#he sounded unsure about lowering the price and agreed after a while but like. will he actually lower the price? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

topazy · 2 years ago

Text

Tomorrow’s promise

Pairing: Shane Walsh x reader, Rick Grimes x sister reader

Warnings: Swearing, sexual content, mentions of injury and character death

Chapter: 1.03

Your breath caught in your throat as you stared at the bright light that comes out of the CDC. Everyone stood frozen for a moment until Rick and Shane took the lead and went inside while Daryl covered you from behind, making sure no walkers got in.

You step inside the lobby that looks completely empty and say, “Hello?”

Hearing the sound of someone cocking a gun, you turn the other way to see a man pointing a rifle in your group's direction. He looks nervous and asks, “Anybody infected?”

“One of our groups was. He didn’t make it,” Rick answers.

“Why are you here? What do you want?”

“A chance.”

The man gulps down, “That’s asking an awful lot these days.” He looked around the room, still seeming unsure of what to do next. “You all submit to a blood test. That’s the price of admission.”

“We can do that,” you nod. You step forward and reach your hand out to shake his hand. “Y/n Grimes.”

He lowers his weapon and shakes your hand. “Dr. Edwin Jenner You've got stuff to bring in; do it now. Once this door closes, it stays closed.”

Shane placed his hand on your back as you started to quickly follow Jenner, and you flinched when the metal shutters slammed down, covering all the windows and doorways in the lobby. Seconds later, the sounds of walkers trying to get in echoed through the room.

As everyone entered the elevator, Jace started to make a gurgling noise. Shane bent down and kissed him on the head before brushing Jace’s cheek with his finger and saying, “Hey little man, it’s all going to be okay.”

The sight warms your heart, but the feeling of loving warmth disappears when your eyes land on your sister-in-law, who is watching as Shane interacts with his son with an emotionless expression on her face.

—

When the elevator doors open, Jenn steps out first and says, “VI, seal the main entrance. Kill the power up here.”

He leads you down a hallway. “Are we underground?” Carol asks from behind you.

Jenner looks back at her and asks, “Are you claustrophobic?”

“A little.”

“Try not to think about it,” he answers casually. Jenner opens the door to a room that’s in complete darkness and says, “VI, bring up the lights in the big room.”

A hum of fire cuts through the air before the lights come on, and you stare in awe at what looks like a sci-fi lab you’d see in movies.

“Welcome to Zone 5.”

“Where is everybody? The other doctors, the staff?” Rick asks, trying his best to keep the concern out of his voice.

“I’m it. It's just me here.”

Lori looks at him confused. “What about the person you were speaking with? VI?”

“VI, say hello to our guests. Tell them… Welcome.”

A computerized voice starts talking, “Hello, guests. Welcome.”

“I’m all that’s left. I’m sorry.”

—

“Shane,” you whisper while nudging his arm with your elbow. “Cut it out.”

Shane gives you an annoyed look before returning his attention back to Jace, whom he was holding protectively. When Jenner said he’d need to test everyone’s blood, that included your baby. Although you weren’t happy with it, you didn’t see another choice. Shane disagreed but reluctantly agreed to let Jenner take blood from your son, which now led to him shooting death glances at the man.

When Andrea stands after having her blood taken, she stumbles forward but is caught by Jacqui before she hits the ground. She shakes the blonde's shoulder and asks, “Are you okay?”

“Mmm.”

“She hasn’t eaten in days,” Jacqui explains to Jenner. “None of us have.”

—

Everyone is seated at a large round table, eating pasta, laughing, and drinking wine. Minus yourself. Having a normal meal with family wasn’t something you thought you’d ever get to do again, which is why the moment felt so precious to you. You watch amused as Dale hands your nephew a glass with a small amount of wine in it for him to taste. Carl pulls a look of disgust after tasting the alcohol, causing everyone to laugh.

Lori stroked the back of his head before pouring the wine from his glass into hers. “That’s my boy. That’s my boy. Good boy.”

“That’s disgusting!”

Shane chuckles, “Well, just stick to soda pop there, bud.”

Daryl lets out a laugh. “Not you, Glenn.”

“What?” Glenn’s face flushes slightly.

“Keep drinking, little man. I want to see how red your face can get.”

You feel Shane tense beside you while others laugh. He didn’t look happy. You place your hand on his and ask, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just thinking,” is all he says before kissing the side of your head.

The look on Shane’s face makes you feel uneasy, but you don’t push for further information and return to devouring the meal in front of you.

While everyone else was laughing and talking among themselves, Lori leaned back in her chair to get your attention. There was a slight gap between your chairs, but nobody else was sitting between the two of you. She points towards the untouched glass of wine sitting in front of you and asks, “You going to drink that?”

Since you were breastfeeding, you wouldn’t be able to drink it, and it would be a shame for it to go to waste. You handed the glass to her, and the smile on her face pissed you off. “What’s mine is yours,” you say low enough that only she can hear you. “At least you asked this time, right?”

The smile on her face falls. Your attention is drawn to Rick when he stands and taps his fork against his glass. “It seems to me we haven’t thanked our host properly.”

“He is more than just our host,” T-Dog points out.

Dale raises his glass, “Hear hear!”

Everyone cheers to Jenner, thanking him for letting you in when Shane cuts in. “So when are you going to tell us what the hell happened here, Doc? Where are all the other doctors who were supposed to be figuring out what happened?”

The atmosphere changes immediately, and the lightness of evening and the heaviness of how the world was dammed were all real again.

Your brother shoots him a look. “We’re celebrating, Shane. You don’t need to do this now.”

“Whoa, wait a second. This is why we’re here, right? This was your move—you were supposed to find all the answers. Instead we—” Shane, let’s put in a sarcastic chuckle. “We found him. I found one man, why?”

A look of sadness falls over Jenner’s features. “Well, when things got bad, a lot of people just left and went off to be with their families. And when things got worse, when the military cordon got overrun, the rest bolted.”

“What happened?” You ask, feeling sorry for him.

“Many couldn’t face walking out the door. They opted out. There was a rash of suicides. That was a bad time.”

“You didn’t leave. Why?” Andrea asks.

“I just kept working, hoping to do some good.”

Glenn turns to Shane and sighs, “Dude, you are such a buzzkill, man.”

After finishing the rest of your meal in an awkward silence, Jenner begins to show you more of the building, including where you’d be sleeping.

“Most of the facility is powered down, including housing, so you’ll have to make do here. The couches are comfortable, but there are cots in storage if you like. I think there’s also a crib in one of the rooms that your little one could use,” he says, smiling at you. “There’s a rec room down the hall that you kids might enjoy. Just don’t plug in the video games, okay? or anything that draws power. The same applies—if you shower, go easy on the hot water.”

“You have showers here?”

“With hot water?” Glenn asks excitedly.

Jenner nods.

T-Dog claps his hands together and laughs, “That’s what the man said.”

—

“You know, I didn’t like what you said earlier.” Shane’s voice reaches you through the sound of running water.

You look over your shoulder at him and ask, “What?”

He joins you in the shower and kisses the back of your shoulder. “When you introduced yourself to Jenner, you said your name was y/n Grimes. I didn’t like that; it should be y/n Walsh.”

Y/n Walsh. You liked the sound of that. From the first time Shane told you he loved you, you knew you wanted to marry him and be his forever, but that was before the world went to shit. In another life, you’d be planning your over-the-top wedding and spending your days daydreaming about saying ‘I do.’ But instead you were washing off a couple of weeks' worth of dirt, blood, and sweat. As you looked down at the dirty ring at the bottom of the shower, it made you regret ever taking such a luxury for granted before.

“Hey, are you still with me?” Shane’s voice brings you back to reality.

He looks at you with concern as you turn around to face him. “Yeah, just lost in my thoughts. Jace?”

“He’s sound asleep. I asked Carol to watch over him for ten minutes.”

He goes to say something else, but you cut him off with a kiss. You pull back and pour some shampoo into your hands before rubbing it into his hair. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of you massaging his scalp before you pulled him further under the spray of the shower with you.

He wipes the soap that’s dripped down his face with his hand, giving you a playful grin. Suddenly, he wraps his arm around your waist and pulls you in close as he starts to leave trails of kisses over your neck and face. “That felt good,” he says with a grin. “Now, I think I should return the favor.”

“I’ve already washed my hair.”

“There’s more than one way to make you feel good,” he says in between kissing your jawline. You are hesitant at first, but when Shane drops to his knees in front of you, you let out a soft moan as he kisses your stomach. He puts one of your legs over your shoulder and starts kissing up your thigh, “I can stop; just tell me and I’ll stop.”

You tangle your fingers in his hair, “whatever you do, don’t stop.”

He smirks before putting his mouth where you want it. One of your hands slammed against the wall while the other pulled on his hair as he devoured and worshiped you with his skilled tongue.

—

You walk into the rec room and smile at Carol, who’s gently rocking the crib Jace is in, and quietly say, “Thank you so much for watching him.”

“He’s slept like an angel,” she smiles before saying good night to you; her young daughter Sophia does the same.

At the same time, they leave. Lori and Carl come into the room. You smile at the young boy, “Hey munchkin, you hungover?”

He lets out a giggle before noticing a couple of board games that are in the room. “Aunt y/n, can you play a game with me?”

You glance down at Jace, who is still sound asleep, then back at Carl, who is staring at you with pleading eyes. “Of course, but only if you let me win at least one game.”

“You're such a sore loser,” he says before setting up a game of chess.

Lori places her hand on your shoulder and says, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

A part of you wanted to rip her hand off and yell at her squints; she didn’t need to appreciate it because Carl is your family and you’d do anything for him, even something as small as play a board game with him to make him smile because that’s what families do. or are supposed to do. But instead, you bite down on the rage you have towards her and give her a nod before sitting down across from Carl.

As you put away the chess board, Lori says to Carl, “Baby, go say your prayers. I’m gonna browse a bit.”

“Night, Auntie,” he says before looking down at Jace. “Night little cuz.”

So sweet. Seeing the sweet interaction made you want to wrap your son and Carl in bubble wrap. Silently, you pick Jace up and go to leave, but Lori calls after you.

“Y/n… Do you—are you—how are you holding up?”

“Holding up?”

You see an uneasy look pass over Lori’s face. “Being a mom is difficult. God, I remember spending so many nights crying because I just didn’t know what to do with this tiny human who depended on me. And no matter how hard your partner tries to help, the loneliness of it gets to you. I couldn’t imagine going through all that again when the world is like this.” She swirled the tiny amount of wine left in her glass before sitting the glass down. “Being a new mom in a new world must be really stressful.”

“It would be a lot less stressful if my sister-in-law didn’t bang my fiancé.”

She stares at you in shock and struggles to form a reply. You turn your back on her and walk out of the room and back down the hallway to the room you’d be sleeping in for the night.

—

You try not to laugh at Glenn as he groans into his arms as everyone sits around the same table as the night before for breakfast. The smell and look of the powdered eggs were enough to turn your stomach, but you imagined being hungover would have made it much worse.

“Protein helps the hangover,” T-Dog says, putting a plate down in front of Glenn.

“Hey, Aunt y/n, how come you eat eggs now?”

You let out a quiet laugh, watching him shove a forkful of food into his mouth. You sometimes forget how observant Carl is for such a young boy. You didn’t want to bring him down and tell him the truth—that the choice to be vegan was no longer an option—so you just lied.

You shrug, “because I heard you were being taught how to cook, and you can’t learn to cook without an official taste tester.”

You and Rick exchange a look. He smiles at you before returning to his meal. You glance at Lori and notice she still hasn’t lifted her head. From the moment she'd sat down, she��d avoided eye contact with you, Shane, and Rick.

“Morning,” Jenner says, entering the room.

Shane continues to lightly bounce Jace in his arms and looks over at him. “Hey, Doc.”

Everyone at the table greets Jenner. You watch disapprovingly at the way Dale stares at your host while he pours himself a cup of coffee. You understood that everyone’s mind was spinning with questions, but the least you could do is let the man have his breakfast.

Dale didn’t share your line of thinking and says, “I don’t mean to slam you with questions first thing—”

Jenner sighs, “But you will anyway.”

“We didn’t come here for the eggs,” Andrea adds.

—

You stood in awe, staring at a big screen inside the lab, watching as it zoomed in on a skull, detailing the threads as they became closer and pulsed with different colors. “What are those lights?”

“It's a person’s life—experiences, memories,” Jenner explains. “It’s everything. Somewhere in all that organic wiring, all those ripples of light, is you—the thing that makes you unique and human.”

You try to soak up as much information as you can, but Jace starts fussing. You walk over to the other side of the room and begin to feed Jace while your eyes scan different things in the room.

The atmosphere in the room became heavy as Jenner explained what happened to a human body after it died, how it shut down, and how long it took before it resurrected. Andrea became upset thinking of her sister Amy, who had only died due to being bitten by a walker a few days prior.

After death, if you were bitten or scratched by a walker, you’d be alive enough to get up and move, but that was it. All your memories and consciousness were gone. Nobody knew what had caused the apocalypse to happen. Jenner also shared that all communication with other labs had gone silent months ago.

“Man, I’m going to get shitfaced drunk again,” Daryl says, shaking his head.

You look over his shoulder at the large countdown on the wall behind him. “Dr. Jenner, I don’t want to harass you with any more questions, but what’s that countdown for? What happens when it reaches zero?”

“The basement generators—they run out of fuel,” he deadpans.

“What happens then?”

Jenner ignores your question and walks out of the room. Rick gives you a confused look before looking up at the ceiling and asking, “VI, what happens when the power runs out?”

“When the power runs out, facility-wide decontamination will occur.”

Oh shit.

—

With the countdown getting closer to zero, the energy from the generator was being prioritized, so all the lights in the hallways and bedrooms have been turned off.

You studied Jenner as he finished off the bottle of whisky he’d taken from Daryl. The building was shutting down with all of you still inside it. “No power grid. It ran out of juice. The world runs on fossil fuels. I mean, how stupid is that?” Jenner says casually.

“Let me tell you—” Shane tries to follow him, but you grab onto his arm, holding him back.

“To hell with it, Shane.” Rick says, turning to address the group, “Lori, grab our things. Everybody, get your stuff. We're getting out of here now!”

Before anyone can leave, an alarm starts blaring, and Vi confirms the decontamination will start in half an hour. Jenner ignores everyone’s questions about what's happening and scans his badge and enters a code into a security pad. Security doors slam shut, locking everyone in the room.

Daryl runs at Jenner, attempting to hit him on the head with a glass bottle, but Shane and Rick hold him back.

“Hey, Jenner, open that door now,” your brother says firmly. But Jenner seems unfazed.

“Rick,” you stand beside your brother, close enough that only he can hear you. “He let us in here so we can die with him. This place-”

“There’s no point,” Jenner cuts you off. “Everything topside is locked down. The emergency exits are sealed.”

“Well, open the damn things?”

Jenner looks up at you from his desk. “That’s not something I control. The computers do. I told you once that the front door would not open again. You heard me say that. It’s better this way.”

“What is? What happens in 28 minutes?” Rick asks, and when Jenner ignores him, he asks again. “What happens in 28 minutes?!”

Jenner jumps out of his chair and shouts. “You know what this place is! We protected the public from very nasty stuff! Weaponized smallpox! Ebola strains that could wipe out half the country! Stuff you don’t want getting out! Ever!” He sighs and sits back down, regaining his calm composure. “In the event of a catastrophic power failure—in a terrorist attack, for example—HITs are deployed to prevent any organisms from getting out.”

“H.I.T.s?”

Jenner rolls his eyes and says, “VI, define.”

“H.I.T.s—high-impulse thermobaric fuel-air explosives—consist of a two-stage aerosol ignition that produces a blast wave of significantly greater power and duration than any other known explosive except nuclear. The vacuum-pressure effect ignites the oxygen at between 5,000 and 6,000 degrees and is useful when the greatest loss of life and damage to structures is desired.”

Everything starts to feel like it’s moving in slow motion when people start to cry out of grief and fear, while Shane and Daryl try to break down the door with axes.

“An end to sorrow, grief, and regret. Everything,” Jenner says sadly. The Doc remains unfazed when Daryl tries to get to him with the ax. Jenner looks directly at Rick and says, “You do want this. Last night, you said you knew it was just a matter of time before everybody you loved was dead.”

You watch Lori’s face fall along with your own at hearing those words. Shane glared at your brother and said, “What? You really said that? After all your big talk?”

“I had to keep hope alive, didn’t I?”

“There is no hope. There never was,” Jenner says blankly.

Shane stares at Jace for a moment before picking up his shotgun and storming towards Jenner. Your brother tried to stop him, but Shane aimed the gun at Jenner’s head. “Out of the way, Rick! Stay out of my way! Open that door, or I’m going to blow your head off. Do you hear me?”

“Brother, brother, this is not the way you do this. We will never get out of here,” Rick says, trying to calm him down. “If he dies, we all die.”

Frustrated Shane yells before shooting at the computers on the other side of the room. Rick knocks him to the ground and takes the gun away from him.

You kneel in front of Jenner and place your hand on his, an action that visibly pisses your fiancé off. “You and Rick are both wrong, you know? There is hope, and if you didn’t believe there was a chance of a better life, you wouldn’t have kept this place going for so long.”

“I didn’t do what I wanted to. I did it because I promised my wife. She begged me to keep going as long as I could. How could I say no?” He blinks away tears as he points to a picture of a woman who was used as a test subject to see how long it took the dead to turn. “She was dying. It should’ve been me at that table. I wouldn’t have mattered to anybody. She was a loss to the world. Hell, she ran this place. I just worked here. In our field, she was an Einstein. Me? I’m just Edwin Jenner. She could’ve done something about this. Not me.”

“Your wife didn’t have a choice in how or when she died, but you do. And if you want to die like this, then it’s on you... but please, please give us the choice as well; give us a chance to survive.” You look down at Jace, and fear strikes as the reality of your son's death hits you. “Give me a chance to save him.”

Jenner turns away from you, types a code into the security pad, and unlocks the door. You squeezed Jenner's hand and said, “Thank you.”

“Y/n!”

Hearing Shane call your name, you walk towards him, where he’s waiting by the doorway for you. You glance back at your brother, who’s still talking to Jenner, and say, “Rick, come on!”

Your attention is drawn to T-Dog arguing with Jacqui, who has decided she wants to stay behind and die with Jenner. T-Dog looks completely heartbroken and doesn’t move until Shane takes him by the arm and leads him up the ramp into the hallway. “Dog, come on, man. Come on! Let’s go! Let’s go!”

—

“Fuck!” You hear me reaching the door in the lobby. “The doors are locked! We are still trapped!”

Daryl and Shane try to break the glass with the axes while T-Dog tries to unlock the door with the pad by the door, but none of it works.

“Try the gun!”

Shame aims his shotgun at the glass and fires, but the bullet barely makes a tent.

“Rick, I have something that might help,” Carol says, reaching into her bag. “Your first morning at camp, when I washed your uniform, I found this in your pocket.”

Carol hands your brother a grenade, and you immediately run to the other side of the lobby to take cover from the blast. Rick looks terrified as he pulls the pin on the grenade and leaves it on the window sill. He quickly jumps down, making it far enough away that blast just misses him.

One of the windows shatters, and you all run towards it. You jump down from the ledge onto the ground outside and cuss, “Ah fuck!”

You stand long enough to feel a sharp pain in the back of your thigh, but Glenn wraps his arm around you and helps you as you try not to stumble forward.

Rick and Shane cleared a path for everyone by shooting the walkers that were attracted by the noise of the explosion.

When you reach the vehicles, Shane looks back, notices you struggling to run, and practically carries you to the car while everyone else gets into the RV.

He jumps in the car beside you and asks, “What happened?”

You look down to see what's causing you such pain and see a shard of glass sticking into the back of your leg. “Fuck, that's what I must have done it when I jumped.”

Mentally, you made a note to make sure Shane kept his promise to take Jace to safety if you ever got hurt, slowing them down again in a life-or-death situation. But now wasn’t the time.

You look up when Rick starts to honk his horn, and you see Dale and Andrea running out of the building. You duck down, doing your best to cover Jace without hurting him. Shane covers your body with his own to protect you from the blast.

The CD explodes into a huge fireball, and you feel the heat from the blast, but luckily the fire doesn’t reach you. The sky starts to fill with thick black smoke that will no doubt attract all the walkers in the area.

When Andra and Dale get into the RV, Rick starts to drive away. Shane looks shaken as he stares at the distraction that’s left behind. “Hey,” you lightly grip his chin so he faces you. “We’re okay, we got out.” You felt guilty saying those words knowing not everyone made it, but you needed Shane to snap out of his shock before any walkers reached the car. “Baby, I know this is hard, but we’ve got to go.”

Shane offers you a small smile and follows behind Rick, with T-Dog and Daryl behind you.

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redux-iterum · 3 years ago

Text

A Kindling: Chapter Two

(AO3 counterpart here.)

A mass of grey exploded from the brush. Before Rusty could so much as blink, he found himself thrown backwards. He landed on his side and rolled a little, grass and ferns and soil catching on his pelt.

Rusty wasted no time in getting to his feet, staring at the big grey tabby that stood across from him. He started to turn, but he was tackled again and knocked onto his back. The tabby loomed over him, bright yellow eyes alight with interest.

Rusty was small enough that he could reach with his back foot and kick the cat in their face. The tabby threw their head back with a noise of surprise and Rusty scrambled upwards again. This time, he didn’t try to run, except to stumble back a bit to give himself space and time to get a good look at his assailant.

This cat—a tom—was quite bigger than Rusty, and significantly furrier; it was hard to tell how much of his size was from his hair alone. His face was large but youthful, making Rusty blink as he realized that he might be around Rusty’s age—which was quite terrifying, given how massive the tom’s paws were. His eyes were the only brightly lit part of his face, and they oddly did not seem angry or even wary. If anything, he looked curious.

“St-stay back,” Rusty stammered anyway, as if he could pose a threat to this monolith. His back paws inched a step or two away. “I’m not here to cause trouble.”

The tabby blinked, and spoke in a much higher, younger voice than Rusty had expected. “Well, that’s obvious. Not that you could.”

Rusty stared. This cat was definitely his age, then. “I just- I was only following that animal, whatever it is.”

The bright eyes widened in shock and sparkled in amusement. “You don’t even know what you were hunting?”

“I…” Rusty’s head lowered and his shoulders hunched of their own accord, embarrassment warming his ears. “No.”

“Wooow,” the tabby said, sounding genuinely awed. “You kittypets really are sheltered. Even a kit knows what a mouse is.”

‘Mouse’, Rusty thought, even more embarrassed. He had heard the word before, but never had an image attached to it. Now it seemed painfully obvious that he had been after a mouse. His ears burned, sliding back to fold against his head.

Eager to get away from this feeling, he changed the topic. “What’s a kittypet?”

“Uh, you?” The tabby’s eyes scanned him with bafflement. “You live in those houses with the humans, right? You’ve got a collar.”

Rusty didn’t know how this cat managed to make having a collar sound scornful. “I-I do, yeah. I live with my human.”

“So you’re a kittypet.” The tabby gave a self-satisfactory nod. “And you really shouldn’t be on our territory, hunting our food. You’ve got food at home.”

“I do,” Rusty repeated, quieter. He wanted to huddle again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

The tabby eyed him doubtfully before abruptly turning his head back and calling into the woods, “Is that the answer you wanted, Bluestar?”

“More or less,” said someone else.

Rusty jolted upright as two cats, both even larger than the tabby, pushed out of the undergrowth. One of them was a dark red tom with white feet, and the other, the tallest of the three, was a magnificent blue-grey molly who only had to glance at Rusty to make him want to bow his head in respect. Both of them had long hair, like the tabby, and both of them had grave, hardened faces, though their eyes were alert and more youthful.

“I had been hoping to see more of a fight,” the molly said, her voice low and commanding, “but we can take it from here, Greypaw, thank you.”

The tabby—Greypaw, rather—immediately took several steps back to allow the older cats to approach Rusty. Rusty stood, frozen in place, as they moved forward with slow, deliberate, incredibly intimidating steps, until they were within a tail-length of him. The red tom tilted his head a little, quietly regarding Rusty.

The molly looked down at Rusty. “Hello, Rusty. I am Bluestar.”

Rusty swallowed, too nervous to wonder where she got his name. “Hello.”

Bluestar had to have noticed his nervousness, because her tone softened a little. “I’m the leader of ThunderClan, the Clan that owns this forest.”

So they are real, Rusty thought, eyes wide.

“This—” Bluestar nodded to the tom “—is Redtail, and you know Greypaw already. We’ve come to speak with you tonight.”

Rusty blinked. “M-me? Why?”

Redtail spoke now, and his voice was much warmer, easing Rusty’s anxiety a little. “We’ve noticed you for a while now, staring into our woods since you came to live with the humans. We actually expected that you would wander past the border someday. It was a lucky coincidence that we decided to talk to you tonight, just as you trespassed.”

“Oh.” Rusty lowered his chin a little, embarrassed again. “I didn’t realize this wasn’t a place I could explore. I mean, I heard you chase house cats away, but I just… I was too curious, and my friend—”

Bluestar cleared her throat quietly and Rusty immediately clamped his mouth shut. “You don’t need to make excuses, Rusty. We’re not upset with you.”

Somehow, that didn’t make him feel any more relieved.

“We had Greypaw attack you to see how you’d react,” she said. “And while you’re not exactly strong, you were honorable about coming here uninvited, and we respect that.”

Redtail suddenly walked forward and began circling Rusty, sniffing him. He and his tail were long enough that they formed a complete ring around Rusty. He stayed perfectly still, keeping his eyes on Bluestar, having a feeling that that was the correct choice.

“Now let me ask you…” Bluestar’s head tipped to one side just a fraction as she appraised the little house cat. “Are you satisfied with your life as a kittypet? Are you content to live in a house, wearing a collar, eating those pellets forever?”

Rusty blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden questions. “It’s- it’s been pretty boring, honestly. I…”

He trailed off, unsure of where to go with this.

Bluestar nodded with a subtle sense of encouragement. “Go ahead. How do you feel being a kittypet?”

Rusty took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. “I guess I would say that it feels… easy. Which, I don’t think that’s a bad thing for some, but I’m always bored when I’m home. If- well, if you have been watching me, you must have seen me going into everybody else’s yards. I irritate some of my neighbors, and I don’t mean to, but I can’t help it. Just staying inside, or in my own yard, I get restless. The only reason I haven’t come here before is because of the rumors about you. That you chase off strangers, and things like that.”

He happened to glance at Greypaw, who was now much closer, like he had been sneaking up to listen in better. The tom seemed quite intrigued by Rusty’s speech—almost eager, if Rusty wasn’t mistaken. For what, though, he wasn’t sure.

Bluestar spoke again and Rusty immediately returned his attention to her. “Then you would leave your kittypet life, if you think you could.”

Rusty considered this idea for a few heartbeats, then nodded. “I would. My friend would think I’m crazy, but I’d love to see what else is out there. I just don’t know if I can.”

Redtail paused as he came around to Rusty’s head and silently caught his eyes. He looked pleased. “I think you can, chrii, if you really want to.”

“Then you agree?” Bluestar said to him.

Redtail nodded. “It’s worth a try.”

“Very good.” Bluestar turned back to Rusty. “Then we have an offer for you.”

Rusty held his breath without quite knowing why.

“If you are willing to leave your kittypet life behind,” Bluestar said, lowering her head a little to meet Rusty’s eye level, “and if you are willing to work hard and learn our ways, ThunderClan would be interested in having you join us.”

Rusty’s eyes widened. Something in his chest flared to life in a way he had not felt before. “Me? T-to be a Clan cat?”

“That’s right.” Bluestar met his eyes with a pale, serious stare. “I will warn you now—Clan life is not for everyone. You will need to hunt for food, and defend our borders, and live with many other cats who may not all like you at first. You’d have to change your name to something like our names. We don’t have your human healing powers out here. You could get sick or injured, and you won’t have the humans as an option for help.”

“And we have a Code we live by,” Redtail added, also looking Rusty in the eye—though his gaze was much less intimidating. “You’ll have to follow our rules and obey your superiors. And, most importantly, you can’t come back to your human for any reason.”

Rusty blinked. “Why not?”

“We stay away from humans,” Redtail said. “We don’t take food from them, we don’t play with their cats, and we don’t go into the Houses unless we’re forced to. We take care of ourselves.”

“That means that you would have to say goodbye to your friend.” Bluestar caught Rusty’s attention now. “You won’t be able to go to his home and play with him anymore.”

A great deal of these warnings, oddly, did not bother Rusty, but as soon as this last condition was given, he hesitated. “…Could I at least talk to him?”

“No,” Bluestar said. “If you are one of us, you don’t talk to kittypets.”

Rusty’s eyes lowered to the ground. Losing all contact with Smudge was a hefty price for…

“It sounds like a really difficult life,” he said, looking back up at Bluestar. “Is it all that bad?”

Bluestar’s eyes crinkled, surprisingly humorous. “No, of course not. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be doing it.”

“Being a Clan cat is great!” Greypaw burst out. His huge paws almost tripped over each other as he closed the distance between him and the rest of the group. “We eat real food, and we have the forest all to ourselves, and we’re so strong we scare all the cats in the Aulmir and Houses, and we—”

“Greypaw,” Redtail said patiently.

Greypaw’s ears went down, but he didn’t fully deflate. “Sorry. I just think he’d really like it.”

“I do too.” Redtail looked at Rusty. “Being part of ThunderClan means you’re courageous and powerful. You have a community who will fight to the death to protect you from any danger.”

“Even at first?” Rusty asked.

“Even at first,” Redtail affirmed. “We have our great wide forest, and we still travel to different places and meet with different cats—the other Clans that live nearby. You’ll get to learn a great deal of new things, all the while living a real life, running and climbing and hunting.” He cocked his head to the side almost fondly. “And we have many stories to share with you. I think you’d be interested in those.”

“What do you think, Rusty?” Bluestar said.

All three ThunderClan cats watched him expectantly as he focused hard, considering his options. Exploring, hunting mice, meeting new cats: it all sounded exciting. He didn’t mind the work that would come with being feral, if he had those cats that could support him while he learned their ways. He didn’t even really mind the idea of changing his name.

But the risk of getting hurt or sick, having to abandon Smudge, and the warning that he might not be welcomed initially…

He looked at Bluestar. “I don’t know what to do. It’s a lot to think about.”

“That’s alright.” Bluestar straightened up again, returning to her businesslike posture. “I know it’s a big change from what you’re used to. We can give you two days to think about it. The night after tomorrow, there will be two warriors waiting for you at the edge of this forest. You can give them your answer. If you decide to join us, they’ll take you to our camp.”

“And that’ll be it?” Rusty asked.

“No more kittypet business,” Redtail said. “You’ll give all that up if you say yes.”

“Huh.” Rusty’s eyes returned to the ground as he considered this. He nodded slowly. “I would like to think it over, if that’s okay.”

“That’s why we offered it.” Redtail gave him a friendly tap on his back with his enormously fluffy tail. “I hope to see you in our camp soon, Rusty. Until then, I think it’s time for you to go home.”

“We do have a patrol to continue,” Bluestar said, not too unkindly. “Consider things carefully, Rusty. It’s all or nothing. If you say no, you aren’t welcome back in this forest.”

Rusty was a little worried by that last note, but he said, “Okay. Thank you, Bluestar. For the offer. Regardless of what I say.”

Bluestar looked down on him, but with approval in her eyes. “We’ll see you soon.”

With that, she jerked her head to the side and Greypaw approached, nosing Rusty’s shoulder and almost knocking him over. “Come on, I’ll take you back to the border.”

Rusty cleared his throat and dipped his head respectfully to Bluestar and Redtail before hurrying after the departing Greypaw. When he caught up, he opened his mouth to ask a question, but Greypaw spoke first.

“It’d be cool if you joined us,” he said. “You seem nice. And the other apprentices are either too shy or too up their own prats to hang out. I’ll help you learn the trade, if you come back.”

Rusty blinked, surprised by the offer. “Well… thank you.”

“You’ll get a much cooler name than ‘Rusty’, too.” Greypaw snorted. “’Rusty’, really, who named you?”

“My mother,” Rusty said, and couldn’t help digging back a little. “Not much weirder than ‘Greypaw’ and ‘Bluestar’ and ‘Redtail’. What if I get a weird name?”

“You won’t,” Greypaw said. “I’m sure of it.”

