#he would be on floor he needs a rez

[athanasius-symposium-of-writings]

What if tes dragonborn blood is hotter than the average person? Maybe even almost burning

When the dragonborn blood is on devil level hot and Astarion has just experienced what it is like to drink fireball lol

[gracefulsunflower]

ANGEL - SETH CLEARWATER X READER

PREVOUS Prologue

I

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Seth sat with the pack and the imprints after telling them about you — The little he knew anyways. He was still hung up on the fact that you would only be here for two months.

"Why don't you, I don't know, show up in the same places she is?" Embry suggested, throwing a baseball to Quil as they sat down, albeit carefully — Sam would kill them if they broke something.

Emily wouldn’t mind, but since she bought half of the stuff in the house Sam would break their fingers if they scratched even one thing.

"He's not a mind reader, Embry, God," Leah snarked, throwing an arm around her not so little brother's shoulders, pulling him slightly closer to her.

She smelled like home, so he nestled in a little closer, needing the comfort.

"But the little Cullen is, maybe Jake can ask them for some help," Embry shot back, and Seth looked elated, but then his face dropped.

"But I don't want her to think I'm a stalker or anything," Seth murmured defeatedly, and it was back to the drawing board.

The room went silent, Seth dragging the slightly good mood down with him.

"Adopt a dog," Quil suggested, and everyone looked at him.

"You said she has a dog — If you get one then you can take it for walks when she takes hers for walks. That's not that stalkerish. You have an excuse to be in the same place at the same time," Quil elaborated as he fumbled an extra hard throw from Embry, and Seth grinned so bright that it made everyone else crack a small smile.

"Quil, you're a genius! Now all I need to do is find a dog." Seth replied, his mind running wild as he pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, wondering who to message.

Adopting dogs from the local shelter was really expensive, and he was saving for a new dirt bike. He only had $200 to go, and he really didn’t want to waste money on a new dog. Not when he could nearly taste the dirt bike.

"Rez dogs are having puppies all of the time man, but if you're that keen Miss Postoak is trying to get rid of her bitch since she can't afford her right now, she’s only a companion dog and the others are working dogs," Jared supplied before taking another bite of his blueberry muffin, courtesy of Emily, and Seth felt victorious as he clicked onto his Mom’s contact and called her, asking if he could get a dog for his birthday.

"You're picking up its’ crap, buying its’ dog food and leashes, and it is getting neutered, we have enough strays on the reservation as is, young man — and I'll help you set up the yard for it when you get it," She replied, then said 'love you' and hung up the phone.

Seth whooped, then calmed back down, looking around the room at his expectant friends.

"What the fuck do I need for a dog?"

Leah pinched her brother’s ear for his foul language, making everyone laugh.

•••

Thankfully, Old Quil owned many a dog in his lifetime, used for hunting, mainly, but most of them were now companions in their old age, the man hesitant to get another in case it outlived him. Young Quil helped Seth buy the needed supplies like leashes, a crate for inside, dishes for the food, a dog bed, and a vet appointment was set for Monday so the bitch that Seth adopted — named Missy, a Rottweiler Shar Pei cross (Rott Pei, Quil had helpfully given him the proper name for the breed of the mutt) could be checked up, seeing as she was due for one.

Seth and Quil now at the store, buying some dog food. The smell was still overwhelming, and mixed in with how all of the other store goers smelled it was nearly unbearable. He could even still smell the products they mopped the floors with. He put the last thing in the cart when he heard a familiar voice. You.

"Quil, shit man, that's her!" Seth whispered excitedly, then listened as you made your way through the aisles, talking about dog food for Cujo.

Quil watched his younger pack mate bounce on his heels as you approached, and tried not to laugh at how excited Seth was getting. The boy turned to face you as soon as you turned the corner, dragging your dad by his hand, a basket in your other hand.

"Oh! It's little Seth!" Alexander pointed out, making you look away from the tins of dog food on the shelf, and give him a friendly grin, dropping your dad’s hand in the process.

"Hello, hello," You greeted, and nodded towards his full trolley, "Stocking up for a vacation?"

Seth turned back at the groups of haphazardly stacked dry kibble bags and wet food cans, and numerous treat packets. Maybe he was going a tiny bit overboard.

"Uh, no," Seth admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a chuckle, "I'm getting my first dog and I think I got overexcited."

"Oh! Such a spoiled little puppy that will be! Maybe you and miss (Y/N) could take your dogs for walks sometimes! I think she gets sick of her old man slowing her down," Alexander offered, and nudged (Y/N)'s shoulder, "If you need help with the dog too, (Y/N) could teach you a few tricks. Should help her keep herself busy for the next two months."

Seth tried not to smile too hard as he agreed, but noticed that you looked less than pleased, but give him a tight lipped smile nonetheless.

"Dad, grab two dry bags of dog food," You commanded, and your father did your bidding as you somewhat aggressively threw some dog food cans into a basket, managing to dent one of them.

Your father suddenly looked less than pleased with your behaviour as you threw the last can and turned on your heel, shoulder checking him as you walked past him. Alexander looked back at the pair of boys and gave them a tight lipped smile and a small wave before leaving behind his daughter.

Seth cocked his head to the side, trying to drown out the rest of the store goers to listen to you. Quil immediately did the same.

“What in the Gods was that? Ridiculous behaviour for what?” Your father said gruffly, but not unkindly.

"Dadda, I don't want to go for walks with him!" Was the first thing Seth heard you say, which made his heart drop, but he kept on listening anyway.

"Nonsense, he seems nice! A friend wouldn't hurt," Your father tried to reason with you, but you huffed.

"If a friend wouldn't hurt we'd actually live in one place and not move around like nomads." You then let out a soft 'fuck!', most likely stubbing your toe on the stupid boxes near the mouth of aisle 2.

"Well, I'm sure this place is the place. Trust me, tiny child. If it isn't, I'll buy you your dream Dodge Challenger for a late birthday gift." Your father reasoned.

"Don't bullshit me," You snapped back, sounding like you were nearer to the doors.

"I'm not! Matte black Dodge Challenger with red under glow for your birthday, or we live here, I swear it on Cujo's life." Your father pleaded, and you sighed.

"Fine. I'll see if one of the workers knows how to get into contact with him. I'll try to find him on MySpace or Twitter or something." You relented, then the doors opened to the front of the store, and your scent was gone.

Your Father cheered and Quil put Seth into a headlock playfully, messing up his hair, making Seth laugh as he did so.

•••

You sat on your new bed, your dog Cujo, a black Cane Corso who was getting on in his years, shown by the grey fur on his muzzle, resting on the floor next to your bed, not being allowed on any furniture. Your father was doing research in his room.

You picked up a piece of mango and popped it into your mouth as you looked up the name of the place you were staying at on Facebook. You found the profile, and clicked into it, then went straight to followers. You couldn't find any followers with Seth's profile picture, so you went and looked up the name of the school, finding their profile and looking through the followings for Seth. No luck. Even searching his name up you discovered nothing. You stalked his school until you found his name on an old post where he had won an award for a spelling bee, also discovering his last name. Clearwater. Seth Clearwater.

You logged into your MySpace account, and looked for him, and surprisingly found him. His profile picture was a photo of him with a man, standing side by side, grinning.

You found it, and let held your arms up above your head in a victorious manner, looking around the room as if expecting someone to cheer for you, then focussing on your dog.

"See how fucking amazing I am, Cujo? The FBI needs to hire me as a detective," You said, then started scrolling through his profile.

Nothing overly fancy. Just some pictures of him, people you assumed to be his family, and some of nature around the area, alongside some photos of his adventures. You clicked the 'Add Friend' button, and decided to make a new friendship bracelet while you watched movies, heading off to your dad's room to go and ask him to start the bracelet for you.

•••

Seth was currently scrolling through Twitter at his desk as his Xbox 360 started up, Leah lounging on his bed playing Mario on his DS. Technically, he and Leah shared the Xbox, but he just kept it in his room as she didn’t really play it much these days, instead choosing to play his DS. He didn’t mind. Just as long as she stayed in his room so he knew it was safe. Missy was laying halfway under his bed, gnawing at a new chew toy Quil had picked out.

His phone beeped, and a new notification popped up. He walked over and slid onto the bed next to his sister. A new friend request. He looked, and his heart started speeding up as he looked at the profile.

“What?” Leah inquired, hearing the thrumming, looking over his shoulder.

“She added me on MySpace!” Seth told his sister excitedly, showing her the profile picture of you and a black dog, along with your Dad and a woman who looked a bit like you, and accepted your friend request, then started looking through your profile.

There were photos from all around the world. Australia, Sweden, Italy, France. Your father and you were the main focus of your photos, but your nature shots were a sight to behold. There were also some with people that weren’t your father, so maybe friends and relatives. The photos of the woman in your profile picture stopped around a year ago, he noted. Your newest photo was the Welcome to Forks sign, you and a huge black dog posing in front of it, the same one from your profile picture.

A message notification popped up. He opened it, and there was a message from you.

Y/N:

Hey

“Oh my goodness, she messaged me!” Seth nearly squealed, and Leah bit back a laugh at her little brother, knowing that laughing would probably result in him attacking her with a pillow covered in a Spider-Man case.

“Well don’t just ignore it, reply!” Leah urged, and Seth looked at his sister, eyes as wide as saucers.

“What do I say!” Seth panicked, and Leah rolled her eyes, grabbing the iPhone covered in a Spider-Man case and messaging her back.

Seth:

Hey

•••

You blinked at your laptop screen, your friendship bracelet forgotten. You didn’t expect him to reply so fast. You went down to the vending machine just outside of the office about ten minutes ago and he wasn’t there, instead there was a girl at the counter, talking on the phone as she painted her nails. Maybe his shift was over, and he was at home? You didn’t think on it much.

Your fingertips ghosted over the keys, then stopped, instead picking up your phone and logging into MySpace there.

“Dad?” You called out, and he ambled into your room, a sandwich with a bite taken out of it, jerking his head upwards slightly as he chewed.

“Seth messaged me and I don’t know how to reply,” You admitted, and your father chuckled as he came over and sat next to you, trying not to get any crumbs on the bed.

Cujo immediately came over and sat expectantly next to him on the floor, but your father shooed him away. Your baby walked over and laid in his crate, looking offended.

“What do you want to say?” He asked, pulling your phone into his hand, getting ready to type a message for you.

You leaned against his muscly arm, and shrugged. You weren’t very good at holding conversations.

“Why don’t you ask him about his new dog?” Your father suggested and you grinned victoriously, taking back the phone and sending him a message.

Y/N:

How’s things going with preparing for ur dog?

You hummed, feeling content, then sent the message. Seth started typing immediately.

Seth:

She’s good! We picked her up like an hour ago and she’s currently harassing my sister, lol

A photo came through of a dog that looked like a Rottweiler, but was wrinkly, and the tail curved upwards, sitting on the lap of a girl that looked a couple years older than you, playing a DS.

“Oh! Looks like a little Rott Pei! They’re stubborn little fucks,” Your father commented, still eating his sandwich, making you giggle.

Your aunty Lara had one, over in Italy. He tended to chew any shoes left outside, and didn’t like Cujo much.

Seth:

Her name is Missy :)

Y/N:

She’s so cute! Is she a Rott Pei? Dad says they’re stubborn lol

Seth:

Yeah, she is. I’m gonna try and take her for a walk tomorrow. She’s really good on lead, and well socialised. My sister Leah’s coming too, wanna come with?

Before you could type ‘no’, your father snatched your phone and sent a message.

Y/N:

That sounds good, when & where?

“Dad!” You hissed, picking up your stuffed Elmo doll from beside you and assaulting your father with it, making him drop his sandwich.

Cujo wasted no time in scrabbling over and eating it, making you laugh, but you quickly stopped as your phone beeped again, leaning over and grabbing it from your dad’s hand.

Seth:

Tomorrow, like 11am?

We can take out a picnic!

Me and Leah can come pick you up :)

You quickly positioned yourself so you could see Cujo in the background, your dad deciding to hop into the photo as well, holding up both of his thumbs and giving the biggest smile you’d ever seen.

Y/N:

Cujo & I are keen, so’s Dad apparently. See you then!

•••

Leah pinched her little brother’s cheek as he put the phone down, tittering at the way he blushed, the colour in his cheeks and ears becoming more noticeable with the red undertone of his blood rushing to them.

“My baby, all grown up! Going on a date with a girl-”

“-It’s not a date, Leah,” Seth said exasperatedly as he grabbed his phone and messaged Jacob, wanting to let him know first.

Seth:

(Y/N) and I are walking our dogs together tomorrow.

Jacob:

Good job bro :)

You should see if she wants to come to your birthday party tomorrow

Seth blinked. Tomorrow was his birthday. He’d be fifteen, and in two months he’d be starting tenth grade.

Seth:

I forgot about that haha

Are you and Ness coming?

Jacob

Wouldn’t miss it for the world man

I picked out a cool gift but Ness said hers is ‘practical’, or whatever

You know how she is

Seth laughed and sent back a thumbs up emoji, then leaned over and scritched Missy behind her ears, making her wag her tail contentedly. Today was a good day. Tomorrow was going to be even better.

•••

Alexander stood out on the porch of the cabin, facing the sea as he puffed on his Marlboro, the cigarette being his only source of light other than the moon, full and low over the sea.

A movement in the distance, over near some rocks, only just visible in the corner of his eye. His head snapped in the direction of it, his blue eyes nearly glowing in the dark.

Something was staring right back at him, its eyes shining green like a cat’s in the dark. A stare off ensued. Alexander moved ever so slightly, reaching for his crossbow, but the creature then spread its’ wings and took flight, the huge wing span nearly blocking out the moon as it ascended.

Alexander growled and put out his cigarette, dropping it into the metal trash can near his feet. He found what he was looking for. Now it was time to complete the rest of his mission.

•••

Mary Postoak stared at the moon through her kitchen window, opting to watch it as the sink filled up in front of her.

There was a flash of darkness in front of the moon, looking like a huge bird. She gasped, a hand going to her chest. It was bigger than any bird she saw, ever. And the last time she checked; birds didn’t have legs like humans.

A thud was heard in her backyard, and her dogs started barking, making her head for her back door, but a yelp cut her off. She instead turned on her heel, running towards her bedroom and grabbed her rifle, then ran through the hallway, throwing open the back door and loading the rifle.

She grabbed the flashlight from her deck table, and turned it on, shining it toward the scene, and gasped.

Something was hunkered over her dog, feeding from it. Upon hearing her, it looked up, blood covering its lower lip. It was hideous. Pale skin, and two enormous wings. It stood up at its full height, nearly ten feet, and stepped forward, making her drop her torch and point her rifle at it.

She fired it once, hitting it square in the chest. It growled, then lunged for the woman, attacking her before she could even scream.

§§§

Fun fact lol, Missy & Cujo are based on dogs I've owned. Again, not proofread so please kindly point out any mistakes!

[ashcal99]

Certain Things : Leah Clearwater XI

Chapter Eleven

"Something about you, It's like an addiction, Hit me with your best shot honey, I've got no reason to doubt you, 'Cause certain things hurt, And you're my only virtue"

Summary: Conner Swan moves to Forks Washington in hopes to help his sister Bella through her breakup with Edward. In hopes to find happiness again. He finds much more.

Warnings: SMUT (18+ only), unprotected sex, mentions of death, depression, loss, general angst, slow burn

Words: 5.9k

A/N: Please let me know if you'd like to be added to a tag list. Hope you enjoy x

Soundtrack

Previous Chapter

Series Masterlist

——————

August 12th, 2006

The following weeks had been a bit strenuous to say the least, the most difficult being Leah and Conner’s living situation. They of course wanted to spend every moment by each other’s side, but this had been no easy task. While they would spend most of their days out in the woods together, avoiding others at all cost, unlike Conner, Leah still needed to sleep, and he had refused to let her do so on the forest floor. 

While previously, the two would spend their time at either one’s home, this was obviously no longer an option for the moment as he had to actively avoid being near humans. So, for the time being, the two made themselves as at home as possible in the Cullen’s house. Them having graciously made room for him and provided a bed for Leah to sleep on. It was clear to him, despite her telling him otherwise that Leah was extremely uncomfortable with being around the coven of vampires, and as much as it hurt him, he knew that there was no other option at the time.

He had yet to test his thirst, scared to death of the possibility of hurting someone, and time was running out. Bella’s wedding would be tomorrow and he knew that he was expected to attend, so that’s why they had decided to finally test his control. It had been an overwhelming task to find someone to put on the line for this, but in the end, it had been Billy who had volunteered. As much as the man hated his kind, he knew that if Sam and Leah trusted him, that he could as well. 

The whole thing was much lower stakes than he could’ve hoped for, Billy having been surrounded by the pack when they had arrived. Even if he did end up submitting to the monster inside himself, they would be able to stop him before anything happened that he would end up regretting. As he stepped out of his truck, Leah by his side, he held his breath, waiting in fear of himself, not ready to see the outcome of the minutes to come. 

Fresh animal blood flowed through him, having just hunted before making their way to the rez. Tension was palpable in the air, tall wolves surrounding the human man, teeth gleaming in the dim light of morning. Despite knowing and being friendly with every person there, he knew things had changed and the defensive stances had him on edge. Like instincts were being set off.

Warm fingertips caressed his palm, allowing some of the stiffness to leave his shoulders as Leah intertwined their hands. As usual, he had found safety in her touch.

He knew the whole thing would be jarring for the pack to see. The only non-vampire that he had seen since his transformation had been Leah and she had of course been much more forgiving of his new and frightening appearance. He knew better though, he knew that his eyes were a murderous scarlet and he couldn’t blame them when they had flinched away from his glance. 

Finally, his eyes landed on Billy. The man he had known his whole life. The man who had been like a second father to him. His heart ached as he took in the man’s dark expression. It ached because as much as he hoped that he would able to control himself, he knew that it was necessary to have this level of protection. He didn’t even trust himself, he couldn’t expect them to trust a monster.

He closed his eyes, momentarily preparing himself for the pain his scent would bring, before loosing the breath that he had been holding. Slowly, ever so gradually, he sucked in a shaky breath. Fire. Pure fire ripped through his throat, his hand snapping upward to try and grasp the pain to no avail. It was dizzying, and his mind had to snap itself back from the darkness as he sputtered at the scent. 

Growling ripped through the clearing, the noise slowly bringing him back to reality. Burning, agonizing pain which he only come close to feeling one other time. Except this pain wasn’t completely devouring him like changing had. It was this that made him realize that he would be able to handle it. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the scene before him. Teeth and snarling, the look of fear in Billy’s eyes. He could do this. He knew he could. The warmth in his palm reminded him of that. 

If it was just for his benefit, he wouldn’t be as confident, but this was for Leah as well. If it was for Leah then he could do anything. He let his hand drop from his throat, eyes trailing over to meet the woman beside him. “Sorry.” He muttered lowly, shame filling his chest as he saw the fear in her eyes. “I’m okay now.” He croaked out, forcing the burning to the back of his mind, determination settling itself deep into his un-beating heart. 

His eyes turned back to the man before him, scanning over the metal frame of his wheelchair and slowly moving up to his tanned aged face. His eyes looked as if he had lived a thousand lives, like everything he had been though over the years had aged his soul. “Hi, Billy.” He greeted, shoulders still tensed as he attempted to force his voice into his normal tone. 

Leah. Leah. Leah.

He chanted her name over and over again in his mind, reminding himself who he was ultimately doing this for. “Conner.” Billy greeted stiffly, mouth set in a hard line as he scanned over his pale frame. So much had changed, yet so little. He could see that the creature before him was the boy he had watched grow in front of his very eyes, but he could also see that he was something else now entirely. His instincts screamed at him, telling him that he was a threat, but then there was Leah. Standing there by his side, comforting the monster like nothing had changed at all. 

“How is Charlie?” Conner asked, forcing his voice into a casual tone. He had of course talked to his father on the phone, promising the man to keep up communication despite his ongoing ‘honeymoon’ but had still been concerned of the man’s emotional state, knowing that Bella had put enough stress on him in the past two years as it was.

Billy’s eyes flickered up and down the man before him once more, seemingly sizing him up or checking for any possibility of a threat. “He’s good. All things considered.” He sad, voice strained. He sat there for a moment, eyeing him before he continued. “Are you planning on seeing him tomorrow?” He asked expectantly. Despite his casual tone, Conner knew better. He knew what he was really asking. Should he be scared? Should he come prepared? 

Conner stood, trying to come at the subject cautiously in hopes to not make the man any more uncomfortable than he already was. “I do plan on attending the wedding.” He admitted, watching as the wolves around him seemed to tense even more at his words. “The Cullens and Leah will be there to keep me in check, of course. I just don’t want to miss out on my little sister getting married.” He admitted, voice going soft as he thought about the girl. Despite their strenuous relationship, she was still his little sister. Still the same girl that he had practically raised, and he knew that no matter what she did, he would still love her at the end of the day. 

The tanned man nodded curtly. “Sam has agreed to have the pack monitor the situation as well.” He stated simply. 

Conner nodded understandingly. “Of course.” He agreed, knowing that this would be for the best. “I look forward to seeing you again, Billy.” He said politely. He hoped that given the festivities, as well as the many eyes that would be on them, that the occasion would help loosen some of the tension. 

And that was that. The whole ordeal had only lasted less than five minutes, but it had been necessary. If he would be around an entire group of humans in less than forty-eight hours than he needed to prepare himself. He would see his mother, his father, and so many others that he cared for and he wasn’t willing to jump into that situation without preparation. At the same time, he was also not willing to miss out on the event. 

He hadn’t seen his mother since he had moved back to the rainy town and hadn’t even spoken to her in over a month. His father had been through enough as it was and he wasn’t about to stress him out with missing the occasion as well. So, as much as it would physically pain him, he would endure, and as jarring as the scent of human blood had initially been, he knew now, seeing the hope in Leah’s eyes, that he could do this. He would endure. If she trusted him, then he would have to trust himself.

So, when the sun set and the time had come for Edward’s ‘bachelor party’ Conner had begrudgingly accompanied the group, knowing that it was important to not be hungry in the slightest for the big day ahead of them. 

——————

August 13th, 2006

The blue contacts sat uncomfortably against his bright red irises, giving the feeling of an eyelash that had gotten stuck in his eye that he couldn’t retrieve. At least, the intrusion would allow him the reminder to blink at a human rate. Every muscle in his body was at alert as he smelled the humans lingering around him. He had yet to see any of his family, trying at no ease to prolong the inevitable fire. The dull burn had long settled itself at the base of his throat, no doubt being the product of his sisters blood on the other side of the home. 

He stared at his own reflection, gazing at the perfect inhuman being that stared back at him. His hands wrestled with the white tie around his neck, when a knock sounded on the door. “Come in.” He called out, knowing by the scent in the air exactly who would be walking in. 

