#his uncle and aunts are going to murder someone

[dcxdpdabbles]

Jason: I can't make sibling game night.

Dick: Give me ONE good reason why you can't! We've been planning this for months Jay!

Jason: I know, and I'm sorry, but Danny caught the flu.

Tim: Who's Danny?

Jason: My son-

Damian: I am a UNCLE!? You have sire a child and have yet to introduce me to my nephew!?

Jason: I-

Damian: How old is the child!? Have I missed his first steps? Words? *Gasp* HAVE I MISSED HIS FIRST LAUGH!?

Jason: Danny isn't a infant he's five-

Damian: Five!? I have missed five birth celebrations and holidays, and who knows what else!? All because of you!

Jason: I just adopted Danny! I found him beaten black and blue in the dump. I think some asshole was trying to kill him. My men are searching the city.

Tim: I think it would be a good idea to replace Sibling Game Night with Sibling Man Hunt instead. I think we owe it to Danny for meeting him so late to Hunt down the asshole who attacked him. All in favor?

Damian/Duke/Cass/Steph: Yes!

Tim: Dick, are you opposed to-wait where is Dick?

Jason: He ran out the window as soon as he heard what happened to Danny. My guess is that he wants to find the asshole before you so he can put him into the ground. Don't look at me like that, Dick's always been bloodthirsty and violent. He just hides it better.

[romaritimeharbor]

I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO LISTEN TO THE THOUGHTS RAHHHH 🫶🫶🫶🫶

FAMILY (OF SORTS) — Platonic Fatui Harbingers & reader.

i. SUMMARY: The Fatui Harbingers have a soft spot for Arlecchino's child. ii. CONTENT WARNINGS: None! iii. NOTES: STRICTLY PLATONIC, headcanons, fluff, parent!arlecchino, house of the hearth!reader, all of the harbingers are reader's weird aunts and uncles, gn!reader, they/them pronouns used, 1.6k words. iv. A/N: the fatui are just a dysfunctional found family and i will die on this hill. shoutout to @romaritimeharbor for listening to my rambles about this idea 🫶🫶 also pierro and pulcinella aren't here because i could not think of anything to write for them :')

All of the harbingers knew about Arlecchino’s child; the one that appeared in Fatui Headquarters stuck to her side, eyes cast to the floor. They all saw the way that Arlecchino had held a soft grip on their shoulder, guiding them through the halls with the gentle touch of a parent from the gentle hands of a monster.

The Knave always swore she didn’t play favourites, but from an outside view it was clear that they held a special place separate from the rest. Anyone could see the way they appeared so much more frequently by her side. They were permitted to sit in on meetings, following her like a shadow. Some of the Harbingers guessed that she had picked them to be her successor; that their frequent shadowing was training them to take over once she was gone. Others joked about Arlecchino’s apparent soft side taking over. Whatever the reason, time went on, and the Fatui saw more and more of them.

All of them varied in their opinions of them—some indifferent, some fond—but the Harbingers all cared for them in their own ways.

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Columbina simply adores them. They’re just so small and cute, so tiny and fragile! Admittedly, her idea of ‘tiny’ is rather skewed—applying to anyone she deems weaker than her (notably, this label also gets given to Capitano and Tartaglia, despite their larger size and physical strength. The Damselette is truly an enigma.)

Whenever Arlecchino allows her to watch over them, she is delighted. She has a penchant for pet names, so ‘angel’, ‘my sweet’, and ‘lovely’ are all more commonly used than their name. Sometimes there’s a ‘baby’ or ‘bub’ if she’s feeling particularly affectionate, but no matter the name, it is always dripping with sweetness. She’ll sing to them too, to calm them down or get them to sleep. Her voice is gentle, laced with as much love as she would show her own child.

Some Fatui believe Columbina is a woman formed from hollow sweetness; that behind the lazy smile and soft voice, lies a callous and unfeeling heart, but her insistence on singing them to sleep comes from a place of genuine affection.

When they have to return home, she’ll kiss their cheeks and sweep them into a hug, making them promise to visit her soon.

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The fact that Arlecchino would tear out his throat with her bare hands if he dared to look at them the wrong way is the only thing stopping Dottore from roping [Name] into one of his experiments. Even then, he can’t help but investigate them a bit. Nothing extreme—please put the knife down, Knave—just some simple trials to see how they work. A quick strength assessment, a test of their reflexes, enough to judge the effectiveness of the House of the Hearth’s training.

The segments all had different opinions of them, varying from Prime’s general indifference to some of the younger segments fondness towards them. The latter were less likely to try to trick them into the lab—not that Arlecchino would allow them anywhere near it without strict supervision—and instead focused their efforts on convincing them to help mess with the rest of the Dottores. They proved to be an excellent partner in crime to thoroughly ruin the older segment’s day.

Despite his assertion that he won’t harm them, Dottore tends to be the one Arlecchino trusts least around her child. His unwillingness to get on her bad side doesn’t stop her from insisting Columbina or herself accompany them whenever they visit his lab.

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Tartaglia loves them. The days he gets to see his siblings are few and far between, so he’s always eager to play the older brother for them, and for any other House of the Heath kids that stop by. In fact, whenever any of the children visit, he makes sure to buy them plenty of sugary treats and candies before quickly sending them back to their Father.

(Arlecchino was not happy the first time this happened. It didn’t stop him from doing it every time, though.)

He was the first to convince them to call him Uncle, a feat that he bragged about to the rest of the Harbingers. This small incident would inadvertently lead to a petty competition to see who their favourite is, an event that would quickly spiral out of control with bribery and promises coming from all sides.

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Sandrone is very particular with who she allows in her workshop. When the rare guest was allowed inside, they had to follow three simple rules: do not touch anything, do not move unless I tell you to, and do not talk to me while I work. When [Name] first stumbled into the room, she was prepared to discourteously shoo them out the way she did whenever Tartaglia poked his head in to see what she was working on. But after some extensive begging, she relented and sat them down in a corner to watch her work. 

Even if she is far less fond of them as some of the other Harbingers, she still audibly squeaked the first time she was called Aunt Sandrone. This was covered up with a cough, but nothing could stop the warmth blooming in her chest. It was the first time a living creature had addressed her with such a familial title; some of her synthetic creations had a habit of calling her Mother, but this was a living, breathing person.

After they started calling her that, she quietly told them they were free to visit when she was working—provided they did not interfere with anything. 

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As much as he denies it, Scaramouche has a big soft spot for kids. He’ll swear up and down that he doesn’t care for them at all, but he treats them noticeably gentler than he treats any other member of the Fatui. Arlecchino once caught them huddled against him, using his wide-brimmed hat to shelter from the rain. She never let him forget that moment—the fearsome Balladeer, who notoriously never let anyone close enough to touch him, allowing her child to use him as an umbrella.

They remind him a little too much of the young boy he once considered his family. Whenever he spends time with them, there is something inside that both urges him to protect them in the way he couldn’t protect that child, and warns keep them at arm’s length before they betray him too. But his endearment towards them prevailed, and he begrudgingly allowed them a place in his heart.

Unlike Columbina’s affectionate pet names, the only nicknames Scaramouche gives them are ‘kid’ and ‘brat’, depending on his mood. On good days, they might even get called by their name, though it is a rarity. He cares for them, truly. In his own, strange way.

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Capitano is the best at giving advice out of all the harbingers. He is much more down to earth than Columbina and Dottore, and far less cynical than Scaramouche and Sandrone. He’ll let them ramble about their frustrations freely before offering gentle suggestions on what they should do to help. Even if they aren’t looking for a solution, he’s patient enough to hear out their thoughts, however jumbled and incoherent they may be.

He also likes teaching them skills he deems important for a young person to know. These include cooking—Tartaglia is not allowed to join them in these lessons after he almost burnt down the kitchen trying to ‘help’—as well as sewing and mending clothes.  

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Pantalone never would describe himself as parental. He never cared too much for kids; he hadn’t enough patience to deal with constantly crying babies or needy toddlers. Arlecchino’s child was thankfully far above that age, so they were less unbearable to deal with.

He was quite happy to spoil them with extravagant gifts and treats to win their favour, but the most effective way he does so is simply spending time with them. Trips to luxurious restaurants for lunch, allowing them to shadow him while he works. He also likes to give them advice—completely unasked for—about life, and relationships. Unlike Capitano however, his advice is of a much less helpful; he has a habit of advocating for blackmail for solving problems.

In exchange for a box of the most expensive pastries in Teyvat, he got them to call him their favourite uncle in front of Tartaglia. The miniscule dent in his funds was worth the look of betrayal on the younger Harbinger’s face.

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Signora easily took the longest to warm up to them. When she first met them, it was easy enough to label them as Arlecchino’s brat and move them from her mind. But they kept appearing, in and around the headquarters. At first they were always glued to the Knave’s side, but eventually Signora began to see them wandering alone through the halls. She took note of them—not out of any attachment to them, only out of self-preservation knowing that if Arlecchino found out her child landed themself into trouble while she was close by, it would be her funeral soon.

The sense of obligation faltered when she started to grow fond of them. They were irritatingly innocent, a rarity within the Fatui. Something about the spark in their eyes reminded her of when she was young—when she still had warmth in her heart and blood in her veins. For the first time in centuries, her frozen heart began to thaw with care towards another person, and begrudgingly, she began to accept that they were not as unpleasant as she once believed.

reblogs and comments are appreciated! ♡

[cloakedsparrow]

Bat Family AU wherein only Barbara and Tim know Huntress' true identity. So when Tim needs a fake relative after Jack's murder, instead of hiring a complete stranger to pose as his uncle, he hires Helena to be his fake aunt.

As a teacher, she is against him dropping out of school but she knows him and listens to him, so she realizes how hard the last few years have been on him, especially with how often he had to change schools. They compromise, with her signing him up in a homeschooling academy. He does a lot better and even starts taking AP classes in several subjects since his training has caused him to advance in them. Not having to get up early for school or hide so much from his teachers/classmates/parental figures(s) also takes a lot of pressure off of him.

Helena gains access to the Robin's Nest Tim builds in or near their building. She also upgrades her suit and staff using some of the materials and specs from his suit and gear. They both are very good at recognizing when the other is getting close to someone who isn't good for them, or pushing themselves too hard, and they intervene.

When Barbara eventually learns that Helena is posing as Tim's aunt (probably because Helena told her) she's like "Okay, I expect this kind of thing from Tim, but why would you agree to this?!"

Helena points out that she needed to find a way to supplement her teacher's salary if she was going into keep up the vigilante gig anyway; Robin's new computer set up rivals Oracle's; and this way she can make sure the bambino does his homework and gets enough sleep.

Barbara realizes that both Robin and Huntress have been on top of their game lately.

Once she calms down from realizing that Tim just needed a decent parental figure all this time, she and Helena start trading notes and working together to keep Tim and Cassandra from turning out like Bruce, Dick, or Jason.

Whenever they learn about this, Bruce and Dick will be insulted. Jason and Alfred will add their own notes to help.

When Tim's report card comes back with straight A's and Cass has learned to read all the street signs, Helena and Barbara take them out for pizza and gelato to celebrate.

Occasionally, Tim reminds Helena that she's just supposed to pretend to be his aunt. She ignores this and reminds him to do his schoolwork and eat something before patroling.

It works.

[averagewriter-inthedark]

A Family Affair 🔥| House of Dragon Headcanon

Being the cousin of Viserys I, Daemon, & Rhaenys would look like: 

You're the youngest of the bunch, born roughly five years after Daemon in 86 AC by one of the many offspring of King Jaehaerys I and his wife Queen Alysanne Targaryen and were raised in the Red Keep alongside your family members. Despite being younger, you were close with your many cousins, specifically Rhaenys, Viserys, and Daemon. Clinging to them like a little shadow and viewing the three more like older siblings than cousins. 

From a young age, you displayed courageous and sometimes controversial characteristics. Claiming the mighty Silverwing as your mount on your ninth name day, henceforth you were dubbed "The Daring," by the Court and the Seven Kingdoms. The nickname applying as you got older for your sharp tongue to the Lords and Ladies of Westeros, as well as fighting on the frontlines during conflict in the name of your King & Gransire. 

You were highly more favored by the Court opposed to your older cousin, Daemon, aka the Rogue Prince. The vision of duty, honor, and loyalty, you were what every Targaryen upheld. So much so that some believed you should have been a contender as Jaehaerys' heir. But unlike Rhaenys and Viserys, who were the eldest grandchild and eldest male relative, you were unmarried with no children. Something you had no interest in obtaining and was your main criticism by the Court. Had you been, then the Lords of Westeros may have drawn to your favor as the future ruler of Westeros. A fierce warrior and respected member of society. 

But you can't lie, you and Daemon were more alike than what the Court desperately tried to ignore. Where Rhaenys and Viserys were on one side of the coin, you and Daemon were on the other. The only thing that made Lords and Ladies believe otherwise was the fact in public settings you two were constantly at each other's throat. Constantly bickering, exchanging childish insults, and calling the other out. To them, you both despised each other. Unaware that behind closed doors Daemon is the first person you go to when you're suspicious of someone and vice versa. And when Viserys is crowned King, naming both you and Daemon to his small council, you two know better than to trust anyone else than each other. Not blind to the cunning snake that is Otto Hightower. 

Speaking of Otto Hightower, he's not your biggest fan as you can expect, but he tolerates you far more than Daemon. Otto hates that you, like Daemon, can see through him and verbally question him during council meetings. But unlike Daemon, Otto doesn't have to worry about you causing scandal and knows you would never bring dishonor to the Targaryen name. Really you two ignore each other, and only exchange pleasantries when in public at Court. And Otto knows better than to cross you. The one time he suggested Viserys try to arrange a marriage for you, you hunted him down and made sure he thought twice before ever trying to rid you of the Red Keep ever again.

"Next time it crosses your mind to plot schemes against me, my Lord Hand, remember what happened to the last man who tried." There was rumor the last Master of Coin had been murdered, coincidently after suggesting you had no place on the small council. Otto had his suspicions, but never questioned aloud. "You would not dare." "To not, would be an insult to my name." 

As your cousins had children you became an aunt/uncle figure to them. Rhaenyra in particular loved to be around you, trailing you like a little shadow like you once did her father and uncle. She liked to stand close to you during small council meetings and accompany you to the Dragonpit or training yard. And you were quick to notice her affections for Daemon as she grew, something you brought to Viserys attention to which he brushed it off as her being young and having a silly crush. When the King named her heir, you bent the knee and swore to her as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. As for Laenor and Laena, you sometimes surprised them at Driftmark to which Rhaenys was grateful. Each time you brought gifts from Kings Landings and your travels, as Viserys tasked you with maintaining domestic and foreign affairs by visiting the Great Houses and Essos. 

