not propose leaving the house until two-thirty, as had been stated clearly at breakfast.

After lunch Grandfather went to his Chapter meeting, which had been arranged by the Dean to take place at the sleepiest hour of the day so that all the Canons should go to sleep and he should get his own way in a matter of some dispute, Grandmother to her room to rest and the rest of them to the lawn. Jocelyn and Hugh Anthony established themselves under the mulberry-tree and shared The Times between them, Hugh Anthony lying flat on his front with the cricket and Jocelyn sitting upon a deck-chair with the state of Europe. Henrietta sat on the wheelbarrow at a little distance from them, swinging her legs and suggesting at short intervals that it must be nearly half-past two now, of which remarks they took no notice whatsoever … There were times when Henrietta almost disliked men. Their capacity for silently refusing to do what you wanted them to do could be very irritating, far more so than the voluble reasons invented by a woman to account for the fact that she just did not happen to want to do it … Henrietta was of too tender an age to analyse her annoyance, she just knew she was annoyed.

But the Cathedral clock struck two-thirty at last and Jocelyn, who was at least a man of his word, rose to his feet and put his hat on.

“But I’ve not finished this cricket,” objected Hugh Anthony.

“Come along, old chap,” said Jocelyn. “You must never break your word to a lady.”

“Why not?” asked Hugh Anthony.

No one seemed to know why not and they sallied forth, Jocelyn holding the garden door open for Henrietta with as much courtesy as though she had been the Queen of England. She was at once mollified and slipped her hand into his as she walked along beside him, being careful not to tread on the cracks of the paving-stones.

“We’re going to the sweet-shop first, remember,” said Hugh Anthony.

They crossed the Green and went through the tunnel into the Market Place. The sweet-shop was on the opposite side of the Market Place from The Green Dragon and was twin sister to the one that Miss Matty kept at Cranford. Its window was as gay as a flower-bed with glass jars of coloured sweets, striped sticks of peppermint rock and families of white sugar mice and pigs with pink noses and string tails. It was kept by Martha and Mary Carroway and their niece ’Arriet Kate.

Martha was in the shop when they went in, a charming little old lady made out of Dresden china, with bright eyes that darted over Jocelyn with burning curiosity.

“Relative of Canon Fordyce?” she murmured audibly and with a worried look.

“My name is Irvin,” said Jocelyn obligingly.

“Ah! The Canon’s daughter’s son from London,” said Martha, and was happy. Torminster was one of those small cities where it is a torment to the inhabitants not to know every detail of each other’s goings-on and ancestry. It was small enough to make this knowledge possible yet big enough to make it difficult to come by, so there was great ardour in the chase.

“Now then,” said Jocelyn, “what shall we buy?”

Hugh Anthony believing in striking while the iron was hot. Uncles, he had discovered, were always filled with avuncular ardour at the beginning of their visit, but as time went on they were apt to cool a little. It might be that Jocelyn would not want to visit the sweet-shop a second time, so he felt it would be as well to lay in a stock of necessities now. He would like two pigs, he said, two mice, an ounce of bullseyes, a stick of rock and some liquorice.

“And you, Henrietta?” asked Jocelyn.

She asked modestly for some hundreds-and-thousands, which she adored. They were coloured sugar-balls the size of pins’ heads and were delicious eaten between slices of bread and butter. First you bit through the soft sponginess of the bread and then your teeth crunched gloriously into the sweet grittiness of the rainbow-coloured balls. The contrast was curiously exhilarating, adding a very special savour to life.

“Nothing else, Henrietta?” asked Jocelyn.

Henrietta shook her head. She disliked excess. Things were much more enjoyable, she thought, if you took them singly and in small quantities. Hugh Anthony could never see eye to eye with her in this.

Martha weighed out the sweets in her shiny scales, added an extra one or two in the tradition of Miss Matty, and put them into cone-shaped pink paper bags which were placed in Jocelyn’s pockets.

“Good afternoon,” he said politely and limped to the door.

Martha, in the excitement of his entry, had not noticed his limp, but now she adjusted her glasses and had a good look at it.

“The step of that bus is very treacherous,” she murmured.

Although she seemed to be making a statement there was a world of pleading in her tone and Jocelyn paused before closing the shop door to say, “I injured my leg in Africa. Good day.”

Martha gathered up her skirts and fled out of the shop to the back room beyond, where dwelt her elder sister, aged eighty-nine, with the cat and a constant supply of its offspring.

“Mary!” she cried, tripping over a basket of kittens in her excitement, “who do you think I’ve had in the shop? Canon Fordyce’s daughter’s son from London. Been telling me all about himself, he has, Mary. Turned out of the army, poor young gentleman, because of having his leg bitten by a tiger … What’ll he do now?”

“I couldn’t say, Martha, I’m sure,” said Mary in her faint, piping treble. “Was it a large tiger?”

She was a beautiful, saintly old person, with white hair curtained on either side of a transparent face. She was so thin and fragile that she could hardly be said to be there, but her figure was given solidity by the fact that she wore, one over the other, out of affection for the dead, every single one of the petticoats once owned by her deceased mother and aunts.

“As to the tiger, Mary, I couldn’t say, but could he go into the Church?” asked Martha, looking worried again.

“Where did he go when he left here?” piped Mary. “If he turned towards the Palace he’d have been going to ask the Bishop if his lordship considered him suitable.”

“There! I never thought to look!” cried Martha, clacking her tongue in annoyance, and gathering up her skirts she ran back to the shop again.

On her reappearance she was able to report that Jocelyn and the children were standing on the pavement outside Gabriel Ferranti’s house and staring in through the window.

“Ah,” said Mary, “he’ll be taking the house and setting up for himself in business.”

“Go on with you, Mary!” expostulated Martha. “Young gentlemen don’t go into trade.”

“He’s maybe not such a gentleman as he looks,” said Mary. “Canon Fordyce’s daughter in London married beneath her, so I’ve heard. It’ll be books. Books are very genteel.”

By nine o’clock that night it was all over Torminster that Canon Fordyce’s grandson from London had taken Gabriel Ferranti’s house and was turning it into a bookshop.

[sage-nebula]

Do you have headcanons about which characters Alan meets in each region?

Brock — I feel like Brock would be a very good friend for Alan to have. They’re the same age in canon (15), which makes them peers, and aside from that Brock has a very soothing, nurturing nature, which is exactly the kind of friend that Alan needs after everything that happens with Flare. This is especially true since while Brock is kind, his kindness is true kindness in that he’s also firm when he needs to be, i.e. he’s not an enabler of untrue, self-deprecating thoughts. If Alan tried to blame himself for things that weren’t his fault, Brock would put a stop to that right quick, ripping the shovel from his hands and refusing to let him dig himself deeper. That said, I honestly imagine their meeting would be by chance; perhaps Alan goes to Professor Oak’s lab to run an errand for Sycamore and ends up hearing about how a couple of the Gym Leaders in Kanto have mastered Mega Evolution, and so he decides to check that out on his own before returning to Kalos, and that’s how he meets Brock. But either way, I think it’d be a good friendship for him and one that’d last for years. 

Gary — I mentioned this in another post, but Alan and Gary already have so much in common that I just think it’d be neat to see them interact. They’re both nerds who care a lot about pokémon, they both love battling, they were both raised by regional professors, and so on and so forth. Mega Charizard X vs. Mega Blastoise Round II would also be really interesting to see. Though their areas of study are different, I think they’d have a lot to talk about, and the fact that they’re both fond of fieldwork would also be another point in favor of the two of them meeting. If Alan did that errand to Oak’s lab that I mentioned above, this could easily be how he meets Gary, who is perhaps home from his own travels for a little while.

Professor Oak — I mean, let’s just continue this “running an errand to Oak’s” thing, which means that he obviously meets Professor Oak. Alan is a studious young man who’s quite experienced in taking care of pokémon and I think Oak would appreciate that. I don’t think they’d get particularly close, both being focused on the research end of things (and Oak not being one to poach other professor’s assistants, generally), but they’d get along well enough, particularly since I’m sure Alan has a lot of respect for Oak given all his accomplishments in the field.

Tracey — RESURRECT TRACEY SKETCHITT 2020. Honestly, Tracey is Oak’s assistant and so it’s completely bewildering why he is nowhere in sight ever the few times we’re allowed to actually go to Oak’s ranch in the anime. In my world, though, he’s there, and while obviously Oak is his hero I imagine that he’s also very curious about Sycamore’s research as well and would probably jump at the chance to ask Alan all sorts of questions about it, and would be even more excited to draw pictures of Lizardon. Alan would be very happy to let Tracey draw pictures of Lizardon because it gets Tracey out of his personal space bubble and to stop asking him rapid-fire questions. (He doesn’t mind Tracey, but Tracey is very enthusiastic when it comes to gaining knowledge and that would make Alan feel kind of on-the-spot and uncomfortable.)

Delia — When what he has to do at Oak’s ends up having to run into another day (or another couple days), Delia, who happened to be visiting at the time and recognizes Alan as one of Ash’s friends (because Ash told her about him and showed him the picture that was taken of everyone at Sycamore’s lab) “invites” Alan to stay the night, and by “invites” I mean “insists” and so he gets a home cooked meal and a nice place to sleep (in Ash’s room) and also gets mothered for the first time ever in his life. Like, Sycamore is his dad, obviously, and Fulbert was his grouchy uncle, but both of those things aren’t quite exactly the same thing as having a mom, especially one who (though she won’t say it) knows you’ve been through a lot recently and can tell you’re still kind of going through it and so makes extra sure to give you a warm hug when you leave and also a bento with lunch and an extra pack of sweets to take with you. (And when he tries to apologize to her for putting Ash in so much danger she won’t hear of it because Ash told her that Alan saved him multiple times and that’s all that matters to her.) Alan won’t think of her as “mom,” of course, because he’s only known her a couple days and she most definitely is not his mom, but he does wonder, when she hugs him, if that’s what being hugged by a mother feels like, and it sticks with him for a while. All in all, Alan likes Delia, although he and Lizardon both don’t know how they feel about Delia calling Lizardon “Li-Li.” 

And wow, this is getting really long, so all the rest (and there are a lot more) are going under a cut!

Misty — Because if Alan goes to Pewter Gym to battle Brock due to Mega Evolution, then of course when Brock tells Alan that the Cerulean City Gym Leader has also mastered Mega Evolution, he’s going to go there as well. Given that they both get pretty fired up for battles, Alan and Misty would get along pretty well right off the bat. Misty would be particularly interested in battling (and beating) him since she knows that he beat Ash at the Kalos League, and as much as she loves Ash, she wants to be able to have that one over on him because they’re rivals just as much as they’re best friends. Unfortunately, this battle doesn’t go so well, because when Alan learns that Misty’s Mega Evolution partner is a Gyarados, that gives both him and Lizardon trauma flashbacks pretty much right away. They both try to shake it off, but Brock can tell something’s off and all but insists they stop the match . . . which neither Alan or Misty are really happy with, but, well. Alan can’t say he’s exactly upset to see Mega Gyarados go back in its ‘ball. 

Casey — She ends up being the Johto Champion, so of course he meets her (and in specific they meet as Champions). Alan and Casey don’t really talk very much because they don’t really have anything in common. She’s not interested in “nerd stuff” like his research and he has 0% interest in baseball (when she mentions The Electabuzz he legitimately thinks she’s talking about the species of pokémon and has no idea why she’s so offended when he says he’s never heard of the sports team). Casey does get on really well with Manon, though, since the two have very similar energy, even though Manon also knows nothing about baseball. (She does know how to join Casey in making fun of Alan’s “nerd stuff” while he rolls his eyes, though, so there is that.)

Morty & Eusine — Counting these two together as they should be. I don’t think this would be a long-lasting relationship by any means, but I could imagine a scenario where Alan travels to Ecruteak City to learn more about the legends there since he’s interested, and he goes to Morty to learn about them, and Eusine either happens to already be there or barges in while the two are talking, and the second he hears that Alan has some interest in Suicune (and that Alan has interest in hearing about Eusine’s findings once he learns that Eusine is the Ultimate Expert On Suicune™ (according to Eusine himself), well. Alan regrets asking only 30 minutes into that 4 hour lecture. Morty leaves partway through and brings back some tea for them to share because, well. Alan really did it now, didn’t he.

Lance & Clair — In a timeline where Alan studies his heritage (and learns that his heritage links back to the Blackthorn dragon clan), he meets both of them. He might meet Lance in a standard timeline anyway since Lance is always vying for Kanto’s Champion seat and held it before Ash did, but nonetheless he wouldn’t get on with either of them, honestly. Clair has an imperious attitude and is prone to fits of temper when she doesn’t get her way, which would annoy Alan, and Lance can be pretty arrogant and his sense of morality often clashes with Alan’s own. On the flipside, Clair would think Alan an upstart brat who has no right to think he could be on her level, while Lance would find Alan naive and foolhardy. So while they hail from the same clan (albeit distantly, in Alan’s case), they would not consider each other friends, let alone any kind of family.

Wallace — Alan is friends with Steven, and Steven is dating / engaged / married to Wallace, so it’s pretty inevitable the two would meet. I think they’d get along well enough in the few times they were around each other, but honestly they wouldn’t see / talk to each other enough to have any kind of real relationship. 

