#her sister dies and then her estranged mother gets murdered in front of her eyes | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

trillian-anders · 5 years

Text

the assistant

pairing: ransom drysdale x reader

warnings: violence, angst, fluff, smut && SPOILERS

word count: 6.8k

description: part 1 of 5. CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS, PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE FILM. you’ve been working for the thrombeys for four years now, the last three years of your service being a glorified babysitter to the most annoying, self-absorbed, dickhead hugh ransom drysdale.

You wanted to smack that dumb smirk off his stupid dumb face.

Hugh Ransom Drysdale. The bane of your fucking existence. Standing there with that stupid fucking smirk on his face, he fucking loved this. Watching as you cleaned up his mess. A crying girl on his doorstep and you, his assistant (aka babysitter), trying to calm her down enough to get her to leave his house. This dumb contemporary floor to ceiling windowed, minimalist, empty souled house. The girl had been picked up at a bar last night. Charmed by his handsome face, the money he was careless to spend, the way he spoke to you like you were the most beautiful thing in the world.

It was a fucking joke. A trick. You’ve seen it a million times and you’d be willing you bet that you’d see it a million more.

The door blocked her view of him, your clear view of him from the side, sipping on a mug of coffee in his hands and fucking smirking.

“He won't even see me?” You hated when they cried. Like each of them had this idea that they’d go home with Ransom Drysdale and fuck him so good that he’d tie them to his bed and never let them leave or something.

You sighed heavily before replying, “Mr. Drysdale has business to attend to, he’s unavailable at the moment, but I can leave him a message if you’d like?” You did this maybe five or six times a week. In the early morning hours, after his sexual escapade and some rest, Ransom would wake early and leave for the gym. In that time you were supposed to ‘take out the trash’ as he described it. This morning, the girl left dazed and confused in the fog taking an uber back to her home, but returning an hour later trying to plead her case. It was giving you a migraine.

The girl stepped back from the porch, shoes crunching against the gravel as she searched the windows for his face. “FUCK YOU RANSOM.” She shouted, flipping the bird into the air. The man hiding to your right, choked on his coffee in laughter as you watched the girl get back into her car and disappear from sight.

“What's on the agenda today Ransom,” You shut the door quietly, turning to face him, “Because if I have to do that again tomorrow I’ll quit.” He scoffed in indignation.

“You’re not gonna quit,” He drained the rest of his mug, “You can’t even leave the house long as you got that.” He gestured towards your leg. Sitting firmly on your right ankle was a house arrest bracelet. One meant for him, but carefully bribed into being put on your own leg. The stupid son of a bitch got away with murder, after the death of his late Grandfather’s housekeeper by his own hand and the attempted murder of the girl that got the entire Thrombey fortune, he stayed the lucky son of a bitch he had been his entire life.

Evidence was mishandled, not enough proof. That whole, ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ thing. The rich asshole got fucking house arrest and court mandated therapy. Even after there were three fucking witnesses to him attempting to murder Marta Cabrera.

Money oiled the gears of the justice system, letting the trust fund baby slip through without consequence. That’s where you come in.

You worked for the Thrombey’s before. As a tutor to Meg when she began to fail her english class. For whatever reason, Lynda and Richard Drysdale liked you, assigned you a new task. Their sweet baby boy Hugh, called Ransom by everyone but the Help. You’ve worked for Ransom for three years now. The first year before the death of his Grandfather and Thrombey patriarch, and now two years after his death and wouldn’t you know it. Hugh Ransom Drysdale wrote a fucking bestseller.

Everyone wanted an insight into this family. Harlan Thrombey always said there was so much of him in Ransom. He wasn’t lying.

Ransom wrote the first of what you knew would be many new Thrombey family murder mystery novels. And he was reaping in the cash. He was two months away from his next big release. Something you’re sure would fly off the shelves just as quickly as the first.

“Don’t worry,” He said, “I’ve got a deadline to meet.” His coffee mug abandoned by the front door for you to clean up, he left you to officially start your day. He retreated into the study he created for himself to crank out the last four chapters he needed for his book, maybe.

Due to circumstances beyond your control, you were the one placed on house arrest. As long as no one was notified that Ransom left the perimeter of the house you were being paid well, and you being paid well meant your younger sister gets taken care of. You were able to send her money every month to help with the fact that she was staying with an estranged aunt. It hadn’t been easy once your mother died, but the Thrombey’s lighten the load so to say.

That’s why you were washing Ransom’s sheets that reeked of sex, picking up and disposing of torn panties and tossing used condoms the fucking dick couldn’t be bothered enough to toss two more feet into the trash can in his on-suite. You’d invested in rubber gloves.

On days that Ransom had to meet with his probation officer he would wear a dummy bracelet. It got him by and soon the fucker would be over and done with house arrest all together. You’d be able to move back home then. Hopefully.

“Ransom, you ever gonna eat today?” You knocked on the open door of his study, bringing his attention from his computer to you, who held a bowl of pasta in your one hand. He sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his eyes. There were multicolored post-its surrounding his computer. Your mind made the connection with how similar it was to his Grandfather’s own workspace. You gently placed the bowl on his desk, turning to pour him a tumbler of whiskey from the small bar in the corner of the room.

“I don’t know how the old bastard ever cranked out two books a year,” His neck cracked. “How is that even possible?” He took a large bite of the pasta, squinting at the screen. His eyes quickly shifted to yours, watching you set down the glass of whiskey in front of him. He grabbed your wrist. “Stay.” It was an order. “Sit.” You took your place in a chair across from him.

“Harlan wrote every day,” You told him, “You write whenever you’re not off sticking your dick into anything that breathes.” He laughed at that.

“Not everything that breathes,” He typed a few more words into the word document, “I haven’t fucked you yet.” Your core pulsed, he said yet.

Audibly you scoffed, “I would never willingly fuck you Ransom.” You pulled your legs up onto the chair to make yourself comfortable. He smirked at that, eyes not leaving the computer screen.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” That stupid smirk. You hated that fucking smirk. So condescending.

When you first met Ransom you were probably very much like the girls that you now pry out of his bed at 8 am. You had been tutoring Meg at the family home, sitting at the kitchen table going over Othello when he sauntered in, digging through the cabinets for snacks. You could feel Meg tense up next to you and that’s when he turned. He was so fucking pretty. Blue eyes, well kept hair, cashmere sweater, those broad fucking shoulders, and on his face, stretching that full bottom lip you wanted to tug between your teeth, was a smirk.

That pulsing throb between your thighs soon was quickly forgotten as he opened his mouth and began to speak, “How’s it going Meg, trouble reading? Or do they not teach you how to read when you’re a liberal? Lord knows you guys never fucking understand anything anyway.” Meg snapped back at him, but you were stunned. You could tell he said that on purpose, knowing it would make her go off on the tangent he was now, finding a sick pleasure in it. That was the first time you’d seen the smirk. You’d lost count of how many times you’ve seen it since then.

“I really hate you Ransom.” You sighed, sinking further into your chair. He had almost finished off the bowl of pasta by now, whiskey long since emptied. He thinks it’s funny, you hating him because he responds looking you in your eyes, maintaining his smirk,

“I know you do baby.” He liked to do that. Call you pet names. Once he had even pretended you were his wife when you accidentally walked in on him and a girl he had been balls deep in, bent over the back of the couch. He fucking LOVED that one. The girl had cried, embarrassed, apologizing as she picked her bra up from the floor and slunk out the front door behind you. That was a while ago. Pre-Murder. You should have seen it then. How insane he actually was.

Ransom was incredibly smart and was a quick thinker. It was part of the reason that he had gotten away with murder in the first place. You knew that. It showed in his novel. He would have you read chapters, give him your opinion, before writing and rewriting. Showing you again. He’d ask you if you could figure out who was the murderer, a sinister glint in his eyes, arms crossed, standing above you waiting. He could only be satisfied if you didn’t have a clue.

It was a gift, you supposed, the ease in which he wrote to make every character a possible suspect in completely new and incredible scenarios. He had three books in various states of completion that he was chipping away at, the one he was currently working on seemingly better than the previous published.

His Mother, the one who gave him the silver spoon and cursed him for having it his whole life, was suddenly proud of him. His Father, now divorced from his Mother, would come by weekly asking for money. Ransom loved that too. His Dad got nothing due to the prenup, leaving him penniless. The cushy job he had at Lynda’s real estate empire was gone, and now Dad was working at local agency scraping by on low commission. Last week his Father came to the door while Ransom was writing and muscled his way not too kindly past you into the house.

“Ransom!” He called, finding his way into his son’s study. You quietly shut the door, returning to folding laundry. The door shut tightly behind him and sounds had been muffled. It’s only when their voices went from calm to a screaming match did the door wretch open and Ransom followed his Dad out, both red faced.

“We’ve given you everything in your fucking life and you can’t even give one iota back.” Ransom opened the front door, gesturing to the porch.

“Get the fuck out, and don’t come back.” His voice stern and commanding.

“Fuck you Ransom.” With that he was gone. The silence that had settled over the house was thick, Ransom’s hand still resting against the closed door before he took a breath and, without taking a glance in your direction, returned to his study. Closing the door.

The echo of that argument sat in the house for the rest of the day, Ransom leaving soon after to find a body to lose himself in. If the murder trial did anything, it made Ransom into a bad boy and girls fucking loved it. He wasn’t, technically, guilty after all.

You attempted to clear the bowl in front of him, but was stopped by his hand. His eyes never left the screen as he brought your hand to his lips, placing a kiss in your palm, before dragging your arm to his other shoulder, hugging himself with it awkwardly until you gave in and wrapped your other arm around him, holding him tightly for a moment.

He was soft sometimes. His Mom never held him when he was a kid. He was left alone a lot while she was building her empire. Babysitters never stayed long, nannies came and went. Sometimes you truly felt bad for him, other times you remember that he was a dick and that he loved to play tricks and torment anyone and everyone that was supposed to take care of him, including you. The only difference was you weren’t able to leave.

He let you go soon after that, letting you clean up the mess from dinner and stoke the fire place warming the house that always seemed too cold. As you stood by the fire, arms wrapped around yourself you could feel him behind you, coming to wrap his arms around your waist, leaning his head on your shoulder as you stared into the flames. There was a moment or two of silence as you both stood there.

If this were any other situation, if Ransom loved you, if this was someone who loved you, if this someone cared enough to care about the things you care about, this would be kind of romantic. But it’s Ransom, and he didn’t care about anyone but himself, he definitely didn’t care about you, and he one hundred percent didn’t care about anything you care about. “I’m going out.”

His arms left your waist and his chest left your back leaving you cold. “For fucks sake Ransom, I don’t feel like throwing out a girl tomorrow morning.” You turned to watch him throwing his coat on. He smirked. He fucking smirked.

“I’ll give you a break and throw her out myself then.” And he was gone.

Hours later you’re woken by the sound of Ransom coming home, sure enough he wasn’t alone. Soft giggles and a bang, he’s shoved her against the wall beside your room. There were muffled groans as you assumed she found her knees right there in the hallway. He got off on this shit, you knew. Often stopping somewhere outside your door to start his sexual escapades. Knowing you were mere feet away, like some half-assed exhibitionism. It wasn’t long after that the girl squealed and there was more muffled talking before they moved to his bedroom. To which you shared a wall.

Your bedroom, before you were a live-in, housed a bunch of items you believed graced a teen boy’s bedroom walls at one point. And still, shoved in the corner, were playboy model cardboard cutouts, “They’re vintage, mint condition, and worth a lot.” Sure, Ransom, sure they are. Arcade games, framed patriots jerseys, a lacrosse set from his high school days. You were shoved in the middle of it all, a single bed shoved against the wall surrounded by what once was a room full of teenage boy memorabilia. A shrine to his youth.

The headboard soon came knocking and hope for sleep was lost. The girl’s moans escalating to shrieks. Either he was as good as he says, or these girls really care about his ego. Either could be true when there’s more than one comma in your bank account.

The kitchen was much quieter. A steady rocking still came from upstairs, but thankfully it was muffled by the floor. As you made a cup of tea you figured you would see if he had printed off a new chapter ready for you to read. You hope he wouldn’t have gone out without finishing it anyway.

You were not sure why you cared to be honest. You had this love/hate for Ransom. He was an annoying prick who did something really fucking horrible, but he also made it very clear to everyone involved that you had nothing to do with it. There was a scary moment there, after his arrest, when you were brought to the station for interrogation. You hadn’t known he had even gotten up to any of these crimes. He kept you completely in the dark and he was sure to let his arresting officers know that. You hadn’t even seen him since the night Harlan died when he left the party stranding you at the estate.

Money does crazy things to people. The threat of his steady income leaving was enough to push him to do something crazy. He was lucky enough that the recorded confession magically was erased. He was lucky for dirty cops. He was lucky that even though his mother despised his lifestyle she didn’t want him to go to prison. He was so lucky. Now with his first novel sitting highly on the bestseller list, he seemed even more lucky than he did before.

His study was on the opposite side of the house from his bedroom, muffling the sounds enough for you to flip through the packet left on top of his keyboard. Three chapters away from completion you were following the detective through paces where things felt more confusing than ever, the clues were unclear and there was not much to go on, but the tension between the eldest son of the victim and his ex-wife were mounting and it was hard to believe that maybe this guy had nothing to do with it despite what was described as an ‘air-tight’ alibi. You read through the chapter twice, scribbling your thoughts in red pen along the margins.

“What do you think?” You jumped in your chair, looking up to see Ransom in the doorway.

“You scared the shit out of me,” Your hand still clutching your chest. He had a glass of water in his hand, chest bare, solid navy pajama pants slung low on his hips. His chest hair always got you, just a little bit. He tugged his bottom lip between his teeth and pushed off the door jam to walk into the room, taking a seat in the chair you occupied hours ago. “It’s good,” you cleared your throat, “I’m not sure how much longer I can wait for you to finish to be honest.” He chuckled softly.

“Let me see.” You handed him the packet and his eyes scanned the margins, reading your comments. They were mostly reactions, that’s what he liked. He wanted to know how you reacted to everything he put in front of you, did you like the romance, the tension, the lust he was trying to write between the ex-husband and wife? Or was it too distracting from the plot? Is the detective too unbelievable? He’s a character for sure. Can you figure out whodunnit yet?

“What are you doing out of bed?” You asked, spinning the chair side to side, waiting for him to put the packet down.

“I told you I was going to kick her out.” He took another sip from his water. You scoffed,

“And you couldn’t start doing this sooner?” A smile stretched his lips,

“I like how much it bothers you.”

“It’s annoying,” you said, “Worst way to start my day.” He laughed.

“That’s the only reason?” He asked, throwing the packet back on the desk, leaning back in his chair. Smirking.

“You’re such an asshole, you know that?” You pushed back from the desk, moving to exit the room. He quickly grabbed your wrist, tugging you over to his side where he looked up at you,

“If you wanna take their place, just let me know.” Your other hand came up to smack him on his shoulder, causing him to laugh as he released you, letting you take your exit.

“Dick.”

You found him the next morning at his desk, looking as though he had very little sleep. “Babe could you get me some coffee?” You yawned in the doorway,

“Sure.” It didn’t take long before you were setting the cup in front of him. “Your therapist is coming by at one.” He nodded, not looking up from his computer. “I’ll come get you when it’s time for you to get ready.”