You were no fool when Viserys announced his intent to marry Alicent Hightower following the death of his beloved and your cousin, Aemma. Alicent was Rhaenyra's closest friend, therefore there were times she joined you and the Princess at Court. She was a young, sweet thing, and it filled you with rage that Otto had enlisted her to seduce him in his goal to merge the houses and hopefully put Hightower blood on the throne. But most importantly, you were furious with Viserys, "She is a child, cousin, and your daughter's best friend, nonetheless! How could you do that to Rhaenyra?! Do you not see what place you've put her in?" And when you openly accused Otto of scheming Viserys was quick to shut you up like he did Daemon the year before. By the end of the heated argument, which the maids and guards feared could turn violent, you expressed your disappointment in your cousin before taking leave. Finding Rhaenyra to say goodbye, leaving her tear-stricken and taking Silverwing to head for the Stepstones to help Daemon and Corlys with the war. 

It would be years until you returned to Court, alongside Daemon following the victory against the Triarchy. Viserys welcoming you two back with open arms, and you resumed your place at his small council. You met his young children Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond, then little Daeron came along. And you were quite displeased with your cousin after observing how closed off he was with them, the children displaying happiness whenever you were near and trailing you like a little shadow. Reminding you of when their half-sister and cousins were their age.

Aemond liked to shadow you more than his siblings, as did Daeron before he was sent to Oldtown. Which is no surprise given Aemond wanted to be a skilled warrior like you and Daemon. Pleading with you to teach him how to wield a sword and claim a dragon. Helaena liked to show you her bugs, and while you didn't understand her riddles you never treated her like others in her family. You'd sit with her in the gardens or the library and keep her company in between her lessons. As for Aegon.....he was a sweet child who turned into a menace resulting in you having to knock him down a peg. You knew it was due to his mother and grandfather's influence, but that didn't excuse his behavior. While you never laid a hand on him, all you had to do was give him a look and it sent him running with his tail between his legs. 

This trait of being an aunt/uncle continued as Daemon had daughters with Lady Laena, who you visited in Pentos at least twice a year, and Rhaenyra having sons with Laenor. Again, you were no fool. It was obvious the parentage of Rhaenyra's sons was questionable due to their physical traits. But you kept your tongue silent and loved them, helping raise them as Targaryen Princes. Lucerys clung to you if his mother wasn't present. You dotted on him, as he was the more emotional one of his brothers. Especially when the topic of his future to Driftmark was brought up. "Worry not, my sweet nephew, you've a long way before taking your seat on the Driftwood throne. Until then enjoy your youth. Leave all the politics and boring stuff to the adults." 

Though the children were technically not your nephews and nieces, you viewed them as such and would go to war for them. Sometimes trying to hide them from the harsh reality of what it means to be a child born into the Royal house of Targaryen. Their future was something you feared but didn't show. And whenever you, Daemon, Viserys, and Rhaenys found yourselves in the rare company of each other, it reminds you there is no stronger bond than the blood of the dragon. 

[two-white-butterflies]

parallel lines | d. targaryen | part eight

Description: An ordinary middle school teacher moves to a desolate town with her fiancee. After suffering episodes of vivid nightmares, she realizes that his uncle looks exactly like the man in her dreams.

Pairings: daemon targaryen/reader, aemond targaryen/reader

Trope: Reincarnation

TW: Murder. Non-Con.

series masterlist |

"If you know it in one glimpse, it's legendary You and I go from one kiss to gettin married." - loml, Taylor Swift.

(TARGARYEN RESIDENCE. 2008)

It was a hail mary from the beginning. Two people who had everything to lose, plotting to have more than they could handle. "She must've known." Alicent breathes, playing with the rosary-styled bracelet on her left wrist. "- I told you not to cheap out on the assassins. We'll get the money back anyways." she scolded.

Her grip on the bracelet tightened. Viserys' took a deep breath.

"I did not hire mediocre mercenaries. It was a recommendation from the goddamn Governor of Texas. If you're searching for good mercenaries, you're not gonna find them because people who kill people for a living don't have a moral compass." he gritted his teeth. His anger doubling at every second he spent in his wife's presence.

"I couldn't care less about their moral compass. You should've hired someone who had a follow through." she hissed, glaring at him. "I'm sorry but I'm not the one who wanted Olivia L/N dead." he groaned, standing up and attempting to exit the door.

She stares at the side, the sight of a crucifix snapping her back into reality. "I don't like the role that you're giving me, Viserys." her voice cracked, her fingers dancing along every bead. Along every Hail Mary. Her breath hitched for a second.

Fearing the person that she's become.

He made her this way. He manipulated her, made her believe that the love that they shared was true. He made her fight for every scrap of his love. He made her a monster. Now, she was finally thirty, fifteen would never cross her mind. "You're the one who wanted to give your children part of Aemma's company. I was following your wishes." he tried to flip the table at her.

Our children. She wanted to correct him.

It might've been her idea, but he didn't give her a choice. Her children would live in poverty without the money that Aemma provided. Alicent didn't have a job. She didn't even finish High School, and it was obvious that Viserys wasn't going to be around for long.

"Don't worry about Olivia. She doesn't have the guts to sue us. I hope that you learn to be content with what you've been provided. Not everything has to be handed on a silver spoon." Viserys remarked.

Aemond breathes. "They're fighting again." he spoke through the landline. Fighting was a normal occurrence in the Targaryen Household, it was always about the inheritance.

"Mom ought to accept that the old man isn't gonna leave us a single dime." Aegon chuckled. His older brother long accepted the fact that Viserys hated all his children from his second-marriage.

"- Rhaenyra has always been the golden child. I don't know why we bother." he added with an eye-roll.

Aemond pressed his lips closer to the microphone. "Dad hired someone to kill Aunt Olivia." he dropped the bomb, and the other line answered with silence. "- Mom figured that if Aunt Olivia died, then all the shares would go to Dad, and there'll be enough for us." he whispered, careful not to be heard.

"He'd rather have someone murdered than give us a tiny piece of Rhaenyra's billion dollar inheritance? I study in New York. I should kill Aunt Olive, make Mom proud for once." his lips pressed into a thin line, seriously considering that random thought.

The younger brother responds with a chuckle.

"You won't do that Aegon. You're not actually a murderer." he laughed, thinking that it was his older brother's way of making a joke. Aegon licks his lips. Right, not a murderer.

OLIVIA L/N FOUND DEAD IN AN NYC APARTMENT WITH NO CURRENT SUSPECTS, POLICE SOURCES SAY.

NEW YORK -- Police sources are revealing more details about a murder in Manhattan. They say that the New York City Police Department is currently conducting investigations about possible motives for the crime.

It happened in Upper Manhattan, sources say that the first person that found the body was Ms. Olivia L/N's daughter, then a neighbor that chooses to remain anonymous.

Olivia L/N is the co-founder of Dragonpine Brewery, which has now expanded into different industries including real estate, technology, and pharmaceuticals. She currently owns 49% of Dragonpine Brewery, but all shares are expected to return to Viserys Targaryen, who too, owns 49% of the company.

The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide due to the blunt force trauma to the head, and stab wounds on her stomach.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-***-***-TIPS. ALL CALLS ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

(PRESENT)

Daemon couldn't stop pacing and forth. Luckily, the bullet didn't hit anything important. You could still use your ankle normally in the future, but it would take time to heal.

"It's a medical miracle. It's the first time I've seen it happen." he remarks, trying to calm himself down.

The entire thing was difficult to process. He found it hard to believe that Aemond suddenly lost all semblance of normalcy and broke. "The gun wasn't registered. He could face charges, unless Alicent drives by with her golden chariot and bribes the judge again." he rolled his eyes, unwilling to let his nephew live scot-free.

"I told her about Aemond's past, the case with the girl and Nick. She could've confronted him about it, brought memories that he couldn't handle. He could've been guilty." Rhaenyra suggested, shaking her head. "Where is he?" Daemon's eyes narrowed.

He peeked through the halls, searching for his nephew's familiar silver-gold locks. "Down at the police station. Jace tells me that Aemond's shaken. Unable to form any statement." she adds with a deep breath. Aware that the story was reaching its climax.

"Alicent won't let him speak anyways. Where's Helaena?" he paused, reminded of his youngest niece. "She's babysitting the kids. Daemon, role-calling everyone won't be enough to distract you from Y/N. She's a wall away, I can hear her heart monitor from here." she pointed out.

Clearly as nervous as he was.

"I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe that we're given a second chance at everything, but we're still making the same mistakes." he sat down on the bench beside her.

He wanted to be a better person. Make his life worthwhile, but with the people around him repeating the same mistakes over and over. "I feel like I'm trapped inside a paradox. We'll die, then we'll get reborn and repeat everything again. It's like that show we watched. Are we in the Bad Place?" his eyebrows merged together.

"I don't know, Daemon. It feels like hell, but then I see my sons and I wouldn't trade this life for anything else." she had a bitter smile on her face. A nurse steps out of your room.

Daemon rises to his feet.

"Is she awake?" he inquired.

"No. I don't think that I'm at liberty to say this but - being unconscious for this long isn't normal. They'll do some tests, but I'm sure she'll be fine." the nurse felt inclined to speak out, seeing Daemon's worried face.

"Are you her boyfriend?" the nurse asked.

Rhaenyra's face softened. "It's complicated." she bit her lower lip.

(HARRENHAL.)

TW: NON CON SCENE (WILL STATE WHEN IT'S OVER SO YOU CAN SCROLL DOWN TO IT)

You breathe in the smell of smoke. Harrenhal was a curse.

"You will die here." you whispered, the prophetic visions finally finding solace inside of you, like they've found solace in Alys.

"You dampen the mood." Aemond pours himself a goblet of wine. "- it will not stop me from having my way." he reminded.

"I know." you whispered.

"We won't be needing this," he stated, cutting swiftly through your gown. He was staring at your body with the intensity of a thousand stars - you could've sworn that it was love - but it was not. "Why are you doing this?" you whisper, covering your breasts.

He does not acknowledge the use of your tongue. He ignores you. He presses a kiss to your jaw, inhaling the scent of your jasmine perfume. A prisoner has never lived more lavishly than you. "Riñītsos," he answered, hands trailing down to pull yours away.

"You sleep beside my sister knowing such stain is upon your honor." you gritted your teeth.

"Stomach up." he commanded - eyes twinkling with lust. "Legs open," he added - seeing you in the vulnerable position.

You couldn't remember anything that happened afterwards.

(NON-CON SCENE OVER)

"I care not about what he's done to your husband. I care more about what you had to go through." Alys looked at you in a crestfallen way. She vowed to protect you, but her visions clouded her judgement. Made her believe that Aemond was their savior.

"It'll be the same tomorrow, Alys, unless you can remedy this curse then rid yourself. Leave my presence." you pleaded, unable to stare into her eyes. The same eyes that you looked at in the mirror. "You may think me cold, that all I've ever grown to love is him. I thought that I could control him, but he is like the wind." she shook her head.

"You cannot catch the wind, sister." your breath quivered.

"What I've done is payment for my sins," she started.

You snap out of the trance. Eyes finally meeting hers.

"What did you do?" you asked.

"I killed him." Alys admitted, only then did you realize the streak of blood of her cheek. "I'm sorry." she apologized, falling to the floor.

"I forgive you." you bite the insides of your cheeks.

You've watched your sister hold the enemy softer than she's ever held you. You watch her let peace slip through her fingers. You watch her betray you and you forgive her, because this is the role she must play. You cannot resent the dancer for the actions of the song.

"There will be a boat going to an island near the Ghiscari Empire. I hope that you find peace there." she handed you three dragons. "What about you?" you tilted her head, feeling the tears trickle down your cheeks. "I must stay." she reminded.

It was the last winter that you'd spend with this body. You lived sixty more years without your husband. Now, you were old and frail - there were lines on the sides of your eyes. Wrinkles that weren't there when your husband was still alive.

"Have some tea." Serenei's daughter beckoned.

You complied.

Feeling every bit of your consciousness slip away.

You had a vision the night before, that this would be your last life. You already broke the karmic chains and learnt all your lessons. There was no need to restart the pain and suffering.

But you sharply argued with the gods.

Told them that you had to be reborn. You needed to see Daemon. You needed a life where you could be with him longer, and happier.

The gods granted you that gift.

And thus, here you are again.

Your throat felt dry; like you haven't drank water in a thousand years. You hear the machine beeping beside you. A feeling of someone's hand on top of yours.

You opened your eyes.

"Daemon," you whispered.

"I remember."

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OK THIS LINE

You've watched your sister hold the enemy softer than she's ever held you. You watch her let peace slip through her fingers. You watch her betray you and you forgive her, because this is the role she must play. You cannot resent the dancer for the actions of the song.

WAS COPIED FROM @faiIwife on twitter. IT MADE MY LIFE IM SORRY.

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Can Jay read me to sleep pls? Family holidays mean I need comfort

Same. This fucking blows. Here's not that, but some Jason anyway.

"Stephanie," Dick said taking a head count of the assembled ladies in the party, "where is Y/N? We seem to be missing one particularly charming beauty-"

"Is she not-" Stephanie looked around the crush and bit her lip, "Oh dear."

Dick traded looks with Tim as Cass glanced at Jason who's Jaw had tensed as he scanned the crowd. "What happened?"

"She must have stepped away for a moment. She said she wasn't feeling well and Miss Vivian and Mr. Graham- you know how very proud they are of their library-"

Jason felt his heart kick up a notch. The Library. Right next to the room where a bunch of lecherous old fools and idiotic young dandies would be drowning their common sense and their manners at the gaming tables with appalling amounts of alcohol. And you were by yourself?

That would never do. Before he could think, or even grab one of his sisters to drag with him, he's gone. Not entirely sure how or why he feels like you need to be protected but. Hell if he's going to let some old codger ruin you and then make you out to be a scheming little harlot.

He wound his way up the stairs and through the hall, forcing himself not to run. But the relief that washed over him when he realized you were still alone- it was short-lived.

"Y/N?" he called softly. The room was dim but for a the moon and the streetlamp's light coming through the window. "Are you-"

"I'm quite alright, I just- I'm sorry, Mr. Todd. I'll rejoin the party in a moment."

Jason edged closer the the sound of your voice, leaving the door ajar and took a deep breath. You didn't sound alright. You sounded desperately unhappy. And it needled. "Jason," he corrected, gently.

"I-I don't think-"

"I think," he said, forcing himself to keep his tone light as he worked toward your voice, "That my sisters will never stop scolding me if I don't give you permission to just call me Jason." You'd tucked yourself in a dark little corner, obviously intending to have a little cry, a sulk, or maybe just... a moment's peace but. He couldn't feel bad about interrupting you.

Not when you looked so much like a painting. Three weeks since he'd seen you. And all he could think about was how lovely you would look with a garnet necklace. And some less gentlemanly part of his brain added 'and nothing else'. Making him grateful for the darkness in the room so you couldn't see him blush.

"If you're sure-"

"Quite sure," he said, kneeling in front of your chair and offering a fresh handkerchief. "Don't cry, wildflower," he said, "Whatever it is-"

"It seems like every time we talk all I do is cry or faint," you murmur.