Zinnia — In my head my Delta Episode AU 100% happens and they meet and bond through that when Zinnia tries to mug him for his Key Stone, fails, but then actually succeeds in stealing Sycamore’s Key Stone and so Alan goes tearing after her to get it back. This whole thing culminates in Zinnia revealing to Alan what Devon Corp has been doing with Infinity Energy (which puts a severe strain on his friendship with Steven, very nearly shattering the trust between them, and it takes a long time to heal), and Alan helping Zinnia summon Rayquaza despite his own trauma associated with it and also riding with her into space to help Rayquaza + pulling her off the great sky dragon at the last second so they can be caught by their dragons and both survive. (In other words: Unlike how the actual Delta Episode played out, Zinnia does not have her thunder stolen here. She is the one who summons Rayquaza, teaches it Dragon Ascent, and carries out her destiny as Lorekeeper. Alan just helps her survive the experience, even though they both still almost die, and end up laughing hysterically about it on the roof of the Sky Pillar because, after falling from space and almost dying, what else is there to do?) Their relationship definitely gets off on a rocky start due to the mugging and theft and Zinnia’s habit of being deliberately vague about important things and also talking in circles to avoid answering questions directly (not to mention that Zinnia knows that Alan is friends with Steven and figures, at first, that he must therefore be like Steven in all the ways Zinnia dislikes, such as using pokémon as a means to an end and not caring about lives that he can’t see), but after getting to know each other through the journey to save two universes from a giant Deoxys-infested meteor, they come to a mutual understanding and end up realizing they’re something of kindred spirits. Even though they can still be prone to teasing and bickering whenever their paths cross again after that, there’s also a very deep foundation of trust that can only be gained when you realize you have met your match in attempts to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the world in death-defying stunts that you will never, ever learn your lesson from no matter how many times you tell the people who care about you that you have most definitely learned it this time, you promise. (Not that Zinnia has many of those people left, but she does have her grandmother and others from the Draconid clan, plus she now also has Alan, so. There’s that. Also, no, she and Steven never, ever come to like each other, and Alan does his best to hang out / talk with each of them separately to save himself the headache of trying to mediate.)

Cynthia — She’s the Champion of Sinnoh, so obviously he meets her once he becomes Champion himself, and given that they’re both nerds they get along pretty well as a result. I think I’ve talked about this before, that she kind of becomes like a Cool Aunt for him, in that they can talk about legends and mythos and go on ancient ruins explorations together. Like if one of them discovers some ancient ruins, they’ll send the other a message to see if they want to go spelunking together and the answer is almost always yes. The only times Alan doesn’t appreciate spending time with Cynthia are the times when she teams up with Steven to try to “improve his wardrobe” because Steven and Cynthia are the designated Fashion Icons of the Champion Squad and both think it’s “such a shame” that Alan doesn’t care much about clothes. Otherwise, though, he gets along great with Cynthia and is always happy to have a new message from her.

Tobias — Alan doesn’t actually know Tobias, in that he never got Tobias’ name and probably wouldn’t recognize him again if he saw him on the street (and vice versa), but it’s my headcanon that the first time Alan and Lizardon ever successfully used Mega Evolution, it was in a battle against Tobias. They still ended up losing the match (I mean, the man has a team of legendaries, there’s only so much anyone can do), but given that they successfully used Mega Evolution for the first time, Alan and Lizardon still considered it a victory overall.

Iris — Iris becomes Unova’s Champion, obviously, but I’d like to think that they actually met before that, when Iris traveled to Kalos as part of her training (and the cameo episodes that she DESERVED but NEVER ACTUALLY GOT), and Iris saw Lizardon and got so excited because cute dragon!!! and as a result introduced herself. She makes a remark about how she knows that Charizard isn’t actually a dragon-type, and then Alan tells her about the X form of Mega Evolution and she decides to write Ash a letter right then and there telling him that he was WRONG and she was RIGHT and he should STUDY MORE, MAYBE, or something along those lines. Anyway, I like to think that they battle (with Iris using her Dragonite, or perhaps Haxorus if Axew has evolved by that point), and perhaps even run off some criminals / protect the lab together, or some such. You know, bonding time. Iris and Alan get along pretty well given that they both love dragons and enjoy battling and adventure. She’s the one who always most appreciates when Alan posts pictures of Lizardon into the Champion messenger.

Emma — So this one is sort of an AU idea, considering that much of Alan’s story was clearly based on Emma’s story from the XY postgame, and as such it makes sense to think that they might not exist in the same world. But I love the idea that they were, perhaps, childhood friends; they both would have grown up in Lumiose City, after all, and I could imagine them having a sort of odd friendship over the years, wherein Emma teases Alan for always having his nose in a book or wanting to study and do homework, while Alan just wants to research in peace, and all the while Sycamore is trying to encourage Alan to make friends. Emma, I like to imagine, would have been adopted by Looker around age 7, so they didn’t get to know each other for too long before she was whisked away with her own adoptive parent. But perhaps they met again at the Summer Camp, and perhaps years later Emma — now running the Lumiose branch of the Looker Bureau — helps uncover evidence that gets the police off Alan’s back for the Flare incident somehow. I think it could be a sweet relationship for them. (Alternatively, I’ve also imagined an AU where perhaps she’s his younger biological sister, despite them being roughly the same age canonically, in that his biological parents had another child a little while after abandoning him and decided to keep this one. This AU is more sad because Alan wants nothing to do with his biological parents, and he wouldn’t consider Emma his sister even if they were related by DNA, so I don’t like it as much. It’s still one I’ve considered, though, since design-wise they still look pretty similar and, as I said, they’ve got quite a bit in common even if there are notable differences.)

Louie — We actually do see these two interact in TSME 1, as well as the Kalos League, so this isn’t a headcanon per se. What is headcanon is that Louie considers Alan to be His Rival, while Alan — despite his eidetic memory — always forgets Louie exists the moment they’re done battling. I actually like to think that perhaps they met at the Summer Camp, too, and that they got off on the wrong foot perhaps because Louie was envious that Alan, a kid like him, was Sycamore’s assistant, and Alan got irrationally upset when Louie said that he’d be a much more deserving assistant and would prove it (irrationally because Sycamore would never kick Alan out for another kid, and Alan should theoretically know better at age 10, but also Alan was a child who was already abandoned once and also abused before Sycamore found him so maybe we can give him a pass on this one), and so they spent the whole three day camp hating each other. But then after the camp, Alan forgot about him. And when they met years later and battled, Alan didn’t recognize him (even though Louie DID recognize Alan), and then Alan forgot him again. And Louie felt he’d have his revenge at the League . . . but of course, he didn’t win, and also Alan didn’t know who he was. All in all, this video is a perfect summary of how Louie feels about Alan vs. how Alan feels about Louie.

Hau: Alola’s Champion in the future, and that’s how the two meet. Hau and Alan are pretty neutral toward each other. They have very different energies (Alan is quiet but not laidback, while Hau can be loud but is very laidback), and while this doesn’t make them dislike each other, it also means that they generally don’t talk very much outside of necessary business / the occasional exchange in the Champion messenger. It’s like a very coworker relationship between the two of them, even though they aren’t exactly coworkers. (And before anyone gets in a tizzy, in my headcanon Ash becomes Kanto’s Champion, so no, I’m not “demoting” Ash, please relax.)

The rest of the Alola people he would know I’m leaving out because I wrote those relationships before the games were even released, much less the anime, and so they ended up VERY different from canon. And while I could write in canon-accurate relationships, it’s honestly hard for me to shake what I’d already created out of my head, so it’s just . . . not something that I’d really want to fight with. So if you’re curious about Alan’s relationship with the Aether family, Aether employees, etc, that can go in a separate ask, and will be specific to my Alola AU (which, again, has characterizations from before the games were released even, so the Aether family isn’t IC in it, among other things that I just plain got wrong from the trailers, but whatever, it is what it is). That said, I will say that the comment about “poaching assistants” that I made in Oak’s section was actually kind of a reference to my Alola AU, in which the idea is that after the big climax, Kukui tries to “poach” Alan by inviting him to come be his assistant, because hey, he’s got a pretty impressive resume (and also Ash told Kukui about Alan and especially about all the newfound trauma he has as a result of the Aether AU and asked Kukui if Alan could come stay with them for a while). Alan can be Kukui’s research assistant and also a student teacher at the school and roomies with Ash, it’ll be great. He actually does this right in front of Sycamore, which Sycamore thinks is pretty rude, but when Sycamore asks him about it later Kukui’s like “it was Ash’s idea” and shrugs because he’s got no stakes in this tbqh. (Yeah, I didn’t characterize Kukui completely accurately either because I was working with pre-release info, let me live.) As for whether Alan would say “yes” or not . . . well, we’ll just have to see (I say as if I’ll ever finish that fic this century).

Leon — Galar’s Champion, and as I’ve talked about before I think they’d definitely be friends, plus a little extra, (also they love each other). They’re both Charizard specialists, they both love battling with all their hearts, they love traveling and exploring, they know what it is to have a lot of responsibility foisted upon them at young ages, they’re both very protective of others, valiant and brave, so on and so forth, I’ve already talked about this in another post, haha. They meet as Champions, hit it off immediately, and the relationship forms from there.

Hop — Hop has a tendency to hang around Leon, so I imagine that Alan would meet Hop when he meets Leon. He and Hop don’t talk / interact much after that, really, but Hop and Manon do become rivals, both in whose big brother think they is the best, as well as in battling and the like as well. Just like Alan and Leon are very similar, so are Hop and Manon. I definitely enjoyed the similarities in the Galar games, I won’t lie.

Sonia — I do imagine that Leon would introduce Alan to his friends, which would include Sonia, but at the same time I could also see Alan and Sonia meeting because, like the situation with Gary, they have some commonalities in their backstory. Sonia wasn’t raised by Professor Magnolia, exactly, but clearly her grandmother was a steady presence in her life and she decided to be her assistant. Of course, she ends up taking over the practice by the time she and Alan meet in their 20s, but nonetheless, all that means is that they’re both nerds who would enjoy talking about their research together, and even though Sonia isn’t as big on battling, that wouldn’t stop she and Alan from having a nice friendship and comparing research notes on the differences between Dynamax particles and Mega Evolution energy.

Raihan — As I said, Leon introduces Alan to his friends, and Raihan is still his best friend and rival even though they are also ex-boyfriends. I think that Alan and Raihan would really enjoy battling against one another, would definitely respect each other as trainers, and hey, they both love dragons, so that’s another thing in common. But Raihan is also a social media influencer whose Rotomphone is always snapping pictures, while Alan highly values his privacy and basically isn’t even on social media outside of a rarely updated Instagram that’s purely pictures of scenery and also occasionally Lizardon, never himself. So how they each tend to exist in public spaces is something that puts them at fundamental odds (Alan doesn’t want to be in the pictures and is kind of annoyed, honestly, by the constant snapping of the camera; Raihan thinks Alan is comparable to a caveman for not being on social media and not liking it). They don’t dislike each other, per se, but they also don’t tend to hang out much at all, and when they do it tends to be in small doses (particularly on Alan’s end, given how introverted he is compared to Raihan’s extroversion; Raihan wears him out).

Bede — I’m actually not sure how these two would meet, but while I played through the SwSh games, Bede’s devotion to doing whatever he had to in orde to help Rose achieve his goal (all the while being manipulated into doing so, albeit by Oleana rather than Rose) felt uncomfortably familiar, and I think if Alan was made aware of that he’d try to steer Bede away from that and would definitely not be friendly at all to Oleana. Of course, the primary difference between them is that Bede is a snotty brat while Alan is not and never was, so Bede would not want to listen to Alan at all, and Alan’s help would thus fall on deaf ears. But he’d still try, even as Manon would personally be of the opinion that, hey, maybe Bede is just an annoying jerk and you should just ignore him. (Bede would pick on her just as much as he picks on Hop and so she would not like him one bit. And honestly, Alan’s not too fond of him either, but that doesn’t mean he wants to see another kid manipulated and used like he once was. You don’t get a pass out of doing the right thing just because you don’t like someone, in Alan’s eyes. And that sense of justice and want to do good is really annoying in Manon’s (particularly as she gets older), but is also one of the key things that made her like him so much to begin with, so it’s like. She doesn’t want him to change, but also, Bede is really annoying and mean, though.)

Chairman Rose — Since Alan would participate in tournaments in Galar, and also since he’s Leon’s Special Someone, of course he’d end up meeting Rose at some point. To be honest, Alan wouldn’t trust Rose right off the bat. The fact that a megacorporation owns and runs everything in Galar, including the League, wouldn’t sit right with Alan and he’d be suspicious of it. This is especially true considering that Fleur-De-Lis Labs held considerable influence in Kalos (and look what happened), and Devon Corporation still holds considerable influence in Hoenn (and look what they do re: Infinity Energy). But the thing about Rose is that he’s a natural fit for the public eye and is legitimately a philanthropist / humanitarian, and he’d brush off any distrust that Alan has and always be cordial with him, and over time with him not doing anything wrong to anyone and Leon’s assurances that Rose is all right, Alan would relax around him. A little. Bit by bit. Look, he has a lot of trust issues, okay? He’s hypervigilant. And it doesn’t help that Rose’s second-in-command is, well . . .

Oleana — Oh ho ho these two would not get along at all. While Rose is genuinely friendly and likes talking to people and enjoys battling etc, Oleana is all business and, on top of that, she decides to make some of her business manipulating and using a literal child to do her bidding and then throws him away like used garbage when he goes too far on her orders. To most people she’s cold, calculating, and ruthless (and I say “most people” because she shows the most warmth toward Rose and even that’s not too much). And like, that bit’s fine, she can be how she wants to be, but when she uses and manipulates a child and then discards him like trash, that gets under Alan’s skin. And the thing is, Oleana doesn’t care about that. What she does care about is that she has, of course, done her research on Alan, and she knows that he is Very Likely to interfere with Rose’s plans if he finds out about them, given his past actions (and I believe she’d be of the opinion that he bit the hand that fed when it came to turning against Lysandre, and she’s the type who might bring that up in an argument against him so oh boy), and she’s not about to have that. (To that end, him being around Leon so much, when Rose needs Leon for Eternatus? Hmm. She doesn’t like that.) So there would definitely be a strong and mutual dislike between them, even if they Keep It Together during public events, and Rose and Leon either don’t notice or pretend not to because, well, they’re keeping it civil and don’t have to be around each other for long, so it’s fine, right? Right?? 

. . . oh boy.

[car-toons]

Why Chat Noir Will Be A Hero Turned Villain

Remember Lindalee Rose's Spoiler about the proposition of "heroes will become villains?" I think Chat Noir is going to be the quote on quote "villain" after Season 4.

Misleading title aside, I do want to talk about the proposition of Chat Noir perhaps becoming Ladybug's enemy for a while.

VILLAIN OR ANTIVILLAIN?