He was focused. You weren’t sure where this focus came from. It was every once in a while that he would find this stroke of inspiration and write for a whole day straight. Hopefully he will be finished his book before schedule and be able to get ahead for the next one.

Soon he was washed, dressed, and ready for the one person he dreads the most. He hated therapy sessions. There were only ten more he needed to do before the court mandate was over. Ten more weeks until you were able to get this lovely ankle bracelet off when you would hopefully be able to go back to the routine you had with him before. Where you’d sleep in your own shitty apartment and show up to work a 9 to 9 five days a week.

After sessions he was always moody, quiet, and tended to need his favorite single malt restocked the next day. Not exactly in line with how he should be tending to whatever revelation the therapist has been streamlining him to, but that wasn’t any of your business. You could say though that during the last 42 weeks of sessions this refractory period was shortening to less and less time, maybe tonight you won't be peeling him off the floor of the study and dragging him up to his room drunk off his ass.

While in the session you were trying not to listen in on, you were sunk heavily on the living room couch, drinking coffee and reading the latest chapter he had slapped into your hands before entering back into his study. The book was so close to being finished, the last two chapters leading you to the big reveal and aftermath. The climax was steady taking hold and you were more sure than ever that the eldest son had something to do with it. You didn’t know what he did, but it was something.

He looked mad enough to kill as the Doctor left. Slamming the door, barely missing the Doctor’s jacket sleeve as he made his hasty retreat. Ransom stood seething for a moment by the front door, a chill running down your spine. He had murdered someone before, something you try to forget seeing as you are forced to spend so much time with him. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. It felt like an hour before he moved.

“I’m going out.” The words spoken sternly as he stomped his way up the stairs like a petulant child, returning moments later, cleaned up, eyes blank, before grabbing his coat and slamming the door loud enough to make you jump.

Aside from Ransom’s Mother never being around and aside from his Father’s string of extramarital affairs and aside from his Grandfather’s need to push him in every direction but close, you wish you could say that Ransom had a good childhood. But he didn’t. When he was little the kids picked on him for being rich, and when he was bigger they only became friends with him because he was rich. He was such a bully. At least, that’s what his Mother told you once drunk off chardonnay at his birthday dinner last year.

Disappointment.

That was a clear sentiment for the small family get together, and by small family get together you meant the dinner you cooked and Ransom looking like he’d rather be in prison than listen to his parents bicker over his Father’s new (Not so new seeing as he’d been caught kissing her by a PI before Harlan’s death) girlfriend. She was smart enough not to come.

This night was looking a lot like that one. Ransom, after his parents left and you began to tidy up, began to scream at you.

“What gave you the fucking right you dumb bitch?” He was spitting, face red as you cleared the dishes. “You’re only here for the money. The fucking money. How much is she paying you huh?” The bottle of expensive whiskey he had been drinking throughout the night was in his hand, swinging it around and taking pulls straight from the bottle. “Not enough obviously because you would have let me fuck you a long time ago.”

Your face flushed red as your own anger began to rise. He continued, “Never, ever, fucking again will you allow my parents in this house, do you understand me?” His unoccupied hand grabbed your arm tight enough to bruise, turning you to face him. His eyes wild and unfocused. “I said do you understand me?” You not so gently wretched your arm from his.

“Don’t touch me.” He always fucking did this. Blamed you for things you had no control over. Lynda approached you about a dinner for Ransom’s birthday. It was her name in your paystubs. You can’t say no.

“How dare you-” He began, but was cut short.

“No Ransom. No.” Like scolding a fucking dog who put his paws on the table. You threw the bowl you currently had in your hands into the sink, turning to fully face him. “I am only here for the money and I am only here because your Mother pays me a lot to be here.” His jaw clenched. “But I’m also here because I’m the only fucking person who even remotely cares about your ungrateful prissy spoiled ass and if it wasn’t for me you’d be sitting in this fucking glass house, alone, with only your own self-righteous attitude to keep you company. So don’t you ever touch me like that again. Do you understand?”

He loudly clunked the bottle onto the kitchen island, stumbling in your direction as you backed yourself into the sink. His trial had just concluded two weeks ago, Fran’s murder fresh on your mind and you wondered if you just made a terrible mistake. Over the course of this rant, the alcohol was sinking into his bloodstream, it turned his anger into a crippling depression. One that resulted in his hands softly grasping your shoulders, and tugging you into his body. His face found your neck and slowly started to grow damp with what you realized were his tears.

Your heart broke a bit, too much empathy, even for this asshole. Your arms came to wrap around his shoulders, letting him cry it out.

That was the first and only time you saw Ransom cry over anything. If he hadn’t been as drunk as he was you knew that moment would never have happened. The sweet little moment that made your heart ache was quickly gone the next morning when Ransom made you coffee and thought it would be hilarious that after you thanked him for being so sweet he joked that he poisoned it. You could still recall the cackles of laughter as you spit your coffee into the sink.

That was the day he began writing his first novel.

He came home alone tonight which was strange. And far earlier than normal. You usually were in bed, or holed up in his study by the time he arrived him after a night out. Staying out of his way as he drug a bubbly hopeful girl up to his bed to satisfy his own needs for the night. He found you tonight, sitting outside, watching Netflix on your tablet by the firepit you had decided to light, a hot cup of tea sitting on the end table next to you. Cozy and wrapped in a blanket.

You could feel his eyes on you from the doorway. You tapped the screen, pausing your show and turned to look at him. His hair was slightly mussed, face flushed, and socked toes curling from the chill. He was looking at you strangely.

“You’re home early.” You placed the tablet down on the end table, turning to face him. He nodded, crossing his arms and leaning against the door jam.

“I just needed a drive.” There was a soft smile on his face, well that’s new.

“Is everything okay?” He never tells you anything, but the sentiment matters. He looked to his feet, nodding.

“I’m probably going to try to stay up and finish the book tonight.” He shifted himself back into the house, your voice calling out to him,

“Come sit out here for a bit. It’s calming, just take a break from thinking for a minute.” He sighed and looked at you again, debating something in his head.

“I need to be alone.” You tried anyway. He disappeared from sight. And that was that.

The next day Ransom began acting even more strangely. The book was finished, the last two chapters handed wordlessly to you as he left for the gym on what you’re assuming was no sleep. That wasn’t the strange part. The strange part was when he returned three hours later bearing a box of donuts from your favorite bakery and two lattes, on his face was a smile.

“What did you do?” You accused, “Did you poison this?” You gestured towards the latte he placed in your hand.

“No.” He laughed, sliding the box of donuts to you. You stared at him skeptically before taking a sip. Tastes normal.

“Are you sick?” Your wrist coming to lay across his forehead, temperature feels fine.

“No.” He laughed again, pulling your wrist from his forehead and kissing your palm before opening the box of donuts, pulling a cinnamon sugar donut to his lips. “You just told me the other day how you missed these and I figured since I passed the shop on the way back it wouldn’t hurt to go pick some up.” It was suspicious. You continued to look at him skeptically. He sighed, placing the donut on the counter, grabbing the latte from your hand he took a large sip of it. “I didn’t fucking poison you Y/N.”

Okay.

Okay. You examined the box of donuts, pulling out the bear claw that was begging to be eaten. Still warm. You moaned in delight as soon as the warm pastry hit your taste buds. You really had missed these. Opening your eyes, you saw Ransom staring blankly at you before his eyes shifted to the packet by your side.

“All finished?” You swallowed and nodded, sliding the packet marked with red over to him and as he began to study your notes you tried to think about what could have possibly gotten him in such a good mood. The Doctor’s visit was odd enough. Yes he was angry when the Doctor left, but then just a drive? Not a blackout drunk, bringing two girls home to pleasure himself with and accidentally falling into a line or two of coke night, but a drive?

Maybe therapy had been working? Maybe he had a breakthrough? He finished the novel. The eldest son had something to do with it, his airtight alibi just that, a cover for the crime having been committed at a different time than the coroner’s estimated time frame due to him freezing the body and allowing it to thaw in the house.

You had asked Harlan how he came up with such incredible stories once. He said they just popped into his head fully formed, his brain moving faster than his fingers. He kept a little notebook with good ideas and would simmer in them as long as it took for a stroke of inspiration. The rest was just typing.

He smirked at some of your comments, ‘what a fucking joke’ you wrote next to the eldest son’s monologue about being passed over, his whining, annoying, self centered crying about how life wasn’t fair.

“What’s the smirk for?” You asked, removing the lid of your latte and dipping part of the bear claw in it.

“The lack of sympathy for Greg.” You scoffed and rolled your eyes.

“He’s a fucking loser.” Ransom’s eyes met yours, “I bet you see a lot of yourself in him.” That made him laugh.

“What? You don’t like spoiled rich men?” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. You rolled your eyes, taking another sip from the milky sweet latte you didn’t know would feel like your life’s blood right now.

“I think you know the answer to that.”

“I think you find me endearing.” Ransom smirked. Your neck flushed.

“I find you annoying,” You admitted. “I only put up with you because of my paycheck.” He licked his lips.

“Sure,” He closed the packet, pushing it aside to take another bite of the donut, cinnamon sugar dusting his lips. “You put up with me because you’re secretly in love with me, but you know that I would never get with The Help.” This made you laugh.

“If you want me to be the Help I’ll gladly call you Hugh if it means you leave me alone.” He placed his paper cup on the counter, circling around to you.

“I like when you call me Hugh.” His hands came to rest on your upper arms, grinning.

“You’re disgusting.” He laughed at the clear displeasure on your face, spinning your stool around to him, and you leaned back, creating some distance as he came to stand between your legs.

“You don’t mean that do you baby?” His fingers toying with the ends of your hair. You could feel your nipples harden in excitement, body betraying you. A wet growing between your legs.

“Ransom what are you doing?” You said in exasperation. You weren’t blind. Ransom was gorgeous. You’d maybe, possibly, gotten off to the thought of him once or twice or maybe more than that in the four years you’ve known him. But he was also a scumbag who fucks and then throws girls out hours later. His moods were hot and cold. He had major Mommy issues and he’s not technically guilty of murder, but he’s a fucking murderer. But also… he’s been going to therapy and after that fight on his birthday last year he’s never laid a hand on you in anger again, there’s been some arguments sure, but he’s mostly nice to you. Caring even.

“Why don’t you love me Y/N?” His voice almost came out as a whine. He was playing with you.

“Ransom stop.” You pushed him away gently. He was fucking smirking.

“Usually there’s a ‘don’t’ in front of that.” Cocky bastard.

“You’re the worst person I know. And I hate that fucking smirk.” You picked at your now cold bear claw, trying to turn from him.

“Why don’t you wipe it off my face then?” Your eyes met his and you glared.

“What’s gotten into you today? Maybe you should go out early. Find some girl to satisfy whatever you’re going through right now.” His hands met your hips, spinning your stool back around to face him.

“What if I want you to satisfy whatever I’m going through right now.” His groin fit right up against your core and you could feel his throbbing heat between your legs. Fuck.

“Don’t make this mistake Ransom.” You placed one hand gently on his chest, attempting (but not really) to push him back. His forehead coming to rest against yours. “You don’t want this.”

“This is the only thing I’ve ever really wanted.” His breath mingled with yours, sweet, cinnamon and coffee.

“You’re not thinking straight.” His lips brushed against yours, tongue coming out to wet his lips, his eyes locked with yours. Why weren’t you pushing him away? Your breath hitched as his tongue accidentally grazed your bottom lip.

“The only clarity I’ve ever had in my life has been when I’m with you.”

His lips pressed heavily against yours, pushing you back against your bedroom door as his hand came to tangle in your hair. He was all consuming, body hot and heavy against yours. Your core was thrumming with want, moisture pooling in the crotch of your yoga pants. His hips were rolling into yours and you could feel the hard length of him against your belly. His lips quickly moved across your jaw to your neck and you could hear yourself moaning softly as he licked, sucked, and nibbled on the sensitive skin below your ear. Your hands clenching the soft material of the t-shirt by his hips, dipping your fingers slowly into the waistband of his shorts.

His lips parted from your neck, hand tilting your head back so he could look into your eyes before taking your mouth once more. His mouth moved down this time to the tops of your breasts, hands leaving to shift the thick wool cardigan off your shoulders and onto the floor before dropping the straps of your camisole and exposing them to the air, nipples already pebbled in excitement.

You hadn’t dated in a while, unable to because of your paid house arrest and before that the way Ransom had worked you to the bone picking up after him. And the touch from someone else always felt better than your own. His hands felt huge on you, protecting.

Your head met the door as he enveloped your right nipple in his mouth, rolling the sensitive bud on his tongue until he felt the left neglected, and switched, beginning to toy with your right nipple between his finger tips. Moans and heavy breaths were the only sounds in the hallway as Ransom made his way down your body, slipping your yoga pants and panties off your hips as he found his knees before you.

“Ransom-”

“Shhhhh,” He pressed his lips against your naval, working his way to your trembling core. His hand lifted your right thigh, draping it over his shoulder as his eyes focused in on your, what you knew must be soaking, wet pussy. His eyes met yours from his knees, your legs trembling with anticipation, eyes locked as his pink tongue came to meet your pussy for the first time, a shuddering breath being released from you urged him on further.

His thick fingers spread your lips open, exposing your clit to his gentle assault. A building pleasure in your core as his tongue began to skillfully work, pulling moans from your mouth. How was he so good at this? Experimenting with different strokes, different pressure, finding what you like.

“Just like that, oh my god.” He rolled his tongue against your clit, eyes finding yours once more, keeping pace. You could see the corner of his mouth pull up in a smirk as he began to work you up to climax. “You’re such a fucking asshole, I hate that fucking smirk.” Head hitting back against the door as he used his fingers to tease your opening. “Oh my god.” Your hips bucked against his face, causing him to use the arm currently wrapped around your thigh to splay open on your abdomen, holding your hips still. The wet noises and soft grunts from the man between your thighs only caused you to grow closer to your release.

“You taste so fucking good baby,” moaned between your thighs.

“Don’t fucking stop.” You scolded. So close. So fucking close. He obeyed, continuing his assault on your dripping pussy, fingers entering your tight channel to stroke against your sensitive walls. He buried his face further into your pussy, nose coming to rest in the soft curls there as he watched you come undone. Your moans escalating in volume as you felt your body tighten with pleasure, hips begging to buck against his face as he rode you through it. He continued to lick and suck on your clit until your hands found his head, pushing him away, legs shaking as you dropped against the door, knees coming to rest around his body.

That fucking smirk, “How was that?” He asked, face glistening with your cum.

“Fuck you Ransom.” And he fucking laughed the bastard. What a fucking dick. He brought his face back to yours, gently claiming your lips. The tang of your pussy ever present as you felt him consume you. Your heart was still racing as he picked you up from the floor, bringing you into his bedroom and ever so gently laying you down on the sheets you had just changed two hours ago.

His eyes were shifting between yours, a strange expression on his face.

“You can’t kick me out tomorrow Ransom,” Your breathing was heavy as he began to work at your neck, his hands going to remove his gym shorts. “I can’t leave.” He pressed his lips back to yours as you felt him rub the tip of his dick against your clit, your body shaking with over-stimulation. It felt so intimate. Before, his eyes on yours as he brought you over with his tongue and now as he slowly enters you, stretching your walls with his thick cock, eyes not breaking contact he sighs,

“I think you’re the only person I’ve ever loved.”

#ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale #knives out #chris evans

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alonely-dreamer · 5 years

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Dangerous Creatures | Chapter 19: Dying to Survive

Summary: Mackenzie Alemaund is an unlucky 18 year old teenager whose life changes drastically after she gets kidnapped by two vampires and learns, in the same day, that she is not human.

Pairing: Elijah x OC

Words: 2643

A/N: Please, note that I am French so there might be some mistakes here and there, besides I couldn’t have it edited! I hope you’ll like it!

Masterlist

New Series: The Valuable Sun

“How could things possibly get worse?”

Mackenzie scoffed as she remembered what she had told Elena a few nights ago. She wanted to kick herself, as if she had summoned it, as if everything that had happened ever since was her fault.

Klaus told Tyler to bite Caroline and she almost died on her birthday.

Stefan kidnapped Elena and threatened to kill her if Klaus didn’t send his hybrids away.

Jeremy left.

There was a non-vampire murderer in Mystic Falls killing council members.

Things got worse. Things got way worse.

And they weren’t getting any better as the days went by. Mackenzie couldn’t leave the house, she was almost certain every vampire/hybrid in town could smell her, including Damon, who hadn’t been subtle about it.

“Why do you smell like cotton candy in an attraction park on a sunny day?”

Now she had no idea what to say to that, and she wasn’t about to tell him the truth.

“Um, Damon? What are you doing?” Elena asked, thinking he was flirting.

“Seriously,” he insisted, “why do you smell so good? I want to eat you for dessert.”

“Damon!” Elena scolded him.

“Relax, I won’t do it. But not every vampire in town has my self-control,” he told her was a warning.

Mackenzie nodded. He didn’t need to tell her not to leave the house, she wasn’t planning to.

“What is he talking about?” the doppelganger asked after he’d gone.

“I have no idea,” she lied. “Are you leaving now?”

“Yeah, Bonnie’s ready to go.”

“Have a nice trip then.”

“Thanks. I’ll text you once we get there.”

‘There’ being Bonnie’s estranged mother, whom Bonnie wasn’t too excited about seeing again, but whom she needed to perform a spell that would unlock Klaus’ mysterious coffin. Out of the four that Stefan had taken, one of them was closed, locked by a powerful spell that Bonnie had been trying to break for days, but to no avail. Damon and Stefan were hoping it contained a weapon powerful enough to kill Klaus.

Mackenzie had asked so many times for Stefan to undagger Elijah, but he always refused. She’d have gone and done it herself if she weren’t scared to death of stepping foot in that horror house again.

Night fell on Mystic Falls and Mackenzie still hadn’t heard from Elena or Bonnie or anyone, for that matter. She told herself she wouldn’t start worrying until midnight. Around 10, the front door opened, and Mackenzie was surprised to see Alaric walk in, and he wasn’t alone.

“Hey, Mackenzie.”

“Hi, Ric.”

“Um, this is Meredith.”

“I’m Doctor Meredith Fell, nice to meet you,” she smiled at the elemental as she held out a hand.

Mackenzie took it as she smiled back. “Nice to meet you too. I’ll… leave you to it…” she said before walking up the stairs and into her room.

About two minutes later, Mackenzie heard the front door open and close. Elena was home. She was relieved that she was safe and thought she had had a long enough day already and decided to hold off on the questions. She changed into her nightwear, a pair of silk blue shorts that belonged to Elena and an oversized shirt that Jeremy had given her on her first night in this house.

As per usual, the next morning, Alaric was hangover, looking for aspirins in Elena’s kitchen and Elena had just come back from her early morning run. The doppelganger had once asked her if she wanted to join her, but she had to politely refuse, telling her she didn’t like running, which wasn’t exactly a lie, but wasn’t the full truth either. If she went out, she’d probably get attacked by a vampire, and if she were with someone else, she’d condemn that person too. She couldn’t take the risk.

Elena had told her all that had happened on the previous night, including Klaus getting three of his coffins back, including Elijah, and Bonnie’s mom being unable to practice magic.

“I thought she was supposed to help Bonnie do a spell?”

“Yeah, well… it’s gonna take a while,” Elena sighed. “Anyway, I gotta go.”

“Where are you going?”

“I need to ask Stefan if he’s the one who’s been killing all of these people, lately.”

“He wouldn’t.”

“You know, I’ve come to learn that there are very few things Stefan wouldn’t do. See you later.”

And here she was. Alone once again. Or so she thought. About two minutes after Elena had left, someone came knocking on the door. Mackenzie was worried and scared to open. She didn’t expect anyone, and it could be a vampire attracted by her scent. In fact, she knew it was a vampire, she could feel it. But she wasn’t sure who it was. It wasn’t Stefan, it wasn’t Damon. It wasn’t a regular vampire, but it wasn’t a hybrid either. And it wasn’t Klaus. Maybe it was Rebekah, or maybe…

“Oh my God,” she gasped when she opened the door. She couldn’t believe it. She had to be dreaming. This couldn’t be real.

“Ms. Alemaund,” Elijah grinned.

She shook her head, confused and confounded. She brought a hand to his chest, where a dagger had been when she last saw him. She had done it so fast she hadn’t realized how hard she’d hit him, and it almost took his breath away. When she touched him, when she realized he was real, that he was there, she quickly threw her arms around his neck.

“You’re back,” she whispered.

Elijah chuckled. “You’ve grown strong.”

Mackenzie let him go when she realized how tight she was hugging him.

“How are you… what are you… when…”

“Damon Salvatore,” he cut her off, “removed the dagger from my chest before giving me back to my brother.”

Damon Salvatore, out of all people, had freed Elijah. Something she had been wanting to do for six months.

“I hadn’t realized you were still…” he paused, “alive, until I smelled you a few minutes ago. I was convinced my brother had…”

“No,” Mackenzie didn’t let him finish, “no, he… he let me go. He said… he said you’d be mad he daggered you and he didn’t want to make it worse by killing me.”

“That never stopped him before,” he mumbled. “I am… I’m happy to see you are unharmed.”

Mackenzie smiled. She felt liberated, somehow, like the weight that she carried on her shoulder had disappeared now that he was back. She couldn’t help it and hugged him again.

“I missed you so much,” she said, and he could almost hear the tears burning her eyes. He hugged her back, a little taken aback. It had been decades, centuries even, since someone had cared for him that much. It pained him to know he had caused her so much trouble.

“I’m sorry for putting you in danger, Mackenzie,” he said as he let go of her. “I should’ve known better.”

She frowned, not sure about what he was saying. “It’s not your fault,” she said. “Do you… do you want to come in?”

He nodded. “Is Ms. Gilbert here?”

“No, she just left. We’re alone,” she answered before she closed the door.

“I’m surprised to find you here.”

“Yeah, well… I live here now.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Since when?”

“Almost a month.”

“Where were you before that?”

“Um…” she chuckled. “With a friend.”

He gave her another confused look.

“It’s a long story,” she said. “How long have you been back?”

“Since last night. I met with Damon earlier today.”

“Let me guess. He wants your help to kill Klaus.”

“Indeed. He told me about his last attempt, how his brother came in the possession of my family.”

“Stefan’s mad at Klaus for compelling his humanity away. And… everything else.”

“Understandable.”

“So… are you going to help him?”

“Well. I have agreed to a meeting. A dinner, tonight, with my brother and his. Niklaus is under the impression that they want to make a truce.”

“You’re uh…” she cleared her throat. “What about you and Klaus?”

“My brother tried to trick me again, by telling me more lies. Trying to convince me to work with him to destroy Stefan. He thinks I’m on his side.”

“Do you… do you know that he…” she paused, no sure how to say it.

“That he killed my mother? Yes, he told me. It didn’t help his cause, but I suppose he knew I’d hear about it soon enough.”

“So, you do have a plan.”

“I’m working on one,” he nodded.

“Well… just… don’t get yourself killed again,” she laughed uncomfortably.

“I won’t. I won’t make the same mistake again,” he said, as he cupped her cheek with his hand.

She put her hand over his before she buried her face in his chest, sliding her hands behind his back. He smelled like him. He smelled like home. He rested his chin on the top of her head, hugging her back.

“I didn’t know what to do without you,” she confessed. “I tried to get you back.”

“You did?”

She didn’t want to tell him. She was still convinced that going after Klaus was the stupidest thing she had ever done.

“How’s Rebekah?” she asked, changing the subject.

He released her from his embrace and looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. “You’ve met my sister?”

“Yes. Elena said Klaus had her. He didn’t remove the dagger?”

“No. My sister is still in her coffin.”

“Can’t you help her? Can’t you help your siblings?”

He smirked. “That’s the plan.”

Mackenzie smiled back. Finally, a plan she could get behind. She was about to ask for more details when her phone rang.

“I’m sorry.”

“Please,” he shook his head, “answer it.”

She took her phone out of her pocket and read Elena’s text messages.

“Oh my God,” she breathed out.

“What’s wrong?”

“Caroline’s father was murdered. He’s in transition. He won’t complete it.”

“Murdered?” he frowned. “By whom?”

She shook her head. “Someone’s been killing council members lately… I… I have to go,” she said. She wanted to be there for Caroline, but then remembered she couldn’t leave the house.

“Allow me,” he told her, as if he had read her mind, before he bit his wrist.

It felt weird to acknowledge it, but she had missed it. Being in his arms while he fed her his blood, how he held her, how he put his nose in her hair and inhaled her scent until he couldn’t smell it anymore. She leaned back against his chest and enjoyed being close to him again.

“Thank you,” she said before she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I wish I could stay but…”

“Go to your friend,” he gave her a small smile. “I will be back tonight.”

She hesitated, but eventually smiled back, tiptoed and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tonight,” she said, as a way to confirm it.

As a promise.

***

Mackenzie knew exactly how Caroline felt. Waiting around for someone to die, a parent to die, was agony. Not being able to be there with them, not being strong enough because it hurt too much, but feeling guilty for not spending their last moment with them. That’s how she felt as she was sitting on her porch in the dark night with Elena and Mackenzie.

“Did you hear back from Tyler yet?” Elena asked.

“No. And I’ve left messages for him everywhere…” she shook her head, confused and angry about her boyfriend not being there when she needed it the most. “So does Alaric really thing that Dr. Fell did it?”

“He doesn’t know what to think.”

“What about you?”

Elena scoffed. “I wish the girl Alaric liked wasn’t in the middle of all of this… He deserves to be happy… But yeah… she looks guilty. That’s why I told your mom.”

Caroline nodded slowly, taking in the information, wondering what she would do about it.

“My mom’s in there sitting with my dad…” she paused, then chuckled humorlessly, “I don’t think they’ve been in the same room this long since I was 10 years old.”

A long silence settled between them, during which neither Elena nor Mackenzie dared say anything.

“I can’t just let my father die…” Caroline eventually said, “I’m gonna force him to feed.”

“You don’t mean that,” Mackenzie said softly.

“He doesn’t want to, Caroline,” Elena told her. “The only thing your dad has left is his choice.”

The vampire wiped the tears off her cheeks. She knew that. She knew it would be wrong to take that choice away from her father. But she couldn’t help but try to find a way to save him.

Matt arrived a few minutes later and joined them on the porch. They sat in silence for about an hour. Caroline didn’t need to talk, and she didn’t need people to talk to her. Silence was fine, silence was perfect. Actions speak louder than words, and her friends being there for her in one of the most difficult moment of her life meant everything to her.

Eventually, it was time for Caroline to be with her father, and Matt drove Elena and Mackenzie back to the house. They carried with them their friend’s grief, and they all wished there was something more they could have done.

Mackenzie hadn’t told anyone about Elijah, she didn’t even know if Damon had told Elena. But she figured now wasn’t the right time to bring it up.

When they stepped inside the house, it was dark and quiet. Elena tried to turn the lights on but was unsuccessful.

“That’s weird,” she said.

“Electricity must be out,” Matt guessed as he followed the girls inside.

Elena sighed. She went to the kitchen to get flashlights and gave one to each of them.

“I think I have some candles over there,” she said as she made her way around the counter. “Oh my God,” she gasped as she almost stepped into a pool of blood.

“What the hell?” Matt breathed out.

Mackenzie thought she was about to be sick. There was so much blood, there was no way whoever’s blood that was had survived.

They looked around and noticed a bloody handprint on the wall. They armed themselves with a kitchen knife before they followed the blood trail. It led them upstairs, where they found Alaric sitting against the wall, unconscious, with a knife in his stomach.

“Ric!” Elena breathed out as she kneeled next to him, dropping the knife, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.”

“He’s alive,” Mackenzie said as she positioned herself on Alaric’s other side.

“Ah!” he groaned as he tried to remove the knife from his body.

“Leave it in,” Elena instructed him.

“He’s lost too much blood,” Matt told them. “I’m gonna call 911.”

“Ric, look at me. Who did this to you?” Elena asked.

“I don’t know,” he whispered.

“Oh my God, there’s a lot of blood,” Mackenzie said with a lump in her throat, tears forming in her eyes.

“I know, I know,” he said, trying to call for an ambulance.

“You have to kill me,” Alaric said, to both Mackenzie and Elena.

“What?”

“You have to kill me,” he repeated.

Elena shook her head but then noticed the ring on his finger.

“Wait, wait, Matt, hang up. He’s right. If he dies a supernatural death, then he’ll come back to life and be healed.”

“But how do you know who did this is supernatural?” he asked.

“That’s what he’s saying, we don’t, but… Mackenzie’s a witch. I’m a doppelganger. If we kill him, he’ll come back.”

“Are you insane?!” Mackenzie shook her head.

“I’ll do it,” Elena said. “I’ll do it.”

She took a deep breath, and Mackenzie looked away as Elena stabbed her history professor to death.

**********

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 20 is already available for early access on my Patreon page! Chapter 21 to 22 are available for instant access! If you’d like to support me here’s my page: patreon.com/alonelydreamer any support is highly appreciated!!

If you can’t, it’s okay! Chapter 20 will be posted on Tumblr next Wednesday!

Have a good week!

Tags: @thepoet1975 @nerdysandwichqueen @catchmeupimgettingoutofhere @raegan-hale @captainam-erika-trash @silver424 @monetfatalia @vaniileiinkeks @valeria-winchester @favimag @colie87 @hamiltonmadesomemistakes @s0nh4dorasblog @poemfreak306 @white-chocolate-mocha-fan @thegingerthatwaited @therealwatermelon @dark-night-sky-99@aubri1313 @jardinsecos @gymnastgal1997-blog @thearaviagrace77blog @caelst13

#the vampire diaries #vampire diaries #tvd #the originals #elijah mikaelson #elijah x oc #fanfiction #fanfic #oc #elena gilbert #alaric saltzman #caroline forbes #imagine #reader #elijah x reader #elijah imagine #dangerous creatures #lily collins

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tvdversefanfiction · 4 years

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Canary Carnage

Chapter Thirteen: Killer Carnage

Warnings: I don’t own any of the rights, content or characters belonging to any of the DC content I use within the story along with not owning any rights, content or characters within The Vampire Diaries, Originals or Legacies.

18 Rating: Moderate/Graphic displays of violence, sexual innuendos, sexually charged scenes, SMUT, strong language and potentially triggering scenes.