"Sometimes you make very funny jokes," he said. "Did someone ruin your slippers? Do I need to send Stephanie after them?"

"No I-" You break off and shake your head, "It's not serious. I shouldn't trouble you with it I just. I guess I'm being foolish-"

Before he could stop himself Jason gripped your free hand and bent his head to kiss it, "If you were being foolish you'd be crying in front of everyone and causing a scene," he said. He didn't add that you were foolish to be alone. Not now. Not when he was so close and the room was so quiet you hardly needed to do more than whisper. "Tell me?"

"I-it's going to sound so terrible."

"I promise it won't." Last night he'd tracked a murder suspect. And the night before he'd had to question a grieving widow.

"I- my Aunt and Uncle have decided that I'm to pay them back for my room and board. Which means that at the end of this Season I'll have no money and I just- what else is there?"

And when you start to cry in earnest, hiding your face in your hands, trying to make yourself smaller for comfort, Jason feels his heart twist. "Don't cry," he pleaded. "What else is there? Wildflower-" He stopped and pulled your hands from your face, tilting your chin up carefully and as he wiped your face, he couldn;t help it.

The air was thick. So heavy and full of the scent of your perfume that if he didn't do something- anything- Before he knew it his lips were claiming yours.

Not as tenderly as he wanted. Or as chastely. But when you squeak in surprise and then... melt. He can't stop. He just can't. You taste exactly as good as you smell. And your lips- like ripe, sweet fruit. All he can do is keep going.

And it's not untl he hears a crash that anything else registers at all.

[ftl-faster-than-life]

Trying to articulate the eldritch horror aspect of the Speedsters is really difficult because it's hard to put into words…You're Wally West, you're nineteen years old. You loved your deceased uncle more than almost anyone (except your aunt, but she's dead too.) You're working with a nutritionist to try to understand why your powers have changed since his death (you never needed to worry about starving to death in five minutes before.) She tells you something you don't want to hear: That power you're using came from that dead man. He wasn't human, not since before you met him, in being hit by lightning he became it. He was an energy source with a smiling face.

He was some kind of monster.

Because then he met you and you got hit by lightning, too, the accident was identical except it wasn't an accident, not really. He remade you in his image--not just with the silly tailored down costume you were happy to wear, proud to be like your hero. He connected you to him, fed you power. Made you into his companion because he was lonely in his inhumanity. Made you not-quite-human, too. You remember how much the idea that he wasn't entirely human haunted him and how he clung to the things that made him ordinary. Denial.

And now he's dead, and your powers are on the fritz, and you have two kinds of dreams: The ones where he rejects you and takes his powers back and you're left with nothing. And the other ones which are stranger (you don't have to unpack those first ones, really, the meaning is obvious.) You dream that you're talking to a dead man. He still cares about you, still wants to look after you, asks you about your week like he used to and tells you you're doing a good job, he's so proud of you. It's harder to believe these ones.

You keep looking for a way to fix your powers, you need to be faster but you can never quite push past a certain point. A man from the past tells you it's all in your head, you're afraid of being faster than a dead man, you don't want to replace him. You're damned if you're going to let anyone else do it, though. You push past that limit which you grudgingly acknowledge really was self-imposed. You nearly die anyway…but you're saved, last second, by a bolt of lightning.

You say thank you, because you know that was him.

You spend years getting faster, more powerful. You have a spiritual connection to the power that's unrivaled by anyone, past or present or future. You're the Fastest Man who Ever Lived. Sometimes you still see signs of intervention in your life, in other speedster's lives. He shows up for your cousin, then disappears again.

Then one day….he comes back. Not as a time traveler, not as a brief manifestation. He's alive and breathing and at first you feel pure relief… then you feel nervous.

What does it mean for you if he's alive?

The other shoe drops soon enough, you don't even get to the Welcome Home parties before the reveal: He was dragged out of the Speed Force by his worst enemy, who has remade himself in the process. He's not like you anymore, he's like him. They're unique, two of a kind. Connected, it turns out. It takes all of you to beat him this time.

Your uncle's got something on his mind, though--a murder over a decade old, his mother's. It's unnatural, a change to history written by his enemy. He's desperate to make it right. He wants to save her.

They fight. You're not there for this confrontation and afterwards, you aren't anywhere. He draws the entire Speed Force into himself and with it, he takes you. And your cousin, your kids, your mentor…Every other speedster.

You, your friends and family, all spend the next years in a strange state: Not alive, not dead, you never existed and no one remembers you. Then one day someone does--he does. He draws you out, fully formed and as you remember yourself (as he remembers you.) You fall into his arms and he holds you and you know the love you're feeling is real.

No one else remembers you at all at first, which isn't his fault it turns out. You're angry and you have every right to be but lashing out at him doesn't feel right either.

But you know he'll forgive you, so you let your helpless anger and grief break against that forgiveness.

Then someone, an enemy from an era you can't go back to, offers you a way to save your children. To get your life back.

All you have to do is destroy the power that is shared with you. Your uncle begs you to reconsider. He reasons with you. You can't help but see that for what it really is, a selfish plea for continued survival from that force.

You make the choice.

Because ever since you were nineteen, you've known your uncle was some kind of monster.

[breadandblankets]

how i hc duke's relationships with the other (main) bats

bruce: mentor/friend/weird HS teacher u bond with kinda thing, i think bruce on his end still feels simmering guilt for not being there for duke when he needed him, duke feel simmering resentment towards bruce for being another adult that left him, this will boil over at some point but then they'll get over it, they will never be that dumb nuclear found family thing, i think doug and elaine would like bruce tho so maybe one of those friend of the family situations where u call someone ur not related to aunt/uncle

cass: very very good friends, would probably consider her a sister from another mister if u will, i would hesitate to call her a best friend *gestures at all of war* but i think she's up there, i really love the headcanon that there is some tension on duke's end because cass has the ability to be more efficient but she actively chooses not to, i think for a long time duke is going to be holding some unhealthy and unrealistic standards both for himself and also people around him, like everything else this causes tension then erupts before it gets resolved, cass i think would know about said tension the whole time but have no idea how to bring up the issue or how to even think about resolving it so it drags on

dick: i think duke holds a grudge for the robin war thing, and i think he fucking should iykyk, (the way he just leaves duke on a roof??? with cops????, i was shouting at my fucking comic) idk i think dick would probably make light of it for a while but duke would be real fucking clear that he remembers and won't be forgiving and forgetting any time soon, i think they're acquaintances at best but realistically, coworkers

damian: like cass Extremely good friends, found family if you will, honestly i think they got a lot of their interpersonal issues out of the way before duke becomes signal, so really its a matter of time before they actually become friends and not just acquaintances, they're old man young to me, i think they do old man things like feed birds in the park and play Go together, i think damian is probably one of the only people duke doesn't hold to his standards, he thinks damian deserves to be a kid, making damian be a kid is probably some of the only time that duke is forced to relax by proxy, therefore duke and damian's friendship is strongly encouraged by bruce who is out of his depth for what to do with both of them and throwing them at each other seems to be working (👍 parenting)

tim: i honestly don't think they know each other well, like i think they may have talked once??? so i don't have shit to base their relationship off, generally i think they're amicable if distant, like a coworker you say hi to at the coffee machine

babs: i Need them to interact, honestly it would be really funny if duke meets babs for the first time as oracle and he's just like??? you're my favorite librarian? and babs is like !! we missed you when you stopped volunteering!!! and duke has to be like yeah that was the joker, i think they would have a good relationship, they don't work together all that much cause oracle doesn't run duke's ops and duke isn't usually on the night shift but they know they can call each other in if they need. one of duke's few trusted AdultsTM

jason: i think rocky at the start, duke would definitely have some Memories of the red hood, that would probably be a hill to overcome, but i generally think that jason will eventually move into a more positive position in the city even with the shadows of all that stuff following him ofc. they are absolute Assholes to each other in a way that is clearly affection, jason will let duke get away with anything up to and including murder, duke will never let jason get away with anything, its like a typo in the group chat

steph: re same as tim, and babs practically nothing to base the relationship on BUT i think they would get on like a house on fire, like cass: sister from another mister energy, steph is giving duke the "you just found out ur dad is a supervillain" support he needs, they are the only bats successfully going to college they probably go to events on campus together, idk they have so much potential as the forgotten robins and all that, i think they should bully bruce together that would be so fun.

[crepesuzette2023]

Ivan Vaughan writes about John and Paul

This is just a relatively brief excerpt from Ivan Vaughan's book, which, for the most part, focuses on his life with Parkinson's disease. (From what I can tell so far, it's absolutely fascinating: far more than 'simply' a memoir, it's a reflection on illness, the mind-body connection, science, psychotropic drugs, patients' autonomy...and much more.)

But since this blog is climbing the drainpipe to the John & Paul business, and there's been some recent discussion of Mark Lewisohn's claim that John was such a bad boy Ivan's mother sent her son to a different grammar school to separate the two, I thought the following might be interesting.

And the ending of this chapter also gives some context to Paul's reaction to John's murder—another topic about which ML has interesting opinions.

This isn't to pile on ML, but more...as words from someone who was there.

(CC: @mythserene, @anotherkindofmindpod) I met John when I was three or four years old. One wet morning there was a knock at the front door. My mother opened it, and looking down, found a boy a bit older than me, smiling, but preoccupied with the effort of remembering what he had been rehearsed to say.

‘I believe a little boy lives here. I wondered if you might like to come out and play.’ He stood there in the porch, rain pouring down behind him, with a pair of slippers under his arm.

‘Come on in. What’s your name? You live round the corner don’t you?’

Next day I went around to the house where he lived with his aunt and uncle. We played with Dinky cars. I was surprised by his generosity and willingness to share his toys; he was happy even for me to take some of them home. When his Uncle George came home with some sweets John readily shared them. There was an immediate bond between us. He was older, read books, and his great intelligence and experience were apparent. I accepted his leadership but I was determined to preserve my independence. From the warm security of Aunt Mimi’s control, John accepted me into his life.

John was a member of his local library and immersed himself in books so that by the age of five he was already a fluent reader. I was still in the infant school when he started at Dovedale Road Primary School, but we played together after school and weekends. There were numerous parks, a golf course, and fields full of tangled growth and trees — just right for playing cowboys and Indians. In one barren area with large lumps of hard earth we played football and cricket. We spent hours digging all tracks to race our Dinky cars. Our most exciting game, though, was ‘fires’. We would go to a large area of waste ground and simply set fire to the straw and watch the place. I have never understood why nobody stopped us.

John’s gang comprised, besides himself, Pete Shotton, Nigel Wally and me. I was the youngest and was constantly having to prove my worth. I feel privileged to be John’s friend since he was nearly two years older. He protected me against Timmy Tarbuck and his gang on the rare occasions when I made the mistake of confronting one of them.

John and I went to different grammar schools, but I used to hear about the chaos and riots that seem to be a daily feature of his schooling. I’d rather lost touch with him when I went to university, and did not see him again until sometime after I was married. Then one day, as I was playing with my little boy Jus on the steps of our house in London, white Rolls Royce turned into the road. John jumped out followed by a woman I have not met before.

‘Hello, Ivy! This is Yoko.’ (…)

My attachment to both John and Paul ran deep and occasionally I would go to great lengths in order to see them at a moment’s notice. Maybe Paul saw our continuing friendship as a way of maintaining simple values he held dear. Jan liked Paul, though she did not see much of John. She was not the least bit mesmerized by their fame. She enjoyed eating at expensive restaurants in sampling London’s nightlife, into which Paul took us from time to time. But, should the effort to come to great, she was willing to let the relationship fade.

A month after telephoning John in New York [with the news of the Parkinson’s diagnosis; their first conversation in years], a heavy parcel was delivered. It was not until I was reading the titles of the books it contained that I realized they had been sent by John and Yoko. There was one by Arthur Janov, author of the Primal Scream, and one entitled Mind Magic. How to Get Well had on the fly-leaf a message from John that read ‘to start looking’, and The Snow Leopard had a note saying ‘to relax’. This last book gave me the greatest pleasure and I frequently re-read passages from it. Its author, Peter Matthiesen, lost his son through illness and journeyed in Nepal and in Inner Dolpo on a completely pointless journey to catch sight of a snow leopard. The peace he found travels across to the reader from each page.

John’s accompanying letter urged me, in punning language, to keep my spirits high and strongly suggested that it was up to me whether I sank or swam. I must not lose faith in myself.

Ten weeks later he was shot dead. Paul and I did not contact each other about it; in fact, we never brought it up in conversation. I hardly reacted outwardly at all. The day after John’s death, however, a colleague said that he supposed I was very upset at what it happened. I heard myself say: ‘I don’t know what I feel. I don’t know that I feel much at all’. As soon as he had gone, I instinctively made my way to a room where I knew I could be alone, and I wept profusely.

-- from Ivan-Living with Parkinson's Disease by Ivan Vaughan. 1986.

[the-unknown-fandom]

(MY) EPIC Headcanons

I love Jorge work so much (Suffering/Puppeteer are my favorites). I also like to thank OSP for giving a brief summary of the Odyssey.

After Odysseus kills/murders the suitors he spends a month relaxing with his son and Penelope.

Odysseus tells Telemachus about his Uncle Polites/Uncle Eurylochus.

Odysseus tells Telemachus about his adventures.

Circe becomes an aunt to Telemachus and a mother figure to Odysseus (Because I said so). Even though Circe doesn't come to Ithaca she sends letters to them.

I'd d like to think Odysseus was a heavy sleeper but became a light sleeper during his adventures.

During the song 'Underworld' Polites was singing open arms, but was holding the baby from the song 'The Infant and the Horse'.

When Ody first met Penelope he LITERALLY tucked a hair behind his ear. Penelope found it cute. Telemachus gets that trait whenever he is flustered & reminds Pene of his father.

Hermes is the Grandfather to Ody. (When researching how Hermes is related to Ody it was tricky and I gave up).

Penelope is the man in the relationship (Change my mind).

Odysseus was scared as shit to go near water because of Poseiden. Took him a few years to heal from that.

Odysseus doesn't know this, but Athena thought Odysseus as a son, a companion, someone closes to her. Even after their falling out, Athena goes out of her way to protect Odysseus. Which is shocking even to the gods. Gods aren't really attacted to mortals.

During Thunder Bringer Zeus actually consider to spare Odysseus crew if Odysseus was to sleep with him (whether he wanted to or not), but Hera intervened. Hera is very protective of men who are very faithful to their partners (Ex: Ody). Plus she knows Odysseus will always stay faithful to Penelope and she loves that about him.

Helena of Troy (after being rescued) had nightmares, even with her husband she's still scared that Paris or any of the trojans coming to get her back to Paris. Menelaus really wanted to rip Paris part by part because of the pain he caused to his wife.

During his childhood, Telemachus would always sleep next to his mother, Telemachus always feared that one of the suitors would violate his mother when he wasn't there to protect her.