The door creaked open, heals softly clicking on the wooden paneled floor. His eyes flickered over his reflections shoulder, landing on the perfect face of the woman he loved. His hands dropped from the silk fabric around his neck, turning to get a full view of Leah. She stood there, dark purple fabric hanging delicately off of her tanned frame, hair pinned strategically away from her face. He sucked in a stuttering breath, pushing himself to move at a human speed as her met her halfway. 

He raised his hand, brushing the tips of his cool fingers across her sharp angular cheek. “You.” He started, eyes flickering up and down her lean body once more. “Are utterly breathtaking.” He breathed out, the corners of his lips raising ever so slightly. 

She moved forward, closing the gap between them as she wrapped her arms securely around his waist and looked up into his eyes. “Good thing you don’t actually need to breath then.” She joked, laying a delicate peck on the edge of his jaw. “You clean up nicely.” She admitted, pulling away from the embrace as she allowed her gaze to wander over his frame. 

“I love you.” He whispered. “Mrs. Swan.” He added, a smirk forming on his lips. A blush rose to her cheeks as she processed his words. “Are you ready for all of the questions?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

She nodded lightly, eyes flickering away from his momentarily as footsteps clattered down the hallway towards the two. “Speaking of questions.” She muttered, pulling away from his touch as his parents rounded the corner. 

He sucked in a slow breath, feeling the fire rip through his throat as their silhouettes came into view. His mother stood before him, looked disheveled as usual, and his father uncharacteristically put together. “Conner!” The woman exclaimed, rushing forwards to embrace her son.

He raised his hands cautiously, returning the hug as he called off the beast inside of himself. “Hi, Mom.” He greeted, trying to keep the stiffness out of his voice. “Dad.” He said, sending the man a soft smile over the woman’s shoulder.

“Hey, kid.” Charlie replied, stuffing his hands awkwardly into his pockets. 

Conner pulled away from his mother’s embrace, turning his body towards the woman behind him. “Mom, this is Leah. Leah, this is my mother. Renee.” He introduced, his hand coming to lay comfortably as the base of Leah’s spine. 

Leah tried to hide the nerves from her face as she looked at the mother of her now husband, forcing a smile. A bright grin covered the woman’s face, as she pulled Leah towards her, embracing her in another tight hug. 

“It’s so nice to meet you Leah. Finally.” She said pointedly as she glared at her son, loosing the hug on the tall tanned woman. 

“Sorry.” He muttered, looking down at his feet awkwardly. 

Renee laughed tearfully, pacing back to get a good look at the two. “I just can’t believe it.” She muttered, her fingers brushing lightly over her lips. “Both of my babies all grown up, happily married.” She said, voice quivering as her eyes filled with moisture. 

Conner smiled at the woman. “Come on, Mom. Don’t cry, you’ll ruin you makeup.” He chided teasingly. 

She scoffed, fanning her face. “That was doomed from the start with your sister and everything else.” She muttered, waving her hand dismissively as she blinked back the tears. 

Charlie cleared his throat awkwardly as he stepped forward to the group. “So…” He trailed off. “Your mother and I were talking and since we didn’t get the chance to get you a wedding gift, we figured now would be as good a time as any.” He said, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small box wrapped neatly in black paper, a perfect red bow sitting atop. 

Conner reached forward, fingers wrapping delicately around the box, looking towards his parents, shaking his head. “You guys didn’t need to get us anything.” He said, eyes going soft. 

“Technically.” Charlie interjected. “We didn’t actually go out and buy anything.” He said.

Conner looked down to the box, curiosity overtaking his mind, as he pulled lightly on the edge of the bow, undoing the satin ribbon. He hooked a delicate finger on the corner of the wrapping, tearing away the paper. He lifted the box’s lid, revealing two thin gold rings, one plain, one with a small diamond set in the metal. He looked up at his parents, confusion crossing his features. 

Charlie smiled towards the couple. “We figured, since Edward has his mother’s ring to give to Bella, you guys could use ours.” He explained, gesturing to the gift. “They were just collecting dust anyway.” He said, giving a tight lipped smile. 

Conner’s shoulders sagged, eyebrows creasing with emotion. “Thank you.” He said, voice thick with feeling as he moved forward to wrap the two humans delicately in his arms. 

“Put them on.” Renee said, chuckling as she nudged him in the ribs. He pulled back, turning to face Leah once more. Reaching into the box, he grasped the two metal rings, pushing the plain one quickly onto his ring finger before grasping her palm. He turned it gently in his hands, looking deep into her brown eyes as he raised the diamond ring between his pointer finger and thumb, pushing it delicately onto her finger. 

“I love you.” He whispered lowly so only she could hear, lifting her fingertips up to his mouth to lay soft kisses against the pads. A blush slowly creeped up her neck, her heart full of affection as she stared deep into his eyes. 

Charlie cleared his throat once more, “Leah, your mother is here. Said to tell you that she was looking for you.” He said.

Conner looked down to the watch strapped tightly to his wrist, eyes widening slightly. “We should get out there anyway, ceremony will start soon.” He informed Leah, intertwining their fingers as he pulled her out of the room. “Better go get Bells, Dad.” He said, nudging the man’s shoulder lightly on the way out. 

The couple made their way swiftly through the house, stopping just outside the door as Conner pulled Leah to his chest, smashing their lips together with a bruising force. She sighed into his touch, shoulders relaxing as she molded her mouth to his, grasping tightly onto the collar of his shirt. 

Slowly, he pulled away from her lips, resting his forehead against hers. “Sorry.” He apologized. “I’ve been waiting to do that all morning.” He explained, leaning forward to plant another quick peck to her lips. 

A smile grew on her face. “It’s okay, I’m not complaining.” She assured him. “I love you.” She said sweetly, pulling away as she tugged them out to where the ceremony would be held. 

The burning in his throat only intensified as they walked down the aisle, his eyes scanning across the rows of people. Humans, vampires, and werewolves. He had never seen such a diverse crowd of people, and his heart swelled at the sight. Seeing all of the people making do with the uncomfortable situation just to make his sister’s big day a special one. 

Leah came to a stop at the second row, stepping sideways to greet her mother with a hug. “Hi, mom.” She said, smiling wide as she embraced the woman. 

“Oh, sweetheart. You look beautiful.” The woman said, holding her daughter at arm’s length to get a good look at her. Her eyes trailed over towards Conner, looking him and down, seeming to for the possibility of a threat. “You look well, Conner.” She said, voice tense. 

He couldn’t blame her for acting standoffish toward him. He would be as well. Her instincts had to be screaming at her to run. To not trust him. He nodded politely to the woman, giving her a tight smile as he came to a seat next to Leah, his had returning to hers as he attempted to make himself as comfortable as the situation would allow.

The heat of her palm distracted him from the unforgiving burn in his throat, and he found himself, once again, immensely grateful for her presence. Soft piano notes hummed through the air around them, his eyes flickering up as the people around him came to a stand. He rose from his seat, turning his body towards the aisle. And there she was. Long white pristine dress flowing down to her feet as she clutched for dear life to their father’s arm. 

She looked so grown up, and he wasn’t sure what it was that made it seem so unreal to him. Maybe it was the fact that he had yet to lay his new eyes upon her. Maybe it was the fact that he hadn’t seen her for almost a month. Maybe it was the fact that she stood there, making her way to what would soon be her husband. Either way, seeing her there, a bride, made his chest ache with emotion. 

He could hear her heart sputtering nervously, see the slight shaking of her fingers. He looked towards Edward to see his reaction. Pure joy, pure relief flooded his face. He knew then in that moment, that Edward would do anything for his sister. 

The past month had been eye opening for Conner, and slowly had had grown to understand the immortal before him. In that moment, seeing his adoration, he could finally see it for himself. He could see that his love for Bella was pure. Could see that like he would do anything to make Leah happy and safe, Edward would do the same for Bella. 

Relief flooded his heart as the realization hit him like a freight train. In reality, none of the vampires around him had chosen this life. The life of riding the line between being a monster and just trying to survive. He had heard their stories and had found himself feeling sympathetic towards their complex history. In truth, most of their stories had been much like his own. The alternative to the immortal life being death, and for that, he couldn’t blame them. 

Leah had made that decision for him, a choice that he was happy she had made, so how could he then go and judge them for doing the same? He couldn’t. 

——————

Music pulsed around the crowd of people, joy palpable in the air. The wedding ceremony had gone off without a hitch, and Bella and Edward were officially husband and wife. Despite the burning thirst in his throat, Conner had to admit that he was enjoying the night. He had yet to talk to Bella when his eyes finally met her petite frame from across the reception. He rose from his seat, gathering Leah at his side as he made his way to the bride.

The soft brown eyes of his little sister landed on his own as he approached her and her new husband. “Conner.” She breathed out, relief coating her face. She hadn’t known what to expect when she finally saw him, but this wasn’t it. He was almost exactly the same, just something slightly off. She knew that his eyes must be red under the contacts, but the blue of the contacts were comfortingly familiar. 

“Congrats, Bells.” He said, giving her a soft smile. He approached her slowly, sure to show clearly his intentions as he wrapped his arms gently around her delicate frame. He held his breath, sure to not inhale the sweet scent of her blood. 

She pulled him close, nuzzling her face into his stone chest. She loosened her grip, retreating back to Edward’s side, knowing full well not to push his endurance. “You too.” She said, looking pointedly at the shiny gold band that now occupied his ring finger.

“I just wanted to see you before you left.” He said softly. “Enjoy your honeymoon.” He teased, smirk prominent on his face. 

Edward cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the small group. He could hear the struggle inside Conner’s head and decided to take the situation into his own hands and cut the conversation short. “Another one of your gifts just arrived.” He said, smiling down to his wife. 

“What?” She asked, curiosity overtaking her face. 

“Yeah, come on.” He said, ushering her towards the forest. Nodding a farewell to the couple in front of him as he lead Bella away from the crowd. 

Leah gripped his hand as they watched their retreating frames. “Care for a dance?” She asked, smiling up at him. She pulled him to the dance floor, not waiting for an answer as settled her arms loosely around his neck, swaying her hips along to the thrum of the music. His fingers found themselves a hold on her waist, digging softly into the thin fabric of her dress. 

Conner closed his eyes, resting his forehead comfortably against hers. He sighed, relaxing into her touch. Her warm breath fanned his lips as they swayed along to the music around them. 

“So…” Conner started, trailing off slightly. She hummed in question, urging him to continue. “I was thinking, since I have a lot of free time now, I could maybe start building us a place out here in the woods somewhere?” He asked, nervousness suddenly settling in his stomach. 

Leah pulled her head away from his, looking into his eyes for any sign that he wasn’t serious with his offer. “Really?” She asked, a smile creeping its way onto her face. He nodded. “That would be amazing.” She said, eyes softening.

Relief flooded his veins as he relaxed once again. “Good.” He breathed out. “Because I may of may not have already started. It was actually Esme’s idea. They have a lot of experience with construction apparently.” He admitted, eyes flickering around the immaculate home that the coven had built for themselves. 

“It will be nice.” She said softly, threading her fingers into his perfectly tousled hair. “Having alone time again.” She admitted, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. This earned a deep chuckle from the man as he shook his head exasperatedly. 

“Shut up.” He muttered, rolling his eyes at her antics. 

She laughed lightly, bringing her head down to the cook of his neck where she laid light kisses, nipping lightly at his skin. “What? You’re not bored of me yet are you?” She teased, smiling into his cold skin.

He scoffed. “Of course not. I’m getting desperate here and I don’t want to embarrass either one of us.” He admitted. It was a true enough statement, and he knew that if it wasn’t for his new immortal status, that a blush would be present on his cheeks as he spoke the words. 

The weeks after his transformation had been filled with cautious touches. He hadn’t trusted himself in the beginning when it came to his new strength. Unlike before, it was now entirely possible for him to accidentally cause her bodily harm and as much as he wanted to, because god did he want to, he didn’t trust himself not to get carried away in the moment. 

So he had pushed that part of himself back, as she had done the same. Their need for each other only growing stronger and stronger over that time and then there they were. In the middle of the crowded dance floor, one tiny mention of being alone setting them both off. 

She smiled, grazing her teeth across his neck once more, earning a soft groan from deep within his chest. “Fuck, Leah. Please. Not here.” He begged, his grip tightening on her hips. “I can take you there tonight.” He promised, offering the half completed home as a bargaining chip.

“Okay, okay.” She said, pulling away and planting a soft peck to his lips. “You can’t blame me for trying.” She said, smirking lightly. “I’m definitely taking you up on that offer though.” She said, pulling her lip between her teeth.

Conner nodded vigorously, earning another laugh from her as he gave a mock solute. “Yes, Ma’am.” He said sternly.

A throat cleared to the side of them, the blush intensifying on Leah’s cheeks as she realized that the sound had came from her mother. “Can I get a moment to speak with Conner?” She asked sweetly. 

Leah nodded, letting her arms drop from the man in front of her, laying a quick kiss on his cheek before retreating off of the dance floor. She looked into his eyes as she backed away from the pair, a silent promise that she would remain near just incase. 

His eyes rested on Sue, giving her an awkward smile as a greeting. “So, you seem to be getting pretty cozy with my father.” He teased, nudging his head in the direction she had come from. Charlie stood there, hands in pockets, clearly waiting awkwardly for her to return. 

Sue huffed out a small breath, giving the pale man a stubborn look. “And you are pretty cozy with my daughter.” She said pointedly, urging him to continue teasing as she made it clear that she wouldn’t hold back with her own.

“Okay, okay.” He said, chuckling as he held his hands up in mock defense. “I yield.” He said, smile bright on his face. 

The woman let out a heavy sigh, looking suddenly as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. “As much as this whole thing admittedly makes me uncomfortable, I’m happy that she didn’t lose you.” She admitted, smiling sadly as she got straight to the point of why she had come over to him in the first place. “Just promise me that you’ll keep my baby safe?” She pleaded, laying her hand atop his, goosebumps raising on her forearms as she touched his chilled skin.

His eyes softened as he saw the fear in her own. “Of course, I promise.” He stated clearly. “She is and always will be my top priority,” He said, hoping that his honestly shown clear in his voice. He hoped that she could see that he would give up anything for her. That his life hung in the future of her daughter’s. That Leah was his life now, and nothing else mattered as long as he had her by his side. 

Sue nodded curtly. “If she’s happy, I’m happy.” She said simply, letting her hand drop from his as she turned away and rejoined his father on the other side of the dance floor. 

——————

Time moved impossibly slowly as the night trudged on, the promise of what was to come fresh in his mind. It took everything in him to not whisk her away into the darkness as he forced himself to stay and help clean up after the newlywed couple had left for their honeymoon. 

Finally, the remaining guests dissipated and he found himself at Leah’s side, leaning in to whisper into her ear. “You’re sure not too tired?” He teased, grazing his teeth on her earlobe, earning a shiver from the woman.

She pulled away, smirk present on her face. “Oh, believe me. I’m wide awake.” She assured him. 

He pulled her swiftly into his arms, not bothering to say goodbye to the immortals around him as he whisked her away through the brush of the forest. Trees blurred past as he rushed towards what would soon be their home. 

Suddenly, he came to a stop in front of a small cozy looking cottage. Balancing her easily in one arm, he unlocked the front door swinging the broad wooden slab open to reveal the family room. “You don’t have to cary me in.” Leah protested, the smile making it clear that she didn’t actually mind.

“You can’t blame me for tying to do at least some things traditionally.” He teased, laying her feet down softly on the wooden paneling of the floor. 

The casual talking didn’t last long between the two. As soon as the door swung shut, their mouths were on each other’s, releasing all of their pent up energy all at once. She jumped, pulling herself up by his broad shoulders as she wrapped her legs securely around his waist, the fabric of her dress bunching around her hips as ground down onto the ever growing bulge in his pants. 

“Fuck. I missed this.” She groaned out as he moaned into her throat, laying kissed anywhere his lips could reach. “Off.” She demanded as she tugged on the fabric covering his shoulders. 

He immediately complied, keeping one arm tightly around her at all times as he slipped his clothing off of his body, hands coming down to cup her ass as he reconnected their lips. He stumbled blindly through the dimly lit room, refusing to disconnect their lips as lead the two of them into what would soon be the kitchen.

Leah’s body shuttered, goosebumps climbing rapidly up her skin as her back came into contact with the cool granite countertop. Conner separated their lips briefly, only to tug the thin fabric of her dress quickly over her head. A strangled groan left his lips as he took in the sight of her spread wide open in front of him, bare chest heaving with exertion. 

She reached forward coming to a seat as she brought her hands down to his waist, fumbling frantically to undo his belt as he worked on unzipping his dress pants and shoving them down past his legs. Despite knowing that they had all night alone, this didn’t stop them from moving quickly, determined to feel each other’s closeness once more. 

His fingers gripped tightly onto her hips, pulling them to his own as he searched for some form of relief in the friction between their clothed lower halves. His fingers curled into the waistband of her lace panties, not caring as he tore the fabric swiftly from her body, the snapping of threads echoing throughout the empty room. He reached down to his own underwear, pulling them quickly off of himself, throwing them somewhere across the room. 

She moaned, throwing her head back onto the stone countertop as his hips slotted against hers, his cock nudging against her clit. She took no time to rest, angling her hips as she wrapped her legs tightly around his and pulled him towards her, burying his length deep inside her wet heat. Their lips danced together, breaking every few moments to let out moans of delight at their touch. 

Conner pulled his hips from hers, pulling almost all of the way out of her as he gripped the opposite edge of the countertop, thrusting forward once more. His hips slammed against hers, the tip of his cock rubbing deliciously against the opening of her cervix as she clenched around him. “Holy shit. How is this so good? Fuck.” He asked nobody in particular as his eyes clenched shut. 

A soft whimper of pleasure left her lips, the words combined with his harsh thrusts already having her fluttering around him. Her hands raked across his back, searching for purchase as he continued rutting his hips against hers.

The feeling of her warmth wrapped so tightly around him was impossible to compare to anything else. Everything about his senses had changed in his transformation, and the feeling had him floating as he continued ravishing her body. 

Hot breaths fanned his ear as her moans grew louder. The tightening in her abdomen alerting her to the impending orgasm that grew closer and closer with every movement of their hips. 

“I can feel you shaking, baby.” He groaned out, burying his face into her neck as sucked lightly just below her jaw. 

Her back arched up into him as she whimpered once more. “Fuck. I’m so close.” She admitted, gasping for air as she tugged on his disheveled hair.

“Let go, baby. Let go for me.” He breathed out, bringing his fingers down to rub on her clit, the gentle touch contrasting greatly against the harsh trusts against her g-spot. 

The slight stimulation was all it took for her to topple over the edge, all but screaming his name as the pleasure quickly overwhelmed her senses. He slowed, sucking in a shaky breath as the pulsing of her tight heat forced him to follow her into his own orgasm. His cock throbbed as he slowed his movements, savoring every moment of their climaxes before stilling completely inside of her. 

He groaned, finally letting his forehead rest on hers, her chest heaving between them, sweat coating her slick body. “I swear to god, you’re a fucking angel.” He muttered against her mouth, as he pressed his lips to hers, savoring every moment of their touch. 

He vowed, in that moment, to worship her for the rest of his life, because if she was an angel, then he was in heaven and she had been the one that had saved from the pits of hell. 

Next Chapter

[lookbluesoup]

Random question time!

Has Lyrha ever been to Old Sharlayan and Thavnair? Does/would she like it there?

How does Nahte'to find the Myths of the Realm raids? What does it mean to him, meeting (and fighting) the Twelve? And how does he get along with that Deryk fellow?

Thank you so much for the ask! :3

1. Lyrha's been to both Sharlayans thanks to Nahte dragging the Red Mages into Scion business! She also visited the abandoned colony as part of her training with Arya and X'rhun, during the RDM questline. She didn't really understand why they'd ditch such a well-built place with so much wealth and technology... until she landed in their main city and met the populace. Suffice to say her friendship with the Scions was not enough to stop her from robbing Fourchenault of various important looking knick-nacks and leaving a dead fish in one of his locked desk drawers. She says he was asking for it.

Before then, she never had much reason to set foot in either, although the seas around them? Those she can navigate like a pro! I'lyrha is... very extremely extra wanted in Thavnair. As a trading hub between East and West, she worked with many a crew during her pirating days to harass ships coming and going. It's possible she earns a pardon over the course of Endwalker, at the Scion's intervention... but for most of the Blasphemy business, she's in Ala Mhigo with X'rhun, so she's not done much to foster reparations with Thavnair or Radz-at-Han. I don't see that being resolved, at least for the moment.

She probably did visit it a few times before she became notorious, and I think she would have enjoyed its bright colors and vibrant people. The giant eyeball carving "watching" the way into Radz-at-Han though? Terrifying. Very sus.

---

2. At the time you asked this I had gotten as far as unlocking Aglaia and then... been too scared to touch current expac raid content for months since. So a double thank you for the ask because I finally faced my fear and did both it and Euphrosyne this past week. Though I spent a lot of Euphrosyne dead on the floor (They call me Rez Mage because I need a rez. Again.) now I actually have enough context to answer this LOL

Nahte has struggled with his faith a LOT through MSQ. He was fairly devout about Menphina until Dalamud exploded into a Primal. Things started to get a little shaky after that...

But when Hydaelyn spoke to him, CHOSE him? He really believed in the cause. He wanted to be her champion, to serve as he was called. As it progressed... a lot of things she did, or didn't do, or omitted/lied about, effectively crippled Nahte's faith in the gods and any trust he had that their goals aligned. Especially after finding out the second moon was also artificial. If he couldn't believe in the Mothercrystal, how could Menphina be different? (His journey through THAT and his feelings about Venat are a whole other essay)

While he'd made peace with a lot of it and generally preferred men be masters of their own fate, there were a lot of unresolved emotional wounds that I think... true to his fashion, Nahte hadn't even realized he was carrying, he'd pushed them so far back.

When he first got to The Omphalos, he was ready to throw hands with another bout of Primals. But this situation is different. Gods like Nald'thal and Halone have been far kinder than he anticipated, none of them have demanded reverence, and they're not aether-sucking vampires.

He doesn't exactly trust them, especially knowing Hydaelyn had a hand in it all. But it's started to pull on some of those loose threads in his mind, and a lot of those wounds are starting to actually show.

Menphina... has so far been everything he could have hoped or wanted her to be. Her love for life, her compassion, her inquisitive nature - her genuine ache to help those who call out to her... that's been healing in a way he didn't know he needed. I think the pulse of drawing that pain out has probably brought him to tears intermittently.

She might not be an omnipotent deity. But so far, at least, she hasn't disappointed him. She's been the embodiment of unconditional, innocent, genuine love that he grew up putting faith in - and the idea that she did hear him, every time he reached out, even when he had doubts... that someone up there was watching, and did care, and didn't see him as a pawn on a millennia-spanning chessboard is a pretty big deal.

More than that, her core purpose is described as not simply presiding over the moon - but also the turn of night and day in a cycle. Something that would certainly encourage Nahte, who in the past often struggled with balancing his Moonkeeper and Sunseeker halves.