Pairings: M/M, F/F, M/F.

Elijah Mikaelson couldn’t help but to be left feeling uneasy following Laurel Lance returning to New Orleans permanently although he definitely enjoyed having her back he could help but feel guilty for wanting her back in a city that held so much pain for the both of them.

However it was Lucas Lance’s return or rather the arrival of his Earth X doppelganger Lucas Wayne that Elijah was much more concerned by and so he wasted very little time in getting to know the infamous Blue Canary, quickly discovering that Lucas Wayne was a far cry from Lucas Lance.

Although there were similarities between the two doppelgangers other than their looks: Both Lucas’ were smart and calculating with a determined drive to stay alive, both had complicated relationships with their biological mothers and both had managed to capture the attention of Elijah’s brother Klaus Mikaelson much to everyone’s worries considering how bad the original hybrid’s curiosity with Lucas Lance ended.

“I see your settling into New Orleans rather well Mr Wayne.” Elijah greeted the Earth X doppelganger after vamp speeding into Rousseau's, speeding over to the bar counter to find Lucas Wayne serving drinks to customers with Josh stood by his side. “I believe your also living with the Lance sisters at their hotel.”

“I’ve got this,” Lucas told Josh before walking over to face off with the noble original vampire, leaving Josh to tend to customers as he spoke to Elijah. “The pristine suit which looks pricy as hell must mean you’re Elijah Mikaelson. I’ve met your brother Klaus he’s what I call an original stalker of sorts.”

“My brother Niklaus is merely being cautious you see your doppelganger Lucas Lance proved himself rather troublesome for everyone including himself and we don’t want a repeat of that for everyone’s sakes…especially your mother’s.” Elijah informed the Blue Canary.

“I get it Lucas Lance was the villain in your story but in mine people like you, your siblings and god even my mother were the villains.” Lucas replied to Elijah. “I’m here because I have nowhere else to go and I’m beginning to believe I’m here to save this city.”

“What is it you think that this city needs saving from?” Elijah scoffed at him as he took a seat at the counter.

“First guess would be the vampires who treat humans like walking snacks, the wolves keep themselves to themselves so they’re not on the agenda and the witches are pretty hit and miss.” Lucas answered him before going over to pour the original a glass of straight whisky before walking back over and serving Elijah his drink. “I’m not coming for anyone in particular but I won’t stand by if anyone or anything comes for the few innocents around here.”

“Are you threatening me Mr Wayne or are you threatening my entire family?” Elijah asked him before taking a drink of his whisky, only to smile at the taste of this whisky. “I guess you’re the kind of bartender who knows their customer’s drink.”

“I like Sara and I’m even fond of Laurel so when they tell me somebody’s good I’ll accept it until they prove otherwise however nobody has anything nice to say about Klaus Mikaelson and his stalking of me isn’t helping me think otherwise.” Lucas admitted to Elijah. “As for your drink consider it on me as a thanks for putting your brother in line…unless you want me to do the job for you?”

“My brother Niklaus isn’t someone who is easily handled especially considering how fond he was of your doppelganger…personally I didn’t see why.” Elijah informed Lucas before downing his drink and placing the empty glass onto the counter. “I much prefer this Lucas standing in front of me however morals are a rare thing around here and they tend to get you killed.”

“I’ll keep that in mind Mr Mikaelson.” Lucas responded with a sincere smile on his face before Elijah vamp sped out of Rousseau's and out of sight.

“Declaring war on the Mikaelson’s doesn’t end well for you trust me my friend Marcel once thought he could survive that family and let’s just say you won’t see him in New Orleans anymore.” Josh warned Lucas as he walked over to his new employee. “He was considered family to them as well.”

“I’ve dealt with murderous mothers, overbearing fathers, endless superhuman enemies and literally Nazi’s in my time I’m sure I can handle a vampire or two.” Lucas boasted to his vampire boss only to be met by Josh laughing at him.

“Funny your less evil than your evil twin but your just as foolish.” Josh scoffed at the Blue Canary. “Forgive me for my advice I’m just the only person in this city that doesn’t seem to have a death wish.”

Josh Rosza was far wiser than his years but hid behind an adorable yet admit-tingly dorky personality which had served him very well as a vampire especially considering everyone around him had died and yet he continued to advise his friends to follow suit only to see them take different paths.

His first greatest loss was the love of his life Aiden who fell victim to the Mikael’s ruthless aunt Dahlia before he found himself losing his best friend Davina several times before losing her for what seemed like for good and in the last five years alone he had lost his close friend Marcel Gerard again due to the Mikaelson’s.

When Davina first returned to New Orleans five years ago Josh’s biggest fear was losing her again to a doomed fate but instead, she gave up her need for vengeance against Klaus as she fell back in love with Kol and got married.

Although the wonder witch still lived in the city their friendship had changed and became strained as Josh made clear his distaste over their handling of Marcel Gerard. Josh was determined to find Marcel being the only one who hadn’t given up on the updated original and that put a strain on his relationship with Davina Claire-Mikaelson.

However, in the last five years he had found himself forming a new friendship with the Black Canary keeping in touch over his mission to find his friend and her mission to save the world and now he had her son, or at least some version of her son, working for him and feared Lucas Wayne would either follow the same path as his doppelganger Lucas Lance or his estranged friend Davina.

Five years earlier Klaus Mikaelson had found himself growing rather close to Lucas Lance despite a determination to do anything considering the Red Canary was selfish, reckless, manipulative and calculating, all the things Klaus used to be before he became a father. It took him time to realize that what attracted him most to Lucas was how much the canary reminded him of himself.

Of course it grew more complicated as he learned more about the Red Canary realizing the meta-human was nowhere near as heartless as he’d have liked people to admit and far more troubled than even he realized unleashing Klaus’ need to want to help Lucas find his way like his siblings and his daughter helped him but unlike Klaus’ long and immortal life the Red Canary’s life was cut short.

Lucas Lance was never a great love of his life and Klaus doubted he would’ve been had they been together longer but his memory did serve as a painful reminder of a time he failed somebody he actually wanted to help and therefore the arrival of Lucas’ Earth X doppelganger Lucas Wayne only served to remind the original hybrid even more and for that reason he had been avoiding the Blue Canary like a plague until he was told to do exactly that and Klaus Mikaelson never did what he was told.

“Listen up Klaus because I’m only going to say this once under no circumstances whatsoever are you to come near Lucas. The last thing we need right now is your undead ass fucking up my sister’s chance of getting to know her son.” Sara demanded as she walked into the compound to find Klaus stood waiting for her.

“Just because my sister has grown fond of you doesn’t mean I’m not going to tear your head off for the nerve of trying to make demands of me besides the last Lucas found more danger with you than he ever did with me.” Klaus snapped back at the White Canary.

“That was different…we had just lost our mother…we thought there was no going back for him.” Sara replied with a clear sense of regret in her voice. “This is our chance to do right by him.”

“The only problem with that logic is Lucas Wayne isn’t Lucas Lance which means he’s not your nephew or your sister’s son. You’ve just let some stranger straight into your home because he looks familiar.” Klaus told her with a hint of judgement on his face, knowing Sara, Laurel and Rebekah were to blame for Lucas Lance’s demise.

“He is Lucas though or at least the way Lucas used to be until everything went to shit. This version of him is kind, loyal and heroic just like the baby brother I grew up with.” Sara admitted to the original hybrid as tears formed in her eyes. “He may have a different history and he may not know me or Laurel but he’s so much like the Lucas I used to know it makes me feel…”

“Guilty that you gave up on the original?” Klaus butted in, all too eager to make the canary feel even more guilty. “He’s not your second chance Sara and he’s not going to make it right how you and your sister plotted to murder your own blood all because he had an episode or two.”

“He murdered our mother that’s not an episode or two!” Sara reminded Klaus, furious that the original would dismiss her mother’s death like it was nothing, also furious that she gave up on her adoptive brother so easily and that he was reminding her of how she failed him. “Please just stay the hell away from this Lucas!”

“I’ll take it into consideration Miss Lance.” Klaus lied, knowing damn fine he was now going to make himself well known to the Blue Canary.

Klaus Mikaelson initially had no intention to have any contact with Lucas Wayne following their initial meeting weeks ago but after learning how much Sara Lance wanted him to stay away he just couldn’t pass an opportunity to put the White Canary in her place still loathing her for murdering his elder sister Freya Mikaelson and holding her just as responsible for Laurel in the parts they played in Lucas Lance’s death.

In fact, Klaus genuinely believed he had moved on from Lucas Lance’s death but the idea of his family being so quick to embrace a purer version of him angered the original hybrid far more than he thought it would and now he wanted to teach the Lance sisters a lesson for dishonoring the memory of a man they helped murder.

Caitlin Snow was a powerful woman long before she discovered she was a meta-human working as a well-respected bio-engineer at S.T.A.R. Labs alongside her fiancé Ronnie Raymond who was a structural engineer for the company but everything changed for her upon her fiance's mysterious disappearance eventually turning her from a loving and caring woman to someone with an ice cold heart as Killer Frost was born.

Caitlin chose a life of villainy following her heartbreak after discovering her powers of thermometric cryokinesis taking on the villainess mantle as Killer Frost leaving Caitlin Snow and all she worked for behind which led to her becoming enemies with some of the most powerful heroes including the Black Canary.

Killer Frost had a long and complicated history with Laurel Lance having once been best friends with the canary only to later become obsessed in bringing her down always failing until the death of the multiverse gave her an opportunity to arrive on Earth X, a world which followed none of the rules that the other worlds did in the now dead multiverse.

The realization that the Black Canary currently residing within Earth X wasn’t the Black Canary from her world hadn’t stopped her obsession especially with Killer Frost’s new friends, all of which were determined to destroy at least one if not all three of the canaries within New Orleans.

“In such a big and busy city, it’s quite remarkable to find such peace in a quiet little place like this.” Frost stated as she walked into the quiet Rousseau's bar to find Lucas Wayne stood behind the bar wiping down the counter. “Either you’re a really bad bartender or people are scared to come into this establishment.”

“I guess you’re officially stopping me from having to close anytime soon.” Lucas greeted the long white-haired woman as she walked over to the bar and sat down at the counter. “You look strangely familiar…have we met before?”

“Nope you don’t exist in my timeline or my world which also doesn’t exist anymore.” She replied, making it clear to the Blue Canary that she was from the multiverse. “This world is quite intriguing, but the only downfall seems to be there’s one too many Lances around here.”

“I’m a Wayne not a Lance but I’m more interested in who the bloody hell you are?” Lucas wondered just as Laurel walked into the bar looking horrified to see Killer Frost, who instantly rose from her chair and turned around to face the Black Canary.

“Killer Frost…you’re supposed to be long dead not to mention the world itself died after you!” Laurel said in shock, clearly uneasy to see an old foe.

“I’m not exactly the Killer Frost you know but I hate you just as much if not more.” Frost revealed to Laurel, as she found herself stood between both canaries. “If you think your Earth X son was the only one to jump ship before the death of the multiverse than you thought wrong.”

“You should leave now before you wind up just as dead as your other doppelgangers!” Laurel warned Frost, with a look of hatred in her eyes, a look Lucas had never seen from the Black Canary but had seen from the Black Siren one time too many.

“My father told me all about you, you were long dead on my Earth too but you were quite the formidable foe before that…in my world you were my twisted mother’s closest confidant so it only makes sense you hate the good versions of her.” Lucas piped in, once again showing a vast knowledge about the multiverse.

“You’re so much more than just a looker if only you were a bit redder instead of blue we may have got along!” Killer Frost told Lucas before lifting her hand in his direction shooting out a large ice blast from the palm of her hands as Laurel released a canary cry in her direction, the ice blast hitting Lucas and throwing him into the glass cabinet filled with alcohol destroying it before throwing Lucas down to the ground, as Laurel’s canary cry sent the villainess Killer Frost flying across the bar before hitting a wall and crash landing onto the ground.

“I warned you to get the hell out of here Caitlin!” Laurel shouted at the doppelganger of her nemesis. “Now I’m going to have to teach you a lesson.”

The Blue Canary and Killer Frost both rose to their feet at the same time, the Blue Canary ready to charge at the villainess white haired woman while the white haired woman had all eyes on the Black Canary but before anyone could attack Klaus vamp sped into the bar, speeding all the way over to Lucas before grabbing a hold of him and vamp speeding out of Rousseau's with the Blue Canary leaving a confused Laurel Lance standing alone in the bar with her nemesis Caitlin Snow.

“Well I was planning on killing you both, but I suppose I’m not totally pissed it’s just you and me now!” Killer Frost told the Black Canary before raising her hand to release another ice blast in Laurel’s direction, just as Laurel released a large canary cry in the direction of the villainess.

If Laurel was going to win against Caitlin Snow’s ruthless alter ego Killer Frost then she had better get her head in the game but with the doppelganger of her son just being kidnapped by Klaus Mikaelson she couldn’t help but worry about Lucas Wayne and what the original hybrid had in store for him.

Klaus Mikaelson had learned a lot about the canaries during the five years in which Sara and Laurel had clashed with him and his family and although his siblings had built friendships with the Lance sisters he had kept wary of them deciding to instead study the canaries and learn their weaknesses.

Klaus was forever paranoid about betrayals and potential feuds after all his family’s worst enemies tended to be close allies at some stage before turning against them and so he found it wiser to study all that came into his life knowing how best to take them both down if he needed to, which he always did.

He knew Laurel’s canary cry was pretty powerful so much so that it destroyed the hollow and their blood was special enough to restore Elijah’s memories and he also knew the canaries could die just like Lucas Lance died or be turned into a vampire like Sara Lance.

The canaries were powerful but only as powerful as their cry or at least that’s what Klaus believed and thanks to a brief alliance with Nyssa al Ghul he knew exactly how to deal with a canary cry putting the Blue Canary exactly where he wanted him.

“This should give us some proper time alone!” Klaus stated after vamp speeding into Lafayette Cemetery with Lucas and putting a power dampening collar around the son of batman’s neck. “Don’t want you getting any advantage over me with that damn canary cry.”

Lucas wasted no time in grabbing a hold of the original hybrid’s arm as he bent himself over and threw Klaus over his back until the vampire hit the ground with force while Lucas twisted his arm, popping the arm out of its socket before harshly stomping his foot down on Lucas’ throat, easing off just enough to let the hybrid speak.

“I don’t need a cry to kick your ass Klaus!” Lucas shouted at him before Klaus grabbed a hold of the Blue Canary and flung him over his body forcing the canary to land on the ground next to the vampire, as Klaus popped his arm back into its socket after a series of groans.

“I hate you!” Klaus furiously stated to Lucas as he climbed on top of his body, preparing to strangle the canary only to be headbutt in the face by Lucas, followed by Lucas kicking the vampire upwards, before Klaus finally found his footing as Lucas stood up to face him.

“You don’t even know me!” Lucas snapped back at Klaus before the original hybrid sped towards him, only for the Blue Canary to deliver a series of punches across the vampire’s face before Klaus threw him to the ground, Lucas grabbing a hold of Klaus, making the vampire fall on top of the canary.