Hermes gave Odysseus magic weed- Athena almost beat the shit outta him for that.

(In the Odyssey) Hermes did NOT like Calypso after what she did to Odysseus. Ares had to restrain him from going after Calypso.

Odysseus learned some flirting tips from Circe that he tried to use on Penelope (It didn't work, but he did get a kiss!), Penelope tried the same and Odysseus was a flustered mess.

Athena checks up on Ithaca once n' a while, Odysseus knows this and always left a window opened for the Goddess to watch over his family and kingdom.

While Poseiden was attacking Odysseus for blinding his son, half of it was because he was claimed by Athena, but now because Odysseus wasn't claimed by Athena anymore, Poseiden could do more harm.

Odysseus is a short king (that we almost stan ✨️), he was at the height of his father when he was in his early teens. Odysseus was recored as the shortest king of Ithaca, his son being only 2 inches higher than him.

Odysseus comforted his sister about Eury's death. Eurylochus was married to Odysseus younger sister, Ctimene, making Eurylochus Odysseus brother in law (Odysseus actually helped Eurylochus marry his sister, because he knew Eurylochus was the right and prefect husband for his sister.

(Will update this soon)

[alwaysforevermaybenever]

YANDERE FARMER BOY: INTRODUCTION

× cw: general yandere stuff; getting lost; large families; implied scary relative; stalking; manipulation; murder; cannibalism

× note: kenji my beloved

⌗ A country bumpkin who just moved to the big city with his father, mother, four sisters, three brothers, grandparents, other grandparents, uncle, aunt, six cousins, dog, cats and cow. His family isn’t big at all, it’s normal sized! Your family is just pretty small, you know?

⌗ He was lost, wandering in the busy streets when you found him. He looked so pitiful and innocent: who in their right mind wouldn’t stop to help him? In the end, you directed him back to the apartment block he lived in with his family. (They brought up the entire floor.)

⌗ His family was so thankful they gave you their home grown watermelons - they’re super delish, and completely natural, unlike those supermarket fruits with nasty preservatives. 

⌗ From then on, you keep seeing this farmer boy everywhere! The park, the mall, the shopping centre, even in your neighbourhood! He must have a terrible sense of direction, huh? Either that, or he’s stalking you. 

⌗ But that can’t be it! Who’d think that? He’s a sweet summer child, with not a single mean bone in his body. Sure, he may be a little naïve, but he’s an honest and compassionate person. He treats everyone he meets with kindness and respect, and gains a lot of friends as a result. In fact, he’s already quite popular with the local community!

⌗ You think that after four months he’s pretty used to the city, but he still insists on you visiting him at his apartment - his siblings miss you! (So does he.) Everywhere you go, he’s right behind. You’re going to buy some groceries? What a coincidence: he’s been sent on some errands as well! Visiting the post office? He’s free right now, so he’ll accompany you!

⌗ If you ever try to excuse yourself from his clutches, he’ll attempt to guilt trip you into staying. His grandparents have been waiting to see you for a week already! His grandma even made your favourite snacks - won’t you visit? If that doesn’t work, he’ll resort to sticking to you like glue. It’s okay if you don’t know he’s there. He’s just protecting you, okay?

⌗ He loves to spend time with you, because you’re the person who noticed him and helped him! Everyone else ignored him because he looked poor, but you didn’t care about any of that! You’re such a blessing! He’ll be sure to treasure you forever and ever.

“Hehe, thanks so much, [Name]! You’re always so nice to me! I’ll be sure to repay you in every way I can.”

⌗ He may be from the country, but he’s no fool. He comes off as naïve, but that’s because he believes that he should only retaliate when the other person hits first. That way, it’s self defence!

⌗ Humans are scum. Of course, the only exception is his family and you, whom he loves with all his heart! He'll be overjoyed if you’d become part of his precious family too!

⌗ If anyone bothers you or even looks at you wrong, he’s already onto them. He may not be able to really read the room, but he still knows when someone holds hostile feelings or thoughts. After all, he knows plenty about hostility. The villagers were full of that hateful feeling when they drove out his family. That’s why they came to the city, y’know? But it’s not all bad; he met you!

⌗ Humans are like cows. They’re fat, and they make a lot of noise. They’re also quite dumb. Whenever a cow misbehaved in his old village, he would just give them a hearty slap. If that didn’t work, he’d knock them out. And if the cow continually made trouble, it became dinner’s beef. There are lots of similarities between cows and humans, actually!

⌗ Don’t worry if the beef patty tastes a little tough or gamey. Him and his mother assure you that it was just a really active cow. It mooed a lot, and ran around everywhere too! It was too bad the cow was getting too big, and too expensive to feed… Indeed, what a shame. 

⌗ His family can’t wait for you to move in with them! You practically sleep over with him everyday, why don’t you just stay there permanently? He’s a very (abnormally) strong boy, he can help you move all your things into an empty apartment! They have an empty unit anyway: it’s perfect for you to live in with him! 

⌗ His younger siblings are absolutely in love with you - each and everyone of his siblings claim that they’ll marry you when they grow up, but he’s quick to scoop you up in his arms and proclaim himself as your future husband! Wouldn’t that be a dream come through? Oh no, now the cousins are here too! They’re all clamouring for your hand in marriage! In the commotion, he whisks you away to kiss you feverishly (he’s jealous).

⌗ His parents live in the first unit with his youngest brother, and his brothers and sisters live in their respective apartment units. His uncle and auntie have their own apartment, as do his cousins and their two units. His grandparents have a unit, and his other grandparents have one too! With you and your lovely farmer boy sharing a unit, that makes nine units in total!

⌗ But wait, doesn’t this apartment complex have ten units per floor? As long as you don’t inquisitively ask about unit ten at the end of the hall, or the rotting stench that seems to waft from it, everything will be fine and dandy! You don’t need to know about the family’s extra beef stash.

“You make me super happy, [Name], and I’d love to spend the rest of our lives together. You’re always helping me, so I’ll make sure to repay that a thousand times over. Imma make you so happy, you’ll never wanna leave me!”

[littlespacereader]

Okay, so! @shadowlord23 and I were rant and raving about criminal minds, you know, as one would. We were talking about (spoilers) the season where Spencer gets arrested and is stuck in prison. @shadowlord23 made a great point to say “Well what if that happened and he was a caregiver?” CUE MY BRAIN EXPLODING WITH POSSIBILITIES!

I will warn those about to read this. It’s not the usual happy and fluffy fics I usually write. While I did give this a happy ending, the rest of the fic is sad and definitely hurt/comfort up until that point. Please be warned it’s a sad story for the most part.

While in my eyes I see it as Safe for work because I never write anything NSFW or anything +18, I didn’t put the SFW tag on here because of it’s darker tone. But please know that is doesn’t have any graphic violence or anything +18.

This story is one I enjoyed greatly writing! I loved the different type of story, one a bit angsty. Please let me know if you enjoy it! Thank you again for the idea @shadowlord23 ! 🥹🙌

Through the Glass📞

Caregiver! Spencer Reid & GN Little! Reader (plus BAU Family)

Tags - tantrums, lots of crying, hurt and comfort, BAU family unite!, hugs, forehead kisses, happy ending, angst…a lot of it, but a strong CG and Little connection,

TW- mentions of violence, mentions of weapons, talk of police, being ripped away from a cg, going to a prison

They explained the plan me not once but three times. Its supposed to be a simple, Spencer goes into the drug deal alone, he pretends to be the seller in order to get the buyer to show up and somehow manages to get this buyer to confess to the murder of our cases victim.

But there was plenty of things that could go wrong. What if the buyer got spooked and shot at him? What if the government didn’t agree with what we were doing? What if-

“Y/N? Are you okay?” Spencer asked looking concerned.

Spencer and I sat together on the bed in our hotel room. Apparently this plan had already been approved by the team…all but me.

“You told the team first because you knew I wouldn’t be okay with it.” I stated the facts plain and simply. I don’t lift my head up, instead I play this plan over and over in my head.

Spencer sighed before nodding his head, “I know it’s risky-.”

“Risky?! Risky isn’t even the word for it! Spencer you could get shot, arrested or kidnapped?!” I look into his eyes, frantic and scared.

“I know. But you also know that all of that could happen outside of this case too.”

“It doesn’t make it okay…”I cross my arms and look away.

“It doesn’t.” Spencer sat closer, wrapping an arm around me, pulling me into a hug.

Spencer wasn’t a hugging type of person but with me he’s the most cuddly person alive. He knew I needed the comfort in this moment, needed the closeness.

“I just-…I just don’t want anything to happen to you.” I turned and cried into his shoulder, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“And nothing will happen. The team will be monitoring everything. You will be monitoring everything with the team. But…”

“But what?”

“But if something was to happen-“

“Don’t say that! You said-.”

“Nothing is going to go wrong but I also don’t want to leave you without knowing what to do if something did happen.” Spencer quickly explained. “If something did go wrong, I would want you to listen to either your Uncles or your Aunts, okay? They would know what to do.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about this. The BAU is my family. Rossi, Hotch, and Morgan are my uncles while Emily, JJ and Garcia are my aunts. But I didn’t want to go to Uncle Hotch or Aunt Emily. I just want him to be okay.

“B-But you’re going to be okay?”

“I’m going to try my hardest to be okay.” He hugged back tightly. “In and out. Then after we’re done and back home, I promise a certain someone that we would go to the aquarium right?” He said, bouncing the Little in his arms.

“To see the sharks?” They lifted their head up.

“Yes sweet love to see the shark. Just like you wanted. It’s a date, just you, me and the sharks. A Caregiver and Little date. And if it’s a really nice day I may be persuaded to get someone some ice cream after.”

He knew bargaining wasn’t the best tactic when it came to discussing something so important but he knew it would put Y/N mind as ease for the time being. Soon enough they started to relax a bit more in his arms. The once worried adult turned calm Little in his arms.

“And see the fishy?” They lifted their head off his shoulder.

“Yeah all the fish you can imagine!”

“Nemo?”

“Yup. I’m sure they’ve got Nemo there. Maybe even Dory.”

“Wow!”

“I think they also have jellyfish and a starfish.”

“Like Patrick?”

Spencer laughed, “Yes sweetheart just like Patrick.”

“But for now my starfish has to go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.” Spencer brought them into his arms and laid them down on the bed with him, their head resting on his chest. He leaned over and turned off the lamp.

The two sat like that, just holding onto each other before the stressful day tomorrow planned on bringing.

Out of the darkness, a simple question.

“You’ll be okay, right?”

“I’ll be okay Y/N,” he leaned down and kissed their forehead, “I’ll be okay.”

~~~

There’s a lot of problems with this mission. For one, the BAU was working in a country with a government that wasn’t the fondest of America. Their government is mostly corrupt, and while they knew of our presence and what our case was about, there’s a whole lot of trust issues between the two of us.

The next problem was the setup itself. The team and I would be set up far away from Spencer. Close enough to see the setup with binoculars but far away that yelling would have no real reach. This made it so we could spy on everything but have cover so it wouldn’t create suspicion. The biggest issue with this is it made it so if something went wrong we would be too far away to do much about it.

That plus the million other probabilities played in my head on loop. With the binoculars in hand I looked again to the setup, knowing Spencer would be arriving soon.

“Y/N?”

Morgan placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Everyone on the team must’ve known I was beyond stressed about this plan. And if they didn’t, they could just profile me and tell immediately. Can’t get away with anything when your Cargiver and Aunts and Uncles are profilers.

“Doing alright there kid?”

And if all else failed and the profiling didn’t help, then the fact they’re all Caregivers would’ve given them all they need to know about me.

It wasn’t a secret to the team that I’m a Little. They’ve all known for years, some even babysitting me. They still respect me as a member of the BAU regardless of my need for regression.

“Yeah, just nervous.” I reply back.

“Really? Because I couldn’t tell. I thought everyone grips binoculars that tightly.”

I looked down at my white knuckles around the binoculars and quickly let them go.

“Y/N, Spencer is going to be-.”

“If you say ‘Spencer is going to be fine’ I’ll lose it.” I quickly say, nerves getting to me.

“Sorry Morgan you don’t deserve that. I just-…” I look out to the scene once more before looking back to him, “They couldn’t have chosen someone else to do this? Like someone not on our team? Someone who’s not my Caregiver?”

“I know, I agree with you. But the higher ups fought Rossi and Hotch tooth and nail to get this setup underway. The government seems to really want this guy in for questioning.”

Before I had a chance to argue, Hotch walked over and interrupted, “Everyone get into positions, Reid is on his way.”

And so it begins. Spencer’s car pulls up to the building. He gets out and immediately goes into the building. JJ and Hotch sit together listening to the microphones hidden in the building while I watch the building with Morgan, while Emily and Rossi monitor all the other areas surrounding it.

20 minutes goes by with nothing, no sight of the unsub or anyone else. My nerves start to get to me. My binoculars shake as I hold them up again, looking at the building once more.

“The unsub is here, 3 o’clock.” Emily calls out.

I turn my binoculars to look and sure enough there he is, white suv pulling up to the building. They enter the building and from there I feel as though I can’t breathe.

JJ relays to us in bits and pieces what’s being said and what’s happening. I keep my eyes on the building hoping to just see Spencer give us the signal to move in.

“Guys we’ve got activity at 9 o’clock.” Morgan calls out.

“What?” I turn my head to look. There shouldn’t be any activity outside of the building, not before we move in.

“What the hell is that?!” Rossi calls out angrily.

I turn my binoculars to look. Not one but six black SUV’s speed towards the building. I look in horror towards the team.

“Who is that?!”

“I don’t know.” Morgan replies looking through his own binoculars.

“They’re going to mess with the setup! What if the unsub shoots Reid? What if these people shoot him?” I start to yell out, but no one seems to hear. Everyone’s eyes are on the building as the SUVs pull up.

Once the SUVs reach the building squad patrols exit the car and start rushing into the building. Men and women in swat gear and assault rifles storm the building from the outside. The SUV outside turn their lights on.

Hotch grabs an extra pair and look to the building as well, “This isn’t drug related. They’re government swat teams.” Hotch almost sighs saying. He knew the implications, this was about to get a lot more complicated.

I kept looking towards the building with my binoculars. The world around me almost frozen in fear.

“Doesn’t the government know we’re working out here?” JJ asked.

“They do but they have jurisdiction over us when it comes to crime related issues.” Rossi replied.

“What the hell does that mean?” Morgan asked, getting angry himself.

“It means whatever happens is out of our hands till we reach an agreement with their government.” Hotch sighed again before looking to me.

I wasn’t listening to a word they were saying. I couldn’t. Reid hadn’t come out of that building yet and I wasn’t going to move till he did.

Then suddenly…

The swat patrol pushes the Unsub from the building, handcuffed and bleeding from his head. “They’ve got the Unsub in custody! Maybe Spencer talked to them.”

But just as I finished my sentence, another swat officer came out of the building with Spencer, hands behind his back cuffed, a black eye and a bleeding lip. The sight made my heart stop.

“They’ve…They’ve got Reid.” I say looking in horror.

“What?!” JJ grabbed a pair of binoculars and looked as well.

“They’re arresting him too. They must think he’s in on it.” Morgan tried to reason.

“W-We can go over there and tell them he’s not!” I put the binoculars down. “Come on, we can get in the SUV and tell them!” I practically begged to Hotch, pulling on his arm. But by the looks on his face, the answer was one I wasn’t going to like.

“Y/N,” Hotch said sincerely, trying to take my hand but started shaking my head, back up as tears began to fall down from my face.

“No! No! We can all get in the SUV and we can go get him! He can’t just be arrest for something he didn’t even do?!” My regression wrapped around me like a vice as my panic blossomed. What’s as going to happen to my Caregiver?!

“Y/N we don’t have jurisdiction here. We are not allowed to get involved with their government.” Rossi tried to say.

“I don’t care what we’re allowed to do! It’s Spencer!! We can’t leave him there!” At this point was was practically yelling, begging the team to do something, but they all just looked at me with worried and concerned eyes. Not the same eyes of my team, but eyes of Caregiver’s worried about a Little.

“Kid, I’m sorry.” Morgan started to say realizing that they were right. There is no other way.

“No! NOOOOO! No! I won’t let him be taken away! I WON’T!” I stomp my foot twice, screaming at the team. I couldn’t help but let my frustration and anxiety get the better of me. I couldn’t stop worrying about him.

“Y/N, honey we have to go. If we don’t and they come here, we’ll all be arrest on conspiracy.” Emily tried to explain.

“I’m not leaving him!” I cried out as tears fell from my eyes, “I’m not! If you won’t go get him, then I will! You can all leave without me!” I take my binoculars and throw them towards the team before storming off and walking towards Spencer direction.

In reality there was no way I could walk there on my own. But I wasn’t thinking logically. I just wanted him so badly and I wasn’t going to stop till I got him.

Hotch and Morgan shared a look before Hotch nods his head, almost giving Morgan permission. Morgan nodded back before he runs over, catching up with me.

“I’m sorry about this kid but you’re going to have to trust us on this.” With one swift motion Morgan picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. “Right now, we know what’s best.”

I absolutely lose it. I start kicking and screaming as Morgan carries be back towards the team. “Noooooo!!! Dadeee!!” I called out, my arms stretched towards the building in the far distance. “NOOOOO!!!”

“Pack the essentials back into the car. We need to leave immediately.” Hotch orders.

Everyone starts rushing around and throwing things into the trunk. By the time Morgan comes back to the SUV I’m just crying, begging to be put down, crying out for Spencer.

Morgan helps me into the backseat and quickly buckled me before I had a chance to bolt again. JJ sits to my right and Emily to my left.

“It’s going to be alright sweetheart. It’s going to be okay.” The two of them say back and forth. But I can’t be consoled. I just cry and cry and cry, clinging onto JJ for comfort, wishing it was Spencer instead.

