#her parents are forcefully marrying her off to a much older man when she’s like 14

[githvyrik]

juliet (from shakespeare) does actually make me feel very sad :(

[hafanforever]

Reflections of a Mad Man

In my analysis “Through a Mirror Darkly”, I described how Runeard is a unique Disney main antagonist to be an evil counterpart to not only a heroic character, but to another main antagonist, that being Hans. Between the events that occur in both Frozen and Frozen II, I see that Runeard is arguably a dark reflection to Agnarr, his own son, his granddaughters, Elsa and Anna, and as I said, to Hans, another evil monarch.

Agnarr: 

Both were kings of Arendelle.

Both held a fear of magic, which ultimately caused them to lose their lives.

Both married a woman from a different land with whom they had children.

However, Agnarr was able to look past Elsa’s magic and still love her as his daughter and a person, rather than his heir, along with his other daughter Anna and wife Iduna, both of whom he also genuinely loved. His fear of magic was well-intentioned because Elsa accidentally injured Anna with her ice powers due to having trouble controlling them. Agnarr was also determined to protect his daughters, which he did by separating them, and to help Elsa learn to control her magic to prevent further accidents.

On the other hand, Runeard's fear of magic was entirely self-centered because he viewed it as a threat, but only to himself rather than his servants and subjects. He blamed all of his problems, including those that happened in Arendelle, on magic because he did not want to accept responsibility for these problems and his own misdeeds, and instead took the easy way out by blaming magic since magic cannot defend itself. Additionally, Runeard never even loved Rita and Agnarr and only saw them as assets to his status and Arendelle based on their own royal positions. He forcefully married Rita to create an alliance with her kingdom and increase his power and rank, and became annoyed and impatient when she grew sad over missing her home and yearning for freedom. When Rita left Arendelle for good, Runeard scolded Agnarr for weeping over her absence and lied to him about her being carried off by "evil spirits". He subsequently assigned Lieutenant Mattias to be Agnarr’s official guard so he wouldn’t have to be responsibility for Agnarr’s well-being himself.

Therefore, Runeard serves as a dark example of what Agnarr could have become if his father was much more personally involved in raising him.

His older granddaughter Elsa:

Both are very powerful monarchs who were the sole rulers of Arendelle (Elsa never married, while Rita eventually abandoned Runeard, leaving him as the only ruler of the kingdom).

Both kept big secrets about themselves from their kingdom, which related to their deep-rooted fear of magic.

However, Elsa feared her own magical powers since she believed that she would harm innocent people with them if she lost control, especially the people she loved. Eventually, she overcame her fear and learned to trust herself and others, despite her powers.

On the contrary, Runeard feared magic because he considered it to be a great threat and competition to his royal status and power, and to be something that made people think they were so powerful that they would defy or challenge a monarch like himself. His fear twisted into paranoia, hatred, and bigotry, which clouded and corrupted his judgment over trusting people and giving them a chance if they were magical or had magical ties. Because the Northuldra follow magic, it was that reason alone that Runeard flatly refused to ever give them a chance and believed they could never be trusted.

Therefore, Runeard serves as a dark parallel of what Elsa might have become if she allowed her fear to consume her.

His younger granddaughter Anna:

Both are rulers of Arendelle.

Both lose and/or face a disconnection from a family member due to magic. Runeard’s wife Rita leaves him after having her memories of him erased by Pabbie in order to freely exit their loveless marriage, and Anna is separated from Elsa after accidentally being injured by her, then loses her parents when they drown while trying to cross the Dark Sea to find Ahtohallan.

However, despite their separation, Anna still loved Elsa and yearned to reconnect with her. When Elsa’s powers were revealed, Anna held no spite, fear, or bigotry towards her sister, even for being magical, and instead sought to help her. She is also a very selfless extrovert who loves people, not just her sister and parents, but her servants and the citizens in her kingdom, and is always willing to help them, without holding any kind of prejudice towards those in different social classes.

At the same time, Runeard held a great amount of wrath and prejudice towards magic and anyone with ties to magic, with one of his reasons being because he blamed it for Rita leaving him. This made him instantly distrust people or beings who had anything to do with magic and stubbornly refuse to give them a chance. Since Runeard only cared about himself and the power and social rank his position as king gave him, he looked down on everyone else, especially people of the lower classes, including his servants, family, and the Arendellian citizens. He never truly cared about his wife and son or for the welfare of his people, so any concerns he ever had were only selfishly for himself.

Therefore, Runeard serves as a dark counterpart of what Anna would have become if she gave up on Elsa and learned to develop prejudice and fear towards magic.

Hans: 

Both men are monarchs who are very obsessive, manipulative, ruthless, and cruel, but fool the public by pretending to be kind, charismatic, trustworthy, and benevolent in order to gain the trust and loyalty of people just for their own personal, but selfish, interests and benefits. 

Both are also very power-hungry individuals who only care about about the power they have/crave, and have no qualms about committing treachery and murder to get what they want and protect their power.

Both sneak up on people sitting on the ground and try to murder them with their swords since they view those as standing in the ways of their goals. But while Hans failed to kill Elsa due to Anna’s intervention, Runeard successfully killed the Northuldra leader.

Therefore, Runeard is what Hans could have become if he had successfully murdered both Elsa and Anna and been crowned king of Arendelle.

[venusdeus]

Court of Kings - Chapter 1

Summary: Sent to a neighboring kingdom to secure an alliance, forced to give up your dreams and ambitions, disregarded as a means to an end. You however have no desire to fulfil their wishes. And neither does Oikawa.

Pairing: Oikawa Tooru x female reader

Genre: Fluff, comedy, angst, royalty au, arranged marriage au, enemies to lovers au (more like enemies to allies to friends to lovers), eventual smut?

Word count: 2700+

Warnings: All the characters are adults unless specified. This chapter is sfw. Minors do not interact.

Notes: Part 1 of a long series I’m planning to write. This is my first fic in this blog so I would greatly appreciate comments, follows and feedback!

Read Prologue first <...> Chapter 2

August 5th

The first messengers arrived when you were having afternoon tea with your literature instructor in the gardens of your summer residence, as your brother was practicing his sword skills not too far. A maid sent by your mother brought you the news of their negotiation a few hours later, accompanied by some of the strawberry macarons you loved so much.  

If it were up to you, you would refuse such a ridiculous offer even before it was brought to your attention. Now that they had a male heir to the throne however, there was no use of a girl that had no claim to become the future ruler, other than being sent to create diplomatic relations now that you were over twenty summers.

“Where do you think they are from?” your brother asked as he tried to dust off his clothes, quite tired from following the orders of his practice partner all day long.

“I wouldn’t know, I didn’t see any flags with them.” you continued as he looked disappointed “But they were wearing blue, so at least we know it's not from the south.”

He nodded; his eyes wide with worry “I am glad they are not sending you there.”

“No one is sending me anywhere yet Hiro.” you answered quite annoyed, turning your head sharply to glare at the boy.

It was not his fault per see but him being recognized as the heir has left you in an awkward situation for the past twelve years. You loved your brother dearly, unlike the distant relationship you had with your parents. It was not because you had the ambition to rule the kingdom either. Of course, it was unfair as you were the firstborn, and if not for what was between your legs, you would also have been the one to inherit the crown.

Even if that was so, you simply did not find it in yourself to become a leader. You, however, did wish to be able to shape your own future. One that did not involve fulfilling the selfish wishes of others.

“It would be awfully lonely without you.” he sighed, instantly making you feel guilty for sounding a little bit too harsh.

Hiro looked incredibly small for his age, standing there with his shoulders slouched, fingers flicking, a skinny and sickly kid since the day he was born. He took after your father with his dark hair and almost pitch-black eyes, but with your mother's facial features, a contrast to your own looks that bore no resemblance to any of them, another reason for your alienation from the rest of the family.

“And it would be awfully quiet without you.” you teased “Maybe then I would be able to read in peace.”

Several footsteps coming behind you silenced you both before Hiro could retort, cutting the joyful air and replacing it with a heavy feeling.

Your mother was a beautiful woman that much was true, but in a different way to that of her kids. The Queen had extremely sharp features and her painted lips always supported a displeased frown. She acted as her title suggested, prim and proper, she fit her role perfectly.

Renowned for her charm when she was younger, she did not lose much to the ages if not for the wrinkles next to her keen eyes and the white threads on her hair. Likewise, she was as smart as she was alluring. Coming from a family that lost their wealth a long time ago even though they still supported titles, no one would even dream of her being second to the sole ruler of their beloved country. She was a success-driven woman, which made her a threat in the eyes of many in the court, thus she was not given the right to make a decision when it came to the education of the heirs she produced. Although affectionate towards her kids first, she had no say on the time she had with them, causing their family ties to weaken, and mostly spent her time with foreign ambassadors. A responsibility entrusted upon her by her husband.

“I see you received my message.” she declared not looking at you directly “We will talk more about this after our guests leave. For now, I want both of you to go to your rooms and stay there until dinner.”

You could sense the irritation in her voice. It was not for her kids, however, as you could see the dark circles under her eyes, a sign of her losing sleep for the past few days.

“Won’t we meet our guests?” Hiro questioned before you could.

“It is not needed as they are only messengers.” the Queen answered shortly before continuing her walk towards the main hall, her maids trailing behind. “I will see you two in an hour.”

Leaving your brother behind, you decided to head down towards the observatory. You knew that you would get an earful from your maids later for not changing your garments for the dinner, but your head was filled with too many questions and negative possibilities to care about dresses. It was not as if you did not know that this day would come. It even took longer than expected if all things considered. Most in your position would be engaged before they even stopped using diapers. It was a more political alliance than anything else, decided by the respective kingdoms and the advisors.

You even saw the letters that were exchanged since last year with multiple seals supporting different coat of arms. The council of your father must have declined the offers before this. Not for your sake, at least you didn’t think it was, but for not suiting their taste. It was a big deal for the princess of a country, whether being the heir or not, to marry someone as it reassured the ties you would create.

The only positive thing that happened so far was the fact that you would not be sent to the south. The Southern Kingdom was placed across the sea and was an important trade partner to your own.

It was a wealthy country for sure, but also too grim and the people too wild. Other than the traded goods it wasn’t a traveller-friendly country. They kept to themselves and even though the only thing that separated the two port kingdoms was a narrow sea, they had a vastly different culture. These differences resulted in legends and the rumors about the country becoming more and more outrageous over time.

They called their men barbaric, only interested in hunt and the art of war. Their women proclaimed witches, quite beautiful unlike the stereotype, but worshippers of a different God. All just foolish rumors said your history instructor. He was a wise man that travelled a lot when he was younger and according to him these tales were nonsense. Their folk did not originate there but immigrated over a few centuries ago. He taught you that the people of the Southern Kingdom were that of culture and arts. They just did not like intruders. His words didn’t ease your or Hiro’s heart however as you were fed these tales since you were younger.

If you could find a way to escape from this responsibility you would. Yet, since the first time you sensed what was going on you were looking for an answer, just to be disappointed every time.

The dinner was cold and tasteless even though it was made from the best ingredients one could manage to find. “The lady that makes them must hate her occupation with a passion” claimed your brother when you were dismissed “I can’t understand how mother likes it.”

Once again, the King did not join you at the table. It was always the same excuse, politics, responsibilities. But you knew better. You knew why your parents did not share a bed anymore and you could see the looks women of the court gave to your father. It was not because the King was a good-looking man, quite the opposite in fact, but power attracted people.

You were fully grown now and even when you were younger, you knew what these actions indicated. You even had the most unfortunate memory of seeing one of them, who was not much older than you, leaving your father's chamber looking quite flushed. You would have not cared if only the woman did not give you a curtsy while supporting a smirk.

Lady Winna was her real name, daughter of a lord that was close to the King, nicknamed Lady Whore by you. And most of the time, she was the reason your father would skip the meals altogether only to receive a feast in his room later that night. Which was why you knew that you should never hope for a love match. If lucky you could maybe be friends with your future partner.

“She does not hate her job, she hates her life” you replied “Not that it would matter, she will leave soon. I heard she was pregnant with a lord’s child. A married one on top of that.”

Hiro gasped “What if someone were to hear you talking about these rumors” he exclaimed hitting your arm quite forcefully “you could be punished.”

“Don’t act as if you never say such stuff you little bridge troll. I know how you talk behind your instructors.” you mused rubbing the pain off. “And who will punish a princess I ask you? If not for mother or father?”

“Do I need to know what I should punish you for?”

Both you and Hiro jumped at the unexpected voice of the Queen, a gasp leaving your mouths. She was holding a box in her hand and her face was supporting a rare, serene expression.

“Nothing of importance.” replied Hiro quickly “We were just afraid of falling behind our studies.”

The Queen did not seem convinced as her eyes narrowed, but she had a small genuine smile on. “I see. Why don’t you go on ahead and start your nightly studies then? I need to talk to your sister privately in the meantime.”

Hiro let out a snort that he tried to cover with a cough. You are in trouble he mouthed before bowing to your mother and disappearing through the corridor.

“I would like you to know I was just repeating what the ladies in the court were saying. Not that I believe the rumors of course, it is quite indecent.” you tried to explain quickly but the Queen cut you with a shake of her head.

“That is not why I wanted to talk to you dear. It is however quite incident for a lady to talk that way you are right.” she sighed “Why don’t we talk in my study?”

You knew what was coming now, after all you could not remember the last time you had a conversation with your mother alone, the relaxed expression on her face, however, gave you hope. Maybe, you thought, they decided it was not time yet. Or maybe they did not like the offers that came through.

“Close the door, will you?” she asked walking towards the desk that stood before the bookshelves that covered the walls.

“Where are your attendants?” you questioned as you followed her inside “Is there something wrong?”

“I thought you would be more comfortable if it were just the two of us that’s all. I need to show you something.” She answered motioning towards the box she was holding. “It came this morning. For you of course. Go on, open it.”

The box itself was made from heavy oak, painted black with a family crest carved on top of it. The symbol looked familiar enough, but you could not concentrate enough to remember where you knew it from over the heavy beating of your heart. Opening it cautiously you took a sharp breath between your teeth, observing the contents.

Inside stood a tiara that was made from white gems shaped in intricate designs that you have not encountered before and in the middle stood an icy blue diamond so big that you could have sworn it must have cost the yearly earnings of a whole country.

“Not a ring.” You stated matter of factly “A very bold choice for a gift.”

“Indeed. But you cannot expect less from Seijoh.” Your mother replied with a cautious voice, almost as if she was calculating your reaction.

“Seijoh…” the box cluttered on the table as you let go of it abruptly “You are sending me up north? We waged war against them for years! Even before my grandfather! And now you are sending me there?”

You knew the country itself was wealthy enough and that it had a strong military presence. They had many allies within the countries that bordered yours as well.  But they also claimed right on your countries throne by sighting territorial dispute as well as a marriage between the two countries that produced no heir.

Now they were sending you there as a scapegoat. To secure his claim to the throne. And maybe even to theirs. An eye for an eye.

It took another week for your father to send a response and invite the Crown Prince and the King of Seijoh for a short visit before the decision was finalized and another two for them to arrive on the outskirts of your kingdom with their entourage behind.

As you sat in your suite biting your nails and waiting for their arrival, your maids were going in and out with different dresses in their hands looking for your approval. You on the other hand did not have the mental energy to entertain their ideas. It was bad enough that you had to attend a ball given in their honor that very evening, but you also had to be in the throne room soon enough to welcome them into the castle. Not to mention this would be the first time that you were to meet your possible future husband.

You heard of him before of course. How could you not when his reputation preceded him? A very cunning and ambitious young man, yet it was his looks that brought the most gossip. You heard his name whispered among the staff when they did not know you were listening and heard the ladies giggle when they mentioned the time that they spent in their court, with him.

It was enough to leave a sour taste in your mouth. Was it too much to ask that your future partner was a man of intelligence and few words? At least you would know that you could get along with him then. But a sharp and striking Casanova? They had to be jesting. That was the only possible explanation for this mockery.

As if your fathers’ ridiculous behaviors wasn’t enough now you had to entertain another man like him. It was pretty common for monarchs to take on other lovers, but you would not be embarrassed by a man you did not know in your own house, husband or not.

When you finally entered the throne room you could hear the commotion outside caused by non-other than the infamous man that was plaguing your thoughts for the past week. Your mother motioned you to hurry and take your place with a sudden turn of her chin just before the doors opened.

The rumors did not do him justice you thought as he strutted towards you and your family, your breath caught in your throat.

Oikawa Tooru was without a doubt the most beautiful man you ever laid eyes on.

He was beautiful alright.

And with his charming eyes staring straight at your own and his delicate hands placed on his sword, he looked ready to murder.

It might look like a filler episode, but I needed to give background and I love to build anticipation. Sorry not sorry? Reblogs are appreciated! And also this was not edited I posted it right after writing it so if you see any mistake let me know.

Disclaimer:  No portion of this story may be reproduced in any form without permission. I do not own the character of Oikawa Tooru. This is a work of fiction.

TAG LIST: Let me know if you want me to tag you.

@triskoof​ @sassyglassesbunny​ @m-a-r-i-a-s-b-l-o-g

[starlessskies94]

Consequence (Joel Miller x OC)

Summary: What if Joel survived his injuries from the Abby and Fireflies attack but ends up with really bad amnesia. He can’t remember his wife, Ellie, or the Outbreak; only before. How will his family bring back the man they once knew?

Pairing: Joel Miller x OC

Note: Hope you enjoy the chapter; please leave a comment and let me know what you think <3 

Chapter Eight

It all started with a note. 

The next they were hightailing across the damn state, all the way back to where their deep dark mess of secrets and lies had started. There was no time to stop and question why Ellie had gone back; there was no need. They already knew. The poor girl was simply looking for answers that everyone else had refused to give her. 

The closer they got; the worse their fear became. The dread pulling tighter up the throat like a noose around the neck. It was like riding towards their own execution for the terrible crime they’d committed, of robbing the whole world of something they didn’t believe they even deserved. Because they didn’t. Not at the expense of Ellie’s life. 

Even now after everything; Joel and Adaline would always agree on that. 

When they finally made it to the outskirts of the hospital; Ellie was sitting alone. The pair barely bother to halt their horses before dismounting and rushing to their daughter’s side. Joel quickly pulling her into a hug. 

“The hell were you thinkin’? Joel uttered. Taking the words right out of Ada’s mouth as she moved to join the two. “Running off in the middle of the night like that…you talk to us.” He continued. “You don’t just leave a goddamn note-“ He didn’t get to finish as Ellie pushed him away.

And Ada knew this was it. Their time had run out and now there was no going back. 

The teenager paced on unsteady feet; her hands fidgeting with her jacket sleeves before finally getting too frustrated and just pushing them back up passed her elbows. It was a common habit Ellie had picked up as she’d gotten older; they’d both noticed. Whenever Ellie was stressed, uncomfortable, nervous or upset; she would fidget with her hands. Whether it was pulling on jacket sleeves, picking at her nails or just absentmindedly running her fingertips across the now hidden bite mark on her arm. Just as Joel did with his watch. It was always fascinating to Ada how much Ellie could be like Joel without even realising it. 

Over the years; the girl had picked up a lot of the man’s mannerisms. Like father, like daughter she supposed. Unfortunately that also meant she had Joel’s temper. And it was certainly a force to be reckoned with. 

The girl continued pacing, almost not daring to look back at her parents. Her mind racing a mile a minute as she contemplated what to say. How to string her words together. The endless list of questions that plagued her for years. 

‘What happened to the Fireflies?’

‘Why had Ada and Joel lied about it for so long?’

‘Was Marlene dead?’ Ellie had a bad feeling she already knew the answer to that one; it had always been an assumption she sort of accepted, considering how loyal the leader had been to her cause. If she had threatened the young girl in any way in order to get her cure; Ellie knew for a fact her mom wouldn’t hesitate to cut her down. Or maybe Joel had killed her; it didn’t really matter now. The Fireflies were gone and so was their precious cure. 

She just needed to know why. Looking back at the rotting ruins of the Hospital; Ellie finally settled on her words before turning to face her family. 

“Tell me...what happened here.” She started with a shaken breath. Resisting the urge to pull her sleeves again as hands began to tremble once more. “If you lie to me one more time, I’m gone. You will never see me again.” She took a breath and it caught in her throat. The air thick and tense, Joel and Ada staring blankly at her with sad eyes.

