#he’s always felt off and didn’t do anything before the portal but after going feral during his travels he has the ability and instincts

[bubbytheliverstealingskeleton]

Otherkin Ford otherkin Ford otherkin Ford otherkin Ford otherkin Ford Otherkin Ford otherkin Ford otherkin Ford otherkin Fo-

[amor-immortalem]

Can I Stay Up Here With You Forever ch.8

Previous

Warning(s): Nothing just fluff

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Tag list @mediocredetective @it-hurts-when-i-blink @ima-simp-uwu @luckyauthorlampknight

The pair of brothers spent the rest of the night in Mammon’s room. Around dinner time they were joined by the twins who had brought tonight’s dinner. They had decided to eat with their second eldest brother, having heard from Satan who had heard from Lucifer that Mammon had had a particularly rough day at school and figured sharing a hot meal together would be a good way to comfort him. Even Levi stopped by after they had finished eating, bringing plenty of games that he and Mammon enjoyed playing together -along with the appropriate console- after they had first fallen so Levi wouldn’t go feral from his self-isolation.

It felt like they were a proper family once more- light teasing and proper brotherly bickering occurring between the five of them, making sure to keep things at a level that was normal for siblings and a far cry from the vicious words they would throw Mammon’s way. They had all spent so long playing that eventually they had all fallen asleep together on or around Mammon’s couch with Belphie being the first to conk out for the night.

When they all awoke in the morning, Asmo told their brothers about the plan to help Mammon escape to the human world and about how they were going to be uncles.

“Let me go with you,” Beel responded eagerly, “If Lucifer finds out before you guys can get away, my strength will come in handy to buy you all a little time.”

“Beel, as much as I appreciate it, I can’t let you do that ta yourself.” Mammon says, a worried look in his blue and gold eyes. “Ya know what happens if ya stand against our brother’s authority. I mean look at what he did to Belphie when he went against Lucifer and Lord Diavolo over the exchange programme.”

“Yeah, locking me in the attic was a shitty move on his part but still, Lucifer is acting like a fucking tyrant.” Belphegor agreed. “I mean we’re all pretty scared of the monster he’s turning into, but what he’s doing to you is wrong. And we heard about the gaslighting incident at school yesterday. That was really fucked up- and you’re the favorite. Imagine what will happen to us after he finds out.”

The brothers all nodded at that.

“An’ that’s why I don’t want y’all doin’ it.” Mammon said sternly. “You two’re the youngest an’ while yer both strong in yer own right, the two of ya can’t hold a candle ta our brother.”

“What if Satan and I went along with you?” Levi asked, “Sure, Lucifer’s power output is over 9000 but Asmo, Satan, and I should be enough to at least match that for enough time for you and Solomon to get through the portal...”

“That would work.” Asmo nodded as they had a contemplative look on their face. “Actually, we’d stand a better chance if the twins go too.”

“You guys would really do this for me?” The Avatar of Greed looks around the room at all of his brothers before letting out a soft chuckle, “Guess Lucifer was right ‘bout one thing... you guys really do care.” He can’t help the tearful smile that creeps its way onto his features.

“Of course we do. We always did but we never showed it in the way we should have,” the fifth-born threw their arms around their older brother and was soon joined by their other brothers. “I mean we’re the ones who promised we’d change and we went back on that almost immediately.”

“We’re a family and you’re an important part of that too.” The Avatar of Envy says as they all press their foreheads together like they did back in the Celestial Realm before they went to war. “You keep things lively for us.”

“So it’s decided, right?” Beel asks, “We’re really going to do this? Together?”

“Together.” A sixth voice echoes from the upper level as the five of them pull away and turn their attention to Satan. He has a genuine smile on his face as he slides down on the railing of Mammon’s staircase like he used to do as a toddler. “Lucifer’s gone, by the way. Went up to the Demon Lord’s castle for a weekend meeting with Diavolo. If we’re going to make our move, it has to be tomorrow. So, everyone, get packed. I already booked four of us a hotel to stay at so Arella doesn’t have to put us up for however many months it is before the baby’s born. Asmo, you said you’d be staying with Solomon, right?”

“Right,” The Avatar of Lust nods. “Alright everyone, get ready.”

And just like that, the siblings dispersed to go about their packing.

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

Arella can’t wait. After hearing of the news from Solomon a few days ago, the excitement started to grow. What she didn’t know was if Mammon had found out if she was pregnant yet. What would his reaction be? Surprise? Excitement? Something else? Anxiety filled her as it had been doing over these past few months so she picks up her D.D.D. that no longer has service and opened up her photo gallery which also had little videos of her and Mammon together.

The sound of his voice is comforting to her. It makes things feel much less lonely in the silent house- even with Aubrie visiting- but it also has the added effect of helping their baby recognize his father’s voice. With the little one showing signs of being able to hear the outside world earlier than expected and hijacking her magic to protect them when he felt frightened, the last thing she needed was the sound of a voice he didn’t recognize setting off one of the many protective spells in her repertoire. His favourite thing to do was erect a magical barrier around them to keep a threat away. Thank heavens normal humans weren’t able to see things like that.

As she selected a video- one of all the brothers and her together at Diavolo’s birthday party last year- she set it on top of the small bump that she had started showing a couple weeks ago. She could feel her son’s powerful little kicks to the side of her womb.

“Easy now, little one. You’re going to cause bruising with kicks like that.” Arella says as she rubs a hand over the front of her belly and she feels a turning sensation shortly after. “You certainly are active this evening. Your Daddy’s coming back to us tomorrow, okay? And five of your uncles as well so don’t be scared when you hear their voices. They won’t hurt you or me. They may be demons but deep down they’re a good lot.”

As the video playing on the D.D.D ended, Arella picked up a children's book and began reading aloud to her unborn child.

“Rells, I’m going to go back to my hotel. Do you need anything before I go?” Aubrie asked as she leaned against the door frame. “I’ll be back tomorrow to help you out before the boys get here- tomorrow is the day, right?”

“I don’t need anything but yes, tomorrow’s the day.” Arella smiles.

“Oh, I bet you’re excited.” The ginger smiles. “Alright, I’ll get going. See you tomorrow.”

Arella only nodded as she watched Aubrie go.

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The House of Lamentation held a slight air of chaos to it this morning due to the brothers running around for last minute packing. They barely had time for breakfast but since Mammon had the least number of items to pack, he was voted for breakfast duty while Satan covered dish duty. Today’s breakfast: Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. As everyone sat down to eat, there was constant chatter about things they would do while up in the mortal realm during the months they would be staying.

While they were cleaning up, Solomon made his appearance. Asmo welcomed him with a hug as they quickly pulled the sorcerer along to Mammon’s room to get him so they could go. They both watch as he doesn’t react to their entrance instead seeming lost in his thoughts as he runs his thumb over an old, worn piece of grimm. Not even calling his name was enough to pull him from his zoned-out state. It wasn’t until Solomon placed a careful hand on the second-born's shoulder that Mammon looked up at them.

“Are you ready to go?” Solomon asks with a smile.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” The demon returns the smile, “Whenever everyone else is ready...”

Soon the rest of the brothers join them and it's time to go. Everyone grabs their bags or suitcases and load them up in the van that had been rented for them. Solomon was in charge of driving them to their destination.

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Next

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[queenof-literature]

Hey! Your writing is superb! May I request angsty Time being scared out of his wits by Wild and Twi being reckless in dangerous situations?

Hi thank you for the request and the kind words! I’m so sorry for the slow updates I hope you enjoy!

At this point in his life, Time expected the unexpected. Time travel? Fine. Magic masks with spirits trapped inside? Okay. Meeting his descendant? That sent him for a loop but he supposed it made sense when looking at the big picture. Coming to be the leader of eight boys who gave him at least one heart attack a day? Even he still got stumped when he thought too much about it.  

It was his protege and his protege’s protege that truly scared him more than anything. He cared for all his companions more than anything, and felt personally responsible for every single one of them. They were all loving in their own ways, and selfless and kind. 

But there was just something about Twilight and Wild. He knew that with Twilight it was because they were family. Not just by bond like with the others, but by blood as well. He supposed that with Wild, it was because his pup and taken him on as a protege. 

No matter how it ended up this way, these boys made his heart stop far more than was healthy. 

Wild wasn’t anywhere near stupid or incompetent, but his name fit him perfectly. He was untamed and although he cared deeply for his Hyrule and loved his Zelda, he was a free spirit. A free spirit who jumped off cliffs, dived into water for Korok seeds, rode deer and bears, and was overall a ‘feral gremlin who should not be allowed near fire’ as Legend put it. Wild always made sure to serve everyone dinner before himself, sleep with the rest of them even though Time knew he was used to sleeping in the huge trees of his Hyrule, and put up a huge fight about having a bed when others in the group didn’t at stables and inns. 

Twilight thought that Wild was bad in the pushing himself too hard department, Time always failed to see how Twilight was any different. The amount of trips Time had taken to trek into the woods and drag Wolfie back from scouting was astounding. Time would have to force him to go to bed when one of the others was injured, especially the younglings of their group. That’s just how Twilight and Wild were. And he loved them both for it. 

It was Malon who taught him after the Kokiri that love hurt sometimes, but it was worth it. It hurt, but the moments of happiness helped make life what it was. 

He had dreams sometimes. Simple dreams of the boys spending time on the ranch, sometimes with their loved ones from their worlds. after their quest. It left a bittersweet ache in his chest everytime. 

Time found himself praying for the first time in so long, that it would all come true. That he and his new family would not be separated forever. He wouldn’t let Hylia do that to these boys. Not after all they had been through alone and together. He would keep them alive, and he would keep them safe.

Although Twilight and Wild were certainly making that difficult. Pushing each other out of the way of danger, taking hits for the others, as far as Time was concerned neither of them could bitch about the other being too reckless. They had calmed down slightly after Time had talked to them, but they were still reckless in protecting the others.

They had been separated in the middle of the night. Again. At this point Time wasn’t sure if Hylia had any control on where they went, because separating them was a surefire way to get them all killed. Time was completely alone in a wasteland covered in snow. He didn’t know what Hyrule, he didn’t think it was anyone’s in the group. All he knew was he hadn’t seen a trace of the others yet. He hoped beyond anything they were in groups and safe. Whenever they were separated, they would usually at least end up in the same area or kingdom. This was convenient most days, but now Time was desperately worried the others were stuck in this weather and far worse off than he was. Time at least had his bag, the others might have been separated from theirs. It had happened in the past. They were sucked into a portal and separated without their bags. It turned out that all the bags had gone with Hyrule and Four. Their stuff was always around at least one person, sometimes those people just got mixed up. Epona somehow always ended up safe somewhere, something they all were extremely grateful for.  

Time continued to stumble along in the deep snow. His bag fortunately had some things to keep him warm. Not enough to stave off the cold completely, but he had some coats and a pair of pants to at least help him continue on. The best option with him being alone was to find some shelter, start a fire, and hope the Master Sword would lead Sky to everyone. He had seen what looked to be a cave etched in a small mountain. He would search for the boys until he physically couldn’t anymore, then take a break in the hopefully animal free cave. 

Time stopped. He heard something, he swore he did. He listened more carefully. There it was again! He couldn’t tell what it was yet, but he cautiously moved towards that direction whilst unsheathing his sword in case it was an animal of some sort. Once he got further, he noticed a speck in the distance. Soon enough, he noticed the speck was a creature of some sort. Growing closer still, Time’s heart leapt in hearing the sound again, louder now.

“-body!” The rough cry was drowned out by the cold winds. Time rushed as fast as he could towards the now confirmed Hylians in the distance. The first thing he noticed when growing closer was that the two figures were stumbling through the snow, leaning against each other, desperate for balance. The second thing he noticed was his protege’s fur wrapped around the taller figure. The third was the shorter figure’s long blonde hair. 

“Pup! Cub!” Time shouted, finally close enough to see their faces. Both faces were as pale as the snow below them, bodies quivering and shaking. Twilight was leaning heavily on Wild, unfocused eyes opening only once in a while, although he looked relieved to see Time. Looking down, Time’s heart stopped once again at his pup’s bent ankle he could see even through the man’s boot. Wild’s wide and frantic eyes landed on Time, brain finally realizing who was there.

“Time!” Wild cried out in relief. Looking at the cub, Time noticed he was missing his cloak, realizing it was peeking out from under Twilight’s pelt. Wild himself looked awful as well. Dull blue eyes stood out even more against his sickly pale skin and deep dark bags from exhaustion. When they went to bed last night, Wild was wearing a thin shirt with short sleeves to counteract the slightly hotter region they were in. Wild’s bare arms clutched desperately to keep his mentor standing. Wild’s legs shook under the weight and stress his and the pup’s bodies were under. Both boys were soaked to the bone. 

“What happened?” Time asked hurriedly, rushing forward to help support his protege. Upon putting one of Twilight’s arms over his shoulder, Time saw the cut on the back of Twilight’s head. It was bleeding substantially, but head wounds did that most of the time. It didn’t seem overly deep. Wild’s back, however, was a whole other story. The cub had deep slash marks across the whole of his back, the backside of his shirt was covered completely in blood around the holes. 

“We l-landed near a-a river.” Wild stuttered out, slurring his words together slightly. “A-a beast, I d-don’t know what it was.” Wild struggled to get his words out between the cold and the bloodloss. “It… it p-pushed me in. Twilight broke his a-ankle. Don’t know… what h-happened. P-pulled me out. Hit his head… I-I-” Wild trailed off more and more, eyes becoming unfocused by the blood loss by the second. Time needed to get them back to the cave. Right now. 

“Help me get him on my back.” Time demanded in a strong voice, hopefully covering his fear for his boys. Wild’s weak and shaking hands tried to help, but Time did most of the work getting his pup situated. Time wished more than anything in that moment he could carry both boys to the cave, but together they were both too heavy. Time wasn’t sure Twilight even knew what was happening with that head injury of his, not even mentioning how awful his ankle looked, so he was the one that had to be carried. Twilight was pure muscle. Time guided Wild’s hand to his shoulder that didn’t have Twilight’s head on it to provide at least a little support.. “There’s a cave not far from here. Just a little further, Cub.” Time encouraged as they kept walking. 

Time thanked every God there was that Twilight and Wild were still shivering. They weren’t in the far stages of hypothermia yet, but they certainly weren’t out of the woods. 

The trek back to the cave was much slower than Time appreciated with two injured Links that severely needed medical attention. Time went as fast as he could with a protege on his back and snow up to his knees. Glancing at Wild once again, once frantic eyes had become complacent as Wild shuffled along. It seemed Wild was keeping himself going on mere adrenaline before, desperate to get his mentor some help. Time was supporting as much of Wild’s weight as he could, but the boy was still trying to walk almost completely on his own. He tried to hide it, but Time could see the slow oozing of blood on Wild’s twitching back. 

Finally, Time could see the cave’s opening in the distance. Wild had slowed down to the point of looking half asleep, and Twilight’s hold had tightened over the journey. Wild stumbled again, hand slipping from Time’s shoulder as he fell into the snow. 

“Come on, Cub, only a little more to go.” Time leaned down as much as he could and pulled Wild to his feet. “Look, it’s right there.” Time’s hand guided Wild’s chin to the opening of the cave. Normally the boy would rush towards their new shelter and start preparing a fire, excited to cook their meal. Now though, Wild’s dim eyes just lit up in recognition for a moment, before shifting over to check on Twilight once more, just as he had been the entire trip over here. 

Finally, after their long trek, they made it to the mouth of the cave. It was relatively shallow for a natural cave in a mountain. Time could see the back of the cave clearly from where he was standing. There were thankfully no creatures within that would harm them. Time gently crouched down and deposited the pup against the wall. Twilight groaned softly and Time felt a pang in his heart. 

“P-p-otions?” Wild murmured, sitting next to Twilight’s ankle. 

“No, Cub. I’m sorry. We really have to pack at least one in all our bags, yeah?” Time joked wryly. 

“B-bandage?” Wild asked, gesturing to Twilight’s ankle. Time rolled his eye. 

“That we do have, but you’re laying down.” Time ordered sternly. Wild and Twilight would ignore their wounds for days if it meant putting the group first. Wild huffed, but did as he was told with no argument. Now that had Time worried. Wild bit back a whimper as his back stretched, before finally settling on his stomach, still aggressively shivering.

“Why did you give Twilight your cloak?” Time asked, taking an extra coat from his bag to drape over the boy. 

“H-he… wasn’t responding. His head. I could r-rub m’ hands together n’ stuff. He couldn’t.” Time sighed, hating how right the cub was. He stayed quiet. Not wanting to lecture Wild for protecting his brother, but not wanting to exactly say it was okay to give up his cloak either. Time reached to lift the coat and take care of Wild’s back. The sooner he was able to cocoon the boys in anything warm they had, the sooner they would hopefully thaw out. 

“Him first.” Wild slurred, not even having the energy to open his eyes.

“Wil-” Time began to lecture.

“No. H-his ankle. Bone needs to heal right. And head wound. M’ fine.” No matter how nervous Wild’s injury and lack of coherent words scared him, Time knew he was right about Twi’s injuries. 

“Don’t fall asleep yet. We need to get you warm first.” Wild hummed in confirmation of Time’s order, which was probably the best he was going to get. Time gently laid the coat back on Wild, trying to ignore the hiss as the fabric brushed against the wound on his back, before turning back to his pale protege. 

Twilight’s bones thankfully hadn’t shifted enough to require his ankle to be set, so Time just steadied it with a tight bandage. Twilight whimpered and winced at the manhandling of his injured ankle. 

“Sorry, Pup. Almost done.” Time reassured the younger. Time wanted more than anything to take Twi’s pain away in that instant. Getting a monster club to the chest was less painful than seeing one of these boys hurt from their quest. Satisfied with his work on Twi’s ankle, he moved on to his head. The wound was just as minor as he thought, just requiring a bandage and good cleaning for now. It was enough to do him in if he was alone out here, but now he would just need sleep and potions. Thank Hylia Wild was with him… Wild! He needed to stay awake!

Time hastily finished checking his pup’s injuries, deeming him out of the woods for now. Time whipped around to face Wild, still laying with his back facing the cave ceiling. His eyes were still closed, and his breathing was still uneven as shivers wracked his body. 

“Wild? Wild you’re still awake yeah?” Time asked in a steady voice, not even being met with a noise from the boy. “Wild? Wild!” Time snapped louder. The body beneath him jumped slightly, a noise of indignation rising up. It was then Time noticed Wild’s hand tucked underneath him. 

“Wild, let me see your hand.” Time demanded. Wild either didn't hear him or didn’t listen. “Wild, Cub, I need to see your hands.” Time said far gentler, reaching under Wild’s body to grab one of his hands. Instantly, Time felt his own hand grow colder, even under his gloves. Wild groaned at the loss of support under him that caused his back to twitch. 

Looking at Wild’s hands, Time was struck with the realization that Wild wasn’t wearing any gloves. How could he have not noticed? Internally Time was yelling at himself for being so foolish. Glancing over at Twilight, Time barely resisted the urge to bang his head on the cave wall. Idiots! Both of them! He recognized the dyed blue edge of Wild’s warmest gloves. Why were they even out without Wild’s slate? How? Time resisted the urge to groan in frustration. He would have to ask Wild later. 

“Why did you give Twilight your gloves?” Time almost yelled in frustration. 

“Coun’n stop fross-frosbite like m’. Needed gloves.” Time rolled his eye.

“Awful, the both of you. You’re the same person I swear to Hylia!” Time staed gruffly. “I need to move you to take care of your back, then we’re taking care of your hands. I have an extra pair of gloves in my bag.” Time explained, pulling Wild’s upper half into his lap as gently as he could. Time winced at the groan Wild let out against his will.

“Cub?” Twilight murmured, bleary eyes opening a sliver. 

“He’s fine, pup. I’m taking care of him now.” Time reassured him, reaching out and placing a hand on his protege’s forehead, the way he did when Twilight was hurt or feeling under the weather. It always helped to relax him. 

“Needs me?” Twilight struggled and fought to stay awake.

“No, Twi. Wild is fine. Just needs some bandages and warmth. Everythings okay.” Twilight let out a hum and finally succumbed into sleep once more. If Time said it was okay, it was okay. 

Time began to bandage Wild’s wound, managing to clean it with the few supplies he had, at least until the others found them. Wild tried to hold in his shivers and hisses of pain as Time cleaned and wrapped his wound. Finally, the wound was dressed.

“Okay Wild. We need to get you warm again.” Time stated softly before lifting Wild into a sitting position. Wild let out a low grunt of pain shaking hands twitching in the direction of his back. “Sorry bud. Almost there, then we can get you warm and you can rest.” Time picked up the spare coat and wrapped Wild carefully and tightly within it. Wild finally seemed able to relax, snuggling closer to the warm fabric. Time felt his lips twitch as he carefully extracted Wild’s hands from within the coat, closing any gaps in the fabric this motion caused. 

Time rubbed Wild’s frozen hands within his own, creating friction and hopefully enough heat to prevent frostbite before he gave Wild his extra pair of gloves. ild winced slightly in pain before relaxing further into Time’s side. There was nothing Time could use to make a fire, so this would have to do.

“Wild. I need you to tell me the truth. Are your feet or toes or anything else cold?” Time questioned.

“No. Good boots.” Time huffed out a small sigh of relief. He knew Twilight had good boots for the snow, but with all of Wild’s items and what he wears and doesn’t wear around camp, it was hard to keep track.

“And your legs?” Time eyed the thin pants Wild wore, already knowing the answer.

“Fine…” Wild was an awful liar when he was out of it.

“Wild, I need both you boys warm while we wait for the others or there will be trouble later.” Time chided, causing Wild to huff.

“A little cold…” Wild murmured. Time huffed a small laugh before using one hand to reach into his bag and pull his last spare blanket. Time managed to wrangle it under the legs of Twilight and tuck it under the legs of Wild, sticking him in the middle. As much as he wished one of the boys were in the middle to receive the most warmth, he needed to have easy access to both of them to make sure they were warming properly. Falling asleep with a body that was too cold might lead to never waking up…

Time felt Wild’s hands again, deeming them warm enough to put into the gloves. He double checked that the boys were warm enough before wrapping an arm around both of them. Wild and Twilight curled further into him, breathing peacefully. Time made sure to stay awake, continuing to check the boys for shivering, frostbite, and any other signs of hypothermia. At some point the boys had locked hands over Time, as if assuring themselves the other was okay. These boys constantly gave him heart attacks by being reckless and putting others before themselves, but in this moment, Time knew they would be okay. 

Plot twist: Time is literally just as bad as Twilight and Wild and this entire fic is him being a hypocrite.  

[grim-faux]

02_Always a Fighter

First

Word Count - 2,472

Maybe not spoilers?

  It never worked.

 Some kids that were big dolts would try it once and figure out fast that it just didn’t work, and it was stupid. Every other adult at some point was bitten, it wasn’t new or clever, and the initial surprise of The audacity! failed. A firm pat on the head, if you were lucky. DON’T DO THAT. Very annoying. That’s all it was, and she’d given an audible sigh – how many times she didn’t know – whenever she managed to meet up with the one dolt kid that thought it’d work.