The two couldn’t talk any further; they had reached the end of the forest and Rusty could see his house (and a panicked Smudge) from here. He looked back at Greypaw, and was surprised by the earnest eagerness on his face.

“Hope to see you again, kittypet,” he said.

Rusty, not sure what to say, gave him a nod and started for his fence. He heard Greypaw rustling through the ferns and grass and disappearing into the woods. He didn’t look back. He had a feeling he would be tempted to return there if he did.

“You��re okay!” Smudge cried when he was close enough to speak. “I saw that cat—he’s huge! How did he not kill you?”

“He didn’t want to.” Rusty bunched up his haunches and leaped onto the fence. He turned to Smudge, unaware of his fur flaring and his eyes sparkling. “You are not going to believe what happened.”

#warrior cats #warriors redux iterum #iterum #a kindling #chapter #chapter two #book one #arc one

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pedro-pascal-love · 4 years ago

Text

Moving On

One Shots ❖ Main Masterlist ❖ Join My Taglist

Rating: Teen

Word Count: 2k+

Summary: Moving on after saying goodbye.

Warnings: Angst, FLUFFFFFFFF

⟸ Officer Brown Eyes ❖ Raise Warriors ⟹

Din had let the Child go. He had let some Jedi walk in and waltz right back out with the Child. He wasn’t sure what to do now that he’d achieved what he’d sworn by the Creed to do. He stood rooted in the same spot with you next to him, just staring at the empty hallway littered with dismembered dark troopers. You looked over at him and could see the tears threatening to fall from his eyes, having finally let Grogu glimpse his face without the helmet on, only for him to say goodbye to his son. The sight broke your heart as you brought your hand to slip into Din’s and grasp it comfortingly.

“You’ll see him again,” you stated softly, as you felt Din’s fingers close around your own and squeeze. You turned to him and brought your hand to his face, much like how Grogu had done moments prior.

“I promised,” Din whispered, finally meeting your gaze as you nodded. You could see out of the corner of your eyes that Bo Katan, Cara, Koska, and Fennec had all turned away from you and Din, giving you both privacy. Din looked down at the helmet he held in his other hand and then back at you.

“I……” he started to say, but you brought your finger to his lips.

“You broke no Creed,” you consoled. “He is your son. Part of your clan.” Din nodded and turned to look at Bo Katan, who’d since then removed her helmet as well.

“She is right,” Bo Katan agreed. “Mandalorians are not forbidden from removing their helmets after taking the Creed. As I explained before, the Children of the Watch were a rogue group of zealots who interpreted the Creed more strictly. I would know because I was part of the Death Watch.” Din’s eyes shot up to meet hers.

“What?” He asked, confused as to who the Death Watch was.

“I remember hearing the stories,” you began. “The stories of the New Mandalorians and the Death Watch during the Mandalorian Civil War.” Bo Katan nodded and cast her gaze downward, growing anxious as to where you were going with this news.

“If I remember correctly, you were their leader for a time,” you continued, turning to face her as Cara and Fennec also turned to watch the interaction. “That was before that one guy took over, and you broke away.” Bo Katan again nodded and sighed.

“Yes, but that was a long time ago,” she defended. “A lot has changed since then. The Children of the Watch were a fragment from the Death Watch, raised under a more strict code than even the Death Watch followed. Secrecy was survival at the time because Mandalorians all over the galaxy were being hunted, especially after the Purge.”

“So that means that……I was raised by those people?” Din questioned, uncertain. You watched as he looked unsure of himself, so different than his confidence that he exuded when donning the helmet.

“Yes, in some way or another,” Bo Katan confirmed. You gripped Din’s hand tight and squeezed, giving him some comfort with his newfound discovery.

“So that means that he is still Mandalorian,” you stated as a fact. Bo Katan looked at you and nodded.

“Yes, and with the Darksaber, it also means that he has a claim to the throne. To my throne,” Bo Katan said harshly.

“I don’t want it,” Din said confidently. “I don’t want to rule Mandalore.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not how tradition works,” Bo Katan replied. “By right, you are now Mandalore. By tradition, you are now our leader.” You shifted your gaze from Din to hers and looking into her eyes.

“It seems to me that tradition is what got Mandalorians into this mess to begin with,” you stated, as you took the Darksaber from Din’s belt and held it. “For a weapon to bring such power, but at such a price is outlandish.”

“Yes, but that is the way of the Mandalore,” Koska tuned in.

“Maybe back then, and look how that all turned out. It’s time for things to change,” you said as you handed Din the Darksaber. “If you do not want it, then you do not want it, and that’s your decision to make.” Din nodded as he looked down at the weapon in his hands. He held it out as he lit the Darksaber, watching at the dark blade whooshed to life with a hum.

“I, Din Djarin, yield this weapon to you, Bo Katan, of the Clan Kryze,” he said, as he turned it off and shifted the hilt to face her, extending out his hand. Bo Katan looked at Din and then to you.

“Take it; it’s yours,” he said. “I do not want it.” Bo Katan reached for the saber but stopped before grabbing it. She looked at it for another moment before dropping her hand and shaking her head.

“No. It’s yours. You earned it. As she said, traditions are what got us here in the first place. I will reclaim my throne on Mandalore by my own right,” Bo Katan said as she looked at you. You gave her a small smile as Din took back the saber and placed it on his belt.

“Will you at least join us in retaking our homeworld?” Bo Katan asked, hopeful. Din shook his head as he looked down at your once again joined hands.

“I think I’m going to sit this one out for now. I have some things I want to take care of first,” Din replied.

―EIGHT MONTHS LATER―

You were exhausted. You and Din had decided to settle down on Nevarro to stay close to your friends, and you were glad to, seeing as you were the size of a whale, or so it seemed. It had taken the both of you by surprise when you’d found out shortly after the events of Moff Gideon’s light cruiser that you were with child. You guessed that the passionate encounter you and Din had shared on Slave I after Morak was when it had happened, but there were a few other encounters after that, so it was a guess. You were nearing your due date, and you were ready to kill anyone who got on your nerves for even looking at you wrong. Being the mother of a Mandalorian’s child was one thing, but when that Mandalorian was also someone as feared and respected as Din, there were many questions and a lot of looks. You shuffled over to the entrance of Greef’s home and knocked. You heard some shuffling, and then the door slid open with a whoosh.

“Welcome!!” Greef greeted as he leaned down to hug you as best as he could. “Goodness, you’re almost ready to pop!”

“Don’t even get me started!” You made your way into his home, and a protocol droid made its way over to you and offered you some help. You quickly waved it away and sat down.

“So, when should I be expecting him back?” Greef asked you, inquiring about where Din was. You shrugged.

“Last I heard, he was helping Boba with something on Tatooine and then said he had to go to his old covert and talk to them about something,” you answered.

“I see,” Greef replied. “Well, hopefully, he’s back in time for your little one!”

Ever since you and Din had returned with Cara to Nevarro Greef has been dotting on you. He was saddened to hear that Grogu had indeed gone off to train with the Jedi but was delighted to find out that you were expecting. He’d been dotting on you like an expectant grandfather, and it was endearing.

Some time passed while you were keeping Greef company, and he was telling you all about how he and Cara were making Nevarro even better when you heard telltale sounds of a ship landing on the outskirts of town. Greef quickly made his way out to greet whoever it was that landed, and you hoped that it was Din. You went to get up from lying down but felt a little pain in your lower back and winced. You tried to sit up further but then felt another jolt of pain run down your side as you clutched your belly.

“Oh no,” you said, as the protocol droid came back over at the sound of your distress.

“How can I be of assistance?” It asked.

“Get Greef or Cara NOW,” you shouted, feeling another burst of pain. You stayed rooted to your spot as you held your belly, trying to breathe through the pain. Within moments Cara burst in and saw you frozen to your spot in pain.

“Dank farrik,” she said as she walked over and supported your weight on her arm. “Let’s get you a to a bed. A medical droid is already on the way.” Cara helped carry you to the guest room and laid you down on the bed as the door opened, and a medical droid swiftly made its way into the room to assist you. You groaned as you felt pain and then a sudden rush of wetness between your legs.

“Oh boy,” Cara said, wide-eyed and in shock. “Guess the little one wants to come out right now!” You threw your head back in pain as you felt a contraction hit and cried out.

��WHERE IS HE?!” You screamed out, gripping her hand as you felt another contraction hit.

“He should be here soon. He and Boba landed; that was the ship that flew over the town. He should be here any minute,” Cara soothed. You let out a scream as the pain was increasing, but you didn’t want the medical droid to administer any pain killers just yet. You just wanted Din to be there with you for the birth of your child. You shut your eyes from the pain and let out another whimper, and you felt Cara let go of your hand. You grabbed the blankets as you felt another contraction hit and then felt a hand on your back stroking it. You opened your eyes and saw Cara as she smiled down at you and then looked towards the door. You followed her gaze as you saw him standing there, frozen in the doorway dressed in his armor.

“Din,” you breathed out, not sure if it was a dream or not. He promptly made his way into the room as you spied Boba behind him in the hallway with Greef. Din reached the side of the bed as he took his helmet off, and you heard the distinct whoosh of air as he removed it and placed it on the table next to you.

“I’m here, cyar’ika,” he said as he knelt by the bed and pressed his forehead against yours. “I’m here.” You began to sob as you felt his breath on your face and warmth envelope you.

“You’re right on time,” you joked through tears as another contraction hit and Din grasped your hand.

“Sorry it took so long, but we had to take care of a few things,” Din said as he moved a pouch into your view. You shifted your gaze down and met two big eyes staring right back at you, and you began to sob even harder. Your little green bean was back with you.

“Oh Din!” you exclaimed, as you threw your arms around him and Grogu and cried some more. The moment was short-lived as another contraction hit you and Din pushed your shoulder back so you could lay down.

“Push, cyar’ika,” he urged gently as the medical droid positioned itself between your legs to help deliver the baby. You felt a little weight on the bed and saw Grogu come to sit next to you beside Din, watching curiously. You felt the medical droid begin the process to help deliver the baby, and you pushed. And pushed. And pushed. After a few moments of you screaming out while Din held your hand, you heard a little cry erupt from the foot of the bed as your child was delivered. The medical droid gingerly handed Din your child as you looked on in joy. He brought your baby close to you and Grogu as you touched its face.

“A son,” he whispered, tears brimming on the edge of his eyes.

“Diyari,” you replied, tears already streaming down your face. “Our little gift.”

“Diyari. Our gift,” Din agreed, as your son reached out and you watched as Grogu gave him a finger to grasp.

“Grogu,” you said, “meet your little brother.” Grogu cooed as he perked his ears up in glee as he studied the newest member of your little family.

“You have some explaining to do, by the way,” you spoke to Din as you both gazed at your two children.

“It turns out that Grogu doesn’t have to stay away forever to train to be a Jedi. Luke let him leave the Temple to come to stay with us a while, and he also mentioned that we could stay there as well if we came to visit,” Din explained. “Family is important to him.”

“I’m glad,” you said as exhaustion began to overtake you. You laid back on the bed as Grogu came and cuddled up beside you while Din tended to Diyari. You watched him cradle the little bundle and felt your heart swell with love. The man that you loved so much had given you a family—a home. You felt your eyes grow heavy as you began to drift off, but before you embraced the darkness of rest, you heard Din speak softly into your ear as he stroked your hair with his free hand.

“Cyar’ika, mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde.” You felt him place a kiss on your head, and you smiled.

“Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, riduur,” you replied, as you closed your eyes and drifted off.

Translations

Cyar’ika-darling

Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde - We are one when together, we are one when parted, we will share all, we will raise warriors

Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum – I love you

Riduur – partner, spouse, husband/wife

⟸ Officer Brown Eyes ❖ Raise Warriors ⟹

#the mandalorian #the mandolorian x reader #din djarin #din djarin x reader #din djarin fanfiction #the mandalorian spoilers

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lunarianillusion · 4 years ago

Text

A change in fate

authors note: Sorry this chapter took a while, writers block is a pain and school takes a lot of time. Still I hope you enjoy this chapter and this story is now also on archive of our own under the same name. Now on with the story.

a maribat fanfic

Chapter 07

Marinette had been greatly relieved when Mist had returned so quickly and seemingly having succeeded in their mission. The miracle box safely tucked in their tail, a ball of memories between the leopard’s jaws and Wayzz sitting upon their silvery head. A small smile graced her lips at the sight.

But the small moment of joy had been shattered when a. unknown presence made themselves known. How had she not noticed them, she was the true holder of the miraculous of emotions, she could feel everyone’s emotions within a six-mile radius clearly. Even if she could not on a person’s scent, she should have been able to sense his emotions long before they made themselves known. So, how had she not been able to sense them following her guardian.

In a quick and flowing motion Royal shifted into her battle stance. Her fan at the ready in one hand miracle box in the other, Mist had her claws out and growled from deep in their throat and Wayzz nuzzled into the female’s neck hiding away from the possible danger. All their eyes focussed on the figure that now slipped out of the shadows.

To a certain degree the wielder of the peafowl was relieved that the intruder was neither Chat Noir nor her replacement. That however did not rule out the possibility that this was another akuma, albeit a better dressed one. The male wore upon a quick glance a near skin-tight suit made out of a reinforced material she could not quite place. His main colors consisted of red and black with a golden yellow coloring for his utility belts, that sat on his waist and crossed over his chest. Overall a decent ensemble, definitely better than what some akumas wore. The only things that really did not sit well with her was the length of the cape and that bloody cowl!

The male raised his hands in a gesture of surrender and moved his head to bear his throat. “I am not here to fight you, Blue Royal,” the stranger stated calmly. “Or should I refer to you by your old identity, Ladybug.”

The blue clad hero went absolutely rigid at this comment as did her companions. How? How did he find out?

Seeming able to read her body language he went on to give her a simple explanation on how he got to this revelation. He told her about how he had been there when the last akuma attacked and had made the connection due to her mannerisms around the so-called heroes and her overall combat experience. For not even someone trained in any form of martial arts, no matter how long they may have trained, would be able to pull of what she did in that little of time without real life experience. And from her reaction he could tell that his theory was correct. Great so she ratted herself out, well done Marinette.

“Who are you?” she more demanded then asked.

“I go by Red Robin and I was formerly known as Robin and protégé of the Batman of Gotham. I have come to Paris to offer you my help in taking Hawkmoth down,” Red Robin told her, while looking straight at the female before him. Though his eyes were covert by the cowl’s white lenses, Mari swore their eyes were locked.

“And how am I to be certain that you are not one of His akumas or accomplices?” The blue clad girl asked skeptically with a cold tone her eyes narrowed into a glare. The tension in the air could almost be touchable as the two continued their stare of.

Red Robin nodded at her reasoning, seeming to understand her suspicions and following cautios manner. “Understandable concerns. Though I doubt I shall be able to put your worries to rest, with just my words. But quite a few people have made my existence public to the world. I hope that when you have seen that you can be assured that I am here to help,” He spoke calmly as he lowered his hands.

“Not very secretive of you to become known to the public, protégé of the Bat,” Royal could not help to comment. It gained a small chuckle from the male before her. “Well the existence of the League is not really a secret either, hence why I were the cowl,” He bantered back. Marinette could not help her lip twitching upward even as she kept her look skeptical. For her nerves were not put to rest.

Since she could not sense his emotions, he must have a strong control over them, she focused her connection to miraculous to look into his soul. It was in correlation with a trick that Duusu had been telling her about during training. How when transformed a true soul can look through the eyes of their kwami and gain the ability to see someone’s soul. It was however a very exhausting technique and she would most likely have a massive headache in the morning, but it was a small price to pay to see if he was a threat.

The only thing giving away her use of this skill was the thin glowing ring of silver surrounding her pupil.

His souls held several shades of blue implying to someone who was loyal and strong of mind. But the colors were dull and several cracks could be seen in the core of his soul and were festering in a malicious black veins. While black could been seen as a color of mystery, which would fit with his secret ID, the way the veins seemed to be invading re-laid to him being hurt greatly. From Blue Marinette could tell though was that the vigilantly infront of her was being sincere to her at the moment. Though it took a second as she got distracted by the sight of his soul.

Still best to play save and do a background check on this ‘protégé of the Batman’ when she got back to her room. “If I were to believe you and you truly are here to help end the reign pf Hawkmoth. How would you be able to help me?” The female asked firmly as she called off the leopard beside her.

“Do not assume me to being rude, but even though you are capable the akuma’s in battle. Far better then your stand in or the mangy cat. I have come to surmise that detective work is not your forte,” Red Robin answered as he took to leaning on the railing. “I was trained in the fields of being a detective, combat and stealth by one of the best that I know of. I believe if we combine both our skills, we will be able to finally to put the plague that Paris is under to rest,” he finished.

He was not wrong she did need help in that department. She could deal with the combat part more easily now than in years past, having learned from experience. Though she had also collected some leads on the possible identity of Hawkbitch, she was unsure on how to follow up on said leads. If he truly was trained by the Bat of Gotham, someone who was considered the number one detective, he would definitely be a useful asset to the mission.

She only had one question left.

“Why now?” The question seemed to startle the vigilante before. The raw emotion in her voice a reflection of her young thirteen-year-old self, sounding so tired and confused. “I sent a message to the league years ago. Why is their only now a response?”

The male’s expression turned soft at her tone of voice and seeming to understand why she would ask this. “I have no excuse to the sheer incompetence of the one who thought your call of distress was nothing more than a prank. The suffering and deaths of the people of Paris is not something to be brushed off as a prank,” he seethed in anger a small flicker of emotion slipping from his control. Telling the blue clad hero of his sincerity.

A beeping sound of the peafowl wielders miraculous rang through the air. Six minutes.

“I get the feeling that our time is limited so I shall get to the point. Will you give us working together a chance?” And that was the question wasn’t it. Could she trust him to help her?

No, she could not, but she needed someone who could dig deep. And if the Bat had trained him his skills in what he mentioned prior would definitely of use to the cause. Still, he was an unknown with strong control of his emotions and even by looking at his soul, she was able to get more information on the male, she did not feel that she had a good read on him. So, this would be a gamble on her part. She needed a second opinion.

Turning her head, she looked at the little turtle god on her shoulder. For while she and Fu had not always had been able to see eye to eye, Wayzz has always been there to come to some sort of compromise. The little kwami always staying level-headed when there was a whirlwind around him and for that she was grateful. So, she knew she could trust him with being her second voice. The kwami and omega duo locked eyes into a silent conversation as Mist kept watch over the anomaly.

The omega’s eyes soon locked back on the vigilante’s masked once, her decision made. Marinette only hoped she would not come to regret this in the future.

“We will meet to compare notes and come to a full partnership arrangement on Wednesday at eleven p.m. at the arc de triomphe. Should there be an akuma attack before that time I want you to focus on evacuating the civilians away from danger. Try not to get spotted by Chat or LB for I belief we both agree they are not to be trusted,” the peafowl wielder informed the male of her decision. She barely made out the smallest amount of tension leaving his shoulders as Red nodded his head in agreement.

“To that we can most certainly agree,” Red Robin voiced. “Then we shall leave further questions to each other for Wednesday.”

The silence that followed his statement gave the vigilante the impression that it was time to leave. However, as he was about to take of the hero Paris called for his attention once more. Turning back to the blue clad female he motioned for her to continue. “Can you make certain no other heroes come to Paris,” her command gained her a curios tilt of the other humans head, question implied but not voiced.

“When I started being a hero, I thought the JL would be able to help, but after some research of the battle tactics they would only bring more problems than actually solve. For most league heroes seem to rely on an emotion power boost,” Red nodded along with her statement gears starting to turn. “And with Hawkmoth feeding on those emotions would make them a liability.”

“Agreed, I for one do not want to fight a mind controlled and upgraded superman,” The cowled male answered giving her some assurance that he would make sure the league would not interfere with Paris.

Being assured things would be stable until they could talk things out in two days, the two bid each other goodnight.

As Red Robin took off into the night Blue Royal took one more look at his soul, but instead of looking at his core she observed the spectral dragon that was coiling around his soul. It was the mark of a true soul. Which led to the question: Was that Timothy?

The nudge of the leopard beside her snapped Marinette out of her head and back to reality. Swiftly she and her companions took off to her nest. She had a lot to think about, to plan for and to do and the night was not getting any younger.

taglist: @moonlightstar64 @iloontjeboontje @mickylikesstuff@myazael @scribblinggraveyard @incredulous-reader@mewwitch@woe-is-me0 @fan-written @coolspidermanmusicflower@heretopasstimebi @jjmjjktth @ichigorose@cmouse @nyx-in-line@chocolatecatstheron @bookgirl14 @toodaloo-kangaroo@iglowinggemma28 @itsmeevie01

#maribat #timinette #timari #marinette dupain cheng #tim drake #red robin #kwami swap #miraculous ladybug

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letsunity · 3 years ago

Text

Not Afraid - Chapter 4

Summery -

The Bad Batch go to Tatooine to resupply and avoid the Empire. As per the usual, Omega gets separated from the group. Fortunately for her, Krayt's Claw just so happens to be nearby. Bossk and Embo guide her to Boba Fett, who takes interest in why the Kaminoans want her. It's a reluctant partnership, with the Bad Batch having to rely on Krayt's Claw to navigate non-military life.

With some wandering around, Bossk managed to get them a job.

It wasn't anything big, but the pay was good enough - They could get rations, fuel, the essentials.

According to the client, someone is stealing from local farmers. All they have to do is catch them, get their reward and move on. With Hunter's tracking, it shouldn't be a difficult task to complete. They were only dealing with a thief, so Omega would be fine to tag along, which she was happy about.

Seeing how excited she was to join was sweet.

"Don't expect anything, laddies and lady. It goes to plan if you don't have one!" Bossk hissed, cocking his blaster with a grin.

"That doesn't make any sense," Echo countered, pulling a face at the reptile.

"Because you're thinking like a soldier," Bossk smirked, flicking Echo's head. "Plans seldom work. All you need is explosives, knowing what you're doing and instinct. Trust yourself, your abilities, and retreat to bring back more explosives."

"Sounds great!" Wrecker agreed, itching to blow something up. "You guys can get the col illegal stuff, right? We can make things go boom?" The reptile snorted, equally happy about explosions.

With them so happy, Hunter was curious about something. Why didn't they rent speeders to this location; why walk?

The only reason would be that Boba wanted them to see something.

"You wanna see something cool?" Boba asked Omega, having a confident smirk on his face.

He whistled loudly, changing the tune with a harsh rhythm like he was imitating a call. Bossk already knew, rolling his reptilian eyes at his nephew. He knew that it was to give the squirt something special, but still, he was showing off.

Omega waited, uncertain of why he made that noise. While waiting, she saw a wolf-like creature climb atop a hill. Several others appeared, though far darker than the main one. The white one slowly stalked towards them, sniffing warily.

Boba knelt, lightly guiding her hand out and upwards. There was tingling at her fingertips like there was an electrical charge coursing through her. The titanic canid stepped to her, their wet black nose brushing against her palm. In that brief touch, there was the spark of connection.

She could feel it, and it could feel her. It lowered its head into her hand, making eye contact through the helmet.

The wolf grunted towards Wrecker, Echo and Hunter, shaking their head. It grumbled, making several sounds towards them as the other wolves began to run away. With a stamp of its reptile-like paw, it barked and ran off, leaving them confused.

"The centre returned makes seven; burnt comes and makes it six. Anguished are the five, particularly the four. Soon to be three, suddenly two. One shines through, seven again," Bossk translated, thinking over the cryptic warning.

"That's incredibly ominous," Hunter stated, unsure of what to make of that.

"You always get stuff like that from them. It's part of their cryptic 'future sight' or whatever they call it," Boba shrugged, not overly bothered. "Other than the ominous warnings, they're cool to meet. Get them some Wookie meat, and they love you; they're obsessed with it."

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

This new Empire seemed interesting. It didn't affect the Bounty Hunter's Guild, but it could prove profitable.

"Cad Bane. Am I right?" asked some stiff-upper-lip rookie.

Bane didn't care about them, not bothering to remember their name. Admiral Ram-whatever, it wasn't important.

"I prefer meeting on planets without incontinent clouds, Admiral. I don't like rain," Bane hissed, his distorted voice shivering the blank human. Humans had a habit of looking similar to one another. "My price is doubled for that alone."

"I understand, Mister Bane. I can assure you that you'll be incredibly well paid for," said Admiral Rampart, sitting across from the Duros. "There is a bounty on a child named Omega."

"Don't bother. That little brat Boba's probably already involved. At least with his father, you could make a deal, but the boy is annoyingly stubborn."

The kid wasn't popular because of that and was a pain in Bane's ass. His commitment to his rules was somewhat admirable, but it wasn't practical. Even with his little club, the jobs he'll get won't do him much good. He's not going to amount to much in the future.

"You misunderstand, Mister Bane. The Kaminoans want to capture her, and I suspect it's to encourage Tarkin to keep the cloning program. I want you to stop it."

"As I said, it's not worth the time. It doesn't matter where I go; the brat will follow. I'd lead him straight to you, meaning I lose credits."

"I don't want you to capture her, Mister Bane. I want you to kill her."

"Now, that's far simpler. That's triple my pay, but if you'd like, I'll bring you the skin like a rug."

"No, I only need her eliminated. The cloning program must end. To assist you, I'll have my best team to work alongside you. CT-9904 will follow your orders without question, and the other three will follow his example. If this 'Boba' gets in the way, kill him."

"Bounty hunter's aren't allowed to kill each other. I can certainly maim him, though. Give me some credits upfront, some immunity, and I'll bring you her head on a platter."

This was going to be easy.

With the weird female clone out of the picture, project War Mantle will be ahead of schedule. The Empire can grow and prosper without the expensive republican remnants. Unfortunately for this Bane fellow, he couldn't be in the picture afterwards. When the girl was dead, 9904 will kill the hunter as well.

Nobody will know that she existed or mattered. Even with this 'Boba' character, he doubted that things would go wrong. It's only a matter of time.

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

Meeting the wolves were amazing; the white one was soft and warm.

Omega liked the feeling of the grass against her hands, picking a few to inspect them.

While fascinated by the blades of green, she failed to see a nearby Loth-cat. It hissed and lunged at her, its fur raised and bristled.

Instinctively, Hunter aimed his blaster at the animal. It growled, the creature deceptively savage. Boba got on one knee and took some dried meat from his pocket, encouraging the animal to approach.

It hesitantly stepped forward, its pupils widening. It licked his hand then took the meat, backing away from whence it came. It climbed down a hole, poking its head back up again some moments later. Three minuscule heads popped up, chirping at the newcomers. It's only a mother protecting her kits.

Wrecker got down, wanting to have a go as well. Boba handed him some meat, motioning for it to come again. This time, one of the kits investigated, sniffing the food. The mother joined, then the other two kittens.

The family of feral animals chewed the meat, unusually passive and docile.

Omega lightly stroked one of the kittens, amazed by the feeling of their fur. Wrecker grinned, his gloved hand licked by the other two kits.

"Can we keep 'em?" Wrecker begged, looking at Hunter with puppy eyes.

"This is their home," Hunter answered, letting him down easy. "This is where they want to be, so this is where they'll stay."

First, it was reading their emotions, and now communicating with animals. It stank of force-sensitivity, even though he doubted it.

They skipped back into their hole, chirping at them as they passed. Omega waved goodbye, excited to see even more animals.

"How do you do that?" She asked, eager to learn it herself.

"Instinct. Mandalorians are raised from birth to trust themselves, to trust what their gut tells them. It told me that she was only protecting her babies, nothing malicious. You'll learn someday."

"I want to meet all kinds of creatures!"

"There's no limit to what you'll see in this galaxy, Megs," Bossk assured, ruffling the helmet she wore. "So long as Dad Batch are right next to ya."

"We're not the Dad Batch," Echo corrected, although he didn't sound so certain.

"Dad Batch or Bro Batch, either's good with me!" Wrecker smiled, slapping Bossk's shoulder. "We need a fight!" The Trandoshan snarled in agreement, eager to bruise the clone.

They were only a few minutes away from the farm, and in three hours, dusk would begin to set. The more Hunter hung with these odd pair, the more they grew on him. They were capable of skinning folk alive but having that protecting Omega was alright.

Boba was showing Omega a lot of things, even giving her his helmet. He was only three or four years older than her; he had a lot to teach. He was good with kids, too, something Hunter was still learning.

Then there was Bossk's nickname, Dad Batch. Hunter was mimicking what Cut did, so was he being a father to Omega? He never thought of being a parent before, but the past two weeks were unexpected. Maybe he could be a dad to her, be someone to look after her as she deserved.

Not only would Hunter learn a lot about being a mercenary, but interacting with children, too.

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

Saw looked over the bodies, the stench of burnt flesh searing his nostrils. His face scrunched in rage, practically seizing with pure rage.

"I'm sorry, sir, but none survived," Lorc sighed, shaking his head. "They were all wiped out. Not just that, but the dead trooper's wounds are the same as our departed. Friendly fire, presumably."

"Which damned clone was it?"

"That's the issue. It wasn't a clone; it was a random guy in clone armour," Edrio continued, confusing the man. "We've estimated five to have been shot by precise skills matching a clone. The rest were random people. The damage indicates a distance, probably a sniper."

"I know who did it," Saw spat, looking away from the burned bodies. "And we're going to make him pay for it. I want the Bad Batch; I want the one that killed these people as though they were swine. We'll make him suffer for this."

"He and the empire, sir," Mari agreed, charging her rifle.

Saw would destroy this empire, even if it killed him.

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

The farmer was both overjoyed and miserable.

The thief stole food and much of his equipment, most of which she can't replace due to financial struggles. Bossk terrified his Tooka cat, and Wrecker kept bumping his head on the ceiling. Being the second smallest, Boba wasn't concerned with the Toydarian's accommodations.

"Every night, the loth-rat takes more and more. I've set up traps, boobytraps, I even bought a droid, but they stole all of it!" She cried, hovering in distress. "I need them gone. I don't care what you do with them, so long as they leave us be."

"How're you going to pay?" Bossk asked, getting an elbow to the side from Echo. "If you want to afford rations, this is how."

"The local farmers have pitched in. The most we can do is fifteen thousand credits," she sighed, slowly drifting onto a chair. "Our crops haven't done well this year. That war has stripped the galaxy of life; even the planets are too exhausted from it."

"We'll take half," Boba decided, much to Bossk's annoyance. "Lothal's yaim par pirates bal smugglers. Vi ne'waadas eyn sur'haai olar," he added in a strange language, getting a grunt in response.

From the sounds of it, that was Mando'a, the tongue of Mandalorians. Hunter wasn't the best at languages; Tech was more specialised for that.

"By the light of Lothal's moons, you're a blessing to this valley," she whimpered, wiping her eyes. "We wish you luck on this bounty, Fetts."

Plural?

"I'm his uncle," Bossk explained to the confused four, patting Boba's shoulder and glancing at the Toydarian. "We'll make sure that they won't come again."

And so, the quest is on. Find the thief, get paid and get the hell off of Lothal. Omega was happy to be tagging along, asking about boobytraps and the sort. Wrecker picked her up, concerned that she was getting tired from the walking.

Echo would rather have stayed with Highslinger, but walking alone at night wasn't a good idea. Bossk took notice of his hesitancy, snorting for the clone's attention.

"I'm assuming it's all Techno Union?" Echo nodded at the question, the lack of feeling in his 'legs' creeping through his spine. What was left of 'his' spine. "We know a gal who can help with that. She fixes Dengar and Highslinger up after jobs. A friend of Omega's is a friend of ours."

"I'll have to take you up on that. I'd be happier to leave this all back on Skako Minor."

"We can blow it up if that'll ease the anguish."

"Did I hear blow up?" Wrecker interrupted, practically shaking from excitement. "What's going boom?"

"Nothing for now," Echo sighed, shaking his head. "You're going to drop Omega."

"I'm fine!" She assured, gripping onto Wrecker's armour. "Your eyes are pretty."

"Thank you," Bossk said, making a mixture of a chirp and purr in response. "You're a lovely young lady yourself. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, Lil Mega."

Ever since meeting Hunter, things just got better for Omega. She had Clone Force 99 and now Krayt's Claw, an odd but loving family of misfits. They made her feel special, more than just a mere assistant or failed experiment. Bossk talked to her like she was an equal, as did the others.

Being around them only added to the coldness of Kamino. They didn't show nearly the compassion Bossk did, and he'd only known her two days or so. Hunter, Echo, Wrecker and Tech were more family than the Kaminoans ever were, and she wanted it to stay that way.