First off, I want to say that I don't like the word "villain" for this situation. Instead, I want to use the term "anti-villain".

An anti-villain in my eyes is someone who originally sides with the protagonist, but looses their way for a little bit and puts themselves in a position against the main protagonist, mainly because of ambiguous motivations that allow the audience to sympathize with them. However, villain is someone who has evil motives and sticks with those motives no matter what, no redemption whatsoever (Gabriel for the most part is our villain in this story).

A perfect example of an anti-villain is Varian from Tangled the Series! If you have seen the show, you would know that half way through Season 1 after his father is frozen by his own fault, he tries to reach out to Rapuznel, who said she can't help given the current circumstances she was under. As a result, Varian decides on revenge against the individual he thought he trusted the most. His trust was broken and he felt he was justified in his actions. Because of his motivations, individuals were rooting for him in some sense and emphasized with his feelings. By the beginning of Season 3, he realizes his mistakes and joins Rapunzel's side once more.

This is what I think is going to happen to Adrien.

But now, let's get on to the evidence.

PRE-SEASON 4 QUOTES SAID BY CHAT NOIR HIMSELF

There are specific quotes before Season 4 that hint something and seem pretty suspicious to me. Such as...

"You know I love fighting by your side M'Lady. But I could never bring myself to fight you."

Chat Noir: Gamer 2.0

"Ladybug and I never fight each other, we fight together"

Chat Noir: Miracle Queen

Those two quotes are pretty strange to me, especially since Chat is the one emphasizing it. From Season 1-3, Chat believes that his partnership with Ladybug is strong and that even though she does not return his feelings, they still work well together. It almost seems, too good. Of course, then we get Season 4 and everything is changing, making these quotes nothing but mere memory.

I will be honest, I did not think much of these quotes said by Chat when we were in the midst of Season 3. But with the information we have now, it's foreshadowing at its finest. It is also ironic because of what happened in Chat Blanc, but of course, there is a chance that it could happen once more. Now on to Season 4.

QUEEN BANANA

Do you guys remember this episode? I mean, it's not my favorite of the season, thats for sure, but what I find striking is the theme of the play that the students put on.

The film is about a hero of creation (played by Zoé) and a "villain" of destruction (played by Myléne). How ironic is it that we have a partnership of two miraculous holders, one with the power of creation (Ladybug) and one the power of destruction (Chat Noir). And the fact that the "villain" is someone connected to destruction is even more suspicious. Furthermore, Myléne and Zoé say this to each other at the end of the movie.

Mylène: You're just like them, I hate you! Zoé: You may hate me, but I love you, and I always will, even if the whole world hates you.

Can you imagine Ladybug saying that to Chat? The parallels to Ladybug and Chat Noir's relationship are evident here. It gives me vibes from Chat Blanc where Ladybug truly cares for her kitty while Chat is focused on one goal and one goal only, getting the miraculous. If Chat goes down an anti-villain path, I wonder if we will get something similar to this, but with Ladybug and Chat playing the roles represented in the students movie? Just a thought.

SENTIBUBBLER

Anyone else find it odd that in the same episode Chat Blanc appears again in Marinette's dream, Chat Noir has this sudden urge to destroy a building out of his own anger? And afterwards, he makes a "villainous" stance, towering over the destruction caused. That scene gave me chills (LOVE YOU BRYCE PAPENBROOK!) and I wonder if Chat was this angry in Sentibubbler, there is a chance that he might snap like this again? He does snap in Kuro Neko when he removes his ring (while shaking his fist. He gives a snarl too), but that was more an act of giving up. Chat feels a mix of both anger and sadness right now, but we are seeing more and more that hidden anger and the destruction he could cause when angry (physically through a building, or psychologically by removing his ring.)

But what are the possibilities that he might use his strength as Chat Noir against somebody else? Unfortunately, he does...

HACK-SAN

Yeah... remember when Chat tried to Cataclysm Alya as Scarabella? Of course, Chat's feelings here ARE valid! I am not denying that! What I am questioning is why he tried to cataclysm her? He knows the consequences of using a cataclysm on a sentimonster AND he knows that you NEVER cataclysm the victim of an akumatization. That's unethical. His feelings are justified, but his actions are not. He knows better than to try to cataclysm somebody, akumatized or not. In Chat Blanc, Chat ALMOST cataclysmed his father, but he used his power as a threat, and that was a desperate situation. In this instance, he knew that he shouldn't even though he wanted to.

But recently, Chat is acting more and more on impulse, and in this instance, he almost killed somebody if it weren't for Alya's quick thinking. His actions resemble less of a hero here, more of those anti-villain motives I was talking about.

SIMPLEMAN

Yes, I know this episode is a filler episode with a purpose to make us relax after the 6 episode bomb (that is what I call Optigami, Sentibubbler, Glaciator 2, Hack-San, Rocketear, and Wishmaker). However, Rolland Dupain said something pretty suspicious to the kids while they were watching the Ladybug and Chat Noir film.

Rolland Dupain; Hang on. I don't get it. The villain is that cat girl?

He thinks Chat Noir is the villain... this is very much intentional! Rolland could have been confused about anything, like how Ladybug and Chat Noir's powers work OR asking why Shadowmoth is staying in his home and not fighting the villains directly (All valid questions for someone new to Miraculous), but he does not emphasize that. He asks if Chat himself is a villain or not... that is frightening. I remember watching this in the English Sub for the first time, and that line gave me so much discomfort. Again, this is foreshadowing at its finest, especially in an episode that does not seem that important to the plot.

END-CARDS

End-Cards in Miraculous are entirely symbolic with elements from each episode. There are two specific end-cards in Season 4 specifically that have a ton of strange lead ons to Adrien's fall from grace.

GUILTRIP

Now, I know what you're thinking... what does this have to do with Adrien/Chat Noir? It's just Pigella's entrance with a cute picture of all of her classmates!

But there are two people from the class missing from this frame...

Chloe (for obvious reasons)

and...

you guessed it! Adrien is missing! Adrien is missing from an embrace that is experienced by all of his friends/classmates. Even his close friends like Marinette (in his mind), Alya, and Nino are there embracing Juleka and Rose. But why is Adrien missing? Is that a little odd?

Also, why Chat separated by a beam of light from Ladybug? In my eyes, it looks like a division of light, perhaps the division between himself and Ladybug? Maybe even how he is separated from the light and happiness happening; from Ladybug and his classmates.

And now, moving on to the one we are all familiar with, the one that made the fandom nearly explode!

ROCKETEAR

This one is way more obvious! Chat is in his own little corner, which is covered in darkness. Once again, he is separated from the light, while Rena Furtive, Ladybug, and DjWifi are in the light. Chat is also looking at the moon, and if you remember, that is what he destroyed as Chat Blanc... when he was the "villain". This is obviously intentional. With the tension of Ladynoir still on the rise, it is obvious that this Chat would be angry. The partnership between Ladynoir is becoming more strained, and this end-card make that super evident! Chat separated in his own little bubble of darkness shows how disconnected he is from the goodness and the light right now. And yes, I think this is foreshadowing.

We also might get future end-cards that support this claim with up-coming episodes coming out (there also might be more in previous seasons that I did not catch!).

FINAL THOUGHTS

Now, is there a chance that Adrien will NOT become an anti-villain? Yes, this is only a theory, not fact. The purpose of my little essay is to make people aware that this IS a possibility. Adrien has the perfect background to be an anti-villain, he was kept from the outside world until he was 14, his father (and possibly his mother) are/were emotionally abusive and manipulative, his father is the villain of the story, he is forced to do modeling under his father's wishes, which does not give him happiness. Yet he chooses not too right now. He is kind, charming, honest, and most importantly, good. Chat Noir used to be his escape from that abuse. That is not the case anymore. With his past and the recent events happening in Season 4 (Ladynoir conflict, all the secrets, feeling left out, home life, etc.), Adrien snapping is inevitable. We know in the finale he's gonna try to stand up to his father, but a fall from grace could be a possibility!

Finally, I make it clear that I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN EITHER! Sure, its angsty and if you know me, I LOVE angst, but this would be gut wrenching and would leave me heartbroken. From a plot standpoint, I would love to see this since it would progress the show's story in a new way, but again, Adrien is suffering enough. But that does not deny the evidence that is leading up to something.

Is there more evidence? Please let me know! I would love to discuss this with you all! Thank you for reading!

[ijustwant2write]

‘I want that with you’-Anthony Bridgerton x Reader

(GIF credit to @misskatesharma​)

Requested by @elennox03: ‘I’d like to request an Anthony Bridgerton x read imagine. I’m a huge sucker for husband!anthony. Can you write an imagine where Anthony and his wife are visiting the Bridgerton house and he sees his wife with his youngest sibilings and he realizes he wants to be a dad. When they leave and go back to their house he admits to her that he wants a kid and it’s really fluffy and maybe a little smutty? 🥺’

Characters: Anthony Bridgerton x Reader, Bridgerton family x Reader

Meanings: (Y/N)=Your name

Warnings: LOTS OF FLUFF, SMUT

                                    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Anthony sat at the table, newspaper in hand as he waited for his wife to join him for breakfast. The servants were ready to serve the food as soon as the Viscountess sat down. Anthony was engrossed in the headlines of the day, until he heard someone descending the stairs. He hoped it was his wife, smiling when he saw the doors being opened for her in his peripheral. 

“Good morning darling.” he greeted.

“Good morning. Sorry to keep you waiting, last time we visited your family I promised Hyacinth I would wear this dress, it is her favourite.” she approached him, kissing him on the forehead before taking her seat, where a servant pushed it in for her. 

“No bother, we shall still be there on time.” Anthony put down the newspaper as breakfast was laid out in front of them.

“I am excited to be visiting again. Especially since Daphne’s season is coming up.”

Anthony’s happy expression vanished at the thought.“Don’t remind me.”

(Y/N) giggled at her husband as they started eating.“Here he is, the protective older brother.”

“Well, I have to be. We both know men will come flocking towards her, and she will be so hypnotised by it that she won’t think about getting to know them. And to add to that, I know a majority of the men in this community, they go to my club, and there’s a lot I don’t want near her.”

“Oh darling, don’t get yourself too stressed over these matters. I’m sure you will have no trouble finding someone for her. Now let us eat, I am starving.”

Once they finished, the pair headed to the foyer, their servants already waiting with gloves, coats and capes, as well as a hat for Anthony. They put on everything, (Y/N) taking Anthony’s arm as they walked outside to the carriage. The couple didn’t need to speak to enjoy each others company, still holding hands as they looked out of the windows, the familiar streets passing by, before they both recognised the area in which their family lived in. (Y/N) loved being a Bridgerton, not only because she had fallen completely in love with Anthony, but because he had the most wonderful family. She had many friends who’s families were stuck up, or too strict, with some only just liking their husbands. (Y/N)’s whole body filled up with adoration for Anthony every time she looked at him, and her heart swelled whenever he looked back. (Y/N) knew she was extremely lucky, and she was thankful for that every single day. 

When they arrived at the Bridgerton house, they were welcomed in, taken to the drawing room where the entire family was sat. Gregory and Hyacinth were the first to make a move, jumping off of their chairs and shouting out their brother and sister-in-law’s names. Anthony scooped up his younger brother as (Y/N) knelt down to capture Hyacinth in a hug. When the married couple had first started courting, Hyacinth had been in awe of (Y/N), wondering if Anthony was in love with a princess.

The rest of the Bridgerton’s also stood to welcome Anthony and (Y/N). Hyacinth took (Y/N)’s hand and pulled her towards the sofa, sitting down together. She looked over (Y/N)’s dress, thrilled that she remembered to wear that one. As Violet began a conversation with (Y/N), Anthony approached Daphne, intending to talk about her upcoming season, but she beat him to it.

“Anthony, I should like to ask you a few questions regarding my debut.” Daphne started.

“Wonderful, I was just about to bring up the matter. So, in a few weeks, you shall be presented-”

“No, I know how it all works brother. Mama has told me all about it. I wanted to ask you about, well, the more personal side of it. And I think it would benefit me to see it from a gentleman’s perspective.”

Anthony dreaded to think what she would come up with.“Ah, maybe this is a conversation for mama-”

“I was wondering what it felt like when you realised (Y/N) was the one for you. How did you choose her? Was it something that stood out? Something I should be doing?”

Anthony chuckled at his sister’s questions, and how innocent she was. He wished she would stay like this forever.“I believe it is different for everyone sister. I...I don’t know how to explain it, but,” he looked over to (Y/N), who now had Hyacinth cuddled into her side as she and Violet talked,“it felt right. Like when you know the answer to a question, and that feeling of certainty goes through you. You don’t have any ‘what ifs’ about the future, because you know that no matter what happens, they will be the person by your side.”

Daphne smiled as she glanced in the same direction, before looking back to her brother. She had seen that expression of his many times when he was with (Y/N), and she wished someone would look at her that way during her season.

“(Y/N),” Gregory caught her attention. He was sat on the floor,“will we be having a cousin soon? Some of my friends have loads of cousins to play with.”

(Y/N) wasn’t sure how to answer, and Violet sensed that. The older siblings felt a slight awkwardness in the air, knowing it was a touchy subject.

Violet smiled, trying to lighten the mood.“Why don’t we take lunch outside? It is such a beautiful day.”

The eldest siblings all quickly agreed, moving almost immediately. Gregory felt that he had said something wrong, especially wen he saw (Y/N)’s face. Anthony was about to comfort her when Gregory stood up and held her hand, Hyacinth was already holding the other one. 

“I’m sorry if I upset you.” he said, pouting slightly.

(Y/N) gave him a comforting smile, kneeling down between the two.“Don’t worry, you did no such thing. Tell you what, why don’t we play outside after lunch? But you’ve got to let me win at least one game.”

The children giggled, knowing that (Y/N) had never been very good at winning whatever games they played. But both nodded, going ahead of her when she gently pushed them forwards. Standing back up, she realised Anthony had been watching her the whole time.

“What? What is it?” she asked.

“Nothing.” he replied, quickly pecking her on the lips.“Come, let us join our family.”