 BUT! She was fed up and angry, terrified out of her mind about where they would wind up–

What sort of creature crawls out of a TV!? And this was the... how many times she’d been snagged? She lost count! Lost COUNT! This was idiotic. So pointless! She was the idiot now!

 It was complete feral instinct to lash out in some way, she wasn’t thinking straight. Her hands were useless, and they – the man in the hat – he was going someplace fast. The swift bouts of movement punctuating his jittery pauses, jarred her, nestled massive aches in her poor head. The blunt rustling, like leaves but harsh and electric like a burnt – burnt… burnt cables.

 She only meant to whine out some sound, but that sound came as a nasally snarl, and before she knew it her teeth were buried into the hand wrapped around her; lips curled back over her gums. It must’ve been the hardest she’d ever bitten anything. Harder than stale bread, harder still than another kid – kids bled easier. The act of it all so spontaneous, it frightened herself.

 Then the hand popped open, as did her eyes behind the yellow hood of her jacket, and she was plummeting.

 That….

 ACTUALLY….

 WORKED?!!?

 That NEVER worked.

 But Six was preoccupied with scrambling over shoes, ducking beneath the fringe of her captors sweeping gaze. The fall was hard, but she’d dropped from higher and from far riskier circumstances. Her footfalls whisked silently across the slick floor; by her suspect, the snatcher should be dumbfounded where she went first. That wouldn’t last. Soon enough, he’d catch a glimpse of her in the stretching corridor. No space for hiding, sometimes a discarded crate or some chair – all poor candidates for shelter, temporary or otherwise.

 When she didn’t sense the immediate pursuit, she couldn’t bear it and looked.

 A set of eyes glinted beneath the slant of the hat. Mad-mad-mad! A bop on the head or firm shake was so much more preferable to getting strangled, and this person – adult – looked like the type to strangle and mangle.

 The hall divided two ways, left or right. The access on the right was much smaller, more inviting to her diminutive senses. Along the wall, doors winked in and out with an eerie haze of light. Tall doors with high, far from reach handles. Where was this place? What was this place?

 They emerged from a hall, but in all the struggling and flashy movement she didn’t get a good read of the place. None of it mattered, up until she stole her agency back. Dust swarmed around her jacket as she pushed on, heaving on the thick air. The place looked to be in ruin, with cracks in the walls and junk everywhere – nothing of it inviting. She thought someone some place was laughing, a noise that made her blood boil. But also, was that a child whimpering? Eerie disembodied noises came and went, she wasn’t sure if they were her thoughts or… if people were here. More people, locked away

 It was becoming more apparent this place was as abnormal as it was expansive. Nothing but hall and doors, no place to hide, no place to go. Only portals she couldn’t access. And if there was the rare crack she might could creep into… something always seemed to gawk back. Occupied.

 Far ahead, she perked and tugged the hood up a bit. The thick veil eroded, and the glaring light of an open doorway rolled forth. Open!

 With an objective in sight, Six whipped her head over her should and searched for the Tall Man, the Thin Man.

 The ominous figure remained a distance back, stalking casually and barely within vision. Likely, because it lived her and knew the feeble options, and as likely knew where this hall went. Still, she put every ounce of her resolve into reaching that doorway, and left worry about it being a dead end for later.

 A wash of colors nearly knocked the breath from her lungs. A room, but what caught her immediate attention was the lamp standing resolute to the side. It offered enough radiance to scope out the place, which was furnished with a couch and tall table, a scene not unlike where she and the boy hid. There was a hallway, a much more normal looking space than from the gargantuan corridor she fled from. She recalled from the home she was stolen from, he was too tall. Moving in these spaces did slow him down. Only a bit. Enough to duck out of view for a second. That’s all it took to disappear.

 Unlike the real room, there was no window. Only a tear and matting of splinters and rocks, as if the window was crushed in by a road. She was not going to hide beneath the coffee table this time.

 The branching corridor was featureless and dark, with only a chair to impede progress. She eased off the speed, as she crawled over a collapse of wall debris and other clutter. Items and detached pieces of memories glided aimless, sometimes spiraling off her shoulder if she moved too near. That aside, the space seemed stable and dry, unlike the crumbling structures of the city. It… also seemed to be breathing, but she ignored that in favor of a productive escape. The pain in her mind from proximity to the Thin Man began to fade, but not quickly nor nicely. She licked her lips and tasted blood.

 She reached up to her face and felt her nose. She knew she was bleeding. In all the excitement, she forgot. It didn’t make sense, she didn’t hit her face. Where did blood come from? She snorted, though it was drying.

 A pitched crackle-pop rebounded from the cavernous hole of the living room, the steady footfalls came after. Slow, methodical, unhurried steps echoing down to where she wandered.

 The first door she saw, no thought, she ducked in. There was a perfectly good doorway further down, but she wanted cover now before he spied her.

 Luckily, there was a substantial door, and she pushed the panel shut very gently. This room was a dead end, with a bed and a bookshelf, collapsing over itself. Things to move around and scuttle behind, but even the boy could find her in this place without a thought.

 She traced the entire perimeter, twice over. Her third pass, she located a creaking board. A loose, broken junk of wood. She dropped down on her knees and pried at the stubborn panel, splinters dug at her fingers. The board creaked as the ugly nails strangled the timber. She tried kicking it with the ball of her foot, then went at pulling out the panel once more. She nearly released the brittle board, in favor of clasping hands over her hood.

 A hollow, grating hum filled the air. The door was likely creaking, but the accusing sound was drowned out by the presence of the Thin Man.

 Six smashed her foot again at the board, then rolled over and gave it a desperate wrench. The wood creaked, separating from the wall a smidgen of enough. She crammed her arms through first, grabbing at the grungy ground within and hauled her waist through. The burning hum of static was so intense, she expected the man to snag her ankle and tear her on out… but it didn’t happen.

 She had a little more space to move within the wall, though the boards within were low. Something in the dark spaces where her eyes couldn’t reach scuttled, and she hurried. Uncertain where this went, and uneasy if this was the best route to take. If anything, too small a space for the man, and no openings for a searching stare. For the time she was safe, but it was dark and she had no idea where she was or where a way out could be. The only course was stumble and feel for direction, and hope she didn’t become hopelessly lost with the sounds of giggles.

 In the dark she bopped her face against a bumpy, hard chunk of rock. She scrambled up it, tilting forward as gravity shifted. But up above in the dark crevice, light shown down. She felt for handholds, her smart yellow coat guarded her shoulders from jagged bits along the way. It still sounded like something was laughing at her, or someone was watching her. She hastened her ascent, reaching a wornout space in the floor.

 Cautiously, she poked her head up. She had to be miles away from the man, but the light source. Where was that?

 The room was unremarkable and dark, aside from whatever light flashed from a corridor adjacent to where she huddled. She gave in to a wretched coughing fit.

 Something had to have heard that. Thus, she climbed from the narrow space and trekked across the floor. The place felt almost too normal, which was weird. Nothing distinguishing stuck out to her, but the plaster walls and carpeted floor. Too bizarre.

 Then a sudden sound made her skin prickle. She made an effort to calm herself, it wasn’t painful noise. It was only ominous, and it reminded her of the man.

 The corridor led to two rooms, and the one on her left emanated the soft glowing light. She shoved the door in more to get through, it grated on the floor. Inside the room was nothing worth investing in, no furniture aside from a crate and a television playing snow.

 She remembered now. He dragged her through this thing. Not this one specifically, but one like it. Then, there had to be a way back from this side. It had to work some way.

 She all but collided with the glass and electric box, and began hammering her fists. How does it work? She remembered palm prints, so, she pressed her palms against the screen. Nothing. It was as impervious to her ire, as a wall. The television scooted back a few inches, but she paid it no mind.

 “HEY!” She slammed her forehead to the glass. This wasn’t fair!

 And suddenly, a pair of arms zipped through to snare her wrists. Huh?! She recoiled, but minutely, realization dawning fast.

 HIM! Boy! He heaved back through the television, hauling her arms along effortlessly. Of course! Of all the— Not the Time! He was pulling, grip tightening on the other side. His fingers felt cold and damp through the coat. Yes! This would work!

 Six threw herself forward on her tiptoes, expecting fully to smash her face against harsh glass, but instead she flashed through. Her eyes stung and bristled when she passed to the other side, mildew and wood rot blasted her. Dazed, she blinked hard, struggling to make sense where they were. It was another room, but leagues different from the one she was leaving. For one, the walls here didn’t whine.

 The paper bag crinkled as the boy heaved backwards on his heels, a diminutive growl lurched from his throat. She’s never been so happy to see that dorky mask. He uttered something:

 “Hold on….” And hooked one arm around her chest.

 Six’s body strained, caught in the current or whatever it was. She looped her arms around his shoulders, and kicked her toes off the dusty floor. His feet braced to whatever the television stood upon, he bucked backwards and she felt the nettling sting leave her skin. They were succeeding!

 Until….

 A set of iron bars coiled around her middle. An all too familiar sensation, and chilling. The force she was seized by knocked her forehead against the boys, and he toppled backwards.

 Everything buzzed and whirred, between the concussion and getting hauled backwards through the churning torrent once more – an event she was certain should be unnatural. The ringing bombarded her senses from within her mind, as the air sizzled and spots prickled her eyes. Dully, she lolled her head sideways as the thing that hauled her back – the thing hunting them – raised her high and gave her a look. It was even more frightening in the backdrop of the pulsing television, his eyes glistened. She hoisted her arms up, bracing for pain….

 Retribution didn’t come. Curious, the Thin Man shifted his attention down, to the television set beside his knee. And the small handprints pressing from the other side of the white screen. The grip around her waist lessened, but not enough that made Six want to test his focus.

 At last, he rose and stepped over to the doorway. He tossed her out and shut the door.

 He was leaving her, and going after the boy. They would both be trapped here.

 Six pounded on the panel, the handle much too high to reach unassisted. There was no gap below for her to squeeze through. He would bring the boy here, and there wouldn’t be a way back. This was a certainty, because he had seen that boy try to drag her from the television screen and nearly succeed. She tried to peer under the door crack, but it was as if the other side ceased to exist once the door was shut.

 The corridor was silent and dark, and she had no idea where she was or how to get out. She was… alone at least. Confined but alone.

 She scanned the suffocating murk this and that way, struggling to make sense of the surroundings. Further through the expanse of nothing, a rectangular form cut out from the black itself; light gushed through the cracks as the door swung wide. In an area she was certain there hadn’t been a door earlier, when she first came through. But it was impossible to tell in this place.

 She inched towards the portal, turning her head down so the hood would cut some of the gleam hitting her face. If the Thin Man wasn’t here, then she could explore in relative peace. But she didn’t think this way would get her out. But, she didn’t have anywhere else to start.

 The thread thin figure dissolved within the colorful spectrum, vanishing completely as the radiance blossomed outward. Once she was inside, the door crooned shut and the lock clicked, leaving only stillness and dark.

Next

[rallis-fatalis]

The Waiting Game

No summary. Just fluff. Let's goooooo.

Olaf the bard was a master at playing the waiting game. He had to be, his job required it. As a traveling bard whose purpose was to obtain information and bring it back to his cut-off from the world home, he needed to listen, and listening required waiting. However, if there was one single thing Olaf was absolutely no good at waiting for, it was information about Rallis. One month ago, Rallis had journeyed off to the island of Ungael, a frozen prison in the middle of the icy ocean that held an ancient zombified dragon as its sole captive, known as the Vorkath of Ungael. During Rallis’ latest and most arduous quest to save the world, she had become fast friends with the undead dragon and felt a connection she had never felt with any other beast. So naturally once her quest was over and knights, warriors, slayers, and more from across the entire continent planned to sail to the island to kill the beast for his association with the evil dragonkin that attempted to raid human lands, Rallis set off to protect her friend immediately and without hesitation. She wouldn’t listen to Olaf who tried his hardest to tell her she needed to rest after her recent battle, and sailed off with what was in his opinion not enough supplies nor gear. Every day for the past month, Olaf watched as killers of all kinds sailed off the shores for Ungael to claim both the vorkath’s head and Rallis’ own, and there was nothing he could do to stop them. So he did what he was good at and waited.

Warriors sailed out. Boats left the shores. Neither returned. There was no news from Ungael for that one long month, save a lone survivor that brought a message saying that anyone who dared come to Ungael to kill the undead dragon would meet certain death. While that message may have brought everyone else terror, it brought Olaf hope and a much needed feeling of relief. It meant Rallis was alive and it hopefully meant she would be back home and safe from harm soon. That relief was soon ripped to shreds as he spotted more and more slayers setting sail, and with better gear too, and this time they were after Rallis’ head, not just the vorkath’s. Olaf wanted to grab gear and a boat and set sail immediately too. He wanted to help Rallis, to keep her safe. But what could one bard do amidst a sea of trained killers? So he did what he was good at and waited.

Three months had passed since Rallis left for Ungael. Olaf counted every day and hung onto the hope that Rallis would return. She didn’t. No more boats sailed out, no more slayers looking for the bounty on her head. No boats returned victorious. He hoped that meant they had all failed. He shouldn’t have felt joy in their failures as it certainly meant their death, but at this point he didn’t care. All Olaf wanted was for his dragon to return home safe and sound.

And one day she did.

There was a quiet unease when Rallis came ashore at the docks of Relleka. Her little boat was coated in a permanent layer of frost, as was she. She dragged herself out of her boat and shuffled through town, stumbling her way to the closest portal frame to go home. Most of the Fremennik gave her a wide berth, just throwing her a glare as she walked by, but some of the especially surly looking for a fight dared to come up and give her grief. Even in her exhausted state, Rallis had enough fight left to roar and break a few bones or pin them to the ground and threaten them with limb removal. She was very quickly left alone. Olaf spotted her when he heard the telltale commotion of a fight and someone calling for Chieftain Brundt. Rallis hissed and slid away from the open market square where she had left her latest victim panicking and slid behind a nearby house to catch her breath. She leaned against the wall of the building heavily and panted in exhaustion. Olaf very carefully crept closer so as not to startle her.

“Rallis…”

The dragon jolted to attention at the sound of her name. She hadn’t heard it in so long. Her fury melted away as she spotted her friend. She could hardly get his name out without it sounding like some feral growl.

As Olaf stepped closer and got a better look at Rallis, his heart broke. She looked so tired and angry and scared. She was so much thinner than when she had left, frozen skin clinging to her bones making her look gaunt. An aura of unmelting frost hovered around her, and he noticed some patches of her scales were blackened with frostbite. But most startling of all were the copious bloodstains on her clothing. Her shirt was soaked brown with dried blood. Olaf couldn’t tell if it was her own or her victims’. Probably both.

“Gods… Rallis what happened out there?”

Olaf carefully reached a hand out and Rallis pushed it away with a hiss. The hurt glance across his face made her whine apologetically.

“Sorry… Just… don’t touch me right now. It hurts and I’ll bite.” Rallis sighed through her nose. “A lot happened out there. I just want to go home and be alone, away from humans.”

“Alone is the last thing you need to be,” Olaf retorted. “You were alone on a frozen rock for three whole months. You need help and I know you won’t get some on your own.” He motioned to her blackened skin for emphasis.

Rallis slowly blinked. “Three months? It was three months?” She slid down the wall and to the ground. “I didn’t expect… God, three whole months… I left my kids for so long! And my friends! Adam, he didn’t go to prison did he?”

Olaf sat down by her. “I don’t believe so. But I haven’t really heard anything of him. He didn’t need to hide away here from the authorities at any rate. Your friend Peg hung around here for a while, waiting with me for you to return, but after some days she went back to her life. It sounded like she was going with your green friend so I’m sure they’re both safe and sound. It’s you who I was worried about the most…”

Those words thawed her heart, just a little. After so many sleepless days and nights of fighting off people who hated her and wanted to mount her head to a wall, hearing that someone worried and cared about her made her feel a warmth she had begun to forget the feeling of. Rallis latched onto the bard in a hug and buried her face into his chest, not caring how her frostburnt scales ached in protest. She would have cried if she had the tears or the strength. Olaf returned the gesture, inexpressibly happy to have her back.

Rallis purred quietly. “You’re so warm… It’s nice.”

The bard’s cheeks dusted pink. “Why don’t you come inside then? I can make a fire and grab the blankets, make some hot chocolate and sit with you.”

That idea sounded like a dream to Rallis, but…

“I can’t. I need to go home. I need to see my kids. And I need to be alone, away from all these angry people.”

Her mind was made up and there was nothing Olaf could do to change it. He hugged her tighter and pulled away. “Alright. Then I beg you please take care of yourself. And if you need anything at all, you know where I am. You will always have a place here if you need it.”

“Thanks Olaf. I promise I won’t be gone for three months again.”

He let her go and watched sadly as she bolted out of town and away from him. Just like that, she was gone again. His heart ached to run after her, to keep holding her and keep her safe. But he couldn’t, and hated that fact more than anything. A pack of angry Fremennik followed by Chieftain Brundt turned the corner just in time to see the tips of Rallis’ tail feathers disappear from view. The Chieftain looked sad to see her go.

____________________________________________________________

Perhaps it wasn’t three months but three weeks still felt just as long. Olaf was much more at ease knowing Rallis was home now, but not spying horn nor tail of her for three whole weeks made him worry once again. He had to frequently remind himself she was likely resting up after her ordeal on Ungael, or getting her official certificate of entry from the Myths’ Guild, or visiting her friends and family. She had a life and he wasn’t always a part of it. Every day Olaf watched the front entrance of Relleka like a lovesick puppy, hoping she would visit. But she never did, and he had to get back to his duties as a council member.

Olaf could hardly focus on his work or meetings, thoughts preoccupied with Rallis. The state she was in when she returned had him constantly worried. He hoped she was doing better. Olaf was supposed to be taking notes during the meeting he was currently in, but his thoughts of Rallis kept him occupied. Someone snapped for him to get his head out of the clouds and pay attention. He reluctantly got back to work.

After 23 whole days since Rallis had left, Olaf was sure to keep count, Rallis returned to Relleka one afternoon. The bard was overjoyed and met her with a hug like a giddy schoolgirl. This time Rallis didn’t flinch or hiss, instead smiling and returning the gesture. Olaf motioned her toward his home. “I’m so glad you’re back,” he started. “I’ve been worried sick since I saw you last, you know.”

“Aww I’m sorry. I had to take a trip somewhere. Adam forced me. ‘To get better,’ he said. Yeah right! Worst vacation of my life! Don’t ever go to Entrana, you’ll be bored out of your mind.”

Olaf couldn’t help but grin at how she was talking and acting. This was the Rallis he knew and loved, the cheerful and bouncy blue dragon that lit up his life. He was very happy to see it wasn’t just her attitude that had improved. The frostbitten scales had returned to normal and it appeared any wounds she had sustained had healed up nicely.

Rallis flopped onto the blanketed floor once they stepped inside Olaf’s house. The fire was already going, melting away the foggy chill in the air. Rallis snuggled right up to it. She grabbed another blanket from the nearby folded pile to snuggle in while Olaf put a kettle of water over the fire. He snagged two mugs from a cupboard and dumped cocoa and sugar into each before handing one to Rallis. She smiled wide and wagged her tail. She knew hot chocolate when she saw it.

Olaf sat down and snuggled under the blanket with her. “So tell me more about what you’ve been up to. What was this adventure to Entrana with your friend?”

“It was the worst thing ever, that’s what! It was a prison! It was nothing but monks telling me what to do and bothering me while Adam sat back and watched or ran off to leave me with those fiends. They tried to make me wear these itchy brown robes and wake up before the sun and pray to Saradomin. Saradomin! The worst god in all of Gielinor! I think not! They got mad when I ate the grapes for their nasty wine and when I snuck off to play with the phoenixes and--!”

Rallis regaled Olaf with her adventures and he listened and laughed along. She told him what they did to at least try and help her with her growing rage and icy demeanor. She told him about what she did to celebrate once she and Adam left the island, how she, Adam, and Peg went to Grimro’s place in Morytania to get together for a meal and fun night of games. She told him about how her children reacted once she came home and how she had been spending time with them after having been gone for so long. Olaf hung onto every word with a smile. He had missed her so much, missed the days they’d chat the night away by the fire. When she had finished her tale, he chuckled and pulled her closer. She smiled and put her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. He missed that smile so much, that grin that brightened a room and brought happiness to everyone near. Her toothy grin, her beautiful blue eyes, her adorably expressive ears, he missed everything about her.

“I love you…”

Rallis’ smile vanished. She pulled her head away and sat up straight, looking at him with shock.

“What?”

Olaf blinked, then one more time slowly, then his eyes went wide as he panicked and realized he had just said that out loud. “Wh--! I--! No! That was--! I was thinking--! I didn’t--! Agghh!!!”

His stupid mouth had turned against him! And his brain! That was meant to stay in his head damn it! Now here he was, an absolute idiot who had dropped a bomb and sat in the aftermath of awkwardness not knowing what to do next. And the worst part was this wasn’t the first time he had done this! He had spurted his nonsense over a year ago when his foolish brain was clouded by unreciprocated sentiment after Rallis had performed a song on stage in the Longhall for an event, and she had turned him down, saying she wasn’t ready for a relationship like that. Dragons only had one shot when picking a partner and that was a decision she was certainly not ready to make yet. And he respected that, glad to continue being her friend. But gods be damned if he still didn’t love her and every little thing she did. He said he’d be patient and wait for her to make the first move, if she ever did, and he was good at waiting, he had to be! So why now of all times did he hastily mess up?! This wasn’t drama she needed after all she had gone through these past few months.

His mind raced as he tried to come up with an excuse. “I-- I meant I love… being around you! You’ve just been gone for so long and I was so worried I’m just so happy you’re back and that’s how it came out! I didn’t mean anything by it!” He laughed nervously. He hoped to every god in the universe he didn’t just ruin the greatest thing he had in his life. Rallis remained silent and looked down to her lap, thinking. Olaf’s mind raced. The silence was killing him! Being eaten alive by the Jormungand would be less painful than this!

After what felt like an entire Age, Rallis broke the silence. “I remember the first time you said that. You encouraged me to go on stage and sing for the town. I only went up because of you. I remember the flowers you gave me, and the note you hid between them that said…” She blushed remembering his card, far too embarrassed to repeat his words. “You remember why I said no, right?”

“I do,” Olaf murmured.

Rallis took a long breath. “I’m a dragon. I’m not a human. I get one chance. I don’t get to go on dates and see how I like different people. I choose one person to spend my life with, as all dragons do. And that’s scary.” She glanced back to Olaf, still in a silent panic. “My best friend has had so many girls he’s liked and I thought maybe all humans were like that. A lot of them seem to be like that anyway. Going from one person to the next until they settled on one they liked. But you… you’ve really felt the same way after all this time? After more than a whole year?”

“Of course! Have you seen yourself, how wonderful you are?! I’ve wanted to be with you from the first moment I saw you wander into town to listen to my music. At first I just didn’t realize it was as more than a friend. You mean more than the world to me…”

Rallis went silent once more. A strained air fell in the room. But soon Rallis flopped back to her position from before with her head on Olaf’s shoulder like nothing had happened. The man was startled at her sudden change of attitude. She wrapped her tail around him with a smile.

“You waited a long time for me to give you an answer,” she said. “Thank you for that. I think I have one now.”