Even though Crosshair was under the chip, she wanted to get to know him. The lads missed him, and she wanted to know who he really was. Not what the chip made him into or was making him do.

With Boba and his gang, it should be a whole lot easier to help him.

Far away, sitting atop a pile of stones, Fennec lowered her rifle.

#the bad batch #Krayt's Claw #Not Afraid fic #fanfic #star wars #bossk #bossk and boba fett #clone force 99 #mando'a #omega

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justasparkwritings · 4 years ago

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Merry & Bright {23}: I Promise

Previous: Golden Days

Pairing: OT7 x Respective Partners

Genre: Fluff with Light Holiday Angst

Rating: PG-13

Warning: Swearing

Word Count: 1.7K

Summary: Days before Christmas, Bangtan find themselves stranded at the airport.

youtube

“Are you fucking serious?” Namjoon’s voice is low, hushed in the slightly crowded airport lounge.

“When is the next flight?” Yoongi asks, glare staring at the airport attendant in front of him. Taehyung stands next to him, bag resting gently on the floor, cellphone in hand.

In seats across the way, Jimin and Hoseok sit, thumbs moving hastily as they text. Seokjin, sits with their managers, discussing solutions, and Jungkook is by the window, phone to his ear, disappointment in his posture.

“I know, I know,” Jungkook says, voice weary. “I’m trying jagi, I am.”

It’s the sound of Namjoon’s hand slamming against the wall that brings them all together, moving into a private room in the lounge, seated staring at one another.

“We were supposed to be home by now,” Hoseok says, frustration deep in the stoop of his eyebrows.

“I know,” Namjoon answers.

“It’s our first married Christmas,” Jungkook adds, stuffing his tattooed covered hands in the pocket of his sweats.

“It’s my child’s first Christmas!” Taehyung declares, aghast that anyone was missing anything nearly as important as him.

“I was supposed to take the kids for Christmas photos,” Namjoon says.

Yoongi’s voice is low, a prayer no one will hear, but a hope they will. “I was going to propose.”

“What?” Hoseok yells, nearly knocking Jimin off his perch.

Taehyung turns to his Hyung. “Why are we just hearing about this?”

“Do you have a ring?” Namjoon wonders.

“You’re involved with someone?” Jimin pokes. Yoongi glares at him, knowing full well Jimin knows the answer.

“On Christmas Eve, while we opened presents. Had it all planned for months, the ring is wrapped, it’s sitting under the fucking tree,” Yoongi explains.

“Won’t she notice a ring box?” Jimin asks.

“No, I put it in a larger box,” Yoongi’s humoring him, and Jimin knows.

“A box inside a box?” Jungkook laughs.

“Sort of,” Yoongi shrugs.

“Damn, how many years has it been?” Seokjin asks.

“Five,” Yoongi recounts each anniversary in his mind. The first one, spent on different continents during tour, the second, when they’d flown to New York for press, the third, when you’d gone to Paris, the fourth, when he’d finally convinced you to move to Korea half time, and the fifth, when you’d discussed marriage.

“Service time counts,” Hoseok adds.

“Fine, seven,” Yoongi tells them. Technically, years four and five were shared in your hearts only, Yoongi being a desk jockey in the military, but you counted them, nonetheless.

Jimin cackles “Wow, never imagined Yoongi-ah would settle down,”

“Who would’ve thought?” Namjoon chuckles, staring at his elder.

“You all are trash,” Yoongi says. “None of you are invited to the wedding.”

“How do you know she’ll say yes?” Taehyung asks, eyes wandering around the sterile lounge. It’s all marble and metal, cold and contemporary, Christmas wreaths hung periodically and poinsettias on all the tables. The only warmth coming from the men, all ganging up on their favorite member.

“I know,” Yoongi confirms.

“But how, are you psychic?” Seokjin wonders.

“No, she told me,” Yoongi tells him.

“She told you?” Seokjin asks, eyes wide.

“This isn’t any of your business,” Yoongi scolds, cheeks puffed as he smiles.

“Alright, alright,” Jin resides.

“Tae, what are you plans for baby’s first Christmas?” Yoongi asks, deflecting.

“And baby’s first birthday,” Namjoon adds.

“He’s so cute, oh my gosh, he just teeters on his little feet, trying to walk. He’s taken a few steps, but he only likes walking if you hold his tiny little hands,” Taehyung gushes, opening the photos on his phone to show them.

“We’ve seen the videos,” Namjoon laughs, looking again at the numerous photos Taehyung has of his son, not mentioning that he’s seen them all, in an email, that Taehyung sent one day during nap time.

“Don’t act like we haven’t seen a million from you,” Jimin says elbowing Namjoon. “You’re just as shameless.”

“You just have more kids, so it seems less obnoxious,” Yoongi says.

“Two for the price of one!” Seokjin laughs.

“Don’t think we don’t have the same reaction to yours,” Hoseok laughs at Jin. “You might be the worst out of you three.”

Pointing at him, finger dagger like, Namjoon warns, “Oh, just you wait, Hope, it’s coming for you too.”

Taehyung looks from member to member, wondering aloud, “Who will have kids next?”

“Jungkook,” Jimin blurts. His eyes go wide, and he turns to the maknae.

“Or J Hope,” Jungkook says, his deflection evident in the blush on his cheeks.

“No, no, Jungkook, why are you blushing?” Namjoon asks.

“No reason just wasn’t paying attention,” Jungkook tries to brush it off, but Namjoon’s got him.

“Is she pregnant?” Hoseok asks, eyes wide.

“I, maybe, I don’t know,” Jungkook tries to burrow himself into his sweatsuit, beanie pulled lower and lower over his face.

“Holy shit!” Yoongi exclaims, glancing to make sure no one else has heard his expletive.

“Are you surprised the golden maknae is procreating before you?” Seokjin asks glancing at Yoongi.

“No, I’m not surprised at all, my money was on Jungkook,” Yoongi says still smiling.

“It’s, it’s too soon to tell anyone, we’ve only told our parents,” Jungkook’s cheeks continue to cherry, blossoming across his cheekbones, knowing full well he’s going to be in trouble when his wife finds out he squealed.

“Ah, discretion,” Seokjin nods. “We’ll pretend we’re not excited for you.”

“Hobi, what about you?” Jimin turns the attention to someone else, feeling guilty about spoiling Jungkook’s news.

“Ah, kids are a few years off for us,” Ho-Seok nods, twirling the wedding band on his finger. “Jiminie, what about you?”

“Me?” Jimin asks pointing to himself.

“You started this nonsense,” Namjoon reminds him.

“I, no, no babies, no engagement,” Jimin shakes his head.

“Why not?” Taehyung asks. “You’ve been talking about it for a while.”

“Yeah, but talking and following through are two different things,” Jimin says. They all nod, knowing Jimin was going to get engaged shortly after Yoongi. Taehyung found it surprising, but not wholly out of character for Jimin to wait for his Hyung to propose first. It was odd, though, everyone had always bet Jimin would get married shortly after Jungkook, while Yoongi would remain the last man standing.

“I can’t believe we’re stuck here,” Jungkook says again, glancing at the window. “Isn’t this why we stopped traveling before Christmas?”

Six years ago, when Namjoon had welcomed his first child, the band decided they would never travel over Christmas again, refusing to part from their growing families. They turned down any work outside the city, including New Years. If some program wanted them, they either wanted their entire blossoming families or they wouldn’t have BTS at all. It was a hard and fast rule, which in the six years since Namjoon became a father, they hadn’t broken.

Tonight, stranded in an airport in a place none of them could recognize, at least 1000 miles away, they were regretting agreeing to perform for the KBS special anywhere other than Seoul, or within two hours drive from their homes.

So, they sit, December 23rd, unconvinced they were going to be home by Christmas Eve, unsure if they were going to be home by Christmas.

“I would walk home,” Hoseok says, sinking in his chair.

“I would run,” Jimin counters.

“I’d cross the deserts,” Jungkook says.

“And the oceans,” Taehyung adds.

“A fucking frozen tundra,” Yoongi states.

“If only there was a guiding light, a star, leading us home,” Namjoon says.

Seokjin sighs, frustration and thoughtfulness in one breath. “She does so much for us, for our family, and here I am, sitting in a luxurious airport, while she’s home with the kids.”

“She hasn’t even hung the Christmas lights, we were going to decorate the tree together,” Yoongi says. “You know how much she loves Christmas.”

“I feel like we should go into the gift shops and buy something,” Hoseok suggests.

“What are we going to find?” Jungkook wonders.

“Wine,” Namjoon says.

“Candy,” Jungkook suggests.

“Oo, candy,” Hoseok laughs, his first laugh in the last few hours.

Namjoon, still lamenting, “She does everything, she’s the glue of our whole family.”

“Maybe we’ll go on vacation, somewhere warm,” Seokjin ponders.

“We should take a big family vacation!” Taehyung suggests.

“No,” Yoongi shuts it down.

Hoseok stares at Yoongi, reading the anxiety in his eyes over the suggestion. “It could be fun!”

Yoongi stares him down, countering his offer. “How about those who have kids go on one vacation, and those without go on their own,”

“Why are you being so difficult?” Seokjin asks.

“I’m tired, my proposal is going to shit, and I’m missing decorating my home with my future wife,” Yoongi lists.

“I can’t believe they have no hotel rooms anywhere near by,” Hoseok wonders.

“Maybe if we wish upon a star we’ll make it home by tomorrow,” Jungkook suggests.

“This is the first Christmas we’ve spent just us, just us seven, in what, a decade?” Taehyung inquires, looking at each of his brothers.

“Since we all came back from service,” Namjoon answers.

Agreeing, Hoseok speaks. “We should honor that,”

“We’ll be with our families as soon as we can,” Jimin concedes.

“Life goes on,” Jungkook sings softly.

“We’ll be home by Christmas Eve, swear it,” Taehyung’s attempt at inspiring them is what they need.

“Should we go find food and treats?” Jungkook suggests.

“Absolutely,” Namjoon says.

“And any souvenirs we can find from this place,” Hoseok reminds them.

In a small gift shop, Yoongi and Jimin stare at the chip selection.

“You should propose whenever you want,” Yoongi says to Jimin.

“Thank you hyung,” Jimin wants to hug him, but refrains.

“I don’t want to steal your thunder, you’ve been planning longer than me, do it when it feels right,” Yoongi glances at Jimin, slightly taller than him, and smiles.

“Thank you,” Jimin smiles, grateful for the unnecessary permission.

As they gather back in the lounge, snacks and gummy worms plentiful on the newly cleaned airport table, the seven of them share laughs over silly things their kids have said and reminisce on the years they’ve spent together. Through it all, with the weight of uncertainty waning, they had a glimmer of hope, a little belief, that they’ll be home by Christmas Eve.

Next: Happy Anniversary

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notgonnarememberthis · 4 years ago

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find your way (back to me) - chapter eleven

I was initially going to hold back on this update until Sunday but y’all already know my impulse control is nonexistent and with the encouragement of new friends (hey naomi and elena!!) I had to go ahead and post. Tried something a little new with this chapter and it focuses a lot on Malcolm and I learned I actually like writing in his POV a lot so that’s new. It also features more Edrisa bc I love her and she’s my best friend’s absolute fav so I had to do them some service after the help with the last chapter which got some of my most insanely complimentary comments. Like one of y’all really commented how I wrote Martin well and I didn’t stop smiling the entire day. That’s fucking insane. Hope y’all enjoy the update and are staying safe!

Gil steps out of the room, exhaustion settling into him. Immediately Ainsley sits up leaning forward with her elbows on her knees.

“How is she? Is she ok?” The drive back from Claremont had been the worst. Jessica had jumped with every siren sounding and in New York? It was a lot. Ainsley held her hand the entire time while Malcolm rocked, his brain firing off at a million miles a minute. Nobody said a word but it was Jessica’s silence that was the most concerning to them.

What the hell happened in that cell?

“She remembered what happened, didn’t she?” Malcolm casts a glance at Ainsley who doesn’t meet his gaze. Gil can only shrug.

“She still hasn’t said anything but something in there definitely got to her. I called Dani and JT. They agreed to be the new details until we can sort out why she got so uncomfortable when we passed the guards on our way out and the drive home.”

“We should go get mom’s things.” Ainsley says. “She only packed clothes. She left all of her products and things she’ll probably need. Who knows how long this stay will last, we should at least make her comfortable.” But she shifts her eyes to the door where Jessica was sleeping, or at least pretending to. She feels guilty for leaving her twice, it’s written all over her face.

“I’ll go.” Malcolm offers. “I feel like we missed something that night. It’ll give me a chance to look again.”

“Hell no.” Gil protests immediately. “I’m not comfortable with you going alone.”

“I’ll bring a detail.” His retort is interrupted by the sound of movement from the other room, like someone shifting around in the bed. Jessica is listening and for whatever reason, she doesn’t like that.

“We can go tomorrow. Right now I want all of us under the same roof.” Malcolm tips his head back, annoyed then rises again with an idea.

“What if I bring Edrisa? She’ll be able to help me look around and we’ll be back before you know it.” No more sounds of ruffling interrupt so Gil has to give in.

“Fine, but I want updates. And if you get even a whiff that something is wrong you two get the hell out.”

“Deal.” Gil sighs as Malcolm rushes off to text Edrisa.

The Whitly’s are going to be the death of him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“This is so exciting.” Edrisa practically bounces with every step up the driveway. “I’ve never actually got to be a part of the actual investigation.” She pauses, a thought interrupting her excitement. “Should I have brought something to defend myself?”

Malcolm smiles, her enthusiasm is refreshing after his day. Honestly, part of him just wanted to talk to her to get some of the weight of the world off his shoulders. For a brief moment this case isn’t a killer threatening his family. It’s just him and Edrisa. “Edrisa, we’re just getting clothes.”

“Are you sure cause I have pepper spray in my car.”

“Yes I’m sure.” He holds the door open for her gesturing to enter. “And besides, you’ve got me.” She beams at that, her pep coming back in full force as she bounds to the kitchen. He follows with a shake of his head.

“Ok, so what are we looking for?”

“Well, my mother drinks tea like most people drink water.” He points to the cabinet where they usually keep it. “It’s her comfort but Gil doesn’t keep tea in the house.” If Edrisa is curious why, she doesn’t show it. His tone is enough and he’s absolutely certain she read the casefile from that night.

Tea was how the surgeon sedated his victims, Gil was almost one of them.

When Edrisa opens the cabinet her eyes widen. The shelves are stacked with bags of tea, neatly sealed with tight creases. “That’s a lot.” She chuckles.

“It’s everyone’s favorites. Chai for Ainsley, the black is mine. She has every worker’s favorites, I think she even managed to get JT’s but don’t tell him that.”

“My lips are sealed. Matcha is my favorite, by the way.” She winks.

“Oh, she knows.” He grins at the wide, starry eyed look she gets. She blushes and clears her throat before turning back to the task. “Mother’s is the earl grey supreme.”

“What’s the difference between that and the earl grey?”

“Honestly?” Malcolm shrugs. “Price, probably.” Often she falls into the trap of the more expensive the better, it makes for an interesting Christmas and a pain in the ass to get gifts for her when she just buys anything she could possibly want on a whim.

Edrisa stops for a second, her posture straightening, and then getting on her tiptoes to see better. Even from behind he can tell she’s got something on her mind. It’s confirmed when she reaches inside pulling out a smaller, black bag. His head tilts because his mother never bought small bags. Even for people that rarely passed through she wanted to make sure they were prepared. Then the label catches his eye, it’s a completely different brand then what she normally buys from. A brand he hasn’t seen in years.

The brand his father likes.

“Where did you find that?” He asks, on edge and looking out the door. The house is silent other than the two of them but that doesn’t mean that can’t change at any second.

“It was on the bottom shelf and it’s open. All the rest are sealed. Why?”

Just like that it all pieces together.

His mother had asked him that night if he made tea. He’d told her no and that made her seem more agitated. At first he thought it was because the killer had made her tea, had been in her room. No, it was much more than that. With Freddy’s connection to Claremont, the ability for the killer to find her bedroom and the kitchen so quickly, and the tea that his father used to make.

“The surgeon. He knows who the killer is.” The rush of emotion the punches him in the chest makes him stumble back against the counter. Edrisa runs to him, one hand on his elbow to steady him. Her presence isn’t enough to tamper the anger thudding in his chest with every heartbeat. He knew. He knew when she was missing. He knows now that her life is being threatened.

He was the one who got her to remember.

“That’s why she’d gone to him. She recognized the tea and didn’t say a word about it. Why didn’t she tell us?” Anger clashes with sadness burning at his retinas. He shuts his eyes tightly pressing the heels of his palm to them trying to get himself back under control.

“Malcolm.” His own name sounds unfamiliar in Edrisa’s voice. She’d always called him Bright. Never Malcolm. “Let’s get her stuff and go. They’ll get worried soon.” Her calmness has him taking a deep breath and nodding. “Good.” She extends her hand to him, it’s an almost childish offer in its innocence. Her hand is something to ground him to the world. It gives him something different to focus on rather than his feelings.

Wordlessly, he takes her hand.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Malcolm and Edrisa arrive the house is more crowded than before. JT is by the doorway with Ainsley and Dani sharing the couch. Gil has made coffee for everyone, certain that it will be a long night all around. They all look relieved to see them but Gil reads it on his face before anyone else.

“You found something.”

“Hooooo, did I find something.” Edrisa lingers next to him, unsure if she should stay or go. She decides on the former when Ainsley scoots on the couch leaving room for her to sit on the end closest to where Malcolm still stood. “Is she awake?”

“Bright, is this a good idea?” Dani asks sitting up a little straighter. He notes that she’s in much more casual clothes, probably looking to rest before trading shifts with JT.

“Nope. But I think she knows who the killer is. And if I’m right?”

“Go. We’ll be right out here.” Ainsley nods, making the final decision.

He shifts the bag over his shoulder opening the door to the bedroom slowly. In the dim light streaming between the curtains he sees his mother sitting on the side of the bed, she’s got something in her hands but it’s too dark to make out.

“Mom?” Her head turns to him, her expression isn’t the blank unreadable one from earlier. No, she looks relieved that he’s back. The news twists uneasily in his stomach as he shuts the door behind him. “Can I ask you a couple of questions?” He doesn’t really expect her to answer. But when her breathing doesn’t pick up or really make any uncomfortable movements he takes it as permission.

He grabs a chair sliding it so that he can sit across from her. Closer he can see how tired she is. Her breakdown likely didn’t help but she definitely didn’t fall asleep at any point in time since she got back.

“Stop me if you need to, ok?” She blinks at him so he continues. “Why did you go see him?” He treads lightly, testing the waters first. An annoyed expression passes over her face but she doesn’t shift or startle. He digs in the duffel he brought along pulling out the bag of tea. “Is this why?”

When her eyes land on the bag she takes a shuddering breath, it’s confirmation enough.

“This was the tea he used to make.” She blinks back the tears, correct again. “This is why you visited him. The killer made you the same tea, you knew he had something to do with all of this.” Her lower lip wobbles but she holds herself tightly wound. “He knew who did this.” The first tear that slides down her cheek makes him feel like the worst. “Do you want me to stop?” She shakes her head, almost imperceptibly. Her hand unfolds and in it is a crumpled note. He takes it, slowly as not to startle her into shutting back down.

Just like you like.

“Did the killer write this?” A nod. Malcolm takes a breath trying not to be frustrated that she kept this from them. Had they known they would have questioned his father so much sooner. The information she knew, it’d be common knowledge. “Thank you.” He says instead, taking her hand and enclosing it in both of his. She’d held his shaking hand like this countless amounts of times, her fingers stroking the back of his hand in the same way he mimics now. “I need you to tell me what he told you.” She starts, but doesn’t pull away. “Please.”

Her voice is deep, more tonal than he’s ever heard come from her. He almost thinks he imagines it. It’s too low to understand what she says.

“What?”

“He’s a cop.” Her eyes meet his, glassy from unshed tears. He smiles at her sadly, too caught up in the fact that his mom is back before the gravity of her words hits him full force.

Oh.

Shit.

#prodigal son #gil arroyo x jessica whitly #jessica whitly x gil arroyo #gilssica #gilica #jessica whitly #gil arroyo #malcolm bright #edrisa tanaka #Ainsley Whitly #prodigal son AU #kidnapped au #notgonnarememberthis fics #find your way (back to me)#find your way (back to me) chapter 11 #you'll take my whitly family parallels over my dead body #fanfic

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herocentral · 4 years ago

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Possible Hero 6

Authors notes: I told you I’d be back folks with the next chapter to Possible Hero 6. As mentioned in the previous chapter we’re now moving into the Countdown to Catastrophe arc of the season 1 finale. As we all know, the episode in season 1 finale was originally meant to be a three part episode only to be turned into an hour long episode, so I’ve divided it into parts to the best of my abilities. Now let’s begin.

Big Hero 6 & Kim Possible (c) Disney

Chapter 8: Countdown to catastrophe part 1

A new day dawned in San Fransokyo, after a triumphant victory for the teams of Big Hero 6 and Team Possible over Dr Drakken and his army of Destructo Yama robots the heroes all enjoyed a Noodle Burger breakfast treated by Kim. They all went to the Lucky Cat Cafe to check on everything and during the crisis James and Ann (Kims parents) agreed to keep Hiro’s secret identity as a member of Big Hero 6 from his aunt.

However though Drakken is behind bars Shego escaped and hasn’t been seen since, however Kims mind was focussed on something else. Whilst the rest of the team were busy with other things Kim and Ron met Hiro and Baymax in the garage. They were looking at a certain conspiracy board about a certain villain BH6 were pursuing for some time.

“So who’s this Obake guy?” Kim asked.

“That would be the question thats been bothering us in the past few months.” Hiro said.

“Okay but how was he able to hack the Kimmunicator like that?” Ron asked.

“And why would he help us to find Baymax?” Kim then wondered.

“Again I don’t know.” Hiro said, “All we know is ever since we became Big Hero 6 again after I enrolled at SFIT, weird things have happened and Obake was at the centre of most of it, all we know so far is he’s planning something but we don’t know what.” Hiro explained then looking to his conspiracy board.

“All we know so far is he’s interested in Lenore Shimamoto.” Hiro explained, but the name seemed to ring something in Rons head.

“Shimamoto, hey KP didn’t we do a class report on her back in Middleton?” Ron asked.

“Yeah I remember, Shimamoto was a gifted artist.” Kim recalled. “Yeah first time we met him in person he stole her journal and put us into some pretty weird traps.” Hiro explained.

“How weird? Kim asked.

“Well some of them looked like my room and Freds too, we don’t know how he was able to pull that off” Hiro explained “and recently before we met you guys he stole a high power magnet from SFIT while we were under some kind of illusion gas he gave us on halloween.” Hiro explained. “Mine was of Tadashi.”

“What he made an illusion of your brother?” Kim asked.

“Yeah but more than that he actually talked to me.” Hiro added with a hint of despair in his voice. Rufus went up to Hiro’s shoulder and put a comforting hand on his face.

“Okay thats just low.” Ron said.

“And he did that just to keep you out of the way?” Kim asked.

“Wait I think Fred said something

“Yes, Obake’s intentions are unknown.” Baymax added.

“And he’s been recruiting villian’s to help him?” Kim then asked remembering some of Hiro’s stories.

“Yeah some of our villains like Globby, Noodle Burger boy and Momakase.” Hiro then added.

Kim took a moment to look at the conspiracy board along with considering everything Hiro said to her and realised whoever this person was he was good.

“So whoever Obake is he’s clearly smart, carefully planning every move, playing his hand with the cunning of a fox.” Kim deduced.

“Okay but what’s his endgame?” Ron then wondered.

“I don’t know but whatever it is it can’t be good.” Hiro then added. Just then the Kimmunicator sounded off and Kim answered it.

“Go Wade.” Kim said.

“Kim, I still haven’t found any trace of Shego, but I’ve been picking up some strange chatter about people seeing what looked like a pink glob monster breaking into a Krei warehouse.” Wade relayed.

“Glob monster?” Ron asked.

“That’ll be Globby.” Hiro said. “Basically a common crook turned supervillain by accident when he stole Honey Lemons purse.” Hiro explained.

“Ah.” Kim said understanding. “We best go stop him.” Hiro then said.

“Hiro, you are to attend an appointment with Professor Granville later today.” Baymax explained.

“Hiro maybe you should go to your meeting Ron and I can deal.

“No, I’ve still got time besides you guys don’t know Globby you’ll need some help.” Hiro Insisted.

“Come on how hard could this guy be?” Ron asked.

Later at Krei warehouse:

“Hard very hard!”

Ron now in his mission gear/armour was stuck to a wall next to an armoured Baymax by a pink goop compliments of Globby who’s green eyes glowed as he flung Hiro now in his armour into a crate and he tumbled into another crate below and into one on the floor.

Suddenly he looked up and quickly ran to avoid shards of metal which struck the floor with such force.

Hiro slid past the shards and hid behind a shelf only for one of the boxes in the warehouse to be yanked away by a shard attached to Globby’s hand.

“You sure it was a good idea to come without the rest of your buddies!” Globby taunted.

“Baymax ,Ron!” Hiro exclaimed but ran quick to avoid the metal shards coming towards him. He avoided more shots from Globby but one more was heading right for him but was quickly intercepted by Kim who deflected it with her armours energy shield.

“Seriously a villain who can shape shift into any element?” Kim asked Hiro.

“Yeah who knew.” Hiro said

“Okay yeah but weren’t we due for one of those?” Ron asked. Whilst Globby kept throwing metal shards at Hiro and Kim a beeping noise came from Baymax’s visor.

“Whats that?” Globby asked. “It is an alarm.” Baymax explains. “Hiro we must leave for your meeting with Professor Granville, soon.”

Globby just ignored him and continue firing shards at Hiro and Kim who moved quickly to avoid them.

“So what’s the sitch with this meeting?” Kim asked. “Oh its the meeting about my final…” Hiro suddenly came to a realisation.

“Wait my final project meeting thats today?!” Hiro exclaimed.

“Yes it is in eight minutes.” Baymax explained.

“Uh excuse me we’re fighting here.” Globby said feeling ignored.

“Oh I hear you dude Kim and I keep getting things like this all the time.” Ron said.

Globby ignored this and fired a ball of goop towards a table in the centre of the warehouse which hit a button under it which revealed a secret hidden compartment which swung round to a more high-tech table which had a metal briefcase with the Krei tech symbol stamped on it.

“There you are.” Globby said forming another hand from his chest.

“gah dude that is sick and wrong!” Ron said rather disgusted.

Globby ignored him and reached out for the brief case.

“Sorry Globby gotta wrap this up!” Hiro said jumping over the table and hitting the button underneath which caused it to swing back to the normal table but Globbys hand was attached to it and it pulled him off Baymax and Ron releasing them from his grip.

“HEY!” Globby exclaimed as he was catapulted onto the table and hit the floor face first. Kim acted quickly and pulled out her lip stick which when opened fired a goop on the floor sticking the glob monster in place.

She and Hiro then went over to Baymax who using his jets lowered him and Ron to the ground. They were okay despite having some goop on their suits.

“You guys okay?” Hiro asked. “I am sticky.” Baymax said simply.

“Aw man, well at least it’s better than loosing my pants.” Ron said.

“Well glad your trainings paid off.” Kim complimented Hiro on his move to trap Globby.

However with their backs turned Globby was ably to break himself free from the goop trap.

“Catch you later!” Globby announced and he slinked away into the notches in the floor taking his leave.

“Great he got away.” Ron said. “Well at least he didn’t get this.” Hiro said looking at the briefcase but something seemed rather odd about it.

“So what is it?” Kim asked.

Hiro looked at the case and knocked his fist on it and it gave off a metallic clanging sound indicating it was made of metal.

“Titanium shell, Biometric lock?” Hiro analysed. “This is some serious security.”

“So whatever’s inside must be pretty valuable if this Globby guy came to steal it?” Kim deduced.

“Hiro.” Baymax said getting their attention. “Your meeting is now, in seven minutes. Is your final project proposal ready?”

“Ah, not exactly.” Hiro said nervously. “As in haven’t started yet?” Kim said with a raised eyebrow.

“What we’ve been busy between stopping Drakken and everything else.” Hiro explained.

“I hear you man the price of a super hero double life being on time for school.” Ron said in comfort.

“Uh huh.” Rufus agreed.

“But I’ve still got some time.” Hiro said. “Right?” Everyone present looked unsure.

“How long until we get back to SFIT?” Hiro asked as he went over to Baymax and secured himself onto his back.

“Approximately seven point five minutes.” Baymax calculated. “See plenty of time.” Hiro said assuringly.

Baymax flung his wings out and took off with his jets only for the goop to pull on him like a rope then pulled him down to the ground again like a rubber band.

“I am still sticky.” Baymax pointed out.

“Oh boy, so the drama.” Kim said facepalming.

Later at SFIT

At the Robotics lab on the SFIT campus Honey Lemon, Gogo and Wasabi were presenting their final project proposals to Professor Granville for the SFIT Open house. Honey Lemon was discussing her final project to the Professor.

“ Thus for my final project, I propose an investigation into Lenore Shimamoto’s scientific work.” Honey Lemon explained.

Granville looked at her tablet and the students proposal and came to a decision.

“Your project is approved.” Granville decided. Gogo meanwhile was looking around for any sign of a certain genius that was absent from the room. She heard a tone on her phone and saw it was a message from Hiro, and she waved to Honey Lemon.

“Stall!” she whispered.

Honey Lemon understood and pulled Professor Granville back before she could walk away.

“I mean, she kept it all secret it’s really fascinating you have to admit.” Honey Lemon said stalling.

“Yes thats why I approved your project.” Granville said walking away only for Gogo to shake her arms telling Honey to stall her for longer.

“Why was it a secret?” Honey said putting her arm on Granvilles shoulder. “Thats the big question.”

Gogo looked around again and saw something at the side of the room and signalled for someone to come over.

“Which, I will attempt to answer.” Honey Lemon said just as Hiro, Kim and Ron now in casual attire, entered the room with Baymax, panting like mad.

“I hear you panting Mr.Hamada.” Granville said knowing Hiro was in the room and he was still holding the case he got from Krei’s warehouse. He needed to hide it quickly.

“Uh h, hey Professor Granville, is it my turn already heh heh.” Hiro said sheepishly handing the case to Baymax who turned round to hide it whilst Kim and Ron looked innocent too.

“It is Mr.Hamada.” Granville said rather strictly. “I hope you put as much thought into your proposal as your friends did.”

“Uh yeah no about that heh heh.” Hiro chuckled nervously. “You have nothing.” Granville said simply.

“Whoa she catches on fast.” Kim whispered to Gogo which she nodded.

“I have nothing.” Hiro admitted. “Sorry Professor Granville I’ve just been over scheduled.” He explained whilst Honey Lemon pulled Gogo behind Baymax.

“With?” Granville asked looking at her tablet.

“Uh..” Hiro was about to say something until. “Uh sorry it’s really our fault Professor.” Kim interrupted. “See Hiro was helping me and Ron on this school project of ours back home and I guess it took up a lot of time than we thought.” Kim explained.

“Yeah, yeah thought a super genius on the subject of, uh uh robotics would help a little heh heh.” Ron added to which Rufus nodded.

“Yeah yeah thats it!” Hiro said. “Can I maybe get an extension.” He then asked.

“I’m sorry Mr. Hamada the rules apply to everyone, even you.” Granville answered “Remember your final project counts as 60% of your first semester grade.”

“Oh that much?” Hiro winced. “If you hope to see this smiling face again next semester, I suggest you step up.” Granville then suggested rather sternly which even sent a chill down Kim and Rons spines.

“I will.” Hiro answered. “By the deadline!” Granville advised.

“Okay if that doesn’t scream Mr. Barkin I don’t know what does.” Ron whispered to Kim who just rolled her eyes.

“Right right I won’t be..” “LATE” Fred suddenly came in wearing his mascot suit with a unicycle in hand.

“Really sorry I’m late Professor Granville.” Fred apologised.

“Given that you aren’t a student, you don’t need to be here at all, nor do Miss Possible or Mr. Stoppable.” Granville pointed out. Hiro had just gotten up and Baymax turned his head round to see what was going on.

“Oh does that mean you don’t want to see my Mascot final project?” Fred said spinning the wheel on his unicycle.

“There is no mascot final project.” Granville exclaimed.

“I don’t know sounds like a cool idea to me, the Mad dog would rock at that!” Ron said only to be shot down by a stern look from the professor.