“But if you tell me the truth, I’ll go back to Jackson.” She promised. “No matter what it is.” It was at that point as her parents shared a look; that Ellie realised she had no idea just what she was promising. 

Her mother took a reluctant step towards her and Ellie had to stop herself from flinching.  

“I...uh…” Ada stuttered, clearing her throat several times before trying to speak again. 

“Mom...just say it.” 

The older woman glanced back at Joel as he nodded woefully. Ada turned back to her daughter; her brown eyes welling with tears. 

“Making a vaccine...would have killed you. So we stopped them.” She said, gesturing to herself and Joel. The older man dropping his eyes to the floor as the shame flooded his face. 

Ellie’s blood ran cold. She gasped out a strangled sob that burst from her throat as it burned. She felt sick. Her chest tight and heavy. The weight pushing down so deep she couldn’t breath. How dare they?

HOW FUCKING DARE THEY?! 

Taking such a choice away from her! Taking away the chance for her immunity to mean something. To make the losses mean something. Her pain mean something. But they had decided to take her away from all that and it wasn’t fair that she’d had no say in any of it. 

She collapsed letting herself sit atop an old box, old equipment the Fireflies had left behind maybe? She didn’t fucking care anymore. She pulled at the front of her shirt in a feeble attempt to give herself room to breathe. But her chest continued to tighten. Her airway closing around the lump forming in her now dry throat. Her eyes streamed with tears, blurring her vision.  

“Oh my god…” She choked. Her hand clutching her chest as her breath became quick and short. Her stomach churned; hands and feet turning cold and numb. 

“Ellie...sweetheart…” The voice was echoed and distant. But she flinched when her mom reached out to console her. Her whole body snapping to her feet as she pulled away. Her hand lashing out to shove her back.

“Don’t you fucking touch me!” She snapped. Ada's lower jaw quivered as she held back her own tears. The hurt was plain and raw in her eyes looking back to Ellie. “I’ll go back, but you and me...we’re done!” She screamed, her eyes narrowing at both Joel and Ada. Ada gasped a sob of her own as she took a cautious step towards her daughter but Ellie was already backing away. “Ellie...please.” She pleaded. “Just let us explain.” The teen scoffed bitterly; she wasn’t interested in anything they had to say. Her nostrils flared in anger, her lip snarled as she shook her head in defiance. 

“I don’t fucking care! I hate-” 

“Hey! Stop! That’s enough!” Ellie's eyes darted to Joel raising his voice as he moved to stand beside his wife, his arms wrapping around her shoulders. Pulling her close as she buried her face into his side. 

“Don’t do that. You wanna hate someone for this? You hate me, okay?” He clarified and somehow the audacity of Joel only made her angrier. “Don’t put this on your mother. It ain’t her fault.” 

Again Ellie scoffed bitterly. How dare he tell her how to feel. Who to blame. They were both at fault for this. She’d trusted them and this was what they’d done?! How could she ever see them in the same way again. “Are you fucking kidding me Joel?!” 

The man sighed heavily, Ada wiping away her stray tears as she looked back at her daughter with bloodshot eyes. Joel was quiet for a second, his eyes flitting back between Ada and Ellie before he finally spoke. “I pulled the trigger, not your mom. You wanna blame anyone then you blame me. Please don’t punish her.” He uttered pathetically. His whole body seemed to sag with sadness and Ellie felt sick the longer she looked at him, she didn’t even bother dignifying his plea with an answer as she shoved passed him and headed back towards Shimmer. Not even bothering to spare them a glance as she mounted and forcefully spurred the horse into a canter and rode away back towards Jackson without another word. 

Ada and Joel watched her go. Both feeling defeated and tired.

The Texan glanced back to his wife when she slid her hand into his and squeezed gently. “You didn’t have to do that.” She whispered. “I wished you hadn’t.” Joel felt his heart ache at the broken look on her face. Her nose and eyes rubbed red from her tears, Her face slightly puffed from the lack of sleep they’d lost from riding through the night to find Ellie. He softly kissed her forehead before dropping his gaze to meet hers. 

“If she has to lose one of us...I’d rather it was me.” He said. “She needs her mother if she’s gonna get through this.��� Ada sighed, collapsing against his chest as her exhaustion caught up with her. “She needs you too.” She muffled into his jacket. “We both do.” 

He ran a hand through her hair as he hugged her close. In that moment it hit him just how grateful he was for this woman in his arms. He often thought about his life before Ellie and Adaline and he didn’t like it. There had been no way of knowing how things were going to play out the way they had when they’d met in Boston, but Joel knew without a doubt he wouldn’t have changed a thing. This was a life he’d happily choose over and over. At the beginning after losing Sarah, Joel had given up on the idea of family and love. After losing her, there was no getting it back. But then they’d come barrelling into his life...literally. Ada, eager to protect the young fourteen year old from the strange man forcing his way through the door, with Ellie in toe ready to strike with her pocket knife to protect her then mother figure from harm. If anyone had told him he would then go on to marry this woman, he’d have called them insane. Now he couldn’t imagine life without her. He didn’t think he could live without her. He didn’t want to. 

He squeezed her tight as her own arms found their way around his waist squeezing back in return. 

“Don't worry about me; I ain’t going anywhere darlin’.” He looked down kissing her then let his hands run the length of her arms, taking her hands in his, walking her towards the grazing horses. “Come on, let's head home.” 

Ada didn’t reply as she followed, the two quickly climbing back on and turning towards the same path Ellie had taken. Their horses breaking into a gentle trot. They rode in silence, both afraid of the fall out that awaited them when they returned to Jackson. Tommy and Maria would want to know what happened. If they hadn’t already noticed they were gone, Joel wasn’t looking forward to that conversation. He figured Tommy would understand but he was pretty certain, he hadn’t told Maria the whole story yet. He stole a glance back towards Ada as she rode beside him. But she just looked utterly broken. Her eyes set dead ahead of them, hands gripping her reins like a vice and legs rigid from the panic she’d woken up to in the night; when they'd found Ellie had disappeared. Joel looked back at the path before them. It would be a long ride back to Jackson. He just hoped and prayed that given some time and space...maybe...hopefully; Ellie would eventually understand why they’d done what they had done. And if he was lucky she might even forgive him for it. 

[mikasaessucasaa]

Title: Flatlanders

Summary: After being forced to retire from singing, Sansa returns to Winterfell Ranch, a place she hasn’t called home in over ten years, and finds the man that she left behind all those years ago.

Part 1 … Part 2 … Part 3

1991

King’s Landing, TX

Jon dragged her out of the clubhouse to her truck.

He motioned for her to unlock the car and jumped in. When she situated herself he said, “Drive,” so forcefully, she had no choice but to listen, even though she didn’t know where they were going.

Instinctively, she drove to the abandoned lots on the outskirts of town. There were talks of building a mall there before the recession hit. When people learned it wasn’t ever going to be anything, the teens turned it into a lot where they’d go to make out or have sex in the car. Just like Jon and Sansa did, once upon a time.

Jon tensed even more when she put the truck in park.

“You should know better than to come to the clubhouse. Don’t you know Starks ain’t welcome here?” he asked not looking at her.

Starks have always been on the other side of the tracks, but they’ve never been banned from the clubhouse either. As far as she remembered Robb had always expected that he’d be welcomed there, just as Jon was always welcomed on the ranch, with them being best friends and all.

“Do you love her?” she asked instead.

He turned abruptly to her. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? What gives you the right to ask that? Aren’t you fucking married?”

She avoided his eyes. “Please, Jon. It’s complicated.”

“Everything with you is always so god damned complicated isn’t it?”

Her hands were shaking. She needed to get a grip. Maybe that bastard Ramsay was still around dealing. Maybe Theon followed in his footsteps.

“I-I never forgot about you Jon.”

“Well you should have, because I forgot about you.” He ruffled his hair, aggravated. “What do you want?”

Knowing she wasn’t going to get anywhere on the topic of Dany, she said instead, “I need to know about the loans you gave my brother.”

“It’s being managed.”

“Obviously it’s not Jon! What will we do if we fall behind on the payments? Mama’s barely got any money left in the bank.” And what will Sansa do when she’s lost Mama too?

A panic was rising in her throat, in her lungs. This was how he always made her feel. Out of control.

He didn’t respond, didn’t validate her, even when all she needed was his gentleness, the gentleness she hasn’t seen in over a decade.

A sob formed in her throat and released in her anguish, as she realized the truth. “Jon, what has Rhaegar asked of you?” More silence. “Please Jon,” she was begging now.

“What does it matter when you’re just going to leave soon too?”

“Mama’s sick. Whatever you’ve given up, there’s no point in holding onto that stupid place! Why can’t none of you understand?” Her voice quivered on the border of hysteria, goosebumps across her flesh, as the madness within her was trying to get out through her skin. This town was always going to drive her insane.

More silence from Jon, and she could have ripped her hair out, until, finally, a small mercy. “I’m in line to be the next president of the club.”

She wanted to deny it, to shake her head no, but nothing could escape through her tightening throat.

Jon’s home life as a child was never good, despite how hard his half-siblings tried to take care of him. Growing part of a clubhouse was hard enough. Being the bastard son of the president was significantly more horrible. But he became friends with Robb and practically moved in, much to Mama’s dismay.

Jon was kind and sweet and shy, beautiful inside as he was outside. He played with her siblings when neither Robb nor her wanted to. He took care of the dogs, and helped around the ranch when he could. He took care of the Starks in the little ways that he knew how, in the ways that he saw his older siblings try to do with him, and her parents do for their children. Jon was a good man.

The best she knew. He was too good to be down in the mud with the likes of her, who have done whatever it took, left behind the people she loved, to get where she was.

She didn’t like him at first for taking away her older brother’s attention from her, but then he went through puberty, and she never saw anyone as handsome as him. The problem was, the other girls thought so too, and for a long time Jon never turned his attentions to her. She wondered now what it would have been like if he had forever looked away. Would they be where they are now? With a sea of regrets between them?

Regardless, she knew that no matter what could have happened between them and between all of these years, there was nothing that could have made Jon want to be a part of the Valyrian Dragons.

How could Jon have given up everything for a stupid, dying ranch, he should have let go years ago?

“You’re a fool.”

But she leaned over the console of her truck, encroaching in his space, oh how she longed to be in his gravity all these years ago. Gods how she’s wanted to be pulled down by it for so long.

It was wrong. He was engaged. Maybe he loved Dany.

She didn’t care.

She had been selfish this long, what was another moment of regret waiting to happen?

“I know.”

He kissed her first, and she stumbled over the console, desperate to feel him against her, until she settled in his lap, and he was gripping her thighs like he’ll never let go.

She wished that she wore a skirt, but maybe it was for the better. That was what got them into trouble in the first place all those years ago.

But they were grinding against each other, and it was so good that she thought she could cum like this. But he growled into her, “I want you.”

And somehow her pants were coming off, and he was sliding inside. She’s on the pill, but who knew what kind of pussies his dick had been dipping into, especially since he joined the club. She would hate the imaginary women that her mind conjured up, but she was too busy riding said dick, chasing relief.

There are three words that flood her mind, desperate to leave her mouth, but she bites down hard onto Jon’s neck to stifle them.

It was fucked up enough what they were doing, but the pain and the roughness push both of them over the edge until she’s screaming out his name.

It took a long moment for Sansa to catch her breath, and when she came to, she pulled back to stare into Jon’s eyes and found nothing, not a flicker of light or happiness. Her heart stuttered to a stop before it simply broke.

She pulled off of him. There was nothing to wipe away the cum that was starting to drip down her leg, so she simply put on her underwear and pants again. She would have to deal with the mess later, as she always did.

She awkwardly climbed over the console until she was situated in front of the steering wheel again.

“I’m marrying Dany,” he said, his voice calm, empty, cold. Just like a Texas winter.

“Okay.”

“You should hurry up and head back to LA.”

But LA wasn’t ever going to be her home either.

[fanficsforheartandsoul]

Enemies | Darth Maul x Fem!Reader | Part I

Note: Maul is a little OOC in this story but I hope this is fine. Since this is the first part there’s a big part who’s basically just explaining and the rest is some action. I hope I brought out the feelings well :)

Also, I implemented one of my headcanons, that the horns of Zabrak grow a little when they’re happy/excited.

And whoops Reader is a Jedi Shadow again. People might have realized by now but I love them. No one can stop me ok.

Fandoms: Star Wars, The Clone Wars

Warnings: Non-Canon Story, Angst, Fighting, Death, Slight OOC, Original Characters

Summary of this series: Y/N mourns for something she can never have but Maul won’t let her.

Word Count: 7′034

Taglist: @princessayveke​ @pinkiemme​

If you want to be tagged in my stories send me a pm with the fandom/character name! Or comment on the fic :)

Masterlist

Part II

_______ 

They were children when they first met. He was so young. Only four years old. She was young too. Although 2 years older. He was a born nightbrother, but she didn't belong to the nightsisters.

In fact, her presence on Dathomir had been an accident. The ship that should have brought her to Coruscant crashed after they had been hunted by pirates. When she woke up, she was alone. There was no sign of the Jedi who took her from her parents or anyone else of the ship's crew. Only two curious yellow eyes that watched her from a safe distance.

"Who are you?!"

The first thing she wielded in her life wasn't a lightsaber, no, that would come later. It was a pathetic dry stick from a dead tree. Dathomir didn't have much to offer at the crashsite of her ship, unfortunately. 

She held the stick with both hands and proceeded to lie her head off:

"I am the princess from Coruscant, and my knights will kill you if you do anything to me! So come out!"

There was a short silence until a timid voice spoke:

"You're really a princess?"

That's when he first stepped before her, and they met eye to eye. He was a midget. A red midget with the roundest eyes she had ever seen and horns, which made him look like the bounty hunter in her hometown. But unlike that old man, he had strange black marks in his face.

"Of course, I am! Do I not look like one?!"

She never forgot his reply. "No, you look like one. You're beautiful!" Even then, he was already able to sweet talk.

His answer satisfied her and the arrogant child she was, she lowered her weapon and let him approach her. He did eventually, but he froze when she suddenly touched his head and small horns.

"Does your brain not hurt?"

It shouldn't have been possible, but the red skin colored boy turned red some more. Having her hands touching his head everywhere caused his cheeks to heat up.

"E-Everyone has these here!"

He grabbed her hands, and both of them paused. E/C met yellow. His innocent eyes showed her reflection and her dirty state. 

Suddenly she had to cry. Sir Jedi was probably dead after all. She left her parents behind, and she really missed her home. And her plushie. Mr. Grog might also be gone after the explosion of their spaceship.

Her tears surprised him and made him panic, something that happened even when they met years later. He tugged at her hands, and she got pulled into his arms. But unfortunately, he really was a squirt, and both of them tumbled to the ground.

His breath got taken away by her, laying on top of him, but he didn't mind. She was so different than the nightsisters he had met. Not disgusted of touching him. He fell in love right there and then. Though he would strongly deny it in the future.

"Why are you crying?"

He put his hand on her hair, and the softness stunned him. She really must be a princess. He petted her slowly, something he saw the older nightsisters do to the younger ones. He could feel her tears wetting his clothes, and her loneliness made his heart clench.

"I'm all alone now!"

But she wasn't, He was there. His hands were like magic. Her tears stopped soon after he began to draw things on her back.

"Y-You have me."

"But I don't know you!"

"My name is ... What's yours?"

"Y-Y/N."

And that's how they got to know each other. He had another name back then but he got rid of it. Maul was his new name. The boy took her to the village, told his mother that he found her all alone. He didn't give away that he had seen another person from the shipwreck. 

The nightsisters were suspicious first, but when they found out that she was force sensitive like them, they decided to take her in. For two years, she lived on Dathomir and learned the ways of the nightsisters with Maul as her best friend. 

"In the future, I will be your soulmate!"

When she had told her that he almost began to cry. Not a reaction you would expect from someone who really, really liked Y/N.

"NEVER! If you give birth to a child, I'll get killed!"

"Then we just never kiss! We can still be soulmates if we don't kiss, right?"

The fact that they didn't really know anything about love made them say weird things.

Maul wasn't too sure, but they made a promise that they would be soulmates in the future and marry. Although Y/N had to explain to Maul what marrying actually meant - obviously through a child’s eyes - since the customs on Dathomir were different to the ones on her home planet. 

He never told her that but when she had explained that marrying basically meant always eating together, sleeping in the same bed and holding hands, he had really liked the idea of such a future. Of course, the young girl only knew the things she had seen from the marriage of her parents.

The whole not kissing aspect was eventually broken, though. Obviously not by him, because he was shy and seriously believed that she would get pregnant if he gave her even just a peck on the lips. 

But he really liked her. And she really liked him. So much that she understood that her way of liking him was the same as the way some fallen nightsisters had liked their mates. It was love.

And then one day, when Maul came beaten and bruised from his training as a nightbrother and he laid next to her, Y/N leaned over him and gave him a kiss. 

It was short, nothing more than a light peck, but when their lips touched, butterflies burst in her chest and it was as if the whole world lit up.

Maul’s yellow eyes widened and the Zabrak pushed her away out of reflex. She looked at him with a shocked expression.

“NO! What are you doing?!”

Panic was laced in his voice and he grabbed her arms with a little too much strength. Y/N winced and her eyes began to water. The giddy feeling disappeared immediately. 

“Wha-What?”, she stammered and he shook her.

“I- I’m not ready! My traini- the baby- we have to leave!”

She just sat there, not understanding why he was so startled. She was more intrigued by the fact that his horns seemed to have grown a little. He suddenly grabbed her hand and dragged her on her feet. 

“Hu-hurry, Y/N! Before they find out! Let’s talk with my mother, she’ll help us!”

“Find out what?”

“About the baby!”

And then it blanked on her. 

“Oh no.”

And then they hurried back to his home, where Y/N, Maul, his two brothers and his mother resided. A long talk followed and the two children eventually went to bed with different thoughts. 

The young girl was somewhat disappointed that she couldn’t have another playmate besides Maul and his brothers but she was also relieved because she now knew that kissing Maul would not make her pregnant. That meant she could do it again. The thought made her grin.

Maul on the other hand was embarrassed, mainly because he had almost cried when they ran into his mother and he had yelled at her to “save Y/N and their baby” but also because he really liked the kiss. But he was also slightly annoyed. I wanted to kiss her first. 

“Maul?”

He turned his head to see the other side of the room, where Y/N laid in her small bed. He could see her glistening eyes.

“Ye-Yes?”

“I think I love you.”

A blush crept across his cheeks.

“Okay.”

He couldn’t say it out loud but he said it in his head. 

Unknown to both of them, Y/N’s words had been heard by his mother.

When they woke up again the next morning some things had changed. There was the giddy atmosphere between the two, while Maul’s mother looked at them with a rather dark expression. The two would soon find out why.

.

Their closeness was something the nightsisters didn't like because it spoke against their ideas of mates and they decided to separate them. Both cried and cried for days. 

Their bond was strong, after all, and they not only had they lived together for two years but they also played together every day. Since Y/N was taken from her family, Maul had become a replacement and they were close. Really close.  

But it was no use. They didn't see each other for a month. And when they finally met again, it was the last time in their childhood. 

A republic ship had landed on Dathomir. And they were looking for the girl that was supposed to become a Jedi youngling. The person Maul had seen leaving the space ship was the Jedi Master, who took Y/N from her family. The man had survived for two years alone in the swamps and somehow contacted the Jedi Order to save him and the girl. 

According to him, the nightsisters captured her and brainwashed her to join the dark side. Which was bullshit. She realized that later. The things she had learned on Dathomir had saved her life on more than one occasion.

But they arrived and forcefully took her back. 5 Jedi came to her apparent rescue, but the peacekeepers of the galaxy ignored her wails and cries when they dragged her to the ship. She screamed Maul's name and found his face in the crowd who was held back by some soldiers. Don't leave me! pleaded his eyes.

But she did. She had no choice. They didn't even ask if she wanted to go with them. When the ramp of the ship closed, she freed herself from the Jedi's grip and bit him. Hard. The man reacted poorly, unlike a Jedi was supposed to. 

He pushed her away, and she fell on the floor. Hateful tears streamed down her cheeks, and she channeled her powers to slam the 5 men against the wall. The force was strong in her, and her emotions boosted it, that's why she succeeded. Three of them got pressed to the wall, the other two who where Jedi masters only slid back a bit. Using the force was tiring, and she slumped. The padawans got released.