Olaf’s heart stopped. This was really it. His blunder set into motion something that could never be undone. It was here and now he would finally have his answer, if he would spend the rest of his life with her or settle for being nothing more than a friend and never find anyone he could love more.

“O-Oh?” he trembled.

“I think…” Rallis nuzzled against Olaf’s cheek. “I love you too.”

Olaf’s entire face went red. He felt like he was floating away and falling down a bottomless pit at the same time. ‘This is just a cruel dream, isn’t it? This isn’t real. I fell asleep waiting for Rallis to visit and my mind has punished me.’

Rallis chirped, worried she did something wrong. It brought the bard back down to Gielinor and out of the clouds. This was real. It wasn’t a dream. He said I love you, and she said it back. Olaf smiled and laughed as a few tears trickled down his face. He kissed her nose and sniffled. “I love you so much Rallis… Next time let’s not save big news for the aftermath of life-threatening world-changing situations.”

Rallis giggled back, cheeks pink and face warm. “That sounds good to me.”

The water had begun to boil over the fire. The two had completely forgotten about their plans for cocoa. Olaf grabbed the kettle and poured them both a mug full. The day continued into the night like nothing had changed. Rallis told more stories, Olaf listened with a smile, just like usual. Except this time there was a closeness neither of them were afraid to feel anymore. Olaf smiled into his cocoa. He had done what he did best and waited, and it seemed good things do indeed come to those who wait.

[oswildin]

Don’t You See? {Part Two} ~ Dhawan!Master x F!Reader

~ Had to split this one shot into two parts for tumblrs word limit asksjsjsj ~

Summary: The Master is back one again. You can’t stop thinking about O. The Cyber Wars are here...

Warnings: Angst, Fluff, all that good boi shit

It had been months since you had encountered the Master. The Doctor had begun to pull away from you all. She began to grow distant, snappy and ruthless. You’d seen it before with her tenth form. You had tried to find out what had happened. You had gathered it was something do with the Master, since she had changed after their reunion.

You had felt conflicted. You knew O wasn’t real. You knew it was just the Master playing a part... But for some reason, seeing the same face, hearing the same voice as O... your friend... It was hard to differentiate the two. You couldn’t help but affiliate the Master with him, just hoping there was a part of him that wasn’t playing a part, that perhaps there was that kind person deep inside of him... masked by the Master’s act.

Currently you were stood on a coastline, just having escaped a Cyber war zone. You and Ryan had gotten separated from Yaz and Graham, but you’d just received a call from Yaz over an intercom, revealing they were on a cyber war ship. You were stood in front of the boundary, a large purple-pink time hole in the fabric of reality. However, it wasn’t all it seemed, as it soon changed appearance, opening so far that you were able to see through to the other side. You felt your whole body freeze.

Gallifrey.

You had recognised it from years before... but... it was destroyed... burning, smoking... You looked over at the Doctor, finally understanding why she had been upset recently... her home was destroyed. Gone once again. You understood it all.

You were soon pulled out of your thoughts as someone fell through the boundary, causing you all to flinch back for a second. Your eyes widened as you realised who it was that had fell through the portal.

“Wow!” The Master exclaimed, a wild smile on his face as his hair look disheveled. “Oh! Ah! That’s a good entrance, right?” He grinned at the people in front of him, the Doctor keeping her face features stern, as you almost felt a familiar warmth at seeing the man. “Be afraid Doctor.” His smile faded as his tone turned dark. “Because everything is about to change, forever.” He warned the fellow Timelord.

You had had enough. You were sick of the games, the tricks, the lies. If the Doctor wasn’t going to do anything, you would. You march forwards, ignoring Ryan’s calls as you faced the crazed man. He looked down at you with inquisitive eyes, a small smirk on his face, almost challenging you. You took it. You slapped him across the face as Ryan gasped and the Doctor looked shocked.

“Ow!” The Master exclaimed, biting his lip as he narrowed his eyes, turning his head back to face you. He almost smirked. “Oh! Just what I needed!” He exclaimed, licking his lips. “A good old fashion slap.”

“Yeah, there’s more where they came from.” You told him seriously, the Doctor stepping forwards at your words, pulling you back.

“I bet there is.” He winked at you as you almost growled at the man.

Everyone sat in one of the massive tents on the coast, silence filling the room as Ryan kept his eyes glaring at the Master whilst the Doctor paced. The Master stood quietly in the corner of the room, watching the others. He sighed to himself, pursing his lips as he whistled.

“Would you stop that?” Ryan narrowed his eyes at the man as the Master simply increased his volume of whistling. You rolled your eyes at the child-like alien. “I said stop it.” Ryan stepped forwards, almost threateningly as the Master just grinned wider at the human.

“Ryan, leave it.” You told him gently. “Trust me. He won’t listen.” You informed your friend as the Master’s gaze fell onto you.

“All he had to do was say please.” He argued as you clenched your jaw.

“I’m going to go try getting ahold of Yaz again.” The Doctor announced, worry taking over for her friends. “Keep an eye on him. Shout if you need anything.” She told you sternly as you nodded at her. She quickly left the room with your newest companion as you and Ryan were left alone with the madman.

The Master clicked his tongue as he began to stalk the room, looking around at all the useless gadgets that were sprawled across tables. You watched him closely, knowing he had something up his sleeve. He always did. He wouldn’t have gone through the portal if he didn’t. You walked over to him, stalking him almost as he came to a halt, turning to face you. Ryan watched anxiously, seeing the anger you had on your features not long ago because of the man.

“What’s your plan?” You asked bluntly. “And don’t play dumb, because I know you.” You told him, folding your arms. “You popping through the boundary wasn’t an unhappy coincidence...” He smirked down at you as he looked amused.

“That’s why I always liked you. You always saw right through me...” He narrowed his eyes. “Well, except for when I was O... In fact, I do believe I caught you staring at me a few times across the office.” He teased. “Naughty.” He smirked, as it reached his eyes, mischief evident in them. You felt yourself grow uncomfortable under his stare. Ryan looked confused at the pair as he watched the two stare at each other.

“You have no right.” You told him. “No damn right.” You sneered, anger returning to your eyes. “You never change do you? Even when you stood by the Doctor all those years ago.” You shook your head, scoffing. “Didn’t change anything did it. Still the same old mad lonely-“ Before you could finish your words, the Master growled, cutting you off. He leapt forwards, grabbing you by your arm as he began to walk towards the exit of the tent. Ryan’s eyes widened as he watched the Master roughly dragging you.

“Hey!” Ryan exclaimed, grabbing one of the blasters that were laying on the tables around him. “Let her go!” You shook your head at Ryan, telling him not to get involved.

“Move out of my way.” The Master darkly ordered, as Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat.

“Not until you let her go.” Ryan argued, as the Master rolled his eyes in annoyance. The Master stalked towards him, still keeping a tight grip on your arm, as Ryan froze. He couldn’t do it. The Master shoved past him, marching through the tent as he brought you out into the daylight. You searched wildly for the Doctor, finally spotting her by the commutation port.

“Doctor!” Ryan called, grabbing her attention. Her eyes widened in panic as she saw the Master dragging you back towards the Boundary.

“No!” She cried, quickly running after you both as you entered through the portal.

The Master dragged you through as you landed on the sandy ground of Gallifrey. He almost threw you down as he gestured around him.

“This!” He exclaimed, hair in his eyes as he almost looked feral. “This is why I am the way I am! This place...” He narrowed his eyes, looking down at you. “It had to burn.” He spat, as you looked around seeing the destruction he had caused. It looked worse than in the Time War. Everything was smoking, the Sky was a deep burnt orange clouded by grey, buildings were broken down, tumbling to the ground. You looked up at him in shock at your surroundings. He did this. No wonder the Doctor was looking for the Master.

“Don’t you see...” His voice lowered as he stood over you. “This is who I was supposed to be. The bringer of chaos and fire.” He almost smiled, shivered at the words that left his lips. You shook your head, slowly standing to meet his eyes.

“No.” You told him sternly. “A Cyberman is supposed to bring those things. And we are in the middle of the greatest war humankind has ever seen!” You exclaimed. The Master grinned at your words.

“My kind of world.” He smirked as you grew angry at his words.

“Why don’t you just drop this big bad wolf act?!” You argued, narrowing your eyes. “It’s not working! It never will!” You told him, a breathy laugh escaping your lips. “Don’t you see?” You threw his own words back at him. “Time and time again, you tear down worlds, try to destroy the Doctor...” You kept your tone stern. “And time and time again, you fail.” He sneered at your comment. “Why?” You furrowed your brows. “What if you don’t want to succeed, not really...” You challenged him. He snarled at her as he turned away, stalking forwards slightly.

“You know nothing.” He snapped, anger evident in his tone. “You’re just a pathetic pitiful human, with a mind so small-“ He turned back to face you. “And empty, who wants to live up to the Doctor’s expectations.” You raised a brow at his words.

“If my pathetic opinion doesn’t matter, then why are you so upset about it?” You questioned as he clenched his hands that hung by his side. You knew you had struck a chord, and it pleased you. You knew you were right. “And there it is.” You said quietly.

“You are the most infuriating human I have ever had the displeasure of knowing.” He commented spitefully as you rolled your eyes at his words.

“You’re the most infuriating Timelord I’ve ever known.” You retorted, your anger subsiding. You looked at him, getting flashes of O in your mind as you felt yourself grow saddened. You couldn’t help but still see him. Still think about him. It was stupid, weak, pointless. “You managed to put up with me pretty well at MI6.” You told him, looking at him with a softer expression.

“I had to.” He argued. “Couldn’t exactly lose my temper with you could I? It would’ve blown my whole cover.” He walked towards you, eyes still dark. “The amount of rubbish I had to listen to... The humanity I had to endure...”

“And yet here we are.” You told him. “You and me. Again.” You shook your head, laughing bitterly. “Every time. It’s always you and me... Whether you’re trying to destroy Earth, take over the world, kill the Doctor...” You paused, staring at him.

“I’m beginning to think you have a soft spot for me.” He narrowed his eyes, a mischievous smile on his lips. “You certainly did for O.” You cleared your throat, pulling your gaze away from his own. You couldn’t let him see you weak. You soon composed yourself, straightening your back, but he had noticed. He took another step forwards, his body closer to your own as you looked up at him confused, trying to stand your ground. You didn’t move, you refused to. You felt your heart rate increase. “I can feel your heartbeat...” He told you simply. “You’re in a heightened state of anxiety.” You bit your lip, unable to tear your gaze away from his own.

“Wouldn’t you be?” You challenged, swallowing. He didn’t say anything, continuing to stare at you with analysing eyes.

“This wasn’t part of the plan.” He mumbled to himself as he almost seemed to be cursing himself in the process. “But you’re always there.” He said hatefully. You furrowed your brows at his words. He gently grabbed your wrist, as you kept your eyes on him. You didn’t notice what he was doing, too entranced by his gaze to feel anything. You heard a click as you were brought out of your trance, looking down at your wrist in confusion, seeing a device locked around it.

“Master?” You lifted your wrist, looking at the device before looking back at him as he almost looked apologetic for a second. He didn’t say anything as you suddenly disappeared from before him, a light engulfing you.

You gasped, falling forwards as you realised you were home... Back on Earth... You looked around, confused at your surroundings. What had he done? You looked down at your wrist, managing to put two and two together... Vortex Manipulator... You cursed as you had realised he had sent you away. Why? You needed to go back. You had to. God knows what he was planning, or what was happening to your friends.

It had been a few hours since you teleported home. You paced around, biting your nails as you tried to come up with a solid plan. The manipulator was dead. The trip killing it. You had travelled from many years in the future... You grew frustrated as you ripped the device from your wrist, launching it across the room as you yelled. You felt useless. Hopeless.

You were brought out of your thoughts by a loud crash in another room. You felt your hair on the back of your neck stand on end as you listened carefully, hearing movement. You furrowed your brows, grabbing the closest weapon you could find... which was a lamp on a table. You ripped it from its socket as you held it like a baseball bat. You cautiously walked towards the hallway, hearing more movement as you rounded the corner, instantly dropping the lamp as you saw who it was...

The Master.

He wasn’t wearing his signature purple jacket, his sleeves rolled up, whilst his eyes had dark circles underneath them. His hair flopped in front of his eyes as he looked defeated. You rushed to his side, helping him stand as he had clearly been injured. You helped him to your sofa in the other room as he sat down, hissing in pain as he clutched his side.

“Where is the Doctor? Where’s the others?” You asked frantically, as he gave you a solemn expression. You felt your heart drop. “What happened?” You asked quietly, anxiety rising.

The Master eventually told you of the future. How whilst the Doctor survived her world was torn apart. She had lost Yaz and Graham. He told you how he promised to help the Doctor keep them safe, but failed. You let tears fall from your eyes as you listened to his story. Your friends were dead. Gone. The Doctor and Ryan god knows where...

“I’m sorry.”

You froze at his words, never expecting them to come from his mouth. Whatever he had been through, it was enough to change him. You looked at him as he gave you a sincere saddened stare. You nodded at his words, not saying anything. You noted how he was still clutching his side. You decided to grab your first aid kit from the kitchen, walking back to him as he looked at you questionably. You ordered him to lift his shirt on that side, as it revealed a large gash. You tried your best to help.

“Why did you send me away?” You finally asked. The question that had been on your mind for the last few hours. He didn’t look at you as you continued to search his face for an answer. “You shouldn’t have done it. It wasn’t your choice to make.” You told him sternly, but your voice still held curiosity.

“I had to.” He told you quietly, still not looking over at you. “You didn’t deserve to witness what I had to.” He said softly, his eyes sad. You bit your lip, listening to his words intently. “I couldn’t...” He paused, sighing. “I couldn’t risk losing you.” You froze at his words, confusion on your face.

“What?” You forced out, your mouth hung open slightly.

“Don’t play dumb.” He hissed, pushing you away as he sat forwards, letting his shirt fall back down on his side. “I thought it was obvious.” You looked more confused.

“Not to me.” You furrowed your brows. “You hate me.” You said quietly. He sighed, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

“Oh humans... You’re all thick.” He muttered as you tried not to take offence. Good to see his hatred for your kind was still present.

“Timelords aren’t exactly good at communicating.” You retorted, folding your arms. “Bottling things up is more your style.” You commented as he snapped his eyes to yours.

“Maybe.” He said. “But we have good reason for it. Living thousands of years... You see a lot... Feel a lot.” He narrowed his eyes. “If we addressed every single thing that happened to us, we would be here for centuries.” He informed you as he gritted his teeth. “The Doctor thinks you’re dead.” He told you as you pulled back in surprise. “Blames me of course.”

“Why didn’t you tell her?” You shook your head, feeling anger rise. “She thinks she’s lost everyone!” You argued. “You could’ve just told her the truth!”

“Not exactly my style.” He raised a brow. “Especially when it comes to her.” You sighed, getting out your phone from your pocket. “What are you doing?”

“Calling her.” You told him, but before you could do anything, he snatched the device from your hand, throwing it across the room, shattering it. “What do you think you’re doing?!” You cried, growing more irritated by the second.

“Oh shut up!” He snapped. “Just shut up for a second!” He breathed out, ignoring the pain. “Don’t you see?! I did this for you!” He cried as you stared at him. “All those years with the Doctor... You would’ve ended up with the rest of her pets. Alone. Isolated. Dead.” He told you, eyes dark.

“It would’ve been my choice to make! It should’ve been!” You argued, getting up from your seated position, pacing the room. “I’ve always been there for her! Always! Now she’s got no one. Ryan will undoubtably leave! He’s lost everything.” You felt tears welling up in your eyes once again. The Master pushed himself off the sofa with a struggle, grimacing as he tried to steady himself.

“The Doctor isn’t deserving of you.” He told you, clutching his side still.

“Oh? And you are?” You fired back, raising a brow.

“No.” He shook his head, brows relaxing. “No I am not.” He said quietly, truthfully. “But I want to be.” You furrowed your brows, eyes softening. “You made the Doctor a better person.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I want you to do the same for me.” He paused, looking into your eyes for an answer, pleading almost. “You were right. Back on Gallifrey.” He admitted, clenching his jaw. “Maybe I never wanted to succeed...” You felt your anger slowly disappear at his words, your empathetic side showing through. You sighed, stepping towards him.

“How do I know this isn’t another one of your schemes?” You asked, fearing that he was tricking you once again. He laughed breathily, raising his brows.

“You don’t.” He pursed his lips. “But that’s the fun of it.” He smirked as you tried to search his face for any indications of deceit. “I can try and show you...” He began as he held out his free hand to you. You eyed it, hesitantly taking it carefully, cautiously. His brown eyes bored into your own (E/C) eyes. You bit your lip as his expression softened. He slowly began to lean towards you, as you could hear your heartbeat in your ears, your breath hitching in your throat. His lips lingered over your own as you fought to urge to connect. But you didn’t fight when he made the move, closing the last bit of gap between you both. You didn’t care if it was a trap. You couldn’t fight it. You gave in, allowing him to take full control as your mouths moved in sync.

You were a goner.

~

Taglist: @drapetxmaniia @dannighost @imagine-whatever @yourlocalspacebisexual @the-sweet-space-bi @a--1--1--3 @blamerogertaylor @koschei-taylor @koschei-studies @lostshadow12 @hannahlilyyx @wonders-of-the-multiverse @ettorah @nikey-no-likey @imthedoctorlove @twentysomethingloser92 @startrekkingaroundasgard @sometimes-i-feel-like-falling @hellothedoctorisreal @tragic-and-tried @kind-sober-fullydressed @ateliefloresdaprimavera @chiswicknoble

[seasonofthegeek]

Covered in Ashes

This drabble was requested by @27percentonrottentomatoes through ko-fi. Thanks so much for your support and your super kind words. They made my day! <3

There are spoilers for the episode Chat Blanc though it diverges from canon. 

___

“You don’t look very happy to see me, Minibug.” Bunnyx stepped out of her portal but left it open behind her. 

Ladybug sighed and dropped her yoyo back to her side, realizing she wasn’t going home like she’d planned. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Chat Noir was still making his way across rooftops on his way home in the opposite direction. “It’s never good when you wait to come see me after Chat Noir is gone. Please don’t tell me you found another one.”

“Afraid so. Come on.” The older hero returned through the portal and Ladybug reluctantly followed her.

“We have to be getting up into the thirties now. How does this keep happening to him? I’ve tried to be so careful. I haven’t done anything that could give away my identity to anyone.”

“You’re not the only factor. I’ve told you that before,” Bunnyx replied, searching for the right viewing window. “And this one is different from the others. I don’t think you’re going to be able to change things back.”

Ladybug stepped closer as her eyes flicked carefully between windows. Bunnyx had given up trying to shield her for the most part and it’d become a blessing and a curse. “Why do you say that?”

“There’s nothing left.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly that.” Bunnyx pointed to a dark screen. “There’s nothing left. The world, the universe, it’s all gone. I don’t think even the Cure can do anything about that. You said Tikki warned you that these Chat Blanc restorations were taking a toll, didn’t you?”

“She said her magic wasn’t meant to be used for something so massive so often.” Ladybug peered into the darkness. “I don’t understand. If Chat Blanc destroyed literally everything in this timeline...”

“He still can’t destroy himself,” she answered softly. “See that small spot there?” She tapped a blurry speck in all the darkness. 

“That’s him?” Her voice came out in a breathless whisper. “How...”

“He’s just floating, I think. There’s nothing for him to hold on to. He’s just out there for eternity.”

Ladybug felt her eyes sting. “And I can’t help him?”

Bunnyx sucked in a loud breath. “Well, I can bring him out. I can go grab him, but...”

“But then where does he go,” Ladybug finished. “Because I still have my Chat Noir.”

“Right.”

“Would it...I mean, does the universe implode if they are both in the same timeline?”

She frowned, brow furrowing her mask. “I don’t think so. This Chat is an extension of your Chat, just like I’m a version of the Alix you know. It’s a little timey wimey, but I don’t think it would make too much of a problem.”

“Except for Chat suddenly having a twin.”

“There is that.” They both looked back at the screen, straining to see the small white fleck in all the darkness. “I can...I can just leave him,” Bunnyx offered.  “This timeline is over. There’s nothing left that can happen.” 

“But he’s in there and he’s alive. I can’t leave him like that.”

“He might be too far gone. We haven’t come against one that’s destroyed this much.”

“I have to try.”

“The last one tried to kill you as soon as he saw you. He was pretty bad off. This Chat Blanc might be worse.”

Ladybug worried her bottom lip. “Then maybe he shouldn’t see me, or not me like this.”

“It’d be too dangerous for you to try to handle him as Marinette.”

“I don’t know how long he’s going to be here. I can’t stay transformed all the time,” she reasoned. “Chat Noir visits me on my balcony sometimes when he gets lonely. Maybe this Chat will remember it.”

Bunnyx eyed her warily. “Are you sure this is something you want to try?”

“It’s something I have to try.” She looked back at the screen. “I have to save him.”

___

Marinette paced the balcony anxiously. She had a couple of bottles of water and some snacks already set out on the lounger, along with a blanket and, just in case, some pepper spray. She jumped when she heard the telltale staticky spark of a portal opening and she stepped back as it widened.

“I don’t know if this is going to work,” Bunnyx warned as she dragged a limp body through the portal. Chat Blanc’s head lolled to the side and she unceremoniously let him drop to the floor. “I had to knock him out. He lost it when he saw me. He started growling and scratched me pretty good.” She turned her arm to the light to show deep red lines in the torn tatters of her suit.

“I’ll try to talk to him.”

“I don’t know if there’s anyone home to talk to. He’s feral.”

Marinette set her jaw in determination. “I have to try, okay? Maybe he’ll be different with me.”

“Because you love him.”

She blushed and turned her face away. “Because we have a special bond.”

“Sure.” Bunnyx stared down at Chat Blanc. “I’ve looked ahead on this, you know.”

“And?”

“And there’s a few ways it can go, most of them not great, the others tragic,” she admitted.  “So I have to ask again, are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She sighed heavily. “Okay then. I’ll check in when I can. And please be careful, Minibug. The world needs you too.”

Marinette nodded and watched the portal close with Bunnyx in it. She took a steadying breath and knelt down beside the crumpled figure on her balcony. His hair was longer than most of the others she’d come up against. It was ragged and there were tears along his suit. She frowned at the darkened skin she saw through the torn fabric. As an akuma, he shouldn’t have changed like this. His body should’ve been safe with the magic; it was his mind that would’ve suffered. How long had he been like this to show this much damage? 

Long enough to give up and try to destroy everything, including himself.

She brushed his hair from his face with care and he flinched at her touch. His eyes stayed closed but there was a tightening around them. “It’s me, Chat,” she said in a soft voice. “It’s just me, Marinette.”

His lips moved but no sound came out, and he curled in on himself. 

“Are you hungry or thirsty? I’ve brought some food up for you.”

His eyes opened slowly and Marinette realized she would never be use to seeing them like this. She’d come against dozens of Chat Blancs now but the eyes always hurt her. It wasn’t even the difference in color. They just weren’t his. They were missing that special spark that made Chat Noir who he was.

“Can you hear me, Chat? Do you understand?”