The rest of the afternoon went by too fast for (Y/N)’s liking. Over lunch she discussed Daphne’s debut, giving her advice on how to deduct herself and little ways to flirt when Anthony and Violet weren’t listening. Their giggles didn’t go unnoticed, Anthony scolding Collin and Benedict for not paying attention to the girls. 

“(Y/N), can we go play now?” Gregory asked as soon as she was finished eating.

“Gregory, you have only just finished for food too. Wait a while, otherwise you will have a bad stomach.” Violet warned him.

“She is not a toy for you two to play with. Some of us would like to speak with (Y/N) too you know.” Daphne pointed out, only to have Gregory stick his tongue out at her.

“We will play once our food has settled, yes?” (Y/N) nodded to the children, who knew they would be waiting as the grown ups talked. 

Anthony had that thought again. Hyacinth and Gregory adored (Y/N), and she had such a way with children. And it wasn’t all smooth sailing with these two, (Y/N) had told them off a few times. It was natural thing that came to her, a natural thing he had put off for so long. Of course, they wanted to enjoy their time together without children, but seeing her like this, and with children of friends started to make him think that perhaps it was time. (Y/N) had only ever expressed her wanting of children once, which lead to an argument. Anthony had always felt pressured to be the one to marry first and produce heirs, so when he found (Y/N), his mama subtly hinted to him about having a baby as soon as possible; just to spite her, Anthony convinced (Y/N) not to dive headfirst into parenthood, something she went along with because she saw how stressed Anthony became on the subject. However, (Y/N) didn’t want to be past her time before it was too late to have a child.

“Alright then,” (Y/N) said as she, the two youngest and Collin stood on the grass,“what game are we playing?”

“Hide and seek!” Hyacinth quickly shouted before Gregory could even open his mouth.

“That’s so boring!” her brother whined.

“And aren’t (Y/N) and I slightly too big to be hiding?” Collin pointed out.

(Y/N) mocked offence.

“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it!”

(Y/N) laughed at him, much to Collin’s relief.

“Gregory, we do always play whatever you want.” (Y/N) said.“We’ll play hide and seek today.”

Hyacinth cheered, saying (Y/N) was the seeker before running off. Gregory was fast behind her, whilst Collin shrugged at (Y/N), going off to hide too. (Y/N) just rolled her eyes as she smiled, turning the other way and beginning to count. The others were still sat at the table, engrossed in a conversation, but Anthony was still watching (Y/N). She shook her head at him, still counting until she reckoned they were given enough time to hide. She announced she was coming, looking under benches and around trees and hedges, behind statues and pillars. Collin was the first to be found, unfortunately he was right about being too big to hide. They both set out to find the other two, keeping as quiet as they could.

(Y/N) heard rustling behind her, before something moved in behind the rose bushes. She held back for a moment, waking alongside it slowly to not alert the player  of her presence. Once they had no where else to go, (Y/N) waited for them to make a run for it, jumping out at them. This caused them to collide as they both yelped out, but ending up laughing as (Y/N) realised it was Hyacinth that she had caught. As they sat up, with (Y/N) checking she hadn’t hurt the girl, Collin came bounding over with Gregory over his shoulder.

Anthony knew what he wanted, and in that moment he had no patience. He wanted to tell (Y/N) about his intentions now, but knew it would be better to have that conversation in private. It was going to happen tonight, he needed to say it.

On the way home, (Y/N) noticed how Anthony’s hand was on her thigh, rather than holding her hand, and he was as close to her as he could possibly be. He kept kissing her too, holding her face in his other hand. Some were gentle and long kisses, other were hungry and passionate. (Y/N) was flustered, wondering why he was acting this way. When they arrived home, Anthony took her hand in his, quickly guiding her upstairs to their room.

“Anthony, what are-”

(Y/N) was silenced as he kissed her again, his hands now holding her waist. She embraced it, gripping onto his biceps as he walked them towards the bed. He pulled away, scooping her into his arms and gently laying her down on the bed. He straddled her, leaning down to kiss her again as she pushed off his jacket, trying to take off his shirt too. He sat up, taking it off, and for a moment, he was content with just looking at his wife. 

“Anthony?” she whispered.

His urges drove him forward, kissing down her neck and on top of her breasts, pulling her to sit up with him so he could undo her dress. She told him to stand, as did she, turning around so it was easier to rid of the garment. Once it was off, he pressed his body against the back of hers, taking a second to slow down. He ran his hands from her lower back, rounding her waist and cupping her breasts. She moaned at his touch, purposefully pushing against his crotch. He moved her to face him, knowing he had to tell her what was on his mind now before he completely forgot about them.

“(Y/N).” was all he managed to get out.

“Yes?” she looked back up at him with her beautiful eyes. 

“I...I want us to have a family.”

“I do too.”

“No, I mean...I’m ready.”

“You are?”

“Yes. I know I am. After seeing you today with my brother and sister, well, whenever you’re around children, I realised how selfish I have been. I married you because I love you. And love comes in many forms. One way to express our love is by creating a family of our own.”

“Anthony, are you sure? Because, because you know how happy that would make me?”

He smiled.“And that’s all I want to do, make you happy.”

“You do so every day. But this means the world to me. I love you.”

“I love you, so much. We’re ready (Y/N), we know what we both want. I want that with you.”

[goggles-mcgee]

For the tattle tail au: so the rest of the school, students and teachers are going to take some measures with all these truth bombs?

How will the guilty party, try to sweet it under the rug but fail?

I'm eager to know more about it when you post more about it.

PS: about the Marinette stone Au, do things get better for her? Any friends still loyal?

Yes, as best they can. The reason most of the kids are recording is so they can send the videos to their parents because you know they want to help but they don't know what to do given their principal just admitted to being corrupt. He admits to a lot more than just not letting Marinette get away from her bully, but he admits to everyone that he throws out bullying reports and anything that can paint Collège Françoise Dupont in a negative light. He also admits to embezzling a little money that should have gone towards locks for students lockers and updated security equipment for his Owlman collection and his wannabe Owl Headquarters.

The teachers are disgusted and are already calling the school board because this is frankly horrifying and too much. While they do that Mlle Mendeleiev goes down to try and help get Marinette away from everyone and to her parents who she had spotted from her previous position upstairs. Tattle-Tail is so overwhelmed with anger and guilt and sadness for Marinette that her hair lashes out at anyone who gets close.

Mendeleiev's truth is just that she worries about Marinette and wishes she was her student because she knows she was Multimouse (in my version of MLB she is called Mouseketeer) but Mendeleiev is able to just say she knows Marinette was a great mouse hero and she knows that despite Marinette accidentally showing her identity that she was an amazing hero so there was no way Ladybug didn't go to her for help anymore. And she wished she did more to get Marinette in her class so the teenager wouldn't be as stressed.

The school is going nuts at this info, Tom and Sabine are absolutely bewildered and feeling guilty because they knew Marinette was stressed but they just figured their daughter could handle it because she could handle anything right?

Marinette may also find out that a good majority of the school has a crush on her.

All the guilty parties do what everyone usually does after an akuma, they act like nothing happened but the school isn't having it and it's hard to act normal when you're homeroom teacher is fired for her incompetence, one classmate is being deported and sent to juvenile detention for working with a terrorist and a long list of other offenses, and another student went from teen heartthrob to Paris’s biggest jerk, and another classmate just doesn't show up for class when all you want to do is apologize to her.

The school doesn't bully them or anything but they do shun them, they basically just don't want to interact with them because they are fake people in their eyes.

Of course the ones who are spared all this are Rose, Juleka, Nathaniel, Nino, and Sabrina.

Rose's truth is that she only pushed so hard for Adrien and Marinette to be together because she was lonely and wanted romance but since she didn't have anyone she wanted to live out romance through Marinette. So she pushed even when Marinette was uncomfortable and she felt so guilty everytime.

Juleka’s truth is that she hates when girl time turned into a scheme to get Marinette and Adrien together because she can see how much happier and calmer Marinette is with her brother and how much happier Luka is meeting her. But she also misdirected her anger on Marinette each scheme because she knew it would hurt her brother, and she knew her anger was misplaced but she still acted out on it. Which resulted in Juleka ignoring her messages and just small things like that. She was also sorry that she couldn't be like Marinette and stand up for her friend when she saw Marinette getting mistreated, she was scared. She was scared of becoming friendless and shunned but she knew it was wrong.

Nathaniel's truth is that he didn't quite believe Lila but he didn't really check her lies out himself when he did Lila saw and the look she gave him before smiling and asking what he was doing scared him so much that he never attempted to look up her stories again. He was overloaded with guilt and shame and fear.

Nino's truth is that he knew Lila's tales were false but he never said anything because he didn't want to lose Alya but once he decided he had enough and told Alya about her "new best friend" that Alya didn't care until he said they had to tell the class. They had to apologize to Marinette. She basically said it was her or Marinette and he loved Alya and didn't want to lose her so he just stood there like a coward.

Sabrina’s truth is that she hates how Chloe treats her but she puts up with it for her dad's sake. She felt like she had to stay Chloe's friend so her dad could keep his job. When Lila came around and her and Chloe found out she was a liar, Sabrina basically acted like she believed her because she really feared for her father's position more given that Lila's mom is a diplomat. She also confesses that Marinette was the best friend she had ever had no matter how short it was and she really regrets not sticking with her even if it was her and Marinette against the world.

Marinette basically clears things up with them with her own "truths." I put that in quotes not because they are not the truth it's just she does leave out a lot to do with being Ladybug. But she forgives these ones because they are the only ones who have shown remorse.

Now I won't say the remaining others aren't remorseful, they are, they're just remorseful Marinette found out and other's did too but in time they do genuinely reflect and feel bad. Like some can and will get redemption but that doesn't mean they will be in Marinette’s life again and that's something I really want to show is that people can grow and they can apologize and you still don't have to allow them back in your life.

You can accept their apology and that's it. And of they are grown they will accept your wishes which the class will do. Sans Lila and Adrien.

♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧

For Marinette, the Rolling Stone I will say in that story Jagged is not canonically Luka and Juleka’s dad. For one the new episodes did that whole reveal wack, and two if Jagged was an absent father i feel like it wouldn't be because of his own doing. It would be because he wasn't aware of the pregnancy.

Anywho that being said the one's loyal to Marinette in that story are Kitty Section + Alix!

[xlonelysoulxx]

Being a Mermaid and Jacob’s Imprint Would Include... {2}

{gif isn’t mine}

xxxxx

You had disappeared for a whole month. You had only sent Leah a few messages after the incident, to give a sign of life and reassure the pack... which hadn’t helped matters when Jacob found out. "WHY didn't you tell me?!” “You acted like a f*cking jerk, why should I have?" The tension was so overwhelming, to the point where the other wolves must have come between them that day. Leah wanted to protect her friend, and Jacob wanted to get his imprint back. But he couldn't.

xxxxx

You hadn’t planned to come back, not so soon... this is what you had entrusted to the pretty wolf. You wanted to get some distance... away from Forks, from La Push... and from Jacob. You couldn't take it anymore. It was already hard that he treated you so coldly ‘cause he loved one another, but seeing him tear himself apart with his brothers... because of you? It was too much. It had gone way too far.

xxxxx

Grudge and worry kept growing among the wolves even when Jacob were gone, wandering god knows where near the Canadian border. Guilt and pain had kept twisting him from the inside ever since, and hearing the thoughts of his pack... especially when it came to you, had become torture. Even Jared, who had felt at fault at first, only felt annoyance now. Jacob was a ball of nerves ready to explode at any moment, while he was the one who had behaved badly in the first place. Fuck... he could have hurt you?! All because he had let himself be overcome by his emotions, emotions that he wasn’t yet ready to assume out loud.

xxxxx

The feeling of lack linked to the imprint was so strong that it sometimes prevented you from breathing, but that wasn't the worst. It was at that moment... that you realized how much you were in love with Jacob Black.

xxxxx

Even the pull of the bond wasn't as strong as the crack forged in your heart. A gash already wide open over the past few weeks (consciously or not) by the constant presence of Isabella Swan - hunted by Victoria - and now gaping as you left the Quileute... and Jacob, behind you. It was clear, the difference between these feelings - as if your heart and your guts were going in two distinct directions. How stupid you were... as if fate wasn't cruel enough like that.

xxxxx

You were quite surprised to see Alice and Jasper appear at your workplace one morning, a small neighborhood library near Port Angeles. It was brand new, no one knew about it. No one except Alice. Obviously... What were they doing there? You weren't particularly close to the Cullens, but you liked the lil’ brunette quite a bit. Did something happen? Did he... no, Leah would have warned you. Right..?

xxxxx

“He's stupidly stubborn, and guilty. But he's fine... for now.” You no longer understood anything, since when did Alice appreciate Jacob? She didn’t. But she couldn't control her visions. Time was running out. An army was approaching, Bella was once again the center of attention... and the future had darkened. The two clans who called themselves enemies had decided to unite reluctantly, to protect her - but what was your role in this story?

xxxxx

“Don't get me wrong, Alice... I don't wish Bella any harm.” You were boiling from the inside, but Bella wasn't the reason of your pain... Jacob was. You had no animosity towards the young girl, the shapeshifter was mature enough to make his own choices. It was between you and him, and yet. “But you came here for nothing.” You didn't look her in the eye anymore, busy sorting through the same books over and over in your hands. You couldn't believe she had come here just for this. She wanted you to come back to him, so he could come back to her... come back to Bella. To protect her.

xxxxx

Jasper hadn't moved from his place since their arrival, standing proudly straight behind his beloved. He could easily sense your anger, mixed with pain and incomprehension... and just like that, your eyes met his for a long second. “You should listen to her, Y/N.” You could feel a wave of appeasement sweep over you, immediately glaring at the vampire. "And you shouldn’t try to manipulate my emotions, Jasper."

xxxxx

“He won't survive it, Y/N... I saw it.” You could feel your blood running cold through your veins. What was she talking about?? Jacob was actually back in Forks, for more than a week now. But he was a freaking mess. He made sure to stay away from the pack, irritable... unpredictable, and more closed than ever. Quite the opposite of who he really was. You could feel your heart skipping a beat... Alice had glimpsed the impending confrontation, and the outcome had been fatal for the brown wolf.