"Let me go! I want to go back! I want to go home! Maul! Maul!!"

Her voice was shrill and full of desperation, but they didn't react. Ignored her tantrum and whispered something between themselves. 

"Her emotions are way too strong! What is Master Yoda thinking? The dark side has already engulfed her!"

Only one of them didn't say anything. The Jedi watched her with a neutral expression, and she returned the eye contact with a piercing gaze. 

I hate you! 

As if he had read her thoughts, he snorted and turned to face the others. 

"I believe Master Yoda knows what to do with her."

And the Jedi grandmaster did.

He turned her into a Jedi. Made her a youngling, later a padawan - although not his - and then when the High Council thought she was ready, they knighted her.

Over the course of many years, the small girl learned about her special abilities, about the force, about the Jedi, the Dark Side of the force, the responsibility they had to shoulder, and why attachments were forbidden.

Although she had questioned the principles secretly, she never voiced any hesitation or critical questions. When she got separated from Maul she had racked her brains to find out why, although she only realized why when the nightsisters ordered her to read the stories about the Fallen sisters again. After that lesson, she knew well enough when something wasn’t supposed to be said. So she left her doubts unsaid.

When she had arrived at the temple she was unbelievably sad and her heart was hurting. When the Jedi took her from her family, she didn’t really realize what that meant. But being taken from Dathomir after she was a little older and formed such a close bond with Maul, she understood that they had parted and would probably never meet again. 

This left her devastated and it took half a year for her to adapt.

Her sadness and arrogant side vanished with time, but her determined character trait stayed and it made her into an extraordinary Jedi.

Y/N was powerful, the secret pride of the grandmaster. Her patience and knowledge were as vast and deep as the seas of Kamino. Her lightsaber skills were unmatched by many of her fellow padawans, and she could even stand her ground against some of the Jedi knights. 

Her Master, the guy who had ignored her tantrum, was impressed by her natural affinity for the force. And so he had asked Master Yoda if he could take her as his padawan. 

The grandmaster was hesitant at first. Because the man wasn't a Jedi Knight. He was a sentinel, a shadow, to be exact. A path that would undoubtedly be difficult for Y/N, especially since she was found on Dathomir. But he accepted, and she became the padawan of a renowned Jedi Shadow. Yoda was proud, but deep down, also worried. Although he didn't tell her that.

Every youngling had heard about Y/N. Before the rumors of a Chosen One started, there were many about a Prodigy. Her name was whispered during classes, and there were bets and dares in the circles of the younger generations. 

"I dare you to confess your love to Y/N L/N!"

"But I don't even like her! Attachment is forbidden, Mia!"

"It's just a game, and we all wanna see if her face will blush! Come on."

But there was one flaw about the prodigy. 

One thing that she could not erase. The padawan Y/N L/N ached for something. Someone. And her yearning - she wasn't the only one who knew it - would be her downfall. But she tried to hide it, built walls around that part of her heart and succeeded- until that one day.

-

[16:00, 32 BBY, Coruscant, Jedi Temple]

"...my only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord."

The air in the chamber changed immediately. Qui Gon Jinn, the Jedi reporting the things that happened on Tatooine, held his head up high, his expression was neutral, but the weight of his words was visible in his eyes.

Master Ki turned his head to face Master Yoda and said with a disbelieving undertone:

"Impossible! The Sith have been extinct for a millennium."

"I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing," added Master Windu, and Jinn's padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi furrowed his brows.

Yoda hummed in response, he sighed and then stated:

"Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must."

The other council members nodded, their faces were grim.

"I sense he will reveal himself again," meant Master Ki.

Master Yaddle, who had listened to Jinn's report, silently began to speak up, and when she did, everyone turned. The Jedi all tensed when they heard her words:

"For that, a shadow we should send. Someone in mind, I have. Of help, Leon Ra'eli and his padawan Y/N L/N could be."

The people in the room all had different reactions to the names that were mentioned. Plo Koon and Qui Gon Jinn raised a brow, the padawan of the latter blinked surprised, and Ki-Adi-Mundi, Mace Windu, and Yoda showed a worried expression.

"We must discuss this with the Council of First Knowledge, Master Yaddle," remarked Saesee Tiin and shared a look with the Jedi grandmaster. Yoda nodded slightly.

"I believe Leon would certainly be of help."

Obi-Wan turned to his Master. His eyes clearly asking why the Jedi would speak this freely in front of the council just for another Jedi. He was aware that he was acquainted with the Jedi shadow but the padawan was confused anyway. 

Qui Gon hid his hands in his sleeves and bowed slightly when Master Windu frowned at him. Although he was looked at with intimidating stares, he didn't back down and continued: 

"I heard he has been training an extraordinary padawan. Both of them would be a great aid if another attack like the one on Tatooine would happen."

Obi-Wan smiled a little, when his Master talked about Y/N. He knew her from his youngling days. And according to the rumors going around, she had truly turned into an exceptional padawan, a proud feeling spread in his chest.

The dark-skinned Jedi Master huffed and then leaned back in his seat.

"This attack on Tatooine was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Queen is the target. If a Jedi Shadow and Qui Gon Jinn would remain at her side..."

Yoda nodded slowly.

"With this Naboo queen, you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her."

The Jedi bowed.

"Yes, Master."

-

And that was the beginning of Y/N's doom. That goddamn mission. Something entirely different for the Jedi Shadow in training. 

Until now, she had to research old Sith artifacts, go on missions to find lost holocrons, and look for secret Dark Side places with her Master. But that was it. Of course, there was always a certain degree of danger coming with those missions but it was nothing truly worrying, the Dark Side she encountered left her uninterested and funnily she wasn’t scared. 

She spent two years on Dathomir, a planet which - according to the Jedi archives - was a space for evil powers. The feeling from those places was familiar and to a certain degree even calming but she didn’t tell her master.

In other words, she never actually came in contact with a Dark Side user much less a Sith. But now she and Leon were assigned to investigate an assassin who could possibly be a Sith, a Sith lord, to be exact. 

The tightness in her chest was definitely from her nervousness, but there was also something else to it. She wasn’t scared, the feeling was more like curiosity but Y/N also had a bad premonition about the upcoming task. But she kept her concerns to herself. Like always.

.

It was night when they left the Jedi temple. Both wore long black robes, and their faces were hidden under their hoods. Master Ra'eli had told her that although they were escorting Queen Amidala, they would not focus on keeping her safe. Both the High Council and the Council of First Knowledge agreed on the priority to catch the potential Sith. Protecting the queen laid in the hands of the two other Jedi. 

When Y/N first heard that they would accompany to Jedi knights, Master Qui Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, she was relieved. 

She and Obi-Wan were friends when she was a youngling. He was only one year older than her, and although they chose entirely different paths, they parted with good and happy memories. 

Obi-Wan had been a pillar in Y/N's life when she had to learn how to accept that she would probably never meet Maul and her parents again. He dried her tears, let her meditate with him and calmed her down when she had a nightmare. 

Although they hadn't seen each other in a few years, the padawan believed that they would click again, and everything would be like in their youngling years. 

But when she and her Master arrived at the Senate landing platform and everyone was already there, and Leon greeted his fellow Jedi, something happened.

As soon as Y/N laid eyes on Obi-Wan's Master, a sudden pain bolted through her head, and she staggered. 

Her hand shot to her forehead, and the padawan grabbed her Master's robe for support. He turned alarmed and watched her with concerned brown eyes when she winced in pain. 

A vision flashed before her eyes: black robes, a red and green lightsaber clashing, yellow eyes, and a screaming Obi-Wan. 

What...?

"Y/N?" 

Her Master's voice took her back to her senses. She looked up to see his and Master Jinn's worried faces. Obi-Wan looked just as disturbed as them. 

"I-I think I just had a vision," she whispered weakly and let go of Leon's sleeves. 

However, she hadn't regained her balance yet, her legs faltered, and if her Master hadn't grabbed her arm in time, she would have tumbled to the ground. 

"A vision?", asked Obi-Wan and the young man shared a look with Qui Gon. 

"What did you see, padawan?" he asked, and all three of the Jedi watched her expectantly. She gulped. The feeling in her chest from before became stronger. The eyes in her vision seemed faintly familiar. 

"I..." she began hesitantly, "There will be a fight. I think the assassin will show up again. And..." She turned to her Master, her expression grim, "I'm certain he's a Sith. I could feel the wrath and hatred Master. Stronger than in any artifact we ever found."

This revelation was shocking, but only the queen's followers all visibly paled. The three Jedi showed dark expressions. Her Master helped Y/N back on her feet, and she bit her lip. 

He looked at her, and she could read in his eyes that the situation was dire. 

Trust in your abilities and the force. 

Words from her training lessons with Leon resounded in her mind, and she straightened her back. Although she was intimidated now, she would not falter. A Jedi Shadow’s mission was to extinguish the evil that Sith brought into this world. She could not hesitate.

"We will make sure that that Sith will not harm anyone," declared her Master, and the queen nodded. His words seemed to calm her entourage, but Y/N smiled bitterly. If her vision would come true... 

No, let’s not worry.

They finally began to board the ship, she gave her Master a tap on the shoulder, and he slightly turned his head. She only formed one word with her lips, but he understood. She had more to tell, but only to him. 

-

While the two other Jedi discussed some political matter with the queen, Leon and Y/N stayed in a separate room to talk about her vision. 

“I sense you have something else to say.”

"Master... I worry that one of us will be hurt."

Her confession was difficult to admit for her, after all it was against the emotional walls she had built, but she had to tell him anyway. It concerned the well being of  a Jedi. 

She expected her Master to be shocked or at least concerned, but his expression remained neutral, as usual. This fact calmed her a little. In all those years she had known her Master, there was never a moment, where the other didn’t control his emotions.

"Did you see that in your vision?"

She nodded and wrung with her hands. Only in her Master's presence could she let her walls down to a certain degree. The force in the room swirled from her uneasiness.

"I think Master Jinn will get injured..."

Leon breathed in slowly and sat down on one of the cots. His face stayed emotionless, but his eyes betrayed him. For a second deep worry glistened in them, and the way he bit his lip also showed how her words got to him. But it was gone when she blinked. She frowned.

Did I imagine that?

"We must trust in the force."

Y/N expected him to add more, but he stayed silent, looking like he was deep in thought. The force in the room rippled, and she knew that he would meditate for the next few hours.

"You can rest if you want to, Y/N," murmured her Master and slipped to the floor, where he sat cross-legged. She shook her head and sat down too. "Let me join you, Master." He looked at her and smiled slightly. 

"Okay."

They both began to meditate, and soon the force around them changed again. The change spread through the whole ship, and the two other Jedi got distracted from their discussions. 

Obi-Wan and Qui Gon exchanged a glance, and both thought the same. The Jedi Master voiced their thoughts: "Don't worry, your Majesty. You are in good hands, and with Master Ra'eli and his padawan here, the Sith will not have a chance."

But he was wrong. Horribly wrong.

-

And then they met. 

It was as if the earth stopped spinning. 

The corner of her lips lifted, her face displayed many emotions. Worry turned into shock, shock turned into surprise, and surprise turned into joy. Her heart began to beat faster and it was so loud and strong that she believed that it could shake the whole planet.

He had grown up. Some more tattoos got added in his face and he now resembled the look of other nightbrothers who lived on Dathomir, it gave him a domineering appearance and her heart skipped a beat. It was familiar but at the same time, it wasn’t.

His eyes had also changed, the color was slightly different. The beautiful yellow that had reminded Y/N of the sun now held traces of red, and they were burning with a fire that she couldn’t quite place. 

But the force seemed to cry out in pain and the luring darkness in his force presence alarmed her. Something was wrong.

Although she recognized him immediately, this was not the boy she had met on Dathomir, this wasn't the friend she had longed for, not the kid she had dreamt about, not the boy who promised to marry her and whom she kissed. This person before her was a Sith, her enemy. 

And it broke her heart. 

While the queen's guards scattered and left, her grip around her lightsaber faded, and a second later, she dropped it. The impact resounded loudly in her head as if a bomb had detonated. She couldn’t hear anything else. Not the leaving footsteps of the security forces, not her Master calling out her name, nor how the queen asked Qui Gon Jinn how to proceed. 

His name rushed over her lips, and he frowned and looked at her. 

Then his eyes widened, and the tattoos in his face twisted in realization. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. 

His focus moved, and she noticed how her Master had activated his lightsaber beside her.

"You know him, padawan?" asked Master Ra'eli calmly, and she could only nod. 

Maul stiffened from their interaction and grabbed his lightsaber. Her Master stepped forward, and suddenly her lightsaber was once again in her hand. She gripped it so hard, her knuckles turned white.

"So, this is him? From 16 years ago? Oh, Y/N."

Leon's words hit her right in the gut. She had confessed how dearly she missed Maul when she became his padawan - although leaving out the part about their promise and kiss - and her Master had reacted as any other Jedi would have. 

Attachments are forbidden, padawan. You will forget these feelings soon. 

When she first had heard those words, she felt crushed. 

Was her connection to Maul really something bad? Somehow she couldn't believe that emotions were able to come without attachments. Weren't Jedi supposed to keep the people of the galaxy safe? Wouldn't her bond with Maul motivate her to make sure he's alright? 

And it wasn't like she obsessively loved him, like all those fallen Jedi she had to read about in the archives after she told her Master about her feelings. The Zabrak was her best friend. Nothing more. Or nothing more came out of their friendship. Or that's at least what she had told herself, completely disregarding that they had kissed and she was the one who initiated it. She was in denial.

But now that they finally met again, it turned out that he was the Sith Lord, and her heart was literally being torn apart. In the end, there was no mistake, Y/N did love Maul. But not this version of him in front of her. 

The padawan felt torn. The Zabrak before her eyes was her old best friend and they had sworn to be there for each other until the day they died. They had promised to marry. They kissed. She told him she loved him. But on the other hand, he appeared to be the enemy of the principles she had been taught for years. Two years against sixteen. The winner was obvious.

"You... I remember you."

The Zabrak clenched his fists tighter around his lightsaber and activated it. The red blades flared, and they seemed to represent the force around them, which was churning from the Sith's anger.

The padawan didn't know if he was addressing her because he didn't waste another second to look at her. But that was fine because she was sure that another eye contact with him would break down the walls she had built for the last decade. Also, she wasn’t sure if she would do something against the Jedi code if he addressed her directly. 

Qui Gon and Obi-Wan seemed to have realized that something was going on between Y/N and the Sith because they sent the queen with the security forces and stayed, ready to assist Leon and his padawan. 

It was against their plan but the man before them apparently was dangerous enough for them to change it.

Obi-Wan stepped up to her, his lightsaber activated and he held it up defensively. His hand touched her back, and he whispered:

"Y/N? Get a hold of yourself."

Her head snapped in his direction, and he gave her a reassuring smile, although he appeared nervous.

"Jedi!", snarled Maul and his eyes burned with rage when he dropped his robe and then suddenly leaped forward to attack. 

Y/N's heart skipped a beat and she flinched. She couldn't tell if it was because he seemed to run towards her or because his overbearing aura intimidated her, but it didn't matter because the Zabrak couldn’t reach her. 

Her Master stepped before her, and his yellow dual lightsaber skillfully parried Maul's attack. 

"You are outnumbered, Sith."

Qui Gon didn't waste a second and also jumped into the fight, their lightsabers clashed, and sparks flew. Obi-Wan gave her a glance and then joined in. The strange look he gave her took Y/N back to her senses, and she activated her own lightsaber. 

It was also dual-bladed and yellow, although her hilt was from Orichalc material and wrapped with leather for a better grip. The yellow glow calmed her down to a certain degree, and the familiarity of the blade in her hand cleared her head temporarily. 

I need to talk with him! There must be a misunderstanding!

Her eyes focused on the Sith and the three other Jedi who had already gained a certain distance from her. She ran after them and noticed that they passed into the Theed power generator facility. 

"Master, wait!"

The fighting Jedi ignored her shout and performed a series of fierce attacks, which all got fended off by Maul. Qui Gon aimed for the Sith's legs, but the Zabrak avoided his lightsaber and somersaulted backward on the bridge. 

Y/N's heart pounded loudly in her ears, worry filled her chest, worry for her fellow Jedi and also Maul. In the end, she couldn't ignore her heart. 

She used the force to jump forward a considerable distance and now stood next to Obi-Wan. She felt light-headed, partly because of the adrenaline rush from the whole situation but also because she was slightly scared of heights.

"I know him, Master Jinn, stop attacking!" she turned her head to the Sith, calling out his name: "let's talk, please! Do you not remember m-" 

Before she could finish, the Zabrak pushed his hands forward, and she was sent flying by the force. Everything she had been taught, all the techniques and rules for a fight. It was as if she had forgotten them when her eyes laid on Maul. The prodigy acted like a youngling and she had to pay the price for it.

Her back hit the wall of the room, and something broke. Black dots flooded her vision, and pain burst through her whole body.

She couldn't hear clearly because her head was ringing, but she believed that someone had shouted her name. Although she couldn't be sure because before she could open her eyes again, she temporarily fell unconscious.

.

It felt like a long time but was indeed only a minute later, that she woke up. Her thought process was slow when she stirred.

It hurts.

It hurts.

It hurts!!

A groan escaped her lips, and something warm dampened the back of her head. 

Is this how you feel in the Trial of the Flesh? If so, then I don't want to become a full Jedi... I can't believe he attacked me, Maker...

Her thoughts were all over the place, dizziness caused her vision to blur, and her mind wandered from the pain to the Jedi Trials, the archives, her time on Dathomir, and to Maul. Her injuries hurt like hell but she was almost crying from the pain in her heart.

What happened to him? How could he... Has he really fallen to the Dark Side? 

She tried to move upright and used the force to calm her fluttering nerves. 

Focus. 

Focus!

The blurriness of her vision vanished, and she finally saw clearly again, right on time for her to catch a glimpse of Obi-Wan running past some laser doors at the other end of the gigantic room.

I must stop them!

Her legs felt like jelly when she tried to stand up, and although her balance was undoubtedly off, she was still able to stand. Not without feeling immense pain, though. Y/N was sure that she had at least three broken ribs. 

Let go of the pain. 

She remembered her training and breathed in and out slowly. She closed her eyes for a second to concentrate on the force, and she was able to feel the fierce battle that took place at the other end of the bridge. Anxiety welled up again but she ignored it with gritted teeth.

The padawan began to move forward, slowly at first, then she picked up the pace and limped over the bridge towards the laser doors, ignoring the fact that she had lost her lightsaber somewhere.

When she crossed the bridge her legs almost gave out. She had tried not to look down, her fear of heights couldn’t stop her in this crucial moment, but now she felt the adrenaline rush and it almost made her fall over.

It was then when she reached the first laser door when she felt the cry in the force. 

A life got critically injured. And guessing from Obi-Wan's scream, it was his Master's. 

Y/N stumbled. The pain in the force was breathtaking. Emotions that didn't belong to her filled her chest and grief caused her eyes to prick. 

What shocked her, even more, was that her Master seemed to hurt as much as Qui Gon's padawan. The Jedi Shadow had shouted the other man's name when he got impaled, and now through the flaring red doors, she could see Leon swinging his sword wildly to attack Maul and the Zabrak defending himself. 

Why...?

The force presence of her Master seemed off, and his erratic movements void from any specific form proved that he lost himself to his emotions. 

The fact that the usually composed Leon Ra'eli now fought like that caused her fists to clench. 

Why is he acting like that?! This contradicts everything he ever taught me!

This scared her more than the potential death of Qui Gon Jinn.

Obi-Wan seemed to burn with rage too. His shoulders lifted with every breath he took, and she could sense his anger mixed with grief and anguish. 

Y/N heaved with all the sudden emotions she had to experience. Her guts twisted when she sensed pleasure, and it took her a second to realize that Maul was the one who was very pleased about the injury of the Jedi Master.

This was the ultimate proof that the Zabrak who fought against Leon wasn't the midget from Dathomir. But before she could spill even one tear over that fact, the laser doors got deactivated, and Obi-Wan jumped forward to attack the Sith. 

She began to run, but she wasn't fast enough, her wounds slowed her down. The pain was almost unbearable and the whole situation seemed to test her entire being. The doors activated before her nose, and she staggered.