I've struggled to break down Nahte's feelings about this in a coherent way but essentially... it's an opportunity for him to reconcile the part of himself that is very spiritual - which was badly wounded by years fighting false gods, with the wisdom he's gained that beliefs shape reality, and his firm desire to determine his own fate. They can coexist - logic, faith, and pain need not be in conflict.

Whether all this arc will ultimately give him any more healing with regards to Hydaelyn, or simply salt the wounds... I'm not sure! We'll have to see how it all resolves. I've been surprised too many times from Shadowbringers onward to reliably speculate.

As for Deryk, Nahte likes him! Nahte can certainly relate to the wanderlust, though he personally finds it more fulfilling to travel with friends at his side. He's... pretty sure the Opo-opo is Oschon. He hasn't asked it, but there have been a few very long bouts of staring back and forth at each other.

[oersteds]

so i made the Twiz Lore post without really clarifying a few things. here are some questions you might have. long post below the cut

"why did oersted's corpse show up on the beach" foreshadowing. There Will Be More Beach Corpses

"why did straybow want to be rezzed" the 15% of afterlives that aren't just sleeping are usually painfully boring. Ghost Insomnia, i guess

"why did oersted and straybow immediately fight" straybow just got rezzed, the first thing that he sees is the kind stranger who ressurrected him give a tired thumbs up, then collapse to the floor in a heap of fluffy purple dumbness, loudly enough for oersted to hear. straybow's immediately assumed to have killed twiz. irony's a bitch, huh, straybow?

"why's ressurrection magic a bitch to use" one of the governments (there's more than one. they never agree on anything) tried to seal away all ressurrection magic. twiz personally went and broke the seal, just... not in the smartest possible way. Fucker Spiked The Magic-Sealing Volleyball. the ressurrection magic's gonna take a Very Fucking Long Time to fully return. like, years would be the shortest timeframe, here. Dumb Motherfucker. this is also why she can rez people without needing a corpse. because She Spiked The Magic-Sealing Volleyball.

"well. why'd she do that" she's reckless as fuck. waiting was an option. she coulda just. brought the thing to the rest of the mages that wanted to ressurrect people again, like she was told to do, but she thought "hey, wait, why are the guards (that are chasing me and trying to kill me) also yelling about not breaking the ball... hmmmmmmm" (nobody realized this would nerf ressurrection magic so harshly, though.)

"did she face any consequences for this" well. she would've gotten fired, but... the mages think she's dead. she can't find the mages, the mages aren't looking for her because they're very pissed and want her to Stay Dead. the One Guy who went with her to actually retrieve the Magic-Sealing Volleyball saw her spike the damn thing, saw the explosion, and assumed "oh fuck. she's dead"

"wh. why would a ball of sealed ressurrection magic kill twiz" it almost killed the guards that were chasing her, albeit that was from the density of the magic, not really what the magic was. it was also very physically painful for the One Guy. twiz mainly survived because 1: she's always had talent with healing magic 2: there was a lot of healing magic in that ball in the form of rez magic. the One Guy's just very hasty with conclusions + he didn't see a corpse

"wait. dragons?????" the dragons are a metaphor for More Beach Corpses (some are dragons. some aren't dead. some are dragons who aren't dead. Technically, there are still dragons)

"should i ask about the Beach Corpses" yes. yes you should. Beach Corpses tend to happen when you're trying to ressurrect someone who's Very Much Alive. no, past me, don't fucking spoil the plot.

posting this because Insomnia's A Bitch, Let Me See My Wife Named Sleep.

[itsbenedict]

Two-Faced Jewel: Thunderbrush 21

Kicking Butts

A conwoman disguised as a noble and the delegation of university students studying her have arrived in the jungle city of Thunderbrush, ruled by ancient dryads and organized crime. Will they manage to stay uninvolved in shady conspiracies? (No.)

Story so far | Session log index | Previous session

Last time, the party infiltrated a magically-radioactive deathscape and dove into the bowels of a double-dead ghost dryad to uncover the truth behind why she's involved in some sort of conspiracy to attack the school. While looting exploring the place, they found some dead bodies with necromantic tethers binding them to their souls, and did a little healing to resurrect a couple of 100-year-old gangsters.

This time, though... they'll be encountering much younger gangsters than that.

...I said that like it was ominous but it really isn't ominous at all, is it?

After Looseleaf bungee-jumps into the afterlife to keep a corpse's soul from falling into the Thanatic Sea, she manages to resurrect Curly Fry, the quartermaster of the Does. On being resurrected, her first thought is... "oh, for Pete's sake. How much is all this going to cost to clean up?" In her mind, she's playing a base management sim, and the fact that people and crimes are involved is a tertiary annoyance.

She knows about the "Cervix"- the big project going on in the basement, which Jane apparently kept her out of the loop on for the most part, to her frustration (vis-a-vis the accounting books and the materials expenditures). She's pretty sure that's the source of the death field, and sees shutting that down as step 1 to rebuilding their operation. What a mess!!

They proceed deeper into the building, going through various sleeping quarters for officers. This collection of bodies likewise contains a number of intact and unlooted corpses that the revenant bugs haven't gotten to... but unfortunately, they're currently dependent on Orluthe for healing, and he's only got enough juice in him to bring back one more corpse. They'll need to come back with a small army of clerics to save all these people, so they opt to hold their last rez in reserve.

They quiz Curly Fry about which of these corpses might have the most information on the secret project- and she's pretty sure someone named Deirdre would know more, and guides them to a body. Unfortunately... it seems the necromantic tether holding up her soul has snapped, so that's a no-go.

She's pretty sure no one else here knows what's up- no one outside the "Cloven Hoof division" is supposed to- which means heading down to the main room.

(She does let slip that they shipped in a lot of stuff from someone called Sycamori, but that's all she knows- the supplier and the shipment dates.)

Heading deeper down, Oyobi, Orluthe, Curly Fry, and Miriko hang back a bit, exploring the upper floors some more. And as the rest descend... they hear a quiet "fuck!" from downstairs. Someone else is here.

Immediately, "Erin Doe", aka Lydia Glye, the conure woman they resurrected, draws a knife and offers to go take out the intruders. Looseleaf says not to kill them, what the hell, the party is here to get information- and Lydia says capture and interrogation isn't her specialty but she can give it a try.

Also Vayen vanishes at this point, as he's wont to do. Saelhen blind-fires a flicked ball bearing in his general direction, and with a lucky roll...

Saelhen also opts to go invisible and spy on the downstairs people. Oliver tries, but he can't get his invisibility working with this death field breaking his concentration. So it's Saelhen and Lydia, sneaking down into this large, dark chamber.

Inside, they spot...

A tiger man, an infernal teenager, a halfling woman... and also a goblin and three other halfling men. They're all wearing ragged gray-and-orange uniform-ish things, and they've got some large crates and weird tools with them. They're standing around some huge wooden gourd thing in the center of the room.

It's dark in here, but by these people's torchlight (and a bit of darkvision), Saelhen can see... the walls are carved floor to ceiling with an intricate fractal pattern, twisting and branching out from a large round object in the center of the floor. The carvings appear to be filled with an oily black substance, and Saelhen, with a good roll on Epistomancy (she knows the basics from Oliver teaching her some voice-throwing tricks), can recognize that these carvings are drawing out some sort of super-complicated spell of an unknown magic type.

Saelhen sneaks up close to the group, invisible, to eavesdrop on their conversation and get a better look at them.

The halfling plumber woman- named Ember, apparently- seems to think this black gunk stuff in the carvings had to have been pumped from somewhere, and the group needs to find this pump and... well, it seems like their objective is to collect a large amount of the black stuff and put it in the big crates and bring it back. Ember seems to be experimentally trying to dig this stuff out with a weird-lookin' black-tipped chisel, and not having much success.

The group doesn't seem to be super friendly with each other- in particular, the infernal teen, Red, is supposed to be "in charge", but the tiger man, Zeego, clearly chafes at this. Saelhen's subtle attempts to fan the flames by adding whispered insults to their statements (using mimicry) don't seem to have much of an effect. Shit-talking is par for the course with them.

They agree to split up and search for this pump situation, heading down three different hallways in three different groups. Zeego and two halfling men go down one way, Ember and the goblin go down another, and Red and the remaining halfling go down the third corridor.

They argue telepathically for a little while about how to split up, leading to this exchange:

^ This isn't really relevant, it's just a callout post for Farn. In fairness, you miss 100 percent of the dumb portmanteau shots you don't take!

Anyway- Saelhen goes after the goblumber team, Vayen it turns out already went down the corridor Red was heading down and will take care of that with Lydia, and Looseleaf and Oliver hang back a bit to investigate the weird gourd core thing.

First off, magic science time! Looseleaf's pretty new to necromancy, and... well, at least she can tell that this spell mostly isn't doing necromancy, despite using black mana as a substrate. There's a little bit of it in there, and she can tell there's a huge necromantic tether attached to the gourd itself, but the spell is mainly doing something else.

Spirit reading reveals that... the gourd is basically like this dryad's "brain", except that it's not natural exactly. A dryad's nervous system is normally distributed throughout the tree, but it seems like it was artificially yanked out of her extremities to concentrate it in the gourd. Weird!

Oh, right! Oliver was our first double-20s! Which means he gets a ton of information about this spell.

Oliver- you're pretty good at epistomancy. You know how rune arrays are constructed, and you know that the arrays here don't make sense. Like, they're not accessing any of the standard entry points for arcane effects. It's like, by analogy, if all spells were cast by hitting http:// endpoints, this is a spell that's being cast by hitting a completely different protocol you've never seen before. This is a new form of magic you've never seen written out like this before- and you have some idea how to read it. It bears a suspicious resemblance to how Looseleaf has described working with Spirit. This is a spell written to perform spirit magic directly using mana. And your best guess here is... this spell is, indeed, the death field. It seems to be a hugely complicated effect with a ton of redundancies and things it's just bombarding the target with- a bunch of ways one might kill anything of any biology the creator could've conceived of. It's projecting a global effect that basically exists to trick the brain into thinking that it's died, via its spirit- thereby ejecting that spirit into the Thanatic Sea without having to physically damage the body. But that's not all, because you got double twenties. The other part of this effect is that it's not supposed to just kill things. It's supposed to attach those necromantic tethers to their live spirit and the immediately-resulting spirit of their corpse, allowing the subject to bungee-jump into the space between the Jewel and the Thanatic Sea. Anyone it kills, a lifeline is attached to ensure they have a way to return. You can also tell- because double twenties- that this spell was not written by one person. It was written by multiple people, working at cross-purposes. The part of the spell that was supposed to attach tethers and allow the spirit to climb back up into the body was sabotaged by someone working on the project. It seems like the intent of the spell was to bring everyone back up right after making the "jump", but somehow the ability to control the reeling-in effect was centralized to a single user- judging by the size and complexity of the part of the array that does this, Jane herself. Jane got her gang to build a giant device that would let them all bungee-jump into the thanatic sea with the promise of coming back up, and then didn't let them come back up.

This is a few different kinds of fucked up- but what really gets to Looseleaf about this is that apparently the special magic unique to her people? Isn't necessarily just an innate power. There are runes that allow it to work the old-fashioned way, with epistomancy and mana. And this technology... seems to be totally lost, except here by this one long-dead evil tree lady. What the fuck????

But that's not the end of it- Looseleaf and Oliver then work to check the tether attached to the gourd, and find that- like many of the corpse tethers- it's snapped, and there's no soul on the other end. And looking at the way it sheared... it looks like Jane was trying to swing around in the space between the Jewel and the Thanatic Sea. Just what the hell was she trying to accomplish down there?

They relay all this to the team.

While Looseleaf and Oliver are having extremely dramatic magical discoveries, Saelhen's following the goblumber squad. The plumblin squad. You remember that episode where Ash caught a Plumblin?

The corridor here is... weird. There's a bunch of locked doors, in sequence, breaking up this otherwise featureless hallway. The goblin, who calls himself "Scrap-King", is affixing little blasting caps to the locks in lieu of lockpicks, smashing through door after door with precisely-aimed demolitions from his big sackful of bombs. Saelhen opts not to screw with this process for now- she's no bomb expert, and sabotaging bombs could go bad in a lot of unpleasant ways.

They eventually end up at a total dead end- and it's at this point that Saelhen tries a trick.

Scrap-King hands Ember a bomb and tells her to use it on the fake wall ("what fake wall?!"), and then the two split up. Saelhen then... fucks with Ember a bit by knocking on the walls while invisible, and- oh, huh.

...She rolled to refresh her invisibility at this point, and then rolled the mixed success, which causes me to roll on the d100 table of invisibility consequences. And on that table she rolls a 5, and- I can't remember if I remembered to apply that consequence, because I did say that nothing appears to happen, yet. Something was supposed to happen later! I may have forgotten, though. I should bring that back at some point, if I did.

Anyway, Saelhen notices something in this dead end. Her bracer... when she turns invisible and partially shifts into the other world, it seems to locate places in that other world that kind of match the layout of where she's standing, so she can navigate both at once cleanly. And this time it didn't quite do it right- she notices the "fake wall" in this room, because in her bracer-world, that wall is just some woody vines she can see past.

Meanwhile, the goblin guy has walked back out into the main area. Where Looseleaf and Oliver, not invisible, are inspecting the Cervix.

Just before this goes to shit, Oliver thinks to check something. He checks himself for one of those necromantic soul tethers- and indeed finds one. It was there the whole time. The implications are-

Time for a fight where they pretend to be zombies!

...Or, uh, not really, because as soon as Saelhen makes it back, she slashes this guy's tendons. And Oliver traps Ember in pneumantic goo before she can back him up. And Saelhen steals Ember's chisel, her only actual weapon. And Looseleaf uses Mage Hand to steal Scrap-King's bag of bombs. These two are disarmed and subdued almost effortlessly- almost like they weren't combatants at all!

Looseleaf opts to play the heel, here.

Ember and Scrap-King surrender basically immediately- but unfortunately don't know anything about why their boss wants the black mana, so it's not worth much to interrogate them. They just give 'em a little bit of tendon healing and tell them to run upstairs and get the fuck out of here before their protection against the death field expires, which they're more than happy to do.

With that dealt with... Looseleaf, Oliver, and Saelhen head back down that corridor to check out that "dead end". They push past the false wall easily, and find...

A spot-on deduction! But a secret reading room. Inside, they find a letter:

Dearest Jane, I appreciate your timely payment and your history of smooth transactions. The information you've requested is packaged within, unciphered, in plaintext. Though this was not included in the terms of the deal, I remain curious as to the nature of your inquiry- if your aim were simply to compromise Comare's security, you wouldn't need nearly so detailed a report. I would know! A statement on the reasons underlying this report may be accepted as payment for further services at a rate of 1 Jugular.

They find the pages of this report, which seems to be... an absurdly detailed report on everything there is to know about Comare and the Green Hats circa 100 years ago. It becomes pretty obvious that this report was compiled and sold by the Watchwood, a gang of spies and informants that Miriko belongs to. It includes a handful of code-phrases that are supposed to identify messages from missing agents:

"vision of pluperfect beauty" for a Hats assassin who was killed competing for a job with the Thorns and whose body was never found

"long-buried carrion" for an attempted mole in the Watchwood that Ana had killed

"those gem-studded golden shores" for an agent sent to threaten the ecumene of Understanding who apparently never returned

(All these codephrases were in use like a hundred years ago, so impersonating any of these people comes with a big hundred-year question they'd need to answer.)

But what they also find is... tons and tons of testimony on Comare's behavior and mannerisms when interacting with her gang. Details on what she's personally like, how she talks... useful stuff for, like, a method actor being hired to play her in a documentary, or something.

They question Miriko on this, who explains the Watchwood's bespoke currency system. They've got various units of damagingness for quantifying the value of secrets!

She doesn't know anything about this report personally, though- she's old, but this is still before her time.

Next time: they've still got a big scary tiger and a surly teenager to deal with. Maybe one of them will know more about what the Ashtray want all this black mana for!

[thesunkillerr]

Standing on Ceremony

Not far from Westgate, Faerûn - 1471 DR

- Arezah

"You can't just ignore him, Arezah."

"I think I can, actually."

"Okay, why then?"

The quiet that followed was visited only by the crackling of a dying fire in the hearth. Arezah sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over her knees as she glared into the embers, a modest letter flipping between two fingers. Black hair stuck to the back of her neck as it spilled over her shoulder like a tipped pot of ink. She wasn't in the chatting mood. Then again, she rarely ever was.

"Arezah." Myv'ryna persisted as she snaked an arm around the aasimar's bare waist, pressing her lips against the scars covering Arezah's spine as her skin tensed and flushed in reaction. "Talk to me, don't stray so far from me."

"He made his decision." Arezah griped, her brow furrowing as she removed Myv'ryna's arm from her waist and stood up in one smooth movement.

"You know he didn't have much of one. Are you really still punishing him for doing something decent?" the drow ventured, sitting up on one arm as she watched Arezah toss the letter back on the writing desk. Another request to the pile, only this one with "Arezah" written in shaky script.

"You know damn well that's not the reason, don't play coy. You're just as much to blame." Arezah snapped, her back kept to Myv'ryna who only pouted in response.

"Prickly."

"I am not punishing him," Arezah replied quietly, crossing her arms as she began to pace. Her bare feet padded against the stone flooring while Myv'ryna watched with a mildly amused expression as if she knew something Arezah didn't. She hated that expression.

"I'm not," Arezah repeated firmly as if trying to convince the drow who remained silent. "He's a grown man, he doesn't need me any more than I need him. Besides he told me he wanted to live a quiet life, and we both know that's not possible when I'm around."

Arezah turned her gaze back to the dying embers as the winter chill spread across her bare skin. An early winter breeze carried the smell of the city into the tower, gelling the sweat that still clung to the small of her back. She stopped pacing while a chill worked up her spine.

Was she creating distance? Punishing Zholl for making a decision without her?

Unceremoniously Arezah dropped two new logs into the pile of coals, shuffling the embers underneath. The heat licked at the wood creating new orange fingers of flame before the hearth came alive with light and warmth.

What's that about the apple and the tree?

"It can't hurt to read it, Rez." Myv'ryna's voice called Arezah from the edge once again, her words curling like a crooked finger. It might have worked if she had been any other creature. Arezah's expression darkened as she glared over her shoulder at her worst other half and her honeyed words.

"Please stop making me repeat myself, Myv'ryna." Arezah spat her name, the disdain causing the Syndicate Captain to wince. It was easy to forget that the drow she'd spent much of her life working alongside wasn't invulnerable. No, Myv'ryna was many things, but impervious was not one of them. It was too easy to forget that. Guilt bloomed in Arezah's chest as she watched Myv'ryna sit up turning her back to Arezah as she pulled the rumpled sheet around her shoulders.

Arezah was directing her foul mood to the wrong party and she knew it.

"I told you to save the Charm for our clients. I know you mean well but do not cause me to resent you." Arezah gritted her teeth before she grabbed the swath of blue silk she used as a robe. The quiet once more settled over the room as Arezah sat in the ruined velvet armchair positioned before the fire. Brooding of course.

"Why don't you read it." Arezah breached the silence first, leaning her chin on her knuckles, golden eyes reflecting the firelight. "Just in case. You know. I still care about the green idiot, and I suppose his new purple idiot."

"Technically, the tiefling would be an indigo idiot, Rez." Myv'ryna retorted, the smirk obvious in her tone. "Still, I shall read it before taking further advantage of your grace."

"Spare me." Arezah replied with an eyebrow lifted as she watched the dark elf cross the chamber. The thin fabric of the sheet outlined her lithe figure in the dim lighting, summoning the deeply rooted fire Arezah carried for her. Yes, she could leave that charmed tongue of her's at the bottom of the Sea of Swords but there would always remain that pull. The desire to reach out and touch the passion that swelled between them, even if she would get burned every time.

As Myv'ryna retrieved the letter, she moved to sit across from Arezah. Yet pale fingers gently caught Myv'ryna's wrist, pulling her into Arezah's lap while the sudden movement caused Myv'ryna's hold on the sheet to slip. Before Myv'ryna could pull away, Arezah wrapped her arms around her naked waist. Forehead against her arm, Arezah closed her eyes breathing in the floral scent of her lover's skin. Gentle ashen fingers ran through Arezah's jet-black hair.

"Are you ready?" Myv'ryna murmured, brushing Arezah's tresses to the side as she pressed her lips to the back of Arezah's neck. Goosebumps rippled over her skin before the aasimar silently nodded her head.

Myv'ryna cracked the moss-green seal of the parchment before unrolling the small scroll. She began to read.

"Dear Mum."

Arezah stiffened, and Myv'ryna massaged the back of her neck.

"I hope you can afford me an old joke. You know I could never resist teasing you just a bit. I know you told me not to write to you but Lyerii owed me a favor so I'm calling it in."

"Lyerii snuck this nonsense in? Would've thought such a menial task was below her." Arezah grumbled while Myv'ryna smacked the back of her head, shushing her.

"I hope you and Myv are doing alright, not fighting too much. Busting heads and headboards as always. Anyway, I'll get to the point. The Solstice is coming, and I know how you feel about celebrating anything beyond a job well done, but this year is different. Cahya and I want to invite you to come stay with us during Midwinter. I just finished furnishing the "Arezah room" as Cahya keeps calling it. He won't admit it but I think he's as excited to see you just as much as he's nervous you'll actually come."

Myv'ryna's voice hitched as she read Zholl's words, surprisingly well knowing his handwriting Arezah noted. Opening an eye, Arezah watched Myv pause, taking a deep breath. Emotions filtered through her scarlet eyes as she compartmentalized her feelings for Zholl. It was clear she missed him.

"You don't have to--" Arezah began before Myv held up a finger, continuing to read Zholl's letter.

"Even if you don't come, we'll be thinking about you. I keep telling Cahya not to get his hopes up, but really I think I'm more telling myself that. I miss ya, Rez. It's been a while since I've seen you, but Myv tells me that you're doing well. Working day in and day out to make sure we are taken care of, which I hope you know you don't have to do that. Cahya helped me start my own carpentry business, so now the nearby city keeps us stocked with all kinds of food and necessities for the low price of fixing an occasional stool or fence. I know what you must be thinking, but I've improved quite a bit from what you probably remember. I'm happy here. It's peaceful here. You deserve peace too, even if for a little while. Alright, this letter is long enough, and Cahya is starting to get antsy. We are reading a book together, a bunch of fluffy fairytales by the Mmirg sisters but Cahya loves 'em. Don't tell him I told you. All my love, all my salt. Zholl."

"You've been writing him?" Arezah asked after a measure of silence.

"Yes," Myv'ryna replied plainly before she folded the letter and placed it on the small wooden end table beside them. "He's like a son to me, and I am willing to admit that. You've been sending them allowances?"

Arezah felt the familiar turn in her stomach that so often visited her during moments of cold realization. When the lust of the bed chamber wore away, and the quiet of the night returned; there were so many secrets between them. The unknowable chasm between them had been built by forced invulnerability. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't bridge that space. Arezah wasn't sure they ever would.