xxxxx

No, no, no... it couldn't happen. It. Couldn't. The information was too much to handle as you began to hyperventilate like an idiot in the store, Jasper immediately moving to your side. You couldn't let him get killed all this because he was distracted by the whole "imprint thing”, no... you could never forgive yourself for it. You would leave your pride aside without any hesitation for him, everything for him... no matter the welcome you would receive in return.

xxxxx

The car ride was terribly quiet. The battle would take place in three days, so there was no time to waste. Your boss had been accommodating enough to give you your afternoon (he seemed to be pleased by your work, good for you) and this is where you were now... on the road back to Forks, sitting in the back of Alice's car. She had insisted on taking you there given your emotional state, and you were silently grateful for that. You could feel the anguish mounting as you approached the Quileute reserve, unconsciously wriggling in your seat.

xxxxx

“Stop the car.” The air was too thick to breathe, and you felt like you were drowning... there was only one way to fix it. You were close enough now, you could join the reserve on your own... but not right away. You quickly thanked the couple before slamming the door, taking the path to the forest under the worried gaze of the petite brunette. You ran, unable to stop before reaching the impressive cliff... not thinking twice before jumping.

xxxxx

You felt like you could finally breathe again as the icy water came in contact with your hot skin. You haven't been back to the ocean since the incident, and you had missed it - terribly. You could feel a pinch in your stomach as you rose to the surface, quickly looking up as your eyes instantly fell on the huge brown wolf that stood high on the rocks. Jacob. He was there... how?

xxxxx

You dived again after an endless exchange of glances, taking longer than necessary to reach the shore. A part of you feared your reunion, while the other was just relieved and excited to see him again. Jacob had reached the beach at an impressive speed, the shapeshifter dressed warmer than usual while a large jacket and boots complemented the usual shorts specific to all Quileutes. His heart was pounding as he observed the surface, impatiently waiting to see you reappear. Were you even going to do it..? He couldn't believe you were really there.

xxxxx

And you did. Your feet sank into the wet sand as you left the sweet comfort offered by the waves, your long hair sticking to your skin like a second skin. You were completely exposed as the cold wind whipped through your entire body, Jacob's eyes never leaving yours as he took off his jacket… wasting no time wrapping it around you. The distance between you was ridiculously thin now, the silence heavy and comfortable at the same time. There was no room for shyness here, it was Jacob. And despite everything that had happened you had full confidence in him.

xxxxx

None of you dared to speak first... almost like it's going to shatter the present moment, and bring bad memories to the surface. “I was afraid I had hurt you.” He finally confessed, almost shamefully. Start at the beginning, yeah... it was good. “I'm sorry I disappeared... I just panicked.” You answered briefly, but he cut you off almost immediately.“You don't have to feel sorry for anything, Y/N. I should. For everything.”  He really was. He wanted to tell you how sorry he was, how much he had missed you... and how much he loved you. But he didn't have the right. Not now, and maybe never. But repeating it to you, showing you how sorry he was and how much he regretted the way he had treated you... seemed like a good start. He wanted to be the best imprint for you... a friend, a protector. If you wanted him to be. He didn't want to be separated from you like that anymore. Never again.

xxxxx

You could hear the sincerity in his voice, the erratic changes in his breathing… and the heat radiating from his body which was enveloping you like a soft blanket. He meant every word. You were sure of it. And it was, indeed, a good start... yes. It was like a silent acceptance, like a secret language between the two of you... your throat tightening a bit before you wrapped your arms around him.

xxxxx

Jacob automatically tightens his embrace around you, selfishly accepting the gesture of affection you both needed so badly. He trapped your body against his, resting his chin against the top of your head as you stood on your tiptoes... inhaling his scent. There he was, alive and safe in your arms... and that was all that mattered right now. And you were going to make sure that it stays that way, no matter what.

xxxxx

But fate wasn't so lenient, you should have known that... it didn't rest only in your hands. Cruel reality exploded in your face that day, Jacob's scream echoing through the entire clearing at the same time as the sound of his ribs being broken by the newborn vampire. It all happened so fast. Leah had found herself trapped in the deadly embrace of one of them, Jacob had intervened... and now he was writhing in pain on the ground.

xxxxx

You had joined him in a few strides, stumbling alongside him as your heartbeat echoed through your ears. Carlisle stood by your side, examining the extent of the damage before the other members of the pack arrived in turn. His voice was twisted in pain as he tried to pronounce your name, squeezing your hand in his before the other wolves surrounded him to pick him up - Paul reluctantly pulling you away from your imprint. Tears filled your eyes, so much so that you hadn't even seen Bella arrive… the obvious horror on her face. How could this have happened? You thought you could change Alice's vision, you really believed you could... but you obviously failed. Literally.

[leo-interactive-fiction]

Something else I haven't seen before. What would the MC's parent from each background think of the ROs? Who would they approve of and who wouldn't they? I guess in the case of orphan MC, what would E's parents think? Since they kinda maybe vaguely adopted orphan MC?

Hmm, interesting! Since I did the opposite, I should have seen this one coming haha

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

Storm's comments:

E: "Rose has had that expectation for some time. This is preferable to the alternative. I know you will be in good hands. Rose raised them well."

R: Your father doesn't mince his words, a clear disdain evident, "Valleford. See that you don't take after your father, or there will be less than pleasantries next time we meet."

L: "Scio. I assume your father...?" Storm's lips pull in a small frown as L gives a small nod of confirmation, "I understand if you cannot forgive me. Your father is a significant asset to the Hospian war effort. If I find him, I will kill him."

V: "You've seen enough at your age," Storm says quietly, looking into the hollow glint in V's eyes, "I'm sorry. Those were battles that should have ended with my generation, not yours."

P: Storm's brow furrows as he makes a cordial greeting, "I assume your father is well? He does not speak of his second child often, but you seem more spirited than the other. That will make the greater difference when it matters."

M: Storm's brow furrows as he makes a cordial greeting, though there's little sentimentality in his voice, "I assume your father is well? He expresses confidence in your upbringing, but I can't say I share the sentiment. You lack something fundamental. Something to drive you to achieve more than what's expected of you."

Ra: Storm's eyes lock onto Raven with a harsh intensity, "Your eyes are filled with blood and you conceal weapons. Tell me your intentions or I will kill you right now."

S: "I admit I am unfamiliar with Orden. The conflict never reached that country, but I understand there are many hardships there already," Storm says, looking the brightly grinning student up and down before his lips pull back in small contentment, "You come out better than most. You have impressive strength."

F: Storm holds a frown as he takes in the vivid green hair, "Many allowed Frenza to claim their distance due to their significant contribution to Triaina's independence, but it doesn't absolve you of everything," he says in warning, "Don't step over the boundaries you've been afforded, or the military will have no choice but to respond."

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

Scurra's dialogue:

E: Scurra makes a grimace as he recognizes E, "Damnit, you've gone and done it now," he grumbles as he pulls out his wallet and hands a fold of bills to E, "Give that to your mom, will you? She's worse than a debt collector with bets..."

R: "Valleford! There's a name I haven't heard in a while. I knew they had a black sheep in the family, but I guess they couldn't take away the infamous good looks," Scurra chuckles, his eyes lightening reminiscently, "They've put me in a good bit of trouble on more than one occasion. I guess I should consider it a family curse now that MC is involved with you."

L: "Oh, I know those eyes," Scurra says wistfully, "Coming to find the world is a bigger place than you imagined, aren't you? It's even more expansive than that, too. I had that same look when I traveled overseas. I hope MC is being a good guide for you," he looks to you, and gives a knowing wink.

V: Scurra gives a meandering hum as he looks at V, "I've been all around, but I've only seen natural hair color like that a handful of times. They all had your same stare, too." He closes his eyes thoughtfully, "None as young as you though. I hope you're the last I have to see with those eyes. They're a bad omen."

P: "A fiery one, aren't you! Has no one ever told you not to say bad words in public?" Scurra laughs, "You should stop while you can. You're so transparent with your feelings that I almost mistook you for a window, so there's no point to pulling a tough act."

M: A small, genuine smile rises on Scurra's lips as he inspects M, "How interesting. You're so similar to your twin, but you're definitely the better actor. As I think about it, you remind me of MC's mother in many ways..."

Ra: "What are you doing here?" Scurra frowns, staring harshly at Raven. A silence passes and eventually he looks away, messaging his jaw, "Oops, guess I was mistaken. You looked a little like someone I know."

S: "You've got Orden written all over you, don't you?" Scurra says cheerily, "It's been a while since I've visited, but I have to say it gave me the most enjoyment. You all certainly know how to keep it lively."

F: "Your family has always been so hauty!" Scurra covers his mouth to suppress a chuckle, "But I think it would be a mistake to talk down to everyone you meet. I happen to be on great terms with your mother. If I took the opportunity, you two would have been siblings!"

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

Xero's insight:

E: He smiles warmly to E, "It's good to see you again. I'm afraid there was little I could do for you: your mother has already found out about your relationship. I expect she'll make it as embarrassing for you as possible, if I know her well. I hope you're mentally prepared."

R: Xero studies R with a faint curiosity, "I'm afraid your father and I are on less than speaking terms due to some...past difficulties, but I understand you are more than simply your father's child. You may be villianized for your differing viewpoint, but aren't we all? I don't find it is so bad," Xero gives R a knowing small."

L: Xero's eyes widen upon seeing L, then falls into a soft smile, "To think history would repeat so aptly. To see you two now reminds me of my own school days," Xero closes his eyes and releases a light sigh, the smile still present, "I pray you'll also find the same happiness I did, and that it lasts longer."

V: Xero's grip tightens on an file in his hands as he sees V, his voice meticulous, "You are...Wolfe, correct? I'll admit the what I've heard and read of you is...less than appealing, but," he casts his gaze between you and the ex-Jagd member, a faint smile growing on his lips as V steps cautiously between you. "You seem to have a strong sense of duty. I hope you will be a good pillar for MC."

P: He looks disaprovingly, "In my field, words are paired with intention. To speak is to lay bare your thoughts. Why would you neglect your intent by forcing a negative connotation where it doesn't belong?"

M: He seems slightly more on edge than with P, "I don't believe I should offer my approval to someone unwilling to determine a focus. It's a testament to your negligence."

Ra: Xero crosses their arms, his face skeptical,"Marriage? Your lack of detailed forethought and hyperfixation gives me the impression of an unhealthy mind. As it stands now, I will refuse to give you my blessing."

S: "I'm afraid I'm ignorant to everything Orden related," Xero says sheepishly, "I am happy to learn all that I can, though. Perhaps you would like to bring your family at some point? I would be happy to host them here." Xero smiles warmly, clearly unknowing of the chaotic rabblerousing he's invited into his home.

F: "Ah, the royal line," Xero says in recognition of F, "Your own mother was a classmate of mine as well. To think one of her children would grow so closely with mine. Please give her my regards, would you? She has always kept herself closer than others, so I was happy when she took an interest in my friend. He's a lucky man."

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

Mr. Razor's thoughts (if he was alive)

E: He bows his head gratefully, "Thank you for taking care of MC all this time. Your selflessness has saved me a lot of worry, and I doubt I'll have any more leaving them in your hands."

R: Razor's eyes bore a hole through R, "To defy your father was a considerable risk. And not knowing what the academy had planned for you, you still allowed yourself to be incarcerated for an indeterminate amount of time," Razor taps his fingers to his chin, a smile spreading over his lips, "I enjoy those that stick to their principles, but what say we work on your jailbreaking?"

L: "Your father's quite an important man. He's lucky I was never contracted to kill him," Razor says matter-of-factly. A chilling air of silence deafens the room until Razor holds up his palms, "Just kidding. I've never killed anyone. They all died mysteriously."

V: "How's Jagd doing?" Razor narrows his eyes keenly on V, "I'm surprised they were able to bounce back after what I did to them. I guess they filled the empty spaces with whoever was able...or moldable."

P: Razor smiles sadly, "It must be difficult to be given another person's expectations and do well with them. You're like a fish trying to climb a tree. But I enjoy how far up you've climbed despite that. Would you like a reward? I know, how about...your father's weakness?"

M: Razor seems disinterested, "You're not worth the words, Crater. You're nothing more than what your father made you to be: a simple shadow to live vicariously through."

Ra: Razor's eyes have an approving glint, "The one that slipped through the cracks. How very odd. MC's mother was quite odd too. It's an endearing quality, isn't it? Yes, I think you'll make a perfect companion for MC. You've already been looking over them all this time, haven't you?"

S: "Earnestness is one of the first qualities people tend to throw away when faced with hardship. It is impressive to see how you've progressed through your poverty and discrimination so aptly. Perhaps you have a hope that things will get better?" Razor's mouth spreads in a wicked smile, "I do enjoy seeing how people struggle for such a small glimmer of light. I think I'll offer my aid."

F: "Ah, it's always cute to see people play at royalty," Razor smiles at F's exasperated face, "Why do you seem so angry? Do you actually believe your position has meaning? I'll assure you it doesn't," Razor casts a darkening stare towards the royal, "To me, you're no harder to kill than a beggar on the street. The power you attempt to flaunt means nothing, because in the end it does nothing to elevate you beyond a simple street urchin."

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

End

Thank ya for the ask!

[fatefulfaerie]

Knight

Linktober 2021 prompt 5/31

Incarnation: A Link Between Worlds

Word Count: 990

Link knew he wasn’t to abuse his new role as a knight in Hyrule Castle, wasn’t to take advantage of it or skirt it like it didn’t matter. Yuga’s chaos had caused a certain level of unrest across the kingdom and, even with him defeated, people were on edge. Security was doubled at the castle and so it was even more of a given that the Hero of Worlds be given one of the coveted slots.

He had a route and he was expected to stick to it, to pace back and forth one hour after the next along his given hallway. Of course Link was loyal to Hyrule, wanted to protect it, but he was probably the warrior who knew best that there wasn’t a threat to worry about. That knowledge made night shifts all the more boring.