Right, when she caught her balance again, Obi-Wan slashed Maul's lightsaber in two, and her Master pushed the Sith towards the edge with the force. 

The Zabrak was able to catch himself in time and jumped forward, his lightsaber only one blade now. He snarled and swung his weapon at the two Jedi, but they seemed to finally have the high ground and attacked him mercilessly. 

Y/N watched with sweaty hands how the Zabrak got pushed into defense, and although she should root for her fellow Jedi, although it was obvious that he wanted to kill them all, although he clearly engulfed the Dark Side, she couldn't stop herself from worrying for Maul. 

Please stop fighting! Just stop!

She feared for all of them, which didn't make sense for her head, but her heart ignored all her rational thoughts. It almost leaped out of her chest when Obi-Wan got force pushed into the melting pit, but from the way the other two men acted, he was still alive. Immense relief washed over her and her knees buckled.

Y/N felt dizzy from all the feelings she had to deal with, and the fact that she hit her head and even bled to some extent gave her body one more reason why to falter. She had to hold her head because it felt like a bullet was shot through it. 

The pain distracted her from the fight, and when she looked up again, her and Maul's eyes suddenly met.

He looked at her, over Obi-Wan's shoulder, who had suddenly appeared, his face full of shock and... regret?

It took her a second to notice the lack of fighting between the two men. They just stood there, Obi-Wan held the lightsaber of his Master in his hand and his pose looked like he had just taken a large swing.

Was it over? Did they finally calm down and listen?

Y/N opened her mouth to say something when time seemed to slow down, Maul’s lightsaber deactivated, and he slowly fell backward.

His and her eyes found themselves again, and while hers widened in panic, his slightly closed as if the Zabrak was smiling at her. His lips formed something but she was too panicked to focus on it.

Before a scream could erupt from her throat, he was gone. 

He was gone.

The laser doors opened again. Obi-Wan didn't waste a second glance and rushed to his Master's side, where her own Master already knelt. He laid Qui Gon's head in his lap. 

"Master! Master!"

The pain in Obi-Wan's voice reflected the one the female padawan was feeling. Some words were whispered between the dying Jedi and his student, but Y/N didn't hear any of it. 

No, no. No, NO!

She slowly stood up, her legs shaking, and she made her way into the room. Her eyes solely focused on the cooling pit. A wail escaped her lips, and she tried to form his name, although she failed. She couldn’t form a single word. She couldn’t bring herself to look over the edge. Her breath quickened and she panted as if she just ran for her life.

Hey. 

Y/N.

You changed. Not so small anymore, huh?

Things happened after you left. And you have no right to say anything, you would barely reach my chin with your height.

A small smile formed on her lips. Her eyes were strangely empty.

Why did you become...?

A Sith? I'm not. This is all a misunderstanding.

Right? I knew it. You would never turn to the Dark Side. You would never.

The padawan sank to her knees at the edge, eyes still trained on the hole before her. Her hands were violently shaking and she gripped her robes with such a force that her knuckles turned white.

...?

Hmmm?

Where did you go?

What do you mean? I'm right here with you.

Of course. There's no way you're...

Y/N turned her head slightly, and a grey object on the ground near the wall caught her eye. With a flick of her wrist, she absently minded caught the severed lightsaber half and traced it with trembling fingers.

There's no way you're dead.

There were a thousand thoughts in her mind right now, but the one that stood out the most was the fact that Obi-Wan had cut Maul in half.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, her friend from the Jedi had killed her best friend from Dathomir.

"Let me carry him, Obi-Wan."

The weak voice of her Master invaded her thoughts, and she slowly turned to the two other Jedi and the corpse. 

We Jedi do not kill, Y/N. Only if it’s absolutely necessary. Preserving a life is more important, even if they are tainted by the Dark Side. Sith can be saved too. Darth Revan is proof of that. Never forget this.

Liar.

In the end, 2 years appeared to be stronger than 16.

The killer held his Master's dead body, and the shaking of his shoulders gave his sadness away. She felt nothing for him, neither pity, nor worry. She was completely numb.

There is no death, there is the force, do you not know your own code?

"We must report back to the temple," was all she said. Her voice was unnaturally cold.

Her Master looked at her, his expression was heartbroken, and she had to turn her gaze away. Or else he would have seen her hateful stare.

For the first time in her life, Y/N truly despised the Jedi and their hypocrisy.

[qatirna-can-read]

It’s Not Murder if They Deserve It - O

Heavy Trigger Warning for Violence, Abuse, and Sexual Assault. 

Not a moon passed since Oleta reached her fourteenth nameday and she’d been working under this man for less time than that. She knew him before now, he was part of the crew, but up until this point she had gone out of her way to avoid him whenever possible. In all honesty, the behemoth of a Haragin scared her. He stood well over three fulms taller than her, his body wrapped in muscles as much as scars. A mean drunk - who was always drunk - the ship’s carpenter agreed to teach Oleta his trade as long as she did “<what that little cunt is focken told.>” That her mother and father not only sanctioned, but actually arranged this, was truly a testament to their parenting.

Oleta was motivated, driven. One day she would have her own ship. One day she would captain her own crew. She knew every place on that vessel, every part and piece to keep it running. She knew every role, each crew member, what they did and why. Now she just had to learn how to run it. After a few moons she could take another job, she just had to grin and bear it until then.

For weeks now Oleta received frequent beatings for mistakes real or imagined. If the shipwright was unsatisfied with his ale, she’d get a backhand to the jaw. If she drilled a hole in the wrong part of the wood, she’d get a blackeye. That mistake she wouldn’t repeat. Tonight she didn’t even know what mistake he accused her of, he was too angry and incoherent for her to understand. In the hold he roared at her violently while she stared at him, mouth agape, confused and nearly as furious. 

“<Don’t you look at me like that you little slut!>” he shouted as he slapped her hard enough to knock her to the floor. Only a moment passed before she glared back up at the shipwright, shooting daggers with aurelian eyes. Fuck this. Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth she stood defiantly. With a puffed chest and a scowl she spit in the man’s face, pink flecks speckling his leathery skin and scales. He responded to her slight with a heavy punch to the gut, doubling her over and back to the ground.

She knelt on the floor, her forehead nearly touching the grimy wet wood. She couldn’t breathe. Silent ineffective gasps dragged her heaving chest up and down in an attempt to catch air in her lungs once more. Before her throat had the chance to open again, he kicked her hard. A thump and a cracking sound came from her ribs as she fell to her other side.

He watched with a sinister smirk as she writhed on the dirty ship floor. One arm wrapped around her side where he’d kicked her. Her other hand slapped at the wall limply as pathetic croaking sounds broke through her throat. At least a minute passed before a desperate choked inhale finally graced her lungs. She coughed and sputtered on the floor, finally catching her breath while he laughed.

Pressing her body against the wall, she used the leverage to pull herself back up to standing. Her arm still wrapped below her sternum. She raised a fist and lunged for the man with a frenzied scream. He easily interrupted her attack, grabbing her by the upper arm and pinning her back against the wall. He roughly took her by the wrist protecting her ribs and pinned that arm to the wall as well. He pressed his entire body against her, putting pressure on that broken bone. A sobbed howl escaped her throat and she looked away.

“<I see you need a lesson on respect, whore bitch.>” His grasp still tight, he dragged his hand from her bicep to her wrist, tugging both her arms harshly up and together. He could hold her there with just one hand now. His free hand grabbed her jaw, pulling her gaze back up to his. Despite tears in her eyes, she still scowled at him with insolent fury. He still wore that sinister smirk as he bent down, forcefully licking from her collarbone to her chin. His breath smelled of pungent acrid ale. Now trembling, she pulled her head away in disgust but his hand on her jaw held her face forward. 

Her indignant golden eyes locked with his cruel bemused greys. Once again she spat in his face. He growled as he kneed her in the stomach and she cried out in pain. She began thrashing, screaming, shrieking at the top of her lungs. If she couldn’t get out herself, maybe someone would come? That’s when he clamped his free hand down over her mouth.

“If you make one more sound you filthy cunt, I’ll do the same to little Avalyn.” Her sister hadn’t yet reached her twelfth summer. Oleta’s eyes went wide and pleading and terrified. She just shook her head quietly and acquiesced.

She cried silently the whole time as he grunted on top of her. When he was finally done he stood up, buttoned his trousers, and walked off without so much as a second glance her way. She laid curled up on the floor of the hold, shivering, bruised, revolted. No one but Avalyn asked about where she was when she didn’t rise with the rest of the crew at the crack of dawn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Oleta woke in pain and confusion. The bruise that formed on her side during the night was massive. A deep purple spanned almost the entire length of her torso, blackened near the point of the break. Beyond her obvious physical injuries her entire body felt wrong. Like it no longer belonged to her. Like it was nothing more than a sick puppet of broken flesh and bones that she had the misfortune of living in.

She pulled herself up to hands and knees just as a sudden sour rush of saliva overwhelmed her mouth. Her face twisted and she expelled what little stomach contents that remained from the day before. That convulsing of her body made her muscles tighten against her ribs and she released a heavy sob in agony. 

For most of the morning she stayed in the hold from the shock and the pain and the exhaustion, fading in and out of consciousness for several bells. By the afternoon, despite still being in immense pain and still being exhausted, dehydrated, and hungry, she stayed hidden away in the hold out of shame. 

Just before sundown she gathered enough stubborn will to survive to pull herself off the ground. With the walls as her crutches she slowly made her way out of the hold for the first time in more than a sun. Rounding a corner she came face to face with a woman who looked quite similar to Oleta. She was older, and far more covered in tattoos, but she had similar rose colored skin and soot black hair. 

“<Been lookin’ for you all day, girl.>” she scolded, then realizing her daughter was injured followed up with. “<Let’s get you to the surgeon.>” She began hooking her arm under Oleta’s to help support her weight.

“<Fuck off, Mum!>” She flailed to keep her mother away but the movement of her arms made her recoil from the pain in her chest. Her mother just sighed and continued the motion to hold up her daughter, helping her get to the surgeon where he could look her over. Her mother dropped her off and left, she had work to do.

Oleta lied about how she got her injuries, and she only let him examine her upper body. Made up some shit about pulling too much lumber at once and it crashing onto her torso. The surgeon almost believed her and patched her up without further questions, leaving her to rest on a cot. The break wasn’t life threatening, but they didn’t have any magical healers on board. She would have to heal the old fashioned way - with time.

She refused to go back to work for the shipwright, at least until her ribs healed, she promised. So her assigned position changed to working in the kitchen under a kind Dazkar man who had married into the Haragin crew. 

Slowly she healed, regaining her strength, her drive. The Dazkar she worked under helped. He was gentle with her, and patient. Mistakes were minor and easily rectified. Accomplishments were praised. He started her on easy tasks, things she could take care of while healing - chopping or tending pots on the stove, he taught her how to brew beer and wine. As she regained her strength she could help with lifting heavy bags and boxes. Eventually she even learned to slaughter the chickens and pigs they kept alive on the ship for meat. At the time she didn’t yet realize that she was practicing for more than just butchering as she honed the skill of sharply pulling a blade across the arteries of an animal’s throat.

Oleta began feeling like herself again, despite the carpenter still sharing the same ship. Her anger never faded, but her revulsion did some. At least her revulsion with herself. Something that continued weighing on her though, was how he threatened Avalyn. The young girl was more sensitive than her elder sister, softer and gentler and not at all interested in the harsh lifestyle of piracy. Oleta protected her fiercely. The only thing that made this situation different was the gravity. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two moons passed without much conflict. Oleta felt physically better at least, but as her physical pain diminished her fury grew. She kept her eye out for the shipwright at all times, waiting for a night when he let his guard down. A night when he found himself drunk and alone. 

The new moon provided no light to the darkened deck and in the still night almost none of the crew remained above the sleeping quarters. As per usual, the carpenter stayed on deck, drinking and watching the dark ocean under the night sky. 

Oleta stole two carving knives from the kitchen. She was amateur, but after a life on a ship she was also strong. She knew every place the boards creaked, knew every obstacle, every hidden corner, every break in the hull. She crept up to the deck. He was alone. Silently she glided up behind him, a phantom of his sins. She pulled out the first knife. With careful and purposeful aim she pulled her fist up to slam the blade into his back, right next to his spine, just managing to puncture the lung. 

A gurgled choke of surprise and pain sputtered from his mouth and he gripped his chest, reeling about to get a look at his attacker. A light trickle of blood bubbled to his mouth and his eyes widened in recognition and rage. 

“<Why you little -- >" The second knife interrupted his rasped threat as Oleta quickly but crudely dragged the blade across his windpipe, slicing through him like an apple. She knew to tug that sharp edge through the cartilage on the side of his neck to burst the artery. A torrent of crimson spilled from the wound accompanied by the wet strangled sounds of desperation. She spit in his face once more and pushed him back, over the ledge and into the black waters below. 

She stood at the railing for what felt like a lifetime, but was probably only a half a bell, watching as he splashed and flailed in his salty wet crypt. She watched as he fell out of sight, whether from his inevitable sink or from the ship sailing away too far - she wasn’t sure. She watched the merciless sea take the shipwright to his grave and continued after he was certainly gone.

Oleta reluctantly turned away from the deep dark waters of her willing accomplice to clean up in the kitchen. She washed the blood from her body and the remaining carving knife she held, as if performing a ritual. A sacred ceremony for retribution. She left that blood stain on the deck. She wanted that reminder.

In the dead of night she slid through corridors to the hammock where Avalyn slept and crawled in with her younger sister, holding on with tenderness she would never express for anyone else. For the first time in nearly three moons she slept soundly, her only regret was that he got off so easy. A burial at sea was too good for him.

[girlwithshipsshitshow]

Part 24

(Eri sat under the cherry blossom tree grinning at Rose, they'd been at the park all day, and just as the sun was setting decied to end the day with a picnic under the trees, what better way to end a day with the most amazing girl in the world)?

Rose: This day has been amazing.

Eri: I know.

Rose: (Sighs), I work all week. I wanted to ask your opinion on something, What do you think of mw becoming a peds doctor?

Eri: I think that's amazing!

Rose: I've spent a lot of time on the pediatric floor lately and I think I've found my passion, Dr. Ren says if I start now, I can be a fellow in about two years.

Eri: (Forcefully hugs Rose knocking her over), Baby! I think that's amazing!

Rose: (Laughs): Thank you. (rolls Eri over, hold her hand, looking into her eyes), what about you?

Eri: What about me?

Rose: Do you still want to be an editor?

Eri: Of course! I love my job.

Rose: But?

Eri: There's no but.

Rose: (Sits up), I can tell somethings wrong.

Eri: (Looks up at her smiling), Sometimes it can be a lot, but I wouldn't change it, the person I worry about most is Usami, but with Misaki becoming his editor, hopefully it'll be okay.

Rose: (Looks down, stroking Eri's hair). Misaki can handle Usagi.

Eri: (Places head in Roses lap), Yeah, No one gets him like Misaki does, Until I met you, I never understood what it was like to have a person. I was never close with anyone growing up.

Rose: (grins, leans down, Kissing Eri), I love you so much.

Eri: I love you to. (Smiles).

(They embrace tightly, the sun counties to set as cherry blossoms fall around them, it was magical).

(Manami set her stuff down at the door, the little boy running into his fathers arms).

Takahiro: My families home. (He grinned), I got pizza! He popped open the box, the smell off pepperoni wafting through the air).

Manami: Well I'm glad everything worked out, (she walked into the kitchen picking up a slice of pizza), but you can't pretend like everything is prefect.

Takahiro: (Sits Mahiro on the counter, handing him a slice of pizza). Like what?

Manami: I'm not going to talk about this in front of our son.

Mahiro: Dad, you were rude to my uncles, and you drank a lot.

Takahiro: So you're sixteen now? when did you learn to speak in full sentences?

Mahiro: Unami and Mataki talk A LOT.

Takahiro: Okay, well looks son, the point is you don't have to worry about anything, it's all okay.

Mahiro: (Hops down) I hope so. I'm going to my room, you and mommy can talk. (Runs into room, closing down gently).

Manami: He's right. I know what the problem was, but I'm glad it's better. You know they are in love, so deeply.

Takahiro: I could see that. I think that they are the love of each others lives. I don't know about Usagi, but I do know this is Misaki's first partner.

Manami: Yeah, you're my first, you're the love of my life.

Takahiro: You're the love of mine. (He, pulls her into a hug, kissing her softly). If this is how they feel everyday, the way we feel about each other, who am I to stand in the way?

Manami: (Softly laughs), You finally get it.

(The two embrace again, the smell of pizza and the feeling of love surrounding them).

(Misaki sits on the counter picking at the vegetables Usagi chopping for the vegetable stir fry, The older man smiled swatting his hand away).

Usagi: If you keep picking, we won't have dinner.

Misaki: (Shrugs), The vegies are fine, at least the kitchen won't burn down.

Usagi: Shut up! I've gotten better at cooking.

Misaki: You have! (Leans over giving Usagi a long kiss), I'm really proud of you.

Usagi: I couldn't of done it without you! What else do you think we need?

Misaki: Um let's see, (They already had red, yellow, and green peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms), I think that's good, but maybe as you cook it add some lime juice, ginger, and minced garlic?

Usagi: Okay. (He grinned as he got to work stirring the vegetables, humming as he cooked. Misaki loved that he was cooking more, and he actually made some amazing recipes, he even made lemon brownies for dessert, the two loved lemon flavored food.) Okay, I think this is done. (He walked over to Misaki, who stirred it some nodding).

Misaki: It's perfect, (He leaned forward, caressing Usagi's cheek. You don't have to ask me to check on it every time, (He whispered softly stroking the mans jaw), Trust yourself.

Usagi: (Smirk's crookedly), I don't want to mess up, what if I disappoint you?

Misaki: That won't happen, ever. Plus messing up is how you learn, asking me every time won't help, I'm always going to tell you you're cooking is amazing.

Usagi: What about that omelet I made when we first started dating?

Misaki: (Laughs), Okay, you knew that was bad, and I don't recall eating it.

Usagi: I thought it was good... I was crazy.

Misaki: (Wraps arms around Usagi), Yeah, but I put up with you anyway. (Kiss nose softly). We should eat this though. It looks good.

Usagi: Are you sure it'd done?

Misaki: Do you think it is?

Usagi: Yeah!, yes I do. Let's eat.

Usagi: Do you remember when you went to visit your brother, and I blew up the microwave?

(The two were lying on the couch cuddling after diner playing with each others hands, pieces of their dessert and wine glasses sat on the coffee table in front of them.)

Misaki: (Laughs), Why did you cook an egg in there?

Usagi: I thought you could.

Misaki: I left food for you though.

Usagi: (Sadly), Yeah, but I didn't want to eat it without you.

Misaki: (Chuckles), It was for you. (Glances at the photos on the table, Takahiro said they could keep them, since Misaki didn't have any pictures of his parents).

Usagi: How well do you remember them?

Misaki: Oh, um... (Misaki twisted his engagement ring around), I guess I don't. The only thing that I really remember is the car crash, and for the longest time thinking it was my fault.

Usagi: (Runs his hand through Misaki's hair), Oh baby, you know that's not true.

Misaki: I know that, but I did think it was, If I hadn't asked them to rush, if I wasn't so selfish, that's why I thought maybe if I stopped being selfish nothing bad would ever happen to anyone I ever loved again... then you got hurt...

Usagi: (Tears forming in his eyes), Oh Misaki, (Pulls him up, holding him tight), Things happen, you can stop them.

Misaki: (Crying), If I would've noticed you were sick...

Usagi: (Through tears) Don't you get it? I didn't want you to know, finals were starting, you needed to worry about that, if I didn't think I was going to be okay, I would've told you I was sick.

Misaki: (Pulls away, looking at his face, wiping his tears away, whispering) I love you so much Akihiko.

Usagi: (Smiles): I love you too, (Plants kiss all over Misaki's face causing him to giggle.

Misaki: Hey, Um I have a question?

Usagi: Anything.

Misaki: Tomorrow, there's something I want to do, I've been wanting to do it for a long time, but Tomorrow being a Sunday, it feels right.

Usagi: What is it?

Misaki: I want you to meet them. (He took one last glance at the photo behind them, then looked at Usagi.), The truth is, I don't think I've been to their grave since they died, I was never able to do it, face them you know.

