#i also like riding horses i want to go for horse rides with malcolm and brian

[lock-my-feelings-in-a-jar]

now i need a reality where malcolm and brian go horse riding together and then brian can drive a boat for buddy to go waterskiing

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 29: Trouble

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M? (Still figuring out the rating system) (might eventually be M anyhow)

* Warnings: language, someone tailing Stella

* Word count: 4,314ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all

Author's note: Oh shoooot 👀. Things are getting interesting! And okay, I only lasted two days, but I got the finale chapter done, and I wanted a reward. 😂😂😂 Also a fun fact about this chapter, it was the first chapter I wrote for this story a little over a year ago. I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well!

Ryan and Stella were out riding. There was no work to be done and Ryan wanted to take the opportunity to check in with his little sister. It had been a little while since they had one on one time. Since he’s been her primary guardian for so long, even though she was a full adult now, he still liked to make sure she was okay. He never wanted her to feel like she was alone in dealing with whatever life threw at them.

“So truly Stellee, how are you?” Both of them came to a stop at the top of a hill overlooking the valley back to the ranch.

Stella pursed her lips and sighed quietly to herself while adjusting her glasses. “I’m okay, Ry. There’s just been a lot going on.”

He nods in understanding, looking her over. She was shifting, seemingly uncomfortable in her saddle, which was the farthest thing from true. That woman was more comfortable in a saddle than on her own two legs. Her bay roan mare, Abigail, whom he gifted her at 16 was also fidgety. Kayce and Stella had both worked together to make sure that the horse was as solid as a rock. She was feisty, sure, but solid. She was sure to give away how Stella was feeling though.

“You know I don’t fully believe you, right?”

Stella barked out a laugh, “Oh really now? And why is that?”

“You’ve got a tell, sis. It also doesn’t help that your mare gives you away either.” Ryan smirked.

“I mean, I’m not lying when I say there’s been a lot going on this year. Lee, the bear, Jenkins, Malcolm.” She glared at the horizon at the thought of the platinum haired man. “The stupid shit with Kayce. There is a lot going on at the repro barn over at Olivia’s.”

Ryan smoothly interrupts, “but…,” he drug out.

“But,” Stella huffs, giving him a pointed look, “a couple times on my way here recently, someone has followed me.” She decided to fess up without much of a fight because there was no use trying to get around Ryan when he wanted information. He’s very persistent and she’s the same way. They would have dug themselves into the ground and died before giving in. Being followed was also starting to bother her.

“Excuse me Stella Lee?! You’re just telling me this now?!”

“Well at first I didn’t think too much about it! A lot of people drive back this way. The second time was after that thing with Malcolm.”

“So why didn’t you tell me then?” She could visibly see his blood pressure rising higher and higher.

“I wanted to be 100% sure they were actually tailing me. Third times the charm, right?” She defended weakly.

“Wait, the third time?” His face turned to stone.

“Today.” At this point, if he would have been able to physically implode and survive, he would have. Stella swore she heard an explosion of the sound barrier as he took off back toward the ranch.

“Fuck.” Stella motioned and Abigail kicked it into high gear. She had to beat Ryan before he caused a ruckus and bothered everyone.

Ryan knew he needed to tell Rip or John. Something wasn’t right and he had to beat Stella there. He adored her stubborn and independent nature, but sometimes it was capable of giving him aneurysms.

In the distance Ryan could see John, Rip, and Kayce by the outer fence talking amongst themselves. Lloyd was closer to him and was trying to flag him down.

“Ho, Ryan! Where’s the fire?”

As he rushes by Lloyd, “I need to get to them before Stella does!”

“She ain’t far behind you.” Lloyd said quietly and looked in the direction of the woman in question. She and that mare were closing in on the round pen with an extensive cloud of dust following. Stella’s face was more determined than he had ever witnessed and he worried for Ryan’s safety.

Ryan came to an abrupt stop in front of the three men, out of breath and rushing to get words out, “Someone has been following Stella. Three times on her way here, and god knows how many other times she’s failed to mention to me.”

In a swift motion with the sharpness of a damn good cattle horse, Stella and Abigail swept in and bounced to a solid stop between Ryan and the others.

“Ryan! Don’t bother them with this! It’s probably just me being paranoid.” She rolled her eyes and moved her glasses back to the bridge of her nose. She really wasn’t feeling having any of her bosses involved. Kayce especially.

“No. It’s you being observant of something that’s out of place.” He pointed at her. “You trying to brush it off the way you are? Is gonna get you kidnapped or killed.”

“Or both,” Rip chimed in from behind them making Stella whip her head around. She had forgotten they had an audience.

“Or worse,” Kayce added with a serious look.

She groaned, “Not you too…,” she trailed off as she finally took notice of the look he was giving her and stopped all forms of argument. They hadn’t had a real chance to speak much since his visit with Monica the other night. Only the one time and it didn’t end great. Her shoulders dropped. It was three against one.

“You’re staying here for a little while. Isn’t she Ryan?” The direct eye contact from Kayce pinned Stella to her spot as he made his declaration final and he didn’t break the contact to talk to Ryan either.

“Yes Kayce, I couldn’t agree more.”

“Ryan, you stay here. Stella, come up to the barn with me.” She rolled her eyes, mostly to herself and the situation she had gotten herself into, but kept up behind Kayce and his mustang nonetheless.

As they were breaking down their horses it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Stella was a speedy little thing when it came to break down. She could see the light at the end of the tunnel. She wasn’t going to be the one to break the silence. If she finished and got out of the barn before he could catch her? She would be just fine with that.

She hung Abigail’s halter on the outside stall hook as she shut and latched the door. Before she had a chance to turn around, there was a heavy hand that gripped her up and tugged her to the tack room.

In a flurry of noise the door slammed shut behind her and the offending person. Quickly Stella turned around while cocking back her fist. She was fairly certain it was Kayce, but she would rather be safe than sorry, and he deserved a punch from her. So she was fine with it either way.

He grabbed her wrist as she swung her balled fist toward his nose. She visibly relaxed when she realized her assumption was correct. It didn’t ease her irritation, however.

“What the fuck Kayce,” she flicked the brim of his cowboy hat with a huff and pulled her wrist from him. She noticed she was in his personal bubble and tried to back up.

“You’re staying here until we tell you otherwise. Don’t even bother trying to fight me on it. Ryan agrees and will fight you with me, so there’s no use.”

“Kayce, I’m sure it’s just me being paranoid. A lot of people drive back and forth past here every day. It’s a popular road.”

Kayce pulled her back in toward him trying to make a point, “I would like to not have to plead on the six o’clock to get you back or find you murdered.” He leaned closer as if she was about to disappear into thin air.

She adjusted her glasses thinking how she should really get them tightened. It also didn’t help that it was a nervous habit. She looked down in defeat.

“Okay fine. But you’re taking me back to get my clothes for my undetermined stay.” She poked his chest as his body sagged forward. Yes they had been avoiding each other, but she was one of his best friends. Longest friend at least.

“We just want you safe, Stellfire.”

“I know, ya big dumb cowboy,” she smiled and gave him a friendly shove, “now let’s go before they think I’m still being the other woman in the tack room.” She missed the fall of Kayce’s face as she walked away.

Ryan grimaced. He hadn’t meant to cause such a fuss. Other than the ranch and being a livestock agent, his little sister was his everything. They had been through hell and back, and he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something happened to her and he couldn’t get to her quick enough.

“Sir, I’m so sorry to bring this up to you all like this. I just know something isn’t right and I needed someone to know before she could stop me. And I mean you saw her coming —,” John interrupted.

“She looked like the devil herself coming for reckoning. It’s something I’ve seen in you both.” Ryan almost let a look of pride slip through at John’s admission, but he held it together.

“You’re my lead livestock agent for a reason, Ryan.” John tried to hide a small smile, “We can have her stay here. It’s probably safer than her place anyway.”

Rip offered, “I’ll follow behind to keep an eye out with Lloyd. You or Kayce can run her in a different car.”

“Kayce is gonna take me.” The pair sauntered up to the group from behind. Rip could see Ryan’s hesitation at the thought of not being close to his sister.

“Ryan, why don’t you back Lloyd and I up on the way?”

Ryan came out of the bunkhouse and stopped for a minute to look at his sister. She could most certainly be hell on wheels more often than not most days. He liked to think it was all the years of holding her own with the bunkhouse. He knew that it was a trait shared between them as well.

Even though she was rough and tumble, she had a soft and gentle grace about her. Especially when having a heart to heart with someone. Her being stubborn as a mule was giving him grey hairs, but he couldn’t be more proud of the woman he had raised. Of course, with the help of the wranglers. ‘It takes a village,’ he thought to himself.

Stella could feel eyes on her as she threw a couple of empty duffle bags into Kayce’s truck. She glanced around and spotted her brother giving her a look. She tilted her head at him with her eyebrows scrunched together. He shook his head and went about getting things for the ride together.

It almost felt like an out of body experience looking at the men around her. There was an immense feeling of humility that swarmed in through her lungs and filled her chest. These tough as nails cowboys truly cared about her. They cared enough to rally around her and try their damndest to keep her safe. She studied each of them with a loving fondness. She had grown up with these men, and they had always remained a steady constant in her life. For that, she was grateful. She realized that this place, these people, really did feel like home. If she thought about it hard enough, she might get misty eyed.

Finally, forest brown eyes met a matching set as Stella felt the breath in her lungs get caught. Kayce gauged her actions, trying to decipher if she was okay without asking. She shook her head and smiled at him to let him know she was indeed okay. Ryan made his way over to the pair while clearing his throat, feeling like he was interrupting some unspoken conversation.

“You almost ready, Stellee?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but there's a flaw in the plan that I just thought of.”

“What’s that, Stella-belle?” Rip questioned from over by his truck.

She readjusted her glasses and looked around to her brother, almost like she did when she was little and needed reassurance. “Well if they’re planning on following me back, they aren’t going to do it if it’s Kayce’s truck that leaves here.”

Ryan sighed and dropped his head, “As much as I hate to agree with her, she’s right.”

Kayce reached into the back of his truck and grabbed the duffles and on his way past Stella said, “You can out-maneuver them, right?”

“Kayce… I hang out with a bunch of cowboys,” she laughed, “and if I can’t outrun them? Then we’ll get lost in these here hills, baby.” There was a pause between all of them. The men quickly picked up Stella’s hidden meaning.

“Plus, I’ll have one of the best shots on the ranch riding shotgun.” She smirked in Kayce’s direction. She loved to give him a hard time about his itchy trigger finger. He gave her a soft shove as if he was telling her to fuck off, and she giggled and hopped into her car.

Everyone loaded up in their respective vehicles. Stella thought Ryan had hopped into Rip’s truck, but the interior light kicked on and the car moved as Ryan’s weight settled into her backseat. She made eye contact with her brother in the rearview mirror, and silently asked him what he was doing.

He raised his eyebrows at her, “You think I’m not about to be in your car to protect you?” He stopped short for a second realizing one of his bosses was in the front seat, “No offense.” Kayce smirked as Stella put the SUV in drive.

She pulled to the end of the long driveway. She looked in both directions checking for signs of the car from earlier. She didn’t see anything, but there was still a definitive hesitation in her movements. Things were suddenly very real to her.

Kayce says softly, “Hey, it's okay Stellfire. We’ve got you. Just do what you would normally do. We’ll worry about the rest.”

Ryan watched the gentle nature Kayce used with his sister. It was almost similar to the way you would approach a green horse. There was something softer about it though. Ryan couldn’t quite put his finger on what was going on. He knew there wasn’t anything going on between them any longer, but he didn’t know if Kayce was kissing his sister’s ass or being genuine. He squinted at Stella in the rearview, but didn’t say anything. She pulled out and to the left, took a deep breath and began her normal trek home. The only thing different was she had four guests in tow this time.

Rip and Lloyd pulled out a few minutes behind everyone else. They wanted to leave enough space in between to be able to box in whoever was following Stella. If they decided to follow her again.

“You know Lloyd, I’ve got a bad feelin’ about this.”

“I was feelin’ the same way. Especially if whoever these people are, are coming after little bit.”

“Because none of us would let her get involved in some shit like this, well this part of it anyhow.”

“Especially Ryan.” They chuckled knowing that he could be kind of a helicopter when it came to his little sister.

“That boy sure has tried his hardest raising her right.”

“And he’s done a damn fine job. That stays here, Lloyd.” The men smiled at each other.

Halfway between the Yellowstone and the outskirts of downtown, a silver four door sedan pulled out behind the white SUV. Ryan and Kayce noticed that Stella’s body language tensed up, but she refused to say anything to them. They felt her accelerate slightly. Ryan glanced out the back, and Kayce was looking through the side mirror. They easily spotted the car, and let each other know they had seen it.

“Don’t speed up Stella. Remember, we’re both here.” Ryan gently reminded her. Her shoulders relaxed as she found her brother’s gaze in the mirror before looking back to the road ahead.

“You’re just driving home. Nothing out of the ordinary.” Kayce added.

Ryan turned around in the back seat to observe the car again. The windows were, of course, tinted so dark that he could barely make out that the car was being driven by a person in general. ‘Why would this shit be easy?’ He rolled his eyes, turning around to pick up his ringing phone. It was Lloyd calling.

“Yeah?”

“We’re a couple miles back, but there’s a silver car that’s tailing you.”

“We’ve got them in sights. They aren’t subtle if that’s them.”

“They probably think she’s oblivious and hasn’t noticed them at all. Rip wants to say something, put it on speaker.”

Ryan engaged the speaker, and they all heard Rip clear his throat. “Stella?”

“Yessir?”

“When you get to your house, I want you and your brother to hop out and go inside. Kayce,” he paused for a few seconds as Kayce presented himself, “You stay outside. Watch every move that these motherfuckers make if they pull in behind you.”

Kayce nodded even though Rip couldn’t see him, “Roger that.” He also heard the unspoken order to shoot to kill if necessary. For Stella, he would change the landscape if he had to.

“Where will you be Rip?” They all clearly heard the nervous tick in her voice. It almost made Ryan grab for her hand like when they were kids. She sounded so small and he hated that.

“We’ll be right outside of view, either following them or making sure they stay off of your property, sweetheart. You go get your stuff. We’ve got the rest.” Rip finished and Lloyd ended the call.

Stella lived just a little ways out in between the ranch and downtown. She had neighbors, but they definitely weren’t close. Ryan grimaced at the thought of his sister being by herself out here.

Stella pulled her car around the driveway and around to the back. She pulled it up to face out toward the road again. Putting it in park, she looked at Kayce. “Alright Kace, I know you’re always carrying, but in case you need extra,” they locked eyes, “it’s holstered in the glove box.” His mouth upturned at the corner proudly, ‘Just like I taught her.’ He quickly nodded as he flipped his baseball cap backwards.

Stella ignored the clenching of her stomach at the attractive maneuver. There was always something about a man in a backwards ball cap that caught her eye. She hopped out and started to walk toward her house as Ryan followed sidling up beside her.

“This is the bad thing about you having a wooded driveway, and all the way out here. Can’t get much of a heads up.”

She smiled at her brother and let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, but no one can witness the aftermath.”

Ryan’s face screwed up at the confession, “My god, you’ve got to stop hanging out with Rip.”

Her laughter got stuck in her throat as she reached out to unlock her door. Her whole body tensed.

“Ry…,” she said so quietly Ryan almost missed it. She took a deep breath, “it’s unlocked.”

“Did you leave it like that?”

She breathed out harshly and shook her head. Ryan stepped in front of her.

“Stay behind me and do exactly as I say.” Stella wasn’t about to argue.

Ryan opened the door wide, dropped the duffel bags to his far right, and drew his weapon within 10 seconds. She followed suit and went to the concealed weapon underneath the front table and hoped it was still there.

He heard the snip of her gun safety being switched off behind him. He immediately went to the right and into the den taking a wide gap to the left. Stella made sure to clear the rest of the room and the straight view into her kitchen. They swapped places back and forth in a fatal dance going from room to room. Being taught by her brother not only kept him sharp, but it gave Stella the knowledge to help in this situation.

They finally finished clearing the house. She holstered her weapon back and pulled it from its compartment under the table and hooked it to her belt. With a heavy sigh, she reached down to grab the bags.

“What’s wrong Stellee?” Ryan came up from the small hallway that led to her kitchen.

“Someone was in my house, Ryan. That’s what’s wrong.” She said curtly.

“You’re sure you didn’t just forget to lock the door in your rush to get to the ranch today?”

“Yes Ryan,” he could hear the stress dripping in her voice, “not only was my door unlocked, which I never do mind you, but some stuff was out of place. It definitely wasn’t how I left it. And it feels like someone offensive has been in here.”

“Well let's get you outta here.”

Kayce got out of the SUV once the tight knit siblings made it inside. He had seen Stella tense at the door and had almost ran to the porch. He knew that if she needed the help, she would have made it clear. So he held off.

He looked around the back driveway and yard. The parking spots were messy dirt and gravel. It was a shot in the dark that he would see tracks because they had driven over them, but it was worth a glance.