His eyes flicked to hers and then down to her lips. He frowned and kept watching her mouth.

Marinette tried again. “Chat? I’m Marinette.”

He met her gaze once more and there was a light of recognition in them.

“You know me.”

He blinked once, slowly.

“You’re safe now, okay? I’m going to make sure you’re safe.” She reached out to touch his shoulder but dropped her hand when he flinched away before she could touch him. She stood then and crossed the small space. “I’m going to give you some room,” she announced. She sat down on the lounger and placed a bottle of water and a bag of chips at the edge of it and then put her hands in her lap.

Chat Blanc watched her as he pushed himself up into a sitting position. He cocked his head to the side, ears back, unsure. 

“A friend helped me find you,” she explained, trying to keep her attention away from the man creeping closer to the lounger as not to scare him back. “I want to help you.”

“Help...me...” His voice was strangled and raspy as if he hadn’t used it in much too long.

Marinette gave up trying not to watch him and felt herself fighting against the lump in her throat. “I’m going to help you, Chaton. I promise.”

He frowned, jaw clenching.  “Mari...nette...”

“Maybe if you drink some water, it will be easier to talk.” She offered the bottle and he eyed it for a few long seconds before roughly taking it from her. He drank sloppily, water running down his chin onto the dirty white of his suit, rivulets of the liquid making sooty runs. 

Ash, she realized. His suit was covered in ash from the world he destroyed. 

He finished the bottle and let it drop and roll across the wooden planks.

“More?” She held out another and he grabbed it from her and wrenched off the cap. “Try to slow down a little. You’re losing more than you’re getting.”

There was a low growl but he noticeably slowed down, his throat working loudly as he swallowed. 

She shivered and realized it had little to do with the cool weather. She was scared of him. Even if she couldn’t admit it aloud, she could at least confess it to herself. This wasn’t her Chat. This wasn’t the partner she knew and loved. This Chat was a stranger and he scared her.

And yet, she still wanted to save him.

Because deep down, she knew he was her Chat all the same.

____

Marinette was exhausted. She’d coaxed Chat Blanc into her room but couldn’t get him down further than her bed. She’d given him more water and snacks but he stayed put, blue eyes glowing down at her in the dim light. She’d finally given up trying anything else and grabbed an extra blanket from her trunk to sleep on the chaise. She knew he was watching her as she tried to force sleep on herself, but she attempted to ignore him. Her mind was just too tired to try anymore tonight.

Her dreams were an uneasy mix of Chat Noir and Chat Blanc morphing into each other and then back again until she was startled awake by something knocking against the hand she had hanging off the side of the chaise. She blinked into the darkness and had to stifle a scream when glowing blue eyes much too close blinked back at her. 

“Chat?” she whispered harshly, her heart hammering in her throat.

The blue eyes closed again and then she felt him bump his head against her hand. Without too much thought, she let her fingers slide into his hair and he pressed up against her palm with a small sound. She stayed stiff for a moment before letting her arm rest and Chat’s head lowered with it. Sleep pulled at her again and she let it take her but she made sure to keep her hand in Chat Blanc’s hair so he knew she was right there with her. 

The final sound she heard before she was gone again was a stuttering deep purr that made her feel warm as she drifted away. 

Buy me a cherry coke?

[anteroom-of-death]

Life, for Dummies p1

a/n: plz love me and go easy. i haven’t written anything since dodos were alive....

You were new to the “fam”. The Doctor picked you up randomly like a stray. Not that you minded most days. It felt like transfering to a school in March: the middle of the semester. And much like high school, friends groups were already formed. Hell, you couldn’t believe that Yaz and the Doc weren’t slamming each other against the walls and making out running down corridors and such. 

Graham especially treated you well. Like a pottering but wicked smart granddad. Ryan too, you could bond over basketball and other fun stuff. But still. A second out of step. Any time you had these thoughts, you shoved it down and cursed not totally growing out of your middle school “I’m not like other girls!” mindset. Which, what the fuck? You were a grown ass woman. 

“Y/N?” the Doctor said waving a hand in front of you, snapping you from your reverie as you came to the present. You are on Gallifrey and there’s some psycho of the week- named the Master looking ferally at you all like he was planning what bathtub you’d wake up in with a kidney missing. You totally zoned out. The Wii Mii music might as well be what plays when you enter a room. 

Shaking yourself you tried to size up the current threat. So- this is where the Doctor’s from? No bad considering it looked like a mix between Dresden after the bombing and Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It had lots of open fields. Big skies. Plenty of sunlight from two burning suns so no “When the street lights kick on, you come back in!” The image of a tiny little blonde baby-Doc bobbing around chasing space fireflies was cute. 

Damn reveries. 

“Be afraid Doctor!” He said five minutes earlier. 

How could anyone be afraid of that. Sure when swapping past stories they told you he was crazy and killed people. The grunting he made coming through the portal was not something fearful. They were oddly sexual. The Doctor’s greatest enemy? Was right before you?

“I should have had more coffee!” You whined under your breath. Honestly. All this running, you didn’t know if you needed to mainline Folger’s or get one of those dorky water packs suburban white dads had for hiking.

This fucker grinned at that. “You’re funny!” He giggled pointing at you. Figures he had like, super sonic hearing. “You didn’t tell me you had funny little humans with you this time!” 

“Hilarious dude! Can you even reach the shelves in the grocery store?” It was a pithy attempt at humor. The man had no right calling humans small. 

He laughed and looked like he was debating killing you. He gave a resounding twirlin’ and then went onto monologue as if he were written by Joss Wheden. Mainly at the Doctor. But he kept glancing over at you. Yaz and Ryan were obviously acting on primal instinct of figuring how to take the Master down and Graham looked half bored. They’d met him before. Graham looked like he was just waiting for it to be done. Graham was chill. Reliable. He didn’t fly off the handle as much as the rest of you all. He was older. He was one margarita away from becoming a Parrothead. You liked that. 

The Master’s glances felt disarming. Like he’d already seen you without your clothing. Not that it felt like a bad thing. He wasn’t unattractive as far as aliens went. Actually, kind of hot. The kind of hot you’d go for if it wasn’t for the fact he was massively evil, tried to kill all humans, and is currently being a bastard to your close friends. Something unique about his clapping. You did that when you were over excited. 

He was dashing. 

His eyes were large and just drew you in, mentally you knew every time he glanced over. Like he wanted to let you know it was for you and you alone. And he was fit, still soft. Something about the soft jaw, slight roundness to thighs and slight slouch of the tummy. The swagger and toothy grins? His skin looked soft and nice too. Crazy fashion sense. Maybe the inability to dress yourself was a Time Lord thing? 

G-d, those lips, so round and full and a nice color. You shoved a thought about, other parts being that color away. Were you really here, having a team huddle, imagining the evil bad man’s cock? Desperation, party of one. You hadn’t been laid in a long time, but really?

“Y/N!” Yaz asked as you looked over and the Master smirked directly at you, like he knew you were trying to picture his cock at that moment. “What do you think?”

You groaned, “I don’t know!” your voice peaked a hoarse few octaves. The Master had you wrapped around his finger and he didn’t even touch you. 

“He seems mega powerful.” You throw your hands out to exaggerate. He turned and pointed you out, “You have no idea what powers I have.”

“Man, shut the fuck up, or I’m gunna hit you.” You said plainly. Your eyes rolled back into your skull. You were suddenly your normal self again. He was just some dude, like any you’d see on the streets trying to undermine your confidence or get you to give him the time of day.

“No you won’t.” And he was right. 

So you all just followed the lead of your fearless leader, the Doctor…

_________________________3 Weeks Later __________________________

You were back home. It was Corona Time. And definitely not the fun kind. You were worried absolutely sick. Was the Doctor alive? What about Gallifrey? What was all of that? So many questions raced through your quarantined mind. That and a few errant daydreams about the Master taking you with what you assumed had to be a massive cock. What was that overused phrase you’d seen the internet use? Big Dick Energy? The man had got to have had a set of cojones on him for the amount.

You couldn’t shake that son of a bitch from your mind. 

He was hauntingly attractive. But evil. You were in a moral panic 24/7. You felt like those soulfully pained eyes followed you around your house all the time. 

You were trying to focus on finding work from home jobs that were legitimate. You gave up your career to run around and play 5th wheel and now you were paying. Shelter inside? More like buying lots of unneeded skincare to fill a new void in you.

You were just ready to click “apply” on Indeed when those asthmatic engine noises started pounding in your yard. Was that the Doctor? Saving you from going insane and buying the 200 plus dollars in your cart on DHC’s webstore. 

No, you didn’t see a kitschy blue box, but a stately match for your shed, but nicer. 

Who should appear? But the rat bastard himself. 

Boy, you were so screwed.

Suddenly he smiled politely and waved at you through the window. He pointed at your back door and was asking to be let in. 

Cautiously you opened the window. “Go away, Master.” 

“Is that polite to say? I’m your first visitor in weeks and you shove me-” He faux-shocked put his hand over his mouth “away?” You couldn’t tell if he was faking being insulted or for reals.

“I’d shove Timmy down a well if he killed my best friend and all her people.”

“Let me in, I just want to talk.” He opened his hand like he was caught red handed. 

You slammed the window down harder than probably recommended. You felt the slam’s noise in your jaw. He’d get the message maybe. Or maybe you’d let him in and pin his ass to the living room carpet. Choices, choices. You went back and clicked ‘place order’, your bank account app dinged and said you had less than fifty dollars left. No one was going nowhere so it didn’t matter. You finished your tea in a few gulps. You made your choice. 

Opening up the window, you shouted “Take off your jacket and place all of your weapons and your TARDIS key on the patio. Shoes too. Toss them into the Rose of Sharon.” You’d be damned if he was gonna kill you in your own house, surrounded by your own possessions, in your own damn town. 

“What’s a Rose of Sharon Y/N?” He asked, genuinely confused. “It’s the dead bush that’s claimed the entire ramp up to my patio…” Sighing you pointed at it. 

He giggled and obliged. 

Always giggling. 

He knocked as you were rooting for your sharpest whatever you could find. You opened the door and ushered him in. Almost comically, you began patting him down and weidling your weapon of choice. Excellent ass, you had to admit. Soft, yet firm. 

“Having a good feel, love?” He asked as you were admiring it. 

“Hey, you never know…” You off-brand sighed. He was nice to touch. It was addictive. 

He paced around your home, looking at the photos of you and your family. The stack of bills in boxes, your life. Like he was examining art in a museum. 

“I don’t appreciate you fondling my fruit.” You said when he’d made his way into your kitchen. 

He grinned, “Isn’t it customary for you humans to offer a beverage or a snack to guests?” 

Massaging your temples you handed him one of those nutri grain granola bars that crumble everywhere and a can of Coke. 

“Not very much, huh?” 

“There's a pandemic out there you dense motherfucker!” You shouted almost singing the words “pandemic” and “motherfucker”, throwing your arms upwards for examples.

You felt like you could swear around him. With the rest of your current social circle you felt like there was a PG-13 limit to your speech. 

“Forgive me.” He rolled his eyes. Tit for tat matching you. He leaned heavy on his seat and opened up the can and drank politely. You almost believed him

“So why are you here?” sitting down across from him cracking your finger joints and wrists out of habit. “Run out of people to piss off in space?” 

“Oh, always plenty there.” 

You snorted. 

“You seem very sure of yourself. Different from her other little pets.” He said. “Or, is it just a show…” He bore directly into your soul. “I’d believe it.” You glared at him, still holding your weapon, sure it wasn’t much. But to quote a legend “That’s my purse, I don’t know you!”

“You know what they say when you assume…” You put it out there.

“I don’t know!” He fumed on a hairpin notice. “Something about a donkey!”

“Relax, Jeeze.” You let out a nervous chuckle.

He grinned that megawatt, perfectly white smile with teeth better than most Hollywood actors. 

“You’re bored.” He observed.

“I’ve been confined in my house for three weeks.” You stated.

“What if...you weren’t.” He weighed the words out. Almost physically with his hands. G-d those hands. How soaked in blood were they? But how dexterous were they? You swatted away thoughts of how nice they’d be buried in you, “Oy, gevalt!” You said. Noticing you had been staring at his fingertips for a second too long…

“You seem distracted...Is it me? Is the Doctor’s little pet wanting to try out some real leadership?” He mocked, but there was some other little tone to it. Care? Amusement? Yearning? A combination of all four? Who knows. You didn’t.

His eyes had the most whimsical gorgeous glow, and his eyelashes had the most attractive flutter.

“Ya caught me!” You barked with all the false sarcasm you could feign. 

“Oh, I promise that I won’t blow up any planets, kick any orphans, wreck a ship carrying puppies and kittens for adoption... I’ll just show you the real way to see the stars. None of that running through corridors and fighting for your life. The way it should be seen.” He said, his nice waistcoat coated in crumbs. 

“Or are you a coward? Afraid to see the other side of the coin? Y/N.” You were inherently a little bit of a coward. He crooked a crooked grin.

You pondered and helped yourself to an apple. Hoping that he’d see your teeth and that’d be another layer of “Don’t fuck with me, Please!” Though you desperately almost craved to be fucked with at this point.

You pause and consider this, is it betrayal? To follow your instincts and go off with a literal madman instead of your new “fam” because and called you on your self-sure bullshit?

“Is she alive? Is the Doctor alive?” You pleaded. A bit of tears threatening to come up.

“Yes, of course.” He assured you. It was very comforting. He slowly grabbed at your hand. “I may not be a man of a lot of truths, but I’ll tell you this. She always somehow comes out on top. It’s frustrating.” The warmth was real in his voice and in his eyes.

You closed your eyes and willed yourself sane. But the little nagging at your core said to. Give in, give up. Go with him. 

“‘Kay.” You nodded. Suddenly sullen. “I’ll go.” The smile you gave was tired and you got up. You were almost shaking. He touched you and you came undone. This was not healthy. You’d blame the self-isolation, but deep down you knew it went deeper. Your jaw was trembling a bit. Self-preservation was gone. 

You screwed yourself up again and poked a finger on his chest. “Try anything funny that gets me killed and I’m stabbing you.” 

“No, you won’t.” This time, it was an order. An order wrapped in velvet and coated in chocolate.

You turned to go pack and he grabbed at your wrist. “No, you don't need that. I got a wardrobe department worthy of choice.” He grabbed at his shirt and brandished his look. 

“Fine.” You said. So tired, but feeling more alive than you had in years at once. 

Grabbing your hand and all his stuff out of your yard he pulled you into his TARDIS and it left. Off to the next….

[oldsilverblood5]

Childhood

Thankfully, the Fentons ghost hunting tech was less advanced in the past and sneaking into their home was easier than it had ever been. Without their modified warning system or ghost shield, Phantom was able to sneak in using all the blind spots they hadn’t discovered yet.

He only hoped he wasn’t so far in the past that they didn’t have a working ghost portal yet. That would really throw a wrench into his plans to get back to his own time. Still though, he had to wonder why he had to find Clockwork on his own. Surely if he weren’t meant to be here, the time ghost would have already intervened. Right?

There was no one in the main floor of the house, so Phantom headed straight for the basement. Once inside, he froze at the sound of an unearthly screech. It sounded primal, and hurt, and Phantom knew it had to be a ghost.

Phantom ground his teeth together. Normally, he would rush in to save whatever poor ghost had been captured by the Fentons, but he couldn’t risk any changes to the past. He tried to tell himself that this had already happened, and there was nothing he could do, but before he could work up the courage to go in and look for the ghost portal, he heard another scream.

This one sounding like a human child.

“Don’t let your fear control you, Danny. That’s what it wants.” Maddie’s stern voice spoke up.

Phantom’s core thrummed in confusion and fear, and he turned the corner to investigate the lab before he knew what he was doing.

In the middle of the lab was a large glass cage, it was long and took up a huge amount of space. Maddie and Jack stood to the side and observed the cage like the cold scientists they were. Inside was the screeching ghost, back facing Phantom and looking at something on the other side of the long box that was out of his vision.

The ghost lunged with the same animalistic screech that sounded very wrong to Phantom’s ears, and a small figure slid under the floating form. Phantom immediately recognised the other person in the cage as a child, and a moment later, he realised who the child was.

“Danny?” He whispered to himself in disbelief. Phantom watched the pre-teen version of his rival stand and fire a blast from his gun that just barely grazed the ghost’s shoulder. The ghost ignored the blast, and several more that did a better job of hitting it, as it quickly lunged back at the younger Danny.

Now with a better view of the ghost, Phantom almost gasped at the sight of them. Mottled green and grey skin, flaming wisps of red hair, solid black eyes and foaming mouth open in a snarl, showing off too big fangs. There was something wrong with this ghost. Something so very wrong.

They pounced on the child, holding him down with clawed hands, and proceeded to screech in his face. They leaned in to possibly bite into Danny’s face, but the young hunter reached up with an ecto-laced knife to slash into the ghost’s abdomen. The pain from the wound made them rear back and howl and Danny was able to kick them off. He was tackled again as he tried to stand, this time from behind as he was facing away when he stood, and he hit the ground with a groan. The scream that the child made when the ghost clawed deep into his back had Phantom struggling to hold himself back as he darted his eyes between the younger Danny and his parents.

Why weren’t they doing anything to stop this!?

Why were they just watching it? What was wrong with this ghost? And why was Danny in the cage with them?

All of a sudden, the ghost started shaking and screaming, a light on the metal collar they wore turned on. Normally, Phantom would have been horrified to see someone get electrocuted, but at that moment he was only glad they were no longer hurting the kid.

Jack stepped into the cage and the ghost disappeared in a whirl of the containment device he held. With the fight over, Maddie stepped in and crouched to observe her son’s back. The shirt was well and truly ruined, and several long lines of red peeked through, already dripping blood freely.

“It doesn’t look infected, but we can’t be too sure.” She stood without helping Danny up in any way. “Get into the safety shower. We need to scrub you down.” Danny looked up at her with wide eyes at the order.

“D-do I have to? You said it didn’t look infected.” He asked hopefully as he slowly stood, wincing the whole way.

“Even so, it’s safer to clean it before we bandage it. I know you don’t like the process, but you won’t be able to reach your back properly. Though, if it makes you feel more comfortable, you can keep your pants on.”

Going by the expression on Danny’s face, that would make him feel more comfortable, though it quickly fell into a chastised frown when his mother spoke again.

“But this wouldn’t be necessary had you been able to follow your basic training. Honestly, Danny, you should know better by now to not turn your back on a ghost.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Mom, I wasn’t thinking.” Danny lifted his hand as if he were going to rub the back of his neck, something Phantom knew his older self often did when he was uncomfortable, but winced and lowered the hand before it got there.

Seeing the action, his mother finally remembered the injury and led the way to the safety shower in the corner. “You’re quick on your feet Danny, but you let your fear control you way too much.”

Phantom could only stare, still in shock over the events. Getting over fear in a fight like that was easier said than done. Even Phantom was afraid of that ghost. They were tainted and twisted and wrong. He wondered what happened to them to make them that way. Though considering the Fenton’s were involved that was probably half the answer already.

Now that things were calmer, Phantom started paying a bit more attention to what was being said. He didn’t know that his rival had been afraid of ghosts when he was younger. Though with an experience like that, he couldn’t say he blamed the kid. This was his training?

“You want to protect people, don’t you?” Maddie asked as Danny tried to remove his ruined shirt. He couldn’t do it, so she grabbed a pair of latex gloves and some scissors. “To protect them from ghosts?”

“Of course, I do.” Danny stopped moving as his mother cut the shirt off. “I want to be a ghost hunter so I can keep people safe from ghosts.”

Phantom stared at the younger version of his rival. Danny Fenton had been a ghost hunter for longer than Phantom had been in Amity Park. But he had always been one of the best, a constant thorn in Phantom’s side. He was a Fenton, raised a ghost hunter, and just as much of a monster as his parents. But Phantom had never thought to wonder why.

“Well, you can’t protect anyone if you’re afraid.” Maddie continued, breaking Phantom’s thought process. “You’ll make mistakes like this if you aren’t thinking clearly, and only put yourself in danger. We won’t always be there to protect you if a ghost gets the upper hand. That’s why you need to train more. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mom, I understand.” Danny stepped into the shower.

“But don’t worry too much about it, kiddo.” Jack piped in cheerfully, “We’ll work more on your techniques before you fight a ghost again. Your aim could use a little work.”

If Danny was going to say anything in response, he lost his chance when the shower started up. Maddie had an extra hose she had turned up to a high pressure and was washing down Danny’s back. Phantom only watched Danny’s muscles clench at the pressure on his fresh open wounds for a moment before he decided he’d seen enough. He flew intangibly through the blast doors that hadn’t been ghost proofed yet, and he was in GZ open air.

He sighed and started the flight to the Clocktower. For once, he was glad it was so far away, it gave him plenty of time to think about what he had just witnessed.

First, there was the ghost. They were twisted beyond any form of recognition and Phantom knew that the Fentons had to have done something to them. But this was several years in the past, and Phantom had never seen anything like this before. It worried him that they could away with something like this for so long.

And then there was Danny. Who couldn’t have been more than 12 years old, locked in a cage with a feral ghost while his parents watched and gave minimal advice. And the severe lack of worry from them when Danny was hurt had Phantom seething. They behaved so clinically in response to his injury, worrying more about a possible infection than if he was alright. The proper treatment of his wounds aside, it was as if they didn’t care at all. There was no asking if he were okay, no apologies for putting him in that situation in the first place, no reassurances that it would be okay other than no visible signs of infection. They didn’t try to help him up, didn’t express worry or concern, they didn’t even save the lectures until after they’d patched him up! Maddie just went straight into scolding him for turning his back on the ghost, and Jack was already talking about the next time he would be put in the cage with a twisted being who clearly wanted to kill him.

Despite not being able to, Phantom felt as though he might throw up. This was Danny’s training. The training his parents were putting him through so that he would one day be a ghost hunter like them. A ghost hunter that he wanted to be so he could protect people from the ghosts like the one they made him fight.

A sudden memory resurfaced in Phantom’s mind, one shortly after he’d met the youngest Fenton for the first time.

‘Stop it with the act already! I know what you are!’

If that corrupted facsimile was Danny’s first and only impression of a ghost before being allowed in the field, was it any wonder that he thought all ghosts were evil and monstrous beings?

This was wrong. It was all so wrong, and Phantom needed answers now. He never liked Danny, and he’d never seen the family interact outside of working together to take down some innocent ghost, but this was not what he expected. He needed to get back to his time and talk to Danny, now.

[anistarrose]

The Fishtank Between Time and Space (GF One-Shot)

Summary: Stan doesn’t think much of the pet axolotl Ford left behind… until he realizes hardly anyone else can see it.

Word Count: 2100

Warnings: none

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20653508

***

Stan initially figures it’s just a weird pet of Ford’s, simple as that. After all, Ford was okay with him adopting a possum and tying a knife to it when they were kids — little pink salamanders are frankly very normal, by the standards of Stanford Pines.

(Not to mention by the standards of the town that is Gravity Falls. Ford could’ve caught all kinds of disturbing creatures out there in the woods, like a feral gnome or a literal sentient fire... or like something that Stan hasn’t even laid eyes upon, only knowing of its existence from the creaking and rattling noises he always hears when venturing through the forest at night. But thankfully, Ford hasn’t invited any rabid beasts or dark entities that Stan knows of into his house, and Stan’s grateful for that.)