Usagi: Because you thought it was your fault?

Misaki: Yeah, but I need to go see them, everything is different now, I'm graduating, and I'm getting married to the Love of my life. (He grinned, kissing Usagi's ring). I want them to know you.

Usagi: They can't be worse than my parents.

Misaki: (Smirks), Hey, shut up. (Pushes his chest). If they we're alive, they would love you.

Usagi: I hope they would be happy for us.

Misaki: Whoa, Mr. insecure.

Usagi: I would want you're parents to love me.

Misaki: They would, My parents always wanted me to be happy, I always remember them telling me that. That's something they said that always stuck with me.

Usagi: They wouldn't care who you ended up with?

Misaki: I don't think so, I mean no one expected us to end up together.

Usagi: Um, the universe did, (He lifted his hands up making a ball), It's fate baby.

Misaki: You're ridiculous. (Presses lips to Usagi's) But I love you. (Kiss him softly.

Usagi: (Lips still pressed together), You don't think it's Fate?

Misaki: Of course, It's density, (Kisses him), We were always meant to be together, (Another kiss), No matter what.

[gwenpendragns]

Ship questions for oc you rarely talk about

We’re going to do them for Naomi-Uzume Weasley because I love her and nobody really asks about her much. Under the cut bc she long!!

PRE-RELATIONSHIP

How did they first meet?

They first meet in fifth year, on the train to Hogwarts.

What was their first impression of each other?

Because of the fact that they’re literally soulmates, the bond is everpresent so there’s this underlying pull of intrigue and curiosity. They’re clearly attracted to one another but don’t understand why, really. Draco things she’s intriguing because she’s very different from the other Weasleys and Naomi thinks he’s a prat.

Did any of their friends or family want them to get together?

Nope. Nuh-uh. I mean, the Weasleys have an understanding that it’s going to happen whether they like Draco or not, and Molly, Arthur, Bill and Charlie are all accepting of it, as long as she’s happy. Ron, the twins, and Ginny are all uber protective of Naomi, so while they are very against Draco they try to keep their opinions to themselves, but whenever he steps a toe out of line in terms of Naomi, they’re immediately on the offensive. The Malfoys think she’s scum, but Narcissa just wants Draco to be happy and loved.

Who felt romantic feelings first?

Again, because of the bond it was kind of instantaneous, but I would say it affected Draco a lot faster than it did Naomi.

Did either of them try to resist their feelings?

Oh they both did, but Naomi resisted it a lot more, because of who he is and where he comes from and who her family is. She thought it was a mistake.

If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think?

Well, this is just the plot of the book, fam.

GENERAL

Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

Draco, once he accepts the bond he’s constantly chasing after her, wants to know how her day went and what she’s doing. I headcanon Draco as being super soft to someone he loves, hence him being a simp for Naomi. Naomi is very annoyed at first, and while she keeps up an irritated front she secretly loves all of the attention, and begins to count on it.

Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?

Nope, they have no time for that. First Umbridge, then Draco has the mark - there is simply no time for dates in the midst of war.

What was their first kiss like?

Angst-ridden, tears. Naomi iniates it. That’s all I’ll say on the matter...

Were they each other’s first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?

They’re each other’s first time but both have kissed others and been in relationships before. They’re each other’s first real, commited relationship, though. 

What’s their height difference? Age difference?

Book!Draco is around 6′0 and Naomi is 5′8 so it’s a couple of inches, which is pretty perfect. Draco is a Gemini, June 5, and Naomi is a Taurus, May 6, so they’ve got a month between them. I’m a whore for the girl being older, fight me.

What’s their relationship with each other’s families?

Um, Yikes.

Who takes the lead in social situations?

Draco, 100%.

Who gets jealous easier?

They both get pretty jealous because of the way the bond affects them but Draco is definitely the more jealous of the two.

LOVE

Who said “I love you” first?

Draco, but it is not a fluffy admission, let me tell you that much.

What are their primary love languages?

Draco’s is gift giving and physical touch; Naomi’s is physical touch and acts of service.

How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA?

They aren’t big on kissing or like groping in public but when they are in a relationship, they are constantly holding hands or touching one another. Huge cuddlers, they love to be in contact as much as possible.

What are their favourite things to do together?

Honestly just being together but probably Draco playing the piano for Naomi, or them both reading beside on another.

Who’s better at comforting the other?

Naomi is way better at comforting Draco, Draco tries his best but he’s always a few steps off.

Who’s more protective?

Draco, he has to be, his family and associates are all out to forcefully mark Naomi. 

Do they prefer verbal or physical affection?

Physical affection, they aren’t good at voicing their emotions. Which makes verbal affection a very big plot point for them (see “I love you” admission for reference lol).

What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?

Sofia by Clairo; Please Notice by Christian Leave; Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons; I love you by Billie Eilish

What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

Love, sweetheart, Drake, Nomes.

DOMESTIC LIFE

If they get married, who proposes?

Draco proposes, but it was a conversation they’d already had on multiple occasions.

What’s the wedding like? Who attends?

All of their families come, and they basically threaten to hex anyone who starts shit. They have it at the Burrow, because Naomi loved Bill and Fleur’s wedding. It’s quite upscale with decorations and apparel because Draco is a fancy boy. Their wedding colours are emerald green and pale pink. Naomi’s dress is ivory coloured with a lace bodice, sheer boho-inspired sleeves and a tulle skirt; Draco wears a dark green tuxedo. Draco’s best man is Blaise Zabini and Naomi’s maid of honour is her best friend, Laurie Creevey.

How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like?

They have two kids, the first is a girl named Moreya Delphini Malfoy whom I explained in detail here. The second is a boy named Scorpius Horace Malfoy (Horace is in honour of Naomi’s late father, Horace Weasley). Scorpius is a Slytherin who is gentle and socially awkward but fiercely loyal and incredibly intelligent.

Do they have any pets?

They inherit Draco’s parents’ Albino Peacocks. Draco keeps his eagle owl (Pollux) until he passes and Naomi keeps her pet Burmese cat (Nox) until he passes as well. They end up getting a pair of Bengal cats named Atticus and Winnie, and each of the children have their own pet owl.

Who’s the stricter parent?

Draco, obviously.

Who kills the bugs in the house?

Naomi, Draco is a tad bit of a baby when it comes to bugs

How do they celebrate holidays?

They have two seperate Christmases (one at the Malfoy Manor and one at the Burrow; they alternate every  year who gets the actual date) and smaller holidays are spent with just the four of them.

Who’s more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?

Naomi pulls her puppy eyes and begs Draco for just one more hour. She thinks he works himself too hard. Draco acts annoyed but secretly loves it.

Who’s the better cook?

Draco, surprisingly, he took some muggle cooking classes after the war and also spent time watching the elves at his manor cook when he was a child.

[koreanboyswriting]

Partners Pt. 2

Genre: Cops AU - Angsttt AF with a lot of fluff and a tiny bit of smut

Parts: 1

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Words: 4k

Jungkook hopes a kiss will solve everything but you aren’t sure. Will his fight for you end up in your happily ever after or will it leave him burned?

Jungkook was still holding you to him and you let your hands fall from where they had been placed on either side of his face and rested them on his chest. His hands were clamped around your waist and he was breathing heavy as if he had run a marathon. You chuckled and Jungkook grabbed your chin and tried to pull you to him again, but you pushed his chest until you separated. Jungkook looked at you like you had slapped him, hurt stricken across his face.

“Look, Jungkook…” you trailed off, unsure of what you were going to say.

“You don’t want me?” He asked, his eyes confused.

“No that’s not it,” you said looking down at your feet.

“Then what’s the problem?” He stepped towards you again collecting your left hand in his own.

You sighed and shook your head and stepped back again, “But what about Jen?”

Jungkook stepped forward again and grabbed your hand and led you towards the couch. Once you both sat down Jungkook crossed his legs and started playing with the rings he always wore. He looked incredibly small, like he had shrunk into himself.

“I don’t love Jen anymore. Well, I don’t think I ever really loved her. I wanted to, because my parents wanted me to, but I just didn’t. See Jen and I grew up around each other. I never liked her then either,” he said laughing while he scratched the back of his neck.

“My parents and her parents have been family friends for years, it’s almost family at this point. And for years both of our families only had boys and they wanted to join our families, so they made a pact that whoever had a girl first would marry her to the boy of the according age in the other family. Jen was born two months after me, hence our arranged marriage.”

You chewed on the inside of your cheek, not knowing want to say. An arranged marriage, the idea is archaic, you didn’t even know people still practiced it, besides the few exceptions.

“I know, I know,” Jungkook said like he was reading your thoughts. “It’s an old-fashioned idea and my family isn’t really beholden to that ideal except in this case.”

“Why don’t you just tell them you don’t want to be with her?” You asked incredulously.

“Let’s just say I don’t want to disappoint my parents more than I already have.” Jungkook said looking up at you finally.

You could see the pain in his eyes, and you just wanted to reach out and tuck the piece of hair that had fallen loose from behind his ear.

“This still doesn’t answer what you want to do about Jen,” You asked massaging your temples.

“Well, I don’t want to be with her. I want to be with you,” Jungkook said more forcefully.

“Okay, but you’re not going to break up with her?” You asked confused.

“Well, I can’t. Well at least not yet. I know Jen wants to break up and I’m pretty sure she’s cheating on me, so it’s only a matter of time before she leaves, and that way my parents can’t—”

You cut him off, “I’m sorry? So, you want me to do what exactly? Date you on the side?”

“No, it’s not like that.” Jungkook said sadly.

“But it’s exactly like that,” you said exasperated.

“Please, can’t we just figure this out together? I don’t want to lose you.” Jungkook said quietly.

You almost broke when he looked up at you. His eyes soft, pleading.

“I care about you Jungkook, I really do. But I care about myself too much to put myself in a situation like this. I don’t think I could handle it. You know?” You asked.

Jungkook nodded slightly, his eyes dejected. “You should come back though. The unit isn’t the same without you. It feels empty, not only for me, but for everyone,” said Jungkook.

Your eyes started to water, and you looked up at the ceiling, to keep them from falling. “I can’t Jungkook. I can’t do that. I couldn’t look at you every day and feel ok.” You said picking at a loose thread on your sleeve.

“Please, don’t leave.” He begged.

You swallowed thickly, “Jungkook, I have to.”

You stood and turned away from Jungkook to rub your eyes roughly on your sleeve. You walked over to the door and waited at it till you could hear Jungkook’s footsteps behind you. He stopped behind you and rested his head on your shoulder, wrapping his arms around your waist from behind you. You reached up and smoothed his long hair, trying to memorize the feel of this moment because it was all you were going to have. All that you’d have to look back on.

He took his head off your shoulder and spun you around in his arms, pressing his lips to yours before you could protest. You gave yourself over to him, letting him take control. He walked you back into the door, pressing your back against it as he cupped your ass and pulled you up into his arms. You hooked your ankles around his back and kissed him fiercely, opening your mouth to him. He nipped your lip and caressed your mouth with his tongue, like you had forever to do this. You pulled him as close as you could, twining your fingers roughly in his hair and hooking your other arm around his neck. Jungkook grinded into you and all you wanted to do was rip off his clothes and have him own you on the kitchen table. But you slowed down, unhooking your ankles from his back and he let you slowly slide down his body, still holding you tightly like he couldn’t bear to let go. Your lips broke apart and Jungkook rested his forehead on to yours and you combed your fingers through his hair until you felt like you could breathe again.

When you finally broke apart Jungkook’s eyes were watering and you just wanted to hold him and never let him go, but you couldn’t do that. So, you stepped out of his embrace and opened the door. Jungkook walked outside and grabbed your hand, holding it for a second. Then he kissed you on the forehead, pouring every goodbye into the last touch and then he walked away. You closed the door quickly and sank to the floor sobbing until you couldn’t breathe, you don’t remember being able to get up, but you somehow found it to your bed and cried yourself to sleep.

***

Your phone was ringing. You reached over to your side table slapping around till you found it, when you managed to it slid off the table and fell to the floor. Your groaned loudly and turned over searching the floor till your hand made contact again. You slid the answer button across and smacked it up against your ear.

“Y/last name,” you barked.

“You’ve been moved to narcotics,” said Don, your old boss now you supposed.

“Oh, that quickly?” You said.

“You sound surprised,” said Don.

“Well, you told me to come see you today, yesterday,” you said.

“Well, Jeon told me you were sure about leaving, has that changed?” He asked.

“No,” you said.

“As I thought, there’s room anywhere for a detective who has lasted more than a year at SVU. I’ll be sad to see you go, don’t be afraid to come back when you miss me,” he joked.

You chuckled, “Will do Captain.”

“Best of luck y/n,” said Don. And then he hung up. The silence felt too loud.

You got up and showered, pulled on some jeans, a black silk button up, a trench coat, and your black boots. You stopped by the mirror on the way out, your face was puffy, and your eyes were red, you grimaced at yourself but didn’t linger for long, you didn’t want to see that.

You gobbled down some cereal while you watched the morning news. Peter was on it, getting walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs while he cried, Melanie and the kids were nowhere to be found, you smiled to yourself.

You dropped your bowl in the sink, turning on the sink to blast it with a bit of water before you grabbed your purse and walked out the door. You smoothed your hair into a high ponytail as you walked to your car. You got in and shut the door quickly behind you and locking it, cop instincts always on.

Once you pulled up to the narcotics headquarters you knew immediately this would be different. The building felt darker, more ominous, like something you’d have to conquer. You parked your car in the staff parking lot and dumped your keys into your purse, hiking it up onto your shoulder. You walked up to the building as a cop came out the doors with a heavily tattooed man in handcuffs. He catcalled and puckered his lips at you and struggled against his cuffs. The cop looked at you apologetically and roughly pushed the man forward despite his protests.

You just kept your head high and walked into the building, you found the elevator around the corner and found the directory that said the third floor was the squad room. You punched it into the elevator and tried to calm your anxiety as the lift took you up. When you arrived on the floor it was chaos. Perps were being pushed around in handcuffs, cops in uniform were running around the room and the detective team, you assumed by their pedestrian clothes, were huddled around a white board and were waving their hands wildly. You found the only door off the room that had shutters over the window part of the door and walked towards it. Sure enough, when you were closer you could see the plaque next to the door that said it was the Captain’s office.

You knocked and heard a muffled voice from within and entered. An older Hispanic man sat behind the desk. He had white hair mixed into his dark locks and a 5 o’clock shadow. He had suspenders on and his entire outfit was black, he might have seemed nice and welcoming if it wasn’t for his steely gaze and tall, fit stature.

“Sit,” he barked while he ruffled through his desk for something.

When you sat down at the chair in front of his desk, he finally located the file he was looking for and slapped it on the desk unceremoniously. It had the New York Police Department shield on it and when he opened it up you could see your police academy graduation picture clipped to the inside.

“So Detective y/last name, you worked at SVU for 3 years, that’s impressive. Most people don’t last 6 months. Why did you transfer out?” The Captain asked cooly.

“Well, Captain…” you trailed off waiting for him to fill in his name.

“Gomez.” He said not looking into your eyes as he flipped through your file.

“Well, Captain Gomez I was looking for something new,” you said.

“Hmm.. and you were okay with leaving your partner. It says here that you were together your entire stay there.” He looked at you questioningly.

“It was a hard decision, but I thought it would be good for both of us to grow separately,” you said quietly.

“Because here your partner is everything, you need to have each other’s backs fully.” He said while looking you up and down as if he could deem you worthy that way.

“Yes sir,” you said.

He looked you up and down one more time and then closed the file, “Well I don’t know how you fill in here but anyone who can last at SVU can handle anything so let’s introduce you to the squad.” He got up and gestured towards the door.

You opened it and waited for the Captain to walk in front of you and lead you over to the group of guys who were by the white board. You couldn’t help but feel like you were the new kid in school who had to introduce themselves in the front of the class. You wondered what Jungkook was doing right now, and if they had found someone to replace you yet.

“This is Detective y/last name, she’s from SVU. Parker, she’s going to be your new partner,” said Captain Gomez.

A tall muscled white man stepped forward, he had light brown hair and it was French braided into a bun at the top of his head. He reached out a hand to you and you shook it smiling slightly. You wanted to be friendly but not too nice you could tell it was going to be a pissing contest here with all these muscled men.

“This is Williams,” Gomez pointed to a tattooed black man who had a great full beard. “This is Evans,” he pointed to another white man this one had a buzz cut though and looked like he just left the Marines. “This is Patel,” Gomez gestured to an Indian man who had meticulously groomed hair and was the only one wearing a button up. “And lastly this is Russo,” a short muscular curly haired man stepped for and shook your hand vigorously. You laughed it off and tried to pretend that your hand didn’t hurt.

“Have you guys gotten anywhere?” Gomez barked at the men. They all stepped back and looked at the board.

Williams pointed to a picture of one of the men at the center, an Asian male with spiky black hair and a tattoo across his forehead. “Well, Tanaka here has been receiving shipments of heroin from multiple organizations, we don’t know why he is having such an influx lately. It’s almost like he’s preparing for something. He’s had ten shipments within the last week. All no more than 20 kilos.”

The rest of the men looked puzzled, so you stepped forward. “He could be testing the products, moving the weight and seeing what gets picked up the most? Maybe he’s changing his buyer or trying to move into a new bracket of selling?”

They all looked at you surprised. And Gomez nodded, “Could be.”

They continued talking and you fell to the background once you realized that your suggestion hadn’t been taken, it was clear you were going to have to work harder around here for your input to mean anything.

And that’s how the next month and a half went. You would give input, the other detectives would nod as if they were listening and then move on completely until later one of them would suggest something almost exactly like what you had said previously and everyone would act like it made perfect sense. You tried not to roll your eyes every time this happened, but you were reaching your end.

While filling out your paperwork you would look up and see Parker and be disappointed as if Jungkook was just going to appear before you if you wanted it hard enough. After a week you didn’t feel the gripping pull of depression anymore, but you also didn’t want to show up to work either, which was a new feeling for you. You felt like an intern. Parker was five years older than you and he acted like it. He constantly asked you to fetch him things like bringing him coffee or getting him more printer paper, or even going to the supply store downstairs to fetch him a new pen because his favorite one had run out of ink. You knew he enjoyed the power he could hold over you, but you hoped that if you stuck out with him for long enough, he’d respect you. So on you went, putting up with the teams bullshit because you were too much of a wimp to go back to your old unit that you missed already.

As you worked at your desk late one night, Parker having left you with his paperwork to finish as well, your phone rang, pulling you out of your stupor. You answered quickly and held the phone up to your ear.

“Y/last name,” you barked into the receiver.

“Hi Ms. y/last name, I’m Doctor Villanueva from Bellevue Hospital and I need to inform you of an accident that includes Mr. Jeon,” he said softly.

You sat up in your chair, “Yes?” You asked hesitantly.

“You were listed as Mr. Jeon’s second emergency contact, the first,” you heard the sounds of rustling paper in the background, “a Ms. Jennie Park did not answer when I called about the patient. Anyways, Mr. Jeon was involved in a shootout while on duty and has been injured. We would like for you to come down to the hospital and help him settle his affairs.” The doctor asked, sounding unsure.

“I’m on my way,” you said, hanging up before the doctor could respond again.

You closed the files on your desk hastily and shoved your phone and wallet into your purse. Then tucked your gun and badge onto your belt and bustled out the door, pulling your keys out of your front pocket. You ran down the stairs to impatient for the elevator and shoved past a cop out the front doors. As soon as you made it to your car, you were off driving anxiously. You turned on your dashboard siren light and wound your way through traffic as people pulled over out of your way.

You tried to stop yourself from imagining horrible scenarios. Jungkook lying motionless in a white bed, his eyes closed, a machine doing his breathing for him. Then you imagined him paralyzed from the waist down, thrashing in anger in his bed as he fought to move his legs. Then you imagined him dead, the way you’d stand by the side of his grave as they lowered him down into it. You swerved to avoid a car and brought yourself back to reality. He was fine. HE had to be fine. Jungkook was too stubborn to die.

You whipped into the parking lot and parked your car at the front next to the other police vehicles. You took out your ponytail and let your hair fall around your shoulders, tucking the right side behind your ear and finger combing through it, so you’d look less crazy.

You walked up to the front desk and got the attention of the harried receptionist by flashing your badge.