He stood, huffed and placed a hand on his hip as he surveyed the surroundings. Nothing appeared to be out of place. Except a piece of paper that fluttered because it had gotten stuck against the railing in the nighttime Montana breeze. He didn’t think anything of it and grabbed it. It wasn’t uncommon for trash to blow around every now and again. He almost crumpled it up, but Stella’s name in larger font caught his eye.

“What the,” he whispered. He heard the door close. He quickly folded it up and put it in his jacket pocket. He cleared his throat, “everything alright?”

“For all intents and purposes, yes. It’s okay.” Stella readjusted the duffel bags on her shoulder and her glasses with her forearm as she made her way down the porch steps. Kayce met her at the bottom and took the bags from her and put them in her back seat.

“On the back half of that though, somebody was in my house.”

“What?!” Kayce started toward the house, but Stella’s hand in the middle of his chest stopped him.

She shook her head, “let me clarify, someone had been in there. Ryan and I checked the house. No one was in there at the time. I’m ready to get the fuck outta here though,” she slipped her hand away from his chest and made her way to the driver’s seat, “let’s go home gentlemen.” They met up with Rip and Lloyd at the end of her drive. With a nod from Rip to Stella, they made it back to the ranch without any more incident.

Stella got out of her SUV and leaned on the back door, locking her elbows to keep her upright. She was exhausted. Her head started to pound from all the tension being released from her neck and shoulders.

“You alright, sugar?” Kayce came up and touched her elbow. She jerked a little bit, being pulled back into reality.

“Yeah…,” He reached for her arm again and pulled her into a hug. She melted into him and he heard her sniffle. She was tired of avoiding him. She needed her best friend.

“Hey, hey. It’s gonna be alright.” He placed his hand on the back of her head allowing her to hide her face in his chest, “you’re safe, sugar.”

She raised her head partially, “I know. The stress is just leaving. I’ll be fine after some sleep and some hard manual labor for a few days.”

It was comfortably quiet between the pair. Kayce still had her in an embrace. He could feel the tension slowly leaving her the longer they stood there. He could also feel that if they stood there any longer, she would most definitely fall asleep standing up.

He patted her on the back, “Your brother is probably wondering why you haven’t made it inside yet. Let’s get you settled in, yeah?” Stella nodded, too tired to speak anymore. Kayce grabbed the bags out of the back seat, and gently directed her to head inside.

When she crossed the threshold to the bunkhouse, there was a slight lull in the usual loud activity before everyone jumped to greet her. She greeted them quietly back and made a beeline to the empty bunk that Kayce used when he first came back since Jamie took the one she usually took. Ryan had a clear view from here. She knew she could let herself relax, even if it was only for a few short hours.

Everyone quieted. They weren’t used to seeing Stella so defeated. Kayce made eyes at Ryan, Rip, and Lloyd and nodded toward the outside. He didn’t want her to hear about the note.

Lloyd started off, “That silver car slowed up at her drive until they spotted us.”

“We followed them into downtown as far as we could, but with the fuckin’ traffic we lost them.” Rip was pissed.

Kayce pulled the note out of his jacket pocket. “I found this on the stairs at Stella’s.” He handed the note off so the others could take a look. “Even though she's not as involved with any of the shit that happens here, somebody sure as hell thinks she is.”

“Someone is trying to find vulnerable spots. This is about to be a shit show.” Ryan said.

Rip directed, “We’ll talk to Mr. Dutton in the morning. Let the girl get some rest for now.” He took a second and looked to the youngest Dutton, “Oh and Kayce?” Rip paused. “Don’t let Stella see that.”

[rayatii]

The continued adventures of my Sims; we are getting closer and closer to the actual plot of the opera!!

Whoops, I forgot to make the doors of the mansion off-limits for horses 😂 (I eventually fixed it!)

Struggling a bit, are we, Adina?

Let's go, faster than the wind!

Adina later discovered that she likes horseback riding. So it's official: Adina operacharacter is a horse girl confirmed!!

Awww, looks like Sanook has taken quite a liking towards Atalanta 🥰🥰 (despite the fact that, ya know, that is literally a horse inside a kitchen.)

Adina and Nemorino's first time seeing each other in YEARS, and the first thing they autonomously did was hug 🥰 Their bios show that they're STILL besties 😭

Awww :)

Now that she has plenty of time on her hands, Adina has been focusing on advancing in the Serial Romantic aspiration, including by kissing 10 Sims (which can include hand kisses, but I didn't find that out until later). Here she is making a move on the grocery store guy in Finchwick, who closed his store just to continue his convo with her.

(She's not a Don Giovanni, but one might say that she's sort of exploring around, bc she doesn't make any false promises of commitment.)

Belcore, in addition to working his way to becoming a sergeant, is ALSO working on advancing in the Serial Romantic aspiration. Here he is with his third Cupid's Corner date, Miriam.

I have found that playing Woo-Who?! makes the "courting" process much easier, as it reveals the other players' turn-ons and turn-offs.

Advancing in the 3 first kisses goal.

I looooove Adina's Sexy Witch™ costume 😍 I wish it was one of the options for wearing costumes outside a Spooky Party... (Adina organized a Spooky Party for her friends for Hallowseve Day, which has remained on the calendar autonomously, and is now making another white cat Jack O'Lantern.)

And of course, Nemorino showed up dressed as a pizza delivery guy 😂 Somehow this sums up the opera itself...

Awww, autonomous besties :) (this kinda defeats the purpose of the opera, but whatever.)

lmao, Cassandra Goth and Savannah Price decided to fall asleep on the floaties in the swimming pool, despite the cold weather 😂

Awww, two furry friends getting to know each other 😭

The following day, Adina organized a dinner party for Harvestfest for her tenants (with a tofurkey rather than a regular turkey, bc Giannetta's dad is vegetarian).

aww Giannetta's mom being nice to Principessa. It's rare to see guests being nice with her (*flashbacks*)

Enjoying her mom's fancy aquajet bathtub 🛀

And here she is putting the moves on her childhood neighbor, Imran Watson.

An enchanting introduction for Malcolm Landgraab! (still on her serial kissing mission.)

Atalanta didn't seem to be getting along very well with that random rabbit...

A romantic introduction (different from enchanting introduction) for Mark Eggleston from the Eclectic Arts Household! (the roommate of Leslie Holland, who fought the Mother Plant alongside Dulcamara after he cured her. Also, they moved into San Myshuno and adopted a little girl named Victoria. I like the idea of a child being raised by a group of roommates. Not that it would legally happen irl... 😢)

Duane, you're ruining the moment. (Also that is Luna Villareal that Belcore met on Cupid's Corner, the sister of Hugo Villareal, who was Adina's first boyfriend.)

lmao Adina is washing her hands with her gloves still on (I neglected to have her change from her cold-weather riding habit.)

Also, I got her to go on a date with Tane, and they're now officially partners, but not for long (she has to have had 8 romantic relationships and 3 gold dates to complete the aspiration.)

(oh, and Adina's family's former butler Dominik has unfortunately died 😭 (read it on Neighborhood Stories))

Anyway, I uploaded the young-adult version of Giannetta's family on my gallery, in case anyone wants it.

[dandelioncrownns]

random grishaverse facts/trivia (mostly tgt/kos, tbh), because i love useless details. Also, attempted organisation, because i like order too. + ft. my unwanted commentary

the darkling

has a sweet tooth

loves animals and nature in general

for those of you who have read demon in the woods, he got to meet the white tigers :)

his bedchamber walls are carved into trees bc he loves the woods

his favourite trees in particular are pine trees (or just evergreen trees in general)

he used to be afraid of the dark (many possibly worrying? interesting? implications to this; i won’t get into it here tho)

he likes bright colours, but wears black all the time basically for the aesthetic

he met his younger half-sister, Ulla, when he was a seer’s apprentice in Fjerda 

the darkling is a musician! He plays the fiddle, and growing up, he played the balalaika and oud (i wonder if he can read tablature,,) 

His father was a very powerful heartrender (maybe this is why the corporalki are valued so highly by him?)

genya

she got an amplifier between the end of R+R and the start of KoS (kestrel bones)

Genya used Dekora Nevich, the Ornamental Blade, to poison the King

It smells like cinnamon and is a warm golden colour

the royal family / nikolai’s bio family 

the King once cut himself on his own sword

genya named the queen’s dog 

until she was like 11, Genya was like the daughter the queen never had (omg i really wonder how Nikolai and Vasily felt about that? ik it’s not really mentioned, and Nik kinda acts like he just met Genya is S+S, but they must have been a lot closer, right?? I mean genya was almost always at the grand palace with Queen Tatiana, and nikolai just really wanted his parents’ attention, there must have been some kind of maybe one-sided jealousy/sibling rivalry thing, right?? I digress- for now)

also the queen in a dog person

p. sure Nikolai is a mommy’s boy

(possible explanation:) he looks exactly like his real father (except for his eyes). Nikolai even has the same laugh as Magnus

the queen was also fed up with Vasily and his horses

Vasily rides a white gelding horse and Nikolai rides a speckled grey horse (called Punchline)

speaking of, vasily is definitely a horse girl, but like... just the worst (darkling 🤝vasily)

Queen Tatiana’s letters to Magnus Opjer were “very racy” 

 She doesn’t approve of women in trousers

Linnea is ~1 year younger than Nikolai

she is good at math + studies engineering at ketterdam (I wonder if maybe she and Nikolai crossed paths when he was at uni- they’re around the same age, so maybe?)

The King and Queen hired a clown for nikolai’s 10th birthday (the worst birthday party he’d been to, inclusive of the night Vasily died, according to Nikolai)

Nikolai is afraid of spiders (and also clowns???)

nikolai:

he can juggle

Nikolai sucks at learning languages 

he once spoke Fjerdan so badly a man named Knut offered him a ruby to stop

his Kerch seems pretty good tho

Nikolai met The Darkling when he was 14

Nikolai is a baritone (as is Jesper!)

In his free time, Nikolai writes bad poetry (remember that time he got stabbed w/ a letter opener bc his poetry sucked?)

he went through an emo phase/ existential crisis before becoming sturmhond.

during said emo phase, he wrote rhyming poetry pretty much exclusively

He also took philosophy classes at uni (PPE?)

alina:

alina tried on the same rose dress that the Queen watched vasily die in

Nikolai gifted Alina a VERY low-cut cobalt lace gown (In the words of Nadia, “The bodice might as well be cut to the navel.” )

Alina hates herring, but Zoya and Nikolai love it

She is VERY sarcastic and snarky!! I feel like this gets glossed over so much in the fandom, and just why?? (she’s so gloomy and over everything 90% of the time, i love it so much)

So this isn’t technically a fact-fact, but there is no way Alina wasn’t at least a little bit into women. Did you read how she talked abt genya? Zoya? there’s no way she wasn’t into them

Alina doesn’t really like hard cheese

zoya + zoyalai:

Zoya’s horse is called Serebrine

Zoya can use her lightning as a defibrillator (I’m sure other squallers can do this too with the right training)

Zoya likes Nikolai’s hands (and Nikolai likes Zoya’s feet lmao)

she has ‘weird (long?) incisors’  

she definitely had a crush on Nikolai since Ruin and Rising

kaz:

Kaz grew up on a farm in Southern Kerch, in Lij

Kaz is a both a cat and a dog person  (he just likes strays)

Matthias is a dog person, obviously

All the other crows are cat people 

He likes hot chocolate

both he and nikolai like brandy

hates cereal

Kaz is obsessed with magic + likes puzzles

actually very funny if he wasn’t terrifying (honestly?? at leat 70% of his dialogue is just witty quips/jokes)

Kaz’s right leg is the one he broke, and the dregs usually get their tattoo on their right forearm

the other crows:

Jesper has been known to go line-dancing (and would like country music) 

Mal and Jesper were friends in S+S!! (Probably) Jesper has a not-really-secret crush on sturmhond. 

He also had a VERY not secret crush on Kaz before wylan, ofc

Matthias’ middle name is Benedik

Nina would win in an arm wrestling contest against Jesper

Inej has a thing for Kaz’s eyes

Nina was at the orphanage with the other grisha kids in R+R

In the opening scene of CK, Jesper was wearing a navy waistcoat with little gold stars (his fashion is just top tier honestly)

grisha- powers, etc.:

A solar eclipse would have no effect on the Darkling’s powers, but it would make it harder for Alina to summon.

Fabrikators can make flowers bloom

The twins have shark teeth amplifiers

Adrik and Leoni are saints

general world stuff:

Gay marriage is legal in Kerch!

there was a landbridge connecting Shu Han and Kerch but the council of tides covered it

Antimony is used as mascara

kruge is pale purple paper currency

ravkan currency has Nikolai’s face on it (ig not anymore tho?)

Hringkälla is celebrated on March 20th

the distance between Ivets and Os Alta is only about 100 miles? (i’m just going to willfully ignore this, because thats,, so small?)

Mermaids and dragons exist(ed) in the grishaverse

misc:

the daughter of the duke of ivets has a daughter who can play the harp

there is not fourth tale of krigi

The baroness Natasha Beritrova is fifty (as of KoS) and has lands near caryeva

Elke Marie Smit is from one of the most powerful Kerch families and is just 16 in KoS

Oncat is an orange tabby

Anya liked Joost a lot :( (I got way too attached to them at the start of SoC and was so sad + confused when they died lol)

david eats hard boiled eggs for his working days in the shops

‘Malyen’ is the Ravkan version of ‘Malcolm’ (very fitting)

Nikolai brought the kids at Keramzin toy boats + frequently sends Alina and Mal gifts 

The triumvirate would also visit them every feast of Sankt Nikolai too :)

star signs / birthdays (ik the gv constellations aren’t the same as ours, but idc):

Inej: Cancer (june 21st - july 22nd)

Kaz: Capricorn (december 22nd - january 19th)

Nina: Leo (july 23rd - august 22nd)

Jesper: Gemini (may 21st - june 20th)

Matthias: Taurus (april 20th - may 20th)

Wylan: virgo (august 23rd - september 22nd)

Kuwei: aries (march 21st - april 19th)

Darkling: aries

Nikolai is most likely either a gemini or cancer (but he could also be a Leo or Taurus). Whatever it is, he is a summer baby.

Alina and Mal have the same birthday (they were given the Duke’s birthday when they came to the orphanage)

heights:

Jesper is 6’2” - 6’3”

Kaz is 6′

Matthias is 6’4

Nina is 5’9”-5’10”

Inej is 5’3” - 5’4”

Alina is ’short’ (5’3”?)

Mal and the Darkling are ‘tall’ (tbf, like all the characters are tall >:( I want my short people rights)

Nikolai  (well, stumhond, but i think they’re the same height) is described by Jesper as tall (so 6’2”+?? why is everyone so tall??? I-)

Zoya is several inches shorter than nina (zoyalai height difference lets go)

Kuwei is slightly shorter than Wylan (who is about 5’8”?)

there’s definitely more, so if you made it this far and have any more, pls add to the list!

[dragonbabezee]

Fictional Crush Series No.7

Have we made it to the 90′s yet?  We have!

What’s this you say?  The Outlander series didn’t premier until 2014?  Well!  There just happens to be an antiquated technology called books in with this particular tale was first created.

Let me set the scene.  It’s 1993.  I’m at the library with my dad.  I feel like I’ve read the entire YA section, and I’ve run out of David Eddings and Anne McCaffery books to read.  I complain to my dad that I have sucked this library dry.  He reaches into the Returned Today Shelf of unsorted books and grabs one at random.  “Here, you haven’t read this yet.”  It was this, a first edition copy of Outlander:

Perhaps he though it was an historical novel set in the highlands.  It kind of is...?  

To prove to him that plucking ugly books at random off the shelf was no was to pick a quality read, I read it.   First came intrigue, then delight, then fascination and compulsion, then welling tides of love and lust, and the feels! So many feels!

For those very few who are still unfamiliar with the Outlander universe, it’s a genre-bending book and series, especially the first three books, combining historical fiction, time travel, romance, blood, gore, sexual violence, medical ickiness, touches of mythical fantasy and magic, mystery, and a big slabbing helping of hot sexy sex.  

https://www.deviantart.com/aryundomiel/art/the-heart-asks-pleasure-first-181601743

Oh, and this hunk of red-blooded, red-haired Scot!

That means “I am ready” for everyone who doesn’t read French or hasn’t read the book.  I was 15.  I was ready.  My parents may have disagreed if they had known what was behind that twee bookcover.

James Alexander Malcolm McKenzie Fraser, Jamie to some, and JAMMF to the old school fandom.  Oh course, now we have Sam Heughan to envision Jamie as, but back in the day we used a read words off a page and picture Jamie et al in our minds.   I don’t think they did a bad job of casting Jamie.  Sam is of course, too short, and his hair is not red enough, but I give it a pass.

What makes Jamie Fraser a worthy subject of a lasting fictional crush that rocked my world?  He is an enlightened and modern thinker of the Enlightenment era, meaning that he does still kinda believe in witches and faeries, but also in science, and can eventually be persuaded to not beat his wife for wrongdoing (after a knife to the throat).  He is a soldier, a mercenary, an expert swordsman, can ride any horse, even a demonic stallion that no one else can master, a farmer, a landlord, a leader of men, a student of science and progress, a virgin at the beginning of the first book, and a sex-god by the end of it.  