After all, who were they without the armor of their secrets?

"Bring me my parchment and seal."

On The Edge of the Shilmista Forest

- Zholl

He couldn't believe his eyes, yet there written in the familiar script were the words;

"Received your letter. I shall arrive outside of Riatavin within the fortnight. Burn this."

Even without her signature, it could have only been one person to write such a formal letter that echoed with a vague threat. Rez actually responded. After six years of silence aside from the scraps of sentimentality from Myv, she had finally reached back. How many letters had he sent along with his correspondence with Myv'ryna and Lyerii? Had he kept count, Zholl was sure it would have been an embarrassing amount. Not to mention the letters he would never send.

His heart was in his throat as he reread her words, and without further hesitation, he took a deep breath before hollering loud enough to wake their nearest neighbors ten miles out.

"CAHYA SHE'S COMING! SHE'S ACTUALLY COMING!"

[samswinchesters]

Heyy dw anon here. hope you’re doing good! Bit late on this review as my uni started up again and I am swamped already. but anyway. Episode 5. Want to preface this by saying I did really enjoy the episode. I am just a bit irritated with our girl Bernadette.

That being said loved the Chee and Bern moments. The whole she dated Elvis reveal had me gaping at my TV like??Damn Girl ok?? Thanks for sharing or good for you or? The writers are really trying to embrace the time period in the funkiest way possible!

Blond man is still being awful, Joe should have scalped him and called it a day but nooo some dumbass had to let Gordo drive the dude ALONE at NIGHT like ofc he escaped, who is surprised raise your hand! Need him executed asap.

then the whole thing with Dean was soso sad but so well done. His words to Bern about them not even being recognized as Americans obviously shook her entire worldview a bit.. and her giving him the necklace and a hug was soooo :((( her internal turmoil over Dean and the draft is so much worse in context with her border patrol job too like Bern I know you want to move up the ladder or whatever the fuck but jfccc get a gripppp. Atp I am genuinely concerned she’s going to leave like don’t you fucking dare!!

Like I get it. I do. Glass ceiling on the rez and all that. maybe she feels trapped (tho if that’s actually the case I would have liked the show to make that more obvious beyond her just saying “I want to find my own way”) And having modern day context for how shit the US border patrol is and how badly women and especially woc are treated in white-male dominated professions (and this is happening in 1971 to boot) helps to make it seem like she’s making an even worse decision if she goes. to me it’s a no brainer, I’m staying. But I really just think Bern doesn’t know any of that, or at least choses not to acknowledge it. Like she saw what happened to Jim in the FBI, come on now. and he warns her too this episode, “-I can come back” “Can you?” *silence*. He almost didn’t get to come back! Bern fr needs to make a weighted decision matrix and figure out her decision that way bc I think the lack of sleep is starting to affect her cognitive activity.

Anyway. Sorry for being a downer this week irl shit combined with the fact that the finale of s1 wasn’t exactly happy is giving me a creeping feeling that ep6 will be a rough one. Hopefully I’ll be wrong and we’ll actually get to see everyone experiencing happiness on our screens, but we’ll see!

everyone dont moveeeee, dark winds anon is back.

OKAYYY so we were a litttleeee off in our predictions HOWEVER I will say, in my heart I know what is chrew. that small scene of them sitting on the floor of her living room…….I currently live there in that moment nobody break the immersion for me. yeah, it was kinda weird for them to say that like at first I thought she was joking but no mames, she was actually being serious 😭

literallyyyyy not a bootlicker or whatever but iirc, cops follow a two buddy rule system so like, the fact that gordo probably gave himself the task of driving this sick son of a bitch on his own by himself bc #ego like omfg shut UP take someone with you, idiot 🙄 it’s like every time they try to shoot at the suspect and never shoot at the tires…these people are making the WORST decisions like if I were in that university, that blond man would nottt have escaped. we’d do a better job than the police -_-

omfgggg that part with dean and bern now THAT….moment of silence bc I almost cried LOL sorryyyy the emotions got to me again. if this was meant to push her into the border patrol route, oh, I’m shaking my fist because what is this show without miss. bernadette manuelito?? like, I’m really scratching my head at some of the decisions that are being made in this season. a part of me respects the route they’re taking, there are parts that I do love, and other parts where it makes me look around the room and wonder what everyone is thinking.

this show has always been bold in its message and like you said, I wish they had pressed more into those issues and leaned into the reasonings. I just don’t want bern to become some weird girlboss whedon strong girl because she’s always had that strength within her. it never had to do with the job, it’s about who she is as a person. exactlyyyy like why did she even apply in the first place when she saw the chokehold the government had on jim…….we need to go back to the drawing board…maybe a nap and a sandwich will do her some good 🙏🏽

don’t apologize for anything, babe!! we won’t always dig every single episode. it can be frustrating as well when it’s a show that you care about and they slip a bit and you’re like I know you’re better than this, girl 🤨 to me, I blacked out and only remember the jimbern moments bc the rest I was like, okay, we’re setting things up but I’m yawning a bit. finale day, everyone. and to those who already saw it on amc+, should I prepare for trench warfare or,,..

[blazingtheway]

A Mothers Blood Will Never Flow Without Pain – Storyline 14 – Together - Part Two

•- Embry Call -•

I looked down at my phone reading her message as I slide the rest of the lasagne back into the oven. The only reason I left any; was so mom would have food when she came home.

[Thanks for looking out for her too. Let Mom help you, you know how much she likes to feel needed. And I never do… Everything is going to be fine, Leah.]

I cleaned my plate and glass and scrawled;

Thanks Mom, I love you.

On the back of the note that she had written for me.... because I  was just as bad at the texting thing as she was.

I climbed into my Jeep and pulled out my phone again to text Leah... now that texting was on my mind.

[And get some sleep, Trouble. Seth can handle the night shift. Sleep… Your mom is going to need you and that means you need to be fed, watered, and rested. Trust me… I’ve burnt out, and it ends badly for everyone. The Kid has got this.]

Then I started the engine and made my way to the club.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Who is that?’ #TheKid asked as my phone went off again. He wasn’t used to hearing the sound of my phone, which remined me to set it too silent.

“Call, I told him were keeping his mom for the night.” He nodded handing me a cup of coffee before coming to sit on the floor of the living room beside me. We sat there drinking our coffee’s before he spoke.

‘Aren’t you going to reply to ‘Bry?’ Pushing my phone towards me.

“Do I need to?” I asked with my eyes on the cup in my hands.

‘Sis…’ He could feel his eyes  burning into me. Picking up my phone I replied.

[Ms C is helping more than you can imagine. And you are only getting this reply because the Kid is making me. Now get to work. I am fine. -L]

“Happy?” I pushed my phone to the far side out of the way. He turned himself around, laying down with his head in my lap.

‘I was so scared sis.’ He finally said. One hand moved to stroke his hair, listening to him. ‘When I came here, and the scent of the blood…. The… sight of it… it wasn’t so much… but… it… it was… hers….’ I felt his tears fall into my lap and soak into my jeans. ‘I… I couldn’t think… I was….’ I knew what he was trying to say.

•- Embry Call -•

One Republic blared through my stereo as I drove to Forks. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I figured it was Leah. I didn’t try to reach for it while I drove. I’d reply when I got to work.

I pulled into the staff-only car park behind the club and spotted #JoeWalker’s car… he wasn’t supposed to be here today at all after swapping shifts with me yesterday. The sight distracted me enough that I didn’t stop to check the text message on my phone before I went inside to see  what was going on. I found him inside chatting up one of the bartenders. But he excused himself the second he saw me.

“I didn’t think you’d be here today.” I said, stuffing my keys into my pocket.

‘I just wanted to pop in and see if everything was okay.’ Joe replied. ‘What happened?’

I explained to him that my Auntie hurt herself and ended up in the hospital overnight I was helping out her kids. That ended with me needing to explain to him that on the Rez most elders were Auntie and Uncle and the Chief was Uncle or Grandfather depending on your age. I told him that everything was going to be okay and that it was Mom, but she was with the family now helping out. This made Joe chuckle.

‘She’s some woman.” He said as though he knew her well. “Sick herself and still lending a hand to a friend in need.’

“That’s my Mom… I have a feeling she’ll be spending the night there.” We walked to the office together and I cocked in.

‘Will she be okay? Doesn’t she have meds to take?’ He asked.

“She’ll be fine Leah will make sure she has everything she needs.” I realised my slip immediately. I had only given him vague details, adding in just enough small ones to discourage too many questions.

‘Oh… This is Leah’s mother then? The lady that got hurt?’ He gave me a knowing smirk. ‘The knight in shining armour routine. Why didn’t you just tell me that on the phone.’

I shook my head and laughed. “It wasn’t like that… her brother and I are close friends, he called me asking for help so I helped.”

‘So, she didn’t call you, the bother did?’ He tutted shaking his head. ‘You have so much work to do on that one, Call.’

“You’re an arsehole.” I laughed and elbowed him. “Now fuck off, it's supposed to be your night off.”

Joe finished up a few things that really could have waited until tomorrow while I started the fire check. After  checking the last door, I remembered my phone. I replied to Leah:

[𝙰𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙷𝚎'𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚍... 𝚂𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙, 𝙲𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛.]

Then I text Seth. [𝙼𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚋𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙. 𝚃𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝙹𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝙷𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍]

I had no guilt volunteering Jake’s time just like he would none volunteering mine. I would have offered up #Quil’s too if it wasn’t his night with #Bear.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The house was quiet, the light out. The windows in the living room opened by the kid because he knew the song of the spirits would help to settle me. I didn’t need to ask, or say anything. He had just gotten up, opened them and then curled back down with his jeans on my lap.

My phone flashed on the floor beside me, with Embry’s name and message. And then #TheKid’s phone buzzed next to mine with his name and message on it. Embry Call was in his way looking out for the Clearwaters.  Slowly I shifted #TheKids head off my lap, and onto a pillow under him. Slipping out of the living room, listening to the two breathing waves from upstairs.

It was the best sound I could hear. Ma, #MsC and #TheKid fast sleep.

Looking at the time I went into the kitchen looking at the pain meds for Ma, taking the ones she needed to take, and then I looked over the med bag for #MsC. Two glasses of water in a tray, the meds I went up softly waking them for them and then letting them go back to sleep.

I didn’t know how they did it, but this wasn’t the first time they had slept like this. It mostly happened when #MsC had bad nights. With Embry working night at the club, Ma would find reasons to stay over. Even if they lived close.

When I made my way back downstairs, I scented them outside in the back. Opening the back door, to walk to the back of Ma’s yard with my hands pushed into my back pocket.

To anyone looking at me they would think I was talking to the trees, but hidden in there stood a dark, ashy-brown furred wolf. And a reddish-brown patch work furred wolf.

“She is okay pups, you shouldn’t be here. Your petrol is due to the far side of the cliffs tonight.” They whimpered and I knew  why. “You can come see her tomorrow, she is asleep right now.” Theirs brown eyes moved to the top floor of Ma’s home. To her window, before they both nodded, stepping back into the woods.

•- Embry Call -•

The hours dragged by… I mean, slow nights happened but tonight I felt like I needed to be somewhere else. It was even longer. I knew that I couldn't drag her to bed with me so that she would finally sleep, so the heat and heartbeats or whatever it was when we were together could lull her into a real sleep. But even if I could just... be there... It wouldn't be suspicious. I always made myself annoyingly present when shit like this happened.

On my break a replied to a few    texts from the pups telling that had dropped by and that Leah told them Auntie Sue was okay. I replied to them all saying the best thing they could do for the Clearwaters right now was to fulfil their duties and be ready to help if they were needed.

Because I couldn't help myself I text Leah while I was sitting on the loading dock getting some sir before I had to go back inside.

[𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜?]

Then added

[𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐]

I  laughed at myself. "Way send mixed signals, Call." I swigged the last of my beer and chucked my pizza box into the dumpster nearby before heading back inside to take up my least favourite post, Joe's usual role... manning the door.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I was sat on the back porch looking up at the overcast sky when I heard his foot steps.

“Why are you awake?”

He held out my phone to me, with a small frown. ‘Why is Embry texting you this late?”

Raising my eyebrow, my chin dropped to glance at him.

“I just meant it really late.” He was back tracking now. He knew the rules. And saw walls had been coming down, but some were still up and in place. Taking my phone I opened the text and read it. Showing #TheKid the first one.

[𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜?]

“He is checking in your mom, and his mom who I kept here tonight.”

He winced as he read the message. “That is the first and last time you are seeing any messages on my phone.” My voice told him I wasn’t kidding here.

‘So—‘ cutting him off.  “If you are about to say sorry, stop. If you used your brain to think. You wouldn’t have needed to over step.” It wasn’t deflection, this was fact. No man was going to get away with talking to me that way. No even my baby brother.

“Go to sleep, I’ve got this watch.” I told him and watched him go back inside before closing my eyes and breathing. Going into my phones settings I turned off message preview before replying.

[𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚏𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚛 𝚖𝚎.]

•- Embry Call -•

The night hadn't picked up much... but considering this as the one and only nightclub in Forks and the only place open after midnight; a slow night was almost at capacity and a slight queue at the door... just to lure people in. There was room inside to let these folks in with breaking fire codes... but the line outside was a hook. And one I kept moving enough to stop people from giving up and going home.

I pulled out my phone smiling and tucked it back into my pocket. There  was a good chance #Seth was keeping a close eye on her sister, hoping for the chance that just once she might let him look after her even if all that it entailed was staying awake s she could sleep... Maybe, someday she would let the Kid have that. Or it was possible the guys who could get away like #Jay, #Sam or #Jake would stop by. If I was texting her all night, it would be a giveaway.

Plus... I knew without a doubt that even now... with everything that was happening with Everything happening between us... she still was not even a little worried about m being mad at her or not. I smiled again at the thought.

One of the turn-offs of relationships for me had always been the dependency... the idea that someone's day, week or life would hinge on whether or not another was mad at them or missing them. But Leah would never be like that, she was her own compass.

I wondered then if that was why it was so easy to talk to her... I wasn't worried  That my sadness or stress would drag her down... or talking about a good day would be seen as self-involved because she had a bad one. She just heard me out... and then if she was so inclined... shared a little something too.

I wasn't sure how long I had been lost in those thoughts, so I allowed in the next group of people. Some nights... manning the door really wasn't that bad.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

When I finally came back inside to my spot in the living room. Sitting on the flood, with my back against Ma’s couch, and with my legs outstretched. #TheKid took his place too. His head in my lap and he turned to fact me.

He used to do it when he was much younger. Hide his face in my stomach and close his eyes. Then tell me a secret or share something that had happened to him.

Now the conversation from outside, gone. My eyes in a book that I try to read. My fingers Playing with his hair. Stoking it like I did back then, not needing to think of my action until a thought came to life. I missed his hair. His long silky dark hair. He never let it grow back now. Some of the others in the pack grew theirs out a little. I had grown mine out completely. But not #TheKid.

‘Sis?’ Arms curled around a cushion as he spoke.

“Hmm?”

‘Are you alone?’

Still reading I answer “No, I’m with you.”

He sighed. ‘No. Wait. It’s not what I mean.’

“Okay.”

There was silence again for a while as I turned the page.  ‘Are you lonely?’ His voice is a soft whisper.

“No, I have you and Ma.” Turning the page again.

‘You know that’s not what I mean. I know you don’t like talking about … well…’

“Kid. Do you really want to hear about my sex life?”

He shuddered and shifted to sit up. Taking the book out of my hands. And then he sat crossed legged facing me.

‘1. No. And B. Not what I meant. People can be surrounded all their lives, with thousands of people , and still be lonely. Are you lonely?’ His light brown eyes were watching me.

“No. I’m not lonely. People are lonely when they can’t be happy with themselves. When they can’t have happiness in being… just being… I am not that kind of person. I am happiest when I am with my own thoughts. Why are you asking this?” He’d never asked me it before.

‘Just…’ he shifted his tall body to lay his head back down where it was.

•- Embry Call -•

The night went smoothly, most nights went off with a hitch, and fights weren't common. Most of the time people were thrown out for being too drunk or too wasted. Tonight, it was the usual few drunks tossed and no big hassles.

Lock-up seemed to take as long as the rest of the shift and I knew that it was because I was wondering how things were at the Clearwater's... and not just about #Sue and  Mom. I wished I knew how #Seth and #Leah was too. They had both been so shaken in very different ways.

I wasn't naive enough to fool myself that my concern for Leah wasn't any different than it would have been a few months ago. Then I would have thought she was fine, that she was rationalising everything and coping by managing the situation and being her usually responsible self. But now I knew better.

And yes, everything I would have thought then was true and sill was now, but there was more. So much more. She would be wrecked with guilt, thinking she should have been able to stop the accident, that if she had anticipated her mother's needs better maybe she wouldn't have even gone to the shed, to begin with. All of these things were outside her control... and even if I could be with Leah now, I couldn't convince her of that.

Not that I would try to... but there it was. The reason I wished I could be with her. She knew I wouldn't try and convince her not to punish herself for this... So she would voice all of it, let those thoughts run free in the world and maybe... just maybe it would make things a little bit lighter. Maybe if she lay next to me with all those sounds and scents that accompanied us being together she would sleep.

Maybe.

But I knew that wasn't an option.  I told myself she was fine... she was with #Seth and even though most people looked at him like he was one that needed taking care of... he was good at looking after others. He just wasn't afraid to need people too.

That train of thought kept m company the whole way home.

I resisted the urge to text either of the Clearwater siblings on the way inside. The house smelled like #Bear and popcorn. there was a book on the couch that I picked up and opened to the bookmarked page...

I cringed... Some dude covered in bandages getting busy on a couch... not fourteen-year-old reading material. But I could deal with that in the morning.

I grabbed a beer and a guitar and headed out to the back porch where I sat on the back step and swigged from the beer.

It was cold and dry... the clouds weren't too thick, and the house was close enough to the beach to smell the salt in the air but not quite hear the waves. Home was the sound of trees and the smell of the sea for me.

I picked up the guitar and played... for the Clearwater's, for  #Sue to heal quickly and for #Seth and #Leah to know that they weren't alone in this.

(Music: Leave A Light On - Tom Walker (Guitar arrangement) )

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The house was quite once again, with the moms fast asleep upstairs. (I knew because I never stopped listening to their breathing and hearts.) And #TheKid was now fast asleep with his head still in my lap.

Allowing myself to close my eyes after watching my baby brother for a long while, try to understand where his questioning came from tonight. But it didn’t make any sense to me. Somethings were never solved, I guessed this would be one for tonight.

They started to dance, and then they sang. The flurry of the wind came in from the windows I’d opened in the living too. And I knew without a doubt what and who had caused it. Embry was home, and he was playing.

It was something I started to notice since Seattle, the fact that their joy was connected to our joy, and their sadness was too. They had been a soft hum all day today, the sound of the spirits praying and calling for protection over Ma. But now it had changed a little. They still prayed for her, but they also danced in the spirit of the Warrior who played in his back yard without know what reaction he cased in them.

Reaching out and shooting over a text.

[Get some sleep, it’s been a long day and night for you. -L]  

•- Embry Call -•

I picked up the phone on the step beside me and chuckled at her message, she always knew.

[𝙸'𝚖 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎, �� 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞? 𝚂𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙... 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢'𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢.]

I didn't like this feeling, I felt like I needed to be there the feeling of being in the wrong place at the wrong time was undeniable.

[𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚍𝚘, 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.]

I hit send, knowing that was a message were would both need to delete too. I picked up the beer to take a swig. I knew I would have to get to bed soon... but I couldn't help but want to be next to her so I knew that she was at least trying to sleep. Part of me had no doubt that she would sleep, we both would... if we were together.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I knew when I saw my phone flash that he was still aware, even if the spirits had slowly died down outside. I also knew the need to unwind after work. I couldn’t just go home and crash. And I had learnt he was the same.

[𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖..]

The sleeping sounds from upstairs and from the kid with his head in my lap, I could tell that we were on the way out of this nightmare.

And yet Sleep still couldn’t take a hold of me When I noted the time, I knew that the moms would soon need their meds again. And then after an hour of two they would need feeding. So really, was there any point to sleeping now? I could do it later? Or at least I thought it was possible.

•- Embry Call -•

I set the guitar aside and took another mouthful of beer before I replied to her.

[𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚖'𝚜 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝, 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜. 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑...]

I paused and took a breath because I wasn't sure how to say what I wanted to say.

[𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚝, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘... 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝙸 𝚍𝚘. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜. 𝙰𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜.]

I hit send wondering if that was the right way to say what I was trying to say. I went back inside to take a quick shower... maybe it would make me feel a little more prepared for sleep... but that was when I noticed Claire wasn't there.

I knocked and Quil's door and he explained she was sleeping at Emily's... I wanted to know more but I let him go back to sleep and I could find our tomorrow.

I took the quickest shower ever.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It took a long moment for unpack the meaning behind what Embry was trying to say when I read the replies. I hadn’t known him to be someone who hadn’t the words to say how he felt, and yet here we are.

Sitting here I looked over the screen feeling the reply and then I began to form my own words.

[𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎?]

I wasn’t one to ask questions, however this path meant I couldn’t wait. I was learning to step up at times like this. Hitting send before there was time to rethink or changed my mind about this conversation. It would have been one of those we’d have shared in the bubble. But this was different.

•- Embry Call -•

Standing in my room in a towel  I read her message.. and I had absolutely no idea how to answer that question.

I pulled on a pair a boxers and climbed into bed, picking up my phone again.

[𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎... 𝙽𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝙸 𝚐𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚘. 𝙸 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐. 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞... 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖.]

I chuckled when I hit send and followed it up with...

[𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚊𝚖 𝙸 𝚔𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐? 𝙸 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗... 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊 𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎... 𝚒𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I’d made it back into the kitchen, this time a fresh pot of coffee had been put on and I was looked in the freezer as to what I could cook everyone for breakfast in a few hours.

Finding a fresh loaf of bread, I set the oven on to bake it, knowing the rest would be easy. Ma has some rolled oats soaking, bacon and eggs. Some muffins. It wouldn’t be a bad start at all.

When the texts came in, I had to lean on the counter to read them, hearing his low voice in my mind as the words registers. What could I say to that? He felt like he wasn’t where he should be? But he had to be there. #Quil and #Bear needed him. He wanted to make sure I slept. We both knew that wouldn’t happen, not here, not tonight. Not while I still felt like I failed to be there when Ma needed me.

I stood watching the screen, trying to find the words for all that I was feeling. But I couldn’t. I wished sometimes that I could put all that was in my head into letters and words. But that wasn’t who I was or would ever be.

[𝚆𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚐𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘. 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜. 𝚆𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚖 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜.]

I didn’t say anything about him wanted to see me at peace. Because what would that even look like?

•- Embry Call -•

With my headphones in and music playing I read her reply and smiled.

[𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚜. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙼𝚘𝚖 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞... 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎? 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛... 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘.]