“Excuse me ma’am, I’m looking for Detective Jeon Jungkook,” you asked coolly.

She huffed and hit the down button on her keypad several times before stopping and scanning the screen, “He’s on the fifth floor, room 531.”

You nodded and walked away before she could finish. You found the closest elevator bank and punched the up button too aggressively, trying to ignore the hospital directory that was on the wall in front of you that said “5th floor: Extended Stay Trauma.”

You breathed in and out deeply trying to reign yourself in, he was going to be fine, he had to be fine. You repeated those words over and over to yourself like a mantra.

When you made it to the fifth floor you practically ran down the hallways until you made it to his room. You breathed deeply for a minute outside the door, that was pushed open. You straightened up, smoothed down your hair and walked in.

Jungkook was laying on the bed shirtless. There were small circle patches with wires protruding from them that were taped all over his chest. His right shoulder was bandaged, and he was fighting with two nurses, one male and one female. The male nurse was trying to hold down a struggling Jungkook, and the female nurse was holding a needle and a corresponding tube.

“I’m just trying to take a little blood Jungkook so I can set up your IV. You need fluids, so your body can recuperate.” She said kindly.

“I’m fine,” he said while struggling, “I’m practically good as new, you can send me home.”

“Jungkook,” his head snapped to where you leaned in the doorway smirking. “Can’t you just let the nice people do their job?”

Jungkook immediately settled down, his eyes latched on you with a look of disbelief. The female nurse mouthed thank you to you and took a little blood, while the male nurse set up his IV. They reclipped the heart monitor onto his finger and set it down on the bed. Then the female nurse looked to you.

“He should be good to go in a couple days. He needs to take it easy though so his shoulder can heal. He got really lucky the bullet passed right through, so he should be back to normal soon. I’ll be back in the morning to change the bandages.” She said looking at you kindly.

You nodded at her gratefully and they both swept from the room silently. Jungkook still only had eyes for you. He tried to get up and you walked over and pushed his chest back down onto the bed and pressed a light kiss onto his forehead. Then you pulled up a chair next to his bed and sat down. You picked up his hand holding it in yours and kissed his scarred knuckles lightly. Trying to reassure him there was no rush, that you were here as long as he wanted you to be.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he whispered.

You smiled slightly and shrugged, “Had to make sure that you didn’t die.”

He chuckled and gripped your hand tighter.

“Why isn’t Jen here, can’t believe she’s missing a chance at fawning over you,” you said.

Jungkook scratched his jaw with his free hand, “She left me. A few days after that night actually. I came home and she had her bags packed already, said she met someone else and was tired of pretending for our parents. Can’t say I was sad. It’s felt weird to be on my own though.” He shrugged and then winced looking at his shoulder annoyed.

“Oh, wow,” you said genuinely shocked.

“I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea,” Jungkook said softly.

You smiled sadly, “Oh I think I do. It’s been hell for me too. What happened by the way?” You said, pointing your chin over to his shoulder.

Jungkook rolled his eyes, “Well, the only person Don could get to fill up your spot was a rookie and he’s terrible!” Jungkook said loudly. You covered your mouth to keep from laughing.

“We were doing an easy bust, should have been an in and out situation, but he fumbled the perp and he managed to grab the new guys gun and shoot me. Thankfully his aim sucked. I was able to secure him, and Peters came in and got him into the car before making me come here.” Jungkook said, as if the whole thing was just one big inconvenience.

“Poor you. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that.” You joked.

Jungkook rolled his eyes and scooted over in his bed, “Just get in here will you.”

You smiled and kicked off your shoes before crawling into Jungkook’s bed. He picked up the covers and draped them around you. Pulling you tight with his uninjured arm. He kissed your forehead and nuzzled his nose into the top of your head.

“You’re never leaving my side again, okay?” He said.

“Okay,” you acquiesced.

You laid there with Jungkook for hours talking about how you hated your new squad and wanted to come back. Jungkook told you more funny stories about the new guy and how he couldn’t wait to get rid of him. You laid there laughing and talking until you fell asleep in each other’s arms. It was the first time you fell asleep peacefully in a month and a half and you were content to never leave his side as Jungkook demanded.

***

When you woke in the morning, you nuzzled your head into Jungkook’s sculpted chest, and he signed happily. You opened your eyes and looked up to find what you assumed were Jungkook’s parents glaring down at you, his mother’s arms crossed and demeanor disapproving.

[madokasoratsugu]

cinderella au meta notes

or: the plotline that never happened because i was so caught up in the euphoria of writing Fritz/Lucette Cinderella AU, i forgot that i had to have a plot

also: a bunch of bonus facts i guess !

this basically spoils the whole fic (that you can read here) which contains Fritz and Rumpel route spoilers, so read with caution ! under the cut bc it got Long :”))

this meta was initially written on a tumblr post bc it was meant to be a short ~2k thing (HAHAHA). then it got so long my computer started crashing and i had to move to google docs. 

i wrote this with disney live action remake osts AND six the musical in the background. it was a wildin’ experience listening to ‘dont lost ur head’ while writing Fritz be a chaotic mess in the beginning, then listening to ‘how does a moment last forever’ when writing the Fritz/Lucette garden scenes.

Karma and Fritz are childhood friends ! both boys who were more interested in being a knight than inheriting a kingdom, but learnt their responsibilities along the way.

on that note: none of the characters were exactly...planned to appear. the initial tweet thread idea only had Fritz, Lucette and Alcaster casted - the other characters just kinda wrote themselves in this meta. 

im pretty sure it started with Karma barging his way into the fic in act one, then i had to have someone balance him (Waltz), then i needed someone to play the music for their waltz (obvs that had to be Rod), and then i got sad thinking Rumpel would be left out, but Lucette’s broken glass slipper scene conveniently needed someone. the Widdensovs just kinda came into the picture by virtue of Lucette just needing someone to interact with when she wasnt at the ball LMAO 

everyone else just didnt make it in the natural progression of the fic, and i didnt want to shoehorn them in just for the sake of having them appear.

however: Parfait was initially going to make an appearance as a duchess who snuck Lucette out to her father when she came to the castle for help when her manor burnt down. here’s a lil snippet of her scene:

(no one had, the last time she came; the smell of smoke still clinging on her, her head slamming a cacophony - surviving only thanks to the bravery of a certain court lady now disappeared, who heralded her to a servant’s exit, gave her gold and directions to her father, told her, run, told her im sorry, and cried, tears dripping endlessly from her pale pink lashes.)

Parfait is well and alive in this AU btw ! she’s just ‘disappeared’ bc she’s living somewhere secret with her goth wife Delora.

(side note: i realise Rumpel seems a lot like Lucette’s fairy godmother in the act thirteen. not intended, but i liked the imagery enough to let it stand :”)) bippity boppoty chevalier ! )

Varg and Lilja are both Swedish words. ancient Angiellian is partially Swedish. there’s probably ikea in this AU. let that sink in.

the swan mask Lucette was wearing was meant to allude to Odette and Odile from Swan Lake (because Fritz and Varg, white and black, swans are pretty yadda yadda), and i was going to write some really neat symbolism about that but i forgot lol ! 

(also the idea just never worked for me bc Odette and Odile aren’t the same people like Fritz/Varg but i wanted to reference Barbie Swan Lake (2003) ok let me live)

pour one out for our man Fritz who got rejected on his birthday. f. 

Emelaigne is the MVP. older sisters, no matter how truly Head Empty they are, always pull through when you need them. 

“isn’t the moon beautiful tonight” is a direct reference to an anecdote (which may or may not be true) about Natsume Souseki, a famous japanese writer, who translated ‘i love you’ to that phrase in order to account for the indirect characteristics of japanese speech.

Rumpel is the royal doctor, and has been apprenticing in the castle since Fritz was a child, before taking over the position as an adult ! so yes, Rumpel definitely rubbed off on Fritz in terms of values and morals.

with regards to Fritz and Lucette’s curses: i never really gave it much thought, but the vague idea i had was Lucette being cursed by Hildyr for disobedience (manipulative parenting say eye), then Hildyr dies lol and Lucette breaks her curse eventually.

with Fritz, he was likely cursed out of political reasons/jealousy and Varg was the result. works bc either way the curse meant for Fritz to be 1) inconvenienced or 2) dead/taken out of consideration for succession so like...a pain in the ass replacement who behaves the exact opposite of a prince works too.

this was hinted at vaguely in the fic, but Fritz became very secluded and hid himself in the castle for the years it took him to come to terms with his curse and break it. even then, because there was no one around him to really affirm his identity or accept him, he remained very withdrawn and a shell of his former self. 

i reckon it took him about 5-6 years to break the curse. so that’s a lot of time alone. Fritz was basically a NEET.

all jokes aside: Lucette and Fritz each broke their curses with their own willpower and effort, but remain the mostly the same because there was no one around them to truly understand or accept them for who they were, or who they became.

(until they met each other, of course)

also, idk if it was hinted well enough but Lucette and Fritz actually were in an engagement once, when they were children/early teens ! i intended to allude to this more with Hildyr giving Fritz Lucette’s portrait, which results in him recognising her, but it just never fit in anywhere. so yeah ! that’s another reason how/why Fritz knew who Lucette was at first glance. 

i figured the previous engagement would also help ease the court into their eventual marriage despite the whole ~*disgraced noble*~ thing. idk. i know nothing about western history and how it worked except for ALEXANDER HAMILTON (america sings for yooouuu) and divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

however, Alcaster broke the engagement, as stated in act thirteen. the reason was basically: Angielle in this AU works not by a hereditary monarchy, but rather the previous monarch getting to choose whomever the fuck the want to succeed them. Hildyr and Alcaster were both in line for the throne, and Hildyr wanted to ensure that even if she couldn’t get the throne now, she still had a chance in the future if her daughter married Alcaster’s (who would then be king) son. Alcaster was like lol fuck off because he wanted power all to his family and took things into his own hands to ensure that would never happen (which involved: inciting public hatred against witches/Hildyr, breaking Lucette and Fritz’s engagement, and generally being a dick.

that’s about as plot heavy as it gets yall. the rest is just dumb idiots falling in love !

...............except for the political usurp that happens later, with Fritz’s faction forcefully taking the throne away from Alcaster’s tyrannical rule, which leads to a dramatic sway of public favour to Fritz and Lucette.

and then they live happily ever, ever after. 

(carrie underwood. yes i am planning an Enchanted AU dont look at me.)

the end !

[kathrynalicemc]

Azazil Bane Profile

HPHM Character Profile

General Info

Name: Azazil Bane

Age: 3 years older than Kathryn

Date of Birth: October 31, 1969

Gender: Male

Nicknames: Pinnochio (insult to him)

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Nationality: British

Species: Human Wizard

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Appearance

Height: 5'7"

Complexion: Fair

Hair colour: Platinum blonde

Hair style(s): shirt and slightly wavy

Eye colour: Very pale blue

Distinguishing Characteristics: white scars covering nearly most of his body

Curse: Sanguis Mendax

Personality

Likes to be alone and push people away

Kind and gentle heart

Secretly doesn't want to be alone

Very strong willed and has high tolerance for pain

Loves to heal people because he knows how it feels to be in pain

Never harms anyone physically

Mature and responsible

Brave and faces things head on

Likes to lie to his father's face just to spite him and not show weakness

Scared to let people in emotionally because he was abused

Backstory

Azazil Bane was born to Asmodeus Bane and Lilibeth Douloureux on October 31, 1969. His dad was a death eater so he didn’t have contact with his grandparents, aunt, uncle, or cousins. Lilibeth was extremely beautiful and kind with long golden hair. She was part of the powerful pure French bloodline. Asmodeus was in love but Lilibeth did not care for him because he was an ambitious and cruel man, so focused on keeping his Bloodline pure and powerful. Asmodeus put the imperio curse on her and forced her to have a child with him. Azazil was sad and confused whenever she was under the curse because it made her unresponsive and empty. When it would start to wear off or if she was given free will due to good behaviour, he would adore his gentle and kind mother. One day when he was 6, Lilibeth faked good behaviour to be given free will and attempted to escape. She grabbed Azazil and tried to run but there was a fight and Asmodeus killed her in the struggle. Because of this, Asmodeus hated his son because he blamed him for her death and he had very light blonde/white hair that reminded him of Lilibeth. He would abuse Azazil if he didn’t do what he wanted. His son was supposed to be strong, ambitious, and do what he is told. At the age of four, after drawing on the walls and lying about it, Asmodeus used a curse that he invented, inspired by his own spell inventor parents. Sanguis Mendax. Blood liar. Everytime Azazil lies, no matter if he’s caught or not, a new wound will be carved into a random patch of his skin and then it will scar. No amount of magical healing will make them disappear. His father used this to control him and would punish him if he noticed any blood. This caused Azazil to hide it as much as possible. But he still lied and stood his ground. He wasn’t going to be what his father made him. As a kid, he had a love for plants and animals and he was a gentle and kind soul. But he was also very brave.

Family

Mother: Lilibeth Douloureux (deceased)

She was from France but moved to England and went to Hogwarts the same year as Asmodeus

She was forcefully married to Asmodeus by use of the imperio curse and had Azazil without her consent

Father: Asmodeus Bane (deceased)

A Bitch™️

Evil, no good, death eater

Born 1940

He created a curse called Sanguis Mendax.

He died on October 31, 1981 when Voldemort was defeated and the Aurors started hunting down and rounding up death eaters.

Cousins: Jasper, Kathryn & Aimee Alice

He doesn't see much of Jasper before he disappears but he's sort of friends with Kathryn. She reaches out to him but he likes to push people away but he does respect her for not being like the rest and for actually trying. He later heals both her and Aimee occasionally from his job in the hospital wing. He never goes to school at the same time as Aimee though since she's Harry's age.

Affiliations/Organizations

Hufflepuff house

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Profession: Healer in the hospital wing at Hogwarts

Hogwarts Info

Best Subjects: Charms, Potions, Herbology

Worst Subjects: DADA, History of Magic

Favourite Teachers: Flitwick, Mcgonagall

Hobbies and Interests: volunteer in hospital wing, Herbology

Magical Characteristics

Wand: Hawthorn wood, Phoenix feather core, 12”

Special Abilities: Animagus

Mirror of Erised: He sees himself without scars or the blood curse

Boggart: His father

Patronus: Phoenix - they signify a very gracious and virtuous soul who has overcome difficulties in life

Animagus: Asclepius snake

How Amortentia smells: Medicinal herbs, lavender, chamomile, honey, chocolate, blood (iron)

Extra

He can see Thestrals due to witnessing his mothers death as a child.

After graduating Hogwarts he works in the hospital wing and helps heal Kathryn, Aimee, and Harry & his friends.

He stays on during the war and actively smuggles healing supplies to Dumbledores army and the students when the Carrows are torturing them and lies about it without being caught.

He helps evacuate students and tend to wounds during the battle but never once fights

[fallen029]

Babies and Dolls

It had been a rather exciting day, to say the least.

The boss, heh, the boss, that sly dog, old dog, reformed and rehomed dog, well, he and his wife had just had their first baby and Bickslow was all about it. All for it. He, Ever, and Freed were all so extremely pleased to welcome the newest little Dreyar guy into the world.

Bickslow was denied the right to hold the baby by Laxus and Evergreen refused the offer, but Freed held him for them all and it was just as emotionally filling (yet somehow also draining) as you would expect. It felt as if everything had come full circle. They'd aligned themselves with a boy and after so many years, finally, he was truly, without a doubt, completely and utterly a man.

A married man.

A family man.

A married family man.

And that was just so perfect and wonderful and Bickslow had never felt such a high level of euphoria before. Well, okay, maybe he had, once or twice, but he'd never felt it without the usage of paraphernalia of the borderline legality variety.

But other than all of that, no, yeah, this was the peak of every other emotion he'd ever felt.

It was an important moment for other people too, of course. Not just him, Ever, and Freed. Makarov felt pretty proud and, well, heh, the bossman, yeah, he seemed pretty much ecstatic too. And overwhelmed. Panicked.

But happy.

There was a time when it was a complete rarity to see him that way. Happy. Bickslow hoped that this meant they'd seen him that way much more often now.

Mirajane was the one that most everyone was concerned about though, probably. Bickslow imagined it wasn't exactly pleasant, popping out a baby. But he saw her, when Laxus allowed Freed (and not him, never him) to hold the newborn. She smiled in that real way for once. Rather than the fake coy one she played up at the hall.

Her siblings probably theoretically had a stronger claim than the Thunder Legion to the new baby. Maybe. Bickslow wasn't so convinced. But Elfman was full of tears and memories, or at least regret, over how their parents would never get to see this, see him, the baby, while Lisanna just smiled sweetly and stared down at the baby was this...look that Bickslow wasn't quite so sure he understood, but…

It was weird.

Everything felt like it was so high-stakes only hours before, but it was calm now. The world had been in upheaval, but now it was righted once more. Everything had changed, but nothing was different, and they were all okay again.

They were all okay again.

Midnight had rolled over by the time Bickslow awoke, rolling onto his back to blink up at the ceiling. It always felt so distant, the ceiling did, in this apartment he was in now. It was probably because the mattress just laid flat on the floor, no box spring or bed frame. Hardly separated from the ground and yet so far away from it.

Bickslow felt like that described most things in his life though.

The moonlight was creeping past the breaks in the closed blinds and, as Bickslow slowly sat up, he watched the dust particles dance around in the silver streams. He wasn't quite sure what he'd dreamed of, it could only have been an hour or so that he'd been asleep, but it felt like whatever he'd seen had affected him deeply. Continuing to blink away whatever it was his mind was already forgetting, Bickslow brought a hand up to his head and just pressed it forcefully there, against his forehead, hoping this minor pain would be a distraction from the one deeper in his cranium.

It felt as if he'd had a wild bender the night before, but it had been far from it. Once Mrs. Boss had the baby, they all hung around, cooing at it and shit, before departing for the evening. The original plan was for the group (minus the boss and the missus, obviously), but Elfman was all teary still, so Ever took him home to deal with that, while Freed remarked on wishing to head over to Mira and Laxus' place, to finish any preparations for their return home, and, well, between him and Lissy, Bickslow and her decided to just crash early that night.

Which for them meant going back to the apartment with their own, much more agreeable, less whiny wooden babies, lighting up for awhile, and then just binging the same old black and whites they had for the movie lacrima.

The time was actually super early, for the two of them, when they crashed that evening. It was probably why he was up, now, thinking it all over. But...for some reason, he thought that maybe it was something more.

"Mmph," came the muffled moan of Lisanna beside him, startling the man just a bit. When he glanced back at her, he found her head still pressed into her pillow, but she seemed to be stirring just a bit. "Wha' time's it?"

"Late." He paused. "Early. Whatever. Go back to sleep."

Something about his tone thoguh made her push up though. This was at least somewhat problematic as it was her back that his wooden dolls were laid upon before going dormant that night. When she shoved up, they tumbled off, awakening them. As they began to light up and make noises of disgruntlement, Bickslow only let out one of his own, causing Lisanna to yawn out an, "You okay?"

"I'm fine." He squinted some, in the harsh glowing light of his babies as they floated about, questioning his well-being as well. "I just...I was gonna smoke. A cigarette. But, uh, I couldn't find my lighter, is all."

"Oh." And Lisanna fell flat once more. This didn't sound too comfortable, but the moan she gave in response made it seem so. "S'long as you're okay."

"I am," he assured her. "Lissy."

"'cept for your lighter."

"I'll find it." He ran a hand through his hair then, frowning when he found how gross it felt. He needed to shower. Desperately. "Don't worry about it."

"In the mornin'," she was saying then, still laced with sleep, "I gotta go see Sis. And the baby. Mmm. Can't wait."

Bickslow mulled over his response for so long that, actually, she was mostly sleeping once more when he spoke. Quite suddenly, he remarked loudly, "I don't think I could do it. Have a kid. Already. So soon. But...Laxus is only a year older than me. Or somethin' like that, yeah? And he's already so put together. I don't know what I'd do. If I had a kid. Within, like, the next year. Or two. Or ten."

Lisanna didn't push up at that, but did turn her head to the side, watching him down at the end of the mattress, before remarking, "Babies are gross."