“But it involves sparklers.” Fred explains reaching into his suit head and pulling out some sparklers in his hands.

“Watch.” Fred ignights the sparklers by striking them on the wheel of his unicycle and then rode it round the room and everyone watched with some concern.

“Fred, that does not appear to be safe.” Baymax advised.

And he was right before Fred knew it he crashed into something in the lab and groaned in pain as he did. Granville left the room and Baymax went over to him all but leaving Hiro to figure out what to do for his final project.

Krei Tech:

Later Gogo, Kim, Hiro, Baymax, Ron and Fred decided to return the case that Globby tried to steal to Alister Krei to find out what was inside it. They moved the brief case to Krei himself who looked at the heroes in their suits/mission gear. Fredzilla was busy looking at a statue of Krei and poked it only for the head to crack off

“So I have Big Hero 6 and Kim Possible, to thank for the mess in my warehouse.” Alister said simply.

“Uh a simple thank you would be great.” Kim said.

“We stopped Globby from taking this.” Hiro said gesturing to the case.

“But why’d he want it?” Ron then asked. “Whats in the brief case Krei?” Gogo then asked.

“Ah nothing.” Krei said. “My scan indicates that there is not, nothing inside.” Baymax said scanning the cases contents.

“Well its nothing valuable see for yourselves.” Krei said unlocking the case’s biometric scanners. Pulling out what looked like a crushed up piece of metal.

“A few yeas ago, Krei tech and every other tech company was trying to create an energy amplifier.” Krei explained.

Hiro looked at the crushed tech as did Kim while Fredzilla handed to Gogo the Krei statue head. Which she tossed away when he and Ron looked at the piece of defective tech.

“Is it supposed to look like a burnt Noodle burger?” Fredzilla asked.

“Pretty sure no.” Hiro whispered.

“So if it worked what would this energy amplifier thingy do?” Ron asked.

“Bleeding edge technology that would exponentially multiply the output of any power source.” Krei explained. “But there were, complications.”

“Let me guess it didn’t work and burnt down some labs?” Kim asked.

Krei cringed at a flash back of one of his warehouses going up in flames after a failed test of the amplifier and being forced to call the fire department.

“What? everyone lived.” Krei said looking out the window.

“and we learned a very important lesson the energy amplifying business is not a sound investment.”

“So it was a massive failure.” Gogo said.

“It was not technically failure if the whole idea was impossible in the first place.” Krei then explained.

“Impossible.” Hiro breathed and began to wonder “you sure?”

“My people say it is.” Krei said “and as clever as you all are I hired the best and brightest in the business and they couldn’t crack it.”

Krei took the defective amplifier and just looked at it. “it was just one warehouse fire after another.”

“The warehouses always pay for our mistakes it’s not fair.” Fredzilla said sadly.

“Yeah it’s a cruel world for warehouses.” Ron added to which Rufus nodded in agreement.

“Then why did Globby try to steal it?” Gogo asked. “She’s right it doesn’t make any sense.” Kim agreed.

“Maybe he collects garbage because thats what this is.” Krei said taking it over to a bin in his office.

“Expensive garbage but still garbage.” Krei just threw it into the trash can.He then looked to his watch and noticed the time.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have meeting with R&D about something that is both possible and probable, fire proof warehouses.” He said then taking his leave.

“Hm I guess that could work.” Ron wondered. Hiro meanwhile went over to the trashcan and looked at the defective energy amplifier and he soon found an inspiring idea for his final project.

Later at the Hotel:

That night at the Hotel that Kim’s family was staying in Kim was in her room talking to Wade about what they had just learned today.

“Well Kim, Krei’s story checks out, no other tech company has been able to crack energy amplification and probably never will.” Wade relayed looking over what he found on his computer.

“Okay but that still doesn’t explain why Globby would go to the trouble of stealing it.” Kim wondered.

“Well maybe he was stealing a defect, so that whoever sent him could reverse engineer a better version that could in theory work.” Wade theorised. “But that person would have to be good at that kind of field.”

“Well Hiro did say Globby is working for this Obake guy, so maybe he has something to do with this.” Kim theorised. “By the way any luck on figuring out how he hacked our frequencies?” she then asked.

“Sorry Kim somehow when he hacked us he didn’t leave behind a trail for me to follow, but I’ll keep trying to find an exploit.” Wade replied much to Kims disappointment.

“Well please and thank you anyway.” Kim sighed as she turned off the Kimmunicator. None of this made any sense, even to her why would someone go to the trouble of stealing something that not only doesn’t work but may not even be possible to create. There was something missing from this equation but what, what could it be?

Elsewhere:

It was now nightfall and at the San Fransokyo Art museum Honey Lemon was with Wasabi, Ron and Rufus in the storage room. She decided the best way to begin her research project into Lenore Shimamoto was at the museum where her painting City Rising was on display. The group entered the store room and Wasabi was carrying Honey Lemons research material whilst Ron and Rufus were there helping her look at things.

“Thanks for helping me carry my stuff Wasabi.” Honey Lemon thanked. “And Ron thanks for coming to help me with this.”

“Ah no problem Honey Lemon, it’s what friends are for.” Ron thanked.

“I’m so excited about my final project!” Honey squeaked with excitement as she pulled back a crate for the dust to fall off it and nearly land on Wasabi who avoided it.

“Are you sure you want to spend a lot of time in here Honey Lemon?” Wasabi asked rather nervous about the amount of dust in the room.

“Yeah I mean you never know what could be crawling in an old store room.” Ron agreed and as he turned round and saw an old Japanese samurai mask which had a rather scary face. Ron yelled in fright and it moved to reveal Rufus who could only giggle in amusement.

“Ha ha very funny Rufus!” Ron said sarcastically.

Honey Lemon meanwhile pulled out an old diary that once belonged to Shimamoto, it was a dairy she had found once at an art school to then be recovered from a certain enemy of theirs.

“What do you mean?” Honey asked as she looked through the pages of the book.

“Its just so..” Wasabi shone a torch which was actually a purple UV torch and it revealed some stains all over the place.

“gah un clean un clean!” Wasabi panicked and Rufus could only hop onto the clean freaks shoulder and comfort him. “What is that even…”

Suddenly Rufus spotted something when Wasabi shone the torch over the book and immediately squeaked to get his attention.

“What what is it Rufus?” He asked and Rufus snatched the torch from him and hopped onto Honey Lemons shoulder much to her surprise and he shone the light onto the book revealing something rather strange.

“Wait was that?” “Did you just see that?” Wasabi and Honey Lemon gasped.

“What see what?” Ron asked as they gathered around the book.

Honey Lemon flipped the pages of the book under the UV light and it revealed what appeared to be advanced math equations covering the pages of the diary.

“Whoa that is some serious math test.” Ron said rather amazed.

“This ain’t no test Ron.” Wasabi observed. “This math is way ahead of Shimamoto’s time.”

“So you said she was a scientist maybe she was smarter than you guys let on.” Ron guessed.

They looked down the page and saw something written on the bottom of the page.

“Mums the word?” Honey Lemon read. “She was hiding something?” Ron wondered.

“Shimamoto had a secret.” Wasabi said as Honey Lemon took photos on her cat phone.

“Theres more here than just equations.” She said “Its gotta be a clue.” She closed the book.

“Yeah and I’m betting thats what leads us to what she was hiding.” Ron guessed

“Yes maybe.” Honey said. “Good work Rufus, you have a keen eye.” She then said petting him.

“Aw shucks” Rufus blushed.

“Now we have to go back!” Honey Lemon declared. “To a cleaner environment?” Wasabi hoped.

“To a Taco stand?” Ron asked.

“No to Shimamoto’s lab!” Honey said running out of the room.

“Lab wait what lab?” Ron asked running after her. “I’ll explain on the way.” She answered.

“It was worth a shot.” Wasabi said turning off the torch to which Rufus shrugged.

Next day at SFIT:

Hiro was working on his computer in his lab and he had with him the burnt out energy amplifier that Krei had showed him earlier. He was looking over the math and the possibility of how it could work, and Baymax just watched from behind.

“Hm this might be doable.” He said as he looked at his notes.

“Am I to believe this is your final project Mr. Hamada?” Hiro jumped and saw Professor Granville standing next to him looking at the scrap junk on his desk.

“Uh yes.” Hiro said “I mean yes, it is.”

“What is it?” Granville asked. “Expensive garbage.” Baymax explained with a knowing finger.

“Uh no Baymax.” Hiro said, “I’m making an energy amplifier.”

“An energy amplifier, this is not what I expected from you.” Granville said rather surprised.

“I know, me neither.” Hiro said amazed. “But I think if I can minimise energy losses through…”

“Impossible.” Granville answered. “Well it won’t be easy but…” “I mean that I reject this proposal! because it is impossible” Granville then interrupted Hiro in a rather loud tone.

“What? no but, I, I think I’m really onto something here.” Hiro tried. “Look at my..”

“Arrogance showing!” Granville snapped.

Meanwhile Kim had just arrived on the campus and was heading for Hiro’s lab she wanted to see him about something regarding this Obake person. Before she arrived at the lab she could overhear a very loud voice and it was Professor Granville’s she stopped outside the door and listened to what was going on.

“This is too advanced an undertaking Mr. Hamada, even for you.” Granville continued.

“But Professor Granville, this could revolutionise energy efficiency, and change..” “It is also incredibly dangerous!” Granville interrupted Hiro and Kim couldn’t help but overhear the tone in her voice.

“Try to think responsibly for once!” Granville then insisted.

“I am! But your not listening!” Hiro argued. “Because you don’t think I can do it.”

“It is not always a question of CAN! Mr. Hamada” The professor exclaimed slamming her hand on the desk surprising Hiro even Kim was a little surprised. Granville took a breath before continuing.

“Sometimes it’s whether you should.” She then said with a hint of upset in her voice.

“But I can so I should.” Hiro finally decided Granville just took a breath before speaking again.

“My decision is final, come up with another proposal and soon.” She said then walking away not even noticing that Kim was at the door, she then entered the lab.

“Hey.” Kim greeted Hiro. “Oh hey Kim, how much of that did you hear?” He then asked.

“I heard enough.” Kim said rubbing her arm. “Do I even want to know what that was about?

She then took notice of a certain piece of expensive garbage on Hiro’s lab desk.

“Wait is that the scrapped amplifier that Krei showed us?” Kim asked.

“Yeah, seeing that gave me an idea for my project, to see if I could crack the energy amplifier.” Hiro explained. “So I ran some numbers and it should be doable but Granville doesn’t want me to go through with it.”

“Well, she does have a point Hiro, I mean you heard what Krei said, about the fires he had there are risks to consider.” Kim explained.

“Yeah but I know I can do it.” Hiro said. “I mean if I can create armour and tech to protect the city I can build an energy amplifier that could revolutionise the energy race.”

“Hiro I never said you couldn’t.” Kim said. “Its just the way Granville said it, the tone in her voice showed she was concerned.”

“Hiro, you still have time to devise and alternate proposal may I help?” Baymax then suggested.

“Its okay Baymax I already have a back up plan.” Hiro said as he was arranging his papers.

“That is excellent news.” Baymax agreed. “Hold on what is this back up plan?” Kim then asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh I’m going to prove professor Granville wrong.” Hiro said simply.

“Wait what?” Kim said in shock. “I do not understand.” Baymax said.

“I’m going to work on the amplifier.” Hiro said. “Only in secret.”

“Even if Granville said no?” Kim said rather concerned.

“Her decision was final, would you like me to play it back?” Baymax said replaying the professors last recorded words.

“My decision is final.” the recording said.

“Oh yeah I heard.” Hiro said moving his papers around. “But if I pull this off, and I defiantly will. Then Granville will be just too impressed to be mad.”

“Hiro look I know you can do it.” Kim said. “But are you doing this to get your final grade? or just to prove a point?”

“Look Kim I get your concerned and all that but I’m only doing this to get a good grade.” Hiro replied “I’m gonna make her eat her words.”

“That is not physically possible.” Baymax said.

“Well I’m going to do a lot of impossible things.” Hiro said with a confident face as he left the lab leaving Kim with a look of concern on her face.

“I have some concerns.” Baymax said.

“Your not the only one.” Kim agreed then she remembered. “Baymax, any chance you could play back what Granville said please?”

“Of course.” Baymax said and played back the recording of Granville’s conversation with Hiro and she took note of the tone in her voice as she listened.

“Hmm Baymax what can you tell me about the tone in her voice.” she then asked.

“Her tone indicates concern and rather saddened emotional states.” Baymax diagnosed from the recording.

“Yeah but the way she said it, it’s almost like it was personal.” Kim wondered and knew she needed some answers.

Soon she was on her way to the Deans office and upon arriving she knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Granville said and Kim entered to see Granville on her computer looking over things.

“Professor Granville.” Kim announced.

“Ah Miss Possible, to what do I owe this visit?” Granville said.

“Well I was just heading in to talk to Hiro after everything that happened recently and well, I couldn’t help but overhear the argument about his final project.” Kim explained.

“Ah I see.” Granville said with her full attention. “If you don’t mind my asking Professor but I couldn’t help but notice the tone in your voice when you rejected his proposal, it seemed like you were generally concerned.” Kim explained,

“Very observant, yes I was concerned about what Mr.Hamada was proposing, energy amplification whilst an interesting field just isn’t possible to create, let alone the risks that come with it.” Granville explained. “Yet he insists on pursuing it regardless which is much like him dangerous shortcuts and even the lack of consideration for the risks he takes.”

“Okay no arguments there, but Hiro does know the risks and can sometimes surprise people, and if he makes mistakes he has to make them on his terms.” Kim explained to which the Professor understood “

but from the way you said it, it sounded deeply personal.” Kim then said. “Professor, did any of your students attempt Energy amplification before?”

Granville took a moment to think about what was just said to her. “No Miss Possible, but I will say this if something can be done that doesn’t mean it should, you can never know what the consequences could be.”

“Now if you’ll excuse me I have projects to approve.” she then said Kim just nodded and took her leave of the office. Once on the other side of the door Kim was still unsure of what was said to her, she could tell instantly that Granville was lying. She pulled out her Kimmunicator and called Wade.

“Wade.” Kim said on the kimmunicator. “Oh hey Kim whats up?” he asked.

“Listen I need you to do some background checks on someone.” Kim asked. “Okay who would that be?” Wade then asked.

“Professor Grace Granville.” Kim answered. “And whilst your at it look through SFITS student database and find out about the students she’s taught past and present.”

“Okay anything specific?” He asked. “Find out if anyone has looked at energy amplification for a project.” Kim answered.

“Sure I’ll look into it and see what I can find I’m guessing its about the prototype Globby tried to steal?” Wade asked.

“You know me so well, let me know what you find.” Kim said putting the Kimmunicator away. She was about to leave the campus when.

“Kim! Kim!” Called a voice and she turned to see Fred running towards her with Mini Max.

“Oh hey Fred, Mini Max.” Kim greeted. “So whats up?”

“Well I have the perfect plan to catch Obake!” Fred said rather excited.

“Okay I’m listening.” Kim said rolling her eyes smiling.

“Glad you asked he said pulling out some of his superhero action figures which had the teen hero all but confused.

“Globby has been trying to steal Krei’s energy amplifier, and Globby’s been working for Obake.” Fred explained acting out the villains with his figures.

“Okay but one problem with that, there’s no energy amplifier for him to steal.” Kim pointed out.

“Or is there…”Fred then said rather dramatically. “I get the feeling you want me to say where are you going with this?” Kim then asked.

“Well we set a trap for Globby, making him think we have an energy amplifier, we can catch Globby and make him lead us to Obake.” Fred finished. “Gogo’s already on board with it.”

“Thats…. actually a good idea.” Kim said rather impressed. “Nice huh the figures sold it right!” Fred said.

“Uh no, but it’s still a good plan.” Kim then said. “I’ll have Wade spread the rumour that Krei tech has actually made an energy amplifier and then that’ll lead Globby right to us.” she then took her leave.

“YES! PLAN FRED IS A GO!” Fred said rather excited even doing a victory dance.

Hiros Garage

Meanwhile Hiro was hard at work on his secret final project, he had a 3D render of the energy amplifier design on his computer and after a few clicks on his keyboard he rolled his chair over to the other computer on the far side of the garage then over to get a book from his work bench, read a few pages then roll back over to his main computer. Baymax had just entered with a sandwich in his hand.

“Hiro” Baymax said. “You have been working for seven point three hours, research indicates that fatigue can lead to cognitive impairment.”

Whilst Baymax was explaining Hiro was still working on his project not taking his eyes of the multiple screens.

“I have brought you a sandwich.” Baymax said offering Hiro lunch.

Hiro then snapped out of work mode and took the sandwich from Baymax.

“Thanks Baymax your the best.” Hiro thanked punching his stomach.

“What is the status of your unsanctioned research?” Baymax then asked.

“I’m defiantly onto something.” Hiro said whilst eating his sandwich and taking notes in his note book.

Just then a buzzing noise emerged from his screen and it was Fred on a video call.

“Hiro!” Fred said. “Whats up Fred?” Hiro said still working. “Kinda busy.”

“Oh no… big deal.” Fred said “I just have a plan to capture Globby!”

“Ah ha thats great.” Hiro said still working on his computer.

“Isn’t it, we just need to convince Krei to pretend that he completed the amplifying thingamajig and lure Globby out then we catch Globby in the act and take out Obake!” Fred said and as he described his plan his call was being moved from screen to screen by Hiro who at the same time was working on his final project.

“Sounds good Fred ah, Baymax and I are in.” Hiro said not paying attention.

Fred was more than pleased and was about to bring out his action figures. “I actually got the idea from my f…” Just then Hiro canceled the call on Baymax’s screen and got back to work.

“Hiro, I have finished my risk assessment of your unsanctioned final project.” Baymax explained running the numbers before showing a graph on his chest screen.

“There is an eighty percent chance of failure.” Baymax explained.

“Oh thats not so bad.” Hiro brushed as he worked. “within that eighty percent there is a ninety six percent chance of disastrous failure.” Baymax continued to explain showing another graph. “I have concerns, I will list them now.”

“One, fiery explosion.” Baymax noted showing a house exploding on his screen of course Hiro was focused on work.

“Uh yeah thanks for the analysis Baymax, but I’ll be fine really.” Hiro brushed off and rolled his chair over to the other work bench.

“Two electrocution” Baymax continued to list.

Meanwhile:

SFAI (San Fransokyo Art Institute) a school for artists to thrive their creativity and is also the rival school of SFIT in its courtyard stood a statue of its founder Lenore Shimamoto on its left stood what used to be her house restored to mint condition however below it lay a secret that was discovered by Big Hero 6 some time ago.

Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Ron and Rufus entered what appeared to be a secret lab hidden underneath the house itself. They walked down the stairs whilst Wasabi was avoiding all the cobwebs.

“This is even worse than the museum.” Wasabi moaned.

“Okay who just hides a lab under their own house?” Ron asked.

“Someone who wanted to hide something Ron.” Honey explained. “See she was secretly a scientist and didn’t want anyone to find out about her work, thats why we’re here.”

“She hid her journal in a secret compartment.” Honey then explained. “Maybe there’s another one.”

“Don’t worry I got this.” Ron said as he went over to the nearby book case. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from movies and missions with Kim is that compartments are always hidden behind book cases.”

So Ron began pulling out a book hoping it would trigger something, but sadly to no avail on the first try, so he tried another and another and another, but every time there was no unlocking sound.

Wasabi then noticed a small plane hanging off the ceiling and blew on it and the plane flew away into another book case that was about to fall over, but Wasabi quickly caught it.

“I’m just not gonna move from this spot anymore.” Wasabi said holding the case and Ron was still pulling out books. “Ew by which I mean this spot.” Wasabi said accidentally knocking down a plant pot which Honey Lemon quickly dived and caught in her hands.

“That was close.” She breathed in relief.

“Okay so maybe it isn’t the book case” Ron said eventually conceding defeat.

As she got up she noticed the flowers in the pot, they were a certain type of flower.

“Huh, Shimamoto liked chrysanthemum’s” Honey observed. Rufus hopped onto the table and took a sniff of them and just gagged considering how old they were, then something sparked in Honey Lemon something she remembered from the journal.

“Thats it!” She gasped. “Whats it?” Wasabi and Ron asked.

“People used to call Chrysanthemums mums, Mums the word!” Honey explained then she looked at what they were housed in. “The vase thats what the clue leads to.”

“Maybe there’s something inside.” Ron guessed picked it up and looked into it only to be hit in the face with dust which Wasabi caught as well.

“ACK!” They both coughed. “Hundred year old Pollen! AH I’M OUT!”” Wasabi exclaimed as he rubbed it off his shirt.

“ACH that is sick and wrong!” Ron gagged “First plants try to kill me now they suffocate me!”

Rufus shook the pollen off him. “Plants ptooo!” He gagged in disgust. Wasabi then passed the vase to Honey Lemon who examined it.

“Or maybe there’s something outside.” Honey observed as she rubbed the vase to see what it was made of.

“Its a wax cylinder!” She gasped. “Like an old timey record.” Wasabi guessed.

“The kind you can play in gramophones?” Ron asked.

“How’d you know that?” Wasabi asked.

“Please my dad keeps one in the attic back home said it belonged to his great grandad.” Ron explained. Honey was still looking at the cylinder.

“Hm, Lenore Shimamoto wanted us to hear whatever she recorded on this.” Honey theorised.

“Great so how do we play it?” Wasabi asked.

“Yeah unless one of you has an old gramophone we can play it on?” Ron asked.

“I have an idea, but your not going to like it.” Honey Lemon said and Wasabi Ron and Rufus looked at each other with the same look of concern not liking what could happen next.

Several hours later:

“Your right I don’t like it.” Wasabi said as he “Ditto.” Ron agreed

as they and Honey Lemon were suited up in their armour and mission gear. They entered what used to be Baron Von Steamers lair or whatever was left of it after Drakken’s self destruct getaway.

“Told you.” Honey said. “Are we going to go to every gross place in this town today?” Wasabi asked climbing through the door.

“What makes you think we’ll find anything here Drakken practically trashed the place when he moved in.” Ron wondered to which Rufus nodded in agreement.

Honey Lemon made three chemballs from her purse and threw them to the ground making three glob cushions to land on as they bounced from one to another deflating as they landed. The smallest one popped in Wasabi’s hand and he threw it away.

Just then a stray rat went into his path causing Wasabi to yelp in fright only for Ron and Honey Lemon to stop him.

“Shush, or we’ll trigger the…” Suddenly Honey Lemon was interrupted by the sound of an alert sounding all over the room.

“Trap.” Ron grimaced.

Just then steam emerged from behind them and they turned to see something rising from the ground it seemed to be some kind of seven wheeled machine with extra limbs of a hammer a steam gun and a flame thrower, it was powered by coal and steam and bolted together. The three heroes looked in fright at what they saw knowing it was one of Baron Von Steamers old traps.

“Uh, that wasn’t here the first time!” Ron squeaked.

The Hotel:

Meanwhile at the hotel the Possible twins were busy watching T.V with the rest of the Possibles minus Kim. Just then the door opened and Kim came in.

“Hey guys.” Kim greeted. “Hey Kimmy cub how’s Hiro doing on his project.” James asked.

Kim just sat down on the couch and breathed a sigh this told her parents something was wrong.

“Whats wrong sweetie?” Ann asked.

“Well its just, Hiro wants to pursue this energy amplifier project but Granville doesn’t want him to but he’s going to follow it anyway.” Kim explained.

“Well if it’s a problem why don’t you tell Hiro to pursue something else.” James asked.

“Granville tried but Hiro’s dead set on proving her wrong like he has something to prove, when he’s proved it saving the city.” Kim explained.

“Honey I don’t quite understand the situation but, maybe this is something he needs to do for himself and make his own mistakes to learn from.” Ann explained. “You should know that more than anyone, remember Rons hair cut not to mention the whole Mad dog situation.”

“Yes I remember.” Kim said with a smile and a slight chuckle. “But it’s not just that, I feel like the Professor is hiding something the way she talked about the project was like she had been through it before.”

“Well lots of people have things they’re not proud of Kimmy some even still haunt them, but from my experience it’s a reminder not to make the same mistake, like I did on more than a few rockets.” James explained as he read the news paper.

Just then Kims Kimmunicator sounded off and she excused herself from the room and answered the call.

“Go Wade.” Kim said. “Kim I did those background checks on Granville like you asked and I found something strange.” Wade relayed.

“Strange how?” Kim asked.

“Well it turns out she was a teacher at SFIT before Hiro even enrolled.” Wade brought up the professors background history and even her old look when she was first employed at SFIT.

“Hiro did mention something about Granville being a teacher before he enrolled, but what made her quit?” Kim wondered.

“Well I did some digging into the city archive and found that there was an accident at the campus involving one of the professors experiments.” Wade explained bringing up the file.

“Was anyone hurt?” Kim asked. “Well one person was but they couldn’t identify him.” Wade said.

“Okay anything on that other thing I asked you for?” Kim said changing the subject.

“Yeah after digging trough the SFIT student database it seems only one name comes up for approaching an energy amplifier project.” Wade explained.

“Does this student have a name?” Kim asked. “Yeah someone by the name of Bob Aken, but the wired thing is when I tried accessing the file the system locked me out the file was sealed.” Wade explained.

“It would need special authority for that?” Kim wondered.

“your right and I know who, it was authorised by a Grace Granville.” Wade explained.

Kim was more than surprised than before not only was the professor hiding something but it would seem she was trying to cover up her failures and who was this Bob Aken? Just as she was pondering another call came in on the Kimmunicator.

“Hey Kim!” Fred called. “Oh hey Fred whats the sitch?” Kim asked.

“Good news Krei’s agreed to go along with the plan to catch Globby took some convincing but thanks to Mini max we were able to do it.” Fred replied.

“Your gratitude is much appreciated.” Mini max said.

“How’d you convince him?” Wade asked. “Oh Mini Max reminded him that Globby stole his wallet when we first met him.” Fred said.

Kim was glad that at least one good thing has turned up from tonight the trap was set now it was tomorrow was the time to net their Globby fly.

Back at Baron Von Steamers Old lair

Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Ron and Rufus were fighting for their lives against the security system that Baron Von Steamer put in place to protect his lair from intruders.

The steam bot chases after them and their running to avoid it.

“SERIOUSLY WHO HAS A DEATH BOT POWERED BY STEAM!” Ron exclaimed.

“Yeah thats Steamer for you!” Wasabi exclaimed.

Suddenly they find themselves cornered and the bot blast fire at them.

“Run!” Honey Lemon exclaimed as they split up to avoid the fire blast, Ron and Wasabi ran to the right whilst Honey Lemon and Rufus fled to the left.

“We’ll keep it busy!” Wasabi yelled to Honey Lemon.

“I’ll cut off the power!” Honey lemon replied.

Wasabi used his left plasma blade to cut through one of the spikes in the lair and then tosses it at the bot getting its attention. Only for it to crush the spike with its hammer.

Wasabi leapt into the air and grabs onto the bots head as it tries to use its hammer to crush him. Wasabi tries to avoid it.

“Hey steam head over here!” Ron called as the bot now turned its attention onto him. Ron started running away from the bot still keeping its attention.

“Okay keeping it busy!” Ron yelled as he ran for his life.

Honey Lemon uses this opportunity to fire a red chemball at the bot only for it to use its fire cannon to melt it down whilst still trying to crush Ron and Wasabi.

Wasabi makes the mistake of latching onto the robots hammer arm and it shakes him up and down in a fast motion until he’s catapulted across the room and lands on Ron and they end up rolling through a trash pile in a ball.

They accidentally knock down a piece of scrap metal which knocks into another like a line of dominos and then a small hook pulled back a curtain revealing what looked like an old style gramophone.

“Hey.” Wasabi said amazed. “Wow thats lucky.” Ron agreed.

However their joy was short lived when the trash pile continues to fall and land on a wooden beam which accidentally flips a switch. All of a sudden Wasabi and Ron began to feel the floor open up and a bright orange light emerged from the floor.

“Oh come on!” Wasabi and Ron exclaimed. Ron fell through the hole and Wasabi was quick to catch him by the legs as Wasabi held onto the doors with his own legs.

“Hang on!” Wasabi yelled. “Thats easy for you to say your not over a furnace!” Ron yells back “HONEY HE…LLLP!”

Not only did they have to worry about falling into a furnace but the steam bot was closing in on them and the doors Wasabi had his legs on were splitting further and further apart.

However before it could strike a chem ball fell to the ground and turned into spikes of ice that penetrated the furnace in the robot rendering it useless.

“Wasabi ,Ron!” Honey Lemon called and hurried to the pit.

Ron was slipping but before Wasabi lost his grip Honey dropped a chem ball into the pit which exploded and turned into purple coloured goop which emerged as a peak then turned into a slide which Ron and Wasabi slid down.

“Whew.” Rufus said relieved. “You guys okay? Honey asked.

“Sure as long as you define okay as, in massive agony!” Ron whined.

They turned their attention to the gramophone and Honey Lemon began turning the handle to make it play.

“Well let's see if this old thing works.” Honey said and moved the speaker into the cylinder and the gramophone began playing a log.

“Barons Log. On this day I Baron Von Steamer proclaim that my latest scheme to defeat Boss Awesome cannot fail!” The recording played.

A flashback shows the proclaimed Baron setting a plate of cookies under a cage with a sign saying free cookies. The Baron then hid behind a wall waiting for his opponent.

“Victory will be mine!” The barons voice said.

“Wow Fred was right this guy is old school, not to mention obsessed.” Ron said

“Yeah you gotta admire his confidence.” Wasabi agreed.

Just then the gramophone started playing another log.

“Barons log, addendum.” The Baron sounded rather depressed, and with good reason.

“Victory, was not, mine.” He said as he started crying. In the flashback he was sat in the cage crying his eyes out in defeat.

“Okay clearly a private moment.” Honey said tilting the speaker so they couldn’t hear anymore.

“Good news the player works.” Wasabi pointed out.

“We’ll just borrow it.” Honey said then pulls out a note with a heart on it. “I’ll leave a note.” Honey said smiling.

“Well great let’s go before anything else happens.” Ron decided as Rufus landed on his shoulder.

“Yeah dude but first.” Wasabi points down and Ron see’s his pants are down, again.

“AW COME ON SERIOUSLY!” Said a rather annoyed Ron.

“You ever consider getting a belt for that?” Honey asked.

The Following Day

Baymax emerges from his charging station after a full nights recharge in Hiro’s room. He steps out and turns his attention to Hiro’s bed.

“Hiro.” Baymax said as he walked over, he shuffled over to the right side of Hiro’s bed and it seemed he was still sleeping.

“Hiro.” Baymax said again but got no reply he then pulls back the bedsheets only to find it wasn’t Hiro in the bed but rather Mochi lying on a cushion who meowed in response.

Baymax headed out to the garage and looks round the wall to see Hiro still working on his project. He was starting to build his amplifier and had it secured in a vice it was purple and black in appearance, he was making adjustments with his tools.

“Hiro, it is time to go.” Baymax then said walking into the Garage whilst Hiro worked.

“Baymax? is it morning already.” Hiro said still working.

“Yes the press conference will begin, in 20 minutes.” Baymax reminded.

“I can’t stop now I’m in the zone.” Hiro said still working on the amplifier.

Baymax just blinked. “Fred, Gogo and Kim require back up.” He said.

“I know but I’m so close to finishing.” Hiro said. “Look I had a breakthrough I just need a little time to..” Then a thought hit him.

“Baymax, could you do me a huge favour and head to Krei tech first.” He asked.

Baymax was rather surprised by his friends request. “Without you?” He asked blinking.

“Yeah without me I’m just so close on this.” Hiro answered. “Don’t worry I’ll catch up.”

He then turned back to his work and Baymax started to leave the garage to get ready.

“I will go.” he said leaving the garage, but not before he turned back to see his friend.

“Without you.” He then took his leave and if though it couldn’t be seen but it looked like Baymax was experiencing sadness.

“Goodbye” he then said leaving.

Krei Tech

Meanwhile at Krei Tech the press conference was already underway the news reporters were gathered to hear Krei’s big announcement. High above Gogo, Fredzilla and Kim now armoured up were on the look out for any sign of trouble.

“Hiros late.” Gogo said rather impatiently.

“Or maybe we’re early.” Fred wondered. “We’re not early.” Gogo then said.

“Guys chill I’m sure Hiro’s on his way.” Kim assured then right on cue Baymax flew in wearing his armour. “Ah speak of the devil.” She said.