So Link found himself across the castle, far away from the route he had been assigned, and far away from pacing the corridor. If someone found him he was ready to say that he thought he heard something but it turned out to just be a rat, but for now he peered around the corner of a corridor of portraits.

It was just a rumor.

And so he felt like a fool spying like this. He had tried to ignore it, but he couldn’t stop his curiosity, couldn’t stop wondering if there really was a portrait of a previous hero and princess in each other’s arms, if the princess really did sneak out of her bed to admire it, if this all meant that he really did have a chance in hell with his likely foolish crush on the Princess of Hyrule.

“Link?”

He jumped out of his skin, flinching so much he almost jumped.

“Goddesses,” he whispered before turning around. His jaw dropped.

“What are you doing here?” 

Zelda asked it as casually as if she had found him in town during the daylight, her smile beaming and making Link forget that it was night time.

He stammered. His mouth moved, but no sound came out.

She was in her night gown but it didn’t seem to phase her as much as it did him, Link’s face flushing red as strawberries ready for plucking. Never had he seen the princess, let alone any girl, that wasn’t covered from neck to toe. Her nightgown was modest, of course, but he could see her collarbone, the shape of her breasts.

He shut his eyes before they could trail down any further.

“Uhm,” he said, covering his already shut eyes with his hand. “I th-thought…”

What was his cover story again? 

“I…um…”

He felt her gentle hand on his wrist, and she gently guided it down. She smiled, but Link didn’t see it.

“Open your eyes,” she prompted casually. “Come on. You can see me in my nightgown. You’ve seen much uglier things. Besides, this fabric isn’t sheer, it covers up everything. Nothing improper about this in the slightest.”

Link opened his eyes slowly and cautiously. The nightgown was pink and she wore it elegantly. It shone in the moonlight yet she shone far brighter. 

“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

It spilled out to contradict her previous statement but it came out as a declaration of love, which is why Zelda’s eyebrows rose.

Her blush matched the hue of her nightgown. 

“Uhm.”

Finally she had as little composure as Link, which would have made him less anxious if he wasn’t currently regretting being so forward with his words. Did he make her uncomfortable? He didn’t mean to.

“S-sorry,” he stammered. “I just—“

Zelda took Link completely off guard when she pecked the lips of the blushing knight clad in clunky armor that was a couple sizes too big.

It was only a millisecond of contact between them and yet it spurred an eternity of warmth in both their hearts, their cheeks, their souls, the fourteen year-olds staring at each other in the aftermath of their first kiss.

“Th-thanks,” Link finally said.

Thanks? That’s the best he could do? The princess of Hyrule just kissed him and all he could think to say was thanks? What must she think of him?

She giggled.

A lot. That was the answer. She must think a lot of him to forgive his dorky verbosity.

“You’re welcome,” Zelda said. She averted her gaze and looked down at the way her right foot scuffed back and forth. Her fingers were playing with each other nervously behind her back. “I actually have been thinking about doing that for a while now.”

Link was so confused.

“Really?” He asked. He couldn’t believe it.

Zelda looked back up and nodded.

“It just took me a bit to get up the nerve,” she said. “I don’t exactly have your courage.”

Link almost laughed.

“Apparently I don’t have my courage either,” he said, to Zelda’s surprise. “I…well I’ve been wanting to kiss you too.”

Zelda took his hand slowly, not because she was being cautious, but because she was reveling in the sensation.

“Is that why you came up here?” She asked. “You were starting to get up the nerve?”

“No, actually, I…” he hesitated. “Well I was, but…I heard a rumor…about a painting in this hallway. People say you like to stare at it, the…” he didn’t even know if it actually existed. What a painting to be asking about in this moment. “The one with the princess and the hero?”

“Is that what they say?” Zelda asked rhetorically. “Goodness sake the entrance to my chambers is in this hallway. Sometimes I’ll give it a passing glance like I do the other paintings…”

She shrugged her shoulders sheepishly and tipped her head.

“When I was little I used to dream that I would find a hero too.”

She met Link’s blue gaze.

“I never thought I would be so lucky.”

Link smiled.

“Me neither.”

[ragingbookdragon]

It's Who We Are Underneath That Defines Us

Kyle Rayner x Batsis One-Shot

Word Count: 1.9K Warnings: Explicit Language, Slight Angst

Author's Note: Really gotta make the story where the Batfamily learns she and GL are dating. Enjoy! -Thorne

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

“Hey babe?”

She hummed absentmindedly, her eyes still trained to the stars above. “Yeah, Kyle?” Fingers twitched against her palm, then laced with her own; a heartbeat pounded against her skin, like a pulsing speaker, causing her to look over at him. “Is everything alright?”

Evergreen eyes met hers and he murmured, “Do you ever think about what life would be like if you weren’t a superhero?”

She blinked, the question giving her a slight pause. Leaning closer, she propped her chin in his shoulder and teased, “Thinking about how you could’ve had an apple pie and picket fence life, Kyle?”

A grin crossed his lips and he glanced over at her. “To be honest with you, (Y/N), I’m more of a cherry pie kinda man.” His gaze dropped, and his eyes roamed her body. “Blame Warrant on that one.” She rolled her eyes, but the laugh she gave him showed her amusement. Kyle paused, his gaze searching her face. “But back to my original question...what do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t a vigilante?”

(Y/N) inhaled deeply, rolling away from his shoulder and laid on her back, her eyes scanning the immense field of stars above them. “I don’t know, honestly. I’ve never really given it much thought.” Raising her hand, she traced the scars across her expanse of her arm with her eyes. “I’ve been training to be a vigilante since I was ten years old...helping people is all I’ve ever really wanted to do with life.”

She looked back over at him. “But since you asked, if I wasn’t a vigilante, I’d probably be a stuck-up rich bitch who overcharges her dad’s credit cards and throws hissy fits when she gets told no.” Kyle snorted, and she giggled.

After a moment of silence, he looked to her and asked, “Would you ever change anything you’ve done?”

The question he’d given her had been one she’s asked herself so many times. What if’s rising to the tongue of a girl too afraid to choose a path other than that of the least resistance, but ultimately keeping them contained and taking the hardest ones anyway. (Y/N) bit her lip slightly, the memories of every mistake, every wrong choice, flashing behind her eyes like lightning in a storm. The fingers laced though hers squeezed gently, dragging her from them, and she glanced back over, her eyes tracing the wisps of hair at his temples that had fallen from the gel he’d put in it earlier.

She blinked, then gave him a smile, her voice soft as she replied, “No...I don’t think I would change a single thing.”

Kyle’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he questioned, “Why not? Hasn’t there been a time where you’ve screwed up monumentally and couldn’t change it?”

(Y/N) watched him carefully, the words toying with the tip of her tongue as she asked calmly, “Are you talking about what happened to Alex?”

His face momentarily darkened, a mixture of anger, hate, and self-loathing, then it fell, and she saw the pain and regret in his eyes and heard it in his voice as he muttered, “I’m talking about everything that I’ve done wrong.” He sat up, resting his elbows on his knees, the heel of his tennis shoes scraping against the brick of the roof. He let out a heavy sigh, causing her heart to tighten, and she rose beside him, curling her arm through his.

They stared at the city across the water, then she murmured, “When I was sixteen, I accidentally shoved someone over a support beam during a fight.” He eyed her, silently wondering what had happened and just what the hell this had to do with his issues. “Didn't mean to, of course. But he grabbed me from behind, and I did what I'd been trained to do—react. I freed myself and made the distance between us. But I misjudged the force of my kick and he tumbled over and down about a hundred feet onto concrete.”

She paused, thumb rubbing the back of his hand. “When my family and friends saw what I’d done, even if it were an accident, a lot of them decided to keep me at an arm's length. ‘She might kill again’, they said, ‘If she’s killed once, she’ll do it again...there’s no way we can trust her anymore.’ Eventually, I stopped patrolling with the Titans and Teen Titans. Hell, I even stopped helping the Justice League. I did my own thing by myself because no one trusted me anymore. ‘Til this day, there are some people within the superhero community who shun me and don’t trust me. And at every meeting, somehow, someway, it's always brought up.”

(Y/N) looked over at him, squeezing his hand again. “Wherever I go, whatever I do, that follows me. It’s never going to be let go, and it’s certainly never going to be forgotten. However, despite those problems and feelings, and what occurred in the past, that accident doesn't define meor my actions. Yes, I unintentionally took someone’s life, but I’m not a murderer. I carry that burden with me, and I always will and while I can't change what happened, it drives me to make sure that I don't make the same mistake again.”

She let go of his hand, slipping her legs on either side of his body, her hands coming up to cup his cheeks; she caressed his cheekbones with her thumbs, staring into his eyes, and mustered the sincerest voice she could. “Kyle, what you’ve gone through, the people you’ve lost, the people you’ve saved, and the friends you’ve gathered along the way? That’s not who you are...it’s what you do with it that defines who you are.” His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted to speak, but no words fell from them.

(Y/N) gave him a warm smile and leaned forward, pressing her lips against his forehead; she pulled back and murmured, “It may not mean much, but I'm proud of you, Kyle. You make me proud every single day.” She watched him exhale shakily, and she swore she could see the damn inside him breaking as he lowered his head, his arms reaching to pull her against him.

She shifted, perching in his lap, and let him bury his face in her neck. Kyle let out a breath, but it felt more like a soft sob, and heat blossomed against her skin where his lips touched.

He let out a sound, crossing between a groan and grunt as he told her, “I love you, (Y/N).”

She hummed, wrapping her arms around his neck, her lips brushing his temple. “I love you too, Kyle.”

They stayed that way for a few minutes, simply holding the other. Providing the anchors needed to keep their spirits alive. Eventually, (Y/N) pulled back and dragged his face away from her neck, huffing a laugh when he whined lowly from the loss of contact.

She reached up and wiped his face. “You look like a kid who was told no to ice-cream before dinner.”

Kyle let out a chuckle, moving her hands away and rubbing at his face vigorously. She climbed out of his lap and sat beside him once more, and he looked over at her wondering, “How do you manage to stay so positive outside the mask? To be the same person in costume and out?”

(Y/N) went silent, thinking for a moment, then she said, “A few years ago, I asked my dad the same thing, and he told me, ‘It doesn't matter who we are underneath the costume or out in the real world...it’s what we do in or out that defines us. If the person you claim to be isn’t the same person inside and outside of uniform, you don’t need to be wearing it.’” She glanced back over at him, nudging him in the ribs. “Don't worry about it though, you’re still a dork inside and out of G.L.”

Kyle let out an amused scoff, placing a hand against his chest. “I can't believe you would insult your boyfriend like that. A dork? I’m hurt.”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes, looking back at the city. “Kyle, you doodle in the middle of J.L. meetings, and it’s usually caricatures of my dad strangling Hal, the Joker, Jason, or Dick…typically it depends on what’s going on during the meetings and who’s been a pain in his ass for it.”

He opened his mouth to retort, but shut it, then raised a pointer finger at her. “Alright, you have me there.”

(Y/N) looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. “Of course I have you there, Dork Lantern...” She gave him a grin, wiggling her eyebrows and quipped, “I sit and doodle with you.” The two of them laughed, and she rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a sigh. “I could stay with you here forever.”

Kyle nodded, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Me too.”

A moment of silence passed them, and as they were enjoying it, a voice called out, “Oi! Kyle! Queenie! Are you guys up there!”

She let out a groan, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “So help me God, I can’t enjoy anything without dumb and dumber sticking their noses into it.”

Kyle looked over at her, his eyebrows furrowing as he pointed out, “But there’s only one?”

(Y/N) raised a hand in a ‘wait’ motion, then she waved it and, “Of course they’re up there Little-wing. The roof is where all the teens go to make out.”

Her eye twitched, and she leaned over the ledge, shouting, “The only person who’s made out on the roof is you, Dick. And it was with Kori after you guys broke up...AGAIN.”

A scoff sounded below followed by, “Hit me where it hurts why don't you!” She rolled her eyes, huffing, then he asked, “Is Kyle up there with you?”

“And what’s it to you?”

“Just wanted to make sure you guys are acting appropriate.”

“Dick...I am older than you. Kyle and I are both older than you.”

“So?”

(Y/N) turned to Kyle and mouthed, ‘Wanna get out of here?’ He flashed her a grin, then a strike of green blinded her, and he stood before her in his Green Lantern suit. He held out his hand. A beam of green light surrounded them, and a moment later, (Y/N) felt herself drop into a seat. She looked around, a grin appearing on her lips as she ran her hand along the dash of the constructed car.

“Kyle, are you trying to woo me with my love of nice cars?”

He matched her grin, laying his unoccupied arm across the seats. “I don't know...is it working?”

She nodded, sliding over into his side. “Yes. It is.” He chuckled, and they started moving, leaving her two brothers yelling for them.

“Kyle! Are you letting (Y/N) ride in the Green Machine?! You never let me do that!”

“(Y/N)’s my girlfriend, Jason!”

“I’M YOUR FUCKING BEST FRIEND! WHAT EVEN!”

She leaned across Kyle, glaring at Dick and Jason. “Go do something productive with your time, losers.”

“I am hurt, Jellybean! I thought you loved me!”

“Only when I can get something out of it!” (Y/N) glanced at Kyle and grinned. “Hit the gas G.L. Don't let ‘em catch the taillights.” He smirked, and they waved as they left Wayne Manor behind them.

[novamirmirsblog]

So stay with me

Word count: 1957

Request: Yes

Genre: ANGST

Warnings: DEATH. SADNESS. Like there is literally no silver lining.