Packaged in a 6 foot 6 Viking-esque warrior’s body, like a red-haired, blue-eyed demon set on Earth to sway our time-travelling heroine Claire off the path of marital fidelity.  It could be said that he is the ultimate Gary Sue.  He does have flaws though, mostly pertaining to pride and being a man of his day, even if he is a progressive one.  He is the prototype that launched a thousand Highlander romance novels.

The most singularly swoonworthy thing about Jamie though is how much he loves his woman.  The end.

https://www.deviantart.com/ellaine/art/Blood-and-Bone-567354322

https://www.deviantart.com/ellaine/art/Wild-strawberries-576708467

You want more detail?  Oh, fine, SPOILERS AHEAD.

He will save his wife from his worst and most feared enemy, armed only with an unloaded pistol, even though he thinks she’s probably an English spy bent on turning him and his folk as traitors to the crown.

https://www.deviantart.com/lehanan/art/Outlander-Take-your-hands-off-my-wife-486871484

He will single-handedly rescue her from the midst of a witch trial that is in the process of condemning her, even though he’s fairly sure she really is a witch.

He will trade his soul and his body to keep her alive.  He will believe the insane truths she tells him, and based on them, betray his kin and his King.  What impressionable young hetro woman doesn’t want that level of devotion from her man?

At the opening of the book, Jamie has already been through a lot - imprisonment and two disfiguring floggings, exile, the soldiers life. near starvation, serious head injury, family intrigue, the death of both his parents....and he’s only 22.  And yet, Jamie is still fairly optimistic character, aside for when he or his wife are getting tortured, raped, nearly killed etc.  He’s not one to wallow unnecessarily in his Man Pain.  Until he is, and then grab the popcorn and watch Claire drain the pool.

While we’re here, I’d like to point out a few unexpected treats and differences that I got from the show that I didn’t get from the books.

1) Jamie’s knees

2)  The flogging and several other violent scenes that were disturbing enough in the books became Extremely Uncomfortable and Upsetting Viewing.  If you’ve seen the show or read the books you probably know what scenes I am talking about.

3) they didn’t hold back on the sex scenes.  Many gifs from the various scenes would get this post removed from Tumblr.  Many were so hot I was blushing whilst watching it alone.  DO NOT WATCH WITH YOUR PARENTS.

I have read all the books of course, though I mainly concentrated on the first one here, the one that spawned my crush.  IT was a couple of years before I got my hands on books 2 and 3, and the fourth one hadn’t been written yet (I did get to go to a book signing and have my copy of Drums of Autumn signed by Diana Gabadon, Herself!).  My parents remembered my love for the series, unfortunately, and tried watching the TV when it came out.  My dad finally saw the error of plucking a book at random from a shelf to give to his 15 year old daughter to read.

[jamieatthebarricade]

Maids to Wives / Chapter 4

In 1619, one hundred and forty-four English women from good families crossed the Atlantic in response to the Virginia Company of London’s call for maids “young and corrupt” to make wives for the planters of it’s new colony in Virginia. One in six of the maids could even claim gentry status. Although promised a free choice of husband, they were in effect being traded into marriage for a bride price of 150 pounds of best leaf tobacco, the profits to flow to individual investors

In 1619, Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp made the voyage to do one thing: marry a man she's never met. But when she arrives, she comes to the startling realization that her heart belongs to someone else, a certain James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser.

Chapter 4/? : A New Life

Previous Chapters : 1 / 2 / 3

Find Maids to Wives on Archive of Our Own!

May 16th, 1619, Claire’s POV

“Alright, we’re home,” Our horses approached a small cottage overseeing a large field. In it, various men worked, sweat covering their bodies. It seemed like they’d been working out there all day, and a part of me felt bad for being seated comfortably atop a horse. ‘I ought to do work once I get settled in’ I thought, having worked before doing manual labour for my uncle years before. He thought it useful for me to know the art of creating feed for livestock and plowing fields for harvest. Perhaps it could make me useful to my new husband.

Once our horses stopped, Frank went around and helped me down by the waist. Just that small interaction caused a slight flicker in me. ‘Had it been that long without true human contact?’ That idea led to more unholy ones but I put my thoughts aside, not wanting to accidentally spill and appear to be a loose woman.

“It’s small, but we’ll have our own room so we’ll have plenty of privacy,” the house was 2 stories, with stones covering the exterior. It was a good deal fancier than some of the other houses we passed, having white trim along the windows and doors. Overall, the home was in good shape and looked quite comfortable. I looked over to Frank and smiled, showing my appreciation.

“It’s better than I could’ve ever imagined,” at the mere idea of the life we would have together, the urge to lean in arose. Truthfully, I’d been waiting a whole boat trip to kiss whomever my husband would be, but I’d figure it come later. Frank must’ve felt the same, as he started leaning in as well. Our faces were a few inches from each other when a loud wolf whistle interrupted our romantic interaction. It had come from the house, and from someone standing in the front doorway.

The man looked identical to frank, aside from some small details. His eyes were a shade darker, and the lines of his cheeks dug deeper into his skin. He also had an aura about him, that I felt slight anxiety just looking at him. He leaned against the doorway, checking me up to down, then smirked.

“This is my brother, Jonathan. He’ll be living with us,” Jonathan sauntered over, making sure to keep his distance as if to say ‘you come to me’. Surely enough, Frank finished the trek so he was in talking distance. I timidly followed him, not wanting to be so near to the new man. Jonathan looked at me again and held his hand out, which I hastily took. It was cold, not like the warmth I'd felt from Frank’s earlier. I was quick to pull my hand away, hoping I didn’t come off as rude.

“You two won’t have to worry about me, I work late into the night so anything you want to do can be done,” he smirked again. I felt myself internally cringe. Looking over to Frank, he safely looked about as done with the conversation as I was.

“Could you go to town for me? I meant to pick something up before but I arrived late and didn’t have time,” Frank handed Jonathan a paper that read something, probably a list. Jonathan took the piece of paper and opened it. He smiled, a smile I knew I already hated and moved past us, onto the horse Frank had been riding. I didn’t even have enough time to watch him ride away before Frank tugged me into the house and up the stairs. He led me into a small room on the left side of a hallway, directly facing another door I assumed was Jonathan's room. Once inside, he took my small bag and set it down on the bed.

“This is our room. You won’t need to worry about Jonathan too much. He keeps to himself most of the time thankfully. I know it’s not glamorous but it’s one of the bigger houses in Jamestown. I hope it’s okay,” In the room there was a large bed and a dresser, with 2 drawers opened near the bottom. I smiled at him, taking his hand into mine. Though the gesture was small, I felt my heart beat a million times a minute.

“It’s wonderful,” I smiled at him, and that urge to touch my lips came back. I leaned in, and he did too, but before I knew it I felt his lips on my cheek. He pulled back and smiled at me.

“I need to go check in on our workers, make yourself at home,” He was out the door, almost like he left before his sentence was over. The gesture felt cold, but I brushed it off, feeling a slight tingle of the kissed spot of my cheeks. I made my way over to the window in the back, it’s view being a small clearing with a pond. I made a mental note to go there later. The grass was greener than I’d ever seen, and the water from the pond looked almost drinkable. Looking at the clearing made me breath out, realizing that this new life I had would be a happy one. I had a nice husband who would take care of me, and large house with good money coming in. A part of me thought about the man at the pier with the red hair, but I felt guilty even thinking about him. Hopefully I wouldn't run into him, or that connection we had would come back. The only person I wanted to think about was my husband.

- - -

A/N Ahhhh I’m not in love with this chapter but I wanted to write something before getting really into the story! I hope you all enjoy, and my apologies with updates being so late. From school to general life things it’s been hard finding time to write xD Stay safe everyone!

[renee-writer]

Frank's Child Chapter 14 Frank!

Even knowing what faces them back at the castle, she isn't as worried as she should be. For in the arms of her husband she feels safe. She no longer carries the weight of time travel and being expectant alone. They also rest on the broad shoulders of Jamie. She rests against his chest, half asleep when his startled cry, as his arm tightens to a death grip around her, wake her with a start.

Frank hopes he is heading the right way. He had got directions in the same pub where he was able to find clothes. They are strange uncomfortable on him. But he blends in. With the proper clothes, some food in his stomach, and directions, he is off.

But without a horse, the going is very slow. He tries to stick to roads cut into the forest. Relying on his good sense of direction and the long forgotten wilderness survival training, he is working his way steadily towards the place that he prays will lead him to Claire. He brushes through some brush and startles a horse and it’s riders. He goes to apologize and stops dead. Claire! Claire and a man who seems equally stunned.

Claire is dressed for the time they are in. She had been asleep against the huge Viking, against who's chest she rested. He is massive with a kilt, sword, a head full of red curls. No one says anything for an eternal minutes, then Claire says, “Frank!” The man she is with relaxes before getting tense again, pulling her close again.

“Sassanech, are you sure it is him?” Sassanech, Frank thinks in anger. Who is this man who calls his wife a slur?

“Yes Jamie. It is.” She makes no move to dismount and this Jamie keeps her close.

“Iffin,” is whispered under his breath. He straightens pulling Claire straight up with him. “Frank Randall, I presume?”

“That is me. May I ask your name?”

“James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser, Jamie to Claire and most everyone else.”

“James, thank you for looking after my wife. I will take her now.”

“No Frank, you won't.” He stares at her with his mouth open. “It isn’t as simple as all that. Jamie knows all about the stones and time travel. He and his clan rescued me from your ancestor, Jack. He is quite evil. I had to make up a story about how I ended up alone in the woods in what they saw as naught but a shift. The story of my attack and almost rape would have been true if not for Murtagh, Jamie’s Godfather, who knocked him out and took me to the others.” Frank is distracted from her tale by Jamie's hand rubbing softly up and down her arm, by the way she allows it and even seems relaxed by it.

“I told them I was traveling with you and you were attracted and killed. All seemed fine until Jamie's uncle, the Laird of Castle Leoch and the Mackenzie clan, sent his men out to find you and give you a proper burial. Jamie came to the rescue. Had a kinsman, unknown to the Mackenzie’s, who had died. His body was found and substituted for yours. He was buried as Frank Beauchamp, as I couldn’t be Randall here.”

“So I should refer to you as Claire Beauchamp. That is fine Claire.”

“No. I am… You can’t refer to me as anyone. You are dead Frank and you look almost exactly like the horrid Black Jack Randall.”

“Not an issue. We won’t go back to the castle. We were just head back to the stones. Go home.”

“We can't do that either. I can't. I am Claire Fraser now. And pregnant.”

Jamie holds his breath prepared to jump off if this Black Jack look-a-like tries to harm Claire. But he just stares at her.

“You are married? To this man?”

“Yes. It was done because I trust him. He knew all and believed me. Column, his uncle would have had me marry someone with you dead and the baby. As I didn't wish to marry an old widower, Jamie and I snuck away and were hand fast. We are just now returning.”

“Wait so the baby is mine?” his mind was catching up with the shock of her news and putting things together.

“Ours. Yes. I realized on the initial ride to Leoch.”

“Oh God Claire! We did it! Well we must leave now. Get back and prepare for my heir.” He expects her to jump down and join him. Celebrate with him. But she stays where she is, in the arms of another. He whispers something in her ear and she shakes her head.

“Frank, the snow will be falling soon. I don’t know if it is safe to go through while pregnant. I think the best course of action is to continue back to the castle. You pretend to be a relative of Black Jack’s, you are but we needn't say how long lost. We wait until this one is born then we can decide.”

“Decide. There is naught to decide. You are my wife. That is my child. We will be heading back. Now!”

“My wife has spoken. She isn't your wife here, but your widow. The bairn is legally a Fraser. If she decides to change that, she may, of course. But we are heading back to Leoch now. If you want my help with my uncle, you will accept her decision as I will when she makes it.” Jamie says firmly.

“Christ Claire! Do you love him, is that why you hesitate?”

“I do. I didn’t mean to. But it is to powerful to deny. I love you both. I need time and I won't risk going through the stones until the baby is born. So, we will be the Fraser's as we are. You will be Frank Randall. We will find time to talk and figure this out. It is all I can do. Will you come with us or go back?”

“You leave me no choice but to follow.” He grumbles. Jamie nods and starts Donas off again in a slow trot so he can keep up.

[fuckallthegood0nesweretaken]

The Dove and Her Hound CH. Three

Title: The Red Wedding

Words: 1,365

Warnings: Violence, strong language, ANGST

A/N: Taglist at the end. If you want to be added, just shoot me an ask or comment!

Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

Sandor Masterlist

Game of Thrones Masterlist

Masterlist

~~~~~~~

Sandor had hitched his horse to the wagon and now the three of you were almost at the Twins. Night had fallen and you were in the back of the cart with Arya, Sandor holding the reins up front. Both you and Arya were silent, not wanting to draw any extra attention to yourselves. As you approached the gates, your heart started beating fast. You were so close. So close to family you haven’t seen in almost a year. You couldn’t believe it. But something was wrong. You could feel it in the air and in your gut. Your heart beat faster and your hands clutched at your cloak.

 “Where’re you goin’?” A Frey guard asked Sandor.

 “Got salt pork for the feast.”

 “Eh, the feast is over.” Sandor looked around.

 “Doesn’t sound like it’s over.”

 “If I tell ya it’s over, it’s over,” the guard said. “Turn this cart around and get the ‘ell out o’ here.”

 “I got pigs feet too,” Sandor tried to say.

 “Are you soft ‘n the ‘ead? Turn this cart around!”

 Sandor turned to look at you and Arya. Panic was on his face and you turned to see Arya missing. Your eyes were wide and your breathing went shallow.

 “Alright, alright. We’re leaving now.” You could see the smug look on the guards face but the only thing running through your head was Arya. Once you were out of earshot of the guard, you faced Sandor.

 “Where could she have gone?” Your voice was panicked and you ran your fingers through your hair.

 “Most likely inside the castle. Don’t worry,” Sandor said. “We’ll get her back.”

 You nodded and calmed down a bit. Sandor helped you off of the wagon and started unhitching his horse. The two of you mounted the horse and rode back to the castle. Out of nowhere, the Frey’s started killing all of the Stark men. You couldn’t believe your eyes and you shut them quickly, not wanting to see. Sandor spurred his horse faster and soon you found yourself past the gate.

 “You stay here, on the horse. I’ll go find your sister.” Sandor slid off and ran away. You kept looking all around you for Arya. You caught sight of her just when Sandor found her. He said something and when she fought him, he knocked her unconscious. You rode over to them quickly.

 “You’re going to have to ride with us,” you said, taking Arya from him and propping her up in front of you.

 “Aye. He’s not going to like it though.” Sandor swung himself up behind you and took the reins. The horse whinnied in complaint, but he was ignored.

 The castle doors opened and you saw a scene that would haunt your dreams forever. Robb’s headless body was propped up on a horse, with Grey Wind’s head sewn on crudely. Arya chose that moment to wake and with bleary eyes, she saw the same. Tears were falling from your eyes and you pulled Arya close to you, shielding her from seeing anything else. Sandor kicked the horse into movement, grabbing a Frey banner, and weaving through the chaos. It felt like an eternity before you had gotten to safety.

 Sandor then slipped off the horse to give him a break from the extra weight. No words were spoken. Tears were on your face, old and new. Arya was shocked and clung to you like her life depended on it. Sandor could only watch on, his heart heavy and gut clenching when he saw your face.

 Soon it was early morning. Arya had fallen asleep in your arms and had woken up a couple minutes ago. You could tell that she was hungry, so you coaxed some bread and meat into her. She was also very clearly tired but determined to stay up. It was only when you approached a group of men did she perk up.

 “—sounded like a cow in heat,” was the first thing you heard, along with laughter. Then you heard them mention the Starks.

 “I’ll tell you what, though. The hardest thing was gettin’ that wolf’s head to stay on the body,” one of them said. Arya’s eyes hardened and she got off the horse. You went to follow her, but Sandor held you back.

 “I’ll get her,” he muttered. You nodded and watched the scene unfold.

 “You sewed it on?” Another one of the men said.

 “I did.”

 “I bet there are a thousand men claiming the same!” Scoffs were heard. You slipped off of the horse and walked to Sandor quietly. He just gave you a look and you shook your head.

 “It was me! And Malcolm and Albert. Thing was so heavy, it fell off the first time. Took the skin right with it,” the first man said. He quickly shut up when he noticed Arya behind him.

 “What do you want?”

 “Mind if I keep warm?” She asked them.

 “Fuck off,” he sneered.

 “But I’m hungry.” Arya was pulling off pitiful really well.

 “Does fuck off mean something different where you’re from?”

 “I can pay you. I have money.” Fumbling around in her pockets, she pulled out a silver coin. “It’s worth quite a lot.”

 The man reached for it and she dropped the coin. “Sorry,” was all she said. The man looked at her like she was stupid, and bent over to grab the coin. When his back was bared to her, she took out a knife and stabbed him repeatedly. His friends drew their swords and Sandor rushed to get in front of Arya. You snuck up from behind and killed one of them while Sandor killed the rest.

 “Where did you get the knife?” He asked Arya.

 “From you,” she replied. She held up the blade and he took it from her.

 “Was that the first man you’ve killed?”

 “The first man.”

 “Next time, you’re going to do something like that, tell me first.” He walked away from Arya and towards you.

 “You’re not hurt, are you?” Sandor asked, examining your face and arms for injuries.

 “I’m not, don’t worry.” You smiled at him and the two of you sat down by the fire. It felt good to be out of the saddle and on solid ground. Sandor picked up some of the food the men were eating and handed some to you. You took it and ate, not realizing just how hungry you actually were. Arya joined you after some time and ate as well. When the food was finished, you felt very sleepy.

 “It’s time to go,” Sandor said.

 He got up and walked the horse over to you. You stifled a yawn and got up onto the horse, Arya in front like always. Soon, you found yourself falling asleep, the swaying of the horse not helping you stay awake. You couldn’t keep your eyes open. Your body hit Arya’s, mouth open with soft snores. Sandor stopped walking for a moment, and Arya looked at you.

 “Help me switch places with her. She’s going to fall off if she stays there,” Arya said. Sandor just grunted and moved Arya behind you. Her arms went around your middle and your head fell on her chest. You let out a noise and moved slightly in her hold.

 “We’ll stop in an hour or so,” Sandor said. “Think you can hold onto her till then?”

 “Yes.”

 They rode in silence for a while until Arya broke it.

 “Do you love my sister?” Sandor almost tripped over his own feet.

 “What?”

 “Do you love my sister?” Arya repeated.

 “Aye,” he said after a moment. “I do.”

 “Are you willing to do anything to protect her?”

 “What sort of question is that? Of course I fucking would.” Arya stared at him for a moment, eyes boring into him.

 “What’s with the questions?”

 “I just want to be sure.”

 “Sure of what, girl?”

 “That she’d be safe with you. We have nowhere else to go, all of our family is dead. All we have is each other.” The sadness in her voice was very clear.

 “You have an aunt in the Vale. I’m bringing the two of you to her.”