However when Baymax landed Hiro was nowhere to be seen much to the surprise of everyone.

“Wait where’s Hiro?” Gogo asked. “Hiro said that he would catch up.” Baymax said with a thumbs up.

“That was not part of the plan.” Gogo said. “Relax Gogo, even if Hiro doesn’t make it the three of us Kim and Mini Max are more than enough to handle Globby.” Fred assured.

“He’s got a point Gogo, besides Hiro probably has his project to think about, I’m sure he’ll show up later.” Kim agreed.

Just the Krei tapped the microphone to get the press’s attention as the four heroes watched from above.

“Once again, Krei tech industries has done the impossible!” Krei announced then pressed a button on a remote he was holding.

“I present to you an energy amplifying… thing” The platform revealed a Krei tech briefcase and confetti started flying out of the bottom of the platform.

“Uh which we like to call.” Krei took a moment to think of a name for this creation. “Pat-rick. Yes Patrick.” He decided.

“Are you going to open it or what?” Bluff Dunder asked. “We’re rolling.” He gestured to the camera.

“Ye, yes I’m going to do that.” Krei said moving slowly towards the brief case. “Now, right now, right…” Before Krei could open the case.

“NOW!” A pink globe hand pushed Krei away and Globby appeared on stage.

“I think I’ll be taking this! yoink!” Globby said picking up the case.

“Lets go!” Gogo said and the Heroes jumped down to the ground to face the glob villain. Globby sees some of Big Hero 6 and Kim Possible arrive on the scene.

Gogo races towards Globby only to be cut off by a red laser blast. Gogo turned to the origin of the blast and it uncloaked to reveal floating turnip faces and behind them was a flying jet with five mechanical arms attached to it and piloting it was a burger head with eyes it was Noodle Burger boy.

“Howdy and hello burger buddies.” Noodle said spinning in his armed jet pack.

“We’re here to toast your buns!”

“Oh no.” Gogo said “Uh who’s that?” Kim asked. “That is Noodle Burger Boy.” Fredzilla answered.

“Buns I get it.” Baymax said.

“As if this couldn’t get any weirder.” Kim wondered but then right on cue a blast of green energy knocked her in the back, she fell to the ground then got up to see a certain green suited villainess among this weird group of villains.

“Surprise Kimmy.” Shego smirked.

“And it just did.” Gogo said with a deadpanned look.

Gogo engaged the flying targets trying to hit them with her mag lev disks but missed Fredzilla performed a super jump and fired from his mouth a blast of fire which Globby jumped to avoid as Fredzilla landed on the ground.

“Next!” Fredzilla said. “MINI MAX NOW!”

Just then Mini Max emerged from the display platform wearing his armour and flew towards Globby.

“MINI MAXIMIM ROCKET PUNCH!” The tiny bot exclaimed as he flew at the glob villain at top speed.

Globby screamed in terror. “Just kidding.” Globby then made a hole in his body and Mini Max flew through it and crashed into the opposite wall and was caught in some wireing.

“Well played gelatinous foe!” Mini Max said. “I’ll get him!” Fredizlla jumped up and fired a blast of fire at Globby only for him to miss it separate then reform on the ground with the case inside him.

“This is not how I saw my plan going within my head?” Fredzilla said as he saw the turnips firing lasers from their eyes.

“You don’t say!” Krei said rather annoyed. “Let me show you how I see it going.” Globby proceeded to grab Krei and fling him at Fredzilla who rolled onto the ground.

Globby started laughing evilly as he began to morph into something and he revealed himself as a giant T-Rex who let out an ear splitting roar!

“He can turn into a dinosaur!” Krei exclaimed in surprise.

“Honestly I’m surprised he hasn’t done it before.” Fredzilla said rather amazed. “But look at those tiny useless arms!” he then gloated as T-rex Globby wiggled his tiny arms.

“You think!” Globby then extended out his arm and flung Fredzilla into a wall.

Meanwhile Kim was fighting Shego who used her energy gauntlets to create blades to fight with and Kim blocked them with her armours energy shield.

“So this is where you disappeared too after Drakken lost!” Kim said with effort.

“Yeah like I was going to jail just because Dr D’s amateur plan didn’t work!” Shego said as she swung her right blade at Kim who quickly avoided it. Shego fired energy blasts at the teen hero who backflipped multiple times to avoid them and landed safely.

“Besides it’s better to be on the winning team, this guy Obake actually appreciates my potential.” Shego then said

“But seriously your working with a glob man and a robot fast food mascot.” Kim said in a confused tone.

“Hey look I’m not liking this new weird crowd either but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.” Shego admitted before firing another energy blast at Kim who blocked it with her gauntlet shield.

Gogo rode her mag lev disk skates around the wall trying to fight the laser firing turnips firing her disks at them one by one and even used her feet skates to knock them down, a group approached her but she jumped out of the way to avoid them.

“Theres too many of them!” Gogo exclaimed and saw a laser coming in from Noodle Burger boy.

“Breaking news from Krei Tech industries!” Bluff said on the news but a laser blast hit the edge of the building and the rubble nearly crushed them but luckily Baymax was on hand to smash the rubble with his fist before it hit them.

Suddenly robot tentacles grabbed Baymax by the arms and lifted him up into the air.

“Oh no!” Baymax said as Noodle flew him into the air then flung him into a wall with a massive crash.

“He he he he he!” Noodle laughed with glowing red eyes.

Kim was still defending herself from Shegos blasts as she saw Baymax knocked out and Gogo was barely standing her ground agains the flying laser firing turnips.

“Gogo!” She cried “Call the others!” and Gogo responded with a nod.

Gogo and Honey Lemons apartment

Meanwhile at Gogos apartment Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Ron and Rufus were all gathered around the kitchen table with the wax cylinder and gramophone they got from Steamers lair. Wasabi was holding his phone to record this for Honey’s project.

“This is it guys.” Honey said rather excited. “This could be the secret behind Shimamoto’s greatest discovery.”

“Well come on play it already, I want to know if it was worth nearly getting melted for!” Ron said and Rufus nodded in agreement.

“Are you ready.” Honey asked and just before Wasabi could press record the phone rang showing the caller ID to be Gogo.

“Gogo, we’re kinda busy.” Wasabi answered but then heard the sound of laser fire and they looked at the phone to see Gogo in the middle of a fight.

“Are you kidding me!” Gogo said annoyed. “Noodle Burger Boy, Globby and Shego are attacking Krei tech!” She said trying to hold up her phone. “We need back up! Hurry!”

“On our way Gogo!” Ron said.

Hiro’s Garage:

Back at the Garage Hiro was applying the finishing touches to his energy amplifier he releases it from the vice and then takes it over to his computer.

“Okay just got to test it out.” Hiro said but neglected to hear his vibrating phone.

Hiro proceeded to hook it up to an amp which was connected to his computer ready for testing.

The computer screen started showing the readouts of the device, and Hiro with a deep breath turned on his amplifier and it started surging with purple energy and the readouts showed it was amplifying the computers power tenfold. Hiro was screaming with excitement that it was working.

“I.. it’s working!” Hiro said rather excited. However the charge began to work too well it caused an electrical short on his computer screen and nearly caused his hard drive to explode. Bolts of electrical energy were surging around the room and Hiro was quick to un plug the amplifier.

“Its working!” Hiro said amazed. “Baymax did you…” However he noticed Baymax wasn’t in the garage, then saw his phone was sounding off. He went over to look and saw he had multiple missed calls from Honey, Wasabi, Kim,Fred, Ron and Gogo. Then he remembered he had something important to do.

“Oh no!” Hiro said in horror. “No!” A text from Gogo then opened to say “WHERE ARE YOU!” And another one from

Kim saying “HIRO GET OUT TO KREI TECH NOW!”

“no no no!” Hiro paniked as he activated his Skymax pod.

Back at Krei tech:

An arial dog fight was taking place between Baymax and Noodle Burger Boy. Noodle flew in front of Baymax who quickly flew away to avoid him but Noodle flew after him flying high into the sky and fired a laser blast which clipped the red robots shoulder causing him to fly out of control, but managed to recover.

“Baymax you have to fight back!” Gogo ordered on the coms.

“Say rocket fist!” Fredzilla jumped only for Globby to grab him. Noodles tentacle arm hit Baymax in the chest flinging him into a wall and he managed to recover as Noodle hovered in place.

“Baymax Rocket Fist!” Kim exclaimed.

Baymax readied his rocket fist but when he was scanning for a target Noodle was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly he was restrained by Noodles robot tentacles.

“Oh no.” Baymax said. Noodle climbed out of his jet pack and onto Baymax’s chest whilst holding his head.

“Golly mr, I’ve got a special order for you.” Noodle then started messing with something on Baymax causing him to go haywire.

“Reboot data packet invalid.” Baymax said as he was crashing down. “Reboot internal authentication error, reboot reboot protocol malfunction reboot reboot.”

Baymax flew out of control and Gogo saw he was going to crash.

“Baymax!” She exclaimed as Baymax crashed onto the ground damaging his wing in the process.

“No!” Kim exclaimed and saw the cause of it flying around. So she threw her energy shield like a frisbee and it clipped Noodles jet pack sending it flying out of control and the shield returned to Kim a move that would make even Captain America proud.

However she was then blasted in the back by Shego and flung into Gogo they got up to see they were surrounded by the flying turnips. Before they could react one was smashed by a purse, it was Honey Lemon armoured up and fired several Chem- balls at the drones freezing them and they fell to the ground.

“Thanks.” Gogo said as Honey helped her and Kim up.

“Nice timing.” Kim thanked as she jumped back into the fight against Shego.

Fredzilla then jumped up and tried a swing kick on T-rex Globby only for him to get stuck and absorbed into his nose.

The glob dino then just sneezed the costumed hero out of his nose and onto the ground.

“Give me my wallet back Globby!” Krei cried as he was hiding nearby. “It was a gift from my accountant!”

“Well I, I lost it.” Globby explained. “You are a monster!” Krei said rather annoyed.

“Guys this stuff is oozing into places!” Fred cried from inside his suit which was leaking Globby’s goop inside.

“Hang on Fred I’m coming!” Wasabi cried as he sliced apart the drones with his blades to reveal them as Buddy guard robots.

Wasabi tried to get get Fredzilla free only to get stuck in the goop too. “Uh oh!” Wasabi panicked. “I’m stuck, like really stuck!”

“Yeah man thats really in there!” Fredzilla said and Globby was about to step on them until Mini Max flew in to the rescue.

“Fear not friends brave!” Mini Max said as he flew into Globby’s T-Rex leg which suddenly morphed into a hammer.

“Take this you pint-sized pest!” Globby said as he smashed the hammer down causing an explosion. The smoke cleared to reveal globby wings. Globby had now turned into a pterosaur which flew into the sky holding Wasabi, Fredzilla and Krei in its claws.

Kim was still dealing blows with Shego’s energy blasts blocking them with her shield until the green villainess had turned her blasts into a set of plasma claws and sliced at Kims gauntlet destroying the shield leaving Kim venerable to another energy blast which knocked her to the ground.

She looked up to see Shego about to deliver the final blow but before she could.

“The cavalry’s arrived!” A voice called and Ron flew in with his jetpack knocking Shego down with his fist. He then helped Kim up from the ground.

“Thanks Ron.” Kim thanked. “Hey assist its what the sidekicks for.” Ron said.

Shego got up and was about to blast the two until something kicked her across the face it was an armoured Rufus with his jetpack. This angered the green villainess as she tried swatting the naked molerat.

Pterosaur Globby still held his prisoners in his claws until he flung them away only to crash into Gogo and Honey Lemon. Who soon found themselves surrounded by the three villains Kim and Ron soon joined them as they went into a defensive pose.

“Looks like it’s the end of the line for Big Loser 6! and Kim Possible” Shego said with a sadistic smile.

However before they could attack an engine revved up and out of nowhere Hiro sped in armoured up and on his scooter as he jumped from some rubble and flung his scooter into Noodle as he crashed to the ground.

Noodle was flung into Globby and his eyes glowed red.

“Oh not good!” Globby said as Noodle fired his laser eyes causing him to explode all over the place and Noodle Burger Boy just crashed to the ground.

Shego looked rather irritated by this development.

“Don’t count us out yet Shego!” Hiro said “Now where’s Obake and whats he up too!?”

“Oh please as if I understand what his plan is!” Shego said rolling her eyes. “Okay boys time to go!”

She said as she got Noodle and Globby reformed himself and grabbed the case with the energy amplifier and Hiro watched the three villains escaped with what was left of the Buddy guards.

“Sorry I’m late.” Hiro apologised turning to his rather unhappy teammates.

“Where were you!” Gogo demanded. “I kinda lost track of time.” Hiro admitted.

“Doing what dude, you look like you’ve barely slept?” Ron asked and Rufus nodded in agreement.

“My final project.” Hiro answered. “Wait till you guys see..” “Thats great Hiro but someone could have really gotten hurt today.” Honey pointed out.

“Hiro I know how much it is that you pass your grade but you need to consider your priorities, we needed you and you blew us off!” Kim then scolded.

“She’s right, we needed you, Baymax needed you.” Gogo then agreed gesturing to the downed robot.

Hiro gasped in horror as he saw his friend down on the ground. “Oh no!” Hiro said rushing over to his injured friend.

“Baymax!” He said as he looked at the damage. “Baymax?”

Just then Baymax rose up as he rebooted his systems from whatever Noodle Burger Boy did.

“Reboot complete.” Baymax said with his eyes blinking. “Hello I am Baymax.” He greeted

“Baymax are you okay? talk to me buddy where’s the damage?” Hiro asked as he looked him over.

“I briefly malfunctioned.” Baymax explained. “I am fine.” He then assured and Hiro responded to that with a hug. The others came over and Hiro looked to them apologetically.

“Guys, I I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean let you down like that.” Hiro apologised.

“We know, but don’t do it again.” Gogo said.

“Hey man it happens to the best of us you want to know how many times I messed up cause I had other things to do.” Ron admitted.

“I forgive you Hiro, I mean my super awesome perfect plan didn’t work cause Globby got away, probably a little your fault.” Fred said.

“Guys come on we couldn’t have known Globby would have company this time.” Kim pointed out. “But that aside we now know where Shego went after we stopped the Destructo Yamas.”

“Yeah and who she got those energy gauntlets from, Obake.” Wasabi added.

“Yeah but there are two positive take aways from all this.” Fred then said. “One I got to fight a dinosaur, which was awesome! and two all they stole was an empty briefcase.”

“My lawyer gave me that briefcase.” Krei said rather upset.

“As a Christmas gift?” Ron asked to which Krei just looked with a raised eyebrow.

“I offer my consolation wealthy citizen.” Mini Max comforted by patting his head.

Elsewhere:

Deep in Obake’s lair Momakase used her blade to slice open the case only to reveal a poorly drawn picture of Fredzill signed by himself.

“Obake will not like this.” Momakase said to Globby, Noodle and Shego.

“Oh great, so this was a fools errand!” Shego said rather annoyed.

“Well you should be used to that working with an amateur like that mommas boy you called your partner.” Momakase teased.

“Hey watch it sushi girl! I may have to work with you and these two idiots doesn’t mean I have to put up with it!” Shego threatened with an energised hand.

“Actually ladies I’m thrilled.” The group looked to See Obake standing behind them.

“Everything went exactly as planned.” He explained.

“I don’t get it?” Said a confused Globby.

“Yeah it was a bust? What was the point of trying to stealing something that doesn’t even exist?” Shego then questioned.

“Oh of course you don’t.” Obake said going over to his monitor. “Krei’s pack of simpletons couldn’t finish the job, I needed the services of someone, truly gifted.” The left side of his face began to glow neon purple.

Hiros Garage:

Hiro was holding his energy amplifier and twisted it to turn it on and it surged with power. It glowed neon purple which reflected its light onto the one who made it. But little did Hiro know of the significance his creation would actually play.

Authors notes:

Uh oh what could Obake possibly have in mind for the young genius and Kim is suspecting that Granville maybe hiding something about why she didn't want Hiro approaching the energy amplifier. Well answers to come in the next chapter.

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pandawritesmanythings · 4 years ago

Text

Chapter Summary: It's hard to trust people who are known to be backstabbers, isn't it?

Word Count: 1,541k

Warnings: Gossip, deceit, manipulation (it might not be obvious by who!), tw: knives.

Masterlist

It was the second day of the celebration. Bucky had yet to return with the scrolls and those who came along with the valuable archives.

And you felt like death.

Sigyn noticed it, and you noticed that Sigyn noticed it.

"Is there something you wish to say, Sigyn?" You asked with a teasing smile, which only widened when you saw her getting flustered.

"W-Well. It's just... Your majesty seems to no be faring very well today..."

"I didn't get much sleep last night. My thoughts sometimes storm too loud." You vaguely alluded to the real source of your sleeping issues.

"I see." She quietly nodded before resuming her work on your hair.

"Do you have any advice for me today, dear?" You asked as Wanda brought you your breakfast and bounced left and right tidying up your room.

"Today the festivities shall be outside. The gardens are extensive, and the beach is close by, so I would imagine that the royal family might want to take a stroll down the shoreline.

You must work on convincing the king that this is a secure alliance. I suspect that some of the lords are still not thoroughly convinced..."

"I'll make sure to do just that." You agreed. "Thank you for your help, my dear."

"I just want to make sure that both Asgard and Midgard may be in good terms. And that the prince..." She trailed off.

Wanda eyed you and you waved to dismiss her. She made up a quick excuse and left the room.

You then turned to Sigyn who had gone inexplicably quiet. "Please, do not be afraid of continuing. You and I will spend a lot of time together. It is only natural that we learn to confide in each other."

The blonde looked unsure but nodded. "I wish the prince happiness. I know you are good. You've been so kind to me, and you are smart and beautiful. But I've known the prince all of my life, and I don't know if he'll be happy."

"I wish that he was happy too. In the short time I've known him he has proven to be insufferable and a know-it-all, but he has a unique charm. And we have both been honest to a fault with each other. The least I can do is treat him with kindness."

Sign's face scrunched up in confusion. "Pardon me, m'lady but... I believe you've got it all wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"Loki is not well known for his truthfulness. No, he is the trickster, the liesmith, the dark prince of the realm. Do you think you can trust him? Well, I know him, and word to the wise? Make sure he trusts you before you trust him."

The small sandwiches didn't exactly appetize you at the moment. They were cute and tiny and absolutely delicious, but there was a churn in your stomach that didn't let you down them.

Queen Frigga was going on about how elegant and eloquent you were, about your education, so on and so forth. But your thoughts were so occupied that you could only respond with monosyllables, hums, and chuckles.

Your mom wouldn't be very proud.

"I heard that you and prince Loki have begun cozying up to each other." One of the ladies, whose name you had forgotten, commented taking a sip of her tea.

"Quite a gentleman, if I may say so." Another lady spoke up. "I've had the pleasure to meet him."

"What did you make of him, my dear?" Frigga asked you.

It took all in you to not appear surprised. Just set down your cup and give a measured and safe answer. "Well. He is quite the charmer I must admit, I believe that this union will be of great benefit to both kingdoms. He also seems to prefer when things aren't dull, which I completely agree with."

The ladies giggled at your comment while the queen smirked at you and then proceed to take another sip. "Oh, there comes my son!" Frigga said as the theme of discussion approached the picnic hosted by the monarchs.

Loki approached Odin and Thor who spoke with some other nobles, including Lord Perkins who had been sneaking glares at you ever since the alliance signature.

"Are you not going to see him?" The first lady who had a peach dress asked.

"I find it rather insulting to interrupt, one's fiance when they discuss official matters, Lady Skorjedóttir." Frigga scolded the younger woman with grace.

It was almost like a mother's scolding. Fierce, firm, and yet with a willingness to forgive behind it.

"I must wait until he approaches us, that would be for the best, my lady." You conceded and Frigga nodded in your direction.

"I fear you were discussing me, mother?" You squeaked as you heard Loki suddenly come from behind you.

"Fear me, my bride?"

"Only if you scare your soon-to-be wife like that." You teased, taking up the role of the royal couple.

"We spoke only good things, my son." She laughed at your exchange. "I see that you two are getting along."

"Well, after the Vanir princess came by last fall, there was nowhere to go but up." He chuckled and kissed his mother in the cheek.

"Would you mind if I took my bride on a walk?"

"Not at all, just know that her guard will be close. You scared her whole entourage by taking her like that last night." Frigga sent a knowing glance towards you.

Loki chuckled as he helped you up and took you towards the edge of the woods where Steve could keep an eye on you, but you still had some privacy.

"I am quite impressed." He said once you were out of earshot.

"May I ask why?" You looked ahead, Sigyn's warning playing in your head.

"Well, you have managed to feed the wolves while keeping appearances." He looked thoughtful. "I wonder how long that will last." He smirked.

"Is that a challenge?

"Take it as... a caution sign. The beast is never satisfied here in Asgard. It's the price of frivolities."

"I will keep that in mind."

You walked for a bit more, now just wandering, not really with a destination, just determined to delay what you wanted to say. The fear of saying the wrong thing like acid bile in your throat.

"I must admit something, my prince."

"I'm all ears."

"You have honestly disappointed me."

That stopped him effectively and made him unlink his arms to turn at you with narrowed eyes. "I beg your pardon?"

You smirked, eyebrows raised. "Ah, well. You see, I sort of expected more tricks and deceitfulness from the liesmith of Asgard."

You approached a nearby tree and looked through the leaves up at the warm sun. Slightly taunting him with your uncaring pose and teasing smile.

"And who are you to say that I have not been lying to you, princess?"

"Oh, Prince Loki. I hate to say it, but every word said to me I've taken with a grain of salt. And like with everything I've told you, it's not personal." You approached him to passive-aggressively bump heads with him. "This is the price of survival and politics."

"Is this what survival means? Having tricks up your sleeve?" He said before you felt him slip the blade from the hidden place in your sleeve and point it at your throat.

Just as he did you took one from under your dress and quickly pointed it at his respective throat. A stare-off going on between you with blades at your throats.

"Did you have to make it sound so cheesy?" You raised an eyebrow at his choice of words.

"I just thought it was absolutely ironic, my dear."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You can't."

"We both hold blades to each other's throats. One slip and either, or both of us could die." You began, "And we have things over the other person's head that we could use against the other."

"How do you know the maiden I told you of is even real?"

"How do you know that the man I spoke of, is?" You countered back. "Besides, how could you prove it? Call a physician, he'll tell you the truth. I haven't been touched by a man in my life.

"However, the cruel, conniving, pathological liar marrying the foreign, proper, and kind young princess, manipulating her? Telling her stories of his forbidden romance to another? Now that may feed the wolves for a long time. And Midgard could also benefit from that, wouldn't you agree?"

He looked livid. Slowly, he lowered the blade and you did the same, having cornered him. "Absolutely disappointed of you, my prince..."

You snatched the blade out of his hand and slid it back to its proper place before strolling back under Steve's watchful eye. And also the eyes of everyone who saw you and Loki venture a little bit more into the forest.

You didn't see Loki that day again. But you hoped this was enough to get him to finally understand that you were a princess worthy of respect and attention. Maybe from now on, he wouldn't mistake your openness with weakness.

TAG LIST:

@chxrryycola - @midnightmystic - @deathkat657

#loki x reader #loki #loki fanfic #loki odinson #loki laufeyson #loki friggason #marvel fic #loki fic #fic: bound to duty #bound to duty

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soobadnoonecanstopher · 5 years ago

Text

The Price of Privilege - Part 13 (A Kyungsoo Series)

Genre: ANGST / Romance / Arranged Marriage / Royalty AU

Characters: Kyungsoo X You

Description: The time has come to marry the man your family has selected to take your hand. As royalty, these important matters are arranged for you, but when you meet your soon to be husband, he is nothing like you expected.

WARNINGS: Kidnapping, Mentions of Suicide, Mentions of Self-Harm, Mentions of Murder -- When i say angst, i really do mean angst

The Price of Privilege [M]: - part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8 , part 9 , part 10 , part 11, part 12 , part 13 , part 14, part 15

You were burning.

And you were running.

A fire had begun somewhere within your depths and your ragged breaths fanned the flames that licked at the base of your skull by now; burning and singeing and blistering; they had already made they way up your weakened ribcage as they rose up higher — it was panic. It was conviction. It was hideous.

You were alight with it and in its wake —charred, sooty, black ash began to fill your chest cavity.

You were burning.

He was gone.

Each hallway you searched came up empty of his face. The other faces, faces of strangers with their useless surprised expressions and their unfamiliar eyes that were not his.

You mindlessly ran with your search and that fiery dread inside of you devoured the structure of your bones and the faster you ran; the less you saw — the panic was taking you — he was gone, he was gone —

Where could he have gone? Gone with those devastating words on his lips and that determined and desperate look in his eyes that told you with absolute certainty that he was capable...that he was capable…

Something horrible.

What would he do? What could he do?

Another empty hallway. Your panic had taken your rational mind and thrown it away and you groaned out loud when you recognized the same ornate golden bust that stood atop of a marble pillar at the end of this hallway.

You’d gone in circles. You didn’t even know where you stood nor for how long you had been searching.

The fire inside of you was beginning to change from something that burned and ached into something else. Something that was hopeless. Something you could not overcome.

The hands that you ran over your face felt like someone else’s. They were shaking so hard.

You could not feel their pressure against your wet cheeks.

You could not feel any warmth in them at all.

Think.

Just think, please—

Your lungs fought you, but you managed to pull in a deep breath. Something substantial. Something that brought a flash of clarity into your mind that quickly faded into the background of all the chaos inside of you and you lifted a numb and trembling hand up, parallel to your face — just before you lost the nerve.

The flash was a memory. Something that you had lived through before. When the realities of your life overcame and you mistakenly believed that you were allowed to forget. When you could not control yourself and act correctly. When you failed to behave as a member of the royal family and you were reminded again and again of the importance of playing your part well.

Reminded by your tutors. Reminded by your instructors who had been given and taken as many liberties as needed to shape you into the Princess you were always meant to be. Reminded with hot, heavy hands and in places that would be hidden well by designer clothing — reminded of your place; of what was expected of you.

How absolutely silly of you to think that you could get away with this sort of behavior; so unbecoming of the title bestowed upon you by God himself; so uncouth; so graceless and so ill-bred.

Without the swift hands of someone who held some temporarily ordained power over you, you had to do it yourself.

You hit hard; an echoing slap sounded out in the space around your burning body and a pair of eyes — a stranger; not him — turned at the shock of the heavy sound as the pain erupted over the entire right side of your face and you felt it. You felt the sting of the swift slap. You felt the burning in your skin and much deeper into your muscles and your jaw and you ached as the vibration of the impact settled and lingered there.

You felt shocked awake. It felt so familiar; this pain to set you right again.

Your once hazy and stupid brain sharpened and you forced your hands to still themselves of this absurd trembling and you remembered now.

Rushing around this palace in aimless circles would do no good. Only a fool would approach this situation that way. Only a crude individual would act in such an untoward manner.

You had to find him. If not him, then someone who was close to him. An ally. Not your own; you had too few precious friends in this place, but someone who would bend over backward to help Prince Kyungsoo. To save him from himself if needed. Someone who he wouldn’t push away. Someone who could get to him.

Someone who loved him.

With your newfound steady mind, you found a touch of the familiar in your surroundings. There was a haunting painting on the wall. This one showed a beautiful maiden; perhaps someone important from the history books. Her eyes followed you as you walked by. She had so much judgment in them. With each step you crept her eyes brought a fresh wave of guilt for your many sins. You were certain she knew of all of them. She’d have had a front-row seat to it all.

A turn to the left would bring you to a fork and a right after the second set of picture windows overlooking the courtyard would bring you to Kyungsoo’s hallway; to his front door.

The first set of swift knocks you placed upon his door went unanswered. When you pounded a second time, louder and with more urgency, you heard a sound on the other side of his doorway that preceded the beeping of an alarm system being deactivated and the door pulled open.

From what you knew about the man and the very little trust he placed in people, there was only one person other than himself who would be opening this door.

“Ara.” You said her name as soon as her eyes met yours and her head bowed quickly as a look of surprise flashed over her features.

“Your Highness, what brings—”

“Is Prince Kyungsoo inside?”

There was but a moment of pause in her eyes before she glanced over your appearance and her expression changed from idle curiosity to genuine worry. You hadn’t even thought about how you might look. Your tear-stained face and loose sweats hastily thrown on after dinner when Kyungsoo showed up at your place to demand his painful truths. Her head was shaking back and forth quickly and her lips hung open for a moment as she considered.

“He...was, but he left — has something happened? Something…bad?” Her voice was small and unsure and you couldn’t be certain that she wasn’t whispering due to the sensitive nature of the situation or if she was just that quiet all the time.

You could feel your mouth wanting to close. Wanting to clam up and deny any wrong-doing; any culpability in this. You wanted to keep everything deep down inside and turn around and go back, but you straightened your shoulders and lifted your head, leaning in close to the smaller woman who stood halfway through the doorway of his home.

Kyungsoo. For him, you would talk to her. He trusted her completely and there had to be a good reason for that.

“Ara, I need to speak with you urgently. It’s about His Highness.” Your own voice had dropped to a whisper to match her quiet voice and you eked out the subject of the discussion in a nearly inaudible tone.

She physically stiffened and her eyes glanced away from you, somewhere off in the hallway where when you followed her eyes you saw a ceiling-mounted camera.

“I am sorry, Your Highness, but I don't believe I could be of any help to you.”

At last, she spoke up. You knew it was for the cameras that monitored this hallway and you wondered who might be listening in.

“Ara, I think something bad—”

“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but my loyalty to my lord prohibits me from having this conversation here with you.” Her voice had interrupted your words and you caught the intense way her eyes held on tightly to your own. There was something hidden inside her eyes. It was there in the final words she spoke.

Here with you.

This was not a safe place to talk. Your words here were not private. Ara was quick-witted and cautious. Perhaps this was why he had trusted her so.

“I understand,” you said softly, racking your own mind for some solution, some way that you could speak openly and honestly with her about the delicate situation without every word from your mouth being on some sort of official royal record.

“Perhaps a walk around the west gardens might serve to soothe your worries. It’s nighttime and the moonflowers are ready to bloom. You might find it to be just the recipe to cook up a perfectly satisfying solution to your problems, Your Highness.”

Ara’s tone had changed halfway through her words to you, the first half being quite light and jovial, and of perfectly audible volume, while the second half; something cryptic about a recipe,, was muttered at a lower, more hidden volume.

When you did not immediately agree with her assessment of what you needed to be doing in the west gardens after the sunset — which hadn’t quite happened yet, you had definitely still seen some light peeking through the windows when you walked by the garden’s earlier, you actually caught half an eye roll that punctuated the frustrated sigh that left her lips.

“Do you understand my meaning, Your Highness?”

Frankly, you did not. You just wanted to meet with her to speak somewhere privately. Why was she suggesting the gardens? They were situated in a central courtyard, not even on the west side of the house if you really thought about it. Those gardens that were overlooked on all four sides by floors and floors of window-lined hallways. Literally, everyone who walked by any of the number of windows would see you meeting with her under the light of the moon standing in front of whatever in the world a moonflower plant was supposed to look like.

The moon wasn't even out yet, there had to be 10 more minutes of sunset before the light disappeared enough to see the moon. And what was this about cooking? Recipe? She had practically whispered that part. You were never very good at riddles. What could she mean to mention cooking?

But… there was something that was coming to your mind now. Something related to him. His kitchen — his passion, his cooking, his recipes. The one that was smashed to bits by the Queen’s cronies when he didn’t immediately respond to her demands.

The one that had been closed off for some time now and had been located on the west side of the palace. It would be unmonitored, and perhaps there weren’t even cameras over there since it had been completely destroyed all those weeks ago.

Your expression must have changed as you figured it out because you saw the first hints of a smile appear on her face. You’d never seen any sort of positive emotion there before. At least not directed at you.

“I understand,” you said with a nod of your head and you were certain that she wanted you to meet her in Kyungsoo’s kitchen in about as much time it took for you to get there from here.

There was an urgency in your steps and while you moved toward your destination, the secluded hallways that led toward the west side of the palace, you felt the ever-present sensation of being followed that persisted in nearly every crook and corner of this place slowly fade from your mind.

It wasn't until you found yourself standing alone in that hallway in front of that heavy metal door that you hadn’t seen in such a long time, that you realized just how oppressive the cameras had been making you feel.