I closed my eyes, leaving my phone on the bed next to me. I knew she would understand if I fell asleep before she replied. I turned it over and over in my head, I knew that Leah was blaming herself for all of this. #Seth... hopefully sleeping but I knew that he had not only his mother’s wellbeing on his mind... but then his worry for his sister that he had expressed to me earlier as well.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Sipping on the cup of coffee in my hand I shook my head. I knew what he had been trying to tell me. What he had openly told me. That he was here for me, that he wanted to be in the same room as me. And it was something new. That he would want that? No. But that I could see him sat across the kitchen table from me right now. Yes.

And that realisation was….

‘Sis? Did you sleep at all?’ #Seth came out of the living room, with his heavy feet padding on the wooden floor. He made a point to walk in Ma’s house with heavy footing so that she could hear him coming. ‘Why are you cooking breakfast. You know after the day we all had yesterday there is no way the moms will be up at the crack of dawn.’

I pocketed my phone before turning to look at him stood in the door. “Just wanted something to do.” I told him as he came to still beside me, taking my cup of coffee and drinking from it.

‘I know you won’t believe me. But you need to sleep too. come on.’ Setting the cup down he curled his fingers around mine standing and making me follow him to the couch. ‘You sleep, I will take the next watch. I will give them their meds when they wake up and I will keep my ears on them at all times.’

Setting me down, he pulled the throw over my legs and kissed my forehead. ‘Please. Sleep.’

Giving his hand a squeeze, I turned to free my hair from under myself before curling my legs to fit on Ma’s couch. Thinking of Embry’s words.

‘𝙸'𝚖 not 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛... 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘.’

Taking my phone out I sent a quick short message hoping he will see it in the morning after he had slept.

[If only you knew what having your close by has done for me.]

•- Embry Call -•

My alarm blared... well... not really because my phone was permanently on vibrate. But my head ached from the lack of sleep, so the buzzing was the most irritating noise I had ever heard right now.

My phone was still next to me, I lifted it and cancelled the alarm. Snooze was never something I needed; it was one of those things that people found shocking about me... they assumed my laid-back approach to life meant I liked to stay in bed. But I was a morning person.

I read  her text and smiled. Because I could imagine... If it was even half of what she did for me? Well... that would be something for sure.

I knew it was true and knew that it wasn't easy for her to say even that much. I knew she could never ask me to be there for her... but maybe that was exactly why the ancestor steered our paths this way. I never needed to be asked or invited, I was really good at just showing up anyway.

[𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝... 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔... 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎? 𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊 𝚋𝚊𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛... 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚗𝚊𝚙.]

My patrol would be finished at about that time and I could spend a few hours with her if she could ta herself away... but this was Leah. The chances of her putting her needs first were slim. But I would just keep trying.

I got up and headed out to the main room of the house... it was only when I saw #Quil, up and dressed that I realised the house smelled of coffee and  bacon.

I looked around the room... "What the hell? What's wrong? Why are you up?" It was normally my waking him up... but breakfast was a bowl of cereal... not... I followed the smell. It was making my stomach growl.

'Littlesea dropped off breakfast... he figured we all had a day yesterday.' #Quil stuffed his face with a sausage. 'Damn that pup can cook!'

I laughed. It was true. But was a greasy fry-up... not his usual healthy version. "He's a great kid... I never even heard his truck."

'He walked up from down the road; he didn't want to wake you up because you had been working.' #Quil explained.

"Of course, he did." I laughed and made myself a plate from the food wrapped in tin foil on the counter.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound of the truck wasn’t new to my ear. I knew that sound anywhere. #TheKid was walking towards the front of the house before the wheel had turned into Ma’s drive way.

‘Did I wake you?’ the soft voice whispered.

‘No, not at all. I was just in the shower.’ The scent of soup was in the air. Not that #TheKid would lie.

‘Good, I made you all some breakfast. I wanted to make sure you all had some down time this morning.

#TheKid laughed. ‘Sis made breakfast at the crack of dawn. But you know we will never say no to your food Pup. Come on in.’

I sat up on the couch, pulling my hair up into a messy bun before standing and stretching my body out.

‘Good morning, Leah, did you sleep at all?’ #Collin smiled from the living room door.

“Is that your way of saying I look bad?” I asked narrowing my eyes at him.

‘Uhm… no… n… No… not at all…’ his face and ears were turning red.

“So, now you are checking me out while you are standing in my Ma’s house?”

‘NO! NO… I promise you….’ The pup moved from foot to foot pulling on the collar of his shirt.

‘Sis, would you stop messing with the pup. He brought us all food.’ #Seth placed a protective arm around the pups shoulder and squeezed him. ‘She’s always in a bad mood when she doesn’t sleep. It’s why I put her to sleep.’

The pup’s eyes moved from my brother and then to me and back again. ‘I should go.’

“No... No, you shouldn’t. get your arse in the kitchen and eat some breakfast with us, and then I promised you, and Fuller that you could see Ma today.” Looking out at the street and the other Pup made his way up the path. “Speaking of.”

Letting the boys set up breakfast I went to brush my teeth and clean up, seeing the missed text from this morning from Embry. I knew he was right, but I also knew myself. And I wasn’t going to be able to leave Ma, not while she was hurting.

[I can’t make promises I have no plans to keep. I know I should, but I can’t leave her like this.]

•- Embry Call -•

#Quil and I ate, and I had the mid-morning run. For #Quil, it was time with his imprint, and I would probably go to see Mom for a while before I spent a little with Bear too... before she had to go home.

I waited for #Quil to go to the bathroom before I took out my phone and smiled at my phone.

[𝙸 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍. 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎... 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗, 𝚘𝚛 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗��𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍. 𝙶𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚖 𝚊 𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚙. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚂𝚞𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚏𝚊𝚋𝚞𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎.]

I felt the need for a  Shower... but i didn’t see the point.  would just grab one at Jake's after my patrol and save myself a trip home.

I finished eating and washed the dishes. by the time #Quil was done in the shower, we made short work of tidying up and putting the leftover food in the fridge. There was enough left for both of us to get a decent dinner. That young pup always planned ahead.

"I'll tell Mom and Sue you said hello." I told #Quil before we got into separate vehicles.

'You  know there's no way Claire will leave with seeing Sue and Momma T... tell them we'll drop by for a visit. We won't stay long so they can get their rest.'

I just smiled and promised I would before I pulled out.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The Mom’s both awoke to a house full of worried people. I helped Ma to shower and change before #TheKidd carried her down the stairs. ‘It’s my arm not my feet that is damaged.’ Ma said still not quite herself yet.

‘I don’t care, I’m carrying down and that’s that.’ He laughed.

Then came a soft laughter of #MsC and her giggles. ‘Put me down young man.’ Someone had taken a hold of her too?

‘Nope, you are both being carried like the goodness of the Rez.’ #Brady was following the lead of #TheKid.

‘You’re listening to what’s happening inside.’ #Sam was beside me holding the door of the shed open. While I checked over everything that was in there. All the tools were backed away safely, and it was clean in here, however still Ma had injured herself.

“I like to keep an ear out.” #Sam stepping in to grab some clippers and move them to their rightful place.

‘Yeah, I know. But no sleep, thinking it’s all on your shoulders, not asking for help. Leah it’s all going to come to a head.’ Turning my head as my hands reset my Da’s tool box.

“And yet here you all are. At the hospital, now, so do I need to ask for help?” His wife could be seen from the kitchen window, the sound of laughter coming from the house that had too many people in there which was why I made myself useful out here.

‘And you’re out here hiding from them all.’ #Sam finished off.

“I don’t hide. Just…” he shook his head as I spoke.

‘Sure, sure. You came out here to investigate, how Sue was hurt, and how it can never happen again. Things happen Leah, we can’t watch over them all the time.’ There was some truth in his words, I knew it. But some part of me still couldn’t let go. ‘Come on, Emily brought some food with her. And the Pup did well with the food he brought too. We should show them some love by eating it.’

I threw a car wash sponge at his head. ‘Hey, I know you can eat too.’ of course he caught it.

“How about you get your arse in the kitchen and let you wife sit down.” Snapping my teeth at him that just made him laugh.

‘Have you forgotten I’m banned from ever going close to her or anyone’s kitchen?’ He was laughing.

“Stop blowing up the toasters and they will let you back in.”

‘Leah, Sam. Come in lunch is ready.’ Emily opened the door and called out. We both looked to the house, knowing that Emily had only done that because #MsC was there.

#Sam rushed off inside giving me a moment of alone time. Stepping back my eyes evaluated the changed I’d made in here. Bringing tools Ma was likely to come looking for lower and to the front, meaning she wouldn’t have to go hunting.

When I finally read the message Embry sent I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead, making my way inside. I watched the people inside trying to make space and still over taking the kitchen. It was an extended family that was all here to help look out for my Ma.

Walking around Emily and Sam, I went to wash my hands  before Kissing Ma and then MsC on the head and sitting down to my bowl of soup and grilled cheese. “Your son has been checking in all night. He thinks I’d have you out all night dancing by the way he has been acting.”

‘He is a good boy.’ She spoke smiling. ‘And he knows you would take good care of me.’ Squeezing my arm.

‘Speaking of.’ #Emily held out two bags making my frown. ‘You and Seth need to go home, we have the day shift covered.’ I shook my head. ‘Leah, trust in us.’ she added giving Seth his bag. ‘Take your sister with you. I will call if anything changes of if we need you. But as much as I know you will say you don’t need to sleep. You do.’

“When did you become so forceful?” I asked my cousin.

‘The day she gave birth.’ #Sam replied earning himself a slap from his wife. ‘Hey! You know it’s true, beautiful. He kissed her cheek and then went to sit beside #MsC.

#MsC watched every moment between us as she took it all in, her hand reached out and she stroked #Sam’s cheek gently like a mother. ‘You are so luck to have such a beautiful wife who loves you so much. Make sure you never take a moment with her for granted.’ She smiled that warm smile that the Calls kept for those they cared for.

‘I promise Mama T, I will never do that. Ever.’ He kissed her forehead placing an arm around her shoulder to keep her close. He had noticed the same shiver that I had, and he knew too, that #TiffenyCall did like to be ‘handled’ due to her illness.

‘Time to got Leah.’ #Emily told me. ‘I have an over night bag and #Seth has remade his bed for me. I’ll be here.’ Because she knew that I would say that she should be taking it easy and resting too. ‘The ladies and I will be going up for a nap soon anyway, and then we have some shop talk to do.’ Winking at the two Moms who nodded their heads in unison.

“Why do I feel like it’s a conspiracy going on here?” I asked crossing my arms looking between them all.

In the end it was Ma and #MsC who had told us to go rest, and not to worry. I knew MsC was here to help her friend and sister. But it didn’t feel right to leave them. And in that moment, I understood now what Embry had been feeling last night. Feeling like you are in the wrong place… it was a strange sentiment.

•- Embry Call -•

When I arrived at the Black’s house to pass off Mom’s beeper to Billy for my run… once I arrived, I had been questioned about where I hadn’t swapped my run after the day I’d had yesterday. “The pups need their day to see that #Sue is okay. And I know the young ones really wanted the check on Seth too.” I said right as a message came into the group chat. #CollinLittlesea sent a picture of #BradyFuller and Seth on the stairs,  fireman-carrying #Sue and my mom down the stairs. I  laughed and showed #Billy.

‘Wow… They are really hunkering down over there.’ He chuckled.

I replied saying: [Tell Fuller to stop flirting with my mother!]

A reply from another pup not at the Clearwater house shot in.

[He always had a thing for older women! Better watch out Call!]

The exhaustion I was feeling left my body when I made it to the small grove behind the Black's house. My wolf lurched into being and brought with him an abundance of energy. As soon as the  other's minds linked with mine that were asking what was happening and how #Sue as I blocked out the conversation, I had with Leah that night by showing them all the image of the moms getting the royal treatment.

"They're okay, Sue has recovery ahead of her, but she'll be well looked after." I assured them all, and I got them all back on track. We had a job to do and #Sue would not be impressed if we didn't do it to the best of our abilities.

Today that was the only motivator  I needed to get them on track today.

After my run, I showered at Billy's place, and read through the conversation that had occurred in the group chat in my absence. Laughing at the back-and-forth banter about who I was going to thump for flirting with my mother.

Instead of replying to them, I text Leah.

[Finished my run... is everyone still at your Mom's place?]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Standing under the water I closed my eyes. Visions of my Ma in the hospital flashed on a loop. The scent of her blood remained in my nose, the memory of the way I found her made my heart stop. “I should have been there.” I told myself.

Keeping my hands flat pushed against the wall was the only way to keep the younger Leah from breaking out.

‘No, you need to understand that accidents happen. You where there when you were meant to be.’ My wolf spoke to me softly, trying to talk me down from the ledge I’d been climbing onto.

By the time I was done, with a towel wrapped around my steaming body, another in my hands drying my hair. I stepped out of the bathroom, walking my way back into my bedroom. The sound of my phone going off brought me to the phone charging on the side.

I hadn’t replied to his last text, knowing he would be on his run and his phone wouldn’t have been with him.

[How was the run? Do they need me out there? I can take the next run. No, no one is there. Emily kicked everyone out. She wanted the moms to rest.]

Hitting send, I went to stand before my closet. Thinking, maybe I should head out for a run? The others had picked up my slack, and I hated it..

•- Embry Call -•

I stole a razor from under the sink and shaved… I notice that my hair was at that awkward length where I either needed to cut it or deal with it falling into my face for another few weeks. I swept it back off of my face while it was wet and pretended as if it might just stay there after it dried. It wasn’t going to happen.

I read Leah's message and shook my head. “Of course, she did.” I chuckled to myself quietly. I had really wanted to see Mom before work today… but I still had an afternoon to kill before my shift. I could let the moms have a nap and see them later… I was sure they had to be exhausted.

[They’re in good hands… Wait? Does that mean she managed to kick you out too?]

I sent back… not really believing it. She had to have meant that she kicked everyone else out and not her too. I mean… #EmilyUley was a formidable woman, but would she really have talked Leah out of her mother’s house? Even if it was for her own good. I made my way out to the kitchen and poured myself a coffee.

‘I thought you would be racing off to see your mom.’ Billy said from behind a copy of The Talking Raven.

“Apparently, she has been sequestered away by Emily.” I chuckled and took a sip. “I’ll wait a while; I’m sure I’ll get a chance to see her before my shift starts.”

‘Yes, yes…. Working late nights is no problem for the young and energetic.’ Then he examined me. “Although… you aren’t looking particularly energetic right now.’ He added.

“I didn’t sleep great… fretting about Sue, she was still really pale last time I saw her.” I admitted, and it was true… but Leah and Seth had been on my mind too.

‘You should have just stayed there last night. Sleeping on a floor is a better night's rest than tossing and turning in a bed.’ He folded one corner of the tribal publication.

“I’m not so sure Leah would have stood for that… It was a miracle Seth talked his way into staying.” I chuckled.

‘Ah… yes. Leah… I find with that one… sometimes. Asking for permission isn’t nearly as effective as just doing what it is you feel you need to.’ He smiled.

“Well… not all of us are her elders.” I smiled back.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my eyes when his message flashed up onto the screen.

[Have you tried to flight a prego woman? Add to it when she is an imprint of an Alpha who is taking her side, and she has both the moms emotionally blackmailing too? I know Em will take care of the moms. And if by leaving for a few hours it given them three a sense of peace of mind. I will do it. -L]

Just how stubborn did he think I was exactly? Sure, I was hard headed and sure it was kind of killing me not hearing the beating heart of my Ma, however I could respect someone’s need for space. And their need to feel like they are achieving something too. And both the moms where so alike in some ways. Ms T wanted to feel like she was helping, and I know E would be there to keep things in check.  

I found myself standing in the kitchen as my mind worried over everything I need to do to pay back the time all the others have put in to pick up after the Kid and I. Both in the pack and with the bar. Turning in a full circle I ended up filling a glass of water to take over to the couch. Could I eat? Yeah of course, but I wasn’t feeling the pull towards cooking. So, grabbing a banana I ate it disgracing the peel before sitting now and hitting play on my phone. Something needed to calm the uncertainty I could feel building,

A small smirk escaped my lips when I heard the song the shuffle gods had picked for me. “Of course.”

(Music: Sam Hunt – Outskirts)

Lifting my feet up off the floor I shifted my butt, laying down outstretched on the couch, listening to the music, the words, with my eyes closed and my arm dawned over my eyes to close them with a little darkness.

•- Embry Call -•

I sipped my coffee and read her reply… once… twice… three times. ‘You know I’ve found that no matter many times you read something the words never change.' #Billy raised his cup to me.

I smirked. "No... but our understanding of them can."

He gave me that look like I had exceeded his expectation and laughed. 'Touche, my boy. Touche.'

I took another big gulp of the coffee and then stood up pouring the end of the cup into the sink and and setting it on the side.

'So, now you're in a rush?' #Billy chuckled. 'Where are you off to?'

"Somewhere else I don't have permission to be." I grinned at him. "Mind if I leave the Jeep here for a while?"

'You should... even my old ears can hear that old girl coming a mile away.' #Billy picked up his paper again.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Uncle." I called to him already heading down the hallway to the front door. I heard the floorboards squeak as he wheeled himself to the kitchen door.

'It's been a long  time since called me that, Embry.' He said with a small tremble in his voice. I knew why... but the second the word slipped out; I had felt a catch in my own throat.

"Far too long." I smiled back at him.

'Let's not leave it so long next time, shall we?' The chief nodded.

"You got it." I tried to hold back a smile.

'Get outta here will you... I'm a busy man.' He showed me with his paper, and I laughed. Head ing out and making my way where I wanted to be.

The walk from here was a little longer, but with music in my years but really it was just five songs. I smiled, my mother often measured time in song lengths.

But there it was... five songs later and I was knocking on Leah Clearwater's door.

And instantly remembered I hadn't texted her back. "Damn it!" I laughed at myself and pulled out my phone to turn off my music.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I must have drifted off to sleep, not sure how long had passed when the spirits came to life and began to sing, they kissed my skin with the air with a scent of….

“Embry?”

His name slipped from my lips, as Brothers Osborne’s were singing Stay a Little Longer now. 

But it was the spirits I honed in on. They were talking about him, and his scent hit my sleepily mind, making me wake up with a shock Reaching out I checked my phone, there were no messages or missed calls on it.

I heard the sound of his footsteps, the whisper of his music. Making me Jump up from the couch, I was across the living room and up the small hallway to the door just as his knocked.

The door hadn’t even fully opened when I asked.

“What happened? Are the Mom’s, okay?”

Only then did I notice the smile on his lips. He was smiling? That had to mean they were fine, right?

My eyes moved past him to the street, but there was no jeep, no bike, no one else.

“What’s going on?” Asking with confusion in my eyes.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and rolled my eyes at her. "Every once in a while, they sneak up on me before I get my shoes on to run."

I smiled when she invited me in... even if it was to stop her neighbours peeking out their windows. "Oh, I know you 𝕔𝕒𝕟 look after yourself, Leah." I said and slipped out of my boots next to the front door before I followed her.

"I just also know you won't when you feel like someone else needs you."

I stood next to her at the fridge. "Hey... you don't need to be a hostess right now. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Are you okay?"

(Music: Dean Lewis – A Place We Knew )

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Freezing with my fingers curled around the handle of a jug, the other resting on the door of the fridge. Times like this the need and want to lie was strong in me, but it didn’t happen often as people never questioned me so directly. Except for Embry, of course.

Continuing to pull the jug out I closed the door holding it up. “The Goofball came with some stuff. And Em sent me off with this.” The red liquid looked vibrant and delicious. “Watermelon juice.”

Moving to take our two glasses, I poured thinking of how to answer his question.

‘Are you okay?’

“No…” finally saying it I set the jar down and flattened my hands on the top of the kitchen counter. Shaking my head slowly from side to side. “I’m not okay… but I will be… I….”

The waterfall of emotions that I had been bottled up were pushed at me and I pushed back.

•- Embry Call -•

I breathed a sigh of relief when she said she wasn’t okay. I know that might seem callous but when it came to Leah, it was a good thing that she was admitting her feelings. It was the better option than bottling them up like she normally did. I watched the way she braced herself on the counter and I stepped up behind her; wrapping one arm around her. The other slid slowly down her arm. “I know.” I whispered, leaning my cheek against the side of her head. My fingers brushed over the back of her hand, and her fingers, waiting for her to release the tension in her hands and let it all out.

“I’m not okay either, I hardly ever remember seeing #Sue look tired. Seeing her in that bed was…” I shook my head. Closing my eyes, trying to push away the image.  “I know what that’s like… and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel that.”

I kissed her temple, still holding onto her from behind. “Don’t hide from it, Leah. Just for a moment… fall into the feeling. I’ll catch you.” Then I whispered too softly in her ear. “I’m here, I’ve got you."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Of course, if anyone understood everything fighting inside of me right now it was Embry. With everything his mom and he were fighting in a daily battle, the good days and the bad ones. The hospital visits and the dialysis… And I couldn’t hold it together with this?

My hands fisted so tight that my nails bit into my palms. But I didn’t flinch or stop myself.

I closed my eyes when I felt his support, his touch and then his words. Because they really mean something to me. To have someone who understood the importance of the relationship between my mom and I, because he had the same with his own mom.

“It… it’s not easy to do that. It feels too vulnerable.” Once again, I was being honest with him and myself. I wasn’t used to showing this side of me. Showing how lost I felt… this was new that he was able to witness it.

I’ll catch you…

I’m Here…

I’ve got you…

All words… word that had no emphasis on my life… Before Embry Call.

Now….

Now I leant back into his hold. I swallowed back the emotions still trying to free themselves. I stood in his arms.

“I shouldn’t be this way… not when you deal with so much more everyday...” but he felt it too. “She… they... they’re so fragile Embry... both of them… Billy too… Spirits… I can’t…”

•- Embry Call -•

“I know it does,” I whispered. I forced my finger between hers when she clenched her fists. Finding the other hand too and doing the same. She might dig her fingernails into her own skin, but she wouldn't do it to me, or anyone else. Even if that person would heal in moments.

I kept hold of her hands wrapping my arms around her and her own as well. “But there's some vulnerability that no one ever tells you.” I kissed her hair again,    feeling her lean back into me. “Without it there is no such thing as bravery. So be brave, for your mom.”

I flashed  back to moments ago, the look on Billy’s face when I called him Uncle. #Sue, smiling though all her pain. Mom, curled up on the couch with one of her fevers. #Harry… already lost to next world. She was right they were. And we couldn’t ignore that fact. “I know, I know they are. And you can, Leah. Let me show you how.” I let it hit me then all at once, and let the tears come. Squeezing her hands, a little.

“Everybody is safe, recovering… taken care of. Now we can cry… or scream or hit things, we can be afraid. We can’t hide from it or bottle it up because they still need us. And holding it in eats away at us. We can’t afford that because we need to be strong when they need us again.” I took a long shuddering breath. All those faces in my mind. “They did it for us all our lives, now we do it for them. We hold it in… until the right time. Then we let out all that pain.”