~~~~~~~

TAGLIST:

@affection-rabbit​ 

[thebutterflyranger]

We all know this but I want to give you a reason to talk about Will: your favourite fictional character and why you love them

*Breathes in* Apologies, but this is gonna be a very long post. 

John Flanagan has done a lot wrong - so many things that I will never forgive him for. But one thing he did so right, is my man Will Treaty from book 1-11. I know he seems like an average main character, but to me, he is way more than that. He is the embodiment of an imperfectly perfect person. I could talk about him in-depth, including all the headcanons and analysis, but to make it simple, I’ll just focus on the canon. 

Why Will Treaty is the fictional love of my life:

1. He is incredibly strong not just physically which he really is idk why people sleep on that but the mental perseverance that is shown throughout the entire series. From the first book to the end. His life is so tough, more than we can really fathom, and yet he pushes through it all. 

2. His curiosity is very cute to me. Like the fact that he wants to know everything, but not in an annoying way...his mind is just trying to absorb everything at all times. 

3. His ability to catch things on really fast. Like, not much gets past him at all. And once he got something,,,he got it. Halt said it, and so did Berrigan. Whether its picking up songs, or that little coin trick, or a bird whistle. He is quick.

4. His respect for his elders. Whether its Halt or Crowley or Arald or anyone. He is the classic good-boi who just wants the adults to be proud of him. All jokes aside, he is probably the last person to do anything that would remotely make Halt upset. He makes jokes and is light, but never crosses the unspoken line.

5. His sense of humor. Lmfao because he is funny as shit and witty as fuck. That joke about a good knight’s sleep? A riot. Lmfao at I love that he just wants people around him to laugh, and he knows what to say to lighten up the mood.

6. The fact that he always seems to know the time and place for things. He knows when to get serious and when to crack a joke. He very rarely says things out of turn, and when he does he backtracks instantly. You won’t catch Will saying something insensitive or rash. It's shown several times that he makes people around him comfortable by just being around them.

7. THE WAY HE TREATS THE WOMEN IN HIS LIFE. All of the women he has interacted with….ooofh he exudes big feminist energy. From his respect and love for Pauline; calling her “Lady” until she tells him not to, making promises to her that he remembers throughout his mission. The modesty and respect he had for Edwina - and the fact that she took an instant liking to him. His interactions with Jenny - the way he compliments her and makes her feel better about herself, the way he is a literal brother to her. Even Cassandra; the way he took care of her and gave her comfort when she needed it, and afterward how he always had respect for her. Ceilma!!! Delia!!! He is Good to all of them. And then there is Alyss.

8. There are several things about his relationship with Alyss, besides the fact that he would legit commit treason for her, that GET ME IN THE SOUL:

a. The fact that he would go miles out of his way to make her feel loved and not alone. He signaled to her for DAYS in Macindaw, with no reply back from her and no guarantee that she would reach out. But he made sure he would be there if and when she did.

b. The fact that she knows he would wait for her patiently. Like No rush. Take your time baby.

c. The fact that he is a strong enough man to marry an intelligent and highly capable and strong woman like her

d. The fact that he is protective of her, but has no doubt in her ability. The only reason he is reluctant when she goes on missions...is because he loves her and doesn’t want anything to happen to her.

e. He is super affectionate. Holding hands, kissing, hugging. Ahem, I love that for him.

9. His readiness for death. It gets me every time, how he is in the heat of battle and fighting for his life, but the moment he realizes there is no way he can get out of the situation alive...he relaxes. He closes his eyes and waits calmly, seemingly at peace. It is eerily beautiful to me. 

10. His selflessness. Putting his life on the line for others - over and over again. He did it for Halt, he did it for Horace, he did it for Alyss. 

11. He is perfect Husband Material (see 12-17)

12. He can cook. Very well. As Alyss said: Get you a mans that can cook

13. And he can clean, AND he is organized? O h?

14. He can sing too??

15. Oh btw he can also play an instrument.

16. I forgot to mention that he is very good with young kids.  

17. He is loyal as fuck. Won’r cheat, the thought won’t even cross his mind.

18. He is smart as hell. The decision making, the planning, the ambition of his ideas. His innovation. description of his quick mind is just ahskajkh. The fact that Halt would choose him over Gilan and Crowley because of how quick he is (and because that’s his literal son) just gets me. His vocabulary is out of this world - which has convinced me that he is an avid reader. His ability to put two-and-two together almost immediately

19. He has a temper, but when it’s valid and necessary. You hurt the people he loves? He will murder you. You cause harm to innocent people? He will reign justice on you. You annoy the fuck out of him? Best believe he will whOOP YOUR ASS. He is no innocent timid pushover. Things will bother him, and he will lash out. He is human. It’s normal. It’s hot.

20. His love for animals. The way he is with Tug is so heartwarmingly endearing. He genuinely loves him and considers him his friend. The conversations they have together. And his care for his dogs is so adorable I can’t. The way he trained Shadow and Ebony to do those cute things...you know he would be a great father.

21. The energy he gives off to other people. Throughout the series you have people who have only interacted with him briefly, thinking about the pleasantness of him. He is just a good guy and people seem to be comfortable around him. He makes them smile, his face puts them at ease, he speaks softly. Whether it’s the boat keeper at Seacliffe, Umar and Ceilma at Arrida, or Malcolm, or the multiple farmer families he interacts with - they always mention how respectful and lovely he is.

22. His care and love for Horace. Their banter and ease with each other. The fact that he would kill and die for him. The fact that Will wishes Horace could live next to him. Its that classic cute “I-want-to-hang-out-with-my-best-friend-all-the-time-cuz-he-make-me-happy. 

23. His relationship with Halt. I need a whole separate post for this.

24. His humility. From his aversion to attention to his inability to take a compliment, to him being watchful of sounding boastful or arrogant. And the fact that he doesn’t even realize how his name and image has impacted thousands of people. He is a whole legend...and he don’t even know.

25. The fact that he is the most capable and skilled Ranger there is. Periodt. I don’t want no one to @ me. You know I’m right. At his peak, he was the best in the history of the Corps.

26. Will is adorkable. The corny jokes he makes, the fact that he talks to his horses, the fact that he doesn’t realize that he is a pull god. Cutie. 10/10 would die for the dude.

27. The fact that he is clumsy when it comes to food. That is me. If food is in my hands, 9 times out of 10 it gets in somewhere on my clothes.

28. His coffee addiction. It geeks me so hard how he literally can’t help himself. He want. He is tired and he just want the coffee. Give it to him

29. His hatred of goodbyes. Idk i just think it’s heartbreaking but also very touching how he doesn’t look back when riding away from someone.

30. The fact that he isn’t afraid to show emotions. I don’t see very much, if any, toxic masculinity in Will. He is manly in his physique and power, but also in that he is comfortable in showing his emotions. He is a strong enough man that he married a strong woman. He doesn’t shy away from saying he is scared, or worried, or anxious. He tells Halt or Alyss all his feelings, without worrying about sounding weak. He openly cries many times throughout the books.

Ummm these are all that I can think off the top of my head.

[thejakeformerlyknownasprince]

Can we have the tea on why firefly getting cancelled was a good call tho?

My confidence on this website grows in direct proportion to my follower count, and thus the opinions I post get steadily more controversial.  I actually got a mostly-positive response to my pro-Twilight post, so [glances around nervously] [dons fake beard] here it is:

IMHO, the producers were right to meddle in Firefly after its pilot, and they were right to cancel it after 12 episodes.

I enjoy Firefly.  I’ve rewatched “Safe” and “Out of Gas” over a dozen times, I had a Serenity poster on my wall in college, and I’ve got Mal’s quote about statues as an epigraph in my current NaNoWriMo project.  However.

First: they were right to kill the pilot.  (And I don’t mean Wash.)

The biggest problem with the first first episode, in a nutshell, is Mal.  He’s a potentially intriguing character, but he’s not likable, he’s not competent, and he’s not entertaining.  No antihero has to be all three, but every antihero has to be at least one, right off the bat.  A couple examples of antiheroes that got whole shows:

Dexter Morgan (Dexter) is a literal serial killer, so definitely not likable, but the pilot showcases that he’s terrifyingly competent with cellophane and also has an entertaining interior monologue.

Greg House (House MD) is questionably competent, and not that likable, but he’s highly entertaining because he immediately makes us laugh.

Jed Bartlett (West Wing) is largely incompetent at social matters, and he’s not funny at first, but he’s immediately charismatic and likable.

Frank Castle (Punisher) isn’t classically entertaining, and he’s not likable, but he’s shown as highly competent from minute one.

Malcolm Reynolds isn’t funny at first.  He responds to insults by punching Simon in the face or throwing Jayne out of the room, barely tolerates Zoe’s fond teasing, and doesn’t joke around much.  Malcolm Reynolds isn’t likable at first.  He acts openly contemptuous toward Book’s and Inara’s chosen professions, seriously considers killing Simon for trying to protect River, loots corpses, and ignores Kaylee.  Malcolm Reynolds isn’t competent at first.  He fails twice to find a fence for the protein blocks, fails to detect either Simon’s or Dobson’s lies, gets himself and his first mate shot in a bad deal, and barely escapes with his life.  He tells Simon that any day where he manages to keep his ship in the air counts as a success.

I don’t want to watch an entire show about this guy after seeing just the pilot, and I sympathize with anyone who feels the same way.  The only moment in 120 minutes of screentime that intrigues me is the smash cut between Mal announcing to Simon that Kaylee died and Mal roaring with laughter with the rest of his crew over a prank well-pulled.  It’s competent, funny, likable, and enough to make me want to tolerate this guy long enough to see what he’s going to do next.  I don’t blame the producers for demanding that we see Simon-pranking guy more, Simon-punching guy less.

The other tone or setting inconsistencies in the pilot — the characters riding horses when they’ve got a faster-than-light ship, the dirt and platinum constructions, the Chinese vendors offering street meat made out of dog, the heroic depiction of the vainglorious Confederate Browncoat cause, the crew all being fluent in Mandarin but not having a single Asian character in the whole cast* — make it hard to get a sense of what the show is meant to be.  The different elements just don’t make sense together.

Contrast that with “The Train Job,” the second first episode.  There are undeniably Western and sci-fi elements, but they actually make sense together: instead of characters inexplicably swapping land speeders for horses, there’s a spaceship swooping low over a bullet train.  Crow uses frontier weaponry, but it’s an intimidation tactic, and he does own a blaster.  The Asian-influenced elements make a lot more sense, appearing mostly as background details that hint at a melding of cultures.  Mal is warm and affectionate with his crew, willing to joke around to entertain the audience, and at least 43% less misogynistic toward Inara.  Niska plays an important role in plot and character, setting up the possibility that we haven’t heard the last of this plot and also acting as a foil to the Serenity crew, who might kill the occasional unarmed prisoner but at least do their best not to poison entire towns.

Is “The Train Job” as unique an episode as “Serenity”?  Nope.  Does it do a better job at getting someone who’s never heard of this show before to want to tune in next week?  I think so.

And then the cancellation.

Obviously, we’ll never know if people would’ve kept on turning in, because the series got less than a single season.  And I think that was the right call, from the producers’ point of view.  Firefly as a show might not have had the budgetary demands that, say, Game of Thrones did, but even an amateur like me can take one look at that series and go “damn, that looks expensive.”

There are NINE (9!) main characters, with series-regular salaries.

CGI was a lot more expensive and time-consuming in 2002, and literally every episode includes some exterior footage of the ship.

Every single episode involves the characters, or at least the cameras, leaving the ship and going to different phantasmagorical settings.

Even “Out of Gas” and “Objects in Space” had to take the time and money to build the junkyard and Jubal Early’s ship, respectively.

“Trash,” “Serenity,” “Jaynestown,” “The Message,” and “Heart of Gold” each introduces (and requires a build for) an entirely new fake planet.

Every single episode involves minor characters, and over half of them involve crowd scenes that require hundreds of extras.

Horses.  And cows.  Cost money.  As Wash says, shoulda gone with the counterfeit beagles.

The Serenity set itself was built to scale.  That’d save money in the long term, but in the short term required more camerawork to actually film in partially-enclosed locations.  When you add in the fact that the on-planet shots always required dollies, cranes, and similar equipment, it adds up.

On a similar note, “the Firefly shot” (as it became known) requires days of planning followed by hours of shooting to include all of the characters in one single extremely long camera pan (almost five minutes long, the second time it happens).  As a stylistic choice, it was a pricey one.

If Firefly had been spectacularly successful right from the start, it might have been able to justify its enormous budget.  The fact that it was modestly successful didn’t justify the amount of money it was sucking from other projects.  Over 90% of shows that make it as far as network deals never even get a pilot; over 90% of shows that go so far as shooting a pilot never make it past that first episode.  The network decided to spread the love (and the budget) around, rather than sinking it all into a single project currently taking the place of maybe a dozen other potential shows.

Not only that, but Firefly didn’t have a ton of options for cutting its budget down.  It could use fewer camera tricks, but that wouldn’t change the need for CGI just to convey the basic premise of the show.  It could cut a character or two, but the cast would still be unusually large.  It could have fewer on-planet scenes, but there’s only so much one can do with the characters if they’re cooped up inside their ship the whole time.  Firefly was also leeching resources away from that team’s two other enormously successful projects – Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel — and the low ratings of Buffy’s season 6 and Angel’s late season 3 into season 4 reflect that fact.  If it’d been allowed to continue, Firefly ran the risk of killing both those golden geese without ever getting to the point of producing eggs itself.

Do I wish there was more of the show out there?  Yes.  Do I wish the show had had time to evolve, hopefully into something with fewer problems of casual racism?  Hell yes.  Would I have pulled the plug as well, if I’d been in the room when it happened?  Probably yes.

*I am aware of the theory that, given the heavily Asian-influenced settings in the “Safe” flashbacks, the popularity of “Tam” as a Chinese last name, the choice of dark-haired light-skinned actors, and specific elements of the family’s pressure to excel but conform, that the Tams are meant to be Chinese.  Given that all four actors are white, and that there are already ample problems with anti-Chinese racism in this show, I strongly prefer not to ascribe to that theory.

[holidaywishes]

The Light Beyond The Stars III

part iii: there is magic in you...

  Summary of series: When Malcolm is young, he dreams of a place where  he could run off to and leave his life behind. When he meets Cassandra,  his perspective changes and his dreams only include her.

  Summary of Chapter: Cassandra’s P.O.V when she meets with Malcolm in the square and the events that follow.

  Warning: adding in some angst because that’s my jam, and some more fluff

   Author’s Note: First, I wanted to say that this is a little longer than the last because it’s combining Cassandra’s P.O.V. as she’s waiting for Malcolm and what happens when she leaves him/her leaves her. Second, like I mentioned in my last chapter, I’m really enjoying writing this story and I know that it’s a giant departure from the fics I typically write, i.e. it has nothing to do with hockey (maybe I should start tagging not hockey?) That being said, I’m not sure if anyone is reading it but, honestly, I just want it to exist in the universe. If for no other reason than it makes me happy. Also, I want to point out, if anyone does read this series eventually, that I know the voice that I’m using for Malcolm doesn’t sound like the Peter we all know from OUAT and that’s done purposefully. Once he becomes Peter, I’ll be able to add in all the sass but right now, he’s just a kid whose kinda falling for a girl right now, so there has to be some softness to him. The idea is, as sadistic as this sounds, he’ll have so much love in his life and then lose it so suddenly, that he becomes cold and dark. I hope that whoever reads this, or comes across it, likes it and enjoys it. But know that, if you don’t, I will love you anyway. 😘

  masterlist

  the other masterlist

xx

Cassandra’s P.O.V

  You waited for what seemed like hours in the square where you and Malcolm first met but when he never showed, you started to wonder if he was lost. Or if he wasn’t going to show.