“I…” Klaus said before pausing as he looked into the eyes of the Blue Canary, as hidden feelings began to rise and suddenly the vampire found himself kissing a stunned Lucas only for Lucas to respond by grabbing the vampire and throwing his body over his own, making Klaus hit the ground harshly once again as Lucas rose to his feet.

“What the hell do you think your doing?” Lucas questioned Klaus, as Klaus quickly stood back up, both looking as confused as the other.

“You just look so much like him…” Klaus reluctantly admitted to the canary. “I guess the only reason I want you dead is because your forcing me to feel something I don’t want to feel.”

“I surprisingly understand where you’re coming from I mean I’m not going around trying to kill then kiss people but it’s not easy seeing a doppelganger of my mother whose nothing like her so I can only imagine how hard it must be to see a doppelganger of somebody you were once in love with.” Lucas replied to Klaus, surprising the original with his kindness.

“I was never in love with Lucas Lance…I cared for him, but I never loved him.” Klaus revealed to the Blue Canary, admitting not only to him but himself. “I don’t normally try to be a hero, but I really wanted to save him and not because I loved him but because he reminded me of him.”

“Sara filled me in on how you used to be a lot worse than what you are now which is saying something if this is the filtered down version.” Lucas joked with Klaus as he sat down on a nearby wall. “I guess my doppelganger reminded you of just how bad you were, how far you’ve come and how much better your life is because of it. You wanted that for him because if he could get it someone who was probably nowhere near as ruthless as you once were then in some way it’d be like you deserved the life your living but instead he got took down and you can’t help but think maybe you should’ve been taken out too.”

“Are you seriously trying to psychoanalyze me because I can promise you, I’m nowhere near as deep as you’re assuming, I am nor do I regret any action I’ve made in the past.” Klaus argued with Lucas, refusing to admit there was some truth in Lucas’ words.

“Sometimes heroes last long enough to become villains and sometimes villains find their way back to heroes once more but that’s not on anybody if they don’t find their way back least of all a thousand year old vampire whose actions are morally questionable on a good day.” Lucas explained to Klaus, as Klaus sat down next to the Blue Canary, listening to him despite looking like he wanted to be anywhere else. “I’m not Lucas Lance but I’m not some pillar of purity and goodness either we live in a grey world Klaus although admittedly redder here on Earth Blood. I can’t say what happened to my doppelganger was the right way to handle him nor it was the wrong way but what I can say is he’s not me and he’s not you either…it’s time to let it go.”

Lucas was right about Klaus holding onto the past righter than he could have possibly known as Klaus realized the words coming out of this Earth X doppelganger were wise and if he was wise, he’d take the Blue Canary’s advice.

It was in that moment for the first time since Lucas Wayne had arrive on Earth Blood that Klaus Mikaelson had started to see the Blue Canary for who he was and not just who he reminded him of.

Laurel Lance’s history with her world’s Caitlin Snow was very different to the one she had currently found herself coming face to face with: they had never been friends just enemies and it wasn’t the death of Ronnie Raymond which led to the birth of her world’s Killer Frost it was the death of Barry Allen which was her world’s first flash before Wally West took over the mantle.

Laurel may have never seen a good side to Killer Frost but she knew people who did such as Cisco Ramone and Wally West and it was those friendships that constantly put her at odds with the villainess making the Black Canary very wary of the manic meta-human but not fully unaware of her potential to be redeemed.

The Black Canary and Killer Frost’s fight lasted for a long time much to the expense of Rousseau's which had been destroyed from the inside out with broken tables, chairs and bottles spread across the floor with planks of wood and glass scattered everywhere as Laurel found herself beaten, broken and bruised while laid on a floor covered in the ruins of Rousseau's as Killer Frost stood above her looking victorious.

“I’ve always wanted to kill Laurel Lance, but I never thought it would be this easy.” Frost said while taunting Laurel, ready to kill the Black Canary. “It’s just a shame you’re the one who made it here but oh well every Laurel’s practically the same even the not so pure ones.”

“You are better than this Caitlin! I may not know this version of you but every version of you becomes like this because you lose someone you love.” Laurel told the white-haired woman, hoping to appeal to some humanity within her. “I lost my son my actual son and it broke me more than I ever thought it would but what your doing isn’t going to bring them back it’s just dishonoring their memory and what they meant to you.”

“Yeah here’s the thing I no longer care about anyone or anything.” Killer Frost replied as she magically formed an ice pick above her hand from out of thin air before Lucas sped into Rousseau's and clipped the power dampener collar around the white-haired woman’s neck before throwing her to the floor much to Laurel’s relief.

“You’re not going to believe me when I say this, but Klaus Mikaelson actually comes in handy from time to time!” Lucas declared as he walked over to Laurel, offering his hand to her and helping her get back onto her feet.

“Funnily enough I do believe it he always did have a soft spot for that face.” Laurel admitted to Lucas before the both turned to look at a pissed off Killer Frost whose was slowly getting back on her feet as her white hair turned brown.

“What are we going to do about little miss frosty?” Lucas asked Laurel who surprised him with a smile on her face as she watched Killer Frost’s hair turn completely brown.

“We’re going to help Killer Frost find Caitlin Snow once more.” Laurel revealed to a surprised Lucas, who was in awe of this version of his mother’s sense of forgiveness and kindness.

“Okay…but we’re going to need a cage or something to keep her in the meantime.” Lucas suggested just as Klaus sped into Rousseau's with a sinister smirk on his face.

“I may have a prison or two I’d be willing to lend the canaries…pending negotiations of course.” Klaus was eager to inform them all.

“Of course, you do!” Laurel scoffed while rolling her eyes, as she noticed Lucas and Klaus sharing a smile that made her feel very uneasy.

Laurel Lance had to deal with a lot since arriving on Earth Blood firstly the Mikaelson’s, then her twisted brother, then the Mikaelson’s and her brother only to then find out that baby brother of hers was actually her son before having to watch him meet a grizzly end but as she stood in the ruins of Rousseau's feeling the chemistry between Lucas Wayne and Klaus Mikaelson she had finally realized this was her all-time low.

The Black Canary was never a fan of the original hybrid, but she couldn’t argue with his weird sense of loyalty towards her son Lucas Lance even if it did confuse her she was happy someone was on his side especially considering she couldn’t be. However the Earth X doppelganger of her son Lucas Wayne was kind, honorable and loving, everything she believed Klaus Mikaelson wasn’t and the last thing she wanted was for the Blue Canary to end up just as bad if not worse than the Red Canary.

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firelight-tales-of-exandria · 6 years

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Firelight Tales of Exandria, Ch.13 - “Refugitive”

Thank you all for coming, and let’s tell some stories...

“When we last left the party, there was a palpable sense of tension in the room: Certain figures from various party members’ past resurfaced in ‘complicated fashion.’ The party had met Ghurvoon, a colleague of Cezika’s, who was in Westruun because of another past acquaintance involving the real reason the thief had moved to Tal’Dorei, and Song had discovered one of Nakiya’s stress outlets in beating

“Reconvening in a private room at the Sloppy Satyr, and as dirty laundry started being aired, a recurring motion arose once more: despite putting their trust in him, the reason for Song wishing to stay out of the investigation in their claim on the bounty seems to be raising more and more complications. It seems that exploring this part of Song’s past, that he has been so reticent to address, is on the verge of inevitability. As Ghurvoon takes his leave, journeying to the west to tug on the strings of Cezika’s past, we are left with another dangling thread...”

Song briefly leaves to change out of his flower girl outfit. After changing, but before ducking back to meet the others, he sees Aeden (the owner of the Sloppy Satyr) exchanging words with Dren Kilgannon (high priest of the Platinum Dragon temple in Westruun). Song can’t quite make out their conversation, and Dren quickly departs as he noticed them being watched.

Song tries to reach out to Aeden, but the bartender kindly dismissed his concerns, so the bard rejoins the group.

Song: “You know you could always come drink with us. I”m sure that’s a great way to run an establishment. I did work for someone who was drunk most of the time.”

Aeden: “Truth be told, not much of a drinker these days.”

After much stalling and nervous dithering, Song says he is on the run from powerful figures in the Syngorn military and tries to blow past the party’s prodding for details. His mother was a prospective Dreamweaver who had a dalliance with a passing human, leading to Song being born. The elven prejudice against half-breeds alienated Song’s mother from her family and social circle, until a young Song managed to rescue a traveling noble elf-child.

In gratitude, the noble family agreed to bring Song’s mother back into the Syngorn fold provided Song become the attache to their child, Oryen Teyr. Song then grew up as Oryen’s shadow, trying to keep the reckless elf out of the constant trouble he was looking for. Song always shouldered the blame for Oryen’s hellraising, trying in vain to prove himself of value to the family.

Song: “Everywhere we went it was, y’know, ‘Oh, look, look how merciful these generals are! They took in this half-elf bastard out of the goodness of their hearts, and how nice it is to have a little mongrel around to do anything for the family!’ And I would have. I did everything for them. And for Oryen.”

Despite the suffering and humiliation of being their personal whipping boy, Song held out hope that they would hold up their end of the bargain and send him off to a prestigious elven university; which they did, but as Oryen’s servant.

One day, while in Emon, Oryen went off to explore the dark undercity. Song refused to accompany him, fed up with his bullshit and knowing the Clasp called those tunnels home. The next day, Song heard the news that a young elf had been found beaten to death near a Clasp hideout. Fearing being tracked down by the Teyrs, Song vanished and has been on the run since.

The party tries to speak some sense to Song, saying it wasn’t his fault that someone so self-absorbed and reckless got themselves killed, but it proves extremely difficult for him.

Ladryssa vows to protect and avenge Song if the Teyrs come for him, which he quickly tries to discourage. Shadow says that since Song was not there, he doesn’t even know for certain that it was Oryen who died.

Song: “Ah-uh-whua...”

Shadow: “There are no other elves in this Emon place?”

Song: “Look, you’re starting to freak me out here. If I’ve been on the run for ten years [for nothing], I am absolutely going to shit a brick.”

Shadow: “That sounds painful.”

Shadow fails to see the link between the Teyrs and the Margrave. Song admits his paranoia isn’t healthy but it has kept him alive for a decade, and refuses to let others be put in danger for his sins. Shadow says they know much better than Song understands.

Shadow: “You are not dragging us. I take that back: I cannot speak for everyone else. You are not dragging me along. In fact, I run. I always run. I always run alone. I do not want to continue to run alone. It is an invitation.”

Nakiya: “It seems that most of us here seem to be running from something. It would make sense to start running together.”

The group hears the faint ringing of a bell hidden in the wall of the room. At first they think it was the bell that rings the time of day but are certain not that much time has passed. Cezika instead thinks it may be a signal.

Cezika: “A sign in a metaphorical sense, in terms of a code or communication method. You ring the bell so many times, so you know to drop your stash and run.”

Leaf: “If we do not understand what they are trying to tell us, why are they trying to tell us in a way we do not understand?”

Cezika: “Because some things are universal.”

Leaf: “A bell ringing four times is not universal.”

Shadow points out the sound of voices coming form outside the room, and Song says it could be Dren and Aeden arguing again, worrying Leaf.

Peeking out from the room, the party sees a small squad of Westruun Shields questioning Aeden. Realizing Nakiya vanished from under guard while the barracks was in lockdown after a murder, the group believes they are in danger.

The group tries to come up with some form of escape plan. Song mentions they have a couple pinches of dust of disappearance, so he wants to try smuggling Nakiya out. Leaf and Shadow also mention they can turn invisible. Ladryssa says that making a distraction means only Nakiya has to be invisible.

Cezika: *out of patience* “Song, I know you are using humor as a deflection device to hide you pain, and I appreciate and acknowledge that; but please tell me you know not to snort or eat this powder.”

Song: “..........you have really pretty eyes.”

Shadow: “This is not the time!”

Cezika, Ladryssa, and Leaf loudly exit the front, through the group of troops, as Shadow and Nakiya try to invisibly navigate the tavern. Song, attempting to provide further distraction, exits the room last, drawing the attention of one of the Shields.

Two of the Shields flank Song, attempting to magically examine him. Before they have a chance to arrest him, Shadow blankets the tavern in a cloud of darkness and ushers Song out, followed by Nakiya and the rest.

Song makes a dash for the nearest passageway to the Underwalk Ward, and Nakiya (still invisible) follows after him. Shadow keeps a watch on the roof of the Satyr, making sure everyone has gotten away safely. Everyone manages to duck out just in time before a new squad of Shield arrives, and one of their spellcasters easily dispels the darkness. Shadow goes invisible once more and then follows after Leaf.

Leaf, Cezika, Ladryssa, and invisible Shadow visit the Temple of the Platinum Dragon, mostly empty but for the clergy cleaning the hall. Leaf asks Dren why we was arguing with Aeden, and the rest of the Scales make themselves scarce before Dren invites the group into his rectory for tea.

Dren quietly explains that he, his sister Adorah, and Aeden were childhood friends and all joined the Order of the Platinum Dragon long ago. They were especially close, and Aeden and Adorah actually fell in love. When a great calamity erupted across the Ozmit Sea, Aeden talked Adorah into leaving to help while Dren stayed behind, after marrying the two them. After the crisis, Aeden returned a broken man but Dren never forgave him for taking his sister off to die far from home. Aeden crawled into a bottle and wandered the world for years before returning to Westruun and building the Sloppy Satyr as a refuge for the hurt, broken, and homeless the world cast off.

When Zeal began acting upset and closed off recently, Dren approached Aeden, for the first time in years, since he knew she frequented the Satyr. Zeal reminds Dren greatly of Adorah but feels powerless to help her when she needs it most, and reached out to his estranged friend to keep an eye on her.

Dren: “I lost my sister and I drove my brother away, I don’t want to lose my-- my...”

Ladryssa: “Daughter?”

Dren apologizes for being a bad host, but Leaf reassures him that since they came to take care of him, Dren is doing exactly what he is supposed to. Moved, Dren offers Leaf a job in the clergy.

The priest reports that the Shields had come by asking about them, asking about a “Storyweaver”, and Dren did his best to protect the party, but warns against twisting or hiding the truth too much, because even if it is the right thing to do it has a bad habit of making things worse.

Trying to compose himself, Dren offers some sparse treats to the group while Ladryssa pours tea. As they toast “to family”, Dren realizes that Ladryssa accidentally brewed a pot of TranquiliTea (a peace offering from Aeden), mellowing out he, Ladryssa, and Leaf.

Leaf: *head in Cezika’s lap* “Eye-lee...”

Cezika: “Aile.” *kissing Leaf’s forehead*

Meanwhile, Song runs away from the Satyr through the Underwalk before collapsing onto the wet, dank stone. Nakiya reappears before him, nearly scaring Song to death, but reassuring him that everyone got away okay.

Song advises Nakiya to return to the Garrison before it gets much worse, since they seem to be looking for him. She offers to stay, regardless of the danger, but Song won’t risk it.

Trying to distract himself from the oppressive gravity and stress of his current situation, Song messes around with a painted stone Aeden gave him yesterday, trying to figure out what it does. Giving up on that, Song re-disguises himself as a disgusting, ragged beggar before setting off through the Underwalk.

After walking long enough to be sure he missed his destination, Song comes across an old open chamber in the Underwalk Ward. The walls of the chamber are covered with carved names and pictograms depicting some kind of important history. It is in this chamber that Song contemplates his own history and his futures: the future he thinks he deserves, and the future he actually desires.