(Music: Save Me · Noah Kahan)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hands unclenched the second he placed his in them. I wouldn’t… I couldn’t bring harm to him. My heart stopped and didn’t start for a few best while I pushed harder and hard while he told me off this ledge, I had brought myself too.

Until now I could have drowned myself in something, work, dealing with the pack, or the imprints, or even fixing my baby until I could stop thinking of whatever it was, I wasn’t ready to face.

But Embry was making me face it, here and now There was no hiding when you were being told you aren’t alone.

My breath caught in my throat, thinking of times when I looked up to the strength of my elders, and then came a day when I passed them. I… we…. Now were  the stronger ones…

I closed my eyes trying to fill my lungs with air, but then I heard the crack in his voice, and it broke me. His hands held me to him, his body curled around me. But he was crying… and my stone heart broke.

“We’ve got this…” the tears Came at last, flowing down my cheeks. The harder I tried the more they fell.

I turned myself around in his arms. I didn’t tell him it will all be okay; I didn’t wipe his tears away. I hugged myself to him, my forehead touching his and I let it all flow free with him, because he was right... this was our time… our time to be there for our elders.

•- Embry Call -•

I felt the tension leaving her hands as the subtle message sank in through touch alone. She was leaning into feelings and not letting them burn away beneath the surface and bearing them all alone.

She was leaning in and opening up and allowing the pain of the last two days to be felt. I unlaced our fingers as she spun inside of my arms, resting my forehead against hers. “We’ve got this.” I returned the sentiment that meant so much to both of us. I didn’t expect tears or sobs… even if anyone else in her position would be fully allowed the scream, cry… whatever it took. Spirits know I did when they put my mother on the transplant list. But she wasn’t me… and she didn’t need to feel in any way other than what came naturally.

“I’ve got you.” I whispered. “And that means all of it… all of this. Your mom… #Seth.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek and closed my eyes. “All of you. I’ll take it all exactly as you are.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Closing my eyes I let the time pass. Allowing his words to sink in, because here in my kitchen, a place where many people left me to be. Embry Call pushed in at first, then he became comfortable, and now I looked forward to seeing him on my doorstep.

But now… crap! By the Spirits I had to let my wolf listen and replay his words again and again..

‘I’ve got you. And that means all of it… all of this. Your mom… Seth. All of you. I’ll take it all exactly as you are.’

It wasn’t that I needed anyone to hold me or my family together. It wasn’t that I wanted anyone else to be around to hold the walls up. It was the fact that he said it knowing me. Knowing that it came straight from the depths of his heart.

‘I’ll take it all exactly as you are.’

Exactly… as… you… are…! He didn’t want to change me, to adapt me. His lips felt warm on my cheek. Making my arms close tighter around his shoulders.

The words Thank You, seemed underwhelming. Saying anything in this moment felt wrong. I didn’t have words; I very rarely did. But I knew he understood me. Even if at times, the words helped.

So I moved my head to rest on his shoulders, my arms moved around his waist and I held him. Not hiding, not holding back, trying to tell him, his offer was understood, and I was grateful for him choosing to be here when he could be anywhere else.

•- Embry Call -•

I stood there with her, silently. Holding onto her, and her holding onto me. I didn’t say anything else, there was nothing else that was needed. For years and years Leah had been left alone in this kind of pain, I wasn’t about to let that happen again not for as long as she wanted me here. And from the way she lay her head on my shoulder and hugged me close… Then I was all in.

If she didn’t want this, I would ensure that she knew I was and let her feel this in her own way. We stood there for several long moments, my fingers painting circles on her back where they rested, these tiny things were what helped me be still in moments like this. But, with Leah… the unease and restlessness never seemed to build. She helped me feel at ease in silence and stillness.

I finally lifted one hand to her cheek, and tilted her face to mine, pressing a kiss to her forehead before I took her hand from around my waist and laced my fingers between hers, leading her out of the kitchen and into the hallway towards her bedroom. As we walked, I set a two-hour timer on my phone and when I sat her down on the bed, I showed it to her before I set on her bedside table.

l Lifted her legs up onto the bed and sat next to her, still never uttering a word…. I really was learning from her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Time seemed to still, the hum of the spirits growing silent while I stood in his arms. The tension in my body slowly easing to the point I stopped clenching my jaw.

There were still spurts of anger at myself. I knew mentally how wrong it was to think I could have stopped my Ma from hurting herself by doing someone as simple as wanting to put up a new picture on the wall. I knew that telling her what to do, wasn’t an option. Spirits, I was her daughter! But still… When my feet began to follow, my mind still felt full of a whirlwind of thoughts. All trying to push out at once. But his kiss silenced them.

He had learnt my language, the one were words said nothing but your action screamed from the rooftops.

I could have pulled my hand free, stopped walking, shook my head to say “No I can’t.” But I trusted him. I trusted him enough to give him this. When my head rested on the pillow, I turned towards the side table. My eyes on the phone sat on top of it. The two hours on the clock giving me the permission and knowledge that this sleep wouldn’t take me away from my responsibilities. And yet my eyes still wouldn’t close.

In that moment the energy in the room changed and I heard the voice whispering.

‘Galvdi Ayoli, Uha Gohiyudi Nasgi asgaya.’ (Sleep child, have faith in him.)

But I did, I had faith in him. It was why I lay my head to rest. Reaching out I placed my hand on his lap. Just a small touch. My way to say, “thank you.” As my eyes closed finally.

•- Embry Call -•

I hadn’t actually believed that she would surrender and rest, but I had hoped. And the worst-case scenario… she knew that I tried… I cared, and she would do whatever she was going to regardless. 

But with next to no objection, she was laying down, I brushed my fingers over her cheek. It was strange, being here like this… tucking her in as I reached for the blanket at the foot of her bed and pulled it up to her shoulder. She didn’t need it… none of us did, but it was a comfort, a human desire that never seemed to fade.

But the strangeness of looking after her was a welcome one… even if I wasn’t naive enough to believe she needed me to. She was more than capable of looking after herself, it was the trust she was putting in me more than anything that made that new kind of warmth spread across my chest.

I pulled my legs up and lay down next to her, resting my hand on her cheek and pressing a kiss to her forehead. Watching the features of her face relax, slowly. I listened to her heart as it became steady, and her breath grow softer. 

One more kiss to her forehead, telling her I was here… and there was no where else I would rather be right now.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Sleep… for the world the meaning was simple; 

‘A condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the eyes are closed, the postural muscles relaxed, the activity of the brain altered, and consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended.’

A place where the; 

‘Consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended.’

And at this time is when a person, dreams or has nightmares. When their body rests l, and their mind takes the time to process the events of the day. 

It wasn’t the same for me. 

I didn’t dream, my nightmares came to life in the waking world. My body rested sure, but my mind never stilled as it traveled the night with the spirits. Learning and listening to the lessons of our ancestors, and that of #TheGreatWolf himself. 

Only a handful of times do I recall being able to wake with the knowledge that I had dreamt in the night, I could count them on one hand. And now, the spirits were allowing it again. 

They eased me into a sleep, with the touch of the man who I cared for keeping watch over me. 

My heart began to beat out of rhythm as the images of the day flashed through. How it all had started, where it had gone, and then the deep brown earthy eyes that looked down at me before I closed mine to drift. 

Each vision told its own truth, the fact that destiny was defined before the act even took place. 

That I had lost faith in those who had sworn to protect the peoples of our land. Of which my Ma was one. That when I was told her time hadn’t come, I had still taken on the guilt of what had happened. And that no matter what they said, they knew that this part of me wasn’t going to change. 

‘The path of a great warrior is not and easy one. Making a mistake is not what holds you back. It’s not learning and repeating the same mistake over again that does.’ Their voices sang to me. 

The cold darkness I came to expect from my heart when sleep came had now been replaced with warmth, light, and a touch that told me ‘I’ve got you.’ In which I knew my faith was unconditional. 

Not sure how much time had passed; my eyes slowly began opening as sleep let its fingers uncurl from around my body. I didn’t speak, I didn’t move, I just slowly opened my eyes feeling the heat radiating into my side. And I knew he hadn’t left me. He had stayed with me. 

= The End =

[not-that-dillinger]

The next thing Ed knew, he was back in the dusty old arcade basement with Flynn. Thankfully, the older user remained knocked out long enough for Ed to drag him up to the Arcade's loft apartment, and drop him on the bedroom floor. (Back pain from sleeping on the floor was the least of what Flynn deserved, and Ed was too exhausted to try to lift him onto the bed, anyway.)

He returned to the basement, made sure to save everything that was running, and shut down the computer. Then he took apart the computer and removed the hard drive. That was the only thing he needed.

Getting the laser unplugged was an ordeal. As guessed, it was not just a standard outlet, and if Ed had to guess Flynn did all the rewiring on the laser. It was a nightmare.

Ed had to walk back to Encom to get his car (because carrying a laser through the streets of LA was not suspicious at all). He carefully loaded the laser into his car, then unlocked Flynn's bedroom door, and left. That monster had thankfully still been asleep through the entire process.

It took a week for Ed to get everything set up. The computer was the easy part: Ed new where to get quality parts to make the new computer, and hand picked the best of the best to house the Grid, and built the computer himself. He even got a larger solid state hard drive that he would eventually move the Grid onto, although not until he and Clu could plan how that move would should work so not to overwhelm everyone.

Ed kept the hard drive with him until everything else was set up, keeping it tucked away inside his brief case, worried about Flynn remembering and trying to take the hard-drive from him.

Getting an electrician to redo the wiring so Ed had the right electrical connection for the laser was the harder part, and the reason why getting everything set up took so long, but by the end of the week, Ed's house had been completely rewired, and the laser installed in his office.

In the mean time, life continued like normal, but Ed spent the week on edge and waiting to hear about Flynn's return to public, or if he would try to retake the company, until he heard on the news that Flynn had been hospitalized for unknown reasons (likely due to the twenty years of missing memories; it wouldn't hold him long, but Ed was relieved to have a little bit of time. Finding someone to forge an expired passport took a while, but by the end of the week, Ed had that in the works as well. With luck, by the time Flynn was out of the hospital, the evidence would be planted and Flynn would quickly be on a wild goose chase that would last a long time.

Finally, on a Saturday, Ed sat down at the new computer on his desk, carefully not thinking about the laser behind him. He installed the hard drive, and plugged in the computer. He sighed with relief when it booted without issue. The first thing he did was connect the computer to his land line so Clu could contact him while he was gone, and then another method of contacting him through the terminal, which he used to send Clu a quick update, and let him know the plan worked.

Then he isolated the programs Dyson and Pavel, putting them in an empty sector of the drive and behind so many firewalls they would never escape. Ed didn't know what Clu wanted to do about them, so he would wait until they could discuss before he did anything irreversible. He would also have to talk to Clu about how to locate the rest of the Occupation and clean up their mess on the Grid.

Next he calibrated the laser, and set the rez-in point to Clu's hideout, sending the Administrator a heads up so he wouldn't be alarmed when Ed randomly appeared. It wasn't going to be it's permanent location, but for now seemed safest. They could find a more permanent location for the rez-in location and portal once everything was taken care of. The portal would be nearby in the outlands, but would not slight up until Ed activated it from inside—another change Ed made: granting himself the ability to activate the portal from inside the Grid. Ed was not going to accidentally get trapped on the Grid, because he was not an idiot.

Once everything was set up, he contacted Clu one last time, and on confirmation that it was okay to visit, activated the laser.

send 🫂 to hold my muse while they have a panic attack.

(Found this in your archive and figured this is something my Clu might be pretty good at.)

The voicemail had been slowly gnawing a hole in Ed's mind all week, begging to be opened. The number was a dead giveaway he should have deleted it without listening to it the moment he got it, but of course he didn't. He hadn't seen that number in a decade, or heard the voice of it's owner in just as long, but he still knew it like the back of his hand.

His father's number.

It had come at the worst of times, when he and his team should have been focusing on finalizing the software for the deadline that Friday, except he couldn't stop thinking about the voicemail, couldn't focus on anything, and the rest of his team decided the week of a critical deadline was a good week to start infighting again.

He finally opened it that morning—Friday morning—resigned that he wasn't going to get anything done until he found out it was nothing or spent the day panicking over whatever his father decided was important enough to break a restraining order for.

Except that before he could process what had been said, Mackey showed up at his office demanding updates that Ed didn't have, and the vague threat that he'd "better have something ready to show the board tonight."

By some miracle, they had something to show the board by that evening, even if it was still full of bugs and nothing near where Ed would have liked.

By what could only have been cosmic irony, Ed didn't get a chance to show the board their software. Despite that, the meeting went about as well as Ed expected it to if he had, in the sense that he'd fallen through the thin ice he never seemed to be able to get off of.

He went for a walk after the meeting, knowing that going home was a bad idea, but not having anywhere else to go. He found himself at the old arcade, staring at it from across the street. It took him a moment to realize the door was open. A likely harmless mystery was as good a distraction as any, so he crossed the street, and slipped inside.

It didn't take him long to find Flynn's secret basement lab, or for him to find himself inside the computer (because that was absolutely Dr. Baines's digitization laser he'd shot himself with).

It didn't take them long to find him.

They took his clothes, then his glasses, and forced him in a skin-tight glowing suit.

Then they forced him into a cell with a view of... from what he could barely make out with his blurry vision, and what he could hear of the announcer over the sound of muffled screams from down the hall, were some sort of cyberpunk gladiatorial games. He had no idea if he would take the place of the person screaming down the hall, or one of the contestants, and would have preferred not to find out, but his brain finally decided that processing Father's voicemail and the fallout of the catastrophic board meeting was the better distraction from his current predicament.

He crumpled to the floor in a corner, feeling like someone was standing on his chest, his entire body shaking, and unable to draw breath into his lungs.

It took him a moment to process the sensation of strong arms around his waist, and his body cushioned in someone's lap.

He hadn't realized he wasn't alone in the cell. Had he been able to think clearly, he might have wondered if the stranger was there when they threw Ed in, or if they threw the stranger into the cell while Ed was panicking.

[tangerinenotions95]

So Much For Normal - A Seth Clearwater FanFic (Chapter 3)

Chapter 4

I clung on to my best friend as she pulled me through the throng of people filling every inch of her large home, I guess I wasn't the only one who was curious about the Cullens. I looked around and recognised most people from school, there were some that looked like Renesmee which I took a guess where more family members. I spotted Jacob over the crowd surrounded by more guys like him, I only knew Quil and Embry.

"Your parents seem nice" I told Ness once we had finally come to a stop in front of the food table, what can I say, the girl knows me.

"Yeah they're great" She agreed smiling, "You know this whole party idea isn't as bad as I thought it would be" SHe admitted causing me to grin, "I knew you would have fun". 

After meeting up with Casey, Rachel and Mara who I eventually managed to drag onto the dance floor. We were having loads of fun and letting loose.

"I'll be right back" Ness shouted to me over the loud music, I nodded and she walked away in the direction of Jacob. He wrapped his arm around her while she talked to the rest of, who I assume are friends of Jake and he never took his eyes off of her for a second.

Casey then whispered in my ear, "I don't blame you for staring, there are some strong genes floating around the rez" he giggled. I punched him playfully and we laughed and continued dancing.

After a while I thought I heard my name, I looked over and saw Ness frantically waving me over to her. I pushed my way out of the crowded dancing bodies and walked over to her.

"You called your highness" I said doing a fake bow. She rolled her eyes and laughed and the others in the group joined her.

"Hey Y/N"

"Hi Jake" I smiled back at him.

"Y/N, I wanted to introduce you to the pa..I erm mean Jakes friends. You already know Quil and Embry".

"Whats up Y/N" "Hi again guys".

Ness continued, "Well this is Sam, Paul, Jared, Leah and Seth should be here soon".

"It's nice to meet you guys"

"You too" the guy who I think was Sam said though something about him seemed slightly off, maybe even a little intimidating.

We made small talk for a while and then I felt a tug on my jacket.

"Rachel what's up?" I asked her, I could see in her eyes that she was upset. "I could really do with some fresh air, will you come out with me?" She asked. I nodded, "Of course".

I followed her in the direction of the back door once again pushing past people, my shoulder suddenly made contact with a tall body.

I turned slightly, "I'm so sorry" a sweet voice called to me, I looked at the tall stranger who I had bumped into and there was no doubt in my mind that he was a friend of Jakes but the guy in front of me was the most gorgeous person I had ever seen. I managed to apologise before he disappeared into the horde of people. I sighed, I only saw his face for a flash second and then it was gone. I gathered my thoughts together and focused back to Rachel.

I reached the door and followed my friend outside.

We sat down on a step leading down from the porch in silence for a while as she wiped away and tears before they managed to fall down her face. I pulled her into a hug.

"What's going on Rachel?" I asked her quietly, she let out a ragged breath, "I'm sorry Y/N, my anxiety just got the better of me and it was so crowded in there that I just couldn't control it, silly I know".

"Hey, that is not silly at all. It happens to all of us okay?" I said to her and she nodded, "So we'll just sit here for a while and then we'll go in search of cake yeah?" I asked her causing her to laugh.

She took a few deep breath and let me know when she was ready to go back inside. 

We linked arms and walked back inside, I also appreciated the fresh air. When we went inside Rachel went towards the bathroom to clean herself up a bit and she said she'd meet me in a few minutes. I let her go and went in search of my friends, Ness found me first.

"Hey is Rachel okay? Mara said something happened?" She asked looking worried.

"Yeah she is okay, just needed a breather" I reassured her. We made our way back to the dance floor and stayed there for the rest of the night. I felt like someone was watching me but I couldn't pinpoint who so I just ignored it.

I hugged Ness goodbye and thanked Bella and Edward for having us over, I then headed home and dropped Rachel off on the way. I fell into bed falling asleep straight away.

The rest of the weekend was spent in my pyjamas watching movies and eating my weight in pizza. Ness called over Sunday for a movie night and I managed to give her the present I got her.

"Y/N I love it" She exclaimed carefully lifting the tiny charm out of the box. "Well I know how important your charm bracelet is so it was the best present I could come up with" I explained as she placed the small charm with the words BFF on her bracelet between the little wooden wolf and the dropped diamond.

We watched movies then until she left and I went to bed early so I was fresh for school the next morning. The party was the talk of the school on Monday and everywhere Ness went people complimented her on how fun it was.

"My aunt Alice is going to get big head if I go back and tell her about all of these compliments on her party planning" She laughed.

We were waling out of school after the last bell. "Want to go grab food?" Mara asked us.

"I'm down" Casey told her, "Yeah me too" Rachel and Ness said.

"Sorry guys, I have to run some errands for my dad" I explained. They all waved me goodbye as I headed for my jeep. I watched the four of them cram into Nessies mini and then peel off out of the parking lot. 

***

I like Forks but it has some quirks, for one it's always cold here. Another is that it gets dark really early in the evenings. I had gone to run some errands for my dad and also went to the natural shop to pick up some herbs, there were some potions I needed to work on, nothing too serious though. I was driving home along the winding road along the edge of La Push beach.

It was after getting really dark really quickly but the roads were quiet at least. I was changing the channel on my radio when I spotted a deer in the middle of the road ahead of me, I immediately slammed on the breaks and skidded to a fast halt on the side of the road, hitting my head off the steering wheel.

I sat up and looked around, I saw the deer run off out of the corner of my eye, well at least he got out unharmed I thought. I felt my head and there was some blood.

"Great" I sighed. I turned my key and revved the engine, the jeep came to life but didn't move, I tried again and still no movement. Sighing in defeat I hopped out to go investigate, one of my wheels was stuck in the mood.

"I don't think a spell is going to get me out of this" I murmured to myself.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked from behind me causing my to jump.

[outlustings]

May I please request Sullivan Knoth headcanons with an outsider reader who he considers an unholy woman? Can you please include nsfw?

(OH NO OH YES you made me horny for papa knoth what do i do now????

this is pretty dark. includes violence and vomit and blood and all that stuff plus knoth being knoth. disturbing stuff i guess. also slight daddy kink? and impact play and degrading and aksjsj also reader is insane so TECHNICALLY dubcon? idk come to my house and slap me in the face for writing this.

nsfw below the cut.)

(SOMEWHAT) SFW

You thought it would be a good idea to take a hike in the rez lands. But something was terribly wrong in those mountains.

The insanely bright flashes of light, like the sun was burning up, even at nighttime. Your tongue felt like sandpaper. You lived your worst memories on those cliffs, again and again. What the fuck was happening? Your phone wasn't working, neither was your brain. Had it been days already?

Water. You needed water. You drank from a creek but it turned into wine, then blood, and you gagged and coughed and backed up, slipping on the round rocks. Then, numbing darkness.

You were found lying unconscious in the creek, soaked to the skin, with dried blood in your matted hair and a busted lip. Two of Knoth's followers found you. They didn't kill you. Maybe because they wanted to see the fear on your face as they brought you to your executioner.

They brought you to Temple Gate on the back of a donkey, your unconscious form slumped against its thin mane as people scattered from your way.

"Bring 'er to Papa. He'll handle'er."

They brought you to the chapel. Your eyes fluttered open slightly as thick fingers gripped your jaw. Knoth sees the color of your eyes. For a moment, he thinks of gemstones, before another man hit the back of your head with a shovel and you blacked out again, your eyes closing.

His stomach twists at the sight of you, crumpled on the floor. You reminded him of an old flame he had back when his world was in shambles, the way your lips looked, bloodied and dry, but so delicious. The way your chest rose and fell as you slept, not knowing where you were. Innocent. He hated your face. He knew he was gone already. And all it took was one look at you, and he knew he had to have you. No other will do anymore.

"Let 'er rest. When she wakes up, I'll be here. I'll be the judge."

You were slipping in and out of consciousness for days, your swimming vision full of him as he loomed over you in his chambers, stroking the hemp rope around your wrists and ankles. He prayed to God for forgiveness for his thoughts.

This outsider was too fascinating to him.

"My Bathsheba. My weakness, wrapped in wet cloth. Presenting yourself so innocent. You will carry my seed, bear my children, the new kings of this land. 'Twas not a sin when prophets fornicated with enemy peoples... God'll forgive me."

He should've slit your throat for coming to his flock, threatening their community. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. So he hid you. Spun his followers stories of how you need to be cleansed, how you were brought to him to be tamed.

He nurses you to health, tending to your wounds and rubbing your back gently as you vomit the bloody remnants of your concussion into a bucket on the dirt floor.

He talks very sweetly to you. Sparingly, but he does. He's somewhat afraid of what you've done to him.

He can't resist the urge to not only touch you but be touched by you. The way you cling to his arm as he offers you support and walks you back to the bed, the way your clammy hands reach for his as soon as you wake up from your night terrors.

He's always there. For days, you know nothing but him and the endless tortures in your pulsating brain. You prefer him. You prefer the scent of his sweat on your skin.

You hesitantly call out his name, an unfamiliar buzzing filling your ears. You long for his touch.

"Hush, child, I'm here with you. Won't let you go."