  “Cass?” your cousin asked as she noticed you standing in the same spot she left you nearly an hour ago, “what’s wrong?”

  “Anthea? I thought you’d gone... you should go..” you answered

  “I was going to leave but I came back and you were still here... What are you doing?”

  “I’m.. waiting”

  “Waiting for what? For who?”

  “Go home, Anthea”

  “This is about that boy isn’t it?”

  “Anthea..”

  “The boy who came over for tea last night”

  “You weren’t even supposed to be there”

  “He didn’t even know I was there”

  “Luckily,” you snapped, making her gasp at your words, “Anthea, he doesn’t know who we are and you don’t exactly have the best track record with mortals. Or immortals for that matter. He’d just think you were rude and crass”

  “I am rude”

  “Maybe I don’t want him to think you are...”

  “Why not?”

  “Because.. I don’t know. Just go home, Anthea.”

  “Home home or back to the small stone place you’re staying in home”

  “Either one”

  “Did he stand you up?”

  “No”

  “Was this supposed to be a date?”

  “No”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, now go”

  “If he doesn’t get here in.. 10 minutes, I’m taking you home”

  “He’ll be here”

  “Did you see it?”

  “Are you asking if I looked into the future just to see if he’d be here? Because that would be ridiculous”

  “So you did?”

  “No I did not!”

  “I’ll just be over there.. waiting and watching.” You watched as your cousin sat at a table nearby, dismissing the girl who attempted to serve her, making you roll your eyes at her. You paced around the spot for a few more minutes before you’d decided that he wasn’t going to come, you began the pathetic walk back to your cousin when you heard the clacking of horseshoes get closer and closer to you

  “CASSANDRA!” you heard a voice call to you, looking back you saw Malcolm on a white horse, “wait!” he called again, jumping down from the horse to speak to you

  “Malcolm?” you questioned as you took in what was in front of you, “what is this?”

  “We have to go, we have to hurry..” he answered but it only left you more confused

  “What are you talking about? What’s going on?”

  “Get on the horse” he said forcefully, causing you to step back in concern

  “Malcolm!” you shouted, hoping to get him to see why you were upset

  “I’m sorry, I’ll explain once we get moving... Please, we have to go...” he pleaded and you reluctantly agreed, glancing over to where Anthea had been sitting and noticing she had already left

  “Okay, fine..” you smiled at him, “but I’m trusting you, Malcolm, so you better not let me fall.” You laughed as did he, agreeing as he helped you up onto the horse. He quickly hopped onto after he made sure you were on securely, but without a saddle that was hard to confirm for him, so when he positioned himself behind you and grabbed the reins, he made sure to keep his arms close to your body so you wouldn’t fall as the horse galloped along a rugged path to Malcolm’s cottage. “So...” you finally broke the silence, “why did we have to hurry?”

  “Francis..” he said simply, waiting for a moment until he spoke again, “he doesn’t know I left but I didn’t want you to think I didn’t want to see you...”

  “You could get in trouble!” you replied, worried that he was risking his safety because of a note you’d written him on a whim

  “I didn’t want you to think I would hurt you” he said sweetly, if not a little harshly but you attributed that to the bumps on the path

  “So you stole a horse to come see me?” the sentiment was sweet and you wanted him to know that you thought so, letting your voice soften with the realization of what he’d done

  “Borrowed,” he corrected you with a small smile that you’re not sure he meant for you to see, “he’ll never know the horse was gone.” You looked back at Malcolm, noticing him try to contain his smile and concentrate on the path, his seriousness making you giggle. The sound of your laugh must have caught his attention because he glanced down at you and you smiled back at him, losing yourself in his eyes before you felt the horse veering off the path

  “Look out!” you shouted, causing Malcolm to jerk the reins and straighten the horse to the path, you both breathed deeply while he composed himself

  “Are you alright?” he asked, keeping his eyes forward and, again, you smiled at his seriousness

  “Yes,” you said softly, “are you?”

  “I’m fine,” he replied, his voice shaking slightly, “just got a little distracted I guess.” Since the rest of the journey was spent in silence, the latter half of the horse ride felt like it lasted an hour and was beginning to feel awkward when you pulled up in front of a small, brown and white cottage with a small, tattered red barn off to the side. He slowed the horse to a stop and hopped off first so he could help you down, you swung your leg over to the side and pushed yourself off of the steed, Malcolm’s hands firmly placed on either side of you to ease you to the ground. “Come with me” he whispered, hunching his back low and gestured for you to do the same

  “Where are we going?” you said at speaking volume to which Malcolm put his finger in front of his lips to shush you

  “Quietly,” he smiled before pointing in front of him, “we’re going to the barn.” You nodded once to confirm that you’d heard him and followed him to the old, red barn where no animals seemed to be housed. When the two of you finally got inside, you looked around at the empty stalls and up to the roof, noticing a hole and thought ‘that’s odd’ to yourself. He led you up a ladder to a spot under that hole and you sat down on the surprisingly cold wood floor with your back against a bale of hay, looking for a blanket to throw over your legs with no luck.

  “You should really get that fixed” you whispered to Malcolm who hadn’t come to sit with you yet, jokingly referring to the hole in the roof

  “Oh what fun would that be?” he joked back, finally making his way to sit next to you.

  “What if it rains?” you asked, staring up at the sky knowing that it wouldn’t rain but also knowing that your grandfather was likely watching your every move

  “We move to the side” he chuckled, pointing at a spot just to the left of you that was out of reach of the hole in the roof

  “Ahh I see” you smiled, scoffing slightly when you realized he’d been out here enough to know how to get away from the rain; you smiled to yourself quietly and leaned back against the bale of hay once more, staring up at the stars

  “There are a million worlds out there..” he said, surprising you with his words and you turned your head to look at him, your eyes dancing between his and waiting for him to continue

  “What?” you said, smiling at him

  “In the stars...” he replied, his eyes searching your face for a reaction, “there’s a million worlds in the stars...” he turned his eyes away from yours, turning them toward the sky as he pointed at the stars

  “You really think so?” you asked, wondering how he’d proceed

  “I do...” he said softly, keeping his eyes on the sky, “and I think I’ll go to one someday. Get away from everything here...”

  “Can I go with you...?” you asked, sitting up and turning your body to him, your knee grazing his as you angled your legs

  “Of course!” he exclaimed, turning his own body to face you, “we can dream up one together...”

  “And what will this world have?” you smiled

   “Anything you want, that’s the best part about it.” He explained, “If you think it, you can have it.”

   “So it’s... a magic world?” you said, contemplating what that meant to you and what that would mean for him. You’d lived in a magic world your entire life. You knew the dangers that came along with it, especially when mortals were involved.

  “It will have magic but it will just be a wonderful place.” he corrected, “A lovely place where anything is possible”

  “Will it have mermaids?” you asked happily

  “If you wish” he replied

  “Pirates?”

  “Sure”

  “Will we be able to fly?”

  “Yep” he laughed as he nodded happily

  “Fairies?”

  “How else would we fly?” his smile beamed across his face, making your heart flutter ever so

  “Pixie Dust!” she laughed, “how do we get to this place?” You watched as he leaned back against the bale of hay, following his lead and settling in beside him as he lifted his arm to the sky; you followed his arm with your eyes while he pointed at the Northern Star.

  “See that bright star on the left?” he asked and you nodded, feeling his eyes on you as you watched the stars

  “That’s how we get there?”

  “No that’s too obvious,” he laughed, “we’ll take the second star to the right”

 “And straight on ‘til morning” you said under her breath, feeling like you’ve heard of these directions before

 “Exactly” he replied softly and you smiled in return

 “So what should we call this new world?” you coaxed, trying to think of a name, “The Far Away Place?”

 “No” he stated bluntly and you laughed, shaking her head in agreement

 “Hmm.. The Enchanted.. something?” you laughed at your own inability to finish your thought scrunching up your nose when he tilted his head at the unfinished name

 “How about.. Neverland?” he said simply and you pondered the name for a moment

 “Neverland?” you asked, a small laugh starting on your tongue, “I like it. but why Neverland?”

  “Because,” he said, “the best part of this new world is that we’ll never grow old!”

  “Never?” you asked, the small laugh you’d had earlier all but vanishing from your face

  “Never,” he exclaimed, “we’d stay young forever!”

  “But what about... friends and family. The people we care about? The ones who don’t go to Neverland?”

  “What do you mean?” he questioned, furrowing his brow as your concerns grew and you turned your body from him

  “They will grow old and we’ll just have to watch?”

  “Well...” he stumbled over his thoughts, not knowing what to say

  “Or what about... falling in love?” you whispered softly, trying not to let the sadness be too obvious on your voice, “if we never grow up, will we never fall in love?” The words left your tongue as if you were talking about you and Malcolm but you’d hoped he wouldn’t read too much into it.

  “I don’t think so,” he stuttered, furrowing his brow occasionally as he thought, “I mean.. you can fall in love when you’re young.” You thought about it for a moment, pursing your lips as you thought about what to say

  “I suppose,” you replied, “it sounds like a lovely place, Malcolm. I hope we can go there one day.” The idea that he didn’t want to grow old affected you more than you thought it would but you weren’t entirely sure why; maybe it was because you hadn’t known true love yet, maybe it was because the idea that you would outlive people you cared about was a reality you’d already had to live with and something you wouldn’t wish on anyone. Especially Malcolm.

  “Who’s there?” Malcolm called, bringing you out of your thoughts

  “It’s just me,” a small voice came after a shuffle in the barn, whispering to Malcolm as she climbed up the ladder, “I’m sorry. I heard you two from outside...”

  “Who’s this?” you asked, noticing the girl hide behind the corner when she finished climbing the ladder

  “This is Charlotte,” Malcolm answered, introducing the girl, “Francis’ daughter”

  “He’s like my big brother” Charlotte mused, smiling as you made your way over to introduce yourself

  “Hi Charlotte,” you spoke lightly, as to not frighten the young girl, kneeling down so she could see your eyes, “I’m Cassandra. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Wow...” she gasped, letting her mouth drop as her eyes searched yours and examined your face, “you’re like an angel...”

  “Thank you” you giggled at her response before looking back at Malcolm and smiling as he shrugged at the girls words

  “Malcolm told me you were beautiful,” she continued, “but I didn’t think you’d be this beautiful.”

  “You said I was beautiful?” you asked Malcolm, heat flooding your cheeks in a blush that you would later see Malcolm attempt to hide. Charlotte guiding you back to the bale of hay where Malcolm sat and she squeezed herself between you and him before looking up at the stars.

  “I may.. have mentioned...” he stuttered, turning his head and you smiled

  “Well...” you started, leaning down to Charlotte, “I think you’re quite beautiful too, you know?”

  “You do?” Charlotte gasped, shock consuming her tone

  “Mhmm,” you hummed, smiling sweetly when Malcolm turned back to you, watching you speak to Charlotte with poise, “and you want to know why?” The young girl nodded her head frantically before giggled, “I can see your heart.”

  “My heart?” Charlotte asked, creasing her forehead as she tried to understand what you meant. You glanced at Malcolm before you explained, wanting to see his face as well.

  “Yes. You have a kind soul and a pure heart. My mother taught me to see those things. My father taught me that those things hold value and they make a person so much more beautiful than the way they look,” you mused, remembering the stories that your mother and father had told you so many years ago. “that’s why my father says he fell in love with my mother. Because he saw her heart beyond her beauty.”

 “Can you see Malcolm’s heart and soul?” she asked, looking up at you with a glimmer in her eyes that you’d only ever seen once before, from Malcolm when you first met. You looked at Malcolm for a moment, trying to find the glimmer in his eyes once more, smiling when you finally saw it again

  “I can,” you said softly, “and he has a kind soul too.”

  “And my heart?” he asked abruptly but not rudely

  “Is pure,” you smiled, raising your eyebrows once before continuing, “though it’s tough. As though, you’ve made it.. impenetrable. That does not mean it’s unbreakable...” You expected him to drop his eyes at this statement but he continued to look at you, studying you as you inhaled sharply

  “Because of his father...?” Charlotte added, breaking the silence that had fallen over the three of you

  “His father?” you asked, looking down at her but keeping an eye on Malcolm

  “He sold Malcolm to my father... when he was just a boy” she said and Malcolm finally dropped his head, staring at his feet

  “Ahh I see...” you continued, letting your gaze rest solely on Charlotte now, “that could have something to do with it. Although, I suspect him wanting to run away has more to do with that than wanting anyone to be gentle with his heart.”

  “Can I go to Neverland too?!” Charlotte exclaimed, rather suddenly. Malcolm’s eyes tore away from you to look at the young girl

  “What?” he said

  “I heard you talking about that magic land. About Neverland. About running away there. Can I go too?”

  “Of course you can!” Malcolm’s face was beaming with the idea of the three of you starting over in Neverland but your broke at the thought of this beautiful child not getting a chance at a beautiful life.

  “But, Charlotte,” you interrupted, “are you sure you want to go somewhere where you’ll never grow up?”

  “I like being 10″ she giggled and you smiled, dropping your head with a small sigh

  “But don’t you want to get married and be a mother?” you continued

  “Well.. maybe one day..” you could see that she was confused because she didn’t quite know how to respond just yet. You knew that to her being a mother, a wife, was something she’d find someday, maybe by her own hand or the hand of her father, but she was so young to give it up just yet.

  “If you never grow old, you may...” you began, catching a glimpse of Malcolm’s face that caused you to rethink what you’d been saying, “I’m sorry... I shouldn’t be.. I really should be getting home. My father will worry if I get home too late.”

  “How will you get back?” Malcolm asked, standing up the same moment you did

  “I will.. I’ll walk...” you stammered

  “I can take you,” he said, “the same as we came.”

  “I don’t want you to get into any trouble. You already risked yourself by bringing me”

  “If you go walking outside, this late, you may run into trouble,” he said, his hand soon resting atop yours, “and I don’t want you getting hurt.” You smiled at him, the both of you forgetting Charlotte was there for a moment until she spoke

  “Go. Quickly.” she said, bringing you and Malcolm back to reality, “if father wakes up, I’ll keep him away from the horses. Go. Now. Quickly!” Charlotte shooed both of you away and made your way as quietly down the ladder and through the barn as you could, letting Malcolm untie the horses while you said goodbye

  “It was lovely to meet you Miss Charlotte” you whispered

  “You as well Miss Cassandra, I hope to see you again.” she replied and soon you joined Malcolm, hopping onto the horse and waiting for Malcolm to jump behind, keeping your eyes focused on the path while the horse galloped quickly to get you home. Finally, you arrived in front of the home you shared with your father and Malcolm jumped down from the horse, once again helping you down quietly.

  “Thank you for being so sweet to Charlotte,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, “I know she can be a bit.. nosy”

  “She was a darling. Very sweet girl. And I meant what I said. About the both of you,” you replied, continuing only when you noticed him furrow his brow slightly, “your hearts are both pure and your souls are kind. You have goodness in you and... something else too”

  “You’re talking in rhymes” he laughed but your smile was weak and insincere as you checked back to make sure your father hadn’t come outside yet

  “There is magic in you, Malcolm. Magic I hope you learn to use properly. To coincide with the good that I know is in you because I see it so clearly. The good in you. The magic in you.

  “Cassandra!” you heard your father bellow from the doorway, leading you to snap your eyes shut at the anger in his voice, “Inside. Now!”

  “I hope to see you again, Malcolm. Get home safe.”

  “And you, Cassandra.” He said softly as he watched you make your way up to where your father stood. Your attempt at trying to wave goodbye to him was foiled by your father’s dismissal of the boy. He directed you inside and scowled at you as you listened to the sound of the horse ride off in the distance.

xx

  “Cassandra!” your father yelled, “what are you doing?”

  “Nothing!” You shouted back, “we were talking and looking at the stars!”

  “Looking at the stars?” he asked, disgusted at the activity

  “How mortal...” Anthea said as she appeared from around the corner, “the whole thing is so mortal, Uncle Apollo...”

  “Anthea not now” he argued

  “I thought you were going home?” you seethed

  “You told me to go to either home,” she smirked, “so I came here. I wanted to hear all about your date, I just didn’t expect you to be so late.”

  “It wasn’t a date” you countered

  “Cassandra, you know you cannot change this boys fate” your father stated, moving closer toward you

  “I’m not trying to change his fate!” you yelled

  “Aren’t you?” Anthea chided, “what was it you were telling him outside? That there was good in him? Magic even?”

  “You cannot tell mortals that there is magic in them.. They cannot know it exists”

  “They already know it exists!”