#firelight tales of exandria #dungeons and dragons #escape #elves are kinda racist #in that WASP fashion #which is honestly just as bad #this was a big Song episode but i am so glad other characters got their time too #oc: dren kilganon #campaign journal #oc: adorah brors #potential spoilers for Critical Role i guess but i think they were vague enough

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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Everything That Happened to Home and Away’s Alf Stewart That You Missed Because You Had to Grow Up and Get a Job

https://ift.tt/3xrVjTc

Warning: contains Alf Stewart spoilers.

Just because you’ve lost touch with someone doesn’t mean you don’t want to know when they fall into a sinkhole. That the point of Facebook – for keeping an eye on the triumphs and misfortunes of people you once knew but now can’t be bothered to talk to. Soap characters though, aren’t on Facebook. The closest you can get to nosing on their timeline is checking out at the front covers of TV listings magazines in supermarket queues to see who’s been getting married/murdered or, commonly, both.

It’s shameful when you think about it. Soap characters are people with whom we probably spent half an hour a day (an hour even, for the Australian ones, if you did the decent thing and also caught the lunchtime airing in school holidays), five days a week, for years and years and years. Then adulthood calls and pouf! It’s sayonara Harold, goodnight Madge. Take Alf Stewart of Home and Away. Once, the man was your straw-hatted rock. And now? Did you even bother to tune in for his 60th birthday celebrations in 2005? Thought not.

Assuming that you’ve been an adult with responsibilities that have kept you away from Summer Bay for at least 10, maybe even 20 years now, here’s what Ray Meagher’s Alf’s been going through while you’ve been merrily living life without giving him a single thought. It hasn’t all been organising the surf carnival, hunting bunyips, running the annual sausage sizzle and visiting Donald Fisher in the Whitsundays you know; Alf’s had it rough. And the very least you flamin’ mongrels can do is read about the time when…

He almost died in a sinkhole

A simple trip to Summer Bay High to discuss the delinquency of Alf’s grandson Ryder ended in disaster. A massive gas explosion in 2018 opened up a sinkhole under the school, trapping Alf and his daughter Roo. Unable to move under the rubble, Alf had a heart attack and thought his time had come, so he confessed to a dreadful secret: Roo’s mother Martha, thought drowned three years before Home and Away started in 1988, was still alive!

He was an unwitting bigamist

That whole Ailsa marriage? Not legit. Alf learned in 2018 that due to her personality disorder, his first wife Martha had faked her own death by drowning, leaving him and their daughter Roo. That made his subsequent marriage to Ailsa (curly hair. Had served time for the murder of her abusive father during which she was assaulted and impregnated by a prison guard then gave the baby up for adoption, died of a heart attack in 2000, just to remind you) accidentally unlawful. Alf married his original wife Martha for a second time in 2020, the old romantic.

He almost died of a brain tumour

For a while in 2003, Alf started acting weird. Some thought he was developing Alzheimer’s like his dad (also played by Ray Meagher in this flashback to Alf’s childhood), but no, it was a brain tumour. The tumour was pressing down on the part of Alf’s brain that made Judy Nunn, who played his dead second wife Ailsa, reappear as a recurring guest star in a multiple episode run. Ghost Ailsa kept trying to lure Alf to join her on the other side, culminating in a mid-brain surgery hallucination in the form of an It’s a Wonderful Life homage in which Ailsa showed Alf what Summer Bay would be like if he’d never been born.

He negotiated his sister’s hostage release from Nigerian rebels

In 2000, Alf’s little sister Celia was spreading the word of the Lord as a busybody missionary over in Nigeria when she and her companions were kidnapped and held hostage. Who sorted it? Not an international government body, but bait shop owner and president of the surf club: Alf. Off-screen, Alf ponied up the $50k it took to get Celia out, leaving him in a sticky financial situation back at the caravan park.

Movies

The inspirational heroism of Harold from Neighbours

By Louisa Mellor

Neighbours: a sober reflection on its pop music legacy

By Jamie Andrew

He almost died in an earthquake

This was back in 1996, so you may actually have been there for this one. Summer Bay was rocked by some tectonic plate-shifting, which destroyed Alf’s general store and triggered his dicky ticker giving him one of his many heart attacks.

He (very probably) had sex with his niece

Don’t judge Alf for this one, or his niece. They weren’t to know. (That said, considering the sheer volume of secret relatives returning decades after being given up for adoption in Aussie soaps, it would be sensible for any and all acts of sexual union to be preceded by a DNA test.) When the daughter a 15-year-old Colleen had given up for adoption arrived back in the Bay in 2003, now a grown-up named Maureen, she hit it off with Alf and eventually moved in with him. When he wanted to propose marriage, she got cold feet and left town. Five years later, a dug-up time capsule revealed that Colleen was the product of an affair between Alf’s dad and her mum, making Colleen Alf’s half-sister and Maureen… his niece.

He carried the Olympic torch

Okay, this was actually pretty nice for old Alf. Initially his feelings were hurt when Summer Bay High principal Donald Fisher was selected among the local dignitaries to carry the 2000 Sydney Olympics flame, but after some shenanigans, Alf got to jog that little burner right on through the Bay too.

He went to prison for nine months (and then again for nine weeks)

Following a nasty mayoral campaign, Alf was framed for embezzling money from the surf club by his dirty tricks-playing opponent Mayor Josh, who was trying to get rich from a development project that would destroy Summer Bay. Alf was wrongly convicted in 2006 and went to prison for nine whole months before his name was cleared. (Thus allowing actor Ray Meagher to star as mechanic Bob in the stage musical of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.) Just four years later in 2010, Alf went back to prison for nine weeks after being framed for the murder of Penn Graham (which coincidentally allowed him to return to the musical for its London run).

He discovered the existence of not one but four surprise grandchildren

Literally all four of Alf’s grandkids were either kept secret from him or re-entered his life years after being given up for adoption. There are probably more out there, half a dozen wayward teens who need Alf’s steady hand and moral guidance. First there was Roo’s daughter Martha, the product of a teenage pregnancy and given up for adoption. (She briefly got viewers’ knickers in a twist by becoming a pole dancer). Then there was Bryce, the son of Alf’s estranged son Duncan, who didn’t tell Alf that Bryce existed until the kid was five years old because Alf didn’t approve of Bryce’s mother Caroline. Then came tearaway Ryder, the son of Alf’s surprise American daughter Quinn, who’d been the product of a fling he’d had with a nurse during the Vietnam War. And finally came Eric/Ric, son of Alf’s surprise wrong’un son Owen, the product of a teenage relationship Alf had with Viv “The Guv” Standish (judging by her name, a professional darts player) who’d been born in secret and given up for adoption. The Alf genes are strong.

Additional Alf events

In 1998 Alf got into trouble at the caravan park for letting a blind woman drive his car (Sidenote: Belinda Giblin, the actor who played the blind woman now plays Alf’s resurrected first/current wife Martha)

In 2000 Alf’s home was destroyed in a mud slide

In 2005 Alf turned 60 and Sally Fletcher gave a lovely speech at his birthday party

In 2009 Alf went on a shark hunt after a severed hand was found in the Bay

In 2010 Alf was traumatised by the Summer Bay Race Riot

In 2012 Alf caught Malaria helping to build a school in Thailand with Sally and Milco

In 2015 Alf suffered PTSD from fighting in the Vietnam War

In 2017 Alf heroically rescued a badly burned Marilyn from a bush fire. Bravo, sir, bravo.

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Home & Away currently airs on Channel 5 in the UK.

The post Everything That Happened to Home and Away’s Alf Stewart That You Missed Because You Had to Grow Up and Get a Job appeared first on Den of Geek.

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mister-tom-a-dildo-lover · 7 years

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Strive Pt. 14

{PART 1} {PART 2} {PART 3} {PART 4} {PART 5} {PART 6} {PART 7} {PART 8} {PART 9} {PART 10} {PART 11} {PART 12} {PART 13}

Pair: Tomarry

Rating: M-E(depends)

Tags: Mild Language, Homosexuality, Sexism, Obsessed Tom, Time-Travel/Dimension-Travel, Teacher/Student, Eventual Romance, Teacher-Harry, Grey!Harry, MoD(sort of), Death!being,

NOTE: One of my many headcanons is that the Diary Horcrux was improperly made. Since the Basilisk was the one that killed Myrtle, as she doesn’t understand Parseltongue and can’t actually know what was said, there is no proof that Tom Riddle actually told the snake to kill her. He took credit for it and used it as a murder requirement for the Horcrux ritual, but there was no dialogue or order given to our knowledge.

So, Tom did the ritual without a fractured soul(because he didn’t personally murder Myrtle) and ended up ripping his soul in half which caused immense damage to his sanity. It would then explain why he went crazy so fast if the very first one was done incorrectly. And that’s the plot used in this fic.

Professor Potter sighed and removed his glasses, setting them on the desk and folding his fingers beneath his chin. He proceeded to stare Tom down evenly, green eyes flashing ominously. "Albus decided to inform me, 'for my protection' apparently, that you are a Parselmouth. He heavily implied that you are the Heir of Slytherin and that you are the cause for what happened a couple of years ago with the Chamber of Secrets."

Tom would never admit to stiffening. He liked to pretend that he was not worried or scared of what Professor Potter thought of him. He didn't care, even though he really did in a way. And it was so pathetic, that he, Tom Marvolo Riddle, would be so fixated on a single person's opinion of him. He didn't give a bleeding damn what Dumbledore thought, so why was Potter any different?

Because he treats you fairly, came a whispered voice in his mind. Because he doesn't single students out and actually treats everyone the same. Because he doesn't pity you. Because he is different than everyone else in your life.

"Just because Albus is right, doesn't mean there is proof against you, and trying to manipulate someone's view of you was foolish of him. I haven't let myself be tricked like that in a long time and I refuse to let it happen again. I can determine for myself what you are like, through my own experiences with you."

His left eye twitched only just a little bit. He kept a straight face though it was like his body was caught between the need to either frown or smile. Potter wanted to judge based on their interactions and not by Dumbledore's bias. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, sir." Admit nothing. That was usually the Slytherin mentality.

Potter shrugged, his unearthly green eyes flashing with hidden knowledge. "It's obvious that an Acromantula didn't kill Myrtle Warren. They consume their prey differently, and there was not one mark on the girl that came from a creature. Besides, anyone with a brain knows that only one creature can petrify its prey, and that is a Basilisk. Had she been lucky enough to look into it's 'great big yellow eyes' as she described to me, through another object like a mirror or a puddle, she wouldn't have died and would have just been frozen."

Professor Potter had actually spoken to Myrtle Warren's ghost. He asked her what had killed her and she described the Basilisk's eyes perfectly. A sinking feeling was settling in Tom's stomach. He didn't like how familiar he was becoming with it.

The professor leaned back in his seat and waved his hand twice. A dark book levitated off his bookshelf and opened for him, hovering in front of his almost disinterested face. His eyes roved over the page. "A Basilisk in the school wouldn't make sense normally, if one of the Founders wasn't a Parselmouth. However, each of the Founders placed a creature of their choosing to protect the school. Godric had a dragon that some fool in the 1200s killed for its hide, Rowena had a Sphinx that was sent back to Egypt in the 1600s, and Helga had a Phoenix that seems to have befriended Albus, and goes by the name of Fawkes.

"Anyway, only those of Slytherin's blood can control the Basilisk, as the book states. Which would mean you as you are a descendant of the line through the Gaunts."

Tom's eyes stared intently at the book that he did not know the name of. He had never see any book like it before, so he knew it wasn't from the Hogwarts Library. He never knew that any of the other Founders had creatures in the castle at some point. Perhaps it was a Potter Family artifact? And how had Potter known that he was related to the Gaunt Family? After all, Tom could have just been an unexpected relation that came from a splintered off line of Salazar's.

"Sir, where did you get that book? I've never seen such information in any books about Hogwarts and I made sure to extensively study the history of the school as well as our community." For my own gain, he neglected to add. It was obvious enough for him to not have to mention it.

Potter smiled, and the book slowly floated toward Tom, until he could literally pluck it out of the air. It was strangely soft, and the covering on it was unfamiliar to him. The size was larger than any tome he had ever encountered, and much heavier. Even the parchment was foreign to him. It was so… strangely brittle and solid all at once.

"My friend Mortimer helped me acquire that book. He had the knowledge of its existence and we went and fetched it from its old holding place. Normal magicals wouldn't even be able to read it however, because its author held knowledge of a specific language that is rare in this side of the world and is only connected to one family over here."

Tom turned the book over, opening up to the very first page. All of a sudden, the odd squiggles on the page righted themselves and the words SALAZAR SLYTHERIN stood out in large blocky calligraphy. His ancestor had written the book in his hands. He's written it in Parseltongue?

"Parselscript," clarified Potter, as if knowing exactly what Tom was thinking.

Parseltongue had a written form.

He frowned when he realised. "Professor, you speak Parseltongue as well?" Were they related? Was that why the man knew of his mother and knew that he was a Gaunt? Was he a cousin or something? He didn't look anything like Morfin did. And his surname was Potter.

Were they perhaps brothers and Tom's mother had a relationship with a Potter who then took Harry away? From what he'd learned of the Gaunts, they weren't a family anyone wanted to align themselves with. It would be social suicide, especially for a Potter who was of the Light side.

"Tom, what do you know of the Gaunt Family?" asked Professor Potter, sitting back in his chair as if this was not the most confusing and revealing conversation of Tom's life. "Do you know anything beyond you being Salazar's possible second to last descendant?"

'Possible'?

Knowing it was pointless to lie when he would get nothing from it in this situation, Tom shook his head. "There isn't much about the Gaunt Family beyond them squandering their former wealth and inbreeding too much just to keep themselves 'pure'." He sneered the last word, disgusted at the thought of performing any type of sexual acts with relatives. Especially with how their looks apparently degenerated overs the centuries. He couldn't understand the desire.

The Defence professor nodded and leaned forward until his elbows could rest on the desk. "In the 1600s, Rionach Gaunt broke off from the family and married William Sayre, who shared her ideals about being kind to Muggles."

Tom's upper lip rose in a sneer, but Potter ignored it.

"Their daughter Isolt, was a brilliant little witch, but ended up losing her parents to a fire. Her mother's estranged sister Gormlaith Gaunt 'found her' and 'raised her' with dubious teachings and under Dark Magic to force her compliance and isolation for years. Isolt eventually learned that Gormlaith murdered her parents and had kidnapped her, and came to resent her. She was refused any chance to attend Hogwarts, because Gormlaith didn't like it, and spun tales of why it was supposedly terrible. She decided to teach Isolt all the Dark Arts she knew instead."

Was everyone that Tom was related to, somehow a bloody moron? How could Hogwarts be horrible in any way? Sure, there were some fools here and there and Dumbledore surely tainted the air with his existence, but he would not be around always, and Tom had growing plans to make things follow his way of thinking in the future.

"Isolt learned enough magic by the time she was twelve, to successfully steal her aunt's wand and escape. She fled to England and disguised herself as a Muggle boy, who then sneaked onto the Mayflower that was headed for the New World. Long story short, she met the natives of the land, befriended some magical creatures, and ended up creating the first magical school in the states, which is called Ilvermorny."