But the salamander — the “axolotl,” Stan learns after finally breaking down and doing some basic research — always feels just a little bit off, in a way he sometimes struggles to put his finger on.

He thinks it’s all in his head, how the beady eyes always seem to be fixed on him. How it never seems to stop smiling. How he’s never once seen it eat, even though the food pellets he gives it never seem to accumulate on the bottom of the tank.

He doesn’t know a whole lot about axolotls in general, and on the basis of that ignorance, he convinces himself that the salamander Ford left behind is perfectly normal.

Until one day a few months after Ford’s disappearance, when something rare happens — he has company other than the usual tourists.

It’s just Boyish Dan Corduroy, hired with some of the first spare cash Stan has had in a long time to come in and fix a few squeaky doors. But he takes his time lumbering through the living room on his way out, which sets Stan on edge. None of the secrets he’s hiding are possible to uncover from this floor of the house, but habit keeps him anxious. Throughout the rare times in his life in which he’s had a residence to call his own, visitors have almost always meant bad news.

Dan’s gaze lands on the fishtank, which has been diligently maintained as a healthy environment for salamanders even though the rest of the room is an unorganized mess. (There are a lot of jabs you could take at Stan’s character, but for whatever reason, he’s developed a soft spot for Ford’s old pet.) As always, the axolotl’s eyes stay fixed on Stan, even though the lumberjack is closer.

“You keep this tank pretty clean,” Dan notes. “You gonna buy some fish or something soon?”

“Well, I’ve already got the —” Stan pauses, realizing he’s not sure how to pronounce axolotl. “The salamander.”

Dan presses his face close to the side of the tank, inches from where the axolotl sits, gills twitching. “Really? Where?”

“You serious? It’s literally right in front of your face — that thing with the pink frills and the beady eyes?”

Dan steps back from the tank, throwing an arm behind Stan the clap him on the back. “Ah, I see what you’re doing! It’s a new attraction you’re testing out on me — the invisible salamander! Good one!”

“Are you — are you fucking with me? Can you really not see —”

But Dan’s already leaving. “Good luck with the Murder Hut business!” his voice boomed from the porch outside. “I’ll tell everyone to come visit your invisible friend!”

Stan whirls around back towards the tank. “Do you know what the fuck that was?” he asked the axolotl. “Who’s really pranking me here — Dan, or you?!”

The axolotl offers no reply, and Stan feels like an idiot for the brief moment in which he’d genuinely expected one.

“Maybe Ford did some weird occult shit to you, and you didn’t have a choice in the matter,” Stan mutters, shuddering slightly as he thought back to all the cracked prisms and X-ed out eyes he’d discovered in his brother’s house. “Or maybe I’m going crazy and hallucinated you all along.”

A bubble comes out of the axolotl’s mouth, rising to the top of the tank before bursting with a satisfying — and very real-sounding — pop.

“Thanks for the reassurance.” Stan tosses a handful of food into its tank, and trudges back to his bedroom upstairs.

There was one rule that Stan very quickly established as he began to run the Muder Hut — or the Mystery Shack, as he was thinking of renaming it — and that rule was not to keep anything genuinely supernatural around, unless it was vital to getting Ford back.

But the axolotl… well, it’s still up for debate whether it really is magical, but Dan hadn’t seemed like he’d been joking, and Stan’s pretty sure that if he was going to hallucinate, he wouldn’t imagine into existence a real salamander that he’d never heard of before with perfect accuracy.

Stan doesn’t want to get rid of it, though. He’s gotten used to the axolotl’s company and the routine of caring for it, even though its eyes still weird him out from time to time. And it’s already been around for months without showing any malicious tendencies, so… would there really be any harm in keeping it around?

***

Months, years, and then decades pass, and Stan’s relationship with the axolotl stays more or less the same. He feeds it and cleans its tank, it smiles at him, and he feels just the tiniest bit less lonely. It’s not much in terms of companionship, but Stan is happy to take what he can get. He talks to it sometimes, telling it about all the places he’s searched for Ford’s journals and all the roadblocks he keeps hitting while he works on reactivating the portal, and it always looks so encouraging.

But two things happen during those years — the first being that Stan becomes convinced that something supernatural is going on with that salamander.

Business is booming so dramatically that he can hardly handle it all on his own, and he goes through several handymen and cashiers before eventually firing each one. Almost all of them comment on the empty fishtank at one point or another, gesturing right towards the spot where Stan can see the axolotl floating, clear as day.

He definitely wonders if he really is hallucinating it after all, but then the second interesting thing happens: someone else notices the axolotl. Several someones.

“I didn’t know you had any pets besides the goat, Mr. Pines!” Soos exclaimes on his second full day working at the Mystery Shack, smooshing his face up against the side of the tank. “What a weird fish!”

Stan is so caught of guard that he doesn’t even think to explain that it’s actually a salamander. “Uh… yeah. It sure is.”

Soos frowns. “Something wrong, Mr. Pines?”

Stan folds his arms, shaking his head even though his mind is racing. “Me? I’m fine. Just wasn’t expecting you to spot the shy little guy, since it usually likes to… you know, hide from strangers. Now, were we going to try and fix the golf cart, or not?”

And that’s the end of the axolotl discussion with Soos, over as quickly as it had begun. During the rare occasions Stan leaves the Mystery Shack, he always instructs Soos to feed it, and the axolotl always seems happy and healthy when he returns. He cannot for the life of him figure out why he and Soos seem to be the only two people in the world who can see it, but eventually he gives up on wondering. A mystery like that would’ve always been more of a question for Ford, anyways.

When he hires Wendy, it takes a while for him to realize that she can see it too. She spends so many weeks passing by the fishtank and not commenting on it that when she finally brings it up, Stan nearly spits out his coffee.

“Where’d you get that salamander, Mr. Pines? My science teacher is looking for a class pet, but everyone just keeps suggesting boring stuff like hamsters.”

“Uh… it came with the Shack. Two-for-one kinda deal, you know.”

“Darn, I was hoping you fished it out of the lake or something. Then I could’ve just gone and caught one myself.”

A few years later, when the twins arrive for the summer, Stan’s heart aches as he watches them discover the fishtank for the first time.

“Hey, Dipper, come check this out! Do you know what kind of animal this is?”

“Whoa, is that an axolotl? That’s so cool! I think I read that in Aztec mythology, they’re associated with the god of twins!”

“Really? Then you’ve just made the perfect new summer pals, Mister Axolotl!”

“Don’t tap on the glass like that, Mabel. You might scare it.” Dipper notices Stan watching them, and immediately starts firing off question after question. “Where did you get it? Do you ever show it to tourists? How long have you had it? How long do axolotls live? It looks pretty small — is it still a juvenile? Do they ever get bigger than this?”

Stan sighs. “Kid, I didn’t even know how to pronounce the world ‘axolotl’ until you showed up today. All I know is how to keep it fed — anything else, and you’re better off looking it up at the library or on a computer or wherever.”

“Well, you at least know where you got it from, right?”

Stan scoops a spoonful of food into the tank, avoiding eye contact with Dipper as he headed back to the gift shop. “I do, but it wouldn’t be the Mystery Shack if I didn’t keep a few secrets, would it?”

Dipper groans. “You’re no fun.”

***

When the axolotl disappears, it hits Stan harder than it should.

Even after thirty years of taking care of it, he never quite thought of it as his pet. It always struck him as more like a roommate, if anything — a lovable little freeloader who came in on its own terms, and stuck around only because it liked the place. Stan’s never given any thought as to why, but he’s always just felt weirdly certain that it could leave at any time if it wanted to.

And now, it has.

So he can’t help but wonder if it’s his fault. If he didn’t clean the tank enough, or cleaned it too much, or wasn’t fast enough noticing or resolving the situation with the lobster Mabel dumped in the tank.

Maybe it wasn’t anything he did. Maybe the axolotl just got bored of watching a man spending thirty years lying to tourists, forging his own brother’s signature, failing to learn quantum physics, and ultimately accomplishing absolutely nothing worthwhile.

Eventually, the kids notice and ask him, and this time he can’t spin it as a secret he’s keeping. He genuinely doesn’t know.

***

After Weirdmageddon, Stan’s memories are a two-thousand piece puzzle scattered across a tabletop, and he thinks he’s starting to fit some of the edge pieces together again, but there are still more gaps than connections. He remembers that the people who have been doting on him and showing him pictures are his family, and he remembers that he loves them and trusts them to help restore him to his former self, but progress is just… so… slow.

He doesn’t remember why they say he saved the world. He’s pretty sure they’re stretching the truth a little, but after seeing the way Ford’s face fell when Stan first asked why everyone was calling him a hero, he’s decided not to correct them.

So what if he doesn’t feel heroic? If it makes his family feel better, he’ll keep it to himself — it’s the least he can do, considering how many tears they’ve already shed for him.

But the first morning after his alleged act of heroism, while trudging through the ramshackle ruins of (he thinks) his house — a flicker of motion from behind cracked glass catches his eye.

The fishtank is nearly drained of water, but a familiar salamander sits in the puddle at the bottom, beaming at him. Stan blinks and rubs his eyes, wondering if he’s still dreaming, but then —

It speaks to him, in an ethereal and musical voice that resonates oddly in his ears, like he’s hearing the echo before he hears the words themselves.

I am so proud of you, Stanley.

“For what?”

Everything.

It dissolves into a froth of tiny, pink, glowing bubbles, which burst one by one as they float towards the top of the tank, and then the axolotl is gone.

***

(End notes:

So one day a few weeks ago, I just randomly woke up thinking “what if the Axolotl was only visible to the members of the Zodiac?” and several bouts with writers’ block later, here we are! Thoughts/comments/reblogs are welcomed as always!)

[cuthie]

Lautner: Dear Prudence

“Dear Prudence. The Sun is up, the sky is blue. It’s beautiful, and so are you.” The words were whispered in song from the lips of an injured human boy with long black hair and blue eyes. ‘Boy’ would be what came to the mind of the Kaldorei man who knelt beside him, covered in mud, blood and torn leather armor. He had found him injured, lying next to a mossy boulder with a head wound, and had taken the kid into a small hollow in the ridge separating Darkshore from Felwood. Joral gave the human another once-over before returning his attention from the gash he had just closed to the arrow sticking in the singing patient’s side. He was never good at telling human ages, and this one in particular could have been anywhere between fifteen and thirty. He had a lean athletic build, but it was in the kid’s face that youth and experience waged war. His piercing blue eyes reminded the elf of an old soul, but when the boy smiled, as he did during song, his expression made him look at least ten years younger.

Joral spoke as he acted, bedside manner only briefly coming to the forefront of his thoughts, “This is going to sting, but the pain will ease.”

The boy flinched at the touch, eyes dreary and staring at the cavern wall. He continued to sing quietly, but the sound of the war outside boomed and echoed, the chorus of explosions drowning out the lyrics. “Stay with me-” was the last thing he heard before his eyelids, now bearing too much weight, blacked out the rest of the world. --

“Stay inside Laut!” It was his sister’s voice. Only a year separated the two, but she always seemed much older. The thunder from the storm was louder than usual, the entire gilnean library quaking in its reverberance. As she braved the storm, Lautner felt a tinge of guilt as he watched from the window. Here he was fourteen, quivering fearfully from the howling they had heard. Really though, what could he possibly do? He was a scrawny wimpy near sighted boy who couldn’t even hold up his father’s sword without his arms shaking. Prue had just ran out with such confidence, as she always had, and the only thing he could think to do was push up his glasses and focus on the book he had been reading earlier that day. It was a fictional tale of a gilnean man finding himself in a dragon’s den. There were fair maidens, not-so-fair prostitutes at the inn, mead in the taverns and treasures in the lair. A fixture of it’s genre, really. As Lautner found himself rereading the same paragraph with each round of thunder, his mind imagined not this flaky protagonist, but instead his sister Prudence leading the charge.

Pain struck at his side, and with a grimace he looked down to find himself bleeding. But bleeding from what? He stepped forward, heading towards the small kitchenette, when he heard Prue’s cry, which itself was drowned out by the roar of the wolf. When had they entered the library? “Laut, look out!” It was too late. The beast had already dug its claws into him, pinning him down. Thick syrupy slobber dripped from what had to be fifty teeth too many, each long, yellowed and sharp. The Worgen that had pinned him howled in pain as the riffle sounded off. “Run!” Prue had loaded another shot before the ferocious monster could turn on her. Funny how the thunder from outside was so loud, ringing in his ears, but Prue’s shots were almost soundless. There was no time for such curiosities. He had to get to safety. Ashamed at the tears in his eyes and the panic in his chest, he drug himself to the closet, where he would eventually fade away to the roar of both beast and storm. -- They had a cure. Not a temporary retrieval of sanity, but a Light willing full fledged cure.   Lautner breathed in the earthy scent beneath the tree as he watched his fellow cursed countrymen take part in the ritual of these strange beautiful elven creatures. His sense of smell, like all his other senses, had grown tenfold in strength. He no longer needed glasses to aid his farsightedness, and his physical strength and speed rivaled that of fictional heroes from stories that never felt forever away. He was a beast, ferocious and capable, or at least he was on the outside. Inside he was still the timid scrawny thing he had been before the bite.   Time passed and the ritual took effect. Consciously he suppressed his worgen nature, revealing a toned and handsome physique beneath the fur and fangs. Looking at the reflective pools of water, it was like he was looking upon a stranger. Even after obtaining his sanity, his sense of self even, he had looked at his form as a curse. He was powerful, albeit afflicted. Staring at his ‘human’ self, he could only see improvement. He was a hundred times better than the boy he used to be. The dark skin of his fingertips slowly traced the swell in his chest, his arms, and for the fel of it, even his backside. He grinned, speaking aloud for perhaps the first time that day, “Firm, like mutton.” An older woman had turned, almost startled by his words despite how quiet they actually were, then rolled her eyes at the display of a worgen boy groping his own buttocks. As he continued to admire himself his focus drifted back toward the King. He was right. The Forsaken were here for conquest, but the Worgen were entirely capable of using this curse.. No, this Gift, to fight them back. And as amazing and heroic as he looked on the outside, the thought of having to face the living dead sent a shiver down his spine. Repulsion, horror and tragedy awaited him, he could feel it, but beneath that was a boiling rage. His family was gone. His mother and father to the feral worgen, his sister to the invasion of the Forsaken. He had no one to look out for him, nor anyone to protect. Regardless, he could feel his anger rising like a weight in the pit of his stomach, reaching out and swelling his chest, his shoulders and arms. He unclenched his jaw, exhaled and allowed the Gift to take over once again as everything turned to black. --

Rage was never enough. Lautner had barely even held a sword before, let alone use one in combat. In his worgen form, he was capable of carrying two massive weapons, one in each hand, and swing them with enough force to cleave any Forsaken in half. However, he lacked the technique that would allow him to fully utilize his enhancements. So it was that the boy had found himself utterly defeated, packed tight in a night elf sea vessel, leaving the only home he ever knew. How sure of himself he had been. His mother’s library had filled his dreamer’s imagination with tales of heroism and good prevailing over evil. Might and right, retribution of the Light. He had managed to take out three Forsaken. He was proud of that fact. The old him would have certainly cowered and died. Still, three in the grand scheme of things was pitiful. Eventually the sea churned and rocked, lulling him into a much needed rest. -- “Wake up, son. You need to wake up.” Lautner didn’t recognize the voice. He couldn’t even so much as pin it’s point of origin. He continued running through the woodlands of Teldrassil, his home for the last five or six years. Reading had been replaced by running and hunting. The Kaldorei had given the Worgen their own hunting grounds long before the Alliance had even accepted them back into the fold. Laut didn’t care to visit the human cities, though. He wasn’t arrogant enough to consider himself better than anyone else, but he had settled into a life of freedom. The polar opposite of outdoorsy in his youth, he would have never expected to see this route in his life. He wouldn’t change it for anything. Well, almost anything. He was a capable combatant in its most basic sense. He had assisted the kaldorei and worgen in various missions pertaining to their home such as culling dangers or tracking criminals. For the most part, though, he maintained a civilian life. Pandaria, Orgrimmar, the Dark Portal and even the Broken Isles did not entice him. There were always better more efficient people for the task. Soldiers. Besides, someone had to stay home. As dire as things had become, if everyone capable of wielding a weapon were to abandon the city in hopes of bolstering the army, then it would collapse. Teldrassil needed him there. That’s what he had told himself over and over again. If his mind became too muddied with guilt or shame, he would just run it off. He knew every tree and every rock along his paths. He had two dozen ‘favorite’ locations to visit with a pack filled with books usually tied around the back of his waist, ready to be dove into.

But this wasn’t a far off war. The Horde were marching upon them. Sylvanas and her undead legion were again invading his home. He hadn’t been too Darkshore too frequently, but it was an extension of the kaldorei and thus ‘his’ people. Still, he wasn’t a soldier. He wasn’t trained. He couldn’t possibly expect to sail from Rut’theran Village to Darkshore, joining up randomly with any Alliance platoon and simply fall in line. He would get someone killed. They would count on him and he would fail, or they would fall trying to protect him. He found himself singing her name again, “Dear Prudence…” What would she do? Stay in Teldrassil, convincing herself that she was protecting civilians and children by doing such? No, she would see herself as a child for staying. Those with power are obligated to use their strengths for the greater good. That is what a good person would do. That is what Prue would do. --- “Wake up.” Lautner blinked awake, looking up at a stranger. A kaldorei man who was wrapping linen bandages around his head. “You’ll be okay, but you need to stay awake.” The ground vibrated beneath the two of them as more explosives sounded off in the distance. Dirt fell from the cave’s ceiling, sounding like an amplified rush of sand in an hourglass. Lautner strained to raise up, feeling a great pain in his side that forced him back down. “Don’t sit up, not yet. The druidess’ mending hasn’t set just yet. We need to give it time.” Druidess? Lautner looked around, seeing no one but the man beside him in their little hideaway hole. “Where’s Prudence?” His voice sounded weak, even to himself. “Who?” The Gilnean shook his head lightly, “Sorry, nevermind.”

[dreamseersystem]

How I Met Bill and Dipper

First to start as a note. I can visit worlds and dimensions, mostly when I sleep. Most of the events occurred during the "dreaming" cycle, but I always lucid dream.

It all started in the end of 2015 for me. When I first found myself running from Oryan (a crazed Celestial Asshole that was bent on owning me) yet again and Alcor (of the Transcendence Timeline) sent me through the portal. He... Gave his life to save mine and the niblets. Nydia and Nall (children of another Dipper and Mabel I knew before this). He used the last of his magic before transferring it to me to change them into dragons in the scape and erase their memories until we were safe. He then casted a spell to seal away my magic and hide me from Oryan. The side effect was, which I didn't find out till I woke up, was that is made me appear as a 14 year old female. He pushed me through the portal and sealed it behind him. I didn't wake up till a few days later in the dimension.

I found out later I basically landed naked on Dipper and Soos carried me back to the shack after wrapping me up in his shirt. During my time asleep, Bi was watching through his Windows. I sensed this, still having some powers despite being sealed and watched him in return. He sensed me and I faded into a healing sleep.

When I woke up it was a week before Dreamscapers. I spent that time finding out how the dimension differed from canon and really the only thing was me. One night before a few days Gideon would summon Bi, he decided to enter my scape to spy on me, got caught by Nydia and we talked. He was interested in me and all so we made a deal. He was allowed in my scape while I was sleeping and he wasn't allowed to attempt any possession and whatnot. He had some idea I was familiar with the timeline and it was also stated I would not reveal anything about the future in the agreement.

Dreamscapers went about the same, just me disappearing until the end, telling Bi that not everything is what it seems, and Gideon Rises went the same except when leaving Gravity Falls I was on the bus too... The barrier stopped me from leaving and I was thrown out of the bus. One of the shards got me really bad, and Bi offered a deal, he'll save my life for the ability to possess me. I made the terms more fair, only saying when I give him permission or sharing the body and I wouldn't be removed from it.

Need to say he used it to his best advantage. Causing trouble for me with Dipper and Mabel. He left me alone at nights only because I was helping Stan with the portal. I decided I would help a bit since I would be going by my own smarts and not what the future was. That way he got more rest.

We had a hate relationship. I played with him and got the upper hand a lot. He hated me and resented me. At the same time, Dipper got over his crush for Wendy and found out he had one on me instead. By Sock Puppets, both were interested in their own ways. Bi was more possessive, Dipper was more loving. Bibae's reason for making the deal with Dipper then was to mess with his feelings for me. I know for a fact now it was because he was jealous.

As the portal came closer to getting done, I knew I had to make plans to protect Bi from Ford. Meanwhile, after Dipper's bout of possession from Bi, we found out he could see Bi like I could in the scape. Which caused more conflict. They were always fighting. Bickering even worse than they are now. There was a few times they got along... But not really until the Northwest Party. He got pissed that a ghost would be Dipper's end and threaten to throw his ectoplasmic body into a dark abyss of the Nightmare Realm. Needless to say, I had to stop him and let Paz do her thing.

Since Bi started possessing me, some of my powers were able to leak through the seals, tho not enough to let Oryan find me. I was able to devise a way so Ford couldn't detect Bi. But the downside was he couldn't fully possess me anymore. Well, downside for him. It was something we talked about because we knew he would be back. But, he agreed it was necessary since he didn't want Sixer knowing he was back yet.

The day he came back into this dimension was... Taxing. Dipper got mad at me because I sided with Stanley. We had a fight... That night I went out onto the roof and just me and Bi were up there listening in on Stan and Ford. When they went to bed, Dipper came up and we talked. He realized he made a mistake and he should have trusted me. We all were tired at that point and fell asleep on the roof together. Mabel took a picture of me and Dipper and somehow caught Bi between us. It is a cute picture. Might have the drawing I did still somewhere. Have to find it.

Ford was smart. He traveled to a few dimensions that heard rumors about me. Saw certain symbols that matched my seals. He never trusted me. Even when I offered him information I normally wouldn't give. But he was too fascinated by me to shun me. So he would talk to me and ask me questions which I only vaguely replied to at the time. I met some Fords... Only my first Forddad was good... The rest... I won't go into it here... So I was wary.

When Bi finally revealed himself to Ford, he sent me away to not know what was going on. I think he suspected even then that I was talking to Bi. He got Mabel to get stuff for the barrier, tho Dipper tried to make light of it. He didn't think Ford was possessed in the basement like Ford thought at first, he was scared that Ford found out. And almost did with the brain scanner. I, meanwhile was busy with my own thing and planning for the barrier. I knew it would go up somehow. I was setting up a place to stay out in the woods. And by the time I came home the barrier was up. I couldn't go in because of not only my connection with Bi, but because of the powers I didn't know of yet that laid dormant.

Ford had me sent away then. Dipper pleaded for me, but he would not be moved. By this time the power that was unsealed was starting to overwhelmed me, whisper thoughts into my head, losing control of who I was. The darkness that had once consumed me was returning. I let Bi's talk of revenge sway me. So I knew what to do. Bi never had to use Blendin except in changing a few things in the past to make everything fall into place. But a part of me knew what was happening. I was able to drag Ford and Dipper into the Dreamscape and place a protection spell on them to prevent harm. I warned them that I would lose myself and the next day Weirdmageddon began. I was the one whom convinced Mabel to give the rift over. I'm the one that broke it.