  “What do you mean?” Your father asked, narrowing his eyes at you

  “He knows about Neverland,” you sighed heavily when both his and Anthea’s eyes widened at you, “I didn’t tell him. He already knew about it. And yes. Fine. I told him there was magic in him. That there was good in him. But I didn’t tell him what he could do with any of it!”

  “That’s not the point Cassandra!” your father hissed, towering over you with each angry word he spoke to you, “we have the gift of sight. Of Prophecy. It is a burden that we have been entrusted with. You cannot use it to make the boy you love stay good!”

  “I’M NOT!” you yelled, the anger boiling below your surface causing tears to brim your eyes, “I believe in him, papa, is that so wrong? I want him to know that he doesn’t have to go down that dark path. And he won’t, if he’s given a chance”

  “You can’t provide that path for him, little one,” he said gently, placing his hand on your shoulder to calm you, “he needs to find his own path. To find his own light, not the light that you show him”

  “I’m not trying to tric--” you started, stopping suddenly to bring up what he had said, “the boy I love?”

  “What?” he and Athea said together and you furrowed your brow

  “You said I can’t use our gift to make the boy I love.. stay good” you said to your father

  “I--” he stammered

  “I never said I loved him”

  “But you do, don’t you?” Anthea added, “I saw the way your heart broke when you thought he wasn’t going to show...”

  “I do love him,” you said, “but I never said I did”

  “I’m not blind, Cassandra, and I think you forget, my sister is the Goddess of Love.”

  “And what would she have told you of this mortal and I?”

  “That you loved him!” he defended

  “No,” you countered, moving toward him, “no, she wouldn’t have come to you just to tell you that ‘your favourite daughter was in love’ she would have said that you needed to stop me from falling for a mortal. From making the same mistake you did”

  “You’re going to get hurt, Cassandra,” he shouted, “mortals think they know everything. Think they can handle anything. But they find out about us and they run away. He will run away if he finds out about who we are.”

  “He’ll say you lied. That you kept secrets from him. He’ll never trust you again” Anthea snarled

  “There’s nothing that says he has to find out. I love him but I am willing to put his future before mine”

  “It’s not fair, my love, to him,” he said, sitting down and gesturing for you to do the same, “you know his future. You know his choices. He won’t know yours. Loving him and him loving you is not fair to him.”

  “I haven’t looked at his choices or his future since I met him. Since I saw him.”

  “But you knew it without looking,” Anthea added from where she sat, shrugging when you scowled at her, “that’s the point”

  “Papa, please,” you pleaded, “what are you going to do?”

  “Me?” he said, “nothing. Unless you lead me to it. No, I won’t do anything and neither will you”

  “What?” you exclaimed

  “You cannot see him anymore”

  “Father, please”

  “Enough,” he stated, standing up, “you are not to see this boy anymore!”

  “Papa” you pleaded weakly

  “Cassandra, there are rules,” he stated, “we are immortals, this boy is a mortal”

  “So am I. I’m like him. Part mortal” you said, beginning to sob

  “BUT YOU ARE ALSO MY DAUGHTER!” he yelled, the house shaking as the lights rose and fell with his voice, “and you will do as I say.” You wiped away the tears from your eyes and sniffling as you looked up at him, a rage burning inside you like you never felt, and smiled

  “Would this have worked if someone told you to stay away from my mother? Or the Cassandra who broke your heart?”

  “No but you are not me and you are not them”

  “You can’t forbid from seeing him, father”

  “I can and I did”

  “Why?” you whined

  “Because, Cassandra,” he said, seething as he stopped toward you, “he is not like us. You need to choose your family over a love you will never have!” It was all he needed to say for your heart to break and for your mind to rage. You nodded, inhaling deeply before walking away and locking yourself in your room.

  “Cass?” Anthea called, “we’re just looking out for you. Doing what’s best. You have to understand that.” Answering her meant nothing at this point so you stayed silent as tears fell down your cheek and you swept away the roof above you so you could look at the stars. Imaging your own version of running away.

[doctorhawke]

all six of my oc hawkes in one big thing, i have an au where they are all a big happy family and run amok in kirkwall

below the cut theres “brief” bios for them all (including their names because my renditions of their handwriting might not be very legible) and a little chart showing more insight into their personality makeup

all the ages are from act 1, after a year in kirkwall, relative to carver and bethany’s 20 (fyi they both survive in this au and both become grey wardens. cannot IMAGINE that any of these hawkes would let one of their littlest siblings fight an ogre 1v1 when theres literally eight of them lmfao they tag team it like they do everything)

steve hawke- he/him, age 27, adopted by the hawkes at 8. steve is a mage, a healer, and a pacifist. as such when there are fights he will focus on incapacitating enemies without harming them (force magic and mind blast comes in handy) and especially on supporting the team through healing. he’s gay and immediately takes to anders, mainly because he spends a lot of time helping in his clinic. 

he strongly believes in mage rights especially as malcolm imparted a lot of responsibility on him towards his younger mage siblings, nyx and bethany. he’s protective and a bit of a worrier, though as time goes on in kirkwall he becomes more and more exhausted, and starts to cope through making light of things. post-game, he and anders are on the run. 

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kit hawke- he/him, age 24, bio kid, and a dual-wielding rogue. he’s bold, charming, and a bit of a pessimist- all of which kirkwall amplifies by virtue of being a crazy fucking city. kit is also pretty business minded and usually spearheads bone pit related shenanigans. varric (who deeply cares for all the hawkes of course) immediately takes to him and the two are inseparable. 

kit is bi, and likes to have fun, though over time he falls for both isabela and fenris, and over time the three get together and become the most impressive trio you ever saw. all kit’s siblings are kind of like “are you serious dude, we have a limited number of friends and you end up with two of them? what about the rest of us” but considering the amount of drama and heartbreak kit undergoes over the years in relation to his love life, they all kind of figure he’s earned the happy ending. post-game the three of them become pirates on isabela’s ship and free slaves in between tracking down hidden treasure or whatever it is that pirates do, and they eventually have adorable baby twins. 

—————————-

syl hawke- she/her, age 26, bio kid but only leandra’s, she actually is varric’s half sibling (though she does NOT know this and the sibling rivalry that develops upon them meeting is incomprehensible to the both of them). so syl is the shortest of the bunch, and looks a lot more like varric and bartrand than kit, carver, or bethany, despite them all being related. 

syl’s the only warrior of the group (other than carver- a dynamic duo), fights with hammers exclusively, and has a tendency to be super intense. she doesn’t really get humor at all, in the rare case that she accidentally makes a joke and people laugh she assumes they’re laughing AT her. she’s also very shoot first and ask questions later, and the only hawke more protective than steve is. her big sister energy is off the charts and she’s prepared to kill any templar that so much as looks at her family. as such she’s staunchly pro-mage.

she’s a lesbian and has massive game despite not really being any good at flirting- it’s probably her sheer intensity. she and isabela have a brief fling, tallis is very taken with her, and she has a rivalry-fueled sexual tension with aveline for ages (the long road is a VERY fun quest to play through with syl). however she was always very supportive of and close with merrill and eventually the two fall in love. once they’re together they’re insanely sweet and have mega chemistry and i love them so fucking much. post-game they’re forced to leave kirkwall but end up living in the denerim alienage.

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lith hawke- she/her, age 25, adopted by the hawkes at 9 along with her twin nyx. an archer rogue, with speed taking precedence over power or precision. lith is a lot to take in okay. she’s the only one who’s pro-templar in the group, and is a rabid andrastian. back home in lothering her chantry beliefs were instrumental in keeping her family safe, as she not only knew every templar by name (as the whole family did) but also is endlessly trustworthy to them and to all the chantry sisters and mothers. countless times a templar might have come calling to take away one of her siblings or her father, but was dissuaded by lith- after all, little lith hawke would NEVER help hide apostates, right?

she supports her siblings because she believes that in the end their souls will be saved. (the only thing that freaks her out more than nyx’s blood magic is when syl casually drops that she’s thinking about converting to merrill’s religion.) she doesn’t trust mages if they aren’t related to her, and always advocates for the circle when given the chance. she’s best friends with fenris and they hang out a lot, more and more as the years pass. since merrill and anders both move into the hawke estate (which was already a bit of a circus, can you imagine the chaos?) lith finds herself more and more outnumbered ideologically and often escapes to fenris’ mansion for some quiet. 

during the endgame, she sides against her family and the mages. she basically has a villainous breakdown. she helps them kill meredith and once it’s revealed that meredith had been influenced by the lyrium idol, lith’s whole worldview is pretty much shattered. post-game she leaves the city and seeks out her cousin, ash amell (i have eight wardens so im not going to get into this but basically my amell and my cousland (eve) are in a gay throuple with leliana and its dope as all hell). spending time with ash, eve, and leliana is very healing for her, but all her siblings assume she’s dead and she doesn’t see them for years after kirkwall. 

—————————-

nyx hawke- they/them, age 25, adopted by the hawkes at 9 along with their twin lith. nyx is the blood mage of the group, and is an absolute icon quite frankly. they’re very chaotic, and especially close with kit, merrill, and isabela. nyx has a ton of fun fighting, and they and syl make an especially good team in combat. nyx always looks up to syl and its very sweet, and syl is the only one in the family who never once messed up nyx’s pronouns (everyone is very good about this of course, and by kirkwall its a non-issue, but even lith slipped up once or twice early on). 

they have very noodly arms because they’ve never had to worry about fighting hand to hand when running out of mana, because of the blood magic. this leads to quite a bit of teasing but tbh they pull it off. nyx is bi and has a thing with isabela for a short while but in the end they’re better as best friends. 

nyx and lith are very close. they’re often perfectly in sync when doing things, especially in combat, and have that twin esp thing going on which can get spooky at times. however they also bicker a lot, and obviously clash on ideology pretty much constantly. though this is the norm nyx always assumed they would have each other’s backs no matter what when it came down to the nitty gritty, and lith’s betrayal during the endgame is really heartbreaking for them. 

over the years anders and nyx do a lot of collaborating when it comes to mage rights. they help him polish his manifesto, and smuggle mages out of the gallows. the only real reason nyx isn’t brought into the loop on the chantry explosion was a mixtures of anders’ crushing guilt and his knowledge that if he told nyx and not steve, steve would be really hurt. (however he couldn’t tell steve because he didn’t want the deaths to be on steve’s conscience- anders knows he definitely would have helped if it came down to that). post-game nyx goes on to be one of the leaders of the mage rebellion.

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lou hawke- he/him, age 22, adopted by the hawkes at 10. hes a cowboy and i love him. an archer rogue, he prioritizes powerful firing over speed or precision. he’s a massive sweetheart, terminally polite, and has massive ears that he’s self-conscious of and tries to cover with his hair. however whenever his hair gets long enough to cover them leandra starts poking and prodding him to get a trim and he’s always too soft to refuse for long, beginning the cycle again (and after leandra is murdered he always keeps his hair to her liking- he gets weepy if it grows too long). he’s the only hawke i’ve drawn without his in-game outfit because this fucking game doesn’t have cowboy hats or cute shirts with tassles and i do what i want. 

lou also plays instruments, he’s got a guitar and a harmonica and plays the piano passably. he IS the piano man in the eyes of the hanged man’s patrons. sing us a song, they tell him, etc. he manages ten minutes of harmonica in the deep roads, citing excellent acoustics, until anders tells him to stop because the darkspawn will hear. when the hawkes get rich lou buys a horse and goes for morning rides out on the wounded coast. 

lou is bi, and runs around for years with a massive crush on isabela but that doesn’t exactly work out. he ends up with jethann (theres a lot of lore here but suffice it to say its extremely tender) and post-game they leave kirkwall and end up owning a ranch not far outside denerim. lou hires lots of farmhands that end up looking to him as a father figure and its super sweet, and jethann refuses to do manual labor. 

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this got insanely long i am SO sorry flkjsdlkgjlkcxjglsfkd

feel free to send any asks relating to them because i really love this family so much and could talk about them forever dlfskjlxcjglskd if you couldnt tell from this diatribe

[snowbellewells]

The Lawman, The Thief and The Outlaw: Chapter Two

{Thank you SO much to @searchingwardrobes​ for the amazing cover art! I’m so flattered that she would do that for my story, and I am absolutely in love with it! :)  Also, a stunned and blushing thanks to @let-it-raines​ for recc’ing this fic on CS Fic Rec Monday, I feel honored to be included and mentioned.  And thanks to all of you who read Chapter One for waiting patiently for this next installment.  I know right where it goes from here, so hopefully it will be less time between this and Chapter Three! }

Summary: Sheriff Killian Jones has done his best to leave behind a troubled past and bring law and order to the town of Blanchard Ridge. However, when he upholds his duty in the face of the most feared and dangerous outlaw gang in the area, allies are few and he dreads trapping them in the same situation he finds himself. The small Western town is about to become a powder keg, and one lawman, his deputies, and a resourceful woman too stubborn for her own good are all that stand in the way of bloodshed and lawlessness...

Chapter One 

Chapter Two

Mere minutes passed before Sheriff Jones heard the hurried pounding of booted feet along the boardwalk where Doc Hopper kept his office three buildings down from the Nolans’ inn. Dave and the boy hadn’t wasted any time fetching the doctor, for which Killian was glad, and as the three of them drew close, he merely held open the saloon-style swinging door and motioned them through. One last glance around the long, hot main drag showed things to be as quiet and deserted as they had seemed before the cattle train rode in. One would never guess a man had been shot down where he stood not even a half hour ago if he didn’t already know it. Killian knew he wouldn’t see anything helpful out there at that point, but he didn’t have to like it. All the same, he turned with impotent frustration sticking in his craw to follow the others inside.

The room where Robin was lying had gotten fairly crowded, between Mary Nolan standing back with a washbasin of red-tinged water and blood-stained towel in hand, looking worried but as if she had managed to staunch the flow of blood, along with her husband, Henry, and the doc all crowded in. Killian didn’t have much choice but to observe from the doorway, without making the space so tight Hopper couldn’t do his job.

He had thought Rob was well out of it, unaware of the proceedings, and probably for the best at that, until Hopper probed the edge of the bullet wound and he flinched, body curling inward in self-preservation and letting out a pained growl at the treatment.

“Apologies, Mr. Sherwood,” Hopper murmured, glancing up to meet the cattleman’s eyes with a look of chagrin at the discomfort he was causing. The doc was not by nature outgoing, but more soft-spoken and reserved. If Killian had not seen Hopper save more than one life with his own eyes, he might’ve even appeared incapable with the seeming uncertainty his manners displayed. Time and experience had shown Jones otherwise though, and he had no doubt that Rob was in the best possible hands this far West. Still, it was clear that the bespectacled and ginger haired physician hated inducing pain, even if it was necessary for the treatment and for healing to begin.

To his credit, Sherwood merely nodded his understanding and grit his teeth against further pained outbursts. His eyelids fluttered somewhat hazily, but he remained conscious, if not terribly alert. Killian would venture to guess that it was not the first time the other man had been patched up from a bullet wound. They had never avidly compared scars, but he knew enough to recognize another person with a similarly checkered past, and there had certainly been times long before his stint as a lawman in a frontier outpost when he had stared down the wrong end of a six shooter. 

Thankfully, before too much longer, the doc was able to ascertain that the bullet had exited cleanly, had disinfected the entry and exit points, and stitched Robin back together as neatly as Killian had ever seen it done. Robin had succumbed to the shock and blood loss and slid into a fitful doze, but not before making it clear to Killian that once he was mobile again, he would help the sheriff in whatever way needed to bring those outlaws to justice.

His young hand, Henry, and Killian had both chuckled at that, knowing Sherwood meant the words he spoke, but also that he would have a hard time following through. Lady Sherwood would undoubtedly have something to say about him chasing desperadoes, and she would be far from happy. Rob would be lucky not to have his head bitten off before his injury had even healed.

Yet, by the same turn, it seemed that the day’s events had galvanized more than the injured rancher himself to action. The wide-eyed young man Sherwood had taken under his wing was ready to do no less than sign up as a deputy then and there, not intending to let the attack on his boss and father figure go unanswered. Killian could certainly stand to have an extra gun in his corner. If Henry was any good, and rumor had it he was - startlingly so - then it might be a definite advantage indeed. Still, he wouldn’t have one so innocent and untried blackening his soul on a whim either. This standoff with Malcolm would get ugly before it was through; Killian knew that in his gut, just as he knew the sun would rise each morning and sink again each night. Something about Henry reminded him of the blissfully ignorant immigrant boy he’d been long ago, drinking in all the sights of a new land spread out before him, with Liam still comfortingly at his side, and dreams of the adventure they’d have, the heroes’ journey on which they had been about to embark. He hated to see that spark of hope and belief go out of such trusting eyes if he could do anything to prevent it.

Again fighting off the flashes of old memory - dredged up for the second time in one day, what was coming over him? - Killian refocused his attention on Hopper telling them that barring any infection and Sherwood taking enough time to recover from the blood loss, he should make a full recovery. After informing them that he would be back the next day to check in, and nodding to them all as he stood, the doc moved to see himself out, followed closely by Mary Nolan, who clearly meant to dispose of the soiled rags and dump the water in her tub, but was thanking him for coming as they exited the room.