Tom's jaw actually dropped. A descendent of Salazar Slytherin founded one of the other large magical schools in the world? And no one thought that the Founder of said school was evil or bent on world domination?

"If you want more information, I have a book that is a copy of her own bibliography. I had to go directly to Ilvermorny and be put through many tests to get it, but I do have it. It'll tell you more about Gormlaith and the Gaunts. You'll be interested to know that the wand that she stole from her aunt was once Salazar's wand. And in the end, she buried it in the ground within Ilvermorny, and it sprouted a large Snakewood tree that has magical properties that are said to heal anything if any part of it is consumed."

Isolt Sayre was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin. She never received a Hogwarts education and was only taught the Dark Arts. She went on to build the most powerful magical school in North America. And no one thought terribly of her? They didn't think she was a Dark Lady? And Salazar Slytherin, who was considered evil by most of Hogwarts for the past several centuries, had a wand that would basically be a Healer's dream come true?

"Isolt is recognised as a heroine in magical America, Tom. And her descendants are spread across the world due to traveling. I'm even distantly related to her through my mother, oddly enough. And through my father, I am distantly related to you because the Potters and Gaunts came from the same line, which are the Peverells, and many Gaunts married into the Potters way back when."

The Necromancer Three. Tom knew about them as much as anyone in Britain would. The family itself wasn't important until the three brothers supposedly created some of the most powerful magical artifacts in history. Then they drew enough attention to themselves and their craft. And they became history. Their rise and fall was described in many children's books.

Potter was nodding. "Cadmus, the middle brother, sired an unwanted daughter who changed her name when she fled his old village. She didn't want to be found and have the stain of her being a bastard following her everywhere. She became the first Gaunt, and settled down with a young and impressionable wizard from the Slytherin Line, who was angry for not being the first born and not getting the privileges of the first born. When the Slytherin Family died out a century later, the Gaunts were glad to let people know of their connection to Salazar."

"And which brother are you directly related to, professor?" asked Tom. Nothing ever said Antioch had sired children, but since he hadn't known Cadmus had any, how would he know?

"Ignotus, and even more distantly, Cadmus. Ignotus moved away from the bad reputations of his brothers and started his own family, passing down secrets and slowly changing the family name over the centuries. Peverell, Povrell, Povell, Potell, Pottel, Potter. Ironically, there are some Gaunts who married into my direct Potter branch and one of Isolt Sayer's children was my mother's some form of great-grandmother from the 1800s, which would explain the Parseltongue."

He had a distant relation who wasn't a bumbling fool. It was like a breath of fresh air in some ways, while in others, it made him a little annoyed. Why wait until now to say anything to Tom about it?

Also…

"How did you know my mother sold the Slytherin Locket?" He still couldn't understand that. That had not been explained yet. Potter had given answers to things he didn't even ask, but neglected to answer the one thing he wanted to know the most.

Potter sighed for the umpteenth time. "Mr. Borgin isn't very good at keeping secrets and it only took some persuasion when I inquired about it. Add on the fact that only one Marvolo ever attended Hogwarts, and it was Marvolo Gaunt, who had only one daughter and one son. Marvolo and Morfin had made a reputation in the magical papers as 'Possible Threats to the Statute of Secrecy' since both had been fined multiple times for casting magic on the Muggles in Little Hangleton. The daughter Merope, was the only one with a clean slate and according to the dwellers of said village, she disappeared around the time you were born, with a muggle aristocrat sharing your exact name. He returned months later, without her, and was screaming about witchcraft and love potions. It really wasn't hard to put together once everything was listed."

Tom's breathing calmed slowly. His professor had actually done some studying instead of being like Dumbledore and just accusing him of unfounded things. He researched and compiled all the evidence he had. And he wasn't treating Tom like a monster despite Tom basically admitting that yes, he was behind the Chamber fiasco.

He didn't come out and directly say it, but his questions and answers gave it away. And still Potter was being fair.

"Myrtle was a mistake," he found himself explaining, and wanting to be consumed by Fiendfyre on the spot. The look on Potter's face was of obvious surprise, but it didn't make him feel any better.

Tom bit his bottom lip for a second, before continuing. "Her death wasn't deliberate. I was simply trying to scare the students. No one actually got hurt or died, despite the bloody messages on the walls. Myrtle was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was the one who found her and it was only because the Basilisk called out to me from the lavatory. I then had to skillfully redirect some students in hopes of them finding her instead, which one of them finally did. Said student was even Myrtle's frequent bully, so it only seemed right."

He didn't send the Basilisk to kill her. He hadn't even been there when the death occurred.

"I did find it strange how they actually carried her body off," said Professor Potter, a look of confusion on his face. "Basilisks consume their prey whole, unlike Acromantula who like to draw out their feasting time so the innards can deliquesce. There shouldn't have been a body, and if you had murdered her, you would have hidden the evidence so as not to have any leads that could trace back to you."

Exactly. Tom was much better at plotting. He'd killed Tom Riddle Sr. and his parents, with Morfin's wand. And he worked some incredible magic to implicate Morfin in the scenario. He would never leave such proof behind, no matter what.

But… just because Tom didn't order it specifically, didn't mean he wasn't partially responsible. After all, he had reworked the wards on the Chamber and the lavatory, which allowed the Basilisk to open the entrances and exits with its own Parseltongue. So the Basilisk came out for another chance to explore the castle under Tom's watch, only to literally kill a student the moment it slithered from the hole beneath the sinks.

As the serpent was under Tom's orders to make such rounds about the castle, he was to blame in a sense. And when he finally learned of the ritual required to make a Horcrux a week later, he used that as his 'murder' requirement to complete the ritual. And now Tom had two Horcruxes.

So yes, it was his fault in a way, but Myrtle would not have been his choice. He would have much preferred Eldrid Avery. Because what good would it do him to pick on the pathetic and weak? Myrtle had nothing when she was alive, but seeing Avery dead and unable to bother him any longer, would have been ideal. After all, Tom targeted those who wronged him in some way, and there was no satisfaction in proving how great he was over a trampled mouse.

Eldrid acted as if he was Merlin's gift to Slytherin, and Tom would have gladly put the other in his place. In fact, he was considering using him as his next Horcrux sacrifice.

While none too fond of Muggles nor how he'd been treated for everyone assuming he was a Muggleborn, he didn't care too much. Those unworthy to be in Hogwarts would have fled upon the opening of the Chamber, and since several had actually transferred out, the school was in fact free of their taint. And no, not all were Muggleborn. Tom simply hated those who worked against him. They were removed first and foremost.

"In conclusion to this hour long discussion," said Professor Potter as he glanced up at the clock on the wall, "let's put it all out there. You are the Heir of Slytherin. We both are Parselmouths thanks to Gaunt ancestry in our lines. We're both Halfbloods who are related to the Peverells. Your mother was named Merope and she was wandering about London on her own in December of 1925 and only got ten Galleons for the Slytherin Locket. You were born at Wools' Orphanage at the end of the month and grew up there. Albus was the one to visit you. Albus doesn't like you at all and is trying very hard to ruin your reputation among others. And it would behoove to refrain from using anything but Light magic in the coming weeks."

At Tom's frown, the man shrugged. "We're dealing with Albus Dumbledore, who has many awards already and a good portion of the Light people in his pocket, no matter what the papers say of his actions. He can and will convince someone to investigate you or me if he feels threatened. A proper diagnostic scan on a wand - that is taught to the Aurors - only shows the last one hundred castings. Practice the Patronus Charm a lot just to cover yourself even further."

And just as some of his questions had been answered, he was left with dozens more. How did his professor know about the training that Aurors went through? Was he formerly an Auror? And why was he so against Albus Dumbledore when half of Britain worshiped the man? Other than gossip, Dumbledore didn't come across as an annoying person upon first meeting, so what could have put Potter off to the man?

"You may borrow that book, though I would see it returned in the state it is currently in," said Potter, drawing his attention back to the present. Yes, the book that Tom was holding was still open. The book written by Salazar Slytherin.

Realising that this was the time for him to depart, Tom stood and closed the book gently. He then slipped it into his expanded bag and gave a small bow.

"Thank you, sir." An expression that was directed at more situations than just the book lending.

The green-eyed man waved his gratitude away. "It's only right that you learn about Salazar from his own writing. Take care of the locket. Perhaps you can get a portrait of yourself put in there."

Potter would not give him away. The man had already known everything and hadn't said a word to anybody. It was strangely comforting to know that. To know that there was an adult - and he used the term lightly since they were near each other in age - who was decent and could actually be trusted to be honest and relatively impartial.

He knew that Professor Potter would do his job, and that was good enough. And when he admitted to having a hand in Myrtle's death, the man hadn't glared at him. He didn't regard Tom with disgust. He simply accepted the answer for what it was and moved on.

It was nice… to have someone that didn't fear him. It was nice to not feel that telltale sign of nausea around someone. Potter was someone that treated him well, not because Tom threatened him into compliance, or because he wanted to get on Tom's good side. The man was just genuinely kind to everyone. Except perhaps Dumbledore, though the old fool deserved if it he kept trying to enforce his opinions and views on everyone he met.

It was halfway back to his dorm that Tom realised something else. Potter's Dueling Club was starting soon. He had to work on his Patronus even more if he wanted to impress the man and the class. A happy thought or memory strong enough to power such a spell.

He blinked for a moment, and in a moment of intense thought, he lifted his wand. "Expecto Patronum."

In the darkness of the dungeon corridor, Tom Marvolo Riddle was witness to the brightness of the very first corporeal Patronus he'd ever summon. It was a large, writhing serpent covered in odd markings. It reminded him very much of Professor Potter's Patronus, which shouldn't surprise him, since it was a thought of the man himself that had fueled the charm.

Tom smiled, enjoying the sight and the proof of his own ability. He felt a little giddy actually.

It was… nice.

A/N: I’m glad to see this chapter finished. 3500+words. Tom did the charm! Harry’s POV is coming in chapter 16, so be prepared.

#Tomarry #Tom Riddle #HP #fanfiction #Watermelonsmellinfellon

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tvdversefanfiction · 5 years

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Canary Carnage

Chapter Eight: Return to Star City

18 Rating: Moderate/Graphic displays of violence, sexual innuendos, sexually charged scenes, SMUT, strong language and potentially triggering scenes.

Pairings: M/M, F/F, M/F.

Laurel Lance was more than happy to be back on her earth in Star City returning to her beloved city as The Black Canary with the new added assistance from The Green Arrow which was more than a little awkward for her considering the green arrow was Oliver Queen who just so happened to be her first love who was presumed dead and had cheated on her with her sister.

Putting her awkward alliance with her ex aside Laurel was happy to be home happy to be back to the rules of her earth and despite missing her siblings she was more than ready to wave goodbye to Earth Blood or at least she was for the first few weeks until her estranged mother Dinah Lance arrived in Star City in need of her daughter’s help thanks to a certain revenge seeking Bane who decided to target Lucas’ family since Laurel sought out the help of Team Flash to close any connecting portals to Earth Blood.

Laurel held up a lot of resentment for her mother mostly due to her leaving her and her brother shortly after Sara’s supposed death and had cut off all contact with her mother when she never showed up for her father Quentin Lance’s funeral making Laurel feel completely and utterly alone at a time she needed her mother most but despite all resentment Laurel knew she couldn’t pick and choose who needed saved.

“You know all this trouble would be easily solved if you just made it clear to Bane you wouldn’t give a damn if he killed either of your children considering Sara is the only one you ever cared about.” Laurel snapped at her mother as she and Dinah stood in the living room of Laurel’s apartment. “Lucas sure as hell wouldn’t care if you died and that’s one thing, I can’t actually blame him for.”

“Laurel I admit I wasn’t a very good mother after everything that happened with Sara and then your father, I should’ve been there for you both, but I could barely be there for myself.” Dinah replied to her daughter, looking genuinely remorseful. “I didn’t mean to abandon you when I left but all the grief of losing my daughter was tearing me apart and I never thought I’d ever come through it…until Sara returned.”

“So, the prodigal daughter returns and suddenly your super mum again yeah it doesn’t work like that mother dearest.” Laurel argued with her mother. “I’ll help you with Bane because it’s Lucas’ mess not yours but after I’ve dealt with him, I want you gone.”

“I’m so sorry I left you alone but know I was just as much alone as you were.” Dinah admitted, tears forming in her eyes. “When I think of all the ways I failed you and Lucas it tears me up inside…I can’t help but blame myself for Lucas’ awful crimes.”

“You’re not to blame for Lucas turning into a psychopathic killer I mean you left me too and I did just fine.” Laurel said with a reluctant sigh, feeling bad after seeing tears in her mother’s eyes. “Maybe it’s more of a case of his genetics and less of the people who raised him.”

“What do you mean by that Laurel?” Dinah asked her daughter while drying her tears, genuinely confused by her daughter’s words.

“Because you and dad adopted him and don’t bother lying because Sara may have bought the surprise baby thing but I wasn’t as naïve or as young back then and there was no sign of you ever being pregnant before or after Lucas’ arrival.” Laurel answered her mother. “It’s okay mum adoptions happen all the time I actually think it’s great you and dad decided to take in another kid.”

“Laurel…Lucas isn’t adopted.” Dinah revealed to Laurel. “Things aren’t exactly as simple as that with Lucas technically your father and I adopted him but that’s not the whole story you see Lucas isn’t my son he’s my grandson.”

“Wait…how is that even possible?” Laurel quizzed Dinah, more confused now about her brother than ever before. “Do we have a secret sibling we don’t know about or something? Who the bloody hell is Lucas Lance?”

“He’s your son or at least he will be your son in the future.” Dinah admitted to her daughter leaving Laurel shell shocked as she sat down on the couch in her daughter’s apartment. “This is going to be very confusing Laurel you’re going to want to take a seat.”

Laurel Lance thought she knew everything when her younger brother Lucas suddenly arrived in the Lance family home after she came back from school although at only eight years old her supposed conclusions continued to change: at first she believed the stork method of baby delivery was proved that day, then as she grew older and into her teens she believed her father had an affair and the baby mother dumped Lucas on their doorstep but as she matured into adulthood she realized her father would never do such a thing and so she decided adoption was the only reasonable conclusion.

The truth however was far more confusing than anything Laurel could’ve realized no matter what age she was although in Laurel Lance’s defense even Batman himself would have a hard time getting his head around the idea that a future version of Laurel Lance from a dark future traveled into the past to convince her parents to raise her son as past Laurel’s brother.

Dinah and Quentin both had a hard time at first trying to get around the idea of a future version of their daughter coming to them with their grandchild who they would later raise as their own child but Dinah was no stranger to the crazier things in life having a canary cry of her own with a heroic yet troubled past.

Future Laurel didn’t reveal too much to her parents only that her son was called Lucas and she came from a doomed future in which her son wasn’t safe and that’s all they needed to know from their daughter although now as Dinah sat next to present day Laurel she realized she probably should’ve asked a few more questions about her future.

“I don’t understand Lucas is my son not my brother…I didn’t even like the idea of him being my brother I mean I hated it so much that him being adopted was such a relief because at least we could blame his parents for how he turned out instead of us…and now he’s my son.” Laurel said in shock as she struggled to come to terms with her mother’s revelations, as she and Dinah sat on Laurel’s couch within her apartment.