There was nothing here. There were no eyes watching and no quiet strangers to give you glances and take notes and likely report on your odd behavior as soon as you left their sight.

Ara was right. This place was perfect. You pushed at the door and found it just slightly ajar and when you slipped inside the stillness of that dark kitchen you could make out a shape that stood inside. She was small and easy to recognize.

“Don’t turn on the light,” she whispered from the shadows and half of her serious face was illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight that came through the skylight in the ceiling.

“Ara, we have to make this quick. I think the prince may be in danger. I think it might be an emergency.”

With the freedom to speak, the words you had been holding on to so tightly came bursting from your chest and you heard the sound of your own panic on your voice.

She did not immediately speak. Nor did the shadowed outline shape of her move.

“Ara, please, I...I don't know what to do. I thought that maybe...maybe you could get through to him. He—He trusts you, Ara.”

The sounds of your heavy breathing floated around the quiet space and you lifted a hand over your mouth to try and quiet yourself; to calm this down some. Why wasn’t she speaking? Why wasn’t the jumping into action to help? How could she be so calm when something horrible was about to happen to him?

“What makes you believe he is in danger, Your Highness?”

When she finally spoke, her own voice was steady and very controlled. You heard absolute calm inside that voice and it was nearly hypnotizing in cadence. Your panic was much too strong of a force to be compelled.

“He...He said some things, that he was going to do something to stop the wedding and — we were arguing about the tape, and why I did that to him and then about May and — how much do you know about what has been happening?”

The urgency inside of you made your words stumble their way out of your mouth. You sounded nowhere near as composed and clear as you wished you would. Perhaps this explanation of yours did not properly relay the urgency here. Perhaps she just didn't take you seriously and her stubborn inaction was making your heart race harder inside your chest.

Had this been a mistake? Suddenly this side trip that you’d made to enlist her help was causing you to doubt yourself. Had you only wasted precious time in coming to her? Should you have just continued your search for the prince on your own? Perhaps you should have gone to the security house instead. Maybe Jun would be able to find him and stop him.

“I know more than you know, Your Highness.”

She knew. She already knew everything. You sighed in relief. At least you would not have to relay the entire events that led to this situation. This would save time. For once, you were thankful for the ever-present eye of the help in this house. The quiet witnesses to the disasters that the royal family inflicted on themselves and on one another.

“Then you know what he is capable of, Ara, he says he doesn’t care what happens, that he will stop the wedding — he’s disappeared, why are you so calm when something awful might happen?”

Your volume was a high shout. This was maddening. You reached forward for her hand, for some glimpse that this person was alive and real and could actually hear and understand the urgency of the situation the prince was in.

Your fingers grasped at the air in front of her; only brushing along the fabric of the sleeve of her palace uniform.

“May I have your permission to speak bluntly, Your Highness?”

She’d evaded your grasp and what kind of question was this? Someone’s life was in danger, and she was preoccupied with rules and formalities regarding the relationships between the help and the royal families? Did the woman not understand the meaning of the word emergency? Rather than argue, you quickly nodded your head and the quick up and down was just visible in the moonlight you both stood under.

“What makes you think he is the one in danger?”

Her next question did not have your title attached and the sudden sharpening of her voice felt accentuated by its absence. It caught you off guard and your panic hitched somewhere inside of your chest. A temporary stutter in the urgency.

Your mind spun and you looked into her eyes with a small shake of your head, not having imagined any other scenario in which he did not inflict this horror and tragedy upon himself.

You hadn’t ever considered the possibility that someone else may become a casualty of this war.

Impossible, right? You’d been so certain.

“Do you want to know what he picked up when he came home? I’ll tell you now. There’s nothing you could do to stop it anyway.

Insurance.

Actual physical evidence against you. I had warned him not to trust you so easily and He was quite cross when I presented him with it. He always swore he would never use it; never even touch it.

But now I know, My Lord is most grateful for my gift. And now he will use it to oppose the marriage.”

With each word she spoke the oxygen in the room seemed to be sucked out and you were quite thankful for the crisp clean and perfectly restored kitchen countertops that you gripped to keep yourself upright and present in this conversation. Or was it a negotiation now? This conversation had taken a rapid shift and you felt like you just might drop to the floor if you didn't hold on tight.

“What...what are you talking about? I haven’t done a-anything.”

Your own words felt feeble. You couldn’t even believe in them. You’d had so many sins against the man stacked up already. The many possibilities were flying by inside your head all you had to do was reach a hand out to grab one and that would be plenty.

May’s face flew by and images of her smile, her laughter, her hand resting over a swelling belly where an innocent baby grew; oblivious to the horrors of the life it would soon be born into.

“Did you know that it is illegal for a defiled woman to present herself as the bride of a Prince in line for the throne? You might not think it’s much, but if wielded correctly, it’s a powerful enough weapon to stop the wedding.”

Her words hit you hard and you had to take a step back and away from her. You felt the oven door at your back. It was cold and steel and brand new and it pulled your mind sharply at the shock of the temperature difference.

This was a scenario you had never ever imagined. That he would invoke such an outdated law and worse, that he would stoop so low as to use your own love for him against you. Your head shook back and forth. Your disbelief was thick and heavy, taking over for the panic that had been so all-consuming.

“But...that doesn’t make sense. He was the one who...”

You heard the smallest puff of air from her; a single syllable chuckle. A laugh.

“I know, right? Imagine being thrown into prison just for sleeping with the man you were going to marry anyway.”

Your mind was dizzy. The shallow breaths you managed did little to clear it.

You had to look away from that splash of blue moonlight and from those eyes that in no way reflected the horrors you felt inside of you at her revelations.

The stainless steel hood that reflected that light over the stove; the rows of pots and pans that hung from hooks from the ceiling and the rows of sharpened knives that stuck on to the wall, ready to carve and chop and slice and butcher. The pristine and lovely kitchen that surrounded you; cleaned up, repaired and completely untouched by his hands that were now elsewhere, gripping a new weapon.

Would he treat you with the same care as his precious ingredients? Would he do it quickly? Would he chop off your head to put you out of your misery before serving you to his many esteemed guests for dinner?

In a way, you’d done the same with him. Faking the drunkenness to sleep with him, just so you could search his home for that useless tape. You’d used his love against him too.

But the idea that he would turn something once lovely and beautiful; your first time, your first love, the first time you trusted someone with yourself, that he would dare turn that into a public spectacle.

You felt a sickness surge up inside of you with the dread and you caught the shine of the kitchen sink along the far wall behind where Ara stood smirking, taking note of its location in case you needed it quickly.

“So to address your worries, Your Highness, no, I don't believe the prince, himself, is in any danger tonight. Although, you might want to prepare yourself for what is coming.”

Despite the impact of her words, the volume of them was fading. Despite the devastation that was growing inside of your gut, something else was also taking over. Something that accepted this as your fate. Something saw no way out. Something that caved and surrendered.

It must have been relief.

He would be okay.

You would be ruined, but he would be okay.

As she often did, Ara left you standing alone in that dark place without so much as a farewell and only when you were by yourself for a good ten minutes did you unclench your fists and let your hands drop uselessly to your side and you exhaled the deep breath that you had been holding inside of your lungs.

It was as you stood alone in this kitchen that a thought dawned on you and you began to really question the kind of person you had become since you had arrived in this place.

Everyone likes to believe they are the hero of their own story. Some people are so deluded into believing that they are the good one; they could never accept that they might actually be the villain; but you felt a cloudy, foggy, hazy feeling descending.

You’d always considered yourself to be the good one.

You were good, right? Every move you had made in your life had been for the greater good, for your country, for your friend, for your family, for some end that would be righteous and just, but —

But what if, what if all along you had been the bad one? What if this comeuppance that Prince Kyungsoo and his trusted Ara had hatched up was just the universe washing itself clean of all the vile, disgusting transgressions you had committed.

What if you deserved what was coming to you?

You left the kitchen and you took your time with the journey through the palace, looking around carefully at the beauty of the ornately decorated hallways. You’d never quite appreciated anything in this place.

You’d never let yourself quiet down enough to let any of it in, but really, this palace had some impressive works of art, some amazing architectural feats and was quite lovely. You had been surrounded by so much beauty and only now that you had forced down the nerves of the unknown future you held in this world, did you have enough clarity of mind to appreciate it.

It was a shame it had taken you this long.

Even here, right in front of your home, hung the most impressively lovely painting you had ever seen up close. It had flowers strewn across a table in some picturesque cottage in the country; roses and irises dumped out hastily and the details painted in each stem astounded. You’d always just walked by it, but now, you lightly ran your fingertips over the surface of the canvas. You could feel the peaks and planes of the dried oil paint that gave the work so much depth and realism.

You struggled to pull yourself away from it and when you finally pried your hand down to reach for the doorknob to your front door there was a sound from behind you that startled you.

You tried to turn, you tried to spin on your heels but there was something dark and heavy placed over your head; making you gasp and stealing your light completely. You were, all at once, thrust into complete, terrifying darkness as strong arms wrapped around your shoulders, squeezing and holding your arms down at your waist and a fabric bag of some kind was pulled tightly around your neck. The sensation of being suffocated; both by your overwhelming shock, and the literal small amount of air inside of this cover you were in.

Breathing was hard, but you inhaled as much as you could and you let out the loudest scream you could manage. It was muffled by heavy fabric and sounded loud inside your own ears. You tried again but were caught off guard when the floor left your feet and you were lifted and handled by whoever had placed the bag over your head. By whoever it was that had come for you.

If you believed you had reached your limits of panic before, you had absolutely no idea of what real panic felt like. Your entire body shook and trembled with it. It radiated through your chest and cascaded over your limbs and you knew...you knew...

You were done for.

You were dead.

There was no doubt now, this was it.

There had been so little in your life. You’d only just made your first real friend. You’d only just fallen in love and hadn’t really had a chance to embrace the pain of having your heart broken by him.

You had never felt the sand between your toes at the ocean side. You’d never tasted cotton candy at a carnival. You’d never seen a midnight show. The unfairness of it all made you weep. What a shitty excuse for a life you had lived.

You had never held a baby; not in your whole life; not one. It was one stupid little daydream you liked to entertain; the rumored smell they had, the way they squeezed an offered finger and looked up into your eyes. So tiny and full of promise.

You had the sensation of being carried and shoved through an open doorway and you felt the hard wood of a chair below you as you were roughly pushed into a seated position and there was a swish as the strong arms that had held you so tightly abruptly released their hold on you. You swung your arms out, trying to reach someone. Trying to hurt someone. Trying to fight whatever strong oaf had dared to put his hands on you so liberally. You were met with no one and you instead reached up for the black cloth bag that had closed our your light.

To your astonishment, the person who had accosted you did not stop you from lifting the bag and you slowly pulled it up and over your head, peeking carefully through the blinding light that erupted in your field of vision.

At first, you only saw feet. You recognized the view of your own living room and realized that the seat you had been placed in was from your own kitchen.

Feet, connected to legs and he wore black slacks, a white dress shirt and he stood alone in your strangely decorated living room. Around you — balloons, streamers, confetti all over the floor and a huge banner hanging on the wall behind and there, on his face, the enormously victorious smile of Prince Baekhyun who giggled and laughed and pointed his fingers at the apparently humorous look of sheer horror and terror on your face.

“Congratulations on your wedding!” He was shouting, jumping, and laughing loudly and your head was reeling as the shock from the trauma of this ill-timed event began to settle heavy inside your belly.

You felt so dizzy.

You needed out of this chair. You rose on shaking legs.

Your hands were shaking too hard to be able to grip the kitchen table that you now stumbled beside, holding on as best you could, you made your way to the sink with a leap and the dizziness pulled everything from inside your stomach up and out of your mouth. You vomited everything into the stainless steel basin of the sink. Again and again. The small bits of dinner you’d had and red wine.

Only when your retching quieted down did you have enough strength to swat away his hands that pounded on your back in some attempt to comfort your spasms.

Only when you were done vomiting did you realize that you were sobbing. The words to rebuke him got lost in the ragged cries that erupted from your chest and wave after wave of tears flowed down your face.

Baekhyun’s words were rushed. A combination of ‘Jesus-fucking-Christs’ and ‘It was only a joke’ and then many, many soft apologies when your crying refused to settle down with his attempt at an explanation for what he had just done to you in the name of some stupid idea he had for a bachelorette party with just the two of you in attendance.

It took too long to calm yourself and only when he sank down with you on your kitchen floor and wrapped both of his arms and legs around you in a full-body hug did you begin to feel like you hadn’t almost just died and maybe, just maybe, you would be okay again someday.

His head was rested over your shoulder and when he felt the shuddering breathing begin to even out he lifted a cautious face to look into yours with as much worry inside of his eyes as you had ever seen directed at you.

“If you cry this much you’ll be all puffy for the wedding tomorrow,” he whispered against your face and you slowly nodded your head as you willed your emotions to settle down enough to stop the hiccups that had erupted with the crying.

“Here,” he declared after a moment of looking into your eyes, clearly having reached some conclusion on his own, “I’ll run you a bubble bath and you pick out which movie we’re going to watch first.”

He was lifting himself from the floor and his hands pulled you into a standing position, but Baekhyun seemed reluctant to release you from his grip entirely. He merely guided you along through your own home until you reached the large sectional sofa that faced the television.

In your lap, he dumped a pile of movies and you looked at the titles with a disconnected mind, noticing how each one was a romantic comedy with some sort of wedding theme. He brought a lot and you looked at each movie cover with hazy eyes, randomly deciding on one without much reasoning at all. Anyone of them would do. Something to fill up the silence of this home and maybe bring a laugh or two to lighten your down-in-the-pits-of-hell mood. Something to distract you.

You trotted toward the sound of running water in your bathroom and handed him the movie box. Baekhyun had set out a pair of pajamas that you did not recognize and upon closer inspection, you noticed the wedding bells and hearts strewn all over them. ‘Bride to Be’ was embroidered on the seat of the pants and they were as ridiculous as you would imagine Baekhyun would have picked out for you to wear tonight; the night before your wedding that would probably never even happen.

The pajamas took away some of the dignity that the bath had given back to you and when you emerged from the steamy bathroom you actually smiled to see Baekhyun sporting matching pajamas that proudly displayed ‘Maid of Honor’ in bright pink letters across his ass.

He had ordered pizza. There were rows and rows of assorted cookies and sweets spread across your kitchen counter and much to your surprise, not a drop of alcohol to be found. Instead, you saw some juice boxes designed for children’s parties and even a few small containers of chocolate milk in an ice bucket at the end of the counter.

You were aware of the time on the clock and when you grabbed a slice of something salty and fattening, pairing it with something chocolate and something sugary sweet, lamenting the fact that you’d only have a few hours of this before it would have to end and you’d be thrust back into your frightening and uncertain reality again.

Baekhyun was starting the movie by the time you snuggled on the sofa next to the spot where he had set a stack of cookies and a container of chocolate milk. Apparently, he was having a cheat day as well. This was a party after all. It was your party. The tiny number of party guests did not bother you one bit. You had your friend here at least. You’d enjoy it with the knowledge that it might be the last time you would be this happy again in your lifetime.

“It’s a shame that we can't watch two movies. I really wanted to watch The Proposal. Sandy Bullock and Ryan Reynolds…double swoon.”

You watched the opening notes of the song that began the movie. You had selected something called 27 Dresses, although you hadn’t really selected with any method in mind. You should have just let him pick, with as little as you knew about movies.

“We can watch both,” you said with a shrug and a bite of your pizza. It was hot and cheesy and saucy and just about the most delicious thing you had ever put in your mouth. “I do it all the time, just play it on double time and we will have enough time to watch both of them.”

“Wait, is that a thing?” He asked suddenly and had lifted the remote control to press buttons to access the menu on the movie player. Soon enough, he found the spot to control playback speed and he began to giggle as the voices of the characters acting out their roles lifted in tone and took on a chipmunk-like sound.

“You’ll get use to it. Let’s just watch it like this.”

It took a few minutes, and a few silly impressions of serious emotional scenes acted out in high pitched double-time voices for him to become engrossed enough in the film to quiet down.

After a while, snacks were abandoned and Baekhyun shifted on the sofa beside you, patting once on his lap, he produced a hairbrush from the bag at his feet that you’d recognized from the time you’d played dress up as a pair of nurses. You gave in and snuggled between his legs, giving him the back of your head where his fingers combed your hair gently and his brush dealt with the tangles of your wet hair.

He whispered that it was going to be your last girl’s night as a single woman and the gentle touch of his hands through your hair felt too nice for you to correct him. Perhaps you’d break the news after the promised matching pedicures. He said you could pick the color and you were going to pick the raciest red he had in his bag.

It was going well enough until the climax of the film when the romantic interest gave his emotional confession and you heard Baekhyun groaning beside you out of frustration.

“Nope. Nope. I don't like this. See, I was okay until this point, but some things in life you can’t just fast forward through. Some things have to be slow and careful. I’m missing all the good shit like this.” He was complaining right out loud as he reached for the remote and slowed the playback down to normal speed again and he rewound the scene again to the start to pay closer attention to the big emotional moment.

And it played again. Only this time, and boy was he right, this time you could see the unspoken body language acted out. You could see every nuance and every little touch that was so very important to this important love confession and there was a building and nagging thought that was growing and bulging in the back of your mind.

“See. See that right there? That can't be rushed. You have to slow it down and feel it. Listen to all of the sounds around. Listen to the way he’s breathing, God. He’s in love with her and there’s something so delicate about that.”

A feeling outside of the movie was nagging you.

Slow it down.

You can't just fast forward through.

Something related to what he was saying, but outside of Byun Baekhyun and this bachelorette party and the movie you were both sitting in front of and the cookie crumbs that were scattered all over his legs and the carpet below his feet.

Baekhyun had said it himself. Some things cannot be rushed. Sometimes you have to slow it down and listen to the sounds around.

Shit. Shit.

You had just fast-forwarded through it, hadn’t you?

He wasn’t even aware of what a mind-blowingly profound thing he had just said to you, and every cell inside your body prickled and came alive. You felt a fire inside of you and you leaped up out of your seat and rushed to your bathroom, beyond the bathroom into the closet, to the spot where you had left the cell phone he had given you that sat there inside of your walk-in closet. Your hiding spot was invisible unless you knew exactly where to look.

Your heart was pounding noisily in your eardrums.

“Are you going to be sick again?” You heard him shouting from the living room. “Shit, you aren’t pregnant, are you?” He added and his voice grew louder as he followed you through the bathroom to stand behind where you now stood inside of your closet holding on to your phone.

You were swiping furiously over the screen, reaching the log-in screen for your cloud storage. The only place where you had backed up the video from that tiny stolen cassette tape that had lived inside of Kyungsoo’s childhood teddy bear for a decade.

The video was hidden behind several layers of passwords, you logged in to each hidden and well-secured folder to find the file and you hastily pressed play, making sure to turn the volume up to full blast as you scrolled to the moment on the tape that you had in your foolish haste, watched only at double and triple the normal playback speed without even considering what might be happening off-camera. Without even thinking about the sounds the camera might have picked up.

You found the moment when the change happened.

You found the spot in history when sweet little Prince Kyungsoo had gone from a loved, carefree, happy child to a fractured, broken shell of a human and you carefully dragged your finger backward, to the hours right before. When you had been sure you’d seen the camera still and motionless and laying on its side somewhere, with only the view of feet on screen.

“What...what the hell is that?” Baekhyun was watching over your shoulder and you waved a hand in his direction, shushing loudly with your mouth as you listened to the tiny speakers of your phone as close as you could.

The video played and showed two sets of feet. One a man in black leather shoes, one a woman in expensive heels, and when you listened closely enough you could hear a clear and profound conversation. You heard the words there, the subject of their conversation was more significant than anything else in the world.

This was it.

Baekhyun’s hands moved. Something was sparked inside of him when he heard the words they discussed. He gripped at the phone and roughly grabbed it out of your hands and he pressed on a symbol in the corner of the screen as he dragged you by the hand in a rush, from within the depths of your closet back to the living room where the tiny video was now being cast directly onto the enormous tv of your living room as clear as day.

Baekhyun then reached for the volume remote and turned it up with his hand sat over his mouth and his eyes were wide, he watched with you as a conversation was had about the very recent murder of the Queen, Queen Do, Prince Do Kyungsoo’s mother and the wife of King Lee, by the two individuals who had been responsible for her death.

The brakes lines had been cut, just as She had ordered him to do. He’d done well. He would be handsomely rewarded for his role once she was married to the king. One she had taken the throne for her sons.

They were both supposed to die in the accident, but this might be even better, She said. They were both supposed to die, but only the queen died. Only Queen Do was crushed.

The young Prince Kyungsoo, her only son, her only child, would take the blame, and the coverup to save the Prince would prevent a thorough investigation.

They’d never be caught this way. And the Prince would do anything for them; he’d even give up his right to the throne; even finally agree to take a bride from another nation. A union of such that would require him to abdicate. The prince would agree to anything they wanted if he believed he was a murderer.

The entirety of the conversation happened off-camera with only their shoes visible until the camera was moved by the owner of a third set of shoes that came into view. A third person had arrived, and the highly incriminating conversation that had just taken place had ceased upon his arrival. Yet as the camera moved, as the teddy bear was picked up, there was the smallest split-second pan as the camera flashed up, to show as clear as day, the faces of the co-conspirators to the queen’s murder.

Baekhyun gasped out loud and reached for the phone, pausing the playback, he pulled the video progress bar back slowly and right there on the screen of this tv was the face of Queen Hong, and the evidence that she had been the person to order the murder of the Late Queen Do, Kyungsoo’s mother. He was framed. He was a victim.

It had been a murder plot that had been a decade in the making. And you, you were part of it. Your union with him was designed to steal his rightful place as an heir to his throne. They had done this to him. She had killed his mother, made him believe he was to blame and taken his throne from him.

That sweet little boy. This monster had destroyed him, and for what? So her two sons could have some more power? So she could become the queen?

Kyungsoo had been right, this marriage could not happen. Although he had so much to learn about the real reasons why.

Baekhyun again resumed the video, unable to look away from the shock of what he had just learned and you saw at the teddy bear was handed to her. To a younger, less plastic, Lady Hong and you felt sick to hear the wicked laugh that echoed over the sound of her heels pounding on the marble flooring. “I want to be the one to tell him his mother is dead,” she said.

You had to stop it. You couldn’t stomach any more of this. Baekhyun had a similar reaction and looked down at the phone, pressing something to stop the playback of the video on the big screen.

He was silent, clearly processing the bombshell that had just fallen into both of your laps. It was too much for you, and you had already fallen back onto the sofa, too overwhelmed stand anymore, you felt the shift of his weight as he did the same and sat down beside you with his focus far ahead of himself; his eyes wide and staring at nothing, his mouth agape, and his hands lifeless in his lap, your blackened phone still sitting inside of his hand.

“Where did you get this and has anyone else seen it?”

His question was quiet and so uncharacteristically serious in delivery and the old habits of mistrust and caution made your hackles raise as you let doubt coat your tongue and make your mouth close up.

You heard a groan from him and his hands raised up to cover his face and all at once, everything about him changed and he was overcome. You heard a soft sound from behind his hands and he was trembling. He was shaking and you saw drops of wetness falling freely down his cheeks and something deep inside of him broke.

Baekhyun was crying. He was crying hard and very suddenly he sniffled his nose hard, fighting the emotion, he ran a rough hand over his face, drying some of the wetness there. This was grief. It was all-consuming. You felt your own face wet. You felt powerless against such a kind of soul-crushing pain.

“He...He—” He tried to get the words out through the heavy emotion that had taken control. “He changed so much. He was my friend. He was my brother, once and they...they just fucking—

You sat motionless and useless, still too overcome to do anything at all. Still, too shell shocked to move.

Baekhyun stood up and his face was bright red as he inhaled a deep breath; his jaw clenched tight. His eyes changed and darkened. You saw the anger coursing through his body in waves and he was cursing. He was screaming out loud and he was raging within himself, and outside too. He grabbed at random bits of things; pillows, trash from the table, throwing objects with the rage and the anger that had taken ahold of him. Bits of the broken and the scattered remains of items, things, stuff. Everything and anything that could be thrown; that could be broken, but none of the destruction touched that anger. None of it could satiate the madness. Nothing broken could match the pain. It was simply too much for one body to withstand.

“I always thought both of them died that day. And this is why. They killed him when they killed her. They killed his mom. They killed her and made him think...made him think—

They did the same to me. They did it to him just like they did it to me.”

It was too much for him. He was one person alone. You moved and you wrapped your arms around him and he fought against your arms, he pushed against your hold on him, but still, you did not let up. Still, you squeezed around him as tightly as you could squeeze and you held him tight; through the sobbing and through the sounds of pain that escaped his lips, you held on and you absolutely refused to budge until you felt the change. His arms quit their movements. His legs and his torso and his tension and his anger quit and it all gave up.

You held on to your friend until you felt the softening of his strong muscles as he gave up and gave in to you. And when he collapsed onto the floor in your living room you went down with him, holding on tight until there was simply no more of that anger and destruction with which he could fight you. Until he did not want to fight it anymore, and you felt his arms move around your waist. He buried his head in your neck and he accepted the comfort you offered. You accepted his warmth as well.

When he had gone quiet, you finally opened your mouth to speak. And you began at the beginning. You began with May and her concealed love affair with Sehun. You told him of the rumors; the queen had been murdered. And without any thoughts otherwise, May believed, as many others did, that Kyungsoo had been the murderer. May had tried to protect you from him. May tried to get you to leave this place. May was caught by Kyungsoo and the evidence in your mind against him piled up. Your doubts and insecurities piled up.

Of course, Baekhyun knew of his role in deceiving Kyungsoo to save May. Baekhyun knew that Kyungsoo would shoulder the blame for May’s demise. Only now did he realize just how hard Kyungsoo must have taken the news of May’s death. Only now did Baekhyun realize the damage that must have done to his brother by the lie.

You told Baekhyun of your tricks and your lies to search Kyungsoo’s home for this tape. You told him of the unforgivable things you had done. You told him everything.

“We have to show him this tape.” Baekhyun’s convictions matched your own and you nodded in agreement; an unspoken covenant forming between the two of you and he was on his feet again, copying, editing, saving multiple copies of the evidential and important parts of the video. He sent it to himself in what looked like multiple places and you let him. You trusted him. He was in this with you.

There was a moment, after the progress bars and the sending and the saving and it was a moment of heavy silence. It was a tranquility that sat down on this sofa between the both of you and you felt the warmth of his hand as he grabbed yours and held on tightly to you.

“We might have just become the most dangerous people in this entire kingdom,” he said with a sad smile on his face and you responded in kind. You were completely unsure and terrified of the future, and yet knowing you weren’t in this alone gave you an incredible strength that you had never felt inside of you before.

The shared moment was interrupted by a loud sound. A rapid and angry pounding on your front door. A sound designed to call to action. You both leaped up and Baekhyun scrambled to turn off the tv. He scrambled to clear out both phones of any traces of illicit activity and incriminating videos and you rushed to the door, half terrified that you’d find palace security there ready to send you both to the gallows.

The knocking sounded out again. It was urgent-sounding. It sent a chill of fear through you and you turned your doorknob and pulled it open to face the latest test of your fortitude.

Ara.

It was Ara. Not royal guards, or palace police. It was just Ara.

You had no time for relief because something was wrong.

She was trembling and she was crying and she was holding something in her hands. You quickly pulled her by the arm inside of your home and closed the door behind her.

“Y-Your Highness, I...I think you might have been right — something is wrong. Something is wrong with him.”

Inside her hands, she held a small plastic bag that contained a folded up scrap of fabric. On that fabric, you saw old stains. Old bloodstains. You saw a disk laid on top with a hand-written date on it and what appeared to be a timestamp. The date you first slept with Do Kyungsoo and the exact time you would have been exiting his home so early in the morning. It took you two seconds to realize what this was. This was his insurance. This was the evidence to destroy you and he didn't have it with him anymore.

“H-He gave this back to me. He said he couldn't do it. After all you had done to him he still said he couldn’t. He ordered me to return it to you.” Her head was shaking in disbelief.

You felt the cold of the room flooding over your face as your skin blanched.

You understood at once the reason for her fear.

“Ara, where is the prince?” Baekhyun was speaking to her now. His voice was direct and well-controlled and you looked at his profile with a dream-like haze taking over your vision.

She did not respond and Baekhyun reached up to grip the smaller girl’s arms. He shook her; waking her back up. Bringing her back into her body enough to answer his question.

“I-I...don’t know. He—”

Her words came too slow. You felt the same sense of urgency Baekhyun betrayed and you wanted to shout. You wanted to shove her out of the way and run out of your home to find him.

“Where is he, Ara?” Baekhyun shouted louder and the girl’s face screwed together in pain.

“He k-kissed me. He thanked me for loving him all this time, and he—he said he was sorry he could never give me anything back. And then he just left. I don't know where he went. I don't know where he went.”

She was crying openly and Baekhyun turned to face you with his eyes wide and his instructions clear and concise.

“Find him. Search the kitchen and check the rooftop. I’m going to check the gardens and the garage. Text me the instant you find him.”

“Ara,” Baekhyun gripped the girl’s arms tightly and lowered his head down to look into her eyes. “Ara, I need you to come with me and help me find him, can you do that for me?”

She was nodding in earnest when you brushed past them both with your shoes on and your phone in your hand and you ran as fast as you could. You ran until your muscles complained and your lungs burned and you ran with direction and with purpose.

You would find him.

You would never be able to live with yourself if you failed him.

You had to find him.

The Price of Privilege [M]: - part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8 , part 9 , part 10 , part 11, part 12 , part 13 , part 14, part 15

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poptod · 5 years ago

Text

The Story of Golden Fish and Red Duck (Ahkmenrah x Reader, Ch. 5)

Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4

Word Count: 3.4k AO3 Link: The Story of Golden Fish and Red Duck

Unas visited Ahkmen several more times, but you did not join in. You were convinced that the less you saw of him, the more likely that your emotions for him (whatever they may be) would dissipate, and life would return to normal. The only problem was you didn't see him at all - you were forbade from doing that, and the idea that it was forbidden made you miss him all the more. It was indeed a very, very unfortunate predicament that had Unas laughing every time he saw you frowning or pouting.

"This is a serious issue, you know," you mumbled, wary of the many guests in the lower level of your house. Your mother had been feeling a little lonely, or at least that's what she told your father so he'd plan a small party. Unas' family was, of course, invited, along with one of your sister's friend's family. Teremun was annoyed that he couldn't invite his friends, but that was none of your business locked away in your bedroom, you and Unas sitting across from each other on the floor and avoiding everyone else.

"I'm fully aware of that, it doesn't make it any less funny," he wheezed out, unable to catch his breath.

"It's not that funny!"

"Oh I'm sorry, you not knowing you had a crush on Ahkmen isn't funny? We must live in different realms," he said as he shook his head, still grinning from ear to ear.

"I don't have a crush on him!" You snapped, your cheeks burning hot.

"You're still in denial?" His expression fell into unadulterated disbelief.

"Well... I just don't want you saying it out loud," you admitted sheepishly.

He looked at you, almost shocked at your ineptitude in the area of love, but somehow still supportive.

"We need to do something about this. You realize that, right?" He asked lowly, trying to meet your worrisome gaze.

"Yeah, but I have no idea how we're going to make me hate Goldie again."

"That - that is not the answer to this question, what the hell," he said, shaking his head again. "We're going to get you and Ahkmen together."

Your heart dropped in your chest. You were not going to be in a relationship with Ahkmen - it simply wasn’t an option. Besides the fact that you were still consciously in denial about even liking him, your families would be horrified in more ways than one. Ahkmen had pull as a prince, but his father was the Pharaoh, and his word was law, and the Pharaoh hated your father. There was no way either family would approve.

"Absolutely not. He's literally banned from seeing me again, and that's not even in the dating definition of that word," you said with a humorless laugh, rubbing your temples.

"That's what makes it more exciting."

You did not agree, but you didn't agree with Unas on several other things, so it wasn't a massive deal. He didn't have a point, that's what you kept telling yourself, repeating it over and over again in your head - his way was not the right way. Actually, it was more near suicidal. Neither of you even knew if Ahkmen liked you back, and even if he did, there was still the problem that you consciously kept circling back to hating him. You had strong emotions about him, and by Gods you were going to make sure it remained a strong hate, instead of the soft love sneaking into your head and lulling your hatred at bay.

All of your, Unas, and Ahkmen's ideas on the subject aside, you were still banned from seeing each other, and there was no way Unas could make you climb that rope again. You would have to be made to see him by your own family and his, and all three of you knew that would never happen again.