I remember bits and pieces myself after this. Bi told me most of it. But I was... Not feral, but I lost myself to my own darkness. The insanity that once drove me to do very bad things. Bi said to him at the time I was very... Bad ass but scary. Tho he wasn't scared of that till later. He let himself at me like how he wanted to from the beginning. Causing pain and suffering. Stuff he regrets now. He did it to purposely hurt me. During one of these sessions I started to feel and know who I was again. I remember seeing Ford being tortured. I remember seeing Dipper waving his hand across my face as he removed the chains. I remember him hiding me behind a pillar and running off with his sister into the pyramid. I remember Stan and Ford switching clothes...

I snapped out of it then... I wanted to warn Bi, but I knew I couldn't. So when Bi entered the scape, I did too. I remember mostly the fire. Calling out to Bi as the fire surrounded him and Stan. Him yelling that I was stupid and needed to get out of there. Me refusing. Bi said he felt fear for the first time in his life then. He actually did care about me in his own way. Just never was shown how.

He used the last of his power to send me out of Stan's mind. He told me later that Stan asked him why if he had energy left... Bi had simply said... "Because at least they can still have a future."

I woke up outside the scape and everything was falling around us. Bi was shattered. By the time we were on the ground we saw the rift still open and didn't know why... Then I remembered. I had a shard of Old Bill left inside of me. Any Bill was connected to the rift. I knew what I needed to do. I told Dipper to get everyone in the circle and activate the zodiac. I was able to use that power to Ascend. I turned into the Ascended form and shattered myself on the barrier, causing it to break and send a power surged throughout the dimension. Thus causing the transcendence. I ended Weirdmageddon only to start the era of magic. I remember everything fading to black.

Dipper said it was calm then. That I was gone. Stan had lost his memory. And everyone was shaken. He cried for me. But somehow he knew I would return there. Stan had regained his memory because of Mabel, and all that was left of Bi was a stone statue. Summer ended, but the adventure wasn't over yet. That would be five years later.

Dipper: I'll take it from here for the interval.

After they were gone, everything hung just felt out of sorts. The world was changing and didn't know how to handle it. I went back to school as the nobody. Parents said the events should just be forgotten and just focus on dealing with school. Neither of us really forgot our summer. I was focused on seeing Astra again. I knew he would return. I spent five years sticking to the books, dealing with Mabel's crazy adventures. Not getting into those here.

When I just had graduated, I had a huge fight with my parents that night and went to bed. They couldn't understand why I would want to go back to Gravity Falls. To the Supernatural. Mabel said she was just leaving and acting like she is on a road trip. We both wanted to go back. It was that night I suddenly saw Astra for the first time in five years floating right above me and making me fall out of bed. He "convinced" my parents to let us go to Gravity Falls and we left within a day.

Astra: This is where I continue off. Those five years... Happened in a night in reality. It was like watching from beyond. I remember the scape... Shapes forming around me... Seeing Alcor in the space between life and death and explaining what he did. Seeing Old Bill one final time, the last piece I knew of then passing beyond. Being surrounded by the Flock as they recognized me as their new master. Feeling myself reform. It was different than the other times. Usually when I died I would appear back in my own scape awaiting for another portal to open... Another world to visit... But I was still in this world. I haven't returned to my scape. I was still in the dimension's scape. It was surreal... Something had changed... I didn't know what then... I guess from the transcendence. I still don't know why...

We returned to Gravity Falls. I made a deal with Ford about protecting the shack. For you see, I was weak and only Dipper was able to see me. I made a deal to claim the shack as my territory so I could appear in reality and be grounded there. It took a little time but I was able to claim the town too. I appeared to people and made deals under the name Alkaid. I created my demon self you could say. Our Alk didn't split from me till way after. I even got our Gideon on my side by healing his mother. By then I had an inkling of what was to come to GF so I made a deal with him that he would start a protection squad to watch over the supernatural.

Then I found Bi... Well what was left of him. His statue. Took me awhile but I found it. It was then I met Axxie for the first time. He told me that I couldn't wake him up until we had a way to split his power, so he wouldn't go mad with power like before. I had an idea then. Time Baby owed me a favor. So I went to the future and claimed a Time Wish. Used it to bring Liam to our time without changing the events of the past. I was able to devise a spell to split the power Bi had and share it with Liam. Liam was all for it, he wanted to see his brother again. So we did it and Bi was awaken in human form and Liam gained a human form as well.

To say Bi didn't take to the new look was an understatement. He hated it... Resented me, Dipper, and Liam... Whined, threw fits, screamed with rage as we had to limit his use of powers to protect ourselves. Ford didn't help by bullying him a lot. Shenanigans occurred. Axxie decided to take a more physical form and hang about to tease him too. I tried to reason and teach. Bi... Hit me only once then. We were on the roof that night and I brought up if he truly hated me for now... That maybe if I could have taken his place back then... He slapped me... Said that I shouldn't say such things. He told me... He didn't hate me. He was just... Confused and it felt odd having a human body of his own. He never had feelings like this before... And it confused and frightened him. We talked more and slept on the roof that night. The next day I saw him talking with Dipper. It took awhile... He was still getting used to everything. But soon he and Dipper found out they cared for each other too. Tho they still had their spats. Like even now. We bonded in a special Celestial marriage ceremony and found out Dipper was a Forest Guardian soon after.

Then Dipper's parents came for a visit. There was no warning. Even I didn't See it. But they came and demanded Dipper and Mabel return home and rid themselves of any magical taint. They called me a monster and said I brainwashed them. That I would condemn them. That I was evil.

I don't remember much then... I shut down... I always do when people call me things like that because I start believing it. Bi held me and Dipper fought and yelled at his parents. They left... We were hurt... They had joined the new group of Anti-Magics that was going around. The Pure Ones. The Untainted Ones they called themselves. We vowed to protect the town then. And to support each other. It wasn't a few months later in reality I found out about soul bonds and we realized that we were connected like that. And the rest is another story.

There isn't much more to it. We had more things that happened afterwards, stuff that happened with ex friends... Personal things. I won't talk about Old Bill. I'm... Not ready for that story yet. Too painful still. I did say something about him before ages ago. But that's all I want to talk about it for now. Bill, Dipper, and me have triplets together. And many more through our other mates. We are still happy and care for one another very much. Tho Bill is a lazy ass these days lmao.

And that is that.

[satire-please]

Play is the Work of the Childhood

Summary: I once saw a fanart of Hua Cheng snuggling a kid Xie Lian. Therefore this fic was spawn.

Perhaps Xie Lian should have seen this coming.

After all, in his 800-year experience, what goes around, comes around. What misfortune you see and witness will eventually happen to you.

Life enjoys being fair in that aspect.

Still, he didn't expect to be in this position as a wave of green smoke bellows from the mouth of the monster he and Hua Cheng just fought, just slain, it rushing at him and encasing him in a smoggy fist.

For the vile creature's last attack, it shakes Xie Lian like a child throwing a tantrum before throwing him across the cave.

He smacks into the stone wall, the pain makes him gasp...and the smoke rushes into his mouth.

It burns.

His lungs, his head, his bones twisting, his skin shrinking.

"Dianxia!" Xie Lian hurts, his brain rattling in his skull but he can still hear the desperate panic in Hua Cheng's voice, the ring of steel clashing in the background. "Are you alright? Answer me!"

Xie Lian coughs a few times. His ears ringing, he collapses down the rock face disoriented and forces his eyes to open. Hua Cheng's form is blurry but he can tell the man is sprinting towards him. "I'm fine–"

"Your voice! What's happened to you?" What was wrong with his voice? Well, it does sound different. The tone is off. Higher, younger.

Oh no.

It couldn't be.

Xie Lian puts a hand to his throat and rubs it. He tries to prioritize. "It was just the monster's deathblow, a curse I think–"

Hua Cheng swears loudly.

"–But I'll recover, will you destroy the body? Its remains could still harm any that come across it. It would be unfortunate if the villagers still had trouble after they worked so hard to get us for help."

"Yes. It won't ever bother them or Dianxia ever again," Hua Cheng declares vindictively. "Where are you? I can't see you, the smoke refuses to clear."

"Here. Over here." Xie Lian calls. He tries to get up, but his legs catch in sometimes, he looks down to see what's the matter and finds entire lower body trapped in his robes. They tangle over his limbs oversized...why are they so big?

He knows why. Yet please allow him to deny it a little longer. The clues of his voice, his clothes and the small hand he brings to his face are obvious and sooner or later he must accept reality.

He's been changed.

The curse turned him younger...much, much younger.

"There you are! Let me take a look at you, we'll figure out the contents of the curse and break it to–" A red tunic fills the corner his vision and Xie turns toward it.

But his friend, no his companion, freezes in place.

The man is not even breathing. True neither of them need to breathe but Hua Cheng has always been very courteous to do so in the past, so it’s alarming for Xie Lian to see him stop. The demon king is a statue harder than any stone.

“San Lang?” Xie Lian attempts to free an arm from his tangled nest of fabric, but the large sleeve flops over his wrist. Hua Cheng is so tall. Then again everything is so much bigger from this point of view. “What's wrong? Did the creature hurt you too?”

Hua Cheng moves fast.

One moment he’s a few feet away, the next he’s crouched in front of Xie Lian, hands cupping his cheeks to verify that this image is no illusion. Xie Lian notes the coolness of that skin and how those fingers reach the back of his skull easily.

He blushes and glances to the side. Hua Cheng’s hands are one of his favorite things about his man.

“I am blessed.” Is the first thing the demon king says in a minute. His one eye drinking in every change to Xie Lian’s form, his head cocked to the side. “Huh. I never knew I wanted this.”

“Wanted what?” Xie tilts his face or tries to. In Hua Cheng’s tender hold the action has him leaning into his palm.

Hua Cheng makes a trapped sound at the back of his throat. "You're so little."

Xie Lian should take offense, but honestly, he is...little. He had always been a terribly small child once upon a time, or he supposes in the current present. He attempts to calculate his age based on appearances. He'd barely come up to Hua Cheng's hip, his arms are chubby, oh dear, he must be around five or six and his–

"Your hair is so short. Is this how you felt when I was transformed against my will?" Hua Cheng muses, fingers twisting in the dark locks that fall right below his chin. "I have every inclination to lock you up and do all that I must to protect you. You're beyond precious."

“Ah. Now I understand why you were so embarrassed. This is humiliating." Xie Lian murmurs in reply. Xie Lian view’s blocked by a curtain of black hair and there’s a cold press of lips on his forehead. “San Lang!”

“Sorry.” But then he feels the same sensation on his temple. “Excuse me.”

Xie Lian’s cheeks are not left alone. A pepper of kisses rain down on his nose and his eyelids and Xie Lian is going to die if his face gets any redder.

“S-Stop!”

“Must I? Very well.” Hua Cheng finally leans back on his heels, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. However, he keeps Xie Lian trapped in his embrace, especially as he stands up. Xie Lian’s tiny hands scramble for broad shoulders as he’s basically manipulated to sit on one arm, the other moving around his back protectively. “I apologize, I truly can't help myself, Gege. You are honestly the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”

"You were just as cute. No, cuter!" Xie Lian pouts.

"I doubt it."

"You were!" He insists. Xie Lian watches Hua Cheng reach into his red coat for the dice. He tosses them up absentmindedly before the portal opens to the Paradise Manor.

“Nonsense, most considered me to be a vile and ugly child. They called me a feral cat.”

“I didn’t’!”

Hua Cheng smiled. “This is true. Only you.” And he kisses Xie Lian on the cheek again to end the argument.

The hallways echo with the sound of Hua Cheng's heavy boots before they enter the bedchambers, the closet.

It's larger than four Puji Shrines put together and a whimper leaves Xie Lian before he can stop it.

“Now let’s see what we can do about your clothes.” Good cheer has never been so menacing.

During the length of an incense stick or two Xie Lian is tortured with good taste. The large robes replaced with a barrage of outfits Hua Cheng fishes out of the abyss of the wardrobe.

It takes a while before Hua Cheng plants the new child in front of a mirror to work on the final details. The demon king is pleased to find that even a scowl on the younger face is adorable

“Is this really necessary?”

“Now, Dianxia it’s only fair and just. I recall when I was forced into child form, I couldn’t leave your arms for at least a day. You kept carrying me around and playing with my hair.”

It was soft. Who could blame the martial god?

"You were a treasure,” Xie Lian mutters.

“Yes, and now you’re mine. So enough objections and stay still enough to let me put this on.”

Well, Xie Lian can’t stop Hua Cheng from doing anything, not really, therefore he sighs and keeps his arms up as Hua Cheng fixes his sleeves. “I meant the clothes. This is a lot of work for a temporary situation. Where did you even get these?"

"Secret."

Xie Lian wrinkles his nose. The reflection shows the spitting image of his five-year-old self. In fact, he believes these are the exact same hair ornaments his own mother placed into his hair so long ago. A bright golden dragon with ruby eyes, glaring at all, perches on his head to keep his hair half up and out of his face.

All so Hua Cheng can cup, squeeze and poke his cheeks better.

Which he demonstrates.

Quite often.

It’s as if there’s a time limit to how long those fingers can stay away. Thirty seconds or less.

The mirror reveals a victim draped in layers of the finest silk, pictures of flowers and fighting scenes race across the fabric in dark heavy thread. His feet have matching slippers with twinkling small bells to give away his location immediately. He hates them. He shifts minutely and they ring. They sing. It’s been a long time since he’s been decked in such ridiculous finery.

Hua Cheng loves it.

“So this is how you were as a child.” Hua Cheng coos. Dressing him has taken over an hour, yet much to Xie Lian’s dismay instead of complaining, he seemed to relish picking out every single detail from what sash goes best, the golden one of course, to the bracelets and rings that cover Xie Lian’s fingers. He hums happily, “How did they ever let you out of the palace?”

“They didn’t.” Xie Lian was only allowed to start making public appearances at thirteen. And then only by his father’s side or securely placed in his mother’s lap. Just like how he's in Hua Cheng's now with a tug on the back of his robe so he falls right perfectly into the bowl those crossed legs make.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to see so many sides of you.” Xie Lian closes his eyes, Hua Cheng reflection is beaming. It’s unbearable. “My luck just keeps getting better and better if I get a chance to see you like this too.”

“San Lang, please! Do you ever tire of making me look like a tomato?” Honestly. Consider Xie Lian’s poor blood vessels.

“No.” Hua Cheng snuggles up to him, smugly rubbing his face into his soft fluffy hair. “Never. Tell me how you were like as a child?”

Xie Lian’s brows knit together in thought and then he answers honestly, “I was a brat.”

Helpless chuckles are muffled into his hair. “Oh really?” Xie Lian picks at the leather boots under him in retaliation, yet the arms around him just tighten.

“I was! I had rooms of toys–”

“And of swords?”

“Yes, and of swords too, they were separate chambers. I made castles out of gold leaf cards and demanded to continue sleeping with my mother far after it was considered appropriate.”

“Now that's a request I would never reject.”

Xie Lian smacks Hua Cheng’s arm with his tiny palm. It just makes the chest behind him shake more with glee.

“What else did you like to do?” Hua Cheng nuzzles the tiny god, the hair jewelry poking dangerously but he doesn't care. He adores how Xie Lian fits completely in his arms with this new size.

It's a good size. He loves this size.

Xie Lian chews on his lip. It was a long time ago. That part of his life barely a blur, a wisp of light if he concentrates too hard it'll flicker away. “I remember I used to like playing on the...swings.”

Hua Cheng’s whole posture straightens. “I need to find a swing set immediately.”

“That’s not important.”

“I assure you it’s suddenly very important. To me. I need to push you on the swings.” To Xie Lian's absolute dismay, the man gets up and his own feet dangle as Hua Cheng settles him over his shoulders. Like a father with a child. The dice reappear and rattle as they land in Hua Cheng's palm.

"Shouldn't we care about finding out how to break the curse first? That should be our first priority!" He's careful to rest his hands on the crown of Hua Cheng's head, making sure not to jostle the eyepatch.

"Later."

Xie Lian sighs and plops his chin on top of his hands exasperated. The moment Hua Cheng has left the Manor when they hit the street, the eyes of every nearby ghost bulge and pop.  

No one can resist not saying anything.

"MY LORD WHEN DID YOU GET A CHILD?" The phrase has more heads whipping in their direction.

Over at a vendor, a ghoul squints and then screams, "WAIT, IS THAT GRAND UNCLE?"

Xie Lian doesn’t have any time to swear. Not when a twitter of painted ladies screech and bombard the pair, "LET US TOUCH HIM. HE'S SO PRETTY. HOW DID HE GET SO SMALL?"

"A curse," Hua Cheng says. "And no. You do not get to touch him."

Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly more merge with their group, it becoming in a strange parade as the curious trail behind them. There are hunched goblins with moldy green skin that run a few paces before giggling at the sight. Ghost flames that hover playfully darting here and there. From the willow female sirens to the largest ogre they fall in line with brightest horrible grins. A few offer Xie Lian odd sweets made from rather questionable ingredients.

"TRY THIS LITTLE GRAND UNCLE, MY SUGAR SPIDER WEBS ARE THE BEST!"

"NO HE'S TOO SCRAWNY, HE NEEDS MORE MEAT ON THOSE BONES. HERE. HAVE MY ARM! I DIPPED IT IN CARMEL FOR YOU."

Others wave an assortment of meat buns as close as they dare since no one has forgotten that one time in the gambler's den.

“COME ON, EAT SOMETHING PLEASE! OH, YOUR FACE IS SO CUTE. LOOK UP FOR US SOME MORE." Xie Lian firmly buries his face into Hua Cheng's hair and shakes it back and forth.

"Make them stop." He begs. “Please.”

Hua Cheng hums. "Now, now don’t ruin their fun Gege. We've become a proper Ghost Parade by now. Why I don't think I could stop them even if I tried. You know how they get when you 'visit,’ you're just that popular."

Xie Lian groans.

"WHERE ARE WE GOING, MY LORD?"

Hua Cheng's eye twinkles. "Your dear Grand Uncle has told me he used to like playing on the swings, so we are on a quest to find them. Any idea where we may find some nearby?"

The colorful crowd goes wild. "SWINGS? DOES ANYBODY KNOW ABOUT SWINGS?”

“NAH!”

“NO.”

“I’VE GOT AN IDEA. WE CAN MAKE SOME. RIGHT NOW. DON'T MOVE."

In seconds what used to be a simple plaza becomes the weirdest playground Xie Lian has ever seen. The 'swings' are made from chains the large monster butchers carry around and they connect to three or four large thighbones tied together with pretty silk ribbons.

Xie Lian hopes those bones are not human.

Let him hope.

Hopes are dashed when they tell him they were very enthusiastically donated.

Hua Cheng slowly settles him on swings and makes sure his fingers are wrapped around the chains securely. He fusses before pulling the swing back with a few steps. The crowd cheers.

Xie Lian wants to die.

He feels another kiss to his temple and huffs with a twist to his lips. He guesses he should let Hua Cheng have his own fun and amusement at his expense. He did when the demon was a child. And perhaps he shouldn’t ruin the entertainment the ghost inhabitants somehow crave. As lame as it is. Who wants to watch a child being pushed to extreme heights on a gory swingset?

But he did...really like the swings.

“Are you ready to fly, Little Prince?”

"Are you going to let me touch the ground anytime soon?"

"Nope."

And Xie Lian should have seen that coming too. Oh well. They’ll find the cure to this aliment...eventually.

“Then let’s see how high you can make me go. Can you make me ascend a fourth time, San Lang?” He dares.

Hua Cheng’s fingers tighten on the chains above his, a wicked smile in voice. “There’s only one way to find out, Dianxia.”

Only the ghost city witnesses the figure in white and silk fly so high but their master never lets the small boy fall.

Not once.

Not ever.

[themadlostgirl]

Not Dead Yet (Part 63)

DUN DUN DUN!

Pairing: Reader x Peter Pan

Warnings: language

I had never been so happy to wake up on the ground. Peter was next to me and the pain from the torture I had endured was gone. “Good morning, pet,”

“Morning,” I sat up and took the food he was holding out to me. There was a long silence between us. After everything it didn’t feel right to act like nothing had happened. “I’m back.”

“Yes you are,” he kept staring me up and down.

Another long pause.

“Am I still allowed to be here?” I asked.

“Of course, I’m glad you’re home.” He smiled at me but it quickly dropped, “That is if you want to stay.”

“You mean...if I wanted to leave you’d let me?” I was sure that he wouldn’t let me out of the camp let alone the island now that I was back on Neverland.

“You know I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to. Not that I could ever force you to do anything anyways.” he chuckled. A weight felt like it had been lifted between us. Even after everything he was still my Peter Pan and I was still his Lost Girl.

“What about when you said you would drag my unconscious body back through a portal to Neverland if I wouldn’t go willingly?” I reminded him.

“That was the anger talking.” he shrugged, “Besides, that was not the worst threat I have ever given you before.”

“Yes, you only threatened to render me unconscious and then abduct me back to the island I had just ran away from.”

“I tried to throw you off a cliff once and you’re going to get mad about a kidnapping? Aren’t we past that?” he asked, eyebrows furrowed.

“The death threats were back during a time where I could barely stand you as a person. But we’re not strangers butting heads anymore over me violating your privacy. We are--”

What are we? I hadn’t really thought of it lately. After months of slipping farther from what we were I wasn’t sure anymore. What is this? A relationship? An arrangement between friends? A mutual agreement between leader and Lost Girl?

“We are what, Y/N?” Peter pressed.

“We are...w-we’re friends and I care about you.” I said confidently. It didn’t feel embarrassing to say that to him anymore. He knows I care. “And I know you care about me too. There’s a lot of history between us and after everything we’ve been through together you threatening to kill me years ago and disrespecting my choices now are of equal standing in their own situations.”

“Why did I have to get attached to you?” he pinched the bridge of his nose, “I could have left this as purely physical like you tried to make it but I couldn’t keep that going either.”

“What are you saying?” I inched closer to him.

Without looking at me he took my hand in his. “Do you want to leave?”

I shook my head. “No. Back in the Enchanted Forest I felt like everything I was doing was pretend. Like when little kids play house. I’m not a sweet innocent candle maker, I’m a Lost Girl. No matter how much I may have wanted to erase this place and you from my blood I can’t. This is my home. It’s the only place I’ll ever be myself. I know that now.”

“Are we good? Can I still call you my Lost Girl?”

“Only if you still want to.” I leaned my head on his shoulder, “I missed you.”

“Missed you too, pet,” he left a small kiss to the top of my head. “Now that we got everything cleared between us I need to know what in the hell happened to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I--you were this close to death last night! AGAIN!” He stood up and was pacing the small space of his tent, “I leave you in the Enchanted Forest, then almost two weeks later you come back, with another ex-fairy, barely able to move! What do you think I mean?”

“Two weeks? I was being tortured in that dungeon for two weeks?” I muttered under my breath. I know I had stopped counting the days but this...all that time… “I should be dead…”

“Y/N,” Peter tilted my head up to look at him. His eyes were desperate. “Please, who did this?”