"My savior," you sigh, stroking his wrist as you screw your eyes shut, trying to relieve the headache stinging behind your eyes.

He freezes up. Maybe, just maybe he didn't have to kill you. Give you up to his followers. Maybe he didn't have to throw his Jezebel to the dogs.

"You got a home to go back to, darlin'?"

You wrack your brain, but all you can think of is the emptiness inside you and how you felt at home, here, surrounded by the stench of mildew and blood. Who were you again?

"Nuh-uh," you shake your head. It hurts. You can feel him grin against your knuckles as he lifts your hand to his lips.

NSFW

The mischievous glint in your eye makes Knoth weak. He can't resist you. He can't resist the way you drape your arms around his shoulders and kiss him needily.

The two of you fuck in the chapel more than you'd care to admit.

Missionary position, of course.

He'll fuck you against the altar, grunting as he thrusts into you, hand over your mouth as he tries to keep you quiet.

"Can't keep from moanin', huh? Greedy bitch, squeezing my cock so tight - take me quietly, that's it... Can't have them idiots walk in now."

Knoth loves fucking you with his tongue, eating you out until you're screaming and sobbing and trembling, until you've came so many times that your brain goes foggy.

He can torture you for hours on end. He loves hearing you scream and the way you gush against his fingers as he fucks you to completion over and over again. Serves you. His sinful, filthy goddess.

"Your cunt tastes like heaven," he chuckles against your swollen lips, massaging the slick flesh of the inside of your thighs as you clamp your legs around his shoulders, your mouth hanging open in a silent cry for more, "I can't hear ya, honey. Beg for it. Show your lust. Give thanks to your Papa."

Knoth will definitely bend you over his knee and spank you, maybe he'll even whip your ass with a belt, rubbing the pinkness, fascinated, as you whine and squirm against his erection.

He wants to hurt you so he can care for you later. Red welts on your ass that he'll soothe with soaked rags, kissing the tears from your cheeks.

It's a sick game, a sick tug of war as he's torn between tenderness for you and the primal need to ruin your body for his own pleasure, to control you.

He wants to train you to be his good little fucktoy.

"You deserve this. You've sinned in coming to me, you've sinned in tempting me."

Seeing him grin in a certain way as he fixes his good eye on you makes you so wet, because you know to anticipate your punishment. Your burning baptism in his cum.

You do have some power over him. With his throbbing cock in your mouth as he mumbles little pleas, gripping your hair as you swirl your tongue around him. When he's close, you have him. And you know it.

You could bite down and strike him and run away, far from him and his twisted cult, but you don't. You don't dare leave him, not when he fucks you so good, not when he strokes your cheek so gently, adoringly, after spilling his bitter cum down your throat, whispering praises to his unholy whore. You'd never leave him.

You know you belong to him and he knows, though he'd never admit it, he belongs to you. Completely.

[everlesslahote1]

‘So Your like Harry Potter?’ (Paul Lahote) -Request

Hello! Can I make a request? Something like Paul's imprinting is a witch and never told him because she was afraid the pack would hate her like they hate vampires? Happy new year and feel free to not write this one If you don't feel comfortable! Thank you ^^

-I’ll try, Thank you❤.

I hope you like it.

Paul Lahote x Fem!Reader 

(warning: none)

Y/E/C = Your eye color

Enjoy!

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-

“We could watch some movies” Y/N called out as she hung upside down in Emily’s living room while the rest of the pack were either on the floor or in chairs.

It was a Sunday and everything was clear in the woods, not a leech other than the normal one’s so Sam gave the pack a off day from patrol.

With only one problem... they were bored.

Jacob was with Nessi while Sam and Emily went to visit some of Emily’s family across town.

“Nah” she heard most of them mumble from their places around the room.

“I’m tired of movies” Jared said as he laid his head on Embry’s shoulder making him push it off while everyone agreed with him.

Y/N flipped the right way up now running out of ideas and looked at her boyfriend who was at the other end of the couch dosing off.

“Paul...” she whined and put her head back.

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to look at her beady y/e/c one’s, he smiled a little seeing the fake stress she was under before leaning on his hand.

He only smiled because this is the longest he ever saw his small rambunctious imprint sit still, ever.

No matter if it was her climbing the stair rail...she was ANYWAYS moving.

Its like she had around the clock jitters.

Of course Paul quickly adapted to his lovers personality because if he was being honest, it only made the love he had for her stronger.

Though he couldn’t argue with the fact that she tired the 6′8 foot wolf out on most times.

She wasn’t like Emily or Kim, she was the smallest other then Claire and she always wanted to fight with the boys. 

Y/N was known for getting a good laugh out of annoying the pack and they couldn’t do anything about it for two simple reasons.

One, because of the rule “no wolf may harm the imprintee of a fellow pack member” stand’s tall and Two, Paul would kill them dead if they so much as leave a scratch on Y/N.

Seeing she wasn’t getting anywhere with her imprinter she groaned loudly which caught Quil by surprise making him fall out the chair he was in.

Everyone looked up with wide eyes as Quil slowly got up rubbing his hind quarters and glaring at the small girl.

“Jeez Y/N, I think you broke Quil” Jared said chuckling making Quil throw the closest pillow he could grab at him.

Y/N rolled her eyes and stood up making her way to the back yard.

“Where smalls going?” she heard one of them ask on her way out.

Y/N plopped down in grass and stared at the sky trying to think of anything to do a this point.

She sat up and looked behind her to see if any of the boys were on their way out but saw the coast was clear.

She took a deep breath before remembering the words to one of the first spells her late mother taught her when she was a child.

“crescere” She said making a rose start to grow out of the spot of ground she was next to.

Y/N mother was a coven leader to witches in the south, she was kind, fair, loving, everything a leader was but she was a mother first.

When Y/N mother was pregnant with her she fought hard to keep peace with the wolves and vampires in the area they lived in.

Peace was a common factor between the three supernatural species.

When Y/N was six years old that all soon changed when the vampires wanted all of the land and the witches and wolves refused to give up what was theirs.

Not much longer the red eyed monster’s forced a attacked on the wolves when they least expected it.

Killing them all in a blink of an eye.

Y/N’s mother knew her coven was next on the leeches list but refused to bow, Y/N would say that her mother’s pride costed her a lot but if it didn’t she wouldn’t have everything with Paul.

As the vampires moved in on the witches, killing every witch they could get their hands on but not before Y/N’s mother put a cloaking on her so she could make her escape.

Six year old Y/N ran fast and hard from her home land as she heard her mother’s screams for mercy.

She soon found her self in Minnesota where she was raised in a foster home, it was there when she stopped using her magic.

 When Y/N was 17 she ran away from her abusive foster home and made a 23 year old friend by the name, Avery Carson who was on vacation to the small city.

Avery soon had to go back to La Push with her family and didn’t want leave Y/N behind, the 17 year old cried and begged the girl to take her with her and even explained why she couldn’t stay.

Y/N knew that if she didn’t leave then and there she would be found and forced back into her foster home only to be beaten and spat at again.

She didn’t want to go back to that horrible place, ever. 

Avery gave in and flew back to La Push with the soon to be legal girl on her side, she even took it as far to put her in school on the rez.

It was then she met and was imprinted on by the well known hot headed wolf, Paul Lahote.

People told the girl Paul was no good for her pure soul and let to her ‘simple crush’ go, not knowing that she found her soulmate.

Y/N thought Paul was over looking her but in all honesty the large boy was just scared to approach the small figured girl.

She would sit in the room that Avery gave her so she would have a place to stay just thinking about the tan boy.

How at lunch he would stare then after she would look back or try to hold eye contact he would quickly look back to his friends and act like he wasn’t paying attention.

After awhile the pack took notice to the odd silence their friend was giving then soon grew tired of Paul always thinking about the new girl on patrols but not acting on it.

So his bestfriend Jared and pack brother Quil gave him the push he needed to at least hold a conversation with Y/N, literally.

As Y/N was walking past the group of boys Jared and Quil pushed Paul into her, just as she was about to fall back on her butt Paul grabbed a hold of her belt loops pulling his warm body to hers.

It was then they became friends and later became something more.

Eight months into knowing Paul and his group of friends that everyone thought was a ‘gang’, he told her what he really was and what made him go into shock the young girl simply replied with....

‘I kinda figured’ 

Now a year later she was like the littlest wolf and a little sister to the pack but she never told anyone of her powers.

Not even Emily, Kim Or Avery.

She repeated her act of making the roses grow out the ground before she heard Embry’s voice speak.

“OH MY GOD!” he shouted as he ran back in the house yelling for Paul.

Y/n shot up off her spot in the grass and tried to catch the boy but it was no uses, his wolf speed was much greater then her little legs.

He was already in front of a slightly panicked Paul trying to explain what he saw his pack sister do with her bear hands.

“S-she just said it a-and i-it came up and- SHE’S A DAMN WITCH!” he said stumbling over his words.

“Okay Embry do it with me, deep breath in” Quil said taking a deep breath which Embry followed and then they both let it out.

“now what the hell happened-”

“she-”

“SLOWLY!” everyone shouted at him.

Y/N just laid her forehead on the door frame as she listened to one of her bestfriends freak out bout what she did.

“-and I ran in here” Embry said finishing and turn his head to Y/n who smiled nervously and waved at the boys.

Paul looked at Y/N as she started to turn red in the face, she knew not to lie about anything because she couldn’t keep up with lies and soon get caught in them.

Plus she knew Paul would know when she’s lying because he knew HER like the back of his hand.

“come” Paul said to his imprint.

Paul wasn’t mad or anything he is however disappointed his little ball of energy didn’t tell him about her powers sooner.

Y/N slowly made her way over to Paul so tear brimmed her eye’s, she was scared.

Scared of what her only reason of living would say, she couldn’t live without him or bare the thought of him hating her because she wasn’t fully human. 

“Look at me mama” Paul said as he saw a tear slip from her eye.

She tilted her head back to look at the tall boy in front of her and she saw no change in the way he looked at her.

Y/N thought he would look at her in pure disgust or anything of that nature but he didn’t, he still looked at the small girl with love in his eye’s.

“This true?”

“yes... b-but I didn’t want you guys to h-hate me l-like the leeches so I hid it and now-”

“woah woah woah” Quil said waving his hands to slow his little friend and reminding her to breathe.

“that’s what your scared of? that we’ll hate you because your not human?” Jared asked.

She nodded trying to stop the tears from coming but they wouldn’t stop.

“we don’t hate you smalls ,we never would” Embry said said with a little small to calm the girl.

“We love you” Paul said making her put her head down. 

He grabbed her chin gently making her look back up at him and planted a small kiss on her lips.

“I love you Y/n” he said.

The young girl looked from her lover to her friends and took a deep breath as she wiped her face.

“okay just so we’re clear you do magic.... So your like Harry Potter?” Jared said making the group laugh.

“umm, I- well, not quite buddy” she smiled and wiped her wet face.

“Group hug!” Embry and Quil yelled as everybody closed in on her and Paul.

They all hugged for a minute before pulling away.

Bonus

“can we see a little something?” Embry asked plopping down on the couch as Paul wrapped his arms around Y/N.

Y/N smirked and with a wave of her hand a pillow hit Jared dead in the face making him look at her and a hurt look.

“Hey!-”

She chucked another pillow at his face before he could say anything else and leaned on Paul as she laughed.

“that’s my girl” Paul said, smiling in her ear making chills go up her spine.

Jared got up and pretended to storm towards Y/N making her squeal and hide behind her lover.

“That’s not fair, you can’t hide behind Paul!” Jared said laughing.

“who says” Paul said.

“we do!”

“who is we, I don’t speak French” Embry said.

“Paul would let Y/N get away with murder because she’s small” Quil said shaking his head as everyone laughed.

Paul just smiled and sat down, pulling Y/n into his lap and kissing her lips sweetly.

“I Love you little witch” He smiled.

“I Love you Wolfie” she giggled.

“OH MY GOD!”

“ugh, gross”

“yeah just do the do with clothes on will ya”

-

-

-

-

[trumpkinhotboy]

All in good time

Pairing: Jacob Black x f!reader

Type: Not requested

Genre: Kinda fluffy i'd say

Warnings: None!

Rating: g

Requests: Open (for Narnia and Twilight, maybe?😳)

A/n: Alright, alright, I know I said this blog was going to be centralized on Narnia stuff, but lately I've really gotten back in my Twilight phase🥴 Plus, I had a really shitty week and needed a pick me up. Jacob is one of my biggest comfort characters so I felt it was only suiting. I hope you'll enjoy it😬 I suggest reading this while listening to any kind of Twilight ambiance playlist.☺Also, I know my title sucks HAHA. Couldn't think of anything better so yea, I'm sorry, but this is what you get

Update: changed my title huhu!

* gif is not mine!!

There were days that just deeply and inherently... sucked. Days where everything seemed out of rhythm, where no matter how hard you tried, it all seemed wrong; it all fell apart.

Today was one of those days. When your dad jokingly said: "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." you did not think it the tiniest of bit funny. When you opened one of the kitchen cabinets to get your favorite brand of cereals and found an empty box, you almost threw a full-on seven-year-old crying on the floor tantrum. Especially when you saw the half-emptied bowl sitting in the sink. Too bad, no breakfast for you this morning. Ridiculous, immature, and not changing anything? Yes, of course, but you still did it out of pure spite. As if that would punish anyone else than you.

Like any other day in Forks, it was raining, nothing awful here, if it was not for the fact that the window on the driver’s side hadn’t been properly closed. Your seat was by now totally drenched. With your pants completely soaked you rode to school, your knuckles turning white from angrily gripping the wheel. Once you arrived, it seemed that everyone was annoyingly happy and enthusiastic while you just couldn’t get out of your personal, unchangeable, black cloud. Not to help, your friends only kept making fun of your moody behavior. Could you not be taken seriously on one of your worst days?

In your least favorite class, you were horrified to see written in big letters on the board:

“20% exam!! Leave your personal effects in front of the class.”

You would have run away if it wasn’t for the flow of students coming in to push you further in the classroom. Convinced the exam was for the next week, you did not even open the pages of your manual concerning the subject. It is with panic and exasperation that you sat at your desk waiting for your doom. Did you need to add that along with all that bull crap of a day, the only person who could have made your day a little less annoying was, once again missing. No calls, no texts, no news, nothing. Probably on another mission with the rest of his mutant gang. You got to the Rez after school, hoping you would see him, but were only welcomed by Leah and Seth. It almost felt like they were waiting for you as they were sitting outside of Billy’s house. Why they were the only ones left here was a mystery for you. The pack usually always stayed together.

- “Where are the others?”

- “On some kind of mission around the lands.”

- “Is everything alright?” They nodded nonchalantly. “Then why are you two here?”

The answer Seth gave you while chewing loudly on yet, another snack, made you grith your teeth so hard he thought they were going to fall out of your mouth.

- “To protect you.”

- “I thought it was nothing, so why would I need protection?”.

- “You should talk about it with Black. He’s the one who ordered us to stay to watch over you or something.”

- “I am PERFECTLY capable of WATCHING OVER MYSELF.” you answered a little louder than expected, anger rumbling in your chest. That earned you some awkward looks from your two friends, but at this point, it didn’t even matter, you were seeing red.

Leah, never intimated by you, shrugged her shoulders. Seth looking a little bit more nervous still laughed at your display of anger. Jacob was the one assigning babysitters over you? Of course, you and he would have a little discussion, that mutt would not see it coming.

When you got back home, you called your father to warn him; there was no way you would be cooking dinner. With your luck, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you burnt the whole house down. Fortunately, he was in good mood (unfair) and answered there was no problem; he would get pizza. He got home with the box in hand and a “Hey sweet...heart”. One quick look at your rough appearance and frustrated expression and his mouth closed shut. He dropped politely, almost carefully, a plate with a slice of pizza before quickly leaving for the couch. You mostly played with the food, incapable of swallowing it down, looking at the forest many times, waiting, expecting to see a tall figure appear on its verge but nothing. Time passed, still no sign of life. There was no way that by now Leah or Seth didn’t give him your message. You had time to wash the dishes, do some homework, and get in your sweats. At 7:30 pm you gave up; he wasn’t coming. Your father was still watching TV, completely oblivious to your growing anger. You picked up his plate to put it in the sink but tripped and dropped it, the delicate plate exploded into a thousand pieces.

- “Y/n? Everything okay?”

- “Y..ea.. an accident. I’ll pick it up.”

There was a slight tremolo in your voice. That was it. Your day had been terrible with no sign of sun, and this broken plate would be your breaking point as ridiculous as it sounded. You leaned on the counter, head hanging low, feeling tears of frustration swelling up in your eyes. Taking a deep breath, you looked up; in a second you were out the back door.

- “Where you going?” you heard your father ask.

- “Getting the trash out.”

The figure backed in the woods as you rushed into them without hesitation. You smacked against something big and warm, warmer than it was normal to be, yet you had become quite accustomed to it.

- “You little piece of shit.” your index finger digging in his chest. “You weren’t even here today, and it was terrible, and you can’t do this. I do not need any PROTECTION. Oh my god, do you really think I am weak and helpless without you or Leah or Seth or ANY werewolf to protect me?!”

He didn’t interrupt your monologue, only looking at you spitting your anger out.

- “You are SO annoying. Honestly who- who do you think you- are?! I’m- I am not, I can DEFINITELY, I don’t ne-eed any-one.” Your speech was becoming less and less coherent, your emotions taking control of your mind.

Without waiting any longer for you to finish your incoherent thought, he pulled you in for one of his signature bear hugs.

- “You can’t do this to me I’m an-ang-angry...”.

- “Shhh, it’s okay.”

- “You-you weren’t there.” you gave up fighting him, wrapping your arms around his waist.

- “I’m sorry, Leah told me.”

- “Wh- why didn’t you come sooner?” you continued, sobbing.

- “Some wolf things, Paul got in trouble.“ you backed off, immediately lifting your head at the mention of one of your friends in trouble.

- “Is he okay?”

- “Of course, he is, but Sam was very upset this time.” he stroked the side of your face with a small smile. “Enough with the boys, tell me what's wrong.”

- “Everything. I left my car window opened my seat was drenched. At school, everyone was disgustingly happy and in a good mood. I did not know I had an exam, I didn’t even study the subject. And this morning, my dad half ate the rest of my favorites cereals, and then I didn’t eat anything else as a silent protest, I know that’s stupid, but”

- “You didn’t eat anything else?”

- “Yeah, but I…” you lifted your gaze to meet his disapproving one. “I mean, I must have eaten a snack at lunch today…”

- “Must have?” he looked angrier.

- “Y/n??? Where are you??”

The calling of your father interrupted your conversation; he looked in its direction.

- “You should go back inside before your dad comes out.”

- “What? No, please. Can’t you kidnap me for tonight?” he chuckled lightly.

- “Trust me, go back in, okay?”

You looked at him unsure, even though you knew he was worthy of your trust. You finally nodded before running back inside.

- “What took you so long?”

- “Oh, uh, I thought I saw something and got a little carried away.”

- “Mokay, I don’t like you being so close to the woods. We’ve still had a few complaints about some trekkers finding traces of big animals in the woods. I’d prefer you be careful, alright?” You held up a smile, thinking about your friend just outside.

- “Sure.”

You stayed in the middle of the living room, expecting, waiting to see Jacob’s next move. You expected something quick, but when ten minutes later, there were still no signs of him, you felt frustration rising again. Not sure what to do now, you sat next to your father, half paying attention to what was happening on the screen. If he just left you, he was going to pay for it. You needed him, and just like that, he was gone? Probably, got called away by Sam again. Maybe it wasn’t in his control? But if it was…

Knock. Knock.

You looked up, surprised. The door opened with a creaking sound.

- “Oh, Jacob. Hi, what are you doing here?”

- “Hi Charlie, I heard Y/n had a pretty bad day. Came to kidnap her, if that's okay?”

- “Bad day? That’s an understatement. I swear, at one point, I thought she was going to scream at me. I ate her last bowl of cereal this morning; the thing was disgusting, I only ate half of it. I don’t think that helped.” You heard your friend’s low chuckle. Your dad seemed to feel pretty guilty about his crime, which did make you feel a tad bit better. “But yeah sure. Y/n! You have a visitor.”

You walked to them, Jacob awkwardly fitting in your small house; he seemed so disproportionate with his imposing size. For once, he was wearing actual clothes, a shirt and a pair of jeans, a sign he wasn’t planning on having to transform tonight. A sign that he was planning on being entirely dedicated to you.

- “Ready to go? I’m kidnaping you.” He said that last part with a smirk, a hint to your previous request.

- “Sure.” You grabbed your coat, said goodbye to your dad, and left without waiting any longer.

First, he took you away to get some food in you. It wasn’t until your teeth were digging inside a delicious burger that you realized just how hungry you were. Jacob being the glutton that he is, ordered two cheeseburgers along with a pack of large fries. You went for a milkshake, the perfect dessert for a night like this, and took your victuals to the La Push beach. It was empty and peaceful; the sun was slowly going down, the wind just a whisper in the night. It wasn’t even that cold, but the excuse to snuggle into Jake’s wolfish warmth was too good to pass.

- “Feeling better?” he asked while wrapping his arm around your shoulders.

- “Yes. Thanks, Jake.”

- “Kidnapping mission was a success?”

- “Yes, it was.” You answered with a smile.

- “Alright.” He muttered under his breath, looking in the distance.

You stayed for a while in comfortable silence, simply enjoying the other’s presence.

- “So, what were you saying about me not being there today, like that made your day worst?”

His question took you by surprise. A look at his cocky expression was all it took you to punch him in the ribs as hard as you could.

- “You wish idiot.”

He laughed at your attack, he probably didn't even feel a thing but leveled his face with yours in all seriousness.

- “You can avoid this conversation for now since you had a shit day and all, but keep in mind, it’s not over.”

- “And you keep in mind that our discussion about you ordering werewolves to stay behind to protect me, is not over. You won’t get away easily with that one Black.”

He laughed again, visibly amused with your threat. You laughed too but were slightly less amused. These two conversations were important ones, although one you apprehended way more. You looked at Jacob's happy expression and felt a fuzzy feeling warming your body. No, right now was not the time for such serious topics.

All in good time, right?

...

Tagging my two gals because they know how nervous I was😭...@imjustdreamingig @gonzalezyon I did it gals🥺 I hope you'll like it, thank you so much for your support💕💕

[runwithwolvcs]

You Know I'm No Good - ten

you matter to me

Warnings: Drinking/drug use, Arguing, implying sexua! assau!t/tendencies

Authors Note: I have not added a tags list due to the trigger warnings, it will be back in the next update.

there are two types of tired i suppose

the one in need of dire sleep;

the other is a dire need of peace

Tallulah tried her best to fly under her family's radar leading up to Friday and she had her plan all set for her to go out to Port Angeles and still be home in time for her curfew. She had spending whatever time she wasn’t in school with Paul, helping him with little things around Uley's Bookstore, whether that be painting structures or filling shelves with books, Tallulah made sure on Thursday to tell him she would be hanging out with August and Rory on Friday so that if her dad asked him where she was he would be unknowingly involved in her lie.