He shot her a look over his shoulder as he said, "You were all over your sister's. Talkin' about how cute he is and-"

"Babies are cute. A gross cute." She sat up some then, to make a squishing motion with her hand. "They're all...pudgy and awkward. Like those tiny dogs with the mushy faces? And they smell. Constantly. He smelled fine today, cause he just slipped on."

"Slipped right on out," Bickslow reiterated, but they were both so tired that they were hardly poking fun at all. At least not in their tones or actions. Everything felt so dry and serious in an otherwise typical conversation between the couple. "That gross baby."

"And it fucks up your body." Lisanna frowned down at herself then, frowning some. "That's what I hear, anyways."

Bickslow went back to watching his own babies float around in the early morning air. "Poor Mrs. Boss."

"It's a sacrifice." Lisanna shrugged then. "Now she and Laxus have something to love and cherish forever."

"Unless it turns out like one of us," he pointed out. "Mrs. Boss is pretty disappointed in your life choices, you know, Lissy. And my own mother, why, she won't even talk to me!"

"She's dead," Lisanna pointed out.

"And won't answer any of my attempts at a séance."

Lisanna fell back into the bed once more as she said, "Sis married Laxus; she doesn't get to judge my choices after that."

"Boss is a catch."

"You can catch a cold, Bicks." Lisanna smiled though, softly, when the babies finished circling about and came to land once more on her back. Being careful not to move now, as not to disturb them again, she added, "It's not something to brag about."

He took a breath then, Bickslow did, before telling her softly, "I don't think I'll ever really wanna have a kid. Ever. At all. S'all I meant."

This felt heavy, especially given how upbeat the day had been, but Lisanna only thought for a short few moments before saying, "I don't really think anyone's offering to have one with you. Bicks."

"That's hurtful." And he fell back, straight back, finding the ceiling just as distant as before. "Lissy."

"But it solves your conundrum."

"Yes. Conundrum. I understand that perfectly."

"Mmmm." She shut her eyes again then before softly saying, "You forgot to smoke."

"Ah, I'll find my lighter later." Turning onto his side, he watched her settle out, with his wooden dolls littering her back. "In the mornin'. The real mornin'. Don't really need it, anyhow."

"Bickslow."

"What?"

Reaching a hand out blindly, she found his chest sightlessly, which she patted gently once before saying, "You're not my most disappointing life choice."

"No?"

"Nah." She mostly yawned that one, just about asleep once more. "I once stepped in front of a literal monster and got basically got killed. You're just a close second."

He beamed, even if it was lost on the woman then, tongue falling from his mouth and flashing his guild marking. Around this, he told her, "I'm more comfortable there. In second. There's a lot of pressure, being first."

More seriously then, as she clung to her last bit of awareness, she told him, "I'm about to be overwhelmed just from being an aunt. I really don't see me wanting a baby any time soon. Or ever."

Nodding as his own eyes felt heavy once more, the man remarked, "They're fucking gross."

"Grosser than dogs."

"Literally the grossest thing ever," he agreed around a yawn. "Babies are."

"Dolls are better," she offered and yeah, he had to agree.

"Much."

[tamorasky]

Poco Loco Ch 11

Summary: 

She thought he had loved her as much as she loved him. But the day he left proved to be the day she would come to realize that everything they had gone through was worthless. The only good that ever came from Héctor Rivera was the fact that he gave Imelda the most important thing in her life; her family.  A prequel to Coco throughout various events in Imelda's life from her budding romance with Héctor to their reconciliation in the afterlife.

Rated: M 

AO3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20127661/chapters/56266633

September 5, 1917

The young couple sit under their tree by the lake, Imelda straddles Héctor's lap as she kisses the young man passionately. Her fingers tangle into his unruly hair, pulling it lightly as Héctor's tongue explores her mouth.

She suppresses the urge to grind against him, since a close call they had by the lake when Señor Cruz nearly caught Imelda on her knees sucking Héctor's cock. They had agreed after that there could be no more public acts, since then the barn had become a favourite spot.

Imelda untangles her fingers from his hair to place her hands on his shoulders, pushing herself away from him.

"We have to stop." Imelda pants. Héctor rests his head against the tree as his lover pulls away, trying to calm himself down. She shifts off of his lap, settling herself on the ground next to him; her legs resting on his knees.

"You have to stop doing this to me mi amor, you're going to send me into an early grave." Héctor chuckles, running a hand through his now tangled hair.

"If you don't learn to keep your hands to yourself, I guarantee I will." Imelda raises an eyebrow at him. Héctor shrugs his shoulders innocently, pretending it wasn't his wandering hands that had gotten them tangled up only moments ago. Imelda nudges Héctor's arm with her shoulder. Héctor grins at her, placing a hand on the back of her neck to pull her to him for another kiss. Imelda hums into the kiss, placing a hand on his chest again. Héctor sighs as he pulls away from the kiss, resting his forehead against hers as Imelda's thumb brushes against the cotton of his shirt.

"When was the last time you washed this?" Imelda furrows her brow, pulling back from him slightly. Héctor smiles at her comment staring at her intently, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he takes in the features of her face.

"Cásate conmigo."

"¿Qué?" Imelda asks shakily, her posture stiffening at the question as she pulls her hand off of his chest.

"¿Te casarías conmigo?" Héctor repeats, placing his hand over hers which rested on the ground now. Imelda goes silent taking a moment to reflect on what he was asking. She knew this day was coming but she thought it would be in a few years from now, not…now.

"Y-you want me to marry you?" Imelda asks slowly, still trying to process the question. "Where are we going to live? We can't live in Antonio and María's cellar when we're married, nor can we live with my parents." Imelda questions.

Héctor smiles at her, removing her legs from him and he stands. He outstretches a hand out to her, offering her a hand which she takes, and he hoists her up from the ground.

"Come on." He says, leading her away from the lake.

"Where are we going?" Imelda asks, her head still reeling from his question. Héctor nearly drags her through the town. "Héctor where are we going?" she asks again as they get closer to the plaza.

"You'll see." Héctor repeats for nearly the fifth time. The young couple come to stand in front of a large gate, a property that belonged to Señor Vargas. Imelda looks over at her lover questioningly as he pushes the gate open, the door squeaking loudly as it swings open. He extends his arm towards the gate, inviting her to go through the gate.

Imelda hesitantly goes through; she remembers the way Señor Vargas used to yell at small children who would sneak into the house that once belonged to his brother. Imelda looks around the courtyard, she takes a step towards the awning resting a hand on one of the pillars. She looks over to the kitchen attached to the awning, this area and the room next to the kitchen would be perfect for a dining room. Imelda smiles at the small well in the middle of the courtyard, it would no longer be a hike to get water.

"I-I've been giving half of my earnings to Señor Vargas since March, He recently transferred ownership to me."

Imelda feels her breath hitch, he bought her a house. Since she had turned 16 years-old many men had shown off with grand gestures in order to win her over, no one had ever done anything on this scale.

"What about a job?" Imelda asks, turning to face him.

"I'll play music…and until Ernesto and I make it I'll work odd jobs." He shrugs. Héctor walks over to her, taking her hands in his. "Imelda, mi amor, mi vida, mi Corazon. Te quiero mucho. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Sí." Imelda says, squeezing his hands.

"De Verdad?" He asks a grin coming to his face. Imelda nods, finding his grin contagious.

"Por supuesto!" She giggles, not even startled by the loud grito Héctor lets out before picking her up by the waist and twirling her around. He gently sets her down, taking her by the hand and leading her through the house.

"And there's enough rooms at least ten children!" Héctor says, nearly bursting with excitement.

"Ten?" Imelda asks, her face beginning to hurt from smiling.

"Yeah! Why? Did you want more?" He responds. Imelda giggles at him, running a hand through his hair gently.

"Let's get married first and start with one, Flaco…then we can talk." Imelda stares into his deep chestnut eyes. "Te Amo Héctor."

Héctor cups her cheek in response, running a thumb over her cheekbone and staring back into her eyes.

"Te Amo Imelda. I'm so excited to marry you."

Imelda beams, not fighting back the tears forming in her eyes as she throws her arms around him. The young couple stand in the middle of the courtyard, wrapped in each other's arms not caring who saw them at this point. They were going to build a life together here.

…..

September 14, 1917

They hadn't told anyone yet, only Ernesto knew about their engagement and Imelda had threatened his life if he as much whispered anything to anyone. Imelda was still unsure whether or not to tell her parents about the engagement or get Héctor to ask her papá for her hand first. Maybe Raúl would tell Josefina and she'd be more accepting of the couple.

The young couple had time to decide what would be the right way to tell her parents. For now, they could enjoy being newly engaged without any of the stress.

Héctor had been pleasantly surprised when Imelda had nearly pinned him to the barn wall as he grabbed tools. He was also pleasantly surprised when she fisted his shirt, crushing her lips to his. He pulls away from her affections for a moment.

"I can't stay long, your papá needs the scythes soon." Héctor says, cupping her cheeks and pulling her lips back to his. Imelda hums into the kiss as he wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her flush to him. Imelda withdraws her lips from his, tilting her head up at him to look at him.

"That's probably for the best." She sighs. "Mamá is getting supper ready and needs my help, I barely managed to getaway. So better make this worth it."

Héctor chuckles at this, capturing her lips with hers again his arms tightening around her waist. Imelda's hand rest on his forearms, closing her eyes as she savours the feeling of his lips on hers.

"Imelda!" Josefina's voice breaks them out of their trace. The couple withdraws from one another, Imelda pushing Héctor away with as much force as she possibly could.

"Mamá! What are you doing here?" Imelda questions, her anxiety running rampant as her hands shook beside her body. She had never been so terrified in her life. Josefina narrows her eyes at the young couple.

"Get in the house." The older woman says sternly.

"Mamá…" Imelda falters, beginning to pick at the skin around her nails.

"Ahora Imelda Adelita Herrera y Posada." Josefina says. Imelda looks at Héctor one last time before moving to the door. "Señor Rivera, I want you off my property now. I will arrange with one of my sons to drop off your payment for the week."

"Mamá don't! This isn't his fault, I distracted him." The younger woman defends her fiancé.

"Imelda I said get into the house" Josefina repeats.

"No!" Imelda retorts. "I will not get into the house."

"Melda…" Héctor finally says something.

"Not another word from you Señor." Josefina barks before turning back to her daughter. "I won't ask again Imelda. Inside" Imelda had never seen her mother so angry before.

"I won't go inside mamá." Imelda defines, staring her mother in the eyes. Josefina grabs Imelda by her wrist painfully and drags Imelda forcefully out of the barn. Imelda doesn't resist her too much, afraid of hurting Josefina. The older woman pulls her into the house, jerking Imelda forward as she lets her daughter go. Josefina slams the kitchen door shut, her furious gaze not leaving Imelda as she stands in the middle of the kitchen.

"Do you know what associating with that boy will do to your reputation?" Josefina questions, her anger growing as Imelda stands there with narrowed eyes and her fists balled at her sides.

"I don't care." The young woman counters.

"You don't care? You will when you're 40 years-old and unmarried because no man would marry the woman who was involved with 'hungry' Héctor Rivera. Do you know what his parents were?" Josefina questions, coming closer to Imelda. "His father abandoned them, abandonment breeds abandonment."

"He's not like that."

"How do you know?" Josefina asks, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "Luis Rivera was a deadbeat and Héctor will be exactly like him." Imelda knows better than to argue with her if she was going to win this. But Imelda knew Héctor was nothing like his father.

"Mamá please." The young woman pleads.

"Go to your room."

"Mamá…"

"Now. I will not bother your father with this right now. You will not leave your room until I say so." Josefina says, turning away from her daughter to go back to preparing supper.

Imelda turns away from her mother, coming to the bottom of the stairs. She looks up them and then to the front door, debating to do as she was told or to run. She decides it would be best to choose the former. She goes to her room, shutting her door behind her. The young woman sits on her bed, tears threatening to fall.

She peels off her boots, throwing them towards the door before laying on her bed. She doesn't care if she messes up her hair, she finally allows herself to shed the tears that had been threatening to spill. She was going to fix this, she had to make this right. She thought of ways she could fix this before drifting off to sleep.

…..

Imelda wakes to a knock on her door, she sits up in her bed as her door creaked open to reveal Oscar.

"Mamá says it's time for supper." The young boy says in a quiet voice. Imelda nods in response to her younger brother, who leaves the doorway shortly. She grabs her hueraches from the bed and puts them on. Imelda stands from her bed with a sigh, she had to face this.

She walks down the stairs silently, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't ready to face her parents. Imelda takes her regular spot beside Raúl and Felipe, Josefina puts the carnitas on the table quietly.

The dinner table is quiet with the exception of the occasional question asked by one of the twins, which was often met with a short reply by Josefina. With the exception of the prayer before dinner Raúl was unsettlingly quiet, he stared at his plate for the entire meal. Throughout dinner Imelda periodically looks over at her father, she had never seen him like this. Only once when she was seven-year-old, and he caught one of the farmhands stealing from them. Imelda clears the table of the dishes and washes them, trying to put off the impending conversation. She warms up well water on the stove, waiting for it to almost come to a boil before pouring the warm water in the basin.

She hums her song quietly as she washes the plates. Imelda manages a smile as she thinks about the first time Héctor sang it for her. She clears her throat as she feels tears threatening to form, shutting her eyes to make them dissipate. She wasn't going to cry.

"Imelda." Raúl's voice makes her jump, she looks over to see her father standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Imelda nods stiffly, wiping her hands on her apron. She unties her apron and hangs it on the hook by the backdoor. The young woman sighs before walking out of the kitchen to the hall and then into their sitting room.

Josefina stands by the window, her arms crossed and her jaw set. Raúl sits in his chair in the corner, tapping his finger on the armrest.

"Papá…" Imelda begins but is silences when Josefina raises a finger to her.

"Tranquila." Josefina says. "Tu padre esta hablando."

Raúl runs a hand through his hair, messing it up as he scratches the back of his head. His hand comes around and begins to rub the stubble along his jaw.

"Your madre has told me what she saw tonight between you and the Rivera boy."

"You like Héctor." Imelda responds, only for Josefina to raise a finger to her again. Imelda sighs, getting really frustrated at her mother holding her finger to her.

"I did. I like him until he took advantage of his job here and took advantage of you."

"It wasn't like that. He didn't take advantage of anything or anyone." Imelda says, ignoring her mamá's finger. "It was my choice; he was nothing but respectful."

"That may be so, but he still acted on his affections without asking our permission."

"If he had asked your permission would have allowed him to court me?" Imelda asks, picking at the skin around her nail, hoping that she could salvage this.

"Of course not." Josefina speaks up.

"Josefina." Raúl says sternly, looking at his wife then back to his daughter. "It's not about that Mija. Héctor has no future."

"What do you mean?"

"What will he do for a job Imelda?" Raúl questions. "He's a good man, but he'll never make a living playing music. He will die penniless and hungry."

His words stabbed Imelda. How could he think so little of Héctor?

"Imelda you're going to be 18 soon. You don't have time to be wasting time with Héctor. You should be allowing a more respectable man to court you now." Josefina interjects.

"Well, no responsible man would want me now." Imelda jokes, without really taking the time to process what she just said. The young woman looked to her mamá, who was looking back at her with wide eyes.

"What do you mean?" Josefina asks, her voice barely above a whisper. Imelda doesn't respond, swallowing heavily as her heart pounds in her chest. Josefina cries out, collapsing on the couch. Imelda would've thought her mother was in pain if the woman hadn't raised a hand to her.

"Jesucristo Imelda!" Raúl growls, nearly scaring the young woman; she had never heard her father take the lord's name in vain.

"Do you realize what you've done, you stupid girl." Josefina spits. Imelda waits for her shame to overtake, but it doesn't. The room goes silent, tension high as a knock echoed through the house.

Josefina stands from the couch briskly as she marches towards the door. Imelda's stare remains on Raúl as Josefina opens the front door.

"I told you I don't want you on my property." The older woman's voice carries to the sitting room.

"Lo Siento, Señora Posada…but I wish to talk to you and Señor Herrera." The guest's voice carries. Imelda spins at the sound of Héctor's voice, she takes one step forward before her father is beside her; his arm blocking her from going any further.

"Josefina." The older man calls. "Let him in." Josefina looks at her husband as if he had grown an extra arm, before reluctantly stepping aside to let the young man in. She closes the door as Héctor walks through the threshold, holding his straw hat in front of him.

"Imelda go sit and be quiet." Raúl says Imelda knows better than to argue and sits on the couch which faced the scene before her. Héctor stands in front of her father, standing tall but his nervousness clear in the way he was fiddling with his hat while Josefina stands behind the young man. "Why are you here Héctor?"

"Señor Herrera, I have come here tonight…to ask you something."

"Que querias preguntar?"

"I've come to ask your permission for me to marry Imelda." Héctor says without taking a breath. Raúl sighs, running a hand over his stubble again as he regarded the young man.

"How do you expect to support yourself and my daughter?"

"I'll work any job I can until I become a successful musician."

"Still with the music Héctor?" Raúl questions. "Even with a wife, you wouldn't be willing to give it up? So, while my daughter starves in Santa Cecilia you can go gallivanting across Mexico and eventually maybe, America."

"Anything I make on tours I will send to Imelda. Everything I make in the plaza and on odd jobs will go to Imelda."

"And when you two have children? If a child were to be produced as a result of your sin?" Josefina interjects, standing beside her husband.

"There's no child." Imelda stands from the couch, unable to remain quiet any longer. Josefina's head snaps back to Imelda, silently telling her to sit back down. Imelda complies, biting the inside of her lip as frustration courses through her. Why didn't she get a say?

"My wife is right." Raúl sighs. "Héctor, you are a fine young man. But you have no means of taking care of my daughter or any future children. I knew and respected your father, but I also saw what his lifestyle did to you and your mamá. I don't want the same for my Imelda."

"Your daughter won't starve!" Héctor exclaims. Imelda looks at him shocked, she had never heard him raise his voice like that. She looks at her father once more, eyes pleading with him. The room goes silent as Imelda's parents stare at the young man.

"My answer is no Héctor." Raúl repeats. "Go home and leave my property." Imelda controls every emotion building in her. Héctor looks at her once more before nodding. Her heart sinks as he turns away from her and leaves. Imelda stares at the floor, trying to process everything that just occurred.

How could she be so stupid? To tell her parents about her indiscretions and to actually think they'd agree to her and Héctor marrying. She wouldn't marry if she couldn't marry him.

Raúl and Josefina turn back towards her and in that moment, Imelda had never felt so small and helpless.

"Go to bed." Josefina says, clasping her hands together. "We'll decide how to handle this later."

Imelda stands from the couch, her brows knit together as she stares at both of her parents. She pushes past her parents to head upstairs to her bedroom, locking her door behind her as she collapses in her bed. There was no fixing anything now. Her parents had spoken, and she doubted she'd ever be able to see Héctor again. She buries her face in her pillow, allowing herself to sob in grief and frustration; at her parents and at her own stupidity.

[vivienna-vivid]

The masters of Red have no personalities so I made them up.

Feend vor Sembren

Ah yes, Nasuverse!Edgeworth

Strict AF college professor who actually cares about his students. They affectionately call him “Professor Fiend”.

W O R K A H O L I C

A total romantic who loves his wife and son. If only he made a habit of actually coming home…

Did you know this man is 52??? Did you know his son Fezgram is 24???

The only one here who knows how to be a functional member of society.

Pretty heavy smoker, so he has a raspy voice.

Surprisingly, Feenie’s a connoisseur of wine. Kayneth introduced him to a lotta high-end alchohol in their college days.

Yes, he knew Kayneth. They were good friends before Kayneth bit the dust.

I dare you to make vore jokes in front of him. I dare you. You’ll die but at least it’ll be fun.

Listens to a lot of 70s-80s bands. In case you’re wondering, he’s a big fan of Queen and Fleetwood Mac.

Pretty technologically advanced for a mage. His pragmatism towards technology was inspired by a certain gun-wielding magus killer.

Was married into the Vor Sembren family. Since he was born a poor boy, he’s always trying to prove himself.

His parents were Chinese Singaporeans, so he’s fluent in Mandarin.

Feenie’s magecraft focuses on transmutation. With select materials, he can transmute one thing into another. He mainly uses his magecraft to heal wounds and create pseudo organs and flesh.

Has at one point intimidated a person by showing them a transmuted heart and lying that it’s theirs.