“I can’t--” I swallowed back the pain, “I can’t tell you.”

“You’re not protecting them, are you?”

“No. I can’t tell you because I can’t let you get hurt trying to take them down.”

His eyes softened from the intense anger he held before. Something was going through his mind but I couldn’t figure out what. “You know Peter Pan never fails. Whoever did this to you will stand no chance against me. I have magic on my side.”

“So do they.” I know Peter. If I tell him it was the Dark One then he would go charging into battle without one smidgen of regard to his own wellbeing. Seeing as how Rumplestiltskin was keeping me a prisoner and torturing me everyday for information about Peter I doubt the encounter would end with either of them alive. I just got Peter back. I wasn’t going to let him go on a suicide mission to vent his anger and need for bloody justice.

“Y/N, whoever they are won’t stand a chance. You know this. Who was it? The Black Fairy? A sorcerer? Overpowered witch? Who hurt you?”

“If you actually care about me, Peter, you won’t make me tell you. Trust me, it won’t end well and I cannot let you go and get yourself killed trying to avenge me. Not when your curse still stands at least.”

“Someone tortures you, almost kills you, and you want them to go unpunished?”

“Of course not! But we can’t. Not now. One day I’ll tell you and you can rip them to bloody ribbons. Just not now.”

He helped pull me to my feet. “Fine. If you wish it. I need you to know that you don’t have to protect me, pet. I am perfectly capable of defending myself.”

“I know. I don’t want you doing anything rash though. Besides, if you let this anger stew then when you get to finally kill them it’ll feel much more satisfying.”

“Gods, I’ve missed you,” he held my face in his hands, “Are we back to our original arrangement or not? I only ask because I would really like to kiss you till I have no breath left.”

“Stupid imp.” I pressed my mouth to his hungrily, “You really think a couple months of not speaking to one another and me running away from Neverland would mean I wanted to stop kissing you?”

“Well I’ll admit there was some mixed signals.”

“Shut it,” I kissed him again, “I want this.”

“Good to know,” he flashed me that signature smirk of his and kissed me back feverently. Things may have escalated if not for Felix barging in to stop the proceedings.

“Felix!” I shouted at him. I was in Peter’s lap and his shirt was stuck halfway off so that only the top of his eyes peeked out from the top.

“Morning,” he drawled, “Sorry to interrupt but Devin and the others have been hounding me nonstop about your state of wellbeing. I hadn’t realized you were back until I heard Devin making a ruckus.”

“And as always you give the warmest welcome.” I rolled Peter’s shirt back down, “I suppose I should probably go see them.” I moved to climb off Peter’s lap but he wasn’t letting me go.

“You two…” Felix sighed and left the tent grumbling, “Horny idiots...too early for this…”

“Let go,” I pried Peter’s hands off, “We’ll finish this later. Don’t think we aren’t long overdue.”

“Can’t I just have you now and sod the others?” he pouted.

“As tempting as that is I should go see them before they barge in again.” I gave him another kiss. “Thinking Tree, tonight, I promise.”

“Fine.” he stood up and walked outside with me. “There is something important I have to tell you later.”

“Why not now?”

“Because,” Peter grabbed my hand interlacing our fingers together, “It's for your ears only. Something I should have told you much earlier.”

“You can't tease me like that. What is it?”

“It's more complicated to explain.”

“Give me the short of it.”

He smiled at me. Not a smirk but a genuine smile. “Y/N, I think I’m--”

“There she is!” Nick tackled me to the ground with a hug. “Who do you think you are going and leaving us without so much as a goodbye?”

“Sorry, things were...complicated.” I looked up at Ben who pulled Nick off me and gave me another rib crushing hug. “I missed you guys. Where is Devin, though? I heard he was the one making the biggest fuss about me.”

“He said he was--”

“Y/N!”

I turned to see a familiar pale face beaming at me. “Wendy!” We ran to each other holding one another tightly. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me Peter went and--”

“It’s kind of a long story.” she sighed, “I’m glad you’re back. Peter told me about how he scared you off and--”

“Bird.” Peter warned. He was staring daggers at Wendy. “What are you doing out of your cage?”

“Devin let me out. Said Y/N was back.”

“Devin doesn’t have any authority to--”

“You had her in a cage?!” I rounded on Peter. “Why?”

“Your little Wendy-bird came back to Neverland more feral than before.” He was keeping a good distance from the tiny girl, “Precautions had to be taken.”

“She’s not going to go on a tirade, right bird?”

“As long as they don’t give me reason to.”

“Good. We’ll have to sit down and catch up. But first,” I turned to Devin and hugged him. “Miss me?”

“More than anything.” he ruffled my hair. “Gave me a right fright last night though. What is with you getting yourself in life-threatening situations?”

“Force of habit I guess.”

“Well now that you’re home and still in one piece we can go and decapitate the bastard that tried to kill you.”

“Uh Devin--”

“She won’t say who almost tortured her to death.” Peter seethed.

“Why?” five pairs of eyes were staring at me bewildered.

“It’s not as easy as beating up some pirates. The person who took me isn’t to be trifled with. Trust me on this.”

“But--”

“Guys! Drop it!” I snapped.

“Alright. Can you at least explain how the ex-fairy saved you?” Devin asked.

“That woman was a fairy?” My heart started racing, “You didn’t kill her, did you? Peter, she saved my life!”

“I know. That’s why she’s still alive. As far as I know she’s with Tigerlily.”

“I need to see her, thank her for coming for me.”

“But you still haven’t said how she saved you.” Nick said.

“It’s all a blur. I was about ready to pass out when she found me.” I reached a hand out and found Peter’s firm grip. “Can we talk about this some other time? It was a lot…”

“In your own time, pet.” he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, “You want to go see the fairy now?”

I nodded. A whirl of wind engulfed us and we were standing outside Tigerlily’s cave. The two women were sitting across from each other hunched in a deep conversation. They went silent upon seeing us at the entrance of the cave.

“You look better.” the woman that saved me was the first to stand.

“I feel better,” I nodded, “See you’ve made yourself comfortable. Tigerlily been treating you well?”

“Well enough,” she approached Peter and I carefully.

“I wanted to thank you for saving me.” I told her, “If it wasn’t for you I would still be in that dungeon.”

“I couldn’t just leave you there. He may be terrifying but to leave someone at the mercy of the--”

“Yes!” I cut her off before she could say anything more about who had me, “Very scary person, very evil, not good to be in their care. Thank you again for helping. But I need to know, what were you doing there?”

“Yes,” she stared at me strangely but pressed on, “I was looking for a magical artifact. Took a wrong turn and ended up in the dungeons.”

“What artifact?” Peter asked.

“A wand. Very dark magic that used to be extremely pure. We’ve been trying to locate it and destroy it for years but never could. I decided to go looking for it myself, maybe earn my place back among the fairies but I found this one instead.” she pointed at me, “Heard the big bad coming back so we made a quick getaway with this magic bean I had found.”

“Where’d you find a magic bean in the Enchanted Forest?”

“I stopped at a local inn and it was lying on the bedside table.”

“Oh gods,” the realization finally hit me, “Candace and all my things are still in the Enchanted Forest!”

“I’ll have someone go and retrieve your things and the phoenix.” Peter assured me then leaned close to whisper in my ear, “I have to admit that I loved the way you looked in that nightgown of yours.”

“I don’t care about the clothes, I just want Candace and my club back.”

“And your dagger?” His gaze found the empty space where my dagger usually rested. It felt strange to not have its familiar weight resting against my hip.

“No. That is lost. The one who had me took it.” I shuddered at the memory.

“I think it is for the best. I always said nothing good followed that dagger. Maybe now we can be free of its destruction.”

“I hope so.” I turned back to the former fairies. “Well, Tinkerbell, you are welcome to stay here as long as you please. You saved my life and for that I will always be in your debt.”

“While you are free to stay,” Peter interjected, “I can also offer you passage off the island if you want it. As thanks for returning my Lost Girl.”

“Thank you, Pan,” Tinkerbell nodded, “But I think I would like to stay. There are enemies I’ve made that I’d rather be free of and this seems the best place to keep safe from them.”

“Are you sure? This is the only time I will offer you this chance.”

“Yes. As long as you can promise that I will not be subjugated to any harsh treatment. Tigerlily has informed me of your hatred of fairies and while I am no longer one I feel like that doesn’t matter much to you.”

“And you’d be right. Any other instance and you would have been fed to the mermaids by now. But as it is,” Peter brushed a hand through my hair, “I owe you a great deal. You can create your home wherever you like and you have my word the boys nor the pirates will harm you. So long as you do not cause trouble that is.”

“I don’t plan on making more enemies on an island with no easy escape. I doubt you’ll hear much from me, if at all.”

“Great. I’d rather not have to hear from you.” Peter turned back to me, “Are we done here?”

“Yes. Goodbye ladies, I’ll speak to you later.” I waved to them before taking Peter’s arm again. Another whirl of wind and we were back in camp.

We found Devin and sent him to retrieve my things and Candace. I would have gone myself but I knew there was no way Peter was letting me leave Neverland anytime soon. After my stint as the Dark One’s prisoner I wasn’t too keen being anywhere other than Neverland anyways.

“What do you want to do now?” Peter asked after Devin had left.

“I want to see the ocean.”

“Then let us go see the ocean.” He tried to take hold of me to transport us to the beach but I ducked away from his hands. “Pet?”

“I want to walk.”

“Of course.” he held out a hand and we started the trek down to the beach. Wendy, Nick and Ben followed behind us.