After school on Friday, Tallulah quickly changed out of her school clothes into a striped, oversized crew neck and navy blue tennis skirt. Throwing her hair into a slicked back ponytail before rushing down the stairs, telling her dad she was off to see her friends, which wasn’t a lie, she just didn’t specify which ones.

Tallulah was practically shaking with excitement as she pulled out of her driveway, whether it be because she was excited to see her friends for the first time in 2 weeks or because she knew she wasn’t supposed to be seeing them, she was unsure of.

The drive to Port Angeles, Tally spent feeling unnerved. All the confidence had left her mind as she exited Forks. Something felt wrong. It’s not like she’s never snuck out and lied about her whereabouts before, the feeling felt different from the adrenaline that usually accompanied her. Out of the corner of her high she could see her phone light up, the incessant dinging of incoming text messages. She ignored them, telling herself it's because she knew better than to text and drive but mostly because she wasn’t prepared to read them. Had her plan already been ruined? Her phone ringing shook her from her thoughts, she grabbed it and checked the caller ID: Paul Lahote, its bright white letters. She wanted to let it ring, to just ignore him, but she couldn’t. Answering the phone and putting on her speakerphone, setting it on the passenger seat, she said as calmly as possible, “Hey, whats up?”, only to be met with an anger, “Where are you?”.

Tallulah was caught off guard by his tone of voice, she would have never expected it from him in the slightest.

“I’m just driving to August’s” she lied, she could hear someone telling Paul to calm down on the other end, with an angry laugh, he asked, “Oh yeah? Since when does she live off the rez?” before she could even respond, he continued, “Where are you really?”

“Why does it matter to you where I am?” she bit back, “Why does it matter?” he repeated her question, “Because you matter to me, Tallulah!” he all but yelled into the phone before the sound of the phone being dropped rang out into her silent car. She could hear the background commotion, but nothing was coherent to her as she was still trying to process what he had said.

“Tallulah?” a feminine voice rang through, “It’s Emily. Where are you, sweetie?” she asked calmly despite the audible commotion that had just occurred on her end of the phone. She wanted to lie again. It’s what she really wanted, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. “Port Angeles,” Tallulah said quickly before reaching over and hitting the end call before Emily could ask any more questions knowing she wouldn’t be able to lie anymore.

Pulling into the parking lot of the club they were all meeting at, she could see her friends standing next to Xanders sleek black car that he had been gifted on his 16th birthday. She thought she would feel more excitement when seeing Lina, Kit and Xander for the first time in weeks but all she could feel was the ache in her chest, or maybe it was regret. Parking her car, Tallulah quickly got out, grabbing her bag and shoving her phone in it, the onslaught of text messages she had received remaining unread.

She could hear Linas squeals of excitement before both her feet had touched the ground and two pairs of arms wrapped her up in a group hug, “I’ve missed you guys so much” she said as Kit and Lina let her free, big grins on all three girls faces.

“What about me?” a deep voice teased, she looked over to see Xander leaning against his car, smirking at her.

“Of course I missed you, just not as much as them.” she joked, making her way over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug before kissing his cheek as she let him go. “You’re a lot harder to replace than I thought you would be.”Tallulah said, earning her a scoff from him, “You would never want to replace me.” Xander spoke in all seriousness, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Everything was just like she left it, and she loved that. The group of friends got into the building no problem, the perks of looking older than you are, Tallulah thought to herself.

Lina and Kit went to get drinks for everyone while Xander and Tallulah found an empty booth, his arm never leaving her shoulders. They sat beside each other in the booth and she looked up towards him as he said, “I have something for you.”

She furrowed her brows, she could barely remember the last time he had given her something that wasn’t a holiday or a birthday, “You did?” she asked to which he nodded his head, digging into his jeans pocket, he pulled out a slick, thin grey rectangle. “Li said you dad tossed yours. Hide it better this time, yeah.” tallulah nodded her head in agreement before taking it from his hand, but if she was being honest with herself, she didn’t feel the need to have one anymore. She had no cravings for it, and no stressors that made her even want to use it, it would just end up collecting dust somewhere in her room until she could find an excuse to use it.

“I missed you too, y’know.” he said with a toothy grin, “Nothings been the same without you.” Tallulah smiled at that,glad to know her friends weren’t doing better than she was with the sudden change.

Lina and Kit found their table, four drinks with them, placing one in front of Xander and one in front of Tallulah, “In celebration of the crew being back together,”Lina said with a big smile on her face. Tallulah knew she shouldn’t drink considering she was driving but sipping the crisp alcohol would at least keep her friends off her case, so that's what she did for the next thirty minutes as they all caught up.

Before she knew it, Kit was pulling out onto the dance floor to dance with her and anyone else they could find. The music was loud and the adrenaline was pumping. She felt hands on her waist as someone came up behind her, her hips swaying with the music, she turned her body towards the person holding her firmly, turning to see Xander, she smiled brightly wrapping her arms around his neck, he bent his head down and said in to her ear, over the loud music, “You should come back with us tonight, you can crash at my place.”

Tallulah shook her head, “My dad would literally kill me, Xan.” he laughed nonchalantly, and she became very aware of how close their bodies were, “It’ll be fine, Luie, live a little. I really want you to.” he wanted her to, she thought to herself, looking up at him. He never tells her what he wants, he just does it. “I can't,” she said while standing on her tippy toes to say it into his ear, before she could flatten her feet he had turned his head and pressed his lips to hers, in a rushed, sloppy kiss. Much like the ones they had shared many times before. He pulled away first, “Xan, that's not gonna change my mind.”

He pouted like a little kid about to throw a tantrum, “But I’ve missed you so much and we don’t even know when we will be able to see each other again” he rationed to her, and Tallulah just shook her head, it’s not that she didn’t want to, it's just that this is how they always were together. One minute all over each other they next not speaking, “I haven’t even heard from you in the past two weeks besides that one phone call”

Xander rolled his eyes at her statement, “I can’t spend every waking moment talking to you, Luie, just relax,” he said. Before she could even respond his lips were on hers again, but all she could think about was how cold he felt. Not abnormally cold, just cold. It was uncomfortable.

Pulling back, she said, “We should go find the others,” to which Xander shook his head, “Come on, I haven’t seen you for weeks,” his hands were firm on her arms holding her in place as he leaned in again. Turning her head, his lips connected with her cheek. Now he was pulling back, taking a deep breath, trying not to lose his cool with her, “Really, Luie, you’re doing this again?”

“Doing what again? Is it such a crime that I don’t want to makeout with you in some dinghy club?” she asked him, annoyance laced in her tone. He shook his head, his shaggy hair falling in front of his face, “You always do this!” he exclaimed, “You can’t just act the way you have been all night, and then turn around and say never mind.”

Tallulah looked at him like he was out of his mind, “Yes, I can, Xan. And I am.” she said, standing her ground with him. “But Luie,” That fucking nickname, she thought to herself, “We don’t know when the next time we will see eachother is,” He used the same excuse as before. His hand was now on her lower back, holding her flush against him, “Stop, Xan.'' She tried to push him away, but with the awkward angle of her arms she found it hard. “You’ve always liked this, Luie,”he whispered in her ear, his lips brushed up against it as he spoke, “Get off!” she shoved at him, and before she knew it, he was being yanked away from her. Taking a few steps back to steady herself, she didn’t recognize the boy who had pulled Xander and as he took a step towards her, asking her if she was okay, she took a step back. Blood was pounding in her ears, lookin at Xanders retreating figure, no doubt going to find Lina.

A hand rested on her shoulder, the comforting warmth of it gave away who it was before she had even turned to look at him. Paul. Once she had turned to him she wrapped her arms around his waist, wanting nothing more than to feel the safety of the heat emitting off him. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.” She spoke quickly, and shakily. His arms encircled her, one on her back, the other in her hair, holding her head to his chest, holding her to him, “It’s okay. You’re okay.” he murmured to her softly.

“Embry, you take my car. I’ll drive her home.” Tallulah heard Paul saying, not lifting her head away from his chest. Embry. That must’ve been the boy's name who had pulled Xander away from her. She twisted her head and gave him a grateful smile as Paul gave him his keys before looking up at Paul, who was looking down at her. She could see the worry lines near his eyes and wanted nothing more than to smooth them out with the pads of her fingers. “Alright, let’s go.” his tone was serious, and she knew he was mad at her but trying really hard not to let it show given the circumstances.

“I need to tell my friends.” she spoke to him as if she was walking on thin ice, which she was.

“That guy-” Tallulah cut him off before he could finish what he was saying, “Not him, Lina and Kit..” she reassured as she let go of him, but he held onto her hand tightly, not wanting her to get lost in the sea of people.

It wasn’t hard to find Lina, who was subsequently also looking for Tallulah, “Hey! What happened with Xan, he stormed…” Lina trailed off, one look at Tallulah's face and she didn't need to put into words what had happened. She has seen this look on her best friend before. Like she’s just woken up from a terrible nightmare.“I’m going to head home, Li.” Tally spoke softly, she watched as Lina looked Paul up and down, trying to decide if Tal should go with him, “He’s cool, I promise.” she said while letting go of Paul's hand to wrap her best friend in a hug, “Call me when you get back to Seattle.” she said, before allowing Paul to lead her out of the dark club. She held onto his hand tightly, only letting go once they had reached her car, handing him the keys they both got in silently.

Tallulah only spoke up once they had left the parking lot and were heading towards the highway back to LaPush, “How did you know where to find me?” she asked softly, pulling her sleeves down over the palms of her hands.

“It’s a long story,” he said stoically. Tally furrowed her brows at his response, not satisfied with it at all, “We’ve got time.” she said looking at him, watching his face as he focused on the road.

“Well for one, there's only a few clubs in Port Angeles that allow minors to waltz through their doors.” he said angrily, but it didn’t feel like it was directed at her. “Please, don’t do this again, Tal.” he said looking directly at her, causing her to look away.

“I just wanted to see my friends.” she mumbled, looking down at her lap.

“You could’ve gotten hurt and no one would’ve known where you were because you told everyone you were somewhere that you weren’t.”he said, she could tell he was trying to keep his volume in check. To not yell at her like he had earlier in the evening.

“I was fine..” she pressed, which in her head, she was fine.

“Fine? You were fine?” he laughed. He really laughed, “That kid could've hurt you if Embry hadn’t gotten to you.”

Tallulah shook her head, tears pricking at her eyes. She didn’t want to cry, only children cry and she was not a child. “Xander wouldn’t have. I would’ve handled it, I always handle it.” she stressed, chewing the inside of her cheek as if it would keep her tears at bay.

It was obvious Paul was out of his depth here, so he let go of the steering wheel with his right hand, placing it in her lap. Letting her make the decision if she wanted to hold it or not, and she did. He had two small hands on either side of his large one, fingers clasped between. “You matter to me too, you know.” she said quietly, his voice from earlier in the evening replaying over in her head as it did all night long. He squeezed her hand as a response, letting the soft music from the radio takeover the silence between them.

[lis-likes-fics]

A Witch's Love | Chapter 15

Carlisle, Esme, and Emmett just left to go feed. Y/N and Jasper were back at the house to watch over Bella. Mariah was checking up on Bella, using her magic to see if there was anything unusual - the bar was set pretty high for "unusual".

Y/N's phone rang while she was talking with Bella, Rosalie, Jacob, and Edward. "Excuse me," she said, leaving the room as she picked up her phone.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Y/N, he's here. He's in Forks," Kristen said on the other end.

"What? Why would he still be here?" you questioned.

Verity's voice came this time, "No, he's coming back. He's coming back here."

Y/N held a hand to her face as she let out a startled breath and nodded, "Okay. Get all of our defenses ready, no one goes in the Residence. Keep Althea inside, put her in her room until Tristan's gone. Who all is there?"

"Me, Kristen, Anthony, Levi, Charlie, Celene, and Eileen. Everyone except Mariah," Verity responded.

"All of you go on high guard. Jasper and I will be over soon," she ordered. She hung up the phone and rushed over to get Jasper, who was already getting ready to leave with her.

As soon as they headed out, there was a sickening crack in the other room and they both turned around with wide eyes. She turned TO Jasper, "Go. I'll be there soon."

He hesitated and she pointed the other way, "Go."

He sighed and left. She raced to Bella. There was spilled blood on the floor and Bella was being held up by Rosalie.

They quickly took her to the room where Carlisle had the medical equipment set up. Y/N grabbed Mariah, "Can you handle this?"

She spoke, "I can do what I can." She nodded, it was good enough.

They both rushed into the room, the others ready getting ready. "Rosalie, pass the morphine," Edward ordered.

Alice was talking to Carlisle as they worked. Y/N put her hand on one of Bella's arms, Mariah taking the other. Edward gave her the morphine shot and the witches used their magic to soothe as much of Bella's pain as possible. They could only do so much with the baby deflecting their magic.

"Calme la douleur, ne fais plus de mal," they chanted, eyes closed as they worked their magic.

"He's coming as fast as he can," Alice yelled.

"We'll have to do it," Rosalie said, taking a scalpel to cut Bella's stomach open. Edward stopped her, "No! Let the morphine spread."

"There's no time. He's dying!" Rosalie yelled.

"Get him out now!" Bella exclaimed, writhing in pain.

Mariah looked up, "Y/N, focus!"

"I'm sorry!" she responded, doing her best to keep focus on the spell. Freya's voice broke her concentration, "I'm here. Let me help."

"Freya, get back to Althea," she ordered.

"No."

"Freya-"

"There's no time to argue!" Mariah pointed out, "Focus!"

Y/N grumbled and Freya sat and shared her magic. Mariah and Y/N got back to the spell, Freya's presence keeping her focused while also getting her nervous. She was supposed to be with Althea.

As Rosalie cut Bella's stomach, the sight of the blood distracted her. "Rosalie, don't!" Edward yelled. He pushed Rosalie aside, "Alice, get her out of here!"

Bella screamed. Jacob yelled, "Save her! You gotta change her!"

Edward shook his head, "I can't! Not whilst he's still in there. I gotta get him out first."

"Is this even working?" Y/N asked, continuing the spell.

"Just keep going," she told her.

"Jake, he's suffocating!" Bella screamed.

Edward bent over and Edwards ripped the embryonic sac with his teeth, and pulling the baby out. Y/N and Mariah kept chanting.

There was crying, the baby. Y/N stopped chanting as Bella calmed. Maria's chanting slowed. The baby was out, they only needed one person. "Go, I got this," she said.

Y/N nodded, "Take care here. I have to go back to the Rez. Be careful, there are intruders here..."

Mariah nodded and turned to the others. Y/N scooped up Freya and left swiftly. She returned to the Residence, meeting Jasper there. They both went to check on Althea, to make sure she was okay.

Y/N opened the door, "Althea, honey-"

She stopped as she searched the room. "Althea?" she called. There was no answer. Jasper almost tore the room apart trying to find his daughter.

"Where did she go?" she called to everyone in the house.

"Why is she gone?" they called back.

Jasper left the house quicker than anyone could blink. Y/N used her magic to track her and found her somewhere in the forest. "Stay here," she told Freya as she darted out of the door.

Y/N tried not to panic. The wolves were out, she couldn't be.

"Althea!" she called as they ran through the forest to find her. When she did find her, she was holding something in her arms, looking up at something...or someone.

Y/N took Althea, slowly pulling her back. "Come on, Thea."

"Who's that?" she asked, pointing to someone in the shadows. The figure stepped out and Jasper hissed, crouching as and moving in front of his wife and daughter protectively.

"Why did you come back?" he growled.

Tristan stood there, something in his arms. He looked down and saw his child. His breath stopped as his face fell in shock. "Emrys?" he asked, he looked like he would cry.

The baby looked over and exclaimed. Tristan held him closer and Jasper growled again. "Give me my son," he ordered.

Tristan chuckled, "Why would I do that?"

"Why are you here?"

He glanced at Althea and Jasper shielded her from view, "You aren't touching her, and you aren't keeping him."

"Come and stop me."

Jasper did just that as he charged forward, to Y/N's objection. "Jasper, don't!"

Tristan curled his hand in a fist and Jasper fell to the ground, clenching his head in pain. Y/N yelled, creating a shield around him and Althea.

"Don't hurt him!" she yelled.

Emrys was beginning to fuss, rustling in his arms. Y/N held a hand out, moving Althea behind her, "You aren't going to hurt them or any of my family again."

She used an agony spell on Tristan, he screamed in pain. Jasper stood again and charged forward, but was stopped by Y/N.

"No! You can't, not yet," she told him, "I know we need to, but we can't yet. He's too strong, this is to hold him off. We need the whole coven."

"Then go get them," he said.

She gathered her strength to send a summoning spell, but was stopped by a blast of magic hurtling toward her. She fell to the ground, Althea rushing to her side as she held whatever was in her arms closer. "Mommy? Mommy, wake up!"

Y/N was unconscious, the magic had knocked her out. Jasper growled but Tristan's spell locked on him again. Althea looked around her, concerned for her parents. She looked at Tristan, tears in her eyes, "Stop it! You're hurting them!"

He held his hand out, "Come here, little one. I'll protect you."

"No, you won't," she shook her head. Emrys began crying. "Give me my brother," she told him.

"Come here," Tristan said again.

Althea's golden eyes hardened, glowing slightly as she used her gift, "No!" She grasped a hold of his emotions, sifting through them as she pulled out his peace, shifting it to Emrys. Tristan felt the calm leave him and it was replaced with his growing desperation and irritation.

Emrys didn't seem to calm though. He cried louder, stirring Y/N as she twitched. She opened her eyes and looked at them. She reached a weak hand out, stretching her shield back over Jasper.

He caught his breath and looked up at Althea. "Sweetheart, come here," he told her.

Emrys' crying distracted Tristan as he looked down at him, "Everything's fine. Calm yourself." He sounded just as desperate as he felt.

Emrys stared him down as he cried. Something inside him awoke as he stared. Tristan's unsettling smile fell, his face curling in pain.

Jasper could feel as all of Tristan's pain, his anger, his sorrow grew inside of him. It ruled out any happiness and peace he had and overwhelmed him.

Tristan began to cry, screaming as the pain grew inside of him and ripped him apart. His hold on Emrys loosened and Jasper caught him before he fell, bringing him back quickly as he pulled them all away from Tristan.

Tristan's magic glowed around him, deep reds filling the air before morphing into other colors. It wasn't his magic. The magic he stole seeped out of him, attacking him instead. His own power turned against him as his pain grew. He was surrounded by a whirlwind of magic.

Y/N shield Althea's eyes and Jasper turned his body to shield Emrys as he watched what happened. The magic rose, almost reaching over the trees before smacking back down into the earth and leaving nothing behind. A gush of strong wind brushed past them.

They all looked over. Tristan was gone. The magic had been returned to the earth, his emotions tore him apart and he became part of the earth as well.

Tristan was truly gone.

And Emrys was okay.

Y/N turned to Emrys, eyes wide and watering. Jasper gazed down at him, kissing his forehead gently. He slowly passed him over to her. She took him gently, afraid he would break.

He looked up at her, his eyes golden just like his father's. "Emrys," she smiled as she hugged him carefully. Jasper pulled them to him, grabbing Althea as well.

They stayed like that for a while, but the there was the sound of growling.

"For Pete's sake," Y/N sniffled. Jasper picked up Althea and Y/N held Emrys. They took off, running away as fast as she could to get back to the Residence and escape the wolves. Just as they gained up on them, a large cheetah jumped in front of them and growled deeply. She let out a threatening cry and she crouched before the wolves.

Alm of the familiar followed, standing outside the house as they made their way inside. The wolves stopped, sensing the magic around the house. They couldn't take on the familiar, especially if they were all together.

The wolves backed away, growling as they turned in the direction of the Cullen's house. All the witches gathered around them but immediately backed away when they saw Emrys.

Y/N spoke, "The wolves, they're going after the others, we need to go!"

She looked down at Emrys, she didn't want to leave him again, but she would have to to protect him. He kissed her forehead and turned to Charlie, "Watch him and Althea."

"Wait, wait, wait," Eileen said, "Emrys is still alive?"

Y/N sighed as she recapped, "The sketches I drew. In the crib, there was a bear instead of him. I got curious so I looked in the black grinoire to find out why. It took me to a spell that would cast an illusion to look like Emrys had died. That's why I told you to track Tristan, Kristen. He'd taken Emrys. He was trying to take Althea tonight, that's why he came back. Something happened and his magic turned against him. He's dead."

They tried to soak it all in, but there was no time. "We'll discuss later. The others are in trouble. Charlie, stayed back with Althea and Emrys. Stay inside of the wards. Everyone, come with us."

She shifted Emrys to Charlie and kissed his forehead, giving Charlie a reassuring look before leaving with everyone.

They rushed to the Cullens house just in time. Emmett had been run up a tree, some were pinned by the wolves and others were being cornered.

Y/N sent a wave of magic to the wolves and they backed off. They joined the fight, fending off the wolves just long enough to get the rest of the covens back in one group. They growled at the covens.

Just as the fight was getting ready to ensue once again, Jacob jumped in front of everyone. "Stop! It's over!"

One of the wolves tried to attack again, but Jacob moved in his way. "If you kill her, you kill me!" he yelled.

Sam tried to fight again but Jacob phased, growling as he stopped him. Edward realized what happened as he read his mind, "Jacob imprinted. They can't hurt her. Whoever a wolf imprints on can't be harmed. It's their most absolute law."

The wolves growled more deeply before slowly easing up. They backed away reluctantly before turning and disappearing into the dark of the wood.

Just as soon as the wolves were gone, Y/N disappeared as she rushed back home. "What's wrong?" Carlisle asked as she left.

Jasper sighed as he slowly smiled, "Nothing. Edward's eyes widened, "Emrys is alive."

"What?" Esme asked. Everyone looked back at them, completely and utterly shocked by the new development. Edward explained as Jasper left to get back to the Residence, Levi, Kristen, Verity, Anthony, and Celene following behind as Eileen and Mariah stayed back.

Y/N was quick to get to her children. She stopped suddenly when she saw what Althea had in her arms the whole time. "Mommy, look."

She blinked as she stared at the creature with golden eyes. "She called to me. That's why I left."

She held up the raccoon in her arms for her to see better. "Her name is Ferra." The raccoon chittered and held closely to Althea.

Y/N pet her gently, "Hey, Ferra. Are you my daughter's familiar."

The animal nodded and reached out for Althea again, who hugged her closely. "Well, thank you for choosing her," she said before sitting down with them.

Everyone eventually came back to the house. She was told of the news of Bella and the baby, who was named Renesmee. Bella was soon to turn. When? She didn't know.

Until then, they would need to check up on her and do what they could to make sure she woke up.

The next morning, when everyone (or mostly everyone) was recovered, she took Emrys to the Cullen house. Everyone was more than happy to see him again, he was happy to be back.

Finally, finally. Everything would work out.

As soon as Bella woke up, everything would be complete again. Everything would be perfect.