Killian followed them quietly, hat in hand as they moved into the inn’s main bar and dining area. He would see Doc Hopper later in his offices about the bill for Robin’s treatment. He certainly didn’t want word getting out that Blanchard Ridge was a town which couldn’t take care of its own, where a man could be gunned down in the street and no one would pay any mind. For the moment however, his larger focus was on catching up to Mary and inquiring as to whether or not there were rooms available to put up the rancher and his crew for a few days while Sherwood recuperated. They could bill it to the Sheriff’s office if need be, but again, it only seemed right.

He followed her through the staff doors to the kitchen, watching the petite, dark-haired spitfire of a woman bustle across the room to toss the basin’s contents out the back door onto the dry, New Mexico dirt, turning it yet more crimson. When she whipped around to get back to work, drying her hands on her apron, he accidentally startled her into jumping anxiously he was following so closely on her heels.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, one hand flying up to cover her heart at the start he had given her. “Killian! I didn’t know you were there!”

“Sorry,” he offered, giving her a dip of his chin in further apology, and finding that his hand made its way of its own accord to scratch behind one ear, a sheepish mannerism of which he seemed unable to rid himself. “Wasn’t trying to give you a scare… I only wanted to inquire if you had room here to put up Sherwood and the boy - and any of his riders who aren’t moving on as well. We’ll see that you and David are compensated, of course.”

Taking him by surprise, the inn’s proprietress fluttered her hand at him in dismissal of the offered pay. “Nonsense!” she hushed, seemingly unfazed by the fact that he was a world-weary and rough cowboy who stood a head taller than her at least. Instead, her manner reminded him more of someone affectionately scolding a wayward child. “You’ll do no such thing. David and I will see that he’s properly looked after. It’s the least we can do, seeing as how we are an inn.  That poor man certainly can’t be expected to sit a horse and ride on home just after being shot.”

She moved about the large, open room as she spoke, pulling out vegetables, pots, and pans (no doubt needing to begin planning the next day’s menu for guests) and wiping down the counter as she spoke. When Killian didn’t offer any further response, Mary Nolan glanced up to study his expression, then came forward to press his hand between both of her small, cool palms and grace him with an understanding smile as she tilted her head back to look into his eyes.

“Killian,” she said, softly, making sure he digested her words when she paused for emphasis. “You have more than enough to worry about - what with Malcolm and his henchmen, trying to keep everyone safe… That’s more than enough for one man - no matter how capable!” she rushed to add with an indulgent chuckle when she saw him opening his mouth to correct her. “More than enough for one lawman to be getting along with. You let David and I see to our guests. It’s what we can do to help.”

A smile played at the corners of Jones’ mouth at her words, touched by the sentiment of them, and that she and her husband would understand and appreciate what he was trying to do enough that they would wish to help if they could.  Letting a lazy smirk raise his smile at one end along with a wink of his deep blue eyes, Killian reached up to hold the brim of his Stetson between his thumb and forefinger, tipping his hat to her with every bit of playfully rakish charm he possessed. “Why, thank you, Lady Nolan,” he drawled. “Much obliged to you, Ma’am.”

“Oh posh,” she huffed out, shooing him from her kitchen with a corresponding attitude of playful exasperation, even as he could see a bright pink flush rising high on her usually pale alabaster cheeks. “Get on out of here, you rascal! I have work to do!”

Chuckling good naturedly, Killian followed her directives as she hustled him from the kitchen, knowing he needed to get back to the jail, ascertain if Scarlet had returned, and see to their prisoner. He would find his way back shortly for the evening meal.

But, once he left the kitchen and crossed the main dining area, his eyes were inevitably drawn toward the guests’ parlor where a cozy fire burned in the hearth, a merry tune was being plucked out by someone on the piano out of sight in the corner, and the pleasant hum of conversation filled the air. Most evenings found at least two or three card games going in the inn’s sitting room, and that night seemed to be no exception. The difference that immediately drew his eye was the vision seated at one of the tables facing toward him in the doorway, dealing out the next hand like she’d been born with a deck in her grasp. The pretty newcomer from the stage earlier that day - all bright blond hair, now refreshed and styled from the long, dusty ride that afternoon and falling down over her shoulders in lustrous, cascading waves. The jade of her eyes was practically crackling with bright enthusiasm as the next round of poker commenced, and she kept pace with every man seated around her, clearly relishing the competition.

Transfixed in spite of the nightly duties calling his name back at the jail, Killian paused, drinking in the sight of the woman whose arrival both tempted and teased him in a way he didn’t fully understand. The trim smart cut of her evening dress made his eye linger almost unwillingly as he took in the way its dove grey skirt clung to her slender but still shapely form. He didn’t aim to ogle her like some ruffian, but it was hard to keep his gaze as respectful as he would like when the sedate, muted color of the fitted skirt gave way to the deep, eye-catching garnet of the bodice cut distractingly low in the bosom, and deliciously snug at the tiny waist. It was almost more than a simple man could bear, if he were being honest. And he didn’t know if the particular dress was meant for the purpose of distracting her fellow players that night, or if the lady was just aware of what style most suited her, but she was clearly not afraid to use her assets to her advantage. Sheriff and honorable man or no, Killian Jones found himself rather grateful, whatever her reason, and as he traced the tip of his tongue across his lower lip, he could barely pull his gaze away.

She appeared to have drawn a winning hand, he mused as she gathered the chips of the first loser at her table to fold. A soft, small smile teased at his lips at the pleased smirk of satisfaction on her face. She obviously knew they’d underestimated her skill because of her gender, and she was only too happy to prove them wrong. And yet, all that close attention drew Killian’s eye eventually from the lady’s appealing form and figure to what she was doing under all of their noses. Even at that, if he hadn’t been looking so closely he wouldn’t have caught what he now thought she was up to. A niggling feeling of troubled recognition crept into his mind, and he knew he would have to go and see if he was right, though he couldn’t rightly remember ever wanting so badly to be wrong before.

One by one, the woman took out the other players, slowly and methodically, as if she could sit there and play all night. There was nothing overtly suspicious in her game - nor her continued winning. Most card players firmly believed in getting “hot” or finding themselves on a lucky streak. Jones truly hoped that was all it was - that the forewarning he felt as he continued to watch was wrong. But then, she called a bluff, one that she shouldn’t have possibly been able to counter by his observant calculations, and as his eyes narrowed, he saw the slick move those playing with her had missed.

She was cheating them all - or he was almost certain of it - and masterfully so at that. No one but he seemed to be the wiser. Half of him was powerfully tempted to stalk over there, haul her to her feet, and drag her back to the jail with him. Grinding his teeth together so hard a muscle in his jaw twitched, Killian managed to hold himself back, but it was a near thing. That sort of chicanery - and money loss - was exactly what started brawls and ended with damages, injuries, and possible deaths. But he’d bide his time in confronting her; he didn’t want the players left at the table crying to have her strung up either.

Stalking purposely from the Nolans’ establishment out into the cool night air at last, he took long, ground-covering strides across the hard-packed earth to the other side of the street and up the steps to his jail. Pausing just before he reached the door, he called out in warning, “Hey Smee, it’s Jones! Don’t blow my head off!”

A moment later, the top of a rapidly balding head and the squinting eyes of a shorter-than-average middle-aged man peered out the barred window of the main door into the jail, revealing his other deputy and long time friend, William Smee. Killian had left him as lookout while he went to run errands and make sure all was squared away for them to hunker down in the jail the next several nights. Smee had an old injury which had left him with a hitching, unsteady gait and kept him from riding much distance or getting around very quickly, but he was as loyal as they came and took the guard duty Killian gave him as a second deputy with genuine seriousness - perhaps even a mite too much enthusiasm.

“Well, I ‘kin see it’s you! Quit yammerin’ and git on in here!” the man called back, sounding as if he were already fired up over something and in a foul temper. Normally the squirrelly little man with a gimpy leg and rather rotund belly was more deferential to Killian in his address, even taking to calling him ‘Captain’ playfully if Killian got too demanding or brusque in handing out each day’s duties to his men.

Huffing out a breath of half-amusement and half-annoyance, not sure which side to fall more squarely upon at that moment, Jones entered the jail, barely offering a greeting to Smee as he stepped back from raising the deadbolt to allow him entrance. “Has there been trouble?” he asked lowly, voice quiet so as not to alert Scarlet, who had returned and was sitting at the small table across the room from the cells nursing a whiskey he didn’t need, nor their prisoner, who would only delight in any sort of fear or disruption.

Smee shook his head, the whiskers on his jowls practically quivering. He followed his boss further into the room as Sheriff Jones moved toward the board full of active “Wanted” posters, hoping that his eyes would prove him mistaken in the conclusion that had formed in his brian. He knew the shorter man was moving with him from the distinctively off-kilter sound of his shuffle-hopped step on the rough hewn wood floor.

“If there’s no trouble, then what has you so trigger happy?” he asked idly, eyes still scanning the rough sketches before him.

“Well, I ...that is… I mean… you did tell me to stand guard. Make sure nobody unexpected got in here while you was gone,” Smee explained haltingly. “How’m I ‘sposed to do that if’n I don’t have myself ready to stop ‘em?”

A sigh escaped Jones as his eyes came to rest on just the confirmation he had hoped he wouldn’t get. Reaching out to snatch the offending handbill from the board with a rip of paper and growl of anger, he turned to storm back out. He should have known the second his interest was stirred… Romance had never led to anything good for him. “I’ll be right back,” he snarled, a quick glance over his shoulder showing Smee staring after him in confusion as he stalked back the way he had come.

It was the matter of only minutes to see him tromping back into the Nolan establishment, disgruntled, worried, angry, and disappointed. He shouldn’t have let himself feel that first moment’s intrigue; it could only lead to trouble. He had forced himself long ago - after the loss of his last family, and the brutal loss of his love as well - to accept that though he might have allies, acquaintances, folks in his corner he was friendly with, he was unloved and unloving in that bone-deep, consuming way that warmed a man’s life of the cold loneliness and mattered most to him in the end. Love had only brought him pain, and he had let himself start to toy with the notion again - only to be brought up short by reality once more.

Heading straight to the gaming tables, Killian found himself just in time to see the game his lovely mystery woman had been been a part of breaking up. The maddening blonde in question was just watching her final opponent walk away with a pleased twinkle in her eye, and as the man shuffled off, head down, shamed face hidden beneath his hat, and pockets much lighter from his loss, Killian couldn’t help shaking his head in disbelieving exasperation as she leaned over the table to scrape her heap of winnings toward herself, giving him an exceedingly enticing view as she did. While he was reluctant to admire the dangerous game she was playing, she was awfully good at it.

Waiting patiently, Killian made his way toward the bar, ignoring the tempting call of the appeasing oblivion he had often escaped into in the past from the libations on offer there. He carefully kept an eye on the intriguing stranger his handbill called “the Swan”, as he also attempted to blend in with the patrons until he was ready to make his presence known.

Once his target had gathered her winnings and begun to move from the room toward the stars, no doubt up to her rented night’s lodgings, Killian waited a mere handful of seconds before pushing away from the bar where he had been leaning with a feigned casual air before slowly crossing the floor to trail her. As he neared the foot of the building’s impressive staircase, he just caught the flash of her crimson garment disappearing around the corner to the second floor hall.

Hurrying up the steps as well, Jones moved with both as much speed and stealth as he could muster, needing to know which room his quarry entered. Thankfully, as he neared the top, he heard her low, smooth voice, the same one that had compelled him with its subtle lilt as she had greeted him playfully mere hours earlier, stopped in passing conversation with the inn’s proprietress. Mary Nolan’s chipper, sweetly inflected voice was easily recognizable as she asked if her guest had everything she needed. Killian looked about him swiftly for a place to retreat, knowing the friendly woman would give him away, or bar his passage for propriety’s sake, if she met him there in the hall, but thankfully as he dared a glance around the corner, Mrs. Nolan disappeared into another room with a basket of folded laundry in her arms, while the last swish of those charcoal skirts also caught Killian’s eye just before the door at the furthest end of the hall closed soundly.

Blowing out a short, decisive breath, Killian squared his shoulders and strode forward to that door. Readying himself, hand bill still clutched in his grip to make the accusation that was already burning on his tongue, the sheriff rapped decisively, steeling himself for the unpleasant confrontation ahead.

The door jerked open abruptly, revealing his card shark of a culprit already speaking to whom she must assume was the returning innkeeper’s wife. “As I said before, I’m really fine, thank you, Mrs. Nol - “ before her words trailed off, a flush climbing up her cheeks even as her eyes rose up his form assessingly until reaching and holding his own. She had clearly already begun her evening’s undressing, he thought with heat of his own on the back of his neck, as her hair had been loosed from its updo to cascade riotously around her face and down her back, and she stood before him in stockinged feet, her little heeled boots kicked off by the edge of her bed as his eyes quickly surveyed the room. The whole effect did make his breath strangle in his windpipe and he had to shake his head to clear it before speaking. ‘Blast it all, Jones, keep it together,’ his inner voice berated him as he fought to gather himself. 

For her part, the newcomer had caught her breath sharply, staring back at him still wide-eyed. “You aren’t Mrs. Nolan,” she finally breathed with a flustered shake of her pretty head.

“Nope,” Jones replied, a part of him wishing he could simply be pleased by the fact that she seemed nearly as flustered as he was himself and leave the rest of his concerns behind. “In fact, can’t say as I’ve ever been confused for her before.”

A rueful smile crossed her perfect, full lips as she leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well then, Sheriff,” she teased, that mischeivous glimmer of her eyes showing once more, along with the dimple in her cheek. “Seeing as how you haven’t come to offer me fresh towels or an extra blanket, what is it I can do for you?”

Killian cursed himself twice over for a fool as the reason he was standing at her door was pressed firmly to the forefront of his mind again. How was it that she could charm him so quickly that his purpose fled his memory in seconds?

Clearing his throat, rather uncomfortable accosting and accusing a woman so blatantly - even with the knowledge the “Wanted” poster provided, and the game play he had witnessed downstairs to back him up. False accusations could be made on the fliers, after all, and he wasn’t certain of what he had seen, only that it had looked like she’d cheated several people, quite soundly, at cards, just as the hand bill claimed she was wont to do. “Well, you see,” he offered, slowly holding up the paper with a sketched likeness of her face, her supposed crimes, and the reward offered for her capture up where she could see it clearly, and hating that he felt he was somehow ruining the most enjoyable conversation he’d had in ages, he continued, “there is the matter of this bill.”

The beguiling vixen before him (whom the flyer deemed one “Emma Swan”) immediately transformed from pleasantly amused and curious to defensive and hurt - her spine straightening sharply, eyes sliding from his own, just glancing at the sketch of herself and then off to the side. Though she was almost sizzling, trembling with restrained affront and insult, Killian didn’t miss the wet sheen that glazed her lovely green eyes; the accusation clearly cutting more deeply than he would have expected.

“That blasted thing just won’t stop ruining me,” she hissed, quickly turning her back on him and withdrawing into the room, but not - he noticed, unaccountably pleased - ordering him out or slamming the door in his face as he had expected. He thought he caught a quick swipe of her hand that might have been trying to brush away a rogue tear undetected, but it happened to quickly to be sure.

Killian was about to step forward and explain himself, and why, though he hated to become an enemy he couldn’t let crime and theft fester in the town he sought to protect, when she caught him off guard once again. (Frightening how often this slender young woman managed that, really.) Where a moment prior vulnerability and a tinge of fear had painted her features, now a wall was up. She looked guarded and ready to fight; her eyes practically flashing in their fiery indignation as her hands found a place on her hips. “Did it ever occur to you that I might have been set up?” she spat, words coming so quickly that he couldn’t get a word in to argue as she stepped closer, nearly toe-to-toe with him. “I’m no cheat!” she continued to rail, both her passionate voice and the intense expression she wore daring him to contradict her. “Contrary to what you’ve clearly already chosen to believe.”

Not having expected her to rally with such vigor, Sheriff Jones was taken aback, but resolute to see his duty through now that he’d begun. Not to mention that a bit of his own native stubbornness and temper was riled now by her making him feel bad simply for doing his job. “Now, see here, Miss Swan,” he fired back. “That is your name, isn’t it? Emma Swan?”

She gave a sharp jerk of the head in confirmation.

His voice was roughened with feeling, letting more of his accent - never quite lost despite all the years between - making itself known as he pressed on. “I have an obligation to check out suspicious persons. The town and its citizens depend on me for their safety. It’s nothing personal, Swan - just my job. Of course mistakes can be made, but…” he wet his lips, the fire rolling in his blood not at all calmed by how close she was standing, her sweet, delicious scent of apple and - was that cinnamon? - nor the way her chest was heaving with her fit of pique. “But I did see you clean out all those solid players downstairs, in a game that went so fast it hardly seemed natural.”

She pursed her lips, as if considering for a moment, and then something like bitter resignation and almost melancholy swept over the anger and usurped control of her face. “And did it ever strike you that I just might be that good?”