A/N I've done the foster system based off how it is where I live. I don't know what it's like for other countries so I apologise if it isn't quite the same for where you live :3 ALSO I'm going to put the request elsewhere because in order for the full unhappiness, you must experience it like this 😈

When you first entered the S.H.I.E.L.D training programme, you had been hand picked by Fury himself. You were bouncing from foster home to foster home at the time, causing general trouble by stealing, fighting and lashing out at anyone and everyone. You had no real direction. You knew you were most likely to end up on the streets - sure your social worker would still check in occasionally after you had aged out of the system but there were more and more kids being given up. Realistically, you knew you were on your own. When you reached 13 you knew that no one was going to adopt you. Especially when there were babies and young children available. Deep down, you had figured it out when you were around 9 but you clung to the naive hope that you were wrong.

~~~~~

Fury found you when you were 15 but didn't take you in until you were 17. It was the day after your 17th birthday when he turned up at your foster parent's door. He said he wanted to take you for a military programme and you packed your bag before he had even finished his speech.

You went through years of intense training and passed top of your class for everything. It was surprising considering you had never been first before. What was more shocking was the need for praise. You had always believed that you didn't need it. You had never had it before, so why is it a necessity. You realised how wrong you were when Maria took you to the side and told you that you had done well. The comment replayed in your head for months.

~~~~~

You were 23 when you first joined the Avenger's initiative. 23 when you first met Natasha. The two of you didn't hit it off to begin with, Natasha didn't like how reckless you were and you didn't like how far the stick was shoved up her arse. Truth was, you both liked each other a little more than just friends but neither of you knew how to deal with these emotions. Let's face it, Natasha grew up being told 'love is for children' and you grew up in the system where the cracks were so big elephants fell through them. The team could see it though.

"Just ask her out." Wanda told you while sitting on your bed painting her nails.

"Who?"

"You know exactly who. I can read your mind and your thoughts are very loud."

"No. Your information is wrong." Wanda grabbed your hand, painting the left one first.

"Y/n just ask Natasha out. She'll say yes."

"I hate her. We're enemies."

"Some say you have to love someone to hate them and besides" Wanda paused, gauging your reaction "You wanting to bend her over a table doesn't sound very enemy like."

Heat rose in your cheeks and you prayed nothing gave you away. "Untrue. I want to do that in an enemy way."

"Sureeee..."

From then on, you were extremely careful to keep your thoughts quiet. Especially when you had to watch Natasha train.

~~~~~

It was Natasha who asked you out. At first you thought she was joking and very nearly laughed but then you saw how she was standing, how she said 'will you go out with me' with such nonchalance that it was as if she was asking you to pass the ketchup. No one could be that cool and collected. It was the way she even played slightly with her fingernails that showed you she was nervous. You of course said yes.

That was the beginning of your relationship and you had been going strong for a good five years. The nausea and tiredness however, started three years into your relationship. Natasha used to joke that maybe you were pregnant when it had first started happening, the others laughing at even the thought of you cheating on Natasha. The jokes died down when after a month and a half of running to the bathroom, it finally affected your missions. You were sent right off to Dr Cho and no one would have anything else said on the matter. You had tried to fight them, of course - it really wasn't that bad. All you needed to do. was take some anti-nausea medication and you would be fine.

Leukaemia

You knew that one little word would do so much damage to your strange family if they ever found out. You sat in silence as you formulated a plan, Dr Cho just watching you, letting you process. What was the point in telling your family and causing them pain if the treatment plan Dr Cho had lined out for you worked? There wasn't. That's why you kept it a secret. Why you brushed off any comments about your increased nausea, or your lack of hunger. The only person who knew was Fury.

~~~~~

"Are you cheating on me?" Natasha had cornered you after a particularly tough session of chemotherapy. All you wanted to do was sleep.

"No. Why would you think that?" Words were hard to say when you had to put all your energy into just standing up.

"You go out at all times of the day and night, you're too damn tired to do anything and you never talk to me anymore Y/n... If you wanted to break up you didn't have to cheat."

You knew this day would come eventually. It was a year into your treatments and none of them seemed to be working. Natasha wasn't stupid. It's why you kissed her on the head and pulled her into the tightest hug you could muster.

"I would never do that. I love you Natasha Romanoff. I'll explain but let me get everyone here." You asked F.R.I.D.A.Y to call everyone down to the living room.

Once everyone was settled on the sofas and chairs, you sat on the coffee table, no longer being able to hold yourself up.

"I have leukaemia."

At first, you couldn't bring yourself to look at the others. You didn't want their pity but you knew they wouldn't be able to show anything else. You looked at Natasha first. You knew she wouldn't have a pitying look on her face.

You were right.

Natasha looked furious. How dare someone who didn't even want you in their lives give you a horrible disease. She knew your chances of survival weren't good but there were treatments that could help. She had more than enough money to get whatever treatment necessary.

Tony spoke first. "I'm going to my lab. FRIDAY, contact Dr Cho. I need Y/n's medical details."

Bruce followed quickly behind him. The others gave you sad but hopeful smiles. You couldn't bring yourself to tell them there was little hope.

~~~~~

Natasha had been gone on and off for 6 months. You knew your time was coming to a close but she still hadn't given up. She was always in some country following a lead for some experimental drug to try and cure you.

But there was no cure.

Not for this. Maybe one day there would be a cure, but not in your lifetime. The cure wouldn't be able to save you.

You were almost hesitant to let Natasha come back. It had been a while since she had seen you and now you looked like paper. You were thin and fragile and your skin had lost it's colour and took on a grey tinge. Your cheeks were hollow and your lips were constantly chapped and the only thing you could stomach were tiny meals and energy drinks.

You were dying.

Everyone had come to terms with it. Tony and Bruce never stopped trying to find a cure, it just wasn't for you anymore. Wanda tried her best to keep you as comfortable as she could with her powers and Steve would come and tell you stories of before he was put in the ice to entertain you. Clint would bring his kids until it got too painful for them to see you turn from the scariest, coolest person they knew into a hollow shell.

The only person who hadn't come to terms with it was Natasha.

"Nat she needs you." Steve told her when the team were all eating.

"I know. I really think this time this lead will be the one. Then she can be fixed and-"

"Natasha." Wanda cut her off, her voice dangerously low. She had heard this speech so many times that it was painful to hear it again. "She needs you. She's dying and you need to accept it. You don't have much longer left with her and you're abandoning her when you should be with her 24/7!" Wanda's eyes glowed slightly red as she thought of all the times she had to watch her best friend realise the love of her life wasn't there with her. The cutlery began to shake a little and something fell over in the kitchen.

The crash that you heard woke you up. Maybe it was Natasha. You hobbled out of what was supposed to be your shared room, and made your way to the kitchen. By the time you had reached the kitchen, everyone was fighting. There was food being thrown, knives being grabbed and glasses shattering everywhere. You just stood there as your best friend and your girlfriend attempted to kill each other.

"guys stop." Your throat hurt from hours of throwing up so your voice didn't carry.

"guys really..." You tried again, tears forming in your eyes. You didn't want to spend your last days watching your loved ones fight.

"FRIDAY tell them to stop. please."

"Miss Y/l/n would like you all to stop. Now."

Everyone turned to the doorway where you were standing, horrified that you saw them fighting.

"Y/n, you need to get to bed sweetie." Wanda walked over to you, wrapping her arm around your waist.

"Don't touch her." Natasha stormed over, taking your other side.

"Ladies there's no need to fight. You can share right?" You let out a soft laugh and watched as they both melted. Just because you were dying, it didn't mean you lost your sense of humour.

They both took you back to your shared room, Wanda leaving to give you and Natasha some privacy.

"Please don't go anymore." You laid with your head on Natasha's chest, her hand stroking your hair.

"But I'm so close. I can cure you Y/n."

"Natty please. I can tell I don't have much longer left and I don't know if I'll still be here for when you come back if you leave again."

"But I can't lose you." Natasha whispered, scared that if she spoke any louder, some other power would hear her and take you away from her too soon.

"So stay with me."

~~~~~

It was strange, you thought, lying on your bed; you had always thought you would die doing something spontaneous, or maybe in the field. Not because your cells were abnormal. Natasha had spent every moment with you since she returned 5 months ago. You had planned everything; your funeral, little messages to each of them, where to bury you. Everything was sorted. All that was left now, was to die.

It was an ordinary Wednesday afternoon when you felt the last drops of life drain from you. You knew it was time and so you turned to Natasha who had you wrapped up in her arms, placing a hand on her face, the rest of the Avengers all sitting there quietly.

“When the time is right, we’ll be together again. I’ll always be with you.” You then let your eyes drift shut, never to open again. Not in this world, anyway, but perhaps in the next.

A/N pt 2: NOOO BUT WHY AM I CRYING. THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT WAY AROUND. We've got some Peggy Carter fluff coming up soon tho :)

Also here is the request:

A Natasha x fem!reader. Reader was one of THE best shield agents and a great member of the avengers, but sadly had genetic cancer. After fighting for two years, with nausea, pain, and no improvement, reader knew she was dying. She didn’t want to admit it, especially after all the team has done to help her, especially her girlfriend, Natasha Romanoff. No amount of treatment or amount of money or technology Tony had was gonna save her. In the end, reader comes to terms with it. But Natasha doesn’t want reader to give up. Reader get through to Natasha that she wants to spend her last moments with her without putting more strain on her body. Natasha then comes to terms with it. Eventually, on readers death bed, surrounded by the rest of the avengers, Natasha is holding reader in her arms as reader says goodbye and looks to Natasha and says “When the time is right, we’ll be together again. I’ll always be with you” (GO NUTS AND MAKE IT ANGSTY)

[robininthelabyrinth]

The Nie brothers time travel but something goes wrong and they end up in each other bodies. So now they have to defeat WRH, find a way to curb JGY worst tendencies, and hide (and undo) the switch before any cultivator decides they are possesed by evil spirits

“I can’t do this,” Nie Huaisang announced heavily. “I can’t. Nope. Cannot. No way.”

“You apparently found a way to time travel into the past,” his brother pointed out. He was taking this entire thing very calmly – or, rather, like he’d heard a really great joke. It wasn’t that Nie Huaisang had forgotten that his brother had a sense of humor hidden under the rage, especially in the earlier years before Jin Guangyao got at him, but he may have downplayed his memories of how annoying it was to be the target of it. “Your abilities are clearly well beyond what you’ve been leading me to believe.”

“I’m sneaky,” Nie Huaisang explained. “I can scheme and plot and play politics, sometimes, if I have to. But I cannot be a general!”

I cannot be you, he meant. He might currently be inhabiting his long-dead brother’s body – an unfortunate side effect of messing up the time travel array, he suspected, but then again experimental things were often imperfect – while his brother’s spirit had been cast out into his own former self, but he wasn’t his brother.

He could never be.

(But Nie Mingjue was alive, alive and well with bright eyes and that stupid smirk that didn’t fit right on Nie Huaisang’s smaller face except in the ways it sort of did, and that was all Nie Huaisang had ever wanted in his life, other than Jin Guangyao to pay in blood and shame for depriving him of it.)

“Why not?” his brother asked. He leaned back and stretched lazily. Nie Mingjue never did a lazy thing in his whole life, so it was deliberate. He was enjoying this. “We have a battle strategy, already decided; most of the rest of it is on-the-ground tactics, which can be done just as well from behind the lines as at the front of them. There’s a reason that no one ever settled on the best place for a war-leader to be – it comes down to temperament.”

Nie Huaisang threw his hands into the air. “I know that! I was sect leader for nearly two decades, da-ge; I assure you, I’ve heard all the sect’s philosophical musings by now. But I don’t have your temperament – there’s no way someone won’t figure out what’s happened, that we’ve switched, and that’ll be a disaster.”

“Two decades,” Nie Mingjue said thoughtfully, focusing on the entirely wrong part of the conversation.

“A decade and a half to avenge your untimely murder,” that got a flinch out of his brother and his focus back, just as Nie Huaisang had wanted, “and another five to find a way to come back and avert it entirely.”

Nie Huaisang had always been resourceful. Resourceful, and ruthless – sometimes to a degree that scared even him.

When he was younger, it was okay. After all, the only thing he used it for was sneaking treats and spoiling himself, and it didn’t really matter if he was ruthless about stuff like that. And then his brother died – was murdered – and suddenly he knew what it was like to be his brother: a young man suddenly shoved into the role of sect leader, and having to balance everything he now had to be against the overwhelming blistering hatred he bore for and the crippling weight of the vengeance he had sworn against a man who had taken away someone he loved forever for something as pointless and ephemeral as political advantage.

(He had to take a deep breath at the mere thought of it, the family rage spiking under his skin. It was a bit of a surprise, actually, to find that his brother didn’t have more of it - he’d always assumed that his rage was lesser, weaker, the way his golden core was, but no. It turned out their rage was just the same.)

“So what you’re saying,” his brother said, and he was smirking again, oh no, “is that you’re focused, efficient, and unyielding in pursuit of your goals, given the right motivation. That sounds like general material to me.”

“Not if the goal is to make sure no one knows what’s happened,” Nie Huaisang hissed. Had own face always looked so incredibly punchable? “Da-ge, it doesn’t matter what type of general I might be. What matters is that it’s not the same type of general you are – you’re always at the front line, leading the charge. I can’t do that.”

“Sure you can,” his brother said. “By the time you’re in the middle of a charge, you’re not really thinking tactics anymore. It’s all just fighting, and I know you know all the moves, no matter how much you bitch and moan about having to practice them.”

Nie Huaisang glared, crossing his arms over his chest – his brother’s arms, his brother’s chest, and this was still just too weird. He hadn’t even had time to properly weep and cry and hug his brother the way he’d expected to in the event the time travel array worked; they’d had to jump straight into explanations and strategizing because there was a pretty big battle happening in less than twenty-four hours and they needed to fix this first.

His brother rolled his eyes at him, and for the first time Nie Huaisang realized that his brother was going to have no problem at all pretending to be him – the acting problem here went only one way. “Just let Baxia handle the aggression part, okay? The rest is muscle memory, and I, at least, have done enough to build that in.”

“Letting the saber spirit in like that is dangerous, da-ge,” Nie Huaisang reminded him, eyes narrowed. His brother was also assuming that Baxia would agree to be wielded by anyone other than her beloved master, which was a stretch – she barely even agreed to be sharpened by someone else, resisting violently whenever someone tried. 

Jin Guangyao had died still bearing the scars from his attempt. 