Peter was quiet as we walked. I could see the questions he wanted to ask burning in his eyes. Not just the one about my abductor’s identity but much more. I would tell him. I know I would. When I felt safer. When the memory of it all was older and further away. I would tell him. Not now though. Now all I wanted was to sit and watch the waves with my friends.

~~~

“Excuse me,” Devin entered into the inn Pan and Y/N had told him about, “Have you seen a large white bird around here?”

“What do you want with it?” the boy Devin approached asked.

“It belongs to a friend of mine.”

“Likely story,” the boy scoffed.

“There a problem here, Phillip?” an older man came over eyeing Devin warily.

“I have it handled, papa,” the boy Phillip said. The older man gave Devin another disdainful look before leaving.

“Listen,” Devin stealthily brandished his dagger, poking the tip into the boy’s round belly, “That bird belongs to my friend. My sister. I am not leaving here without it.”

“You’re one of them.” the boy’s eyes widened, “One of the ones Y/N talked about.”

“You know her?”

“Yes. She was taken prisoner by the Dark One two weeks ago.”

(First) (Previous) (Next)

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 164: Catalyst

Snow and David gave her anxious and fearful stares, as she uttered those four little words, for nothing good ever came from the phrase, we need to talk.

"It's about Emma...isn't it?" Snow asked fearfully. Regina cast her gaze downward, before looking back up at them.

"Regina…" David said, as they saw the tears in her eyes.

"No…" he uttered.

"I'm sorry…" she cried.

"NO!" David refuted, as he clenched the counter top and his knuckles turned white.

"She can't be…" Snow pleaded, as tears were swimming in her eyes. Tears fell from David's eyes as well, as Regina came out from behind the bar.

"Nana? It can't be true," Bobby said. Tears slipped down Regina's cheeks, as she fell to her knees and hugged him.

"I'm sorry...Emma's dead," she said. At those words, Snow's knees buckled and she let out an anguished cry that chilled Regina to her bones. She had heard that same agonizing cry from her only twice before. One was the night of the first curse when she had invaded their castle and heard such echoing through the halls. It was the moment that she had sent Charming away with Emma to place her in the wardrobe. The next time was the moment Snow crushed David's heart in Atlantis and he fell dead to the ground. And now...it was because she had lost Emma again, perhaps forever this time.

David managed to catch Snow, before she collapsed to the floor and they collapsed together, sobbing in each other's arms.

"How...how did this happen?" David choked.

"David…" Regina protested.

"How? How did I fail my daughter? I need...I need to know," he cried.

"You didn't fail her...you never have," Regina sniffed.

"Did we block it out...is that why we don't remember?" he asked, as Snow sobbed uncontrollably against his chest.

"I...I don't know why. It could be the chalice...we don't know where it is or what's happening with it. Weaver is trying to find it," Regina responded.

"Clayton…he did this," David growled.

"And Gothel...she's the mastermind behind all of this," Regina added.

"Then she's here...somewhere too," Snow sniffed.

"Victoria has her under her thumb right now, but I don't know how much longer that will be true. That witch is manipulating her and she can't even see it," Regina replied.

"We need to see what happened that night," David insisted. Regina sighed.

"It's only going to bring you pain," she warned.

"We know...but we have to see," Snow said. Regina glanced at Bobby and then took out a small vial from behind the bar, which had a tiny drop of potion remaining in it.

"Take this home and put it in some water. Then you both need to drink it...it should wake you up the rest of the way," Regina said, as she handed the vial to Snow.

"Then once you know...Weaver is counting on you both being ready to fight," she added. David looked at her and his jaw was set in determination.

"Tell him we'll be ready...they're not going to know what hit them when we get done," he said.

"They killed our daughter...there's no mercy or forgiveness for that," Snow added harshly. The looks in their eyes worried Regina a bit, as she had only seen them like this a couple times. Each time they had faced some sort of separation or curse, Snow and David had a feral air about them when it came to finding each other or protecting one another. But this was a step further than that and she knew this is what Weaver wanted. He knew the news of Emma's death would get them ready to fight in a way they never had before. She didn't like it either. She didn't want them to do things that would darken their heart, but this was a loss of a child they were dealing with and she knew that there was no way that it couldn't have this effect on them. She just knew that she would have to be there to pull them back from the edge when the time came and only hoped their other children could keep them grounded.

"We'll make them pay...we'll make them hurt for this," Regina promised.

"Even if we do...and even if we somehow break this curse, how are we ever going to get home? We're in the past...we can't just drive across country to Storybrooke now," David lamented.

"I'm not sure...but if anyone is going to fix this, it will be you two. I know that you both need to grieve and that your first instinct is going to be getting revenge. I know that feeling...I know revenge and it won't help ease the pain," Regina warned.

"The only thing that will is defeating them for the right reasons and protecting the rest of our family," she advised. Snow's eyes glistened with tears.

"Emma…" she uttered, as she broke down again, this time, clenching her fists on David's shirt.

"There is still a small chance that Belle and Robin will figure out what happened," Regina offered.

"That's right...they weren't there. They're still in Storybrooke, our Storybrooke," David realized, as he ran a soothing hand along Snow's back.

"How will they ever figure out we're in the past though? How do we do this without Emma?" Snow cried, as he held her and Bobby close.

"I don't know, my darling...but I know that we'll figure it out. Emma's still with us...in here," he promised, as he pointed to her heart, even as he choked up again and tears fell. He could still hear her laughing or chiding him when he got overprotective. He remembered opening his eyes for the first time in ten years and seeing his baby Princess there, scared and alone, pleading for him to wake up. Had Emma died alone? Or had he at least been able to hold her...he needed to know. He needed to see, even though he knew it was going to break him.

"Gods...I'm a mess and we still have to tell Summer," she cried.

"Does Weaver have any idea where the chalice is?" David asked.

"He thought Clayton might have it, but he hasn't been able to discern where he might be keeping it. Since it doesn't have magic here, there is nothing stopping him from touching it, so it's really hard to say where they stashed it," Regina replied.

"We should go get Summer now. I'll check in with...Weaver later," David said, as he led his family out to his truck. Regina stayed behind, looking really defeated. She didn't know how Robin or Belle were ever going to figure out where they were. But there was one person she could call for reinforcements. The problem was getting her to listen at all and then getting her to remember was a whole other problem. But she knew she had to try and pressed call on the name Kelly West in her phone.

~*~

Storybrooke - 2023

The portal opened in the middle of Main Street and these days, that really wasn't anything newsworthy in their town. Portals were easy now and Tiny had a thriving crop of beans that were monitored, but not withheld from people in town wanting to travel to other realms. The four of them quickly made their way to the pawn shop and were lucky that Belle was there.

"Anna...is that you?" Belle asked, as Gideon sat beside her, playing a game on his tablet.

"Oh my God...Emma, what happened?" she exclaimed.

"Something very bad...her heart was poisoned. We'll explain everything, but we need to get her outside the town line and quickly," Elsa said. Belle nodded and grabbed her phone.

"Leroy...I need you to bring your van to the shop immediately. It's an emergency," she said, as she hung up quickly and then dialed Robin.

"Robin...it's Belle. I need you to meet me at the town line. Something's happened," she said, as she hung up the phone.

Robin and Roland got out of the car, as they reached the town line and they were surprised to see their friends from Arendelle there. And Emma, looking paler than they had ever seen.

"Emma...my Gods, what happened?" he asked, just as Aphrodite and James appeared too.

"Emma…" they uttered.

"I need to...get somewhere without magic," she said, as Aphrodite released a pulse of magic, allowing them all the pass through the barrier and outside the town. Emma felt instant relief and her color began to return.

"What the hell happened?" James asked.

"There's been another curse...and my heart was poisoned," she explained.

"Okay...start from the beginning," Aphrodite replied.

~*~

Snow and David arrived home with the kids, having picked Summer up from practice. The mood was obviously incredibly subdued from this morning's and Summer had dried tear tracks on her face. Her sister was dead and she had never seen her parents more devastated than now. It scared her to the core. She had thought that things could only get better from this point now that they remembered. But she was wrong.

After seeing them both off to bed, Snow and David collapsed onto the sofa together, clinging to each other for dear life.

"How do we do this?" Snow sniffed.

"I...I don't know. She can't be gone, Snow...she can't be," he cried, as if saying it might make it true.

"Oh Charming…" Snow cried, as they held each other and began crying again.

"We have to do this…" he said reluctantly. She nodded.

"I know," she added, as she poured the drop from the vial in a glass of water and then took a drink, before handing it to him. He drank too and they held each other's hands for dear life, as the memories that were being blocked were unlocked like a movie in their heads.

~*~

The Enchanted Forest 3

Storybrooke year 2023

Lucy blew out the candles on the huge birthday cake, made especially by her Aunt Sabine and Uncle Naveen. Everyone cheered for her and clapped, as she beamed with joy.

"Okay...time for presents!" Jacinda said excitedly, as Lucy prepared to open the mountain of gifts before her. But just as Lucy was getting ready to open her first gift, while her parents were cutting the cake, Snow and David both felt the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.

"Charming…" she uttered, as they felt the warning being communicated to them from the chalice, as it glowed.

"Yeah...I feel it and I see it," he muttered, as they noticed the hooded figures closing in around the courtyard from all sides. He clutched her hand, as they stepped up to intercept the invaders. Regina and Emma flanked them on one side and Rumple on the other. The figure in the center dropped their hood and revealed herself to be a woman with blonde hair, matted and tangled with dreadlocks.

"Who are you?" David demanded to know.

"I have many names. Some have called me mother Earth. Some call me chaos...as I'm sure your little cup is telling you I am. But I prefer Mother Gothel," she stated.

"You're the woman Aphrodite warned us about…" Snow said.

"Yes...it was your predecessors that locked me away for almost three millennium, but I am free now and here for my retribution," she responded.

"You were defeated once...and we'll do so again," David insisted.

"Oh, you'll try...but I think you'll simply be too busy trying to save those you love to stop me," Gothel retorted, as there was a rumbling beneath the ground, as nature heeded her call and vines emerged and began to wrap around everything in their path. Henry grabbed Lucy out of the way and huddled with Jacinda, as Gothel's followers unleashed their magic upon them.

Emma immediately countered her powers, while her siblings tried to protect everyone else. Vines wrapped around Tiana and Naveen, until Leo hacked through them with his sword, releasing them. He then shocked them with his lightning until the vines died. Ella gasped, as she saw some vines heading for them, but suddenly, they were in a protective bubble and they breathed in relief, for Summer had saved them. A couple of the witches surrounded her, intending to gang up on her, but there was a rumbling beneath them, as the ground opened up and collapsed beneath them, thanks to Bobby's powers.

"You've ruined enough lives...I won't let you hurt us anymore," Alice refuted, as she prepared to unleash her magic on Gothel.

"Is that so? You know...I am your mother, Alice. We could rule together once I restore order to all the realms," she offered.

"I would never join you! You are no mother...Emma has been more a mother to me than you ever have!" Alice countered. Gothel smirked.

"Really? Then perhaps I should probably thank her for trying to take my place," the witch hissed, as she set her sights on the Savior.

"Like hell you will, bitch," Snow growled, as she and David unleashed the chalice's magic and it collided with Gothel's. The witch only smirked and battled them, for they were doing exactly as she wanted them to. As she battled them, her vines multiplied and slowly captured every member of their family, except Emma, who continued to battle her with them.

"Surrender the chalice...or I will crush the bones of everyone you love to dust!" she warned. They looked horrified.

"Even if we wanted to...we can't. It can only be used by us," David refuted.

"That's true, for the most part...unless you will it to me. Do it...or I kill everyone you love, starting with the little ones," she growled, as the vines wrapped around Lucy and Bobby's necks.

"NO!" Snow cried, as they didn't hesitate and joined hands to do as she asked. The Chalice glowed brightly and Gothel's eyes filled greedily with power, as she reached for it. With it being freed from Snow and Charming's will, the spell on Drizella and Clayton was broken, as their stone forms had life again.

"Hey tree huger…" Emma called, as she blasted Gothel away from the chalice. Snow was quick to grasp it again, as they willed it back under their control and freed their family members with blasts of white magic, only to be immobilized with a blast of dark magic and the source was revealed to be none other than Dr. Facilier.

"Facilier…" Naveen growled.

"Let them go...if you ever cared about me, then let them go," Regina pleaded.

"There was a time you would have done anything to see them suffer," he countered.

"And everything has changed since then," Regina responded.

"Yes, you cast your curse or should I say...his curse, which ruined our chance at a future together," Facilier said, glaring at Rumple.

"What's done is done...it can't be changed," Regina refuted.

"Oh but it can...they can change it. They have the power with the chalice. Use it...turn back time!" Facilier demanded.

"You're insane...time travel isn't possible! We've been down this road," David refuted.

"Wrong...it is if you will it. But you two idiots vastly under-utilize that chalice. Its power is unlimited!" he ranted.

"We're not tampering with time travel...the consequences of that could be devastating," Snow admonished.

"Then I'll make you do it," Facilier said, as he snapped his fingers and employed his well practiced technique in hypnosis. Before Snow and Charming could look away, their eyes became fixated on the charmed medallion in his hand.

"You will do everything I tell you...and obey only my commands, Your Majesties," he leered, as he pulled them under his spell.

"No way Dr. Voodoo…" Emma growled, as she blasted him away and hurried up to her parents.

"Mom...Dad...snap out of it!" she cried, as Leo rushed over. With a tiny jolt, he touched them and awoke them from the trance.

"What the hell…" David uttered.

"He hypnotized you both...don't look at his medallion!" Emma called to everyone.

"Enough games...it's time for the end," Gothel stated.

"Like hell it is…" Emma growled.

"I will get what I want now…" Gothel said, as she surprised everyone and her hand went into Emma's chest.

"Emma!" Snow and David cried. But Emma looked smugly at the witch.

"Haven't you heard? My heart can't be ripped...none of ours can," Emma said, gesturing to her siblings.

"We're the products of the truest love and it's the most powerful magic of all," she continued. But Gothel smirked back.

"Oh I know...I'm not trying to rip your heart. I only mean to poison it," she said, as she released a pulse of her toxic magical poison, causing a sickly green glow emanating from Emma's chest. She collapsed to her knees and her parents rushed to her.

"Emma…" David cried.

"What have you done?" Snow shouted.

"I told you...I've poisoned her heart. Now her only chance at survival is going to a place without magic," Gothel stated.

"EMMA!" Killian cried, as he fell to his knees beside her and then glared murderously at Gothel.

"Why?! Haven't you caused enough pain and suffering?" he spat.

"No...not even close. This world...all the worlds are going to burn, Captain. And they shall make it happen for me," Gothel replied.

"What makes you think we'd ever help you," David spat, as he cradled their dying daughter with tears streaming down his face.

"Because the only way to save her...is the Dark Curse. And I know you both will do anything to save one of your precious brats," Gothel hissed.

"Haven't you been paying attention, you lunatic? They already cast the Dark Curse. They have no heart to use, nor do I," Regina growled. Gothel smirked.

"Very true...but once one has cast the Dark Curse, it makes its mark on that person's DNA, so to speak. So...all that is needed for another one is their blood," Gothel explained, as the Chalice glowed before them and a cauldron with all the other ingredients for the Dark Curse appeared before them. Tears slipped down Snow's cheeks, as she realized that another curse was the only way to save their daughter.

"Why does this keep happening?" she murmured and her sorrow made the rage inside David boil over, as he lunged at Dr. Facilier.

"I won't let you...I won't let you do this! I won't let you monsters separate us again!" he raged, as he punched the doctor and he used his magic to thrust David several feet back. Snow rushed to him and helped him up, as they fell into each other's arms, clinging fiercely to one another.

"We have to save Emma...even if it means losing each other," she cried. He nodded, knowing she was right and his half heart was already aching.

"Mom...Dad...don't do this," Emma pleaded, as they knelt beside her.

"We have to, baby...we can't lose you," Snow cried, as she kissed her forehead.

"But we'll be cursed…" she reminded.

"We will...but I'll find you and Mom. I'll find all of you," David promised, as their other crying children huddled around them.

"He will babies...Daddy always finds us," Snow promised, as she sobbed and the twins hugged her for dear life.

"Dad...what's gonna happen to me and Summer? Will we be with you and Mom?" Bobby asked. Horror filled David's features, as he realized that their older children could be on their own, but Bobby and Summer were still kids.

"Dad...that's why you can't do this. You can't let them be alone out there," Emma pleaded.

"A bubble...maybe if Summer can use a bubble, it can keep them with at least one of you," Regina suggested.

"You've wasted enough time...cast the curse! Or your daughter dies!" Gothel demanded. Snow pulled away from her children and David helped her up, as they approached the cauldron, glaring at the smug faces of Clayton and Drizella across from it.

"You lose Charmings...true love is about to die again," Clayton said smugly.

"True love never dies, you bastard and we'll prove that again, just as we always do," Snow spat in return, as she sliced her hand with her dagger and then David's. They let their mixed blood drop into the cauldron and it activated the curse. Purple smoke billowed from it and began to rise into the air. The look on Gothel's face was one of pure victory.

"Yes...finally, my revenge is at hand!" she cackled, as the Charming family huddled together, all crying around Emma.

"This is a white elephant...take it. It will keep you and Alice together," Rumple said, handing it to Killian.

"Shouldn't we give this to young Bobby?" Killian questioned.

"Summer's bubbles can do the same thing this does," Rumple answered, as the former pirate spied Ella and Henry clinging to their daughter and each other in desperation. His heart sank and as much as he wanted to be with Alice, he knew Lucy needed her mother more. Alice knew it too and nodded sadly to him.

"I love you starfish...and I've been a part of this family long enough to know that...I will find you," he promised.

"Not if I find you first, papa...I love you too," she cried, as they hugged and he kissed her hair, before hurrying over to Ella and handing her the white elephant.

"Lucy is much younger...she needs her mother. Take it," he pleaded, as she looked at him with grateful eyes.

"Thank you," Henry cried. Killian nodded and clapped his shoulder, before hurrying back to Alice and Emma's side.

"It'll be all right, Emma...the pain will be gone soon," he promised, as he kissed her hand, as the curse reached full boil and it began to take the people, forming a literal bubble around them.

"It's here!" Killian cried.

"Summer...you have to put yourself and Bobby in a bubble!" Regina cried, as the winds of the Dark Curse whipped around them.

"What about you?! What about Mom and Dad?!" she cried.

"We'll be fine...but your parent's true love is the only hope for any of us! It could be up to you and Bobby to find them and bring them back together!" Regina cried, as she saw her parents, clinging to each other for dear life. Tears streamed down her cheeks. It was happening again...they were all going to be separated. Her older brothers and sisters huddled around her parents, while Bobby clung to her mother's legs, with her father's strong hand on his back. And Emma was moments from death, unless they were taken to a place without magic. She tried to make a bubble, but her magic faltered, for her emotions interfered and it was much harder since the curse was sucking all the magic out of the air.

"I...I can't…" she cried.

"You have to, baby...I know it's not fair," Regina said. Summer nodded and hugged her.

"I love you, Nana...I'll find you," she promised. Regina smiled.

"I know you will," she replied, as she prodded her toward her parents.

"Daddy…" she said tearfully, as he put his arm around her. She watched her parents look at each other and there had only been one other time she had seen them look so utterly broken. When Dr. Jekyll almost separated them when she was little.

"Charming…" Snow choked through a sob.

"I'll find you…" he promised tearfully.

"No...you won't…" Clayton interjected, as he stood there smugly with the others that were responsible for all this.

"See...we're not going to some inclusive town like your beloved Storybrooke. We're going to the real Land Without Magic; a very large city where there will be no hope of any of you reuniting," Clayton informed.

"You're lying!" Leo roared.

"No…I'm not, boy. There's no hope this time. No magic, which means no chalice and no true love," he retorted smugly. The looks of desperation and hopelessness in her parent's eyes frightened Summer to her very core. She clenched her eyes shut tightly and her bubble wavered, as she tried with all her might to summon her powers. She reached out and grabbed Bobby's hand, managing to encase him fully in the bubble and then herself partially in one. She clutched her father's shirt for dear life, while Bobby held onto Snow.

"We'll make you pay...I swear it," Emma said weakly. Gothel smirked.

"Oh...except you won't be there to do anything at all, dear Savior. You see, the Queen was right about one thing. Your parent's true love cannot truly be defeated. They may be separated and kept apart for a while, but despite what this idiot Collector thinks, they'll find each other somehow. In fact...I'm counting on it," Gothel revealed.

"What?" Snow uttered. She smirked.

"That's right...remember New York, dear Snow? Do you really think it was just the Olympian crystal was the only thing bringing magic to a land without? No...you and your Charming can do the same with the chalice and it's exactly what I need," Gothel revealed.

"Why?" David demanded to know. But she just kept smirking.

"That's my business, handsome. Just do what you do best...and find your darling Snow for me when we get there. Then I can begin the true retribution," she hissed. And they screamed, as Emma was pulled away from them and encased in a bubble, not unlike the one Cora had once used to keep herself and Killian from being taken by the first curse, for he recognized it instantly.

"No...Emma!" he cried, as he placed his hands on the barrier, but couldn't get through.

"It's okay…" Emma choked out weakly, as tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I love you…" she uttered.

"I love you…" he responded, as she looked at her parents, who looked absolutely devastated.

"This is going to kill them when they remember...please look after them once you get your memories back," she requested. He nodded, even as he cried.

"I promise," he replied, as he put his hand on the barrier and then disappeared with the curse.

"EMMA!" Snow cried and her cry was agonizing.

"I love you guys...you're the best parents a kid could ever have," she said tearfully.

"EMMA!" David screamed, as he tried to use the chalice to nullify the barrier, but Gothel's magic was too powerful.

"It's okay Daddy...I'll be okay…" she promised, as her family, faces full of grief and anguish disappeared, along with the rest of her family and friends, until she was alone. The barrier disappeared at that point and anger at the witch that had done this to them swelled in her. But then she remembered something...Elsa. Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff would be arriving later. If only she could survive long enough...maybe leaving her behind could prove to be an incredible error on Gothel's part. She crawled on her hands and knees into Tiana's castle. If she was going to survive long enough to get help, then she had to find a place to rest and take care of herself.

"You think you've won, Gothel...but you underestimated a Charming and that was your first mistake," she rasped.

"I'll find my family...and we'll defeat you," she promised.

~*~

Snow and David's eyes snapped open and they stared at each other in disbelief. The last thing they saw was their daughter, laying on the ground and dying before them. Snow's face crumpled in anguish and she fell against him, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Emma…" she cried in agony, as he cried with her.

"I'm so sorry, my darling...I failed. I failed us all," he sobbed with her. But she shook her head.

"No...you have never failed us, my love. None of this is your fault. It's that witch...she did this. She did all of this. That Doctor and the Collector helped, along with that little bitch, Drizella Tremaine," Snow said fiercely.

"They're going to pay...I swear to you, Snow. They're going to pay for what they've done to our family," David promised, just as fiercely.

"Revenge has never been our way," she said uncertainly.

"It's not revenge we're after...it's justice. Justice for our daughter...justice for separating this family. Justice for all the evil they have wrought. We will not become them...we will seek justice through the light," he promised.

"What do we do first?" she asked.

"We find the chalice...I think if anything can fix any of this, it's where we should start," he replied, as there was a knock at the door and she answered it.

"Regina…Gold," Snow said, as she let them in.

"We have a huge problem," she replied.

"What's happened now?" David asked.

"It's Lucy…" Weaver said gravely...

[stormlight1]

Feral - A Labyrinth Story

One

     Sarah Williams-Bradshaw chopped celery with a little more force than was necessary and tried her hardest not to be irritated with her stepmother. It seemed like she was always irritated with her stepmother. She tried not to be, because Karen meant well, but she had this chronic habit of meddling. Perhaps when Sarah was still a teenager, her meddling had been justified (although Sarah would never admit such a thing). But she had turned twenty-six not so long ago, and the last thing she wanted was to be given pointers on how she ought to be running her own life. She was married, for cripes sake! Had been for almost seven years now. That had to account for something, didn't it?

     Okay, so maybe her marriage was on the verge of collapse, but that wasn't her fault. She wasn't the one who'd gone off and cheated. On more than one occasion, she suspected, although Augustine had only ever admitted to the one affair. And that was only because she'd come home from work three hours early one day, and walked in right as he was in the middle of having it.

     Thank goodness Katie, their seven-year-old daughter, had still been in school during that fiasco…

     "Ow!" Sarah jerked her hand away from the cutting board and stuck her thumb in her mouth, glared at the knife she'd just sliced across its pad. That's what she got for not paying attention.

     "Do you need a band-aid?"

     "No, Karen, I'm fine," she sighed, examining the shallow wound critically. Even after all these years, Sarah still refused to call her stepmother "Mom". She could tell it bothered the woman, who had long since given up trying to convince her to do so. Sometimes she even felt guilty about it, but she couldn't bring herself to call Karen by anything other than her given name. It felt like she'd be betraying her own mother to do otherwise.

     Never mind that her own mother had moved to London with her famous boyfriend not long after Sarah's sixteenth birthday and hadn't been back since. She hadn't even returned for the birth of her first grandchild—She'd recently been cast as a lead in one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals and just couldn't come for a visit at such a critical time—and although Sarah had assured her that she understood, she didn't. Not really. But her mother had always been career-driven that way. It was why she'd chosen to walk out on her own daughter in the first place.

     Her thumb finally stopped bleeding, and Sarah resumed chopping vegetables for the beef stew she was throwing together for dinner tonight. It was her day off, which automatically made it her day to cook. She didn't really mind cooking, but she did wish Karen would take herself off somewhere else. Like grocery shopping or over to the neighbor's house for a few hours of gossip. She really wasn't in the mood for company at the moment.

     The glimpse of dark yellow caught her eye, reminded her of the thick manilla envelope teetering on the corner of the kitchen table. It was still unopened even a week after its arrival, but she knew what it contained. Divorce papers. She and Augustine had been separated for eight months. The moment she'd found him in bed with that woman (whose name she still didn't know, nor did she care to learn), she'd packed a suitcase for herself and her daughter and left straightaway for her childhood home.

     When she'd married, she had moved only a few miles away—practically within walking distance, really—and in all this time she hadn't returned to her own house even once. She was afraid to, afraid of what she might yet again walk in on. Besides, it wasn't even her house. Augustine had already owned the place before they'd gotten married, left to him by some deceased relative or other. It had been an inexpensive and convenient solution at the time, and the house was beautiful. A lot like the one she'd grown up in, with plenty of room inside and a big backyard outside. And the beloved park where Sarah used to act out so many of her fantasies was still completely accessible. It was the perfect place for raising a family, exactly what a newlywed couple with their first child already on the way needed. Sarah had never imagined she'd be in danger of losing it someday.

     She'd even left the family dog there, for which Katie had yet to forgive her, but Karen wasn't fond of large, hairy animals, so he'd had to stay behind. Sarah could only hope her husband remembered to feed Ambrosius on a daily basis. He could be so scatterbrained when he delved into his work, teaching mythology courses at the university where she'd met him. He'd only been a student teacher back then (more like an errand boy for the established professors, he often joked). It had practically been love at first sight for her. He was cultured. Handsome, charismatic, and very grown-up. He, in fact, reminded her a great deal of Jeremy, her mother's boyfriend, whom she'd had something of a crush on in her younger days. And, if she was being completely honest with herself, he reminded her a little of a certain other handsome, charismatic gentleman she'd once known. One who'd run her through one of the most magical and exciting adventures of her teenaged life, and then vanished from it forever.

     Sarah gave herself a mental shake before her mind could wander further into dangerous memories. That had been practically another life, almost like a dream. And she was the only one who remembered. Toby had barely been two years old, much too young to remember anything about the Labyrinth. And although she used to tell him stories about her unusual friends and their adventures, he was almost thirteen now and much too grown up for silly fairy tales.

     At least her Katie still enjoyed them, Sarah thought fondly, although she supposed it wouldn't be too much longer before her daughter decided she was also too grown up for such things. She'd always been more of a practical, sensible child; she took after neither of her parents in that aspect. Sarah told stories of the Labyrinth more for her own benefit than for Katie's. Just to make sure she wouldn't completely forget the people she'd met during her brief time there, whom she hadn't seen since before Katie had been born. Since before she'd even graduated high school.

     For awhile, Hoggle and Sir Didymus had visited every few nights, speaking to her in her world through the small vanity mirror that somehow connected theirs. Ludo also would join them every once in awhile, his large shaggy body filling every inch of the wooden mirror frame. Frankly, it had looked uncomfortable, being all squished together like that. Sarah had often invited them through to visit in her bedroom, as they'd done that first night, but they always politely refused. Something about transporting between worlds requiring a lot of magic, and Jareth might get wind of their little visits and be … not so happy about it, considering.

     Sarah had always suspected the Goblin King already knew about their visits—he seemed the type to know everything about everybody, after all—but she never pressed the issue. Ludo really was rather too large for her cozy bedroom, and she hated having her space invaded by anyone, even good friends. So, she'd been content to chat through the mirror with them, relating events of her (relatively dull and normal) life, and listening eagerly to their stories about the events in theirs. Didymus did most of the talking on these occasions, as he was the best storyteller of the three and, besides, once the excitable little fox knight really got going, it was hard to get a word in edgewise.

     It was these stories that Sarah repeated to her little brother and, later, to her daughter (with a few added embellishments of her own). Toby had loved them, and so did Katie, and Sarah wondered if maybe she ought to write them down sometime, put them together in a collection for either of the children to pass on to their kids when the time came. And in this way she could be sure that her dear friends would never, ever be forgotten.

     Even if it seemed like, for all accounts and purposes, they had completely forgotten about her.

     After a couple of years, happening so gradually that she'd hardly noticed, Sarah had come to realize that her friends' visits were coming less and less. Daily visits that occurred three or four times a week became three or four times a month. Then twice a month. Then once or twice every few months. When she pressed for reasons, Hoggle had been rather vague, but he'd always been a terrible liar and she knew that, although he'd assured her things were fine and dandy in the Underground, all was not well in his world. When she grew more insistent that he tell her what was going on, however, he became defensive and edgy, told her in no uncertain terms that it was best she keep her nose in her own business and out of his. And that had been the end of it.

     If Sarah recalled correctly, that had also been one of the last times she'd spoken with the grouchy little dwarf.

     Not that she was willing to just sit back and take his advice, of course. She was far too stubborn to let the subject go so easily. But she had no idea what she could do to amend the problem. For starters, how could she even reach the Labyrinth again? The mirror seemed to be a portal, but only from their side and she certainly didn't possess the magic to use it. The only sure way she knew to reach them would be to call upon Jareth. And given how things had turned out the first time that happened, she wasn't about to tempt the Goblin King's wrath by invoking his name a second time. Besides, the only thing she had to wish away was herself, and she wasn't about to put her life into the hands of someone whom she was certain hated her now. For breaking his pride, at least, if not his entire kingdom.

     The only thing she could do in the end was just sit back and wait and hope that her friends might come back someday, and try to ignore the sharp sting of rejection their disappearance had wrought.

     Perhaps, Sarah thought, as she loaded chopped vegetables and beef into the crock-pot to simmer, that was where it had all gone so wrong. Perhaps if she hadn't been so desperate to cling to her tenuous grasp on the Labyrinth and its inhabitants, she never would have enrolled in those weekend mythology courses at the university, hoping to learn about something in regards to the Underground. Perhaps stories of its king? Or even its denizens. Or, dare she say, some ancient method of traveling to and from that world.

     And if she hadn't taken those classes, maybe she never would have laid eyes on Augustine Harrison Bradshaw. No matter that he was already twenty-seven to her mere seventeen-and-a-half years, and well into adulthood; Sarah had begun to suspect by this point that she was attracted to older men in general. Especially tall, gorgeous men with blond hair and intense eyes and mysterious auras. First Jeremy-the-actor. Then—grudgingly admitted—Jareth (who was a friggin' faerie king for cripes sake!), and now her mythology professor.

     What had been even more astounding was that he'd seemed to like her back. At least, well enough to take her virginity and knock her up after only their sixth date, which had been to celebrate her eighteenth (and first legal) birthday. Sarah scowled darkly, stabbed the tip of her knife into the cutting board hard enough so it stood upright, wobbling slightly from the force. She winced and hoped Karen hadn't noticed. Her stepmom tended to be as particular about her expensive kitchen appliances as Sarah used to be about her bedroom.

     As she began cleaning up the counter, she heard the rumble of a school bus slowing in front of the house, pulling up to the curb on squeaky breaks to unload its passengers. She glanced at the clock with a smile. Three-thirty on the dot. Never a moment late. A minute later the front door burst open and Toby's jubilant shout of "We're home!" resounded through the house.

     "Shoes off and coats hung!" Karen reprimanded before her son could forget and leave his things in a heap on the floor, as he tended to do. The scuffle of activity, and the sound of feet pounding up the stairs; that would be Toby, Sarah mused, probably off to catch his favorite cartoon on the small TV set up in his room. A lighter step caught her attention as a little girl bounced into the kitchen, backpack dragging on the floor behind her. She grinned and made a beeline to Karen, threw her arms around her in a hug. "Hi, Grandma!" she chirped. "Guess what we did in class today? Ms. Julia gave us notebooks and told us to write our own story about what we like, and we have to draw pictures for it and everything." She withdrew her hug and stepped back, a thoughtful frown on her face. "I don't know what I should write, though."

     "Well, what do you like?" Karen prompted.

     Katie shrugged. "I like school." Her face lit up. "And I like your sugar cookies!"

     Sarah laughed. "I think that's a hint for a snack, huh?"

     "Mommy!" Katie abandoned her grandmother to throw her arms around her mother's waist and grin up at her, chin pressed to her stomach. "Can I have a cookie?" She offered her best puppy expression through eyes that were just like her mother's, and Sarah mussed her fine blond hair, which was in serious danger of unraveling from its long braid. "You can have two cookies," she bargained, "if you promise to offer one of them to your uncle."

     "Okay!" Katie nodded emphatically, and although Sarah knew Toby would probably never catch a glimpse of that second cookie, she decided not to call her on it. Katie was just too adorable, and she realized, right then and there, that it was worth it. Whatever had happened in the past, her foolish decision to marry Augustine when he'd proposed not too long after learning she was pregnant (and she knew that he'd only done it to save face, if not his career). Whether or not her marriage did, indeed, end in shambles, in a far too similar fashion as her parents' … it was all worth it, because she'd gotten a beautiful little daughter out of the deal, and unlike her house and everything in it, Katie was one hundred percent hers, and nothing was ever going to change that.

     Sarah sighed, glanced again at the envelope on the table. The one with her name typed in neat, impersonal print on the label in the middle—along with her parents' address, not her own—and the neat, impersonal name and return address of an unknown lawyer on the top left-hand corner. It was funny; she'd never realized lawyers even put return addresses on things like this, offering a modicum of privacy for their clients, perhaps. But maybe Augustine had insisted his lawyer do so, just to mess with her. Just to let her know in no uncertain terms that he was ready to end this farce of a marriage and go off and have affairs with as many women as he liked, guilt-free.

     Charming, handsome men like that were all the same, she supposed. Jeremy had eventually abandoned her mother in London … or maybe her mother had abandoned him; Sarah really wouldn't have put it past the woman to move on to greener pastures when she got bored. She'd done it once already, after all.

     As for the Goblin King, well… Sarah really didn't want to think about his conquests. He was immortal, after all. He'd probably lived long enough to have had thousands of them by this point. And who knew how many children he might've fathered as a result? Sarah knew next to nothing about him. Hoggle and Didymus never brought him up, and she'd always been too shy to broach the subject and inquire after his health or something, afraid it might raise suspicions and possibly a little teasing. A guy like Jareth, after all, was way out of the league of any human being, much less an inexperienced teenager such as herself.

     "Where are you going?"

     Karen's question snapped Sarah out of gloomy thoughts. She realized with some surprise that she'd unknowingly picked up the envelope and had been headed out of the kitchen, following her daughter. She blinked and pondered for a moment, sighed in defeat. "To my room," she decided. "I've got some reading to do, I guess. Call me when dinner's ready, okay?"

     Karen offered a sympathetic smile as she watched her stepdaughter walk dejectedly away. This was, after all, what she'd been trying to get her to do for the better part of a week now. She knew from experience that this sort of situation was devastating, but Sarah couldn't keep avoiding the responsibility of dealing with it, if only for Katie's sake. The sooner she faced facts and got the whole messy business over with, the sooner she could get her and her daughter's lives back on track and into some semblance of normalcy.

     Karen sat back and sipped her coffee, watched the minutes tick by, and wished it was six o'clock so her own dear Robert would be finished with work and come home. Suddenly, all she wanted was curl up in his arms and remind herself—and him—of just how lucky they both were for everything they had.

Chapter Two