~~~

Everyone glances back to check on Y/N as the car drives back to the hotel. All worried about Y/N and about Spencer. Their priority is to go somewhere secure to talk, one without anyone listening.

Eventually Y/N’s cries die down to little sniffs and silent tears. Every so often someone tried to talk to them but they stayed silent, in shock from the events of the evening. That worries the team more.

Arriving back at the hotel, the team split into two. Hotch, Rossi and Emily split off to make phone calls and see what they could do about Spencer while Morgan, and JJ stayed with Y/N.

JJ lead the way and Morgan followed behind with Y/N in his arms. The Little just played with the collar of his shirt but doesn’t say anything. Silent tears fall from their eyes as they rest their head on his shoulder.

“Is it okay that they’re so quiet?” Morgan whispered to JJ.

“They’re in shock right now. I think it’s going to take them a moment.” JJ answered back.

With Y/N keycard, they opened the door to there and Spencer’s hotel room. The moment there were back in the room though, the shock start to dissipate.

They lifted their head off Morgan’s shoulder and looked to the bed, almost as if they were expecting Spencer to be in the room. When he wasn’t, they wriggled and pushed to be put down.

“Okay, kiddo just give me a second,” Morgan said as he gentle put them down.

Immediately the moment they were set on the ground they took off, searching the bathroom, the closets and the rest of the room, as if Spencer was hiding somewhere.

Morgan went to go to Y/N but JJ stopped him. “They need to figure this out themselves.” She said softly. Her eyes looked so sad as she watched Y/N look for Spencer in the room.

But everywhere they looked, he was still gone.

Even though it wasn’t a new realization, it hit Y/N as if it is was. They stopped and looked at Spencer’s jacket thrown over the desk chair.

How simply the morning was, the two of them getting ready for the mission tonight. The storybook he read the night before sat absent on the nightstand.

The whole room had the makings of Spencer. All without him being there.

Tears started to fall from Y/N eyes again. They grabbed his jacket and wrapped it around their shoulders.

Everything became so overwhelming at once. The reality of the day was setting in. When would they ever see him again? Would they ever see him again? Would they ever be able to get him out of prison?

Too many unanswered question rattled around in their mind. And with it? Anger. Anger about the fact this happened, about the fact they warned Spencer about doing this, and about the fact they couldn’t do anything about it.

So, like any toddler would. They began to throw a tantrum. First it was cry, and screaming. Then it was throwing every pillow off the bed and onto the ground. Then it was every blanket.

This time JJ wanted to step in and try to comfort Y/N but Morgan stopped her for a moment. “Like you said, they need a moment. This time I think to let it out.”

~~~

An hour later Hotch, Rossi and Emily walked into the room, only to find it looking like a tornado had passed through. Every pillow was on the ground along with the blankets and sheets. Clothes from their suitcases were also everywhere.

JJ was sat on the bed next to a crying and screaming Y/N. She gently tried to rub circles on their back to calm them down but it didn’t seem to be helping. Morgan was standing by the door, unsure how to help.

When the rest of the BAU came into the room, both Morgan and JJ looked exhausted. Hotch quickly stepped in, Emily following closely behind to help JJ out and give her a well needed break.

Once JJ got up Hotch replaced her spot, sitting close to Y/N. Emily took a seat on their other side. All the commotion got the attention of Y/N who stopped crying and screaming for a moment and lifted their head off the bed.

They quickly looked to Emily, tears stained face, “Dadee? Come home?” They simply asked.

Emily looked to Hotch then back to Y/N before replying, “Y/N, getting Spencer back is going to be a bit more complicated than we expected.” She starts to explain.

Rossi join the two, standing near the end of the bed, “We talked with our higher ups and updated them on the situation but…we need to give our reports and we need to start a lot of paper work before we can start the work to get him out.”

Y/N looked between Rossi and Emily confused, what did this mean for Dadee? What did this mean for them?

Hotch right away noticed the confusion. He places a hand on their shoulder, “Y/N, in order to begin working on getting Spencer out of prison, we need to go back to the U.S.” He let those words sink in.

And boy did they sink in like an anchor. Though it seemed impossible at this point, fresh tears started to fall from Y/N’s eyes. “W-We can’t leave him here.” They said in a broken voice.

“We’re not going to sweetheart. I promise we’re not. But for right now we have to head back home so we can begin the process of getting him out. And to do that we need to leave this country just for a little while.” Emily explained taking their hand.

“But we can’t, he’s stuck here! We can’t leave!! I-I don’t have…anyone…” Y/N tried to say before going hysterical again. It was all too much. Too much information at once. They were just about to start hyperventilating.

Hotch, making an executive decision, pulled the Little into his arms and cradled their head on his shoulder. Y/N held onto him tightly, crying into his shoulder. He started gently rocking and bouncing them in his arms.

“Y/N, breath. Take deep breaths with me.” Hotch guides them, helping them out of their hyperventilating.

“You’re not alone Y/N. I can promise you that.” Hotch lifted his head from Y/N and looked at his team of Caregivers. Though he didn’t ask, he knew that they would all be willing to step in and help take care of Y/N while they tried to free Spencer.

“We’ve got you.”

~~~

Four months had passed by. Four long months. It feel like just yesterday I saw Spencer arrested and pulled away. Every day I hope he’s okay and wonder what’s happening across the ocean in that prison he’s stuck in. It leaves me with crazy anxiety.

As for me? I’ve been the traveling Little. Every week I go to a different BAU members house. One week I’m with Hotch, the next I’m with Emily, then Morgan and so on. They’ve all treated me so nice and each house feels like a home with them.

They’ve all comforted me through the process of dealing with the temporary loss of my caregiver. Late nights waking up to the same nightmare. Hotch running into the room and comforting me through a crying fits. Or Garcia making me a cup of coco as a special treat.

They all really live up to their nickname BAU Family.

It’s been months and we aren’t even scratching the surface of getting Spencer out. It’s been killing me having to do this the paper work route and not just break him out myself…if I could.

But while they’re working on it back in the States, Morgan, Garcia, Emily and I made a trip back to the country to visit Spencer in prison.

I just…I need to see him. I need to see him again, talk to him again, and make sure with my own eyes he’s okay.

Once we arrived I stick close to Morgan, holding his hand tightly in mine as we stepped foot in the scary looking prison. I leaned close to his side as we walked down the scary hallways with prisoners yelling and shouting at us.

Finally we made it to the visiting room. Each section was like a small cubicle. A phone hung on each side of the wall with a piece of thick glass separating the visitors from the prisoners.

I promised myself I would try hard not to regress. I wanted to talk to him, see how he was doing and try to help him through the glass as much as I can. But as we entered the room, I could feel my regression screaming to take over.

The guard stopped us before we walked over. “It’s one at a time. And each of you only gets ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?!” Garcia said just as shocked as the rest of us.

“Yes only ten minutes each.”

“Could I give my time to them?” Emily asked, seeing that I was the most anxious to see Spencer.

“No. It’s ten minutes each. Your time starts now. Reid is at cubicle six.” And with that the cold hearted guard walked back to his post.

I looked up at Morgan who gave me a comforting smile, “It’s okay Y/N. Just go spend every minute you can with him.” I nod my head and begin moving to cubicle six. As I walk down the rows I see the other prisoners talking with their friends and family.

But nothing in this world will ever replace the feeling of reach that cubicle and seeing Spencer again.

He smiled warmly at me. His hair is much longer now and his face scruffy, two things I’ve never seen on Spencer before. I start to tear up seeing him. It’s been so long and I’ve been so worried about him. And now? Now he’s here right in front of me.

I immediately take my seat and grab the phone, Spencer does the same. There’s a moment I don’t even know what to say. All these emotions hitting me at once. Tears start to fall from my eyes as I look into his. Thankfully Spencer must’ve realized it and starts the conversation.

“Y/N! It’s so good to see you! I’ve missed you so much!” He smiles again, pure happiness ok his faces.

“I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been worried about you every day wonder that’s happening, what going on there, what’s-.”

“Y/N, Y/N,” he stops me, “I’m okay. I’ve been doing okay here. I promise.” He shared a sad smile with me. Though I know he was trying to reassure me, I didn’t believe him 100%.

“Your hair is so long!” I chuckle.

“It’s is. They don’t give haircuts here.” He joked.

“I like it. It looks nice on you having long hair.”

“Really? Huh. Maybe I’ll keep it then.” He adds pushing his hair back dramatically, I can’t help but chuckle.

“I think about you every day too. I haven’t forgotten our date you know.” He smiles, “The sharks are waiting for us.”

“Yeah…the sharks…” Memories flash back to how we ended up here. I look back up into his eyes, but they’re not the eyes of normal me. They’re the eyes of a Little.

“I miss you.” My voice cracks as more tears start to fall, “I miss your bedtime stories and your cuddles and your hugs.” I begin rambling.

I stop, looking back into his worried eyes, “I just want you back.” I place my hand on the glass, wishing and hoping it would somehow disappear.

He placed his hand on mine, the glass blocking us from actually touching. “I wish I was back with you too. I wish I could be giving you all the cuddle and snuggles you could ever want.”

“I’m working Dadee, I’m working every day to bring you home.” I don’t move my hand from the glass, tears still fall from my eyes as I look into Spencer eyes.

“I know you are darling, I know you are.” He smiles warmly.

“Tell me how you’ve been doing.” Spencer says, trying to change the subject to one more uplifting.

I begin explain everything that’s been happening while he’s been gone. Going between everyone’s houses, the adventures they’ve taken me on.

“Aunt Garcia taught me how to play animal crossing and Uncle Hotch almost set his kitchen on fire when he tried to cook.” I giggle.

“He almost killed my Little?” He joked back.

“No! I saved him with the fire extinguisher!” I say proudly.

“Wow!! I didn’t know you were a firefighter too?” Spencer smiles, making me smile as well.

“Uncle Morgan is trying to get me into jogging with him.” I can’t help but chuckle.

Spencer laughs and smiles, “He’s trying to get you into jogging?“

“Yeah but can’t keep up with him. He’s too fast.”

“I don’t think we’ve jogged a day in our lives.” Spencer laughs some more.

“We haven’t!” I laugh as well, “We just walk in the park. Not running or jogging. Just walking.” I smile, thinking about all the times we’ve walked through the park to our favorite spot. We sit on a blanket together as he reads and I lay down and watch the cloud roll by.

I start rambling, “Me and Mr. Bear have been making a list of all the things we want to do when you’re back. We’ll have tea party, and go to the park, and-.”

“TIME’S UP!” I heard the prison guard yell down to me.

I look over worried then back to Spencer. “No!” I cry out. Looking back at him, trying to memorize his face before they come to get me. “I don’t want to go! I can’t go! Please don’t go!!”

My hand doesn’t leave the window, I hold my hand there not quite ready to take it away. Not ready to leave him. “Please don’t leave! Please!” My eyes meets his, mine looking worried while his look sad. I start to cry.

“It’s okay, Y/N. I promise you I’m going to be okay. I want you to know how much I love you and that I’m thinking of you every day. And how I can’t wait for the day you’ll be back my arms again.” Spencer quickly starts to say, trying to get every last word in.

“Dadee,” I try to catch my breath, “I don’t want to leave you again.” I choke out, trying to catch my breath between sobs.

“We’re not saying goodbye forever bug, we’re just saying goodbye for now.” The world seems to pause for a second as he looks at me and says, “I’ll see you again. I’ll see you soon.”

I nod my head, tears still falling from my face. “I love you.”