“You’ve dealt with future timelines before when you’ve teamed up with The Flash, I’m sure you know how complicated the future can be and how it’s always changing.” Dinah attempted to explain to her daughter. “You’re future self-showed up one day stating the future was bleak and that bringing Lucas here was his only chance of ever having a normal life of course we wanted to know more but she didn’t have a lot of time.”

“I guess you know a lot more about this crazy world than I ever expected if anything you know more about it than I ever did.” Laurel replied. “Dad too.”

“Yes, I’m afraid keeping that secret from you was just another awful decision I made as a mother.” Dinah apologised to Laurel, clearly ashamed of her many mistakes as a mother.

“No mum you did what you needed to do this one isn’t on you.” Laurel admitted as she reached out and held her mother’s hand. “Clearly future me was a better parent than I ever could be.”

“You never knew who Lucas was how could you? We made sure you never worked out in case it somehow effected his future.” Dinah made clear to Laurel as she tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand, trying to convince Laurel she had no reason to feel guilty. “Of course, now he’s turned out to be a murderer I’m not so worried about the future being changed anymore.”

“Mum, what exactly are you trying to say?” Laurel asked as she pulled her hand away from her mother’s.

“Lucas had killed so many innocent people made such powerful enemies and I know I’m not innocent in the monster I mothered but if you make sure he’s not conceived then he’ll never be born and all those people he killed will still be alive.” Dinah revealed coldly to her daughter, reluctantly giving Laurel an awful ultimatum which they both realized may just be for the greater good.

Oliver Queen’s return to Star City wasn’t anywhere near as happy as Laurel’s, he knew his sister Thea died of an overdose when she was a teenager, but he didn’t realize the toll it took on his mother Moira who was comatose after a pain killer influenced car crash leaving his long awaited return home from being anything but a happy one.

However he was still the Green Arrow he still had the mission of saving Star City and he still had Laurel in his life, the same woman he had loved his entire life even if he didn’t show it particularly well but this time around he was determined on being a better man.

The only problem was the Black Canary didn’t want or need the Green Arrow for anything other than heroic duties because she had not only found a way to heal her hurt over her betrayal but she had stopped loving her Olly a long time ago which to be fair was a man Oliver himself no longer was which would turn out to be good news for them both.

“Laurel…” Oliver said in shock as he opened the front door of the Queen Manor to find Laurel stood on the doorstep. “You don’t normally come here.”

“I don’t normally need your help but my mum’s being hunted by Bane clearly we’re the new targets now which is super fun now.” Laurel revealed to him. “I tried calling in for some help from Flash and co but they’re not exactly answering right now so it’s just up to you and me to stop him.”

“I should probably suit up then.” Oliver replied to the Black Canary. “Let’s just hope taking down Bane sticks this time around.”

“I have to chase some leads about Bane’s whereabouts first we don’t have a wonder witch with locating spells at hand on this earth.” Laurel answered the Green Arrow, wishing she had Davina on this earth. “I was actually hoping you could play bodyguard to my mother while I play detective.”

“Your mother?” Oliver asked, hoping he had heard Laurel wrong. “Your mother despises me with every bone in her body especially since the day she…”

“Caught you with my sister.” Laurel butted in while rolling her eyes, clearly still holding some judgement towards him for sleeping with her sister. “How about you babysit my mother and we’ll call it quits?”

“I did say I’d do anything to earn your forgiveness Laurel I just wish it would be literally anything else.” Oliver admitted to her.

“I’ve forgiven you Olly I really have.” Laurel replied with a sincere smile. “I just can’t forget it…but maybe just maybe we can work on being friends again.”

“I’d really like that.” Oliver told her, truly happy for Laurel’s forgiveness.

Laurel Lance was a truly amazing woman and nobody knew that better than Oliver Queen even the idea of Laurel forgiving him felt like a pipe-dream a few years ago but he should’ve known better if anyone could forgive him for his multiple sins then it would be Laurel but what Oliver didn’t quite understand forgiveness and redemption didn’t necessary mean a reunion was on the cards for him and his first love.

Dinah Lance, maiden name Drake, was a powerful woman in her own right working as a singer in a nightclub within Gotham City until she met a young detective named Quentin Lance and she began using her meta-human abilities to help him solve crimes as the two partners found themselves becoming lovers then spouses leading to Dinah falling pregnant with her first child.

Everything changed for Dinah Lance when she became a mother to her firstborn daughter Laurel as her and her husband moved to Star City upon her husband’s promotion as Dinah became a full-time mother as she was gifted with her second daughter Sara.

Dinah never regretted her choices though having grown up in a broken family she longed for a family of her own and even with the shock addition of her grandson she pretended was her son she was happier than she ever thought possible until the day she learned her then young adult daughter Sara was sleeping with her big sister Laurel’s boyfriend.

Dinah had never been so furious in her life to see the lack of loyalty from her own blood and words were exchanged by mother and daughter words Dinah never would’ve said is she knew she was going to soon loose Sara and words she wished she could take back and for that she blamed herself, she blamed the world and most of all she blamed Oliver Queen.

“I get you’re some green hooded hero nowadays Oliver but every time I look at you all I see is the catalyst to the destruction of my family.” Dinah bluntly told Oliver as the two of them walked into the living room area of the Queen Manor. “A part of me realizes you’re not to blame for everything but that doesn’t make it any less difficult to see you or be seeking your safety.”

“I understand there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could rewrite history, but I can’t and so instead I seek to change my future.” Oliver replied to the Lance matriarch. “I’m truly sorry for the part I played in your family’s heartbreaks.”

“Oh, now I’m mad at myself for being mad at you and even more mad at you for making me feel this way.” Dinah sighed and she sat down on a nearby chair. “Sara was at as much fault as you for betraying Laurel and nobody’s to blame for what happened on the Gambit but I did let down Laurel and Lucas after it all…Quentin too…the truth is it was my grief that destroyed my family.”

“Mrs Lance you lost a daughter nobody can blame you for falling apart anybody would I mean look at the state of my family after they lost me at least you’re back now and have a chance of fixing things I can’t get Thea back and I don’t think my mother will ever wake up.” Oliver explained to Dinah as he sat down on a chair next to Mrs Lance, the two bonding over their losses. “Sara’s alive, Laurel’s still very much Laurel just stronger and well Lucas he’s complicated but I’m sure you can uncomplicate him.”

“Lucas was such a sweet and loving child so quiet and timid you’d always just assume he was the happiest kid in the world because he’d never let you know otherwise or maybe he was just too quiet in a house so bloody loud.” Dinah admitted to the Green Arrow. “Laurel was such an overachiever we were always so proud of her and Sara was forever getting herself in trouble that I was forever getting her out of…the two girls just kind of demanded our attention and sadly Lucas clearly suffered because of it.”

“You can’t blame you or Quentin for how he turned out you loved him and were there for him for most of his life that’s all you could’ve ever done.” Oliver replied, trying to make Dinah feel better.

“He was just such an easy child to raise and now he’s turned into this monster this monster that I made him into I should’ve loved him more paid attention to him more made him feel more special to us I mean for Christ sakes he was our first grandchild and came from the future it doesn’t get more special than that.” Dinah cried, not noticing she had slipped up, leaving Oliver shocked by her reveal. “He fell under Slade’s bloody control in some desperate attempt to be loved and it changed him forever…if only he knew how much we really did love him how much I still do despite everything.”

“What do you mean Lucas is from the future?” Oliver asked her, determined to learn more about the Red Canary. “Grandchild…is he Sara or Laurel’s…”

And just like that Dinah Lance had found herself explaining Lucas Lance’s existence to someone else not realizing that the person she was explaining to was her grandson’s father in the future for Lucas Lance was the biological son of the future Black Canary and the future Green Arrow.

Laurel had always had a problem with how Lucas turned out never fully understanding how he could change into a cold hearted monster overnight and when he first aligned himself with Slade Wilson she was determined not to lose another sibling but after several attempts to push the Red Canary towards redemption she eventually began to believe they was no saving him or at least that’s what she believed until she wound up on Earth Blood and started to see something still human about the twisted meta-human.

It wasn’t easy for Laurel Lance to say goodbye to Sara or Lucas but she did due to her loyalty to Star City and her tiredness of being the sister trying to save her siblings but now that she had learned Lucas was actually her son sent from the future by a future version of herself she began to feel the kind of guilt only a mother could feel making her realize she had to return to Earth Blood one way or another and be there for the son she technically hadn’t even conceived yet.

Before Laurel could even think about going anywhere she had her secret son’s enemy Bane to deal with and her estranged mother Dinah to reconnect with while protecting her from Bane in the process the only problem was she wasn’t exactly sure how she was going to take him down once she found him.

After a long day of searching lead after lead only to get nowhere Laurel returned to her apartment eager to get some time alone before dealing with her mother but before she had a chance she found Bane stood in her living room eagerly awaiting for the Black Canary to get home.

“The good thing about nobody wearing masks in that other world is the fact it helped me work out your identity of course I always thought Laurel Lance was the black canary but now I know it to be true.” Bane greeted Laurel sinisterly, clearly ready to attack her at any moment.

“Your ability to hold a grudge is seriously something else I mean your targeting his entire family now that’s a bit overkill considering the circumstances don’t you think?” Laurel asked him rhetorically. “He’s gone why don’t you just get on with your life and go hunt someone else down for revenge?”

“I’m sure the death of his sister will lure him back here or at the very least I will please me before I kill your mother too.” Bane said before charging at Laurel who attempted to stop him with her canary cry only for him to push past the sonic scream to punch Laurel across the face with such force she went flying through her apartment door, crash landing onto the floor in the hallway as Bane walked over to her.

Laurel quickly rose to her feet and charged towards Bane launching a series of punches and kicks at him, which seemed to not even make him flinch as he grabbed a hold of the black canary and sent her flying mid air across the hallway as Laurel back flipped and landed on her feet before releasing another canary cry, wishing her powers were as strong as they were in Earth Blood as Bane started walking through her sonic scream once again.

Laurel continued to let out her canary cry with more intensity as it grew louder and louder finally stopping Bane in his tracks as she used the full extent of her power to keep him stuck to the same spot quickly realizing she couldn’t hold out for much longer but luckily for her she didn’t have to.

A bat boomerang smashed through the window behind Bane hitting him directly in the back causing him to be electrocuted with intensity as he fell to the ground unconscious allowing Laurel to stop her canary cry much to her relief before seeing Batman himself burst through the same window, smashing the window completely as he landed on his feet in Laurel’s apartment building hallway.

“I figured Bane would come looking for the Black Canary after the Red Canary went missing.” Batman told Laurel, his voice deep and husky, as he walked towards her. “Now that I’m here where exactly is Lucas Lance?”

“I’m starting to see the point of no masks considering everyone knows who I am anyway.” Laurel replied to him while catching her breath. “Lucas has been dealt with but thanks for stepping in to help with this one.”

“I’ll make sure he’s never back in Star City again Laurel but make sure you do the same with the Red Canary and Gotham City for everyone’s sake.” Batman instructed the Black Canary.

“Sure, thing Batman…what exactly did Lucas do in Gotham?” Laurel wondered, hasty about the answers her question could lead to.

“What didn’t he do?” Batman scoffed. “I know he’s your brother Miss Lance, but some people are not capable of redemption.”

Seems like Batman didn’t know everything like many suspected and that was a relief to Laurel knowing her son from the future had a very violent past with Batman and his bat family and being the only one who still had some hope Lucas Lance could be redeemed, even if she knew that hope was born out of desperation and learning her brother was really her son.

The last thing Oliver Queen or Dinah Lance every expected was the two of them to be at Queen Manor sharing drinks and reminiscing about the past, finding themselves bonded by the mistakes they had both made which led to the downfall of both their families but somehow that’s exactly what they were doing.

“I always thought Lucas was going to turn out to be yours.” Dinah admitted to the Green Arrow as she took a drink from her glass of whisky. “Of course, Quentin always fought me over that one, but I was convinced…guess I was wrong.”

“That’s probably for the best considering Lucas and I never really got a long anyway although it does have me wondering who the hell his father really is.” Oliver replied, curious to know what the future held for his first love Laurel, as he too held a glass of whisky. “I don’t think she’s really been with anyone in years not since her and Tommy broke up.”

“Maybe there isn’t a father the future is always changing and raising Lucas in the past might have changed all that although of course then there’s the confusion to why he still exists.” Dinah explained to Oliver as she finished her glass of whisky. “I can’t help but think that history needs to be changed…that Lucas not being born could be what’s best for everyone…and it breaks my heart to admit it because I still love him after everything but by god I wish he was never born.”

“Your son…grandson isn’t beyond redemption nobody is I mean sure he’s done some unspeakable acts but many of us have including Sara and you forgave her because she showed regret and I believe Lucas does regret a lot he’s just not ready to admit it yet.” Oliver reassured Dinah, surprising himself by standing up for the Red Canary, as he finished his whisky. “I’d like to think one day when…if my mother ever wakes up, she’d be as forgiving as you are.”

“Nobody is ever perfect as a child never mind a rich one you were bound to be a bit of a spoiled brat you’ve turned into a brave and heroic man, a hero of course your mother would be forgiving hell she’d be proud as punch.” Dinah told him with sincerity. “Besides Laurel and Lucas were amazing children and only one of them turned out to be a success story.”

“I’m guessing you mean Laurel.” Oliver joked, knowing for sure Dinah wasn’t talking about Lucas. “Laurel is truly a remarkable woman…if only I was wise enough to know that all those years ago.”

Oliver and Dinah had many regrets over their actions in the past knowing they both brought a lot of heartache towards Laurel and that they’d never truly be able to make up for their actions but both willing to continue to try.

Star City may have been home to the Black Canary but for now Laurel Lance knew she had to be somewhere else at least for now but luckily for her she knew she could trust her old friend Oliver Queen to continue to keep her city safe as the Green Arrow until she returned as it was time for Laurel to put her son first as her mother Dinah decided it was time to help her daughter restore the Lance family.

“So, this is where the portal was originally then?” Dinah asked her daughter Laurel as the mother and daughter stood opposite each other in the same alleyway in which Laurel and Lucas originally wound up on Earth Blood.

“Yes, we did open one up elsewhere to get rid of Bane but if I’m going to get this exactly right which I hope I do then we’ll need to re-enact the original.” Laurel explained to her mother. “I really didn’t think I’d be going back there, and I can’t say I’m thrilled about returning.”

“I want to come with you I may be older than I used to be, but I’ve still got a canary cry and you said you’re stronger over there which means I will be too.” Dinah revealed to a shocked Laurel. “It’s time I start being the mother I’ve always wanted to be for all of you.”

“Mum I don’t know what I’ll be walking into…Lucas is unpredictable at best and that’s before he shacked up with one of the vampires and Sara’s a vampire now…I don’t want anything to happen to you!” Laurel admitted. “You’re the only parent I have left.”

“I’d rather die within a day of being back with my family then spend my life alone Laurel…I failed you all once I will not fail you again.” Dinah promised her daughter before the mother and daughter shared an accepting look and both began to scream their canary cries.

Laurel and Dinah continue to make their sonic screams louder and louder tearing at the thin air until a portal appeared instantly pulling them both in as both mother and daughter disappeared into the portal both hoping they’d soon be having a family reunion knowing that when they did it would definitely be a complicated reunion at best.

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