“Well, apparently I get murdered before it becomes an issue, so why worry?” his brother cackled, and Nie Huaisang glared harder. It had no impact whatsoever: Nie Mingjue stood up and stretched again. “You know what, Huaisang, if you’re feeling the need to sit around and pity yourself, you’ve got at least a few incense sticks’ worth of time to do it in before actually doing something becomes necessary – I, on the other hand, am going to do something productive with my time.”

“Like what?”

His brother grinned at him with teeth. “Saber training. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

Nie Huaisang picked up a teacup and hurtled it at his beloved big brother’s head. Naturally, Nie Mingjue dodged, effortlessly, and left laughing.

“At least pretend like you’re going to behave!” Nie Huaisang bellowed after him, but his brother just waved at him, and – ugh. This was vengeance for a lifetime of laziness, wasn’t it? Coming to bite him in the ass.

After a few minutes, Nie Huaisang picked up another teacup – they always had dozens of them in the Nie sect, cheaply made in bulk and specifically designed to shatter easily because of the family tendency to throw stuff around and not calm down until something was broken, and better a cheap teacup than an expensive door or table, better something designed not to hurt anyone who happened to get in the way or didn’t know how to duck faster enough – and threw it against the door again.

It shattered beautifully. NIe Huaisang had only rarely been able to get it to do that, and never so effortlessly – the advantage of his brother’s strength.

Strength, and height. Nie Huaisang was tall now.

Okay, self-pity could wait until later. Nie Huaisang was going to go patrol the camp for a little bit and enjoy looking down at all the people.

It was going to be great.

It was, too. Even talking with people wasn’t as difficult as he thought it was going to be. Perhaps he shouldn’t be so surprised at that; he had been sect leader for years, so he was accustomed to answering questions and making on-the-fly rearrangements and responding to things with leading questions that made the other person come up with the solution on their own, not to mention saying encouraging things that made people feel better about things. 

He’d had to do a lot of that, being the Head-shaker, and even more afterwards, when he’d shed his disguise like a cicada shedding its skin.

It was easier now than it had ever been before, of course. The Nie sect was still strong, under his brother’s leadership; his disciples didn’t have that discouraged look lurking in the back of their eyes, the shame of being led by the disgraceful Head-shaker. It was easy to brighten someone’s day with a nod in their direction, disciples blooming like roses at the sight of their stern sect leader looking approving, and the questions he received were far more intellectually stimulating than the usual – less about making sure he knew what he was supposed to do and more actual puzzles, things that had really tripped people up.

Nie Huaisang tried at first to keep his answers short, tried to pretend to be more stoic and stand-offish the way the famous Chifeng-zun ought to be, except when he did everyone just smiled at him the way they always had when he’d been the Head-shaker – a little indulgent, a little pitying, a little “well he’s trying his best” – and after a while Nie Huaisang started remembering things he’d long ago forgotten.

Things like how his brother was actually kind of a mess sometimes, emotionally speaking – he was the sort of person who got weepy over dramatic literature – and how he’d never quite gotten the hang of people, how he valued his friends like gold and held grudges way too long and promoted people just because they seemed decent; how he sometimes spent his entire money pouch and more on buying Nie Huaisang stupid trinkets because it seemed to make him happy, even borrowing money from their escort, which would always be doubled over laughing at how their fearsome sect leader couldn’t bring himself to say no.

Like how Nie Huaisang’s sect was his family, aunts and uncles and brothers and sisters, whether born in or adopted or just part of the sect. The good type of family – not always the closest, not always your friends, not always even people you really liked, but still all predisposed to take your side in a fight if it came down to it.

These were the people who supported him and stood behind him – even when he was the Head-shaker.

He’d almost forgotten.

And so, despite himself, Nie Huaisang softened a bit. He stopped trying to respond to everything with a grunt or a huff, started asking about people’s families, making suggestions, telling them they’d done a good job.

“Glad you’re out of your mood,” Nie Yongbiao, who’d been quietly trailing him, finally commented, and Nie Huaisang blinked owlishly at him. “What kicked it off this time? You usually only get that closed-mouth after having to host guests.”

And that was true, wasn’t it? It had been such a long time, and after so much trauma, that Nie Huaisang had forgotten how his brother used to shut down whenever there was a discussion conference or an important meeting – how it took him longer and longer to get better on the other side as the qi deviation drew nearer, his meridians filling with Jin Guangyao’s spiritual poison. By the end, he had barely ever been open and free, barely seemed to remember how to drop his guard and relax, to act like a regular person with a sense of humor again, be the person Nie Huaisang knew his brother to be. 

But that was then, and this was now - war had been good for Nie Mingjue, in a strange way. Here in the camps there was a lessened expectation of etiquette, a great appreciation of strength, and his brother was more free to be himself, straightforward and blunt as the off side of a saber.

(Nie Mingjue had tried so hard to be a good brother to Jin Guangyao, Nie Huaisang abruptly remembered, but he’d shut down after every visit, worse than ever before. His heart had known the truth, even if he had allowed himself to be convinced by Lan Xichen and Nie Huaisang to keep giving Jin Guangyao second chance after second chance. He should never have listened to them.)

“Argument with Huaisang,” he said, a safe answer, and Nie Yongbiao nodded wisely.

“Can you say what it was about?” he asked, rather unexpectedly – Nie Yongbiao wasn’t exactly talkative, and no one ever pried about their family affairs. Catching Nie Huaisang’s surprised look, he shrugged. “He’s obviously very upset.”

“He is?”

“He’s at the training field,” Nie Yongbiao stressed, and Nie Huaisang had to choke down a hysterical laugh. Of course Nie Yongbiao would think that something must have gone horribly wrong to get “Nie Huaisang” to go willingly to train.

Nor was Nie Yongbiao the only one, for that matter: when Nie Huaisang arrived at the training field they’d set up in the middle of the camp, he saw an entire crowd of Nie sect disciples milling around at the edge of the field, bearing a suspicious resemblance to a flock of over-anxious quail.

He reached up to his face, pretending to want to pinch the bridge of his nose but actually to smother a smile, and luckily he had regained control of his features by the time he reached the edge of the small sea of disciples because they immediately all turned to him with relieved expressions, their cries of “Sect Leader! Sect Leader!” ringing in his ears like the coos of his pet birds.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, and immediately received the full story: Nie Huaisang had come to the field looking upset – one person insisted there had been tears in his eyes – and had set himself up against a practice dummy, and he hadn’t stopped whacking at it ever since.

Clearly, the world was ending.

“We had an argument earlier,” Nie Huaisang admitted, and managed, barely, not to laugh at how they all looked at him with disapproving eyes. “I’ll talk with him.”

Approving nods all around, although they didn’t disperse.

“Sect Leader,” one of the older generation said, very hesitantly. “If it’s about – the clan matter – if there’s anything we can do to help –”

Nie Huaisang shook his head, feeling touched. When it really had been him, his brother had kept the specifics of it secret – the tombs, the inevitability, the deterioration he was so avidly trying to put off – until it was too late, and he’d had to learn about it the hard way; it was nice, though, that they apparently all worried so much on his behalf about it.

“Thank you,” he said, and meant it. “But it’s a different issue.”

Namely, the issue was that the person doing the training wasn’t Nie Huaisang at all, he thought, but when the crowd finally started breaking apart, people going back to their assigned tasks, and he finally managed to make his way to where his brother was, he was surprised to see that his brother really did appear to be upset.

He wasn’t practicing any of his normal training routines, but rather wielding Aituan in the same way a novice woodcutter would wield an axe: repetitive strikes, made wildly and with too much strength, as if hitting the practice dummy was the only thing that could vent his feelings.

“Uh, ‘Huaisang’?” Nie Huaisang asked, worrying his lip as he came closer. “Are you –”

His brother dropped Aituan to the ground – which, hey! Watch it, that was his saber! – and turned, and Nie Huaisang had only a moment to see his glassy eyes before his brother threw himself forward, wrapping his arms around him and holding him tight.

Nie Huaisang automatically responded, wrapping his arms back around and holding Nie Mingjue close – it was nice, he thought, to finally have the reach he’d always felt he should have, big and tall and enveloping in its warm the way his brother had been for him.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, his voice low enough not to carry. “Did something happen…?”

“No,” Nie Mingjue said, but his lips were pressed together to keep them from trembling. Nie Huaisang’s body had always been free with his emotions, much to his annoyance; he’d learned to cultivate it into a disguise, but he hadn’t really liked it. Tears had never been a relief for him the way they’d been for his brother. “No, it’s nothing.”

“It’s obviously not nothing,” Nie Huaisang said firmly, and carted him off back to his tent. Being as worried as he was, he did his best not to be too smug about finally being the one who was strong enough to pick his brother up, rather than the other way around – not that he needed to, what with his brother following docilely along with him – but there was, perhaps, a little bit of smugness. “Okay, we’re back, silencing talismans are back up because we apparently have the nosiest disciples. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s nothing, really…”

“Da-ge.”

“I left you alone,” his brother blurted out, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. “For twenty years. Whatever I did, however I got murdered – some moment of carelessness – it doesn’t matter. I failed you.”

Oh, no. No, no, no– 

“No,” he said out loud. “No, da-ge, you were tricked – it wasn’t – it wasn’t your fault.”

“I always said I would hold up the sky for you,” Nie Mingjue said bitterly. “And instead I left you with the same inheritance that I received. I never wanted that for you, Huaisang. Never.”

“Da-ge,” Nie Huaisang said helplessly. “Da-ge, you don’t understand. You were trying. You wanted – you were doing everything you could. It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t fail me. I was the one who failed you. I’ve always failed you –”

“Never!”

“I’m lazy, I’m selfish, I’m good-for-nothing, a head-shaker –”

“So what?” his brother said, glaring up at him. His eyes were red, but with tears, not qi deviation. “Even if it’s true, which it isn’t, because no head-shaker could have avenged me, could have found a way to come back, could have become the Nie sect leader and kept it for two decades, even if it’s true – so what? As long as you’re safe, I don’t care. As long as you have a way to defend yourself, and you so obviously must have, then nothing else matters. Nothing has ever mattered but your happiness.”

“And yours,” Nie Huaisang shot back. “You have the right to a life too, da-ge! You – you should have had my support. You should have been able to share your burdens, I should have helped you instead of anchored you down –”

“Huaisang –”

Nie Huaisang pulled him in tight again. “It’ll be different, this time,” he promised, his voice rough. “I’m older than you ever go the chance to be, da-ge. This time, I can help you with the things you’re not good at – I can do the politics, the people. We can bear the weight of the sect together.”

He felt a whisper in the back of his mind that was strange and yet familiar, approving. Baxia, he realized. Baxia, approving of him; Baxia, who would let him wield her,   and he sensed her confidence that no one would get past her iron guard, together protecting his brother in both body and soul.

“All right,” his brother said. “Together. You and me – and the others.”

“Others?”

“After so many years, you must know who’s trustworthy,” Nie Mingjue pointed out. Already back to being practical, even if he was wiping his eyes. “If we tell those people, they can help us keep up the impression that I’m you and you’re me for as long as we need it.”

Nie Huaisang was nodding along, because that made sense, only then his brother said the last part and it was like a sunrise had opened up in his head, the way terrible and wonderful ideas always did.

“Da-ge,” he said, tasting the words in his mouth. “Da-ge, how do you like my body?”

His brother blinked up at him. “It’s fine, I guess? You’re actually in pretty decent shape, better than I thought, and your cultivation is – well, you could do a bit more with that, honestly, but it’s not uncomfortable or anything. Why?”

Nie Huaisang smiled. He’d always been remarkably resistant to their family’s cultivation curse, and not only, as he’d pretended to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji all those years ago, because he didn’t practice - it was his temper, or lack thereof, that softened the saber spirit’s effects on him. 

Even if his body’s cultivation increased, he was far enough behind the curve, with his mediocre talent, that it would take decades for him to reach the level that it would be dangerous to him, while his brother’s prodigious talent, coupled with his inheritance of the family temper, made him even more likely to succumb – it was that prediction which had worried him so much that he had sought out treatment even before it had become a serious problem, the same worries that had driven him into Jin Guangyao’s trap.

What do you think? he asked the brand-new whisper in his mind. Aituan would probably bitch and moan about having to actually do things, but he’d secretly enjoy getting a bit more evil-killing in; the question was Baxia. What would she think?

A purr of agreement.

“I was just thinking,” Nie Huaisang said. “Chronologically speaking, I’m older than you are. I ran the sect for years – it might be hard to let go of that habit. How about we just…stay as we are, for now?”

Nie Mingjue frowned. “Baxia –”

“I’ll use her in public, and Aituan in private,” Nie Huaisang interrupted. He’d known that would be his brother’s first concern. “And you’ll do the opposite. And when we’re settled enough, we’ll come up with some excuse to switch.”

His brother hesitated. “But…you don’t like doing things. Responsibility. That sort of thing.”

“I got over it,” Nie Huaisang assured him. “Trust me, I have a whole system – I’ll implement it once the Sunshot Campaign is done; you’ll be amazed at how much easier it makes things, and then all the things that are left over are the stuff I actually enjoy. And this way, you could…I…”

He swallowed, and put his hands on his brother’s shoulders. He didn’t want to manipulate his brother into something like this – he didn’t want to manipulate his brother at all. His brother deserved the truth and honesty he had always freely given the world, and so Nie Huaisang could only offer up the unvarnished truth.

“I want to do this for you, da-ge,” he said. “I want you to have the life you should have had. I want you to have hobbies again, to make friends, real friends that will put you first. I want you to have fun with them without thinking of how people might think about it…please, da-ge. I came back here to keep you alive, but I want more than that. I want to see you live.”

“Okay,” his brother said, and he was choking back tears again. “We’ll – we’ll discuss it later, but I’ll think about it. Okay.”

“Good,” Nie Huaisang said. “Now catch me up on the tactics we’re planning on using in tomorrow’s battle, and I’ll let you know everything I know about what happens in the future…oh, and one more thing.”

“Oh?”

Nie Huaisang’s hand dropped to the table, parallel to Baxia; he could hear her purr in his mind whistling like the rumble of thunder. He smiled.

“Can you tell me where Meng Yao is?”