Spencer smiled back at me, “I love you too Y/N. I love you so-.”

~~~

Y/N turns to look away from the glass and off to the side. They put their phone down and start shaking their head to someone. Spencer can’t see what they’re looking at or who they’re talking to.

Spencer’s heart shatters as Morgan comes over, placing a hand on their shoulder before he scopes Y/N into his arms. Morgan and Spencer don’t get to talk, but the small nod and look in Morgan’s eye tells him everything he needs to know. Y/N’s in his safe hands.

He watches as Y/N turns and cries into Morgan’s shoulder as he carries them away. With one final glance, the Caregiver and Little lock eyes before Y/N is carried off.

The moment Y/N is out of sight, Spencer breaks down. Trying to put a tough face on for Y/N in showing that he’s alright. But he isn’t. He’s always running the risk of getting beaten up. He’s gotten into one or two of fight which didn’t end well for him. It’s hard being a cop in prison, let alone an FBI agent.

Spencer looks down, crying into his hand. The tough front of ‘everything’s okay’ drops and he’s finally able to let it out. His heart breaks for Y/N. He’s supposed to be there taken care of them, and instead he’s lock up, countries away. All the moments he’s missing out on, all the time.

The phone picks up and someone sits across from him. He doesn’t lift his head till they start talking.

“Reid, I’m so sorry.” Emily tries to say. “These guards aren’t happy with us being here to begin with, and you and I know Y/N would happily fight all of them to have more time with you.”

Spencer wiped his tears and nods. “How-,” he clears his throat, trying not to sound so upset, “How have they been doing?”

“I won’t lie to you, it was definitely a grieving process in the beginning. Then it was getting used to traveling around to everyone’s house every week. But,” She looks off to where Morgan is, holding Y/N in his arms, lightly bouncing them and rubbing their back, “But I think they’re finally starting to settled with us, comfortable regressing.”

She looks into his eyes and shares a comforting smile with him, “They’re doing okay.”

Spencer nods his head taking it all in, “That’s great to hear. I’ve been so worried they haven’t adjusted well, or they’ve been upset about everything.” He rambles.

“They have their moment but they need to have their moments of crying and being upset. Sometimes they need to let it out. I’m just thankful they have people to care for them and allow them a safe space to let it out.” Emily shared a small smile with Spencer.

“So, let’s get down to business before they cut me off.” Emily places her brief case on the table and begins going over their plan for getting him out.

They talk a while longer before Emily’s time is up. Then just when he thought his visit was over, Garcia took a place infront of him.

“Spencer! I love your hair this length! You should keep it this way!” Garcia smiled.

“It’s good to see you too Penelope.”

“So! I’m sure Emily went over all the business stuff with you.” She starts to say, “I’m not here to talk business, I’m here to cheer you up and tell you Y/N’s okay.”

Spencer right away smiles sadly, nodding his head.

“How are they taking it?”

“Very rough, which is to be expected.” She says honestly, “But…they’re not fighting us or trying to go against our help. I think they realizes they need people they can regress freely around so they can process the situation.”

Spencer nods along, listening intently.

Garcia chuckles, “You should only see Hotch and Morgan with them. Talk about softies! You think they’re the toughest men of the BAU? You should only see them when they’re trying to cheer Y/N up. There’s not much they would do.”

Spencer join her in laughing, picture the two of them with Y/N. “That’s something I’d love to see.”

“And I know you will soon. Between our team’s efforts and Y/N determination to find a loophole in the system, you’ll be out of here soon enough.” She smiled warmly.

“I just wanted to take the time to tell you that we’re taking good care of Y/N. Emily paints their nails, JJ and Morgan takes them to the park, Hotch and Rossi have been teaching them how to cook, and I’ve been showing them every movie and playing every video games imaginable.”

Spencer smile again, “Thank you Garcia. Thank you for taking care of my Little one.”

“It’s been our pleasure.” She smiles back. “Hang in there, okay? We’ll see you soon.” She kissed her hand and pressed it to the glass.

Spencer did the same, sharing a small smile with her.

As she stood up and walk away, the guard behind him call his name, visiting hours were up. He sigh, standing up and walking back to his cell. Before he felt empty and now? Now he felt a small glimmer of hope.

~~~

Two more months later there we stood, outside the gates of the prisons waiting endlessly for Spencer. The whole BAU was here to ensure Spencer was brought out safe and sound.

I stood next to Hotch nervously picking at my nails as we waited. He grabbed my hand gently, stopping me from the nervous habit. “It’s okay Y/N. You have nothing to worry about.” He took my hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

“But what if-.”

“There’s nothing they can do to keep him in there.” Rossi cuts me off. “They have to release him today.” He reassured.

I nod my head, still not so sure. So there we wait, and wait, and wait.

“Did they give us a time?” JJ asks.

“They said 12 o’clock.” Emily replies.

“And it’s…” Morgan asks.

“It’s 1:37.”

We all sigh.

“If they don’t release him by 2 we’ll raise hell. But for now we’ll wait.” Hotch replies to the group. Looking to me and sharing a small smile.

So we wait some more.

I lean against Hotch’s arms watching the gate endlessly.

Suddenly there’s a loud alarm sound and the gate starts to open. I squeeze Hotch’s hand. “Is it Spencer? Is it him?” I look to him eagerly.

“Let’s wait a moment and see before we go over.” The group watch as the gate opens and a prisoner walks out.

There’s no denying who that is. His hair much longer, almost to his shoulders. His face unkept. But his smile towards the group is the most recognizable sign that it’s him.

I look to Hotch who gives me a smile and a nod.

With that I take off! I start running like my life depends on it. Spencer smile only grows as he sees me running towards him. He kneels down, opening his arms wide.

After months of being without him, it lead us to this moment. I tears fall from my eyes as I finally embrace him, running right into his arms. He wraps his arms around me and picks me up, spinning us around while hugging me tight against him.

We stop, just holding onto each other, tears running down both our faces. “Spencer!! Dadee! I miss you!! I missed you so much!” I cry into his shoulder, holding onto him to tightly.

“I miss you so much. I’ve thought about you every day, thought about this moment every day. I couldn’t wait to hug my little bug again.”

We’ve both been waiting for this moment forever. Long nights sleeping in my bed wishing I could just be cuddled up with Spencer, nightmares that I wish he could protect me from, adventures I wish he would take me on.

It was all over. I held onto with a tight grip. As if I didn’t he would disappear. Finally no more glass to separate us any longer. We are finally back together again. And we’re never leaving each others side.

We break apart but only for a moment as we look into each other’s eyes, “I did it. I got the paper work and I demanded they release you. I never stopped fighting for you.” I cry.

Spencer reaches up and wiped the tears away, “I couldn’t be more grateful for you. Thank you Y/N.” He pulls me back into a tight hug, kissing the side of my head.

The recovery was going to be a long one. Spencer was definitely going to need some time away from the BAU and so was Y/N. They needed to catch up on loss time and deal with what happened together. But for now…

“Now we can go to the aquarium!” I mumble, squish in our hug.

Spencer chuckles. We break apart and he takes my hand in mine. “It would be my honor to finally take you to the aquarium.” He smiles back.

Together we walk towards the rest of the team, hand in hand. Reunited at last.

“What fish are you most excited to see?” I asks as we walk.

“Maybe a star fish.” Spencer replies.

“A star fish?!”

“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”

“But that’s not even a fish?”

“It’s close to a fish but not technically a fish.”

“Then why is it called star fish?”

“I…don’t actually know. We’ll just have to ask one when we see it.” Spencer smiles, squeezing my hand. I giggle at the silliness and squeeze his hand right back.

[scribblestatic]

Baa baa.

Note: I'm switching from using "martial aunt/uncle" to the Chinese pronunciation, which is kinda inconsistent to what I was doing before, but it be like that.

----

Tian Chui's head cracked, teeth breaking and biting through his tongue. The top of his skull caved in, blood covering the sheep's face.

Immediately, the demon went still, his body flopping limply onto the ground.

The disciples and demons all stood in shock. Luo Binghe, who lost his footing at being pushed aside, looked up from the ground with wide eyes.

Blood dripped and spread across the cracked floor. The large, mystical ram raised its head and shook it, blood splattering on the ground as it fell from its wool. It then opened its eyes, the huadian somehow standing out in the midst of the red covering its face, green eyes vibrant and gleaming with anger.

It quietly moved, still facing the demons, and stood in front of Luo Binghe, putting its body between the two. Lowering its head, it made a clear threat to the other side—

Try that again and a bludgeoning death awaits.

Binghe's eyes widened, his fatigue fading in an instant.

"Shizun..." he whispered.

'Well done, my disciple,' he said back in a voice only he could hear, still facing their enemies. 'You were exemplary.'

Inside, Shen Yuan was in quite the state.

He just murdered someone, but it's okay! It's a dog-eat-dog world, and they'd threatened his little lamb—even a bull kills to protect his herd. In a xianxia setting, death happens daily!

But Jesus Christ, the guy's head exploded on him! He has blood dripping down his face! He wants to clean up immediately! It smells so terrible! He has blood all over his face!! He was expecting it to hurt the demon of several thousands of years, but not to pop his brain like a cherry!!

Scary! Why'd that happen?!

Also, what even is a xianxia??

Because of his worries, he didn't realize he'd so easily called Binghe his disciple with possession, making the young man's heart grow three times bigger for his Shizun.

With everyone frozen in place, shocked by the turn of events, a strong burst of spiritual energy breaking through the rest of the barrier to block the cultivators from leaving startled them all back into action.

"Liu-shishu!"

"Liu-shishu exited seclusion!"

"Bai Zhan Peak’s War God has exited seclusion, see if you demons dare to be arrogant anymore!"

As the man clad in white and grey landed down, sword in hand, Shen Yuan had an epiphany.

Oh! It's the pretty man! The one he saved alongside Shen Qingqiu—who was very confusing, all things considered. Anyway, so he was a peak lord as well! Fascinating!

The peak lords should take better care of themselves!! What was this?! Having qi deviations left and right. Aiyah! Stressing a mere prey animal out the way they did!

Liu Qingge, as though hearing his thoughts, shot him a look, though Shen Yuan kept his head low and horns aimed. However, the look was quick, and he instead turned toward the demons, flicking his sword out to the side.

If anything, considering how close they were standing, it almost looked like Liu Qingge was protecting him alongside the disciples! Nice pose, nice pose!

On the other side, Sha Hualing grimaced, immediately acknowledging there was no way to succeed. It was one thing if they were only facing Shen Qingqiu, but the War God of Bai Zhan Peak would've likely been reason to flee by himself. Facing them both would be suicide.

“Everyone, today was my miscalculation. There will be time for goodbyes in the future! Let’s go!”

Liu Qingge laughed then, cold and humorless.

“Coming and going as you please. What big face you have."

From there, it was a bloodbath not too unlike the one Shen Yuan took. Sword energy rained down from the sky, killing demons like flies as they tried to flee. The disciples of other peaks also jumped into the fray, killing the ones lagging behind as Sha Hualing led them off the mountain as quickly as she could.

The mood brightened immediately, though there were still several injured cultivators, and perhaps a few dead that they had yet to learn about.

Not having to put his guard up, Shen Yuan huffed, raising his head. He managed not to stumble when familiar arms wrapped around his neck, face burying into his wool.

'Aiyah, Binghe, you're going to lose face.'

But, of course, his sticky lamb didn't care, continuing to hug him until he calmed down. Shen Yuan felt his wool get wet there, knowing the boy was crying. Ah, what active tear ducts he has! He's young and needs guidance, of course.

Speaking of which...

With everything calming down, Luo Binghe stood and wiped his face just as Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge turned their attention toward them.

Hahh... Shen Yuan knew the risk he was taking, revealing himself to a peak lord. Now, revealed to two of them? There was no running back to Qing Jing Peak now.

"What is this."

Luo Binghe turned toward the Bai Zhan Peak Lord, already bristling at the tone with which he referred to his teacher.

"He is Shizun." Said Shizun shifted on his hooves, nudging Luo Binghe pointedly. "...answering Liu-shishu."

"Shizun, you say," Shen Qingqiu hummed, eyes narrowed behind his cracked fan. "It seems you lack an understanding of respect, Luo Binghe. I don't recall this animal feeding, clothing, or educating you."

Shen Yuan worried for a moment at the feeling of anger he felt flash from Luo Binghe. However, he managed to temper his commentary.

"Begging your forgiveness, Shen-shifu."

...

Shen Yuan closed his eyes and lit a candle for himself in his heart. He was definitely going to get slaughtered.

---

Proclaiming that he was a potentially dangerous spiritual beast, Shen Qingqiu had Shen Yuan bound in a halter. Upon finding the old, fading tattoo marking him as a sheep from Xin Ya, he waited alongside the disciples he had hold onto him for the other peak lords to return, presumably to ensure he went back accordingly.

Of course, Luo Binghe protested the entire time. Though he had been ordered to return with several other disciples to Qing Jing Peak, he suddenly popped right back up when Yue Qingyuan and the others returned. He begged for Shen Yuan's life to be spared, citing how he had killed a demon that tried to kill him and also knew how to speak, though only Binghe could understand him. Shen Qingqiu scoffed at the idea, but otherwise said little to refute his claims.

The other peak lords seemed to look at Binghe with some pity over his mental state until it was confirmed he had, indeed, dealt the final blow on a demon—a strong one at that. If he'd done that, he likely had to have some cultivation, though a speaking beast was, as of that time, generally unheard of.

Strangely, Liu Qingge was the one to assert that the peak lords should decide what to do with the ram in a meeting rather than simply return him to Xin Ya and end it there. Xin Ya's Peak Lord seemed put off by this, considering Shen Yuan clearly had a tattoo from his peak and was, therefore, his property. Binghe quickly stepped in and begged the peak lord's pardon to discuss more about the sheep, who stood quietly with a bloodied face that the disciples holding him were still quite wary of.

Although seemingly miffed about it, even Shen Qingqiu agreed that a discussion was in order. Yue Qingyuan, having a notorious soft spot for his second-in-command, agreed to wait.

That was how Shen Yuan found himself back in a stable—different from the one he was born and raised in, but a stable nonetheless. Due to concerns about his potential spiritual acuity, protective wards were put around his area, ensuring he at least wouldn't be able to escape unnoticed, if he was strong enough to break through at all.

His pen was set up apart from the rest, so he at least was alone. Still, he could hear the bleating and calls of the other sheep nearby.

...Excuse me, sisters, but this Shen Yuan is not all that handsome or available. Sorry, but I can't see you as attractive! For some reason, it feels like bestiality despite us being the same species!

Having his face cleaned by Xin Ya disciples, he was now decent, sitting loafed on a bed of hay. The stable was clean, but it didn't smell the same as the bamboo groves and forests of Qing Jing, nor did it smell of the shavings and sap of the woodshed where he and Binghe slept. So, although he tried to rest, Shen Yuan found that he couldn't.

So, he decided to try meditating instead.

As he did, sitting quietly, he heard the light footsteps of Xin Ya disciples approach.

"...Is that the one?"

"Yes, the one that escaped to Qing Jing Peak."

Ah, is this one of those petting zoo situations? I'm not in the mood to be touched, thank you. I'm thinking about how to bust myself out of here and you're distracting me.

"Pssst...Sheng Huan. Sheng Huan."

Close, but that's not my name.

"Are you sure that's the same one?"