His wish for the Grail is… Well, he plans to give the Grail to the Association, so he doesn’t particularly care about the Grail.

It’s to run away from mage society with his family

Rottweil Berzinsky

OH BOY LOOK AT THIS DISASTER.

Australian. Because of that, he has a noice Australian accent.

S H A R P   T E E F S

Man’s been in too much explosions

His Crowley-esque shades hides his lizard eyes.

“If I’m gonna do horrible things, at least I can make them FUN”

Think: Steve Irwin but borderline psychopath.

Is surprisingly good with kids! Rott’s the kinda guy who’d chastise a child for being mean and/or rude, but would teach them how to stab assholes. “Y’see a weird man offering candy from his van. Wha’dya do? Shank ‘im!”

Man’s a natural prankster. He’ll prank E V E R Y O N E and A N Y T H I N G.

Likes: Sunbathing. Hates: Cold weather and winter.

Thinks Gene Rum is a cooooooooooooold bitch with a stick up her arse.

Gene and Rott has some history. Both tend to be employed by the same people.

Rott may be a murderer, but he has standards! No killing children, no harming children, if employer does anything to children he will kill them.

Has killed more employers than actual hit targets.

In the manga, Rott can change into silver lizard form. He doesn’t like changing his form since the more he uses that ability, the more monstrous and mindless he becomes.

Rott is indeed a Chimera, a mage who is able to turn into an animal to some degree. He didn’t become a Chimera from his own volition, so that’s also a reason why he rarely uses his ability.

As a Chimera, he’s gained some lizard perks even in his human form. For starters, his saliva is toxic and has lizard eyes. He also can shed his skin to heal certain wounds. In Chimera form, he’s covered in nigh-indestructible scales.

Rott was an orphan who was adopted by a mage named Zagreus Berzinsky. The man wanted to create mythical beast of yore by forcefully fusing children with all kinds of beasts. Rott was one of those children.

Rott was able to escape with a few kids. Eventually, they made their way to the Clocktower. While he himself never went to school, he 100% made sure his “younger siblings” are enrolled in the Clocktower. It’s for their safety.

His wish for the Grail is for an antidote for Chimeratization. Oh! And to kill off Zagreus too!

Gene (Jean?) Rum

Gene, short for Genevieve. (Or Jean, short for Jeanette)

Straight-laced lipstick lesbian.

Likes books because, unlike people, they’re actually engaging. Nah she’s just a bit awkward and self-conscious.

Grew up reading Shakespeare, Arabian Nights, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Since she’s broken into Ivan the Terrible’s library at least once, I can tell you that she’s a professional lock-picker. Wizard who took a level in Rogue.

Fluent in many languages due to her time abroad.

Favorite Genre: Russian Literature

HAS PUBLISHED HER OWN POETRY BOOK!! Though, it’s under a pseudonym and bringing it up will make her really embarrassed.

Thinks Rottweil is a bITCH-ASS MOTHERFUCKER.

Gene doesn’t care much about the morality of her employers. As long as she gets paid, she won’t stick her nose in her employer’s business.

You’d think she’d have Mystic Eyes what with her chilling side-eye.

Loves puns but you’d be hard-pressed to get her to laugh at one in public.

Finished her education in the Clocktower but chose to lead a life of a mercenary. Her family was… pretty miffed.

Never attends family meetups.

Org Rum is her little brother and his presence turns on her latent Cain instincts.

Do you have your rival family’s documents? Do you want to ruin them by exposing these documents but they’re encrypted? HIRE GENE RUM TODAY!

Gene’s magecraft focuses of aeromancy, the control of wind.

Her most famous technique is the ability to make thread-thin tornado chakrams. Anyone who touches these tordano-wheels will get sliced. If she focuses a bit harder, she can imbue her chakrams with lightning.

She makes those storm-threads with a small buckler-sized spinning wheel she bring along. It’s her mystic code and she’s very protective of it.

Cabik Pentel

The current patriarch of the Pentel Clan, a family of esoteric assassins/mercenary group.

Hardly ever emotes so it’s hard to tell what he’s thinking.

But he’s usually very honest and won’t sugar nor exaggerate his words.

The only reason he’s can understand other people (to a degree) is because his brother is such a good person.

Yeah, Cabik loves his brother very much. And as such, he loves his brother’s twin daughters. He’s somewhat of a cool uncle to them.

Doesn’t quite know how he feels about being patriarch since the clan is awful as all hell. He’s good at being an assassin, so he’ll continue the work in the meantime.

BOY ONLY KNOWS HOW TO KILL PEOPLE HE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO HUMAN, BLESS HIM.

Proud father of houseplants and a cat

Q: Weren’t you and your brother called “The Gum Brothers” in college?

A: ………………………………………Ah. So you’ve chosen death.

How many daggers does this man have? A LOT

Seriously, you’d think he has a limit to how many daggers he can carry but. No. He just… fucking pops out another pair if the ones he’s using are lost.

His twin knives are called Rahu and Ketu and he loves them very much.

The Pentels specialty magecraft is body modification. Cabik uses this to make his body pliable as fuck.

This bitch can basically make his body have the consistency of a ferret’s.

Need to dodge? Fuckin’ dislocate your spine! Gutted? Move your organs upwards to not make them fall!

Deimlet Pentel

The older brother of the Pentel siblings. Supposed to be the next family patriarch but left that position for his brother.

Big teddy bear man. Big teddy bear wrestler man.

“HAHAHA!! I AM HERE!!” -Deimlet (and totally not All Might)

Divorced man of two daughters. BUT!! HE STILL LOVES HIS EX-WIFE VERY MUCH!!!

“I may want to remarry my ex-wife. Or not, haha……. Unless…;)?”

Stronk dad to stronk daughters. He taught them how to wrestle and….. he’s so proud of them ;’)

MADE OF LITERAL SUNSHINE!! IF YOU SEE THE SUN IN MIDNIGHT, YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING AT DEIM!!

Super protective of his mustache. It’s his magnum opus so do nOT MESS IT UP

Legitimately hates the Pentels, but still loves his baby bro.

Q: Weren’t you and your brother called “The Gum Brothers” in college?

A: What? I didn’t hear you there! Mind *cracks fingers* saying that again?

While he married out of love, his responsibilities as heir-apparent (and assassin) made him incredibly distant to his family. 

When he was tasked to kill his then-wife’s brother’s family, he did so with much hesitation. Because of that, his brother-in-law nearly killed him and ended up dying anyway.

His wife was… not happy, to say the least. That’s why they divorced and she took the kids.

And that’s how he left the family! Killing, as it turns out, sucks ass!!

Good ending tho: he moved to Finland and started tutoring the Edelfelt kids in wrestling.

He’s… actually a masked wrestler there. He’s been on TV a bunch of times!

Joined the HGW mainly to make sure Cabik is doing fine.

Uses his family’s magecraft to super harden his body. 

You can’t gut this man ‘cause he made hIS BODY INTO LITERAL STONE!!

Man is just Indian Alex Louis Armstrong. Thatse it! He cannot change this!

[lady-susan-knows]

Resolution - Chapter Two

(Read on AO3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/21060050/chapters/50789749)

Chapter Two

 The rain pounded against the window, the dismal drizzle hadn’t stopped in the whole week that she had been in London.  Dark clouds cast a grey hue over the city that matched Charlotte’s downcast mood. She had tried to be impressed with Lady Denham’s splendid London town house.  Tried to muster some of the awe or excitement she knew she would have felt if she’d come here a few months ago but it all fell flat.  It took almost every ounce of conscious effort she could muster to summon up a suitable show of excitement for the old lady.  It was contrary to her nature, which had always been open and honest but she was careful to keep up a cheerful façade around Lady Denham, she lived in constant fear of the older woman seeing through her and discovering her distress.  She could not help but feel that Lady Denham was the last person she would want to know of her woes and so every time the Parkers where mentioned, in the most derogatory of terms, by the lady Charlotte forced her feelings aside and plastered a smile on her face in an attempt to be courteous.

 When she had first agreed to come to London it had been her hope that the change of scenery and peace and quiet would help her to overcome the grief of her loss but she had been disappointed on both fronts. The setting of Lady Denham’s stylish London town house could not have been worse.  It was situated on Grosvenor Square and every time Charlotte came or went she had the mortification of having to look upon the house of Mrs Maudsley and remember the Masquerade ball which had been in equal parts the most wonderful and most confusing evening of her life.

 The peace and quiet she had hoped would help her order her mind and quiet her disappointed hopes had instead left her with far too much time to dwell on them.  Lady Denham was still fatigued from her recent brush with illness and had taken up the habit of having a lie down every afternoon which had afforded Charlotte plenty of time to herself and yet she was no closer to closing the wounds that had been opened after the midsummer ball.

 As the weeks passed she found that her pain grew worse instead of better.  Her love for him seemed to continue to grow instead of diminishing.  She tried to occupy herself with reading, sewing and had even attempted some architectural drawings but nothing seemed to be able to hold her attention for more than a few moments, it seemed her melancholy had stolen her productiveness as well as her joy.  Every time she spent another miserable afternoon wretchedly reflecting on all that had passed a gnawing doubt at the back of her mind grew louder and more persistent- what if this was it now?  What if life without Sidney Parker was destined to be dull and grey and miserable?  How did you move on once you had lost the love of your life?

 Charlotte shook her head as if doing so would somehow remove such dreary thoughts from her mind.  She was grateful that in doing so her attention as caught by the Babington carriage pulling up in the street outside.  

 The new Lady Babington was expected, Charlotte was to accompany Esther and Lady Denham to visit a Modiste which they had assured Charlotte was the most fashionable in London and located on Oxford Street just a short journey from Lady Denham’s.   Charlotte felt sure they would be able to walk it but was informed that they would driving, and had to admit that although she was usually fond of walking the weather did make a carriage preferable.

 Charlotte was soon settled into Lady Babington’s stylish Town Coach.  She was sat on one side next to Esther and Lady Denham sat opposite.  The conversation between aunt and niece had been revolving around the fact that Lord Babington had ordered his new bride a stylish Curricle and matching pair of horses as she had shown an inclination to enjoy driving his own similar vehicle.   He had commissioned it to be ready for the start of the London Season in January.  Esther had made the mistake of mentioning that she meant to drive herself around London in it and her aunt had been voicing her disapproval of the scheme. The conversation had begun shortly after Esther’s arrive at Grosvenor square and Lady Denham seemed in no mood to drop it now that the coach they were in began to sway into motion.    Charlotte therefore settled herself down to look out the window at the sights on their short journey- the London traffic slowing them down and affording her good view.

 She was most surprised to find herself called into the conversation shortly after they had set off.

 “And what say you Miss Heywood, to Esther’s grand scheme of driving herself around for all to see.”

 “I see no harm in it,” Charlotte said with a smile.  “Lord Babington clearly does not mind or he would not have brought it for her.”

 “Lord Babington is in love, and all men in love are fools.” The older woman replied.

 “Really aunt.” Esther said with a sigh.

 “Don’t you roll your eyes at me because you are the one who benefits from it!  If you remain sensible and do not allow yourself to be made a fool of by loving him in return you will have power over your husband for the rest of your days.”

 Esther ignored her aunt and turned her attention to the raindrops that were tapping against the window as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.  Charlotte stared at her in confusion, she had been present at the Babington’s wedding, had seen the smiles, the kisses, the beaming bride and joyful groom. She’d nursed her own deep jealousy along with her happiness for Esther.  She’d spent the whole day feeling like it should have been her as well as Esther in the bridal veil, she had been certain she’d seen the same love on Esther’s face that she had felt in her own heart, surely Lady Denham couldn’t mean that Esther did not love her husband.

 “Forgive me,” Charlotte said unable to stop herself.  “Surely you love Lord Babington, why else would you marry him?”

 “Ah ha,” Lady Denham laughed.  “See, this is why I brought you to London Miss Heywood.  You are always so forward with your opinions.  Now, Esther, you have shocked your romantic young friend, how do you answer her?”

 “Love has very little to do with a successful marriage Miss Heywood,” said Esther in a bored voice. “It was my dear aunt that taught me that.”

 Charlotte sat forward a response in defence of love all but ready to spring from her lips but then her own disappointment came rushing back into her mind and the words died on her tongue and she sat back deflated.

 “Well Miss Heywood, you had something to say?” Lady Denham questioned.

 Charlotte thought of her parents, who were very much in love and on whom Charlotte had based most of her opinions and hopes of what a marriage should be.

 “I had always thought that love was the very foundation of a successful marriage.” Charlotte said more to herself than the others.

 Lady Denham answered her none the less.

 “Marriage is a business arrangement, especially for girls without fortune such as yourself or Esther before she married.”

 “But to marry without love…” Charlotte began.

 “I know your thoughts on a marriage without love very well Miss Heywood.” Lady Denham cut in.  “In case you remember you told me them most forcefully at my luncheon. You said it would be a kind of slavery.”

 Sidney’s parting words flashed through her mind.

 “I do not love her you know.”

 Charlotte felt an ache in her chest, had he doomed himself to a life of slavery to save his brother.  But no, she reminded herself, he’d loved Eliza before and he would love her again.  There had been enough affection there for him decide marrying her was a viable option. It was only Charlotte who was truly doomed to a life without love.

 “Anyway I never said there could be no love,” Lady Denham continued sharply.  “Love is essential. Only do not let yourself fall in love only the man.  Any young girl of little or no fortune who gives her heart to a man before marriage will inevitably have it broken- it is infinitely better to be loved than to love, ask Esther.”

 Charlotte’s heart gave a squeeze of agony, if only someone had told her this sooner she thought, maybe then she would not have been so naive.

 “Poor Charlotte,” said Esther with a dry smile. “It seems my aunt has made you her new project, do be careful that she doesn’t start writing to young men for you and keep an eye out for her list of potential husbands, no doubt she will have it drawn up somewhere.”

 “Nonsense, I mean only to advise.  My advice, as you know, is excellent.”

 Charlotte was relieved to feel the coach rolling to a stop, distracting the two other ladies from a conversation that had taken a turn that made her feel ill at ease.

 A footman opened the door for them and held out an umbrella.  Charlotte was admittedly quite interested to see what a London Modiste was like.  She imagined it to be a world away from the simple dress makers that she had frequented in Willingden and Sanditon.

 The rain meant they had to hasten inside, she had only time to note that it had a simple exterior with a beautiful display of bonnets in the window and that the sign above the door read Mrs Bell’s before they were inside.

 It was the Mrs Bell herself that greeted them as they entered.  She made a great fuss over Lady Denham and Esther and was polite to Charlotte.  She saw the younger to women seated on an overstuffed settee and sent one of her assistants to get the some tea whilst she ushered Lady Denham into the back to have the dresses she had ordered fitted.

 The tea arrived and Charlotte busied herself in pouring two cups.  Her companion was not the sort of girl with whom one felt they could naturally confide. She always seemed so indifferent and almost unfriendly.  But Charlotte’s interest had been sparked by the conversation on the way here and she could not help wondering over and over whether Esther truly could have meant she was happily married and yet not in love with her husband.

  “Lady Babington, I must ask.” She said, unable to hold her curiosity in no longer.

 “You may call me Esther if you wish.” The invitation to use her first name was made in a way that was unique to Esther, she could say something that should show an increased intimacy between the two of them and yet it almost sounded like an insult.

 “Esther,” Charlotte continued.  “I don’t mean to pry only, you seem so happy. Surely you cannot mean what you said before.”

 “Do I seem happy?”

 “Yes, at least at your wedding you seemed to be.”

 “I was.”

 The simple statement left Charlotte confused and she frowned as she tried to get her mind around it.

  “Surely that means that you must love your husband?”

 “Has it ever occurred to you that love does not always equal happiness?  In fact it may very well cause the completed opposite.”

 Charlotte felt a heat rise in her cheeks as Esther’s words struck a chord with her that she could not deny.  Love had caused her, with the exception of a very few moments nothing but grief and heart ache. She busied herself with drinking her tea and hoped that Esther wouldn’t notice.

 “I have been in love Charlotte and I found it most disagreeable.  I can assure you that I have found far greater happiness in my loveless marriage than I ever did in love.”

 “But what of Lord Babington?” Charlotte asked as she tried to make sense of what she was being told.

 “He is not a fool.  He knows I do not love him.  Our marriage is entirely without pretence.  He is happy to be in love with me and I am happy to be loved.” Esther leaned forward and fixed Charlotte with a stare that seemed piece right through her.  “Do not pin all your hopes on love Charlotte, it will inevitably fail you and we young women must find a way to live without it.”

 It was all that Charlotte could do to stop herself from squirming in her seat at the scrutiny.  She knew Lord Babington and Sidney where friends, perhaps Esther knew what had happened between them.  She was most grateful that the return of Lady Denham meant that it was now Esther’s turn to go with Miss Bell and have her dresses fitted.  Charlotte was left attempting to pay attention to Lady Denham’s chatter whilst trying to calm the whirl pool of thoughts in her own head.

 Esther returned in due course and Charlotte assuming they were about to leave stood up and began to place her bonnet back on her head.

 “What is the rush Miss Heywood?  It is your turn now.” Lady Denham said.

 Charlotte felt herself flush to the roots of her hair.

 “This shop and these dresses are beautiful.  However I have no need of new clothes at the moment and if I did I am afraid this shop would be out of my price range.”

 “I had no expectation that you would pay.” Lady Denham looked unamused.

 “I could not accept such a gift.”

 “It would not be a gift, I abhor charity.  I ordered some dresses a few months back for myself and Clara’s winter wardrobe.  I forgot to cancel them and since they have already been sewn together they may as well be altered to fit you.  I detest waste.”

 Charlotte could tell that Lady Denham would not allow her to argue and so she bobbed a courtesy and allowed herself to be shown into the shops inner rooms.

 Mrs Bell ushered her into a curtained room and asked her to stand up on a small stool that stood in front of three large mirrors positioned in a semi-circle.

  “You’re not quite as well look as Miss Brereton.” Mrs Bell muttered as she began fussing around Charlotte with her tape measure.  “Your figure is not fashionable, and the ladies of London will say you are too tanned.”

 Charlotte looked at her reflection in the mirror and frowned.  She had never been overly bothered with her looks, she liked a pretty dress as much as the next girl and she had been insulted about her unfashionable appearance before so why did it seem to hurt her now?

 Was it because she feared that might have been part of the reason it had been so easy for Sidney to reject her.  He was so very handsome she had scarcely dared to believe he could have returned her affections.  But he had kissed her, on that glorious morning when they had walked along the cliffs and she had been so perfectly happy, he must have thought her pretty then, at least a little.  But he had pulled away she remembered, even as she herself had tried to search for his lips again.  He had never tried to kiss her in such away again, although there had been opportunity. Maybe she had been bad at it? Could it be, she wondered as she stared at her face, that if she looked more like Eliza she could have kept him, that he would not have been able to bare to part with her no matter how bad the circumstances.  His love for her had not been enough for him to find some other way to save his brother. Perhaps he had not really loved her at all and was even now toasting to his lucky escape with Mrs Campion.  What if she was the only fool who had allowed herself to be so fully in love?  Her heart ached

 “Oh Miss I am sorry, I meant no offense.  Your looks are not fashionable but they are very fine.  It is only ladies and dandies that worry about fashionable looks anyway.  Anyone with eyes cannot deny that you have your own beauty.”  Mrs Bell said patting Charlotte’s shoulder in a motherly way.

 Charlotte realised that she had tears rolling down her face.

 “I do beg your pardon.” Charlotte said swiping them away with a weak smile.  “It was not you it was just…I just realised something that is all.”

��“Something that makes you sad?”

 “Yes, but I shall try to be happier.”

 Esther was right, love brought nothing but pain and she could not stop herself from loving Sidney Parker any more than she could stop her heart from beating.  She would have to try and find a way to live around the permanent ache and hope that she too could find a way to be happy without love.

 ~~~

A short while later the three ladies exited the shop, unknown to them a pair of unfriendly eyes had been watching for them. The Babington coat of arms on the door of the town coach had alerted Sir Edward that his recently married sister must be nearby.  His invitation must have gotten lost in the post he thought with a sardonic smile. His smile grew wider as he saw his dear Aunt was with her, she must have recovered enough to travel to London, this was convenient indeed.  He almost turned away, keen not to be spotted when he noticed Charlotte.  Well, he thought, this would make things interesting.