Except there was one thing Unas could do.

One horrible, devious thing, but he was known for being devious, and did not mind the title at all.

Within the next several weeks a popular festival would make its' way to Memphis; the Hathor festival. Much like the Tekh festival, the main theme was to get as drunk as possible and have as many orgasms as physically possible before passing out two hours before sunrise. Usually you spent the evening with Unas, wandering the streets and finding the best musicians and brewers the city had to offer. In fact you even made to do that - by afternoon you were walking to Unas' house, keeping your bag and coins close to you.

There was a thrill in the air, something that persisted throughout the city on the eve of every festival, just as it did then. Vendors more easily negotiated a price, eager to get home and prepare their own celebrations, some restaurants even letting their workers off early. For some reason, it wasn't complete catastrophe if no one worked during the festival, which you attributed to it being a bit of a free for all. Not particularly the safest environment for children, but things worked out alright, and Unas always brought backup in the form of weaponry.

Knocking at Unas' front door, you were greeted by his quiet sister, who you rarely ever saw, much like his father. You didn't get in a word before she was calling down Unas, who bounded down the stairs after catching sight of you. Dragging you inside, he pulled you upstairs and forced you into his room without a word.

"Unas? Everything alright?" You asked, feeling suspicious, but too amused by the secrecy of the situation to put any stock in it being a bad situation.

"Yes! Of course, here, I got you something," he said with a too-happy grin, handing you clothing wrapped in a brown package. Eyeing him oddly, you slowly unwrapped it, unveiling a black and red bundle of cloth. "Try it on, it's for tonight," he said.

"Don't we usually not dress up for this?" You asked, the suspicious feeling returning.

"Yeah, but I got invites to a pretty high up party," he said with a smirk, proud of his accomplishment.

"Fine," you gave in with a sigh. "I'll get changed, but I expect you to wear something just as frivolous."

"Don't worry, I will. Oh, and," he caught you before you left the room, "I'm blindfolding you on the way there. It's a surprise."

You frowned. "This is starting to sound like a bad idea."

It was, very much, a bad idea. Unas refused to take the blindfold off until the carriage stopped, the two of you had gotten out, and you were halfway up the steps. The amount of steps had you suspicious, but as he pulled the cloth from your eyes, it was all confirmed - he was taking you to the palace, the exact place the both of you had been banned from being. To make matters worse, you were actually looking forward to spending time with Unas, and he went and betrayed you.

"I'm going home," you said immediately, the cloth barely falling from your eyes before you could see the familiar pillars.

"No, you aren't! You're going to deal with this like an adult!" He said, chasing after you down the steps, grasping onto your upper arm and yanking you back up.

"We've been banned from the palace, in case you hadn't noticed! It's illegal for us to go in there!"

"Didn't bother you when we snuck in," he bit back.

"That was different and you know that."

"It doesn't matter anyway," he said, digging into his bag. "It's gonna be a massive orgy in there, no one will notice us, and masks are getting in to fashion." He pulled two masks out, one pitch black and the other stark white, handing the black one to you. Decorating your eyes with gems and silk, you tied the string behind your head, adjusting it on your nose. He did the same, correcting the accidental tilt in yours when he finished.

"You'll stay by my side, at least until we find him, right?" You asked shakily, trying to take a deep breath.

"Of course," he assured with a small smile, gripping your hand in his. The two of you took off up the stairs, him determined to stop your whining about Ahkmen, and you determined to do the exact same, but for a different reason.

The noise level grew with each step closer, become more and more defined, till you could pick out the loud moaners from the singers, the massive crowd in sight. As with most of the Pharaoh's parties, it was a no-invite event, meaning anyone could attend, and a good deal of people loved to take advantage of that. Your fingers tightened around Unas' hand, and he gave you a reaffirming smile - we're not going to be caught by the Pharaoh.

"I mean, Pharaoh's probably drunk, right?" You said, anxiety lacing your tone.

"Exactly. He can't prove anything and we can run faster than he can. Just one thing -" he turned to you - "stay sober."

"Yes sir," you said with a salute, the two of you chuckling quietly as the tenseness in the air lessened.

There was no way anyone would notice you. Everyone was far too preoccupied with their and other people's genitals which might've been enjoyable had you been drunk enough to attend, but you were not, and neither was Unas, leaving you both an embarrassed mess by the time you reached the food tables. Several people were lounging in that general area, most having slow sex while eating food, which you and Unas pointedly ignored.

"Where do you think he is?" You whispered, unsure of why you were whispering, but Unas seemed to think it was the right thing to do as well.

"In the highest room in the tallest tower, you'll find a beautiful golden maiden," he whispered in a high, girly voice, batting his eyelashes. You elbowed him, making him wheeze and laugh.

"Thanks for that, idiot. Let's go find him and get this over with," you grumbled under your breath, dragging him away from the food and leading him up the stairs.

Your memory wasn't fantastic, and you'd only been led to Ahkmen's room once before, which was your main excuse for getting lost three times. Unas made fun of you, as a friend always does, but wasn't of much more help when it came to finding the right rooms. Several of them had been filled up with more people, and upon noticing that you started to knock before entering. Though, that tactic wasn't of much help either, because most people would just invite you in, thinking you were more patrons waiting for a good time.

When at last you came to stand in front of the familiar double doors, the both of you stopped - the journey had finally come to a close, and there was a strange sense of doom in the air.

"You'll do fine, I'm sure," Unas said, sounding as if he'd never been less sure in his life, eyes staring up at the tall doors.

"Yeah... sure," you agreed thoughtlessly, your voice a murmur.

"... so are you going to go in?" He asked slowly, turning to you expectantly.

"Hm? Oh, um.. yeah. Of course. I'll... what - what should I say?"

"Why are you asking me? This is not my area of expertise," he said, frowning.

"Well you're the one who brought me here! I thought you might have a better idea than I do," you hissed, every second that passed by feeding the fear growing rabid in your heart.

"I just thought you'd go in there and, I don't know, kiss him? This is why it's a bad idea to ask me."

"You have no idea what subtlety is, do you?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he said, knocking on the door. "I can be subtle."

"I can't think of a single time you've ever been subtle," you chuckled.

Silence came from the room, halting your conversation with Unas. Confused, the both of you pushed open the doors, finding the room empty and the lights out.

"Well fuck," he muttered under his breath, glancing to the balcony before helping you close the doors again.

"Looks like it wasn't meant to be! We should go," you said, tugging on Unas' sleeve to get him to leave, which he continuously refused to do.

"He has to be somewhere in the palace. Maybe he's at the party," Unas suggested, using his size and strength to drag you along.

"We'll never find him, there must be a thousand people in this place," you said as you weakly attempted to break his grasp on you.

"I'm not willing to watch you and Ahkmen mope about for one more day. I'm sick of it," he finally admitted with bitter words, making you stammer for an excuse. There was none, but you still tried, stumbling over your words as you tried to wrench his hand from yours.

"I do not mope," you said as you gave in, walking at his side.

"You most certainly do, you've been doing it for weeks now," he retorted, his eyes drifting over the dancing crowd once you reached the lower level. Reluctantly you assisted, checking the left side of the massive room while he checked the right.

In a second his grip loosened from yours and he bolted across the room, pushing careless people aside as he ran. Startled, you looked in his direction, but couldn't find him amongst the mass of people. That idiot, you thought bitterly as you set off in the general direction he'd taken. He said he wouldn't leave my side.

Running against the flow of the populace, you almost ran head-long into several people, to which you quickly apologized and continued on your way. Fortunately for you, most people were drunk enough that they didn't mind. Unas wasn't horribly tall, but he didn't exactly blend into the crowd either, and you considered yourself blessed when you caught sight of his unruly hair. Before you could push your way to him, someone ran headfirst into you, your foreheads clanking painfully together, sending a wave of dull, throbbing pain through your skull.

"Oh, fuck!" You exclaimed instinctively, screwing your eyes shut and grasping your head where you'd been hit.

"Fuck, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to," the man said in a terribly familiar voice that grated against your nerves and softened your heart. Opening your eyes you looked at him, also sitting on the ground, golden robes pooling around him and a crown upon his head.

"Goldie, I... uh," you trailed off, your words leaving you as the two of you stared at each other, the trampling crowd not a thought in your heads.

Out of nowhere, Unas' hand reached for the back of Ahkmen's collar, yanking him backwards into the crowd. Stumbling to your feet you tried to find which direction they'd gone in, but to no avail - you were too short to see above the crowd. Nonetheless you continued in their general direction, weaving through dancers and passing at least two dozen naked people before you reached a wall.

Fuck's sake, you thought, biting your lip as you turned back to the crowd. From your position you saw the stairs on the other side of the room, the only place in which the crowd thinned, and the only place you could easily see and sort through the various people. It was slow work, but you made your way to it, climbing up a carved statue of a lion and sitting atop the head, looking out over the gathering. Unlike with most of the Pharaoh's parties, it was dimly lit, making it harder to see who you might be fraternizing with. For you, all it worked to do was make your task of finding Ahkmen much, much harder.

Caught up in an almost grotesque scene of around ten naked people writhing over each other, you didn't notice someone flickering past you in the corner of your eye, at least not until they were grasping the back of your shirt and tugging you off the statue and up the stairs. You let out a yelp of surprise, trying to turn and see your abductor with fruitless results. Trying to keep your feet steady, you attempted to walk backwards to ease the pull they had on you, only slipping two or three times on the large staircase.

"This is illegal you know, abduction," you reminded them through gritted teeth, reaching back to dig at their fingers in hopes they'd release you.

Anxieties ran rampant through your head, reminding you of the many, horrible ways this person could violate and hurt you. As adrenaline rushed through you you dug harder into their fingers, hoping to puncture the skin and draw blood. A wince came from them, but not much else before they were tossing you into a dark, cramped storage room, following after you and closing the door.

At last you turned around, trying your damnedest to force your eyes to adjust in the dark to see your captor. Just as the edges of your vision returned to you, they surged forward, hands on either side of your face and kissed you. Hard. In a mesh of tongue and soft lips you tried to pull away, but they kept going deeper. You'd clenched your eyes, you noticed that as they continued to kiss you, and when you opened them you came face to face with very familiar eyes that fluttered open when he pulled away, gentle in a manner you rarely, if ever, saw.

"Gold -"

Once again you were cut off by him pulling you by the waist, colliding with you like stars, disastrous and beautiful and horrendously reverent. By his touch the fervor he felt passed to you, veins alighting with humble worship of each other, and in a moment Gods forsook you gave in. You let him touch you, let him explore each and every crevice, every imperfection and fracture, filling each mistake with a love that flowed slow and ardent in a golden light only he could cast. In one moment you let effervescence flow through you, and in the next you ripped yourself away from him.

"You can't just do that, you know," you said, panting as you parted. In the middle of it all, you'd wrapped your arms around his neck, which you quickly undid, letting your hands fall to your sides.

"I'm never going to see you again, so I thought I might as well," he said in the same bitter voice you'd last heard him with.

"Oh for fucks - I think I've finally narrowed down who you are," you laughed, shaking your head. He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "You're an idiot. You're a whole lot of other things, of other..." you drew closer, "... complicated things, but at heart you're an idiot, which is just about the best thing someone can be."

He paused, processing your words, trying to weed out of that was a compliment or an insult, or a backhanded compliment.

"Wow," you muttered when he still didn't seem to get it. Placing your hand at the back of his neck you pulled him close, pressing your lips to his in the way you liked to kiss - slow, gentle... tender. Like silk against your skin he moved with you, soft fingertips running over your jawline as he returned the kiss. Begging silently for more he moved you closer, wrapping you tight in his arms as you smiled against his lips, gifting smaller kisses down his neck till you reached his collar, returning to him when you did. A tiny hum left him, broken and sweet when you pressed your lips to his once more.

"I thought you hated me, I really did," he practically moaned the words, running his hands up your shirt, the cold touch of his hands shocking the heat from your bare skin.

"I did, to be fair," you said, which only garnered a confused look from him. "Unas had to knock some sense into me, but it didn't... didn't really take effect until just now."

"Just now? You're meaning to say you didn't like me until just now?"

"I never claimed to be smart."

The two of you laughed, Ahkmen letting his head fall to your shoulder. Vibrations ran up your neck, and as you ran your fingers through his hair, his laughter calmed to a pleasant hum.

"You won't leave me, then?" He pleaded softly, his thumb rubbing circles into your waist.

"No. I won't leave you, Ahkmen."

#ahkmenrah x reader #Ahkmenrah #rami malek x reader #rami malek #ahkmenrah x female reader #ahkmenrah x male reader #Night at the Museum

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mattzerella-sticks · 5 years ago

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Jolly Holly, a Buddie fic immediately after the fall finale

With all the mistletoe hanging around, at some point Eddie and Buck had to end up under some. And if it doesn't come to pass, then someone will have to take matters into their own hands.

Will a stolen moment at the Christmas Party lead to something more?

Buck drags him down the fire station’s stairs, Eddie chuckling at the excitement splashed across his face. Their station’s stand-in for a dalmation. If he grew a tail between blinks Eddie bets it would wag fast enough to blow him away. Although not really. The tight grip cutting blood off his blood flow and turning his hand purple needs jaws of life tearing through it for a chance at freedom.

Freedom was overrated in his opinion.

“Where are you taking me?” he asks, feet stuttering in the wake of Buck’s haphazard pulling.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it,” Buck tells him, “...not far.” They turn the corner around the ambulance and Buck slams against the side. Eddie knocks into him, drawing further laughter from them both.

“Okay, okay,” Eddie says, creating space between them with a gentle shove. Hand lingering against Buck’s chest. “I’m here… why?”

Buck sucks his bottom lip under his teeth, glancing away from Eddie. He tries to see what drew the other man’s attention but the ambulance blocks them from view of the entire firehouse. A private corner for only two.

“Well…” he starts without prompt, startling Eddie. “We’ve been here for a few hours now and… you have yet to thank me for planning this whole get-together.”

Eddie rolls his eyes, head lolling to the side and resting against the ambulance’s side. Thunk . “And this is how you want it? In private?”

Shrugging, Buck mirrors his pose. Birthmark pinching with his smile like an adorable kidney bean. “Didn’t want you to embarrass yourself in front of everyone when you fell to your knees in praise.”

“Oh, yeah,” his knees buckle slightly. Eddie sags halfway and widens the already great height difference between them. “Thank you Evan for making this one of the best Christmases I’ve ever experienced on this Earthly plane. For making it so I didn’t miss spending today with my son and ensuring that he won’t grow up hating me and when I’m on my deathbed he’ll be there with tears in his eyes!” His snickers grew the more he spoke, until Eddie’s vision blurred from squinted eyes. Buck leans forward and laughs through quiet huffs, arms wrapped around his stomach. Eddie’s hand trails down Buck’s chest and latches onto his arm. Limply dangling, holding on with a finger or two.

“Something like that,” Buck says, wiping at his stretched cheeks, “I mean, I didn’t do this all because of you. Nice that you think so, though. Makes me feel better about my big head.”

“No one’s head’ll ever be bigger than yours… Buck .” He lightly scuffs his friend’s chin with his knuckles while he pops the ‘B’.

The bright smile shudders for a beat, sliding into a pout. But like a roller coaster it climbs high and returns to where it was. “So much for gratitude…”

“Gratitude?” he scoffs, “you mean my plaintive thanks wasn’t enough for you?”

“Well… if we’re talking…”

“What? What else could you want?”

Something tickles his forehead. Eddie glances up and finds a sprig of mistletoe waiting. His heart bounces up into his throat and wedges itself tightly, not powerful enough to choke but makes each swallow hurt. “You want a…”

“A kiss,” Buck says, soft like the leaves against his skin, “That’s all.”

“A kiss?”

“Yeah… you can say a lot with a kiss. Figured it’d beat you trying to find the perfect words to thank me with.”

Eddie’s lips thin into a firm line. “How long have you been hiding that?”

Buck brings the mistletoe closer, inspecting it. “Swiped it after our picture… it was hanging over us, then, y’know. Could’ve made you kiss me there. But like I said… didn’t want to embarrass you too much in public.”

His eyes nearly roll off his face. “You’re too much, Buck.”

“You mean you’re not gonna kiss me?”

“You think you deserve it?”

“I mean, a little,” Buck says, other hand showing off its finger and thumb, a scant inch of space separating them. “Coordinating all of this with Athena behind everyone’s backs… working with the group home to get all the kids here… promising Abuela I’d be her date at the next senior potluck if she told me what presents Christopher already had waiting for him so I could buy him a little gift.”

His legs wobble of their own accord, Eddie glad for the ambulance’s support. Reminded of Christopher in this moment, how his face lit up brighter than a Christmas tree’s when Buck revealed the present. “It’s my second favorite thing,” he told them, “after being able to spend the day with my dad…”

Buck dragged Christopher into a hug, finding Eddie easily over his son’s shoulder. The expression on his face so tempting mistletoe would be an excuse but not the reason.

“That,” Eddie says, voice low and gravelly, “that, uh… that was a hefty price to pay.”

“Worth it to see how happy it made him,” he shrugs, “how happy it made you .”

Eddie leaps towards Buck and catches him off guard, the mistletoe bouncing at their feet. His hand cradles Buck’s face, keeps it still so their lips can crash into each other. Buck’s nose tickles Eddie’s cheek. Tiny jolts cascading from the point of contact and spreading through every nerve. He imagines Buck looks shocked, but can’t muster the strength to open his eyes from when they slipped close.

Luckily, when Eddie pulls away, Buck’s remain shut. They flutter open a second later, awe shining like he stole the sun and trapped it in his gaze. Its warmth melts the block of ice his heart became, allowing it to melt to where it belongs. “What…” Buck whispers, “what was that?”

He barks a short laugh. “A kiss. What you wanted.”

“I didn’t think you’d actually go through with it!”

“I’m not one to back down, Buck,” Eddie smirks, slipping two fingers past his collar to curl around his neck, “Are you?”

Buck grins, trembling hands dancing at his sides. “Hell no. C’mere and shower me with more of that gratitude.” “Without mistletoe?”

“We never needed that weed.”

Eddie agrees, Buck’s lips draining the remnants of his will to fight. One taste like shotgunning forty cans of eggnog at once, the rush dizzying. They turn, Eddie pushing off the ambulance and splaying Buck’s back against it. Hands that grazed hips flew upwards. Tugging at his hair and squeezing his bicep. He grins into the kiss, tracing the sharp angles of Buck’s face and following a path lower. Massaging the one part of the other man that’s only curves.

“ Oh ! Oh, I’m sorry -”

They crumble, Eddie tripping over himself in shock. He stares at May, the younger girl frozen by the edge of the ambulance. Her eyes dart from the ground to Eddie to Buck and to the ground again. “May -”

“I, I didn’t mean to intrude,” she says, face heating up, “Mom needed Buck to help with dishes - part of the deal he made with her that he’d clean up if she set up. Denny saw you two come down here, and since Harry was playing with Chris she made me come over and check and - if I had known you two were…”

“Mistletoe!”

Both May and Eddie glance at Buck, the other man burning a shade similar to their firetruck. “What?” she asks.

“We were, we were caught under some mistletoe,” he explains, kicking at the near-forgotten decoration, “And, y’know what happens when two people are under… are under mistletoe…” Buck seizes, hands snapping and pointing in a series of aborted gestures that worries Eddie. Neither respond to his antics, however, and the panicked expression shifts into resignation. “Yeah, I’ll be up their in a moment to clean up.”

“Okay…”

“And May,” Eddie calls to her, attempting a smile, “maybe keep this on the low?”

She sighs, “Sure. I mean… it was mistletoe.”

“‘Atta girl.” He waves goodbye, waiting until May fully disappears to give Buck his full attention. Eddie moves closer to him, approaching cautiously like he would a wounded deer. The other man rubs at his eyes, quietly muttering to himself. “Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah,” Buck tells him, “Just completely mortified at having a teenager catching us acting like -”

“Like teenagers?”

“Yeah…”

His hand hesitates near his shoulder, unsure whether or not he should close the gap. “This,” he starts, sweetness in his mouth sharply decaying into bitterness, “this… you were okay with this, and - and what we -”

“Yes,” Buck cuts him off, throwing his hands off in further panic. Drawing him in with wide eyes. “Of course,” he continues, “I… I liked it. I really like it… But, I’m not sure if I’m ready for the whole team to know -”

Eddie relaxes, squeezing Buck’s shoulder. “They won’t. May’s a good kid, she’ll keep this under wraps until we’re ready.”

“You think?”

“I mean maybe not forever ,” he levels with him, smirking, “Athena’ll probably get a whiff that something’s up and it won’t be long before she figures it out.”

“That sounds like her…”

“So,” Eddie shrugs, thumb rhythmically brushing against his shirt, “maybe tonight… when Christopher’s tuckered out. We can continue where we left off and… sort a few things out. And,” his face hurts from the splitting grin stretching out his lips, “I’ll even let you bring the mistletoe.”

Buck laughs, drifting towards Eddie and ghosting their lips together in imitation of a kiss. Fuels the burning desire inside for more of a taste. “ Perfect ,” he says, spinning around Eddie, “now let’s hurry up. The faster we clean the quicker we can end our shift.”

“We?” Eddie asks, following, “How did I get roped into this?”

“Remember that day when you walked into the 118?”

“Yeah?”

“That’s how!”

Eddie shakes his head at how Buck races away, hopping up the steps. He waits at the bottom. Prefers to wait and let the past few minutes soak into him. Clutches the banister when the memory of Buck’s lips. Buck calls for him. “I’m coming, I’m coming!”

Of course Eddie will help Buck. It’s the foundation of their relationship, and of who they are as people. Together they can overcome everything, including a sink full of messy dishes.

Especially when it’s the only thing keeping them from each other. The last thing.

Finally.

“Merry Christmas, Buck,” Eddie says, elbow deep in suds, fingers pruning.

Buck smiles, scans the room before blowing a soft kiss Eddie’s way. “Merry Christmas.”

#9 1 1 s3 #9 1 1 season 3 #9 1 1 fox #Evan Buckley #Eddie Diaz #Buddie #buddie fic #buck x eddie #buck/eddie

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raziakhatunblr · 4 years ago

Text

Maplestory private server illegal, Tricks to avoid penalty

Maplestory private server

Is it safe? Let us understand the background and distinctive contents of private servers.

More Information

Maplestory private host

It helps MapleStory fans better enjoy the hard work involved with constructing successful MapleStory servers. However, what about punishment?

Personal Servers are somewhat illegal because they breach the TOS or Copyright claims or something. If Nexon has captured a private host, they'll send a notification to you or sue you enjoy they did to and which no longer exist.

The reason behind most personal servers is either from people who talk about the leaked info. The manufacturer of OdinMS created his personal host, or they're rebels such as The Resistance vs. The Blend in Half-Life 2.

But, there's absolutely no possible way for Nexon to prevent all private servers. They are continuing to be advanced from moving v55, v63, v72, and so on.

How Is a Private Server like Maplestory Made?

After all the years of unsuccessful leveling, upgrading, and recruitment of guild members, together with a destroyed Ghost Boat Exorcist badge onto a three-year-old Mechanic, I chose to retire into a MapleStory Private Server.

Additionally, $600CAD to find nx and buy stuff (for example, meso sacs and store permits) to get items across and find things out in M.S. the challenging way. Yes, I sacrificed $600CAD in substantial school lunch money to get things like hair coupons in M.S. once I might have used that money to receive a supercomputer.

Nexon is observing everything

The ruined GSE badge within my 3-year-old 210 mechanics. (through celebrity improvement window) and Nexon's shortage of gear reimbursement finally led me to do the one thing nobody would ever encourage me to do: I gave up on GMS. With no GSE badge, I can not continue on GMS.

Furthermore, I wasted a lot of real cash to sell items to acquire more Mesos. Instead, I've more insults than Mesos from players. Such as"Shoo."

[caption id="attachment_1282" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Maplestory Private waiter [/caption]

My big problem here is how do you create a MapleStory Private Server (whether it is a v83 or the most recent version)? Like, do they divide into Nexon's H.Q. and extract all of the sprites, maps, sound effects, etc., off their computers and then rebuild it like a jigsaw puzzle?

If they did, then I will need to pack my bags and fly to California to do this. Like, the M.S. files will need to come from someplace. Also, it's the sole way to acquire the Wizet Invincible Hat. Besides, you'll find guidelines on other Personal Server sites.

Mesos

That says things like"no hacking, injecting of tools/unauthorized equips/packets, no wz document editing, etc.". I feel like I deserve a holiday from this game, but don't wanna devote another 1-2-3 years recollecting all the Mesos and equipping myself.

I would like to compensate for the 3 years of the wasted moment on M.S. and get my movie/animation jobs finished at precisely the same moment.

In addition to the hat, the G.M. class itself is making me envious. Yes, they're a class referred to as"SuperGM." So with a Personal Server (a Private Server intended for my personal use ), I will see exactly what it is like to be a G.M.

And bypass all other personal server site rules. Plus, there's a skill known as"Super Dragon Roar" that really does %1000 damage to all animals on screen.

While we are on this subject of hacking, why are robots poor? I never uttered before, but as a fantastic player from GMS, I find the only fair use for them would be to let me farm Mesos while doing home chores. I could call in my friend to play M.S. while I create breakfast/lunch/dinner, do laundry, etc. Why are robots taboo to MMORPG moderators like MapleStory private servers? That and having my friend drama M.S. for me personally will make no difference (at least that's what I presume ).

A side question: why or how are Personal Servers bad? Besides the fact that they permit one to play the sport and get stuff free, I really don't see how Private Servers are poor. Additionally, when you produce a Personal Server, do you, as the admin, get a Wizet Invincible Hat?

Also, how do I protect my P.S. from Nexon so they don't locate it? ExtaliaMS got closed down when Nexon found their I.P. address. But I want to take additional precautions to avoid going to court to face Nexon.)

So for this, I will have to place my MMD project on hold for now. I have to wait until the introduction of MS2 so that I can port its models to MMD.

(this is where Time is Money. Much like E.G., construction of a condo in a boom-town; the employees need to build it quickly to allow more residents to proceed.)

Additionally, you're only allowed to perform a daily event once a character. That's like more kids than Octomom should feed.

And that I consumed almost an entire day to do daily quests on all of them because of how many negative aspects in the match slowed me down since the days passed! When it's terrible hackers, DCs (that is an online game term for"disconnections") (no matter whether I have a great or poor internet connection). Unscheduled server maintenances, or other things along those lines!

Can not you compare with a v83 Personal Server right into a quit game console like the Gamecube or even the PlayStation 1?

How can we play an old game from several decades back without a machine that's capable of doing this? So yeah, how can we try the previous skills and senior classes of the elderly servers if we can't even play with the older servers of Tonight Now? Please refer to this link for additional info about discontinued games and game consoles: A significant Note about Emulators for Game Developers.

More Information

Also, can't you compare with an MMORPG Private Server into a Jailbreak (like IAP Cracker and Installous) for iPod Touches/iPhones/iPads? For games such as Tiny Tower, Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, and so Forth, even with no Jailbreak/with the official server. I am able to go the distance and find those games completed 100 percent without having to spend a single cent.

The programmer (s) that created these match (s) plans to place them up to download free of cost. But I can't waste any more time on these types of server-sided matches because I have other important things to do.

Besides internet service, how does a Private Server need funds to operate? Since most P.S. sites say in their community guidelines. "If possible, please contribute as Personal Servers need funds to operate...

How to Create a MapleStory Private Server [v83]

First, go to C:\

As soon as you find three folders, call all you want, but I will name them'ZenthosDev,'''Downloads,' and'MapleStoryV83' with this tutorial.

Download these programs/files.

(64bit)

MySQL Query Browser

JCE Unlimited Power Records

WampServer

LocalHost v83

ZenthosDev v83

MapleStory v83

W.Z. Files

Make certain you selected the appropriate variant matching your Operating System (O.S.) to avoid any difficulties.

Installations:

Before we start, make sure to extract everything if it's in a .rar format.

Installing MapleStory v83:

Install MapleStory with the download provided. It is a really straight forward installation. Follow the instructions.

Delete the following files/folders in the C:/MapleStoryV83 folder should they exist.

MapleStory.exe

Patcher.exe

GameLauncher.exe

shield (folder)

Installing WampServer:

Follow the directions and install it.

C:\Wamp

Don't be concerned about putting your email and these at the end. Just press finish.

Left-click it and click put Online'.

Then left-click it again and click on begin All Services.'

The Wamp icon must look totally green (if it is red or reddish, you have a problem).

Installing the MySQL Query Browser:

It is straightforward, runs the installation record, agrees to the conditions, and follow the instructions.

According to which system kind your computer as you may install 32bit or 64bit.

So set up the corresponding file.

For another simple installation, follow the directions.

Documents placement:

Paste them into these areas, overwrite when prompted.

(The (jdk1)/(jre7) folder version could differ. It is fine ). C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_01\jre\lib

3. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_01\jre\lib\safety

Copy each of the folders and files within the ZenthosDev folder that we made before. So it seems in this way.

Now replicate the W.Z. folder within the ZenthosDev folder.

So it must look like this.

SQL setup:

Username: root

Then click on the document' button in the menu bar, and select open Directory...'.

Proceed to C:\enthosDev\SQL and open the document called'ZenthosDev.SQL.'

Following its opening, apply the file.

Preference installation:

(This component is optional if running the server to Receive your computer only)

You might also make any alterations to have the server to function how you need it.

Wait 10 minutes, and then your bat file must look similar to this.

Code:

ZenthosDev has started:

World Launched

Channel Launched

Is Maplestory’s personal server really safe?

I ask this question as somebody who has been part of the Maplestory personal server" community."

(unsure whether the neighborhood is the best term to describe it, but oh well) to get many of years now. I would not call myself a"host hopper" per se, but I have tried out a decent variety of servers to see what they provide. Most servers market towards Maplers, who prefer the old-school/pre-BB encounter.

The sole thing that differentiates them will be the attributes they supply. Some have higher or lower EXP/Meso/Drop prices to make things more or harder. Some make H.P. Washing"Optional." Some provide custom content...you get the notion.

Anyway, this question popped into my mind when I tried out a host known as"AvalonMS." I recall having a few conversations using a streamer there. He was currently looking for a server to repay. This man had hoped that Avalon would perform well. Eventually, he left because he could not see the server becoming successful and remaining alive for more than a few months.

I really don't remember his precise words. However, I believe he said something along the lines of"Private Servers need to be run with at least a small bit of professionalism, like a business nearly."

Along with the proprietors of this host, since he put it, were not too professional. Among the substantial issues was that they weren't transparent enough with the area concerning what sort of content/updates they'd do with their game. I tried looking around for their host just a minute before. And they appeared to have vanished off the face of the internet. No big surprise there.

A personal server such as Maplestory has been around. So what is the issue?

I got me wondering how many private servers have been around for a while to stay successful. When I say successful, I usually indicate they could maintain a decently-sized busy player base for an extended period. That, if you consider it, is already hard enough as it is. In any kind, Maplestory, whether it be the official game or the personal servers, isn't a super popular MMO.

The official sport is nowhere near as popular as it was during its prime. And therefore, you would think the subset of all gamers/Maplers that prefer old-school private servers inside the official game is most likely a pretty little demographic.

We've got SOME powerful servers such as Royals, Legends, Saga, etc., which have existed for a couple of decades. And these"powerful" servers hold a reasonably large percentage of personal server gamers.

I mean hell, even as soon as you go past the 6th or even 7th rated server on gtop100, you begin getting into the servers that have less than 100 active players. And needless to say, the personal server community is most likely dwindling.

There are just so many men and women who have played pre-BB Maple.

And they would prefer it on the modern versions. Finally, those folks will likely proceed with their own lives and stop playing with Maplestory entirely because nostalgia can maintain a player round for such a long time. I must wonder how many more years we have before Maplestory Private Servers die off completely. I hope we have a little bit more. More Information

#maplestoryprivateserverillegal maplestory howtomakemaplestoryprivateserver maplestoryprivateservercybercrime maplestoryprivateserverlegal ma

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eastasianfeelings · 5 years ago

Text

I’ll be your fan: Hongbin

Summary: Hongbin isn’t sure whether you like him as a fan, as a friend... or as more than friends.