"I'm positive. Shifu saw the old tattoo on him, though it's faded off a lot."

"Faded? They aren't supposed to fade."

"Yeah, that was weird. Still, it's on that sheep. That's Sheng Huan."

"It's not answering you, though."

I'm not asleep. I just don't want to talk right now. And save for, like, one person, you keep calling me an 'it'! I'm a 'he', thank you!

"It got huge... It's bigger than the other males by quite a bit."

"Do you think what the Qing Jing disciples said was true? That it can use qi?"

"I mean, it did kill that big demon..."

Getting a bit frustrated by them talking about him like he wasn't there, Shen Yuan opened his eyes. Giving anyone the side-eye was a tad difficult as a sheep, considering his eye placement, so he turned his face toward them. His qi meant he didn't have the blind spot in front that his less spiritually inclined counterparts had, so he was able to watch as the three Xin Ya disciples gazed at him and started becoming unsettled.

"It's looking at us..."

"...Let's go."

Two of the children began going away, but one stayed a while longer. A female disciple stared at him in mild awe. She was more homely in a world with Luo Binghes and Liu Qingges, with wide brown eyes and a slight gap in her two front teeth, her hair pulled into two plaited braids.

"...It really is you, Sheng Huan," she said, smiling, her eyes bright. "I know it is. You look at me the same way he did."

She rested her arms on the gate before pointing at herself.

"Do you remember me? I used to bottle feed you all the time. You used to waggle your tail so much when you drank, hehehe..."

Shen Yuan had quite good memory. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more her face became familiar. However, he wasn't about to acknowledge his embarrassing past! He was just trying to suck up to her to get fed! He was a grown ram, now, why would she remind him of something so silly?

"You grew up so beautiful," she sighed, resting her head on her arms. "I hope all the animals I raise in the future get to look as pretty as you."

She stared at him for a while as he gazed back. Eventually, Shen Yuan turned away and closed his eyes again, shifting to loaf more comfortably. Unlike the others, her presence wasn't much of a bother.

"...I hope they let you live, Sheng Huan. Even if you aren't on Xin Ya anymore, I hope you live, and live well."

They sat in silence for a while longer before she moved, getting up and leaving the stable.

Well...being raised partially by her hadn't been so bad. She made sure the milk was sufficiently warm for each feeding, and she cleaned up his enclosure, mindful of his strange fastidiousness. After all, what kind of lamb complained over his bedding not being just right?

Although she was taught to not grow too attached to the animals, he remembered her being scolded for naming them quite often. Sheng Huan...now that he thought about it, yes. He remembered being given such a name. It wasn't his, but it was a name.

The effort she'd put into his care was more than he could've asked for as a prey animal, farmed for slaughter.

'...Thank you,' he thought, addressing her in his heart.

Because he was facing away, he didn't notice that she turned around suddenly, eyes wide with shock. He didn't see the way her gaze lit up with glee.

That night, Xin Ya disciple Cai Niu slipped away from her peak, going to find Luo Binghe, the boy who her Sheng Huan protected.

-----

Note: 蔡妞 - Cài Niū - Surname Cai + girl

Picrew Images of Cai Niu

My thanks to @maetheellen for making the Picrew I used

Many thanks to @reelrollsweat for making the Picrew

[larz-barz]

Updated Mikitama info post

her new design!:D

Family (biological)

Mother: Unnamed (dead)

Father: Unnamed (dead)

Aunt: Unnamed (dead)

Aunt: Aika Shineeza (alive) (father’s and Haruki’s sister) @uponthefantasy

Uncle: Haruki Suzuki (alive) (husband of unnamed aunt and father’s brother)

Brother: Michio Suzuki (alive)

Great great etc. grandmother: Hana Tsugikuni (demon) (married to Kokushibo)

Great great etc. grandmother: Kana Suzumi (Hana’s and Kokushibo’s daughter)

Great great etc. grandfather: Kokushibo

Family (adoptive)

Mother: Yuna Handa (alive) (dies in an au) @kimetsu-chan

Father: Giyuu Tomioka (alive)

Cousin: Shiina Suzuki (alive) (dies in an au) @nothingtoseehere1-2-3

Bother: Zeno Arakawa (alive) (not actually adoptive, they act like siblings tho) @kimetsu-chan

Uncle: Tengen Uzui

Aunt: Hinatsuru Uzui

Aunt: Makio Uzui

Aunt: Suma Uzui

Sister: Ames @donkeybro

Sister: Hikari Sano @ta-ni-ya

Brother: Hikaru Sano @ta-ni-ya

Father: Hiroto Ichiga @night-mince0

Brother: Jun’ichi Ubuyashiki @blueberrypie20

Backstory

tw: abuse, murder, attempted murder

Mikitama and Michio were raised by Haruki since he killed their parents after Mikitama was born.

One day, when Mikitama was 3 and Michio was 6, their aunt Aika tried to take both of them in, but Haruki only let Aika take Michio.

Before leaving, Michio gave Mikitama her purple bow that she’s always wearing.

Haruki is very abusive towards Mikitama, and only Mikitama.

This is because of Mikitama being a yokai.

When Mikitama was about 6 years old Haruki attempted to drown Mikitama which led to her fear of water.

Shiina was adopted by Haruki when Mikitama was 9 years old and Shiina did everything she could to keep Mikitama safe.

Also, Mikitama was forced to live in poverty despite her uncle being rich since he wouldn’t spend any of his money on her.

One day, when Mikitama was 10 she was digging around in a closet and found various scrolls and letters from her father, who was the starlight hashira when he was alive.

She used those to teach herself the starlight breathing style and how to do total concentration breathing constantly.

She did the final selection with her future adoptive mother, Muichiro, and Aoi at 11 years old then became the starlight hashira at 12 years old.

Personality

Mikitama is a very kind and selfless girl.

She’s very shy and sweet.

She’ll do anything to protect the people around her no matter the consequences.

She’s very introverted and submissive.

If someone is being rude to her she’s not going to do anything about it.

She’s always willing to help anyone.

Random facts

Her favorite food is chicken udon.

The first time she met someone who didn’t mistreat her she was stunned to tears.

In Kimetsu academy her best subject is chemistry.

She doesn’t think she deserves to be treated with kindness.

She’s deathly allergic to garlic.

She made her arm warmers and painted her sword sheathe herself!

She loves cooking and sewing.

She often has really bad nightmares.

(TW: S/A) Her uncle has s/aed her before.

When she and Michio reunited they both cried together for an hour and they hugged the whole time.

Mikitama’s birthday is February 3rd and she’s 14! (14 in the show and 15 irl-)

She doesn’t like peppermint.

She’s also deathly allergic to onions.

She has 3 powers: Turning into a cat, shrinking, and healing.

In her small form she is about 2’2.

She wraps her tail around her leg when nervous or scared.

She’s very good at drawing.

She’s 4’8

She’s extremely light for her age, only weighing 94 pounds!

Tagging: @kimetsu-chan @demonslayerdoodles

[strangersteddierthings]

Steve, Gareth and Chrissy are cousins AU (sad edition) [prologue] [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Final Part]

There is a voicemail on the answering machine when Steve gets home that night. It's from his Uncle Phillip, stumbling through a clumsy message about Chrissy's death, all while he can hear his Aunt Laura wailing in the background. He cuts the message off halfway, rewinding it for his parents to listen to when they return from wherever they've been. Whenever they return.

He picks up the phone, dials Gareth's number, and immediately hangs up before anyone can answer. This is a phone call that needs to wait. Even though all of Steve is itching to reach out to the family that still matters to him, he can't. He can't offer comfort or kind words or even offer to just be there. He's got the Upside Down to deal with first.

The Upside Down has returned and they don't have El and her powers. They don't have Hopper or Joyce. What they have is Steve. Steve is the only adult left in Hawkins that knows anything. It's his job to protect them all, somehow. Someway.

He's the adult.

Fuck. He can't think about this anymore tonight. He's so fucking tired. Instead of climbing the stairs to his room, he flops onto the couch in the living room, falling quickly into sleep plagued by nightmares.

Meanwhile, across town, Gareth has finally pried himself free of his mother's grip and slunk to his room. He flops on his bed and rolls to stare up at the ceiling.

He feels numb.

Chrissy is- she was- and in his best friend's house. And now Eddie is missing. What if whoever killed Chrissy kidnapped Eddie? Is something worse going to happen to Eddie?

And his mom and dad. They wouldn't say it to his face, but he can tell they blame Eddie. Maybe not blame, as in think he's the murderer, but certainly blame, in that, they think it's his fault Chrissy's dead. That whoever murdered Chrissy was really out to murder Eddie and Chrissy was an innocent bystander turned victim.

When his uncle called with the news it was unbelievable. His parents had seen the news, knew about the murder, but the police hadn't stated a name yet. He'd been asked so many questions, mostly about who Eddie knew that could have been over, but Gareth didn't have answers. Eddie hadn't mentioned anyone that was going to go to his house.

The police didn't take long actually identifying Chrissy, because they're reached out to next of kin and then Uncle Phillip had called, spoken to his dad and it's-

Well, it's all unbelievable. Hawkins has always been so dull and boring. Nothing happens here! Well, beyond that time the Byers kid went missing, then was dead but then not or whatever. And the fire at the brand-new mall but that was an accident, so even though a lot of people died, it was- it wasn't a murder.

Eddie is missing.

Chrissy is dead.

And Gareth is here, finally alone, in his room. His parents hadn't let him out of their sight since the phone call, and he can't really blame them. The death of someone in a family always makes his parents cling tighter to him but never before has the person who's passed been younger than his parents. He's been to the funeral for an uncle on his mom's side, which was her older brother, as well as for both his grandparents on his father's side.

Steve's side, he thinks. He knows Chrissy's dad called Steve's house, but his aunt and uncle probably aren't even in town. They barely were when Steve was a minor. Now that they can legally abandon him, they probably won't hear about Chrissy until Thanksgiving.

Jesus. Is Steve doing okay with the news? He knows he's got a best friend who stays more nights than not but are they there now, or is Steve alone?

Tears build in his eyes again as he thinks about when they were all younger, each just a year apart in school but all each other's first best friend. It used to be Steve, Chrissy, and himself against the world. Why had that changed?

Oh.

He knows. He changed it, heading into his freshman year. He told them he didn't want to hang out with them in high school.

And now Chrissy's dead and he realizes he no longer knows her -knew her- well enough to know why she'd be at Eddie's. Were they friend? Was Eddie her dealer? Did Chrissy even smoke weed? He knew she was dating Jason Carver but- was she also into Eddie? Chrissy had never seemed the kind of person to cheat, but what did Gareth actually know about her at the end of the day?

At the end of her life?

He rolls onto his side and sobs, curling into himself with all these unanswered questions running through his mind until he cries himself to sleep.

Steve has been awake for maybe ten minutes before Dustin is calling. The Upside Down waits for no man, so Steve finds himself picking up Dustin, Robin, and Max, and then they go to Cerebro to eavesdrop on the police.

Dustin talks him into handing his wallet over so he can run into the store and buy Eddie something for breakfast.

They deliver bad news to Eddie, follow a police car, meet up with Nancy, Robin and Nancy go to the library, he drives Max and Dustin first to Ms. Kelley's house, then the school. Once Robin and Nancy join them, Max fills them in on some depressing news before noises from the hallway draw their attention.

It turns out to be Lucas, here to warn about Jason.

Steve isn't meaning to eavesdrop when Lucas saddles up next to Dustin on the way to Steve's car and says, "Jason. He, uh, he went to Gareth's. Looking for Eddie. And he. Did you know Gareth and Chrissy Cunningham were cousins?"

Steve stumbles but if anyone noticed they don't call him on it.

Dustin says, "no. Oh, no. Don't tell me-"

"Yeah," Lucas confirms an unspoken question, "he's joined Jason's hunt for Eddie."

"Shit," Dustin and Steve say at the same time.

Unlike Steve, Gareth wakes late. It's almost noon before he drags himself from bed and to the bathroom.

A half hour later, he's clean and fed, and dialing Steve's number for the third time in a row, to get a third answering machine pickup.

"Answer the goddamn phone, Steve!" He snarls into the receiver this time, not having left messages the first two times. Just hung up and dialed again, then. "Have you heard about- I need you, so answer your fucking phone."

He slams the phone back into its cradle. His parents are still lost in their own fear and sorrow, because neither of them scold him for his language or the treatment of the phone.

He calls Jeff, and then Frankie, to cancel practice. They're worried but don't push when Gareth blames his mom. Then he spends another two hours trying to get a hold of Steve, and even Wayne a couple times, but no one answers.

He is surprised, and a little annoyed, when he mom comes to his room a bit later in the day to let him know he has guests at the door. He hauls himself from his bed, ready to tell the guys to fuck off, but when he steps outside to Chrissy's boyfriend instead of Jeff, the words die on his tongue.

Carver, some other guys from the basketball team, and Lucas Sinclair standing in the way back, are waiting for him on his lawn. Gareth closes the front door before slowly stepping off the porch. "Can I help you?"

"We're looking for Eddie. He here?" Carver asks.

"No."

Carver nods, hands shoved into his letterman lifting and dropping, like he was going to make a 'what can you do' gesture but forgot his hands were in his pockets. "Know where we can find him?"

They're looking for Eddie. This is -was- Chrissy's boyfriend. He probably knows the truth as much as Gareth does. And, he wants to know more. He's sure, judging by the tension in Carver's stance and how Lucas is shaking his head no behind them all, that Carver's probably convinced Eddie did it. So, if Gareth wants the truth, he needs to find Eddie, too. "You try Dustin Henderson's house?"

Carver looks surprised by the freely given information, and Lucas looks betrayed. "No. But we will. Thanks."

"I'm coming with."

Carver, who had turned away, turns back slowly. "You think so?"

"She's my cousin. Chrissy. So, yeah, I think I'm coming," Gareth hopes it's enough to get Carver to agree. If Eddie's innocent, Gareth wants to be there to help him. And if- if the fucking worst has happened and Eddie did it.

Well. He wants to be there to help with that, too.

[bldhrry]

A Court of Passion and Daydreams

Chapter One | Fresh Out The Slammer Azriel x OC!Reader Next Chapter Series Masterlist | General Masterlist

word count: 3.3k

warnings: angst and sexual innuendos (like hinting at wanting someone in a sexual way)

author's note: hi guys. this is my first fanfiction post so please let me know what you think. i intend on making this a series, but i'm not sure how many parts yet. feedback is very much welcomed!

She had returned from the Summer Court after 5 years and she had grown since the last time Azriel had seen her.  She was slightly taller and her face was now more womanly than girlish, her expression inviting but wary.  Her figure was fuller, curvier than it had been before; her eyes were wide and her cheeks round and when she looked at him she timidly smiled and lowered her head.  He gave her a grin and turned his attention to Rhysand and Tarquin’s father.