The question stopped him cold. He really hadn’t, and now as well as the frustration, attraction and doubt, there was regret swirling in his mind. “Well,” he allowed, speaking slowly as he mulled over how to progress from there. “That was mighty skilled indeed then, Milady. I don’t supposed you’d want to roll up your sleeves and empty your pockets to prove yourself? Show me I’ve gotten you all wrong? Getting poker hands like you must have been to clean them all out so easily would be best achieved by hiding cards on your person, aye?”

Rather than seeing his words as a chance to clear her name however, this Emma clearly took further offense. Arching a brow at him, she snorted indelicately, shaking her head as she took a step back so he could see her entire form clearly. “That easy for you, is it?” she questioned, gauging his intentions and deciding not to make his task easy. Her look was positively wicked as she stared right back, sizing him up before speaking. “See, I think you need to prove what you claim I’ve done. If you look at bit closer at that bill, you’ll see it says suspected accomplice, and that the reward is for information, not capture. And I am certainly not about to admit a crime I didn’t commit.” She paused and gave a meaningful look down at the tight, corseted bodice of her dress and the skin bared at the neckline. “So, go ahead, Sheriff.  You think I’m hiding cards? Search me.”

His mouth went completely dry at that - the issued challenge both hurting his pride and seeming all too inviting at once. But he wasn’t about to let it show, not if he could help it. Instead, he schooled his features and put a flirtatious tilt into his own smile as he took a step further into the room and closer to her. “Careful now, Darlin’...” he murmured, hoping he might just startle her into backing down. “I do love a challenge.”

Instead of drawing back, that pert little chin tilted up defiantly, and Emma Swan met his eye without even blinking. She was calling his bluff, despite this being no card game, and Killian was about as tangled and turned around by the last few minutes as a newly roped and branded calf. He wasn’t even sure at present if he wanted to win or lose their standoff. Then, she moved closer still, her delicate, soft hand on his chest, and peered up into his eyes with an insouciant smirk. Cautioning him even as she reeled him in, she replied without missing a beat. “Be that as it may,” she winked, “I think you’re the one who won’t be able to handle this.”

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[teamhook]

A Chapter A Day... Savage Heart CS AU

Well, this is it the last of the month and a chapter a day. Today I give you the final two chapters. Yes, I know I don’t know how to count. :) Sorry.

I wanna thank @ilovemesomekillianjones my beta for the story. She is amazing! The sweetest person and i was lucky she agreed to help me with this story.

The lovely cover was made by the awesome @xhookswenchx one of the first to give love to this story.

Thank you all for reading.

A love story between a pirate and his savior. An innocent, beautiful, selfless woman meets a man with no manners, no formal education and not even a last name. Will Emma fall in love with Killian once she discovers that beneath his tough exterior lies a heart-wild, but a heart of gold? This is a Captain Swan AU

|AO3| |FFN| previous chapter

|AO3| |FFN| current chapter

Chapter 29: Truths Told

To say Killian is surprised to see his long lost brother at his doorstep is putting it mildly. He cannot stop the happiness he feels seeing Liam, he opens the door wide with a big smile - a clear invitation to enter.

Killian introduces Liam to Emma and their friend Tink. Liam smiles sweetly as he makes his own introductions. First, Elsa his love. Emma and Elsa share a moment of recognition. Emma's father had written about Elsa to Emma and vice versa. Then he moves on to Ingrid, Elsa's aunt and finally his former captain, Dakkar Nemo.

As the night's goes on, Liam and Killian share a moment away from the group.

"Brother, I'm happy you found a special lass like Emma. You made the right choice leaving the scoundrel behind." Liam pats Killian on the back.

Killian smiles, "Who says I've left the scoundrel behind?" and waggles his eyebrows. "My wife is quite fond of that side of me."

Liam shakes his head in disapproval. "That's no way to speak of your wife."

Killian rolls his eyes. "Brother, I'm sorry I offended your sensibilities. Sometimes the pirate is hard to be rid of. My Emma, she knows this and still loves me. I'm so happy you've come, how long are you staying?"

Liam ponders the question. "I have to first find accommodations for all of us."

Killian smiles, "We have more than enough room, I'm sure Emma wouldn't object-"

"I'm sorry, brother, but I'd rather not intrude on recently reunited newlyweds. I'm sure we can find lodging somewhere," Liam interjects.

"How about with my parents?" Emma suggests. "They have room and my mother would love the company. I'm sure my father would offer as well."

Emma and Killian escort the group to the Nolan's home once the evening has come to an end. David and Snow warmly welcome the group as the introductions are made. Snow is already planning a big dinner for the following night, to properly welcome their visitors.

The next morning at the Jones home, Emma wakes up first, she turns to face her husband. He's still in a peaceful slumber, she had missed him so much. She slowly pushes the hair on his forehead out of the way, and gently leans over to softly kiss him. She rests her head on his shoulder.

After a few minutes, he begins to stir. "Good morning, love."

"Good morning, Killian. Any plans today?"

"I was going to meet my brother at Archie's. I want to show him that the second chance he gave me was put to good use. I found myself a beautiful bride," he plays with her soft blonde hair, "and the business is one of honor. How about you?"

"I have some errands to do," she feels him stiffen at her words - the same words she'd spoken before she was taken - and rushes to reassure him, "don't worry, I'm taking Tink with me. Later in the afternoon we will go visit my mom and get to know Elsa and Ingrid." She also wants to look for Rufio, and Tink knows the boys well, but that has to stay a secret from her husband for now.

He nods his agreement. "I should get one of the men in my crew to keep you and Tink safe. It would have to be someone I trust."

"I think Tink and I will be okay. We can talk about this later."

Killian knows his wife is a force of nature and Tink will not go down easily, so for now he won't push her.

Cora waits in her room for the return of her daughter-in-law. She still hasn't decided if she should expose Milah to August, how would he survive the ridicule he would suffer if the truth comes out. Cora's smile becomes wicked as she thinks of ways to make Milah's life difficult. Perhaps the situation requires a permanent solution.

August had gone riding to clear his head. His frustration is overwhelming, all he wants is to understand Emma's attitude toward him. Her safety is what matters to him, and she is not safe with Killian.

He spots Malcolm, and walks towards him. "Mr. Peters, may I have a word?"

Malcolm had hoped to avoid August, he prefers to deal with Cora. "Of course, Mr. Booth. How can I be of assistance today?"

"First, I want to know where you've been? You disappeared for days without a word. That is very unprofessional."

"Mr. Booth, I was on an errand for your mother. I'm sorry, I thought you knew."

August sneers at the man. "You are to report to me and me alone, not my mother. If that's going to be a problem, perhaps you should look for employment elsewhere."

Malcolm tries to stay calm. He will tell Cora and hope she deals with her son. If all else fails, he will ask for a good amount of money. He knows her secrets after all.

Milah arrives at the estate with a big grin on her face. As soon as she enters the house, she is greeted with Enith's face.

"Ma'am, Mrs. Booth would like a word. She's in her room and she is not in a waiting mood."

Milah rolls her eyes. "I don't have to run to her side. I'll go talk to her whenever I feel like it." Milah turns around and starts to walk to her room, leaving Enith with her mouth open.

Enith storms to Cora's room. She knocks and soon is rewarded with an invitation to come in.

"Ma'am, Ms. Milah arrived home and I informed her you had requested her presence but she said she would come talk to you whenever she feels like it."

Cora smirks, "Oh, did she say that?"

Enith simply nods.

"Alright, I'll wait for her to come to me when she is ready, but this humiliation will be added to her tally of misdeeds," Cora promises as she sits on her chaise.

Enith curtsies and leaves.

Moments later, a sudden pounding on her door startles Cora. "Come in."

Malcolm enters with a scowl. "Your son just informed me I no longer report to you. He wants me to report to him and he was upset I left with no explanation. I tried to explain that I was on an errand for you, but he didn't seem to care."

Cora has to admit she is proud of her son for finally showing some backbone. Too bad he doesn't show it with his wife. "I'll talk to him, but you must do something for me."

Malcolm sighs in frustration, before asking, "What do you want me to do?"

Cora's back straightens. "You seem close to my daughter-in-law."

"I don't know what you mean, we are simply cordial."

She studies him for a second. "Good to know, that ensures the task I'm about to give you is done without hesitation."

That catches Malcolm's attention. "What is it you want me to do?"

"I would be very happy and generously inclined if an accident were to befall Milah, but unlike her cousin, I wouldn't object if she didn't survive."

"Cora, I don't know if I can do that. I've done some questionable things but never anything as such."

Cora's brow raises. "Oh Malcolm, don't tell me you've fallen for her charms."

He ignores her. "What did she do to incur your wrath? I know you are not particularly fond of her but to kill your son's wife?"

"My son's wife is a common, lying whore. She bewitched my son and made a fool of him. She let us believe she was entering the marriage pure but she had fallen into bed with someone already. Who knows how many men have been in her bed."

"Why not a simple divorce or an annulment. I'm sure you know someone that can do it for you."

"My son has no idea who he married. This way he can mourn her and find someone else. Too bad Emma married the pirate. She was the perfect fit for my son."

"You mean the eldest Booth, your son's brother."

Cora glares at him. "You keep your mouth shut, we don't need someone overhearing us. Especially now that I have the letter back in my possession."

Malcolm nods.

"So will you do it?" Cora asks. "Or don't you have the stomach for it?"

"I'll do it, but it will cost you."

Cora smiles, "It will be worth it."

"Do you have something in mind?"

"No, I don't, maybe while horse riding. I'm sure you can figure something out."

"All right." He nods in agreement and leaves.

Milah is in her room relaxing, nothing could sour her mood, not even her witch of a mother-in-law. She knows she will need to go see what she wants before she is summoned again. Putting it off longer than she has is not an option. Milah checks her reflection in the mirror and finally leaves to go have a talk with Cora.

She arrives at Cora's closed door and knocks.

"Come in," the older woman says.

"You wanted to see me?" Milah asks as she enters the room, leaving the door ajar and promptly sitting down.

"Milah, darling. I just wanted to tell you that things are going to change around here. Your insolence will no longer be tolerated, and you will behave the way you're told to." Cora smiles as she thinks to herself, at least for as long as you have left.

"August has no problem with the way I behave and once I tell him how you are speaking to me, he will tell you so."

Cora laughs, "Oh dear girl, I know your secret." She makes a show of pulling the vial out of a small box. "I know what kind of woman you are. You were never deserving of my son and this proves it."

Milah looks at the vial and the recognition is clear on her face - but still she tries to deny it. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Under normal circumstances, I would reveal the truth to my son, but, for whatever reason, he loves you. All I can do is make sure you are the wife he deserves."

Milah glares at her mother-in-law. "I'm not Emma, I will not fold to your demands. If you have a problem with that, I have no problem telling August the truth myself."

"You will do as you're told and that is final!" Cora seethes.

August stops just outside of his mother's door when he hears his mother and wife arguing. He tries to piece together the bits of the conversation he is hearing.

"You know what, you are right! That vial is mine. I had a lover before I married your ponce of a son. I'm just so tired of having to deal with you. You are right, your beloved son deserved my nitwit cousin."

"I knew you were not in my son's league. How in the world it is possible for you and Emma to come from the same gene pool is beyond me. You disgust me."

August finally walks in shaking his head in disbelief. "No,no,no,no! Tell me this is not true," he pleads as he drops to his knees and wraps his arms around Milah's midsection. His tears flowing, he sniffles, his voice muffled by her dress. "Milah, sweetheart tell me it's a lie. You love me and only me."

Milah tries to push him away with disgust. "For the first time in a very long time, I'm telling the truth, I had a lover before I ended up in your bed. I love him and only him. How could I love you, you are pathetic!" she finally pushes him away successfully.

Cora tries to approach August to comfort him, he turns to glare at her and she stops in her tracks and stills. "Who the hell is it? Hmm? Tell me who!" he screams.

Milah simply smirks and tilts her head. "Don't you know?" Her gaze burns through him as she laughs then turns to Cora. "Really, you still cannot figure it out? Well, let me spell it out for you both. Killian Jones. You both were so eager to believe that Emma was the woman rumored to have had an affair with him. I still cannot believe you two fell for that. Emma, my insipid cousin would have never fallen in bed with him."

August's eyes darken as he glares at his wife. "I'm going to kill him," he declares and then storms out.

"You stupid girl," Cora berates.

Milah taunts Cora, "You should have said goodbye to him, Killian will kill him. You and I both know that. Oh well, I suppose soon there will be two Booth widows." Milah walks out of the room and heads for her bedroom, with August out of the way she is free - all she needs is for Killian to walk away from Emma.

Cora's angered face is shaking in disbelief, no, no, no, not him. Cora glares at Milah's retreating body. When Jones had showed up, she thought it was money he wanted and she had sacrificed Emma to him in order to protect her son's inheritance. She hated to admit it, but if August was successful and Killian agreed to a duel, her son would not survive. Without thought, she grabs the letter and holds it to her heart. This will save her son. Cora calls out for Enith. She needs to get to Emma, she will help her save her son.

Emma is sitting in the living room waiting for Tink to finish getting ready when a loud banging on the door startles her. She gets up and smoothes out her skirt before walking to the door.

August stands there wearing a scowl on his face. "Where's that pirate?" He pushes his way inside.

"August, what's going on?" He looks upset and she tries to calm him.

"Did you know?" His scowl turns to anguish. "How could I have been so blind?" He slowly approaches her, to try to touch her. "You are an angel, and I threw you away for a harlot. I'm so sorry."

Emma's eyes widen the more he speaks. He knows, he found out about Milah. "August, it's okay." She avoids his touch but is unable to evade the smell of alcohol that oozes from his pores. He must have gotten drunk after finding out the truth.

"You deserve the world and that bastard took advantage of your good heart. I know you married Killian to protect me. I don't need protecting anymore, I will save you. I'm going to kill him and I will send Milah away after I divorce her. Then we can make things right. We can marry and have the life we were meant to have."

"August, I'm sorry you found out about my cousin's treachery, but I'm where I belong. I truly love Killian, and you have to know that he didn't know about Milah's betrayal until after he returned from Arendelle. Their affair has been over for a long time. She tricked all of us."

"No, you only married him to protect me, because you love me!" he screams as he starts to pace the room. Suddenly he turns to face her, his anger is back. "If what you say is true and you love him, I think it's only fair for me to have you as he had my wife!" He lunges at her, grabbing her and pulling her down to the floor. His alcohol-infused breath blows on her face. She tries to push him off, attempting to grab anything to aid her. She keeps kicking and pushing his face away.

Tink had heard voices while she finished getting ready. As she arrives in the living room she sees Emma on the floor struggling with a man on top of her. Tink looks around the room and grabs the first thing she sees, a big, heavy book. She swings at the man's head.

August winces at the impact and lets go of Emma as he tries to get up while rubbing his head. He turns to the intruder and all he can see is Emma's disgusted face next to the pirate's friend. He feels his stomach churn at his actions.

Emma finds her voice, "Get out! Leave now and never show your face here again. What you just did, I will never forgive. You claim Killian is the worst human alive, but he would never do what you just tried to do."

August looks at her one last time before he leaves.

"August knows about Killian and Milah, we need to warn him," Emma urges Tink toward the door.

Tink holds on to her tight. "Emma, I can go. Stay here in case Killian comes home, and don't open the door."

After August's exit, Cora had quickly dressed. She had to hurry, everything was a blur to her. She was glad Enith had noticed her son leave, and had quickly came to her aid. She had fetched Malcolm and soon Cora was out the door.

Emma is pacing the living room. She wonders if Tink has gotten to Killian on time. She is still shaken by August's behavior. She knows that if Killian laid eyes on her, he would know something happened and she was afraid of his reaction. Not afraid for herself, but for anyone who stands in his way avenging her. He has worked so hard to become an honorable man, and although she is still upset, August's death isn't the answer. This mess is all Milah's fault.

There is a knock on the door. Emma knows that Tink told her not to answer the door for anyone, but maybe it is them? She stands quietly in front of the door and the voice she hears is unexpected.

"Emma, darling girl. Please, open the door... hurry."

Emma opens the door after recognizing Cora's voice as an urgent plea.

Cora enters the house. "Emma, I assume your husband isn't home?"

"No he is not, he is at his office."

"Has August been here?" Cora has a feeling of what the answer will be.

"Yes, he was here and he was drunk. He attacked me," Emma answers. She still has no idea what Cora knows.

"Oh dear," she gasps as she paces the room and takes a paper out of her pocket. "You have to help me. August overheard a conversation I had with your cousin." Cora sighs, is Emma aware of the history between her husband and cousin or is she about to find out? She continues, "He found out some unflattering news about Milah and your pirate."

"August told me what he found out and I tried to explain to him things were not as he claims."

"Emma, did you know?" Cora asks.

"I did."

"How long have you known?"

"I found out after Milah and August married."

"Why didn't you come to me? We could have fixed this."

"Do you honestly think August would've believed us? He would've accused me of making up lies. I had no proof, it was my word against Milah's. I also had to protect everyone. My family, my parents adore Milah, this will break their hearts. I thought it was for the best to keep quiet, but then Killian showed up at the estate." She sighs, "That is when I knew