— requested by Anonymous: "Hi hun! So, umm... I'm a *huge* fan of your Hyuk fics and I wonder if you'd consider writing something equally smutty + emotional for Hongbin. Something like friends to lovers with Hongbin being the hesitant one, or fangirl to lover with Hongbin doubting her sincerity/if she only likes his idol persona or his gf wanting him to stop holding back in bed and just embrace the intimacy... Basically, cracking Hongbin's shell is my kink. 😫 (Also wouldn't say no to a size kink, TBH.)"

Words: 2.8k

Warnings: angst with a happy ending, making out

“Why are we friends?” Hongbin asks you out of the blue one day.

You look up from your knitting. “What?”

He’s just finished an hour-long stream, and his apartment seems quiet now without the gratuitous blood spattering noises and groans of murdered undead from his gory game.

You sit up straighter from your lounging position on his bed and, carefully, repeat, “Why are we friends?” How on earth are you supposed to interpret this question?

“Mm.” He stares at his screen, absent-mindedly clicking through all the gifts he’s received during the stream. “I mean, any time we hang out, it’s basically just me streaming and you watching.”

“I don’t mind, though,” you say slowly, unsure as to how this relates to his question. “I know you’re busy. And you help me promote and sell the game character plushies that I knit, too.”

“So if I didn’t help you make money…” He trails off, which makes your back go up.

“I’m not only here because you help me make money,” you say, a little stiffer. “You know I was your fan before we met.”

“You were a fan of Vixx.” His gaze is still fixed on the screen.

“Yes, and now we’re friends because we met and decided that we like each other.” You say it as a statement, not the question it is in your mind, hoping he’ll agree, or at least not negate it.

You’re pretty sure he doesn’t like you the same way you like him, but you’re—or at least, you were—also pretty sure you could call him your friend.

Why does it sound like he’s not so sure?

“But I mean, is this what friends do?” Hongbin finally turns from his desk to gesture between you and him; his brow is creased as he frowns at you. “Just meet up so one can watch the other play games?”

“Why not?”

He stares at you.

“Never mind.” He shakes his head and deliberately eases his frown. “I think I’m just tired from streaming. I’m going to get some water.”

Well, that’s a lie if you ever heard one; one hour of streaming is nothing to him. So you pick up your knitting needles and follow him out into his apartment and hover just outside the small kitchen.

You wait for him to finish gulping down an entire plastic water bottle before speaking. “Is there something going on, Hongbin-ah?”

He tosses out the bottle and flicks a short glance your way. “No. It’s nothing.”

“Then, if it’s nothing… why ask if we’re friends?”

You feel like you’re pushing the tentative limits the two of you have drawn, but he was the one who posed the question, and you need to know why.

Hongbin braces his hands against the counter, his gaze pointed downward. “I don’t know. When I finished the stream today, I looked over and saw you knitting, and I just thought, I don’t know anything about knitting. But that’s all we ever do—I stream, and you watch and knit.” He looks up. “We don’t even know that much about each other.”

“I think I know a bit about you.” Cautiously, you lower your voice to prevent it from quavering. “And I enjoy knitting and watching you stream. I could tell you about knitting if you wanted to know more about it.”

“But how does that make you different from a fan watching me at home, then?” Hongbin paces to the other side of the kitchen.

You take a steadying breath. “I mean, it’d be nice to do other things together. I was just trying to be mindful of your time, I know you’re busy as an idol—”

“I don’t need someone to be mindful of me,” he interrupts, speaking to the wall. “I need someone to be my friend, my actual friend.”

Oh, you’re so close to having your feelings hurt. “I’m trying to be, Hongbin-ah—”

He turns. “Isn’t that just because I’m Vixx’s Hongbin?”

Ugh.

“Look.” You take another breath. “If you want to believe that, then I don’t think I can change your mind.”

“You should try,” he insists. “Otherwise how can I know?”

“Me saying this right now, this is me trying,” you point out. “I’m telling you right now, I like you as a person, not as an idol. I want to be your friend. I… I want to be more than friends.”

It’s the calmest confession you’ve ever given, even as turmoil twists inside you.

For a moment Hongbin just blinks. Then he opens his mouth, and you brace yourself:

“You only want to because you’re my fan.”

Quietly, you reply, “I don’t think that’s true.”

“You can’t know for sure.”

All right. That’s it. That’s the extent of emotional labour you’re putting into this conversation. You’re not going to single-handedly break down the walls Hongbin’s built around himself or the labels he’s placed on you.

“Maybe you’re right about that.” You gather your knitting supplies and grab your backpack from the couch. “I guess the only way we’ll know is if we stop being friends, right?” You work up a thin smile and send it his way. “Then… goodbye.”

He doesn’t stop you as you walk out the door.

Making new friends is hard when you’re an adult. You sign up for a local knitting club, even though almost everyone there is older than you, and tell yourself you’re going to try it for at least four consecutive Saturdays.

On the third week, a younger member, Haeun, introduces you to an online creative arts platform that’s apparently popular for sharing fandom-related projects. There, you rehome the game character plushies that you’ve been unable to sell ever since you cut off contact with Hongbin.

At your fourth meeting, Haeun greets you excitedly outside the bookstore your club meets at.

“Y/N-eonni! You posted your game monster plushies online, right? You did, right?”

You’ve accepted that Haeun considers every single game character a ‘monster’, no matter how humanoid. “Yeah, I did. Why?”

She tugs you inside the bookstore and waves someone over. “This guy’s here to meet you!”

“Meet me?” You blink at the scruffy younger man who’s fixed his ardent gaze on you.

“Excuse me, did you make this?” He’s holding the completed Sonic plush that you’d added to your club’s little display in the bookstore’s bay window. “I was wondering if you would sell it to me. My girlfriend loves Sonic and I know she’d die over this.”

“Oh.” Warmth spreads through you at his eagerness. “Ah, well, it actually took me a while to make that, so to be honest I’d only sell it for a high price…” Knitting, stuffing and sewing Sonic’s spikes had been a nightmarish experience, one you’re never going through again.

“Just name your price!” the guy declares.

Wow, okay. As you think, Haeun tugs you close. “Don’t charge him under fifty thousand,” she hisses.

“One hundred thousand won,” you blurt out.

Though the man’s eyes widen a bit, his hand goes to his pocket without hesitation. “Can I e-transfer you the money?” is all he says.

That’s the start of your realization that handmade game character plushies are, apparently, a unique and lucrative niche, one that Haeun helps you develop and build. With the knitting club manager’s support, you start selling your items in a small booth inside the bookstore for half an hour after every club meeting.

One Saturday is particularly busy. The bookstore’s running a promotion, which means there’s more traffic in the store and more people chancing by your small booth. Haeun’s delighting in managing the short queue that’s formed in front of you, occasionally bounding over to pass along some info.

“Eonni, that guy in the beanie says he’s been checking your site every day for that final monster in the SEGA set! Save it for him and charge him double, okay?”

“Oh my God, eonni, the cutest little girl was asking for a monster called Pikachu. Do you have a finished Pikachu to sell? I told her yes, I hope I didn’t lie.”

“Eonni! This really hot guy asked for you by name. By your actual name, not your online username!” This time she’s shaking you hard enough that you have to turn away from the customer in front of you, who for some reason just wants your ‘autograph’. “Look! Do you know him?”

You follow her pointing finger to see: Hongbin.

He’s standing a short distance away, squinting over in your direction like he’s not sure what he’s looking at. Just as you make eye contact, Haeun draws your attention back as she slides the paper out from under your hand.

“It’s ten thousand for an autograph,” she sweetly informs the customer, and waits for him to fork over his money before letting you take the paper back. “Eonni, you should charge them for signatures, okay?” she whispers in her ear. “Fighting!”

Then she’s off to manage the crowd again, your own personal PR professional. What a gem.

After that, you explain to two more customers that you’ve sold your Wrecking Ball plushie already and no, you don’t have multiple because it takes you at least a week to knit one up, which leads to a suggestion from one of the customers to do online auctions instead of selling first-come, first-serve.

You have to chuckle a little at the idea. “I don’t think there’s enough interest to do an online auction.”

“No, you’ve got tons of fans,” the guy says earnestly.

The other girl nods. “My boyfriend actually brags to his friends about the fact that he bought your first and only Sonic plush.”

“Really?” You can’t stop your smile from spreading. “I’ll think about it then. Thank you for your interest.”

The guy hesitates for a second. Then he blurts, “Can I have a high-five?”

Boggled, you say, “Sure,” and hold out your palm.

He beams, taps his hand to yours, then bows profusely before departing.

You watch him go in bemusement. Is this what an idol hi-touch is like?

Speaking of idols:

The next customer is Hongbin.

You look up at him and manage, “Hello.”

“Hello.” He looks back for a few moments before letting his eyes drop to your table. “It’s… it’s been a while.”

“Yes. It has.” You’ve always been short next to him, but having him tower over you while you remain seated makes you feel extra tiny. For half a second you want to ask him to kneel down like he’s at a fan-meeting.

“…I’ve seen your knitting around online. Looks like you’re doing well.”

“Yes.” What does he want?

Hongbin’s quiet for a few more seconds, almost long enough for the customer behind him to get fidgety. Then he looks up into your eyes.

“I missed you,” he says.

And for the first time in over a month, you let yourself think it, let yourself say it: “…I missed you too.”

Just then, Haeun inserts herself in between Hongbin and the table. “Excuse me, are you interested in buying anything?”

“Ah, he’s not a customer,” you say hastily.

“Oh, wait, it’s this guy! Do you know him, eonni? Is he a friend?” Haeun asks.

You open and close your mouth.

“I’m just a fan,” Hongbin says to her.

A fan.

“Ahh.” She smiles at him. “If you’d just like Y/N’s autograph, that’ll be ten thousand won. But please don’t take too long, in consideration of other customers.”

“Yes,” Hongbin says politely as she takes off again.

A fan, you repeat in your mind.

“Y/N-ah.”

You look up to see his eyes fixed on you.

“Can we talk after you’re finished here?”

“…Yes.”

Outside, you weave your way through the crowded sidewalk toward Hongbin. He’s waiting at the nearby taxi stand, face mask pulled high and bangs hiding his eyes.

“Hi.” You stop a few steps away so you don’t have to crane your neck. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Um.” He goes to pull his face mask down, then glances around. “Maybe we should go somewhere quieter.”

“Your place?”

“No,” he says quickly. “I’d like to go to your place… if you don’t mind.”

Your brows rise. “Why? You’ve never been to my place.”

“I know,” he admits. “But—that’s why I want to go.”

Okay. You grab a taxi, and Hongbin slides into the backseat with you as you give the driver directions.

As the car pulls away, you feel Hongbin give you a side-glance.

“Er. Will it be quieter at your place?”

“What do you mean?” You keep looking straight ahead.

“I mean…” He clears his throat lightly. “Will there be anyone else home?”

“Oh. No, I live alone.”

“Ah.” He relaxes into the seat, and the rest of the ride is silent.

Once you’re in your apartment, you lead him into your small kitchen. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

His throat works for a moment before he speaks. “I thought a lot about our last conversation.”

You stay silent.

“And… I’m sorry. I was wrong.” Hongbin steps forward suddenly, making you back up a little too hastily. “I didn’t listen to you, and I was wrong.”

You regain your distance before looking up at him again. “That’s okay. Thank you for saying that.”

“I do want to be your friend, Y/N-ah.”

“I’m glad, Hongbin-ah.” You nod.

“But—” He catches hold of your hand, a very light grip that you could break if you wanted. “Do you…” He swallows. “Do you still want to be more?”

Your heartrate rises. “More?”

“More than friends.”

Slowly, you pull your hand free. “Not if you don’t want to.”

“I do.”

And all of a sudden he’s stepped into your space and your back is against the counter, his arms enclosing you. You look up, up, and he looks right back at you, eyes calling to yours.

“Y/N-ah, I do. I want you,” he says, and there’s almost some kind of pleading edge to his voice, some earnest, yearning note that tugs right at your heartstrings. “Please.”

“Are you sure?” you ask softly. “Are you sure, Hongbin-ah?”

“Please,” he repeats.

So you stretch up, up, up, and kiss him.

He meets you more than halfway, closing the substantial height difference swiftly to touch his lips to yours. When you try to push for more, he draws back.

“Is that a yes?” he checks.

This guy, seriously. “Yes, Hongbin-ah, that’s a yes.”

A wide smile lights up his face, so dazzling you have to blink moisture out of your eyes. “Y/N-ah…”

You lift your arms and tug on his shoulders. “Come back, I can’t reach you up there.”

He chuckles, the sound pure delight, and then grips you by the waist to hoist you onto the counter. Locking his arms around your lower back, he tugs you to the edge and steps between your spread legs to continue kissing you.

“I missed you,” he murmurs against your lips. Your eyelids flutter open to see him only a few inches away, looking at you with something close to adoration. “At first I didn’t even know if it was because I liked you or because I was overthinking it.” He keeps kissing you leisurely in between his murmurs. “And that kind of scared me.”

“Mm.” You want to respond to his sincere words, his apology via confession, but the way he’s surrounding you so closely, closer than you’ve ever felt to him, is making your mind whirl.

“But when I saw your knitting online…” He pulls back, tongue flicking out as he eyes your mouth. “And all the views and comments you were getting…”

You hesitate. “So you’re just jealous?”

“No! No. I thought, These people know more about Y/N than I do. And I realized it was my fault.” He brushes his mouth one more time against yours, an affectionate caress, then continues down your jaw. “If I hadn’t pushed you away, you wouldn’t be selling online…” Down your neck, his lips pulling and sucking. “You wouldn’t have all these fans after you…”

It’s getting hard to form coherent thoughts with the way he’s tucked his face into your neck, but you try. “You—ah… don’t you want me to be successful?”

He presses his nose into the curve where your neck meets your shoulder and inhales deeply. “I do. But… you’re not an idol.”

“Mm. So?”

“So, you don’t need teenage gamer boys following you around online.” Hongbin lifts his head to make eye contact again. “Do you?”

Clearly, the only correct answer is: “No… but I’m just selling my knits, Hongbin-ah, it’s not like I’m streaming with a face cam or anything.”

“Y/N-ah, I was a teenage gamer boy once. I know how they think.” He leans in to nip at your lips. “Do you think that guy today wanted a high-five because he likes your knitting so much?”

“Ye-es?”

“Wrong.”

“Okay, but…” You wriggle backward a little to get some space and make your point. “No harm, no foul, right? It’s fine if people like me, as long as they don’t actually do anything weird.”

“I like you.” He pulls you in again, negating the space between you, and spreads his hands wide over your lower back.

“I mean my customers—”

“I’ll be your fan.”

“I thought I was your fan.”

“No,” Hongbin says. “Now you’re just mine.” And he kisses you once more.

#vixx #vixx fic #hongbin #lee hongbin #hongbin x reader #vixx hongbin #hongbin fic #this was so hard to write I hope it's not trash #eaf original #eaf writes vixx #eaf request #thank you for the request!!!!

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hollandroos · 6 years ago

Text

The Price We Pay | Five

Series Masterlist

Summary: A one night stand was all it took for your entire life to change. You’re shoved into unknown territory, agreeing to fake date the prince long enough for his parents and the media to get off of his back only there are a few issues… one of them being that you really can’t stand each other.

Words: 4048

Warnings: Drinking.

Amazing moodboard by @sithskywalkers

The next time you went to the castle you’d admit that you were a lot more nervous then the first time.

Because while the first time meant meeting Toms parents and having dinner with his parents– the king and queen, the second time meant that you would have to show off and flaunt in front of hundreds of guests which was something you most definitely did not want to do on a Thursday evening.

No– you’d much rather be curled up in your apartment with a tub of ice cream and a book in hand but instead, you were about to get your hair, makeup and outfit picked out by your pretend boyfriends best friend. You were going to be poked and prodded at with flat irons and curling wands and nail polish brushes and mascara. Great.

It sounded like a child's dream really, but not yours. Nope.

The place was still as big as it was the first time you arrived and you greeted every one of the staff with a small smile, some with a wave of your hand which was something that Tom didn’t do. He kept a somehow straight face.

You had to think about how much the two of you had overcome since ‘getting together’. At first, he seemed grumpy, tense and like you were simply a cover-up for his little games that he never should’ve been playing.

But slowly Tom had allowed himself to relax. He began to let his hair down around you. He learned that there was more to life then keeping up a damn reputation.

You, however, hadn’t changed.

You were the same stubborn girl he woke up to the day after the one night stand that the two of you even refused to talk about. Tom liked the fire in your eyes and skip in your step and the sense of freedom it bought him. He enjoyed the light and love and comfort that your family home bought him that the palace he’d live in for over twenty years couldn’t even bring him.

You’d taken steps. Holding hands now felt okay, even intertwining fingers and him pulling you into his chest felt natural. For a fleeting moment, you’d allow yourself to welcome the comfort he bought.

He was used to your laughter and jokes and you were used to him cursing when things didn’t go his way.

And that gala– the moment you turned up at the palace he welcomed you with a brief kiss on the cheek mere inches from your lips and you welcomed him with a cheesy smile. He was torn moments before that, wondering if it was okay to kiss you on the lips or forehead or temples or–

To anyone else you looked beyond happy– soulmates finally given the word that you didn’t need to hide in the shadows any longer.

“So, how’s Tom?”

“What do you mean ‘how’s Tom?’ you spend more time with him then I do.” You snort, taking another sip of cherry red wine. It burns your tongue.

Harrison shakes his head, looking over the selection of nail polishes. “I’m asking because I’m curious as to what you think. You get to see a different side of him.”

He goes for silver.

“You mean the fake Tom? I get to see a side of him that has to pretend to be happy and comfortable. So personally I’d say that he’s okay, fake happy maybe.” You mutter, watching with curious eyes as he picks up the bottle. You hadn’t had your nails done since Carley was little.

Harrison screws his face up at the aroma. “I don’t know about that. I think he’s actually happier around you

“Fake–”

“Not fake.” He interrupts. Haz knew Tom better then anyone and Tom knew Haz– He knew that Tom used to get panic attacks as a kid and possibly still did. Not that Tom would tell anyone that and not that Haz would go around spreading that anyway.

He takes your hand, carefully layering on the polish. You could’ve done it yourself but Harrison had insisted that it had to be perfect– whatever that meant.

You shove the comment off, swirling crimson wine around the glass that’d been handed to you the moment you walked in. “Why are we talking about him anyway? Why can’t we talk about you– what’s it like being his right-hand man?”

Harrison laughs. “It’s fine, I’ve seen the good and the bad.”

“The bad?” You question, watching your nails go from whatever they were before to royally accepted.

“Everyone has bad moments don’t they?”

“What are some of Toms?”

Harrison stops, letting a sigh escape his lips and grits his teeth. Somehow he knew he was going to end up spilling something he probably shouldn’t have. It took everything in him to place the varnish down, even more, effort to look up into your curious eyes. The boy was about to break.

“I don’t think that’s my place to–”

“Please, c’mon. Maybe you telling me will help us get closer– maybe I’ll actually try.” You look at him and push your lips into a pout.

Harrison scoffs. “I know what happened at your place so I already know you’re trying.” He sees the serious look in your eyes and remembers what Tom had spoken to him about only hours earlier.

“I think I like her.”

“I knew this would happen.” Harrison really wanted to rub this one in. “I told you, didn’t I? I told you that this would happen and look where we are now.”

“Shut up you div! I’m telling you this because I trust that you won’t rub it in.”

The boy sighs and runs a hand through his tangled blonde locks. “Why do you think you like her?”

Tom didn’t want to mention her name– his ex, because every time he did it was like a slap to the face.

“I just… I have that same feeling I felt with April.”

Harrison puts his hands up, stopping his best friend from talking. “Woah, you’re not in love with her are you? Mate it’s a bit too soon for that don’t you think?”

“No way! I wouldn’t go as far as love, not even close.” Tom places his head in his hands, letting out a frustrated groan. “It’s what I felt at the start. Like… I want to spend more time with her and get to know her more. I find myself staring at her when I shouldn’t be and picking out the things that I like… which is everything.”

Harrison tried to contain the smile that wanted to take over his features but couldn’t. Tom hadn’t had feelings for anyone since April. He could barely even trust anyone so this was big.

“You’re in deep and I think that this time around, it may be a good thing.”

“She’s stubborn, Haz, she’s so stubborn and has her damn walls up so high.”

“And?” Harrison raises a brow, throwing his arms up. “Don’t let that stop you, it’ll just make everything worth it when she finally lets you in. If you do like her then don’t give up.”

Tom chuckles, remembering that he left out one key piece of information. “And I’m pretty sure she hates me.”

He tells himself that telling you about her is for the best. That it’s helping Tom.

“There was a girl…” He starts, picking up the nail polish again. He needed something to distract the half of his brain that was telling him to stop. “To put it simply, her and Tom were in love– madly in love, everyone thought they were going to get married.” You listen intently. “They went everywhere together, did things that other couples wouldn’t even think of doing and they were just… inseparable. Until they weren’t.”

Harrisons' voice sounded strained like he was forcing this out. He sounded unsure of himself, on edge.

“What do you mean?” You ask, breaking the sudden silence. Though you weren’t sure if you wanted to find out.

“Her name was April and she cheated on Tom– multiple times with one of the uh, the staff here. It crushed Tom, absolutely destroyed him for the longest time and for a while his happiness was fake but what I see with you isn’t that.” “He couldn’t trust anyone, refused to let anyone in and only ever put on a smile for the cameras. He was ruined and I think he needs something good in his life.”

You knew you weren’t the best person in the world– far from it in fact but you would never cheat. You would never purposely break someone's heart. Suddenly you felt yourself feeling something close to pity.

You listen intently with your bottom lip between your teeth. You chew softly.

“And you want me to be that something good?”

Harrison shakes his head allowing wild tufts to bob around. “No, what I’m saying is that you should try with him.”

“What if I’m already trying?” You stare into the mirror, picking out your flaws and inconsistencies. “This is me, I’m hard to get through to and I’m just… I’m not easy and I don’t want to be. I’m not saying that Tom has to fight for me but I don’t want to lower my walls for someone I barely know.”

The blonde nods, trying to understand but finds it hard considering he’s naturally a very open person. He wasn’t always like that, though. He used to be the type to hide away in the corner if a stranger so much as walked in the room or pretend to be a statue if his grandparents tried to hug him.

“Don’t touch your nails or touch… anything.” Harrison mutters, getting out of his seat. You marvel at the silver and hold it up in the light, watching the way it shone under the vanity. “Just be nicer to him, let him in at least a little bit and see what happens. You two are going to be in this for a while.” He stops, noticing you starve yourself down in the vanity mirror. “Also, you look gorgeous so stop criticizing yourself.”

“I am not!”

He rolls his eyes playfully, meeting your gaze through the mirror. “Please, Tom does the same thing.”

You stop and bite your lip again. “He does?”

“Definitely, he likes to pick out all the flaws in his outfits and body every time I dress him.

You hum softly, staring back down at your perfectly painted nails once again and resist the immediate urge to touch the drying paint. The more you found out about Tom, the more real this entire thing became. The more you realised that he was just like you in more ways then one.

The first thing you did when you got the emerald green ball gown was question why Harrison picked green for you of all colours. But the second you slid it on you understood why. The second thing you did was spin around in circles until your head was aching and giggles were spewing from your lips as the end of the gown tangled with your legs.

The third thing that happened was probably the biggest event of the night and that was the moment you took those first few steps down the large palace steps into the ballroom. All eyes were on you as you gripped Harrison's arms. Some glanced on in confusion at the newcomer, others adoration and some people's jealousy.

And you saw Tom standing at the very bottom with his hands behind his back, a mindblown expression on his features.

He too looked amazing but you completely stole the show.

“Wow…”

“Cat got your tongue?” You tease, taking his hand gently. His hand merely ghosted across yours, fingers running across the diamond ring on your right hand that you would have to make sure not to break in order to return at the end of the night.

“No.” He scowls, noticing how your features don’t falter. “You just look really pretty.”

“Thank you, you look amazing too. I like this colour on you.” You run a hand down the front of his suit jacket, the grey cotton smooth against your fingertips. “I’ve never been to one of these things before, what do we do?”

“We smile, dance, and put on a show for the people. Be careful– give them an ounce of attention and they’ll snatch you up, you’ll never get away.” Your face goes shocked, obviously believing everything he was saying. “They’ll start talking to you about how the price of mansions is expanding and asking where you got that dress from because it’s most definitely the most expensive one here. They’re all getting jealous already.”

“It is?” You glance down at the green decorated with specks of glitter– but maybe it wasn’t glitter, maybe it was diamonds.

“Definitely, that’s worth more then hers… and hers, oh and that girl over there.” Tom nods his head at different girls and you marvel at their dresses. But apparently, none equalled yours.

You gasp, “Tom what the fuck? What if I spill something on this?”

He simply shrugs in response like it was nothing. “We’ll throw it out. We have way more where that came from, surely you’ve seen.”

Tom knew he was winding you up. He wanted to laugh at the way your face twisted and turned from confusion to frustration.

“You’re such an ass.” You groan and tug on his hand, wanting to end the conversation ASAP so you could do something other then focus on the dollar sign looming over your head. “C’mon, let’s dance before people think we’re weird for just standing here.”

The two of you meet on the dance floor, an old orchestral song playing and you swallow feeling many sets of eyes on the two of you. You’d never had to dance before, not with a prince or any boy for that matter and now here you were.

Maybe he sensed your nervousness or maybe it was natural, but Tom placed his hands around your waist, giving you the indication to put yours around his neck. It seemed strange at first, but comfort lingered.

You sway back and forth to the music, a comfortable silence settling between the two of you and Tom notices how you don’t ask for help, not once. You follow his lead, keeping a set of eyes on his clothed chest because you didn’t know where else to look. Staring him directly in the eyes seemed awkward and staring over his shoulder would in some way, show the guests that your attention was anywhere but on him.

It remains like that for a few moments, the two of you going back and forth. But slowly he crept closer and his hands relax on your waist, your fingers were warm against his curls and Tom felt anything but nervous.

He was moving mere inches closer, autumn eyes attracting your own until you were the only two in the room.

“I could kiss you right now.” He mutters, lips barely fluttering over yours. You felt his warm breath, the ghost of his words and contain a shudder. He was so close, creeping closer.

You force yourself to swallow, glancing up through hooded, overdone lashes. “What if I don’t want you to kiss me?”

Tom feels his heart stop for a single second– whatever hope he was feeling decreasing and plummeting in his chest. “Then I won’t.”

But you never said it– what was truly eating away at you. You never said ‘kiss me, I’m sure I want it too!’ or ‘Do it, let’s put on a show for them– the paps and your parents that are currently eyeballing us.’

‘Kiss me like the first night we met but softer.’

It was way too soon.

So instead you gaze up at him and watch as Tom takes your hand softly– like a feather and spins you around just once. The two of you move delicately, your heels clicking against the ballroom floor. Everyone watches in absolute awe. Wondering just how the prince had kept you– an absolute gem hidden for so long.

Facing him once more, you swallow thickly. “You know, you’re not actually that arrogant and I don’t actually hate you.”

He tries not to smile but fails miserably. Tom definitely wasn’t oblivious to your sudden change of attitude but he wasn’t just letting it slip right past him either. He furrows his brows in confusion. Wondering how the conversation went from kissing to this. Kissing.

“That’s good to know, I guess.” He coughs.

“You’re actually a big softie.” You laugh gently, trying to make a joke out of what was intended to be a serious moment. “You pretend to like your life but really you wish you could settle down somewhere quieter. You get lonely here sometimes and want someone close. You don’t want all this.”

Maybe you were spewing bullshit.

“Yes, I do.” He grumbles, tightening his grip a little around your hand.

“Okay then, you don’t want the cameras and the eyes on you twenty-four seven. You don’t want the expectations and seriousness of it all.” He looks confused but reluctant to say anything. “Try and tell me I’m wrong.”

Tom refrains from screwing his face up because that’d give the crowd an indication that you were anything but happy. “And what about you, hm? You pretend like you don’t want this– the glitz and the glam but you secretly love it. You’re secretly eating all this up but you’re too stubborn to mention it.”

You raise a brow at the remark. “So what If I do? What if I do secretly like it and I’m just treating you like dirt because it’s fun seeing how much you’ll take until you just explode?”

“I can go on forever, darling.”

You lean in until your wine-stained lips are hovering over his ear, gelled curls slicked back neatly. “Don’t test me, Holland because I’ll win, and I know you don’t like to lose.”

He scoffs, wanting to disagree with you but it was true. Tom Holland didn’t like to lose and after your attitude had been eating away at him for the last few weeks, frustrating him more and more and causing his teeth to grit as you so much as walked near him he wanted to keep the softer side of you around for a little longer.

But then the song came to an end and you pull away from him, leaving him with a slight bow and something told him to pull you back in, to dance to the next song and the one after that t00– not for the crowd but for himself. It was selfish.

“I might have a dance with Haz, he looks lonely.” You gaze over at the blonde boy at the back of the room, your previous conversation with Tom suddenly forgotten. Harrison leaned against the wall, a glass of wine in one hand and looked around with wandering eyes.

“You can’t,” Tom replied curtly. “People will think it’s… something more, they’ll start rumours.”

You raise a brow, “You were dancing with another girl earlier, weren’t you?” He doesn’t reply and that’s enough of an answer for you. “You’re jealous.”

He feels called out.

“I’m not!” He retorts.

“You’re so jealous.”

He hides it well, squinting his eyes and crossing his arms across his chest and you were thankful that no one around was paying too much attention to the two of you anymore. If you were alone you would’ve pressed on, taunting him for feeling jealous over literally nothing– besides, it’s not like the two of you were together anyway.

“Whatever, I’m going to get another drink.” You shrug and Tom watches you leave, heading over to the nearest waiter until he finds himself standing alone.

He knew you’d already had one or two and should've stopped you from going for more but he couldn’t because the second he tried to step away, a hand landed on his shoulder, perfectly manicured nails gaining his attention.

Not even an hour later, Tom was exhausted. Dancing with you for a brief few songs had been the highlight of his night and making conversation with strangers about things he really didn’t care that much about couldn’t even begin to compete.

He had watched you from the corner of his eye, watching you sit at the back table as you swung your leg back and forth, looking bored out of your absolute mind. Guys whispered a few meters away and to put it simply… it gave him a stomach ache. Harrison had kept you company at one point and without Tom, you had no idea what to do.

He took the first out he could get the second he saw you slam a glass down onto the table earning glances from a couple party guests and hurried over, lip between his teeth. He was nervous.

You watch him, hair now messier then it was earlier and you could tell he’d been running a hand through it which was probably something he wasn’t supposed to be doing.

“You’re drunk.” He says bluntly, watching your mouth open in protest. You were definitely drunk

“I am not!” You snap back, holding up the glass of wine you had been sipping on. “I only had like… five glasses of wine, maybe more?”

He shakes his head, towering over you. He wanted to glare at Harrison and ask him why he’d allowed this but his best mate was long gone. “You’re so drunk. C’mon, let’s go back to my room.” He nods his head towards the series of stairs.

You giggle. “I’m not having sex with you again– the first time was good though but not… not again.” You take another mouthful of the alcohol and screw your face up at the taste, swallowing it harshly before Tom snatches the glass out of your hand.

He really hopes that no one heard that. He was thankful you’d chosen a table at the end of the room to drink at– where little to no one was about to bother you.

“We’re not doing that, you just need to rest before you do something you’ll regret.” He hisses.

“We already know what happens when I’m drunk, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Let’s go.”

He wraps an arm around your waist to keep you up straight, plastering a smile to those around him and he’s thankful when no one attempts to start a conversation. He’s also thankful when you comply instead of reaching for another glass. Harrison watches on with a coy grin, seeing care hidden beneath frustration practically written all over toms features.

You tumble up the steps to his room, relying on Toms direction and the arm that kept a tight grasp to stay upwards. But as you got closer, your eyes begin to feel heavy and you began to drag him down, refusing to support your own weight. So that was why he lifted you up bridal style.

Tom shoves his bedroom door open with a thud that causes you to stir, heading straight for his bed where he places you down gently. You swore you instantly sunk into the plush, royal duvet, engulfed in a blanket of absolute warmth.

Tessa, who had been kept in the room thanks to Harrison sticks her head up and whines at the person now laying in Toms place, but puts her head back down upon seeing Tom.

“You can have my bed tonight.” He mutters. His voice was soft, gentle and he watched you drift off almost instantly with your head pressed against the pillow, mouth slightly agape. Still, you wore the dress and jewellery and he only moved down to tug the heels off of your feet.

Maybe he was falling. Hard.

Six!

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