“We’re sad to see her go.  She was a delight and an honor to see her grow into the woman she is now.” Tarquin’s father looked at her with a sad look on his face.  He had no daughter, only sons, so he found a daughter in her during the time she spent there.

“Thank you for taking her.  I didn’t know who else to ask to help her properly.” Rhysand also turned his attention to her and her smile grew as they locked eyes. They grew up together and despite being cousins, he considered her his blood sister.  They never introduced each other as cousins, only as siblings.

“I’m sorry again.” Rhysand turned to look at the High Lord.  “For your mother’s passing I mean.”  Rhysand just nodded his head.

She had been sent to the Summer Court in order to redirect her grief.  Her mother had died when she was a babe and with nobody to care for her, she was sent to live with Rhysand and his mother at the Illyrian camp.  She knew who her birth mother was, but considered her aunt to be her real mother.  When her mother and cousins were murdered, her grief and anger consumed her. When she heard the news the House of Nightmares shook with her scream and power.  Nobody knew what to do; nobody knew how powerful she was until that moment.  Shadows erupted from her body, covering her body and the space around her.  The walls continued to shake and dust fell from the ceiling.  Rhysand was the one to make a move, the only one not scared of what she would do.  His own power enveloped her and calmed her until she was a weeping mess, reminiscent of a child.  They cried together.

She begged to go with Rhysand and his father, her uncle, to the Spring Court to get their revenge, but was shot down.  Unlike Rhysand, she didn’t know her power and she was a risk.  Her personality didn’t help either; she was impulsive and quick to anger and they both knew she would slaughter the whole house indiscriminately.  She relished in the death of the Spring Court’s High Lord, his wife, and heirs.

It wasn’t that nobody wanted to handle the grief that came with the death of Rhysand’s mother and sister.  Everyone grieved the unjust murders, but she became violent and her power only grew from her anger.  Her father was no help; his mate, her mother, had died and he grew mad without her.  He abandoned her after her mother’s death, appearing only for her birthday.  Rhysand’s father couldn’t handle the loss of his mate either and secluded himself in the House of Wind.  So, it was just Rhysand and her dealing with it all.

Despite her uncle’s cruel nature, the relations between the Night Court and the Summer Court were amicable.  She had been once and Rhysand took note of how at peace she seemed surrounded by the sunlight and water.  So, Rhysand reached out to the High Lord of the Summer Court and asked for her to seek asylum there.  He thought the change in atmosphere would help; the House reminded her too much of her mother and it only seemed to make her worse.  Rhysand had Cassian, Azriel, and the routine of the Illyrian lifestyle while his sister had nothing.  She was Illyrian trained, but was ostracized by the other warriors and the females there.  Tarquin’s father readily accepted Rhysand’s request and so the move was arranged.

She had protested, begging to stay with Rhysand.  He was all she knew.

“I can keep the house while you, Cassian, and Azriel train and fight.  I can do what our mother did.  Please don’t leave me.  I’ll forget her if I’m gone and I can’t bear to lose her.”  She screamed and begged.

“You will die if you stay here.  They will train you to control your powers.  Nobody can know how strong you are.  It’s safer this way.”  He reassured her.  She was strong and he feared she was stronger than him; her power had the potential to be dangerous to not just herself, but to everyone around her.  He couldn’t bear to think what would happen if anybody outside of the Court knew of what she was capable of.

The day she arrived at the Summer Court was dark and rain pattered heavily against the roof of the House, matching the somber mood of the group.  Cassian had stayed behind, his duties at the camp not allowing him to leave, so Rhysand, his father, and Azriel accompanied her.  They winnowed into the foyer of the House and were met with the High Lord and his son, Tarquin.  Rhysand’s father stayed aloof and made no move to greet them.  Rhysand was the one to initiate the welcome, shaking hands with the High Lord and his son, both of them sharing their condolences.  She stayed back, staring at the far wall in the back.  She was expressionless; she had no more to give.  

The High Lord made his way to her and took her hands that were clasped in front of her.  “I am so sorry for your loss, but we are glad you are here.  Welcome to the Summer Court.  Anything you need, I will get for you.”  

All she could do was look at him, her eyes void of life.

Her and Azriel had not been particularly close.  Neither was she and Cassian.  The tense relationship between the three males made it so Rhysand kept her away from them, cautious of their nature and manners around another female, especially a young one.  As time went on, the relationship grew into a brotherly bond and she was accepted into their band of brothers.  She grew closer to Cassian; their humor and personality were the same and if she wasn’t with Rhysand, she was with Cassian; so much so that rumors spread throughout the village that they were together, mates even.  That couldn’t have been farther than the truth.

Her and Azriel were friendly and civil, their time together always shared in a comfortable silence.  When the relationship between the brothers was tense, she was quick to defend Azriel and when Azriel had nightmares of his abuse, she was the one to comfort him.  She pitied him and what he had gone through.  She also lost her mother and she could empathize with his pain.  But his reserved and almost intimidating persona made it difficult to be near him for long, let alone hold a conversation with him.  

“It’s good to see you, Azriel.”  He blinked, shaking the memories away.  She had made her way towards him, excusing herself from her conversation with Cresseida.  

He took her in and smiled.  “You’ve been missed, Princess.”  She laughed, the noise filling the foyer.  The pet name had been coined years ago when he learned of her beginnings and it had stuck ever since.  She can't remember the last time she heard her name come from his mouth.

“How have you been?  I hear they call you the Shadowsinger.”  She raised an eyebrow, her smile turning from genuine to amusing.

“And the Spymaster.”  He flashed her a grin.

Her grin grew, showing her teeth and she snaked her arm around his.  “I wish Cassian could be here.  I thought they’d excuse his ban just this once.”

It was now Azriel’s turn to laugh.  “He destroyed an entire building; I doubt they will ever forgive that.”

She rolled her eyes and they landed on him.  She took him in.  He hadn’t gotten taller like she had, but he had gotten more muscular.  His chest and shoulders were broad and his arms thick with muscle that flexed through his Illyrian leathers.  His face was sculpted and his jawline sharp and his eyes were wide with contentness as he looked back at her.  She couldn’t help but notice the flickers of gold that shone through.

The look between them was longer than either had intended, but it was difficult to break.  She broke her gaze first with a small laugh, her cheeks flushed.  He let out a breath and looked towards Rhysand and Feyre, wishing they would finish their conservation so they could leave.

After a few minutes, Feyre embraced Tarquin and his father while Rhysand shook both of their hands.  She broke away from Azriel to embrace them both, whispering "thank you’s" and "I will miss you’s" into their necks.  

Tarquin held on to her longer.  WIth one more squeeze he held her at arms length and kissed her cheek.  “Come back soon.  Please.”  She nodded and brushed a tear away.

She stepped back and looked at Rhysand and he cocked his head toward Azriel.  She took the cue and made her way towards him, his arms already outstretched.  She nestled into his chest and turned her head to look at her found family, giving them a small wave before Azriel winnowed, taking her to the Night Court.  Taking her home.

The affair began with small, longing, fleeting glances.  She had found herself sitting next to Azriel at every dinner and meeting.  She couldn’t help but feel like she was glowing, flames kissing her skin every time they touched or brushed past each other.  She couldn’t relax in his presence, his stare hard, but soft when his eyes rested on her.

Azriel felt the same way.  He watched as she would move about the room and as she talked and smiled and laughed.  He took note of the glimmer in her eye when she bantered with Cassian.  He could feel something glow and dance in his chest when their eyes met and he too felt like he was on fire whenever they would touch.

Cassian picked up on the tension, but kept his mouth shut.  Azriel would be embarrassed and Rhysand would be protective.  But he would silently laugh whenever he saw her tense up when Azriel would enter the room or when Azriel stared at her for too long.

Months had passed since she had come home and she settled into Velaris life and the dynamic of the Inner Court with ease.  Her and Feyre were nearly inseparable and to everyone’s surprise her and Nesta were thick as thieves.  Amren had been wary at first, but soon they were having lunch dates every day and inside jokes.  Her and Mor couldn‘t have been happier being back together.

Rhysand was overjoyed that his sister was back and seemed happier than ever.  She was back to her old self: loud and fierce and quick witted.  Whenever he had the chance he would hug and kiss her and sometimes he felt like he was embracing his mother again.

The Winter Solstice quickly approached and she, Mor, and Feyre were looking at dresses for the ball Rhysand was hosting at the Court of Nightmares in Hewn City.

“I like this one.”  She announced to Nesta.  It was navy blue with lace sleeves that cuffed at the wrists and flowed into a lace that laid on top of the satin fabric.  The lace had embroidered, glittery stars.  “I think it would compliment the silver jewelry I have.  What do you think, Nesta?”  She looked at Nesta who had a green gown in her hand.

“It’s great.”  She narrowed her eyes as she examined the dress.  “It’ll compliment your skin if anything.”

She hummed in agreement and took it off the rack.  Moving towards the counter she spotted Feyre, Elain, and Mor huddled together looking at a dress.  Feyre turned around and tilted her head.  She raised the dress so she could see and smiled.

“Looks great!”  Feyre yelled from across the store.  

She paid at the counter and with the bag in hand, made her way towards the group.

“I’m not sure about it.”  Elain murmured.  The dress was a pale pink with a sheer fabric over the solid material.  “I don’t think it will go with the theme of the ball.”

“There’s no theme.  Just go in what you’re comfortable wearing.”  She spoke and the group turned around.  Feyre and Mor hummed in agreement.  “Who cares if you’re not wearing a dark color.  You have fair skin; the dress will compliment that.  Just get it.”  

Elain smiled at her and nodded, taking the dress from the rack.

“I’m going to go to my apartment and put the dress away.  I’ll see you at the townhouse for dinner.”  The group nodded and turned back to look at the dresses.

She walked behind Rhysand and Feyre towards the thrones at the end of the room.  She was second in line unless Rhysand and Feyre had a child and her position behind them showed just that.  Rhysand let his power flow and she did too.  The room shook as they walked, dark, thick shadows framing her body and flowing behind her and her lazy smile grew as everyone looked at her with shocked expressions.  Nobody had seen her for five years and nobody knew she even had powers, let alone powers similar to their High Lord.

Azriel and the rest of the Inner Court followed behind them and Azriel was ashamed, but couldn’t help but follow the swing of her hips and the sway of the dress that subsequently followed.  She looked beautiful in the gown with the simple silver chain around her neck that fell close to the neckline of the dress and the diamond hoop earrings.  Her hair was half up and the crown, given to her by her father, sat atop her head.  She was gorgeous and his growing need for her threatened to explode and fill the room.

The festivities began with a snap of Rhysand’s finger and Azriel stood at the bottom of the stairs watching the crowd with his staple cold, expressionless face.  Out of the corner of his eye he could see her, standing next to Rhysand’s throne, also watching the crowd.  He noticed the subtle sway of her dress as she moved with the melody of the band and she would leaned forward slightly as the music grew louder and more aggressive and the dancers turned and turned and turned.  She wanted to dance, but he was too shy to ask.

Cassian could see all of this and just smirked at his brother.  If Azriel tried he was sure that she would accept any and all advances he would make.  He nudged his brother and nodded towards her.  “If you don’t, then I will.”  He smirked and Azriel huffed.

“I’m not a good dancer and I don’t even feel like dancing.”  He lied and Cassian grinned.

“Fine.  Then I’ll do it.”  He pushed himself off the wall and Azriel scowled at his back.  WIth ease, Cassian made his way up the stairs and extended his hand towards her.  “May I have the next dance, Princess?”  She snorted and nodded, taking his hand.

They descended the stairs and moved seamlessly into the crowd.  Cassian looked ridiculous as he danced, his movements were jerky and he kept tripping over his feet.  She laughed each time, throwing her head back.  Despite the noise, that was the only sound Azriel could hear and he couldn’t help but watch as they danced, her leading Cassian through the movements.  The dance ended and they bowed at each other, their chests heaving.  Azriel stared and gripped his thigh.

Cassian came back with a grin plastered on his face and Azriel rolled his eyes.  “Your turn now brother.”  He panted.

Azriel let out a deep breath and looked at her as she approached the table at the other end of the room and picked up a glass of wine.

Like Cassian, he kicked himself off the wall and stalked towards her.  His heart pounded in his chest and he could feel himself sweating underneath his suit.  His mouth was dry as he reached out and touched her shoulder.  She jumped and turned around, her expression was softening as she took him in.

His suit was a simple black with a white shirt underneath with the first few buttons undone, exposing his tattoos.  She gulped her wine and forced herself to look elsewhere.

“Dance with me, Princess?”  He managed to get out.  

She smiled shyly and nodded, placing the glass back on the table and extending her hand.  He took it and led her to the dance floor.  He managed a cool demeanor but with her hand in his and her scent filling his senses, he was light headed and wasn’t sure how he was going to get through the dance.

The music began and they moved in tandem.  Their bodies were tight against one another, breaking apart every now and then to switch positions.  He reveled in her presence and couldn’t take his eyes off her.  They didn’t break eye contact the entire time.  With every turn she made, she quickly looked at him again, her chest humming and glowing as it always does around him.  They raised their hands and held them, slowly lowering them and as they did, he noted the way her chest rose and fell, touching his.  As their arms continued to lower he kept looking at and she kept looking at him.  Agony seemed to flash in her eyes as their bodies pressed against each other and again when she turned and faced him.

The song ended and they broke away and she nearly gasped at the loss of contact.  They bowed and she swallowed the lump growing in her throat.  She nodded and smiled and murmured a quick “thank you” before swiftly turning around and making her way towards where Rhysand and Feyre sat.  Azriel was left dumbfounded and his head cloudy but the only image that thrived was the look in her eyes as the dance came to an end.

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at her High Lord.  She curtsied and lowered her head.  He nodded back at her and with a wave of his hand he dismissed her.  She turned away and made her way towards the exit.  Her head was spinning and she couldn’t shake the feeling of Azriel’s hand in her's, his chest meeting her’s, and the way he looked at her like it was the last time.  By the time she made it to the dark hall towards her room she had begun to hyperventilate; her body was hot and her hands shook.  She needed him again even if it was only for a brief moment.  She needed to feel his hands secured around her as he had done before.  For a brief moment she thought she may die if she couldn’t have it.

Unbeknownst to her and the rest of the Court, Azriel had slipped out from the ballroom and was following her down the hall.  She was practically running and he could hear her ragged breathing.  She rounded the corner and he quickly followed.  His steps were quick, his strides long as he tried to catch up to her.  His shadows moved around him, seemingly trying to push him forward.  

She made it to her door as he caught up to her.  Before she could register his presence, he grabbed a hold of her wrist and she looked at him.  Their gaze were hard and fueled with passion and the air seemed to have been sucked out of the hallway.  The only thing they could hear was their ragged, heavy breathing and she glanced between his eyes and his parted lips.

“What are you…” She trailed off and shook her head, as if to clear her mind.  “Are you okay?”

And for the first time in a long time, her name fell from his lips and it was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard.

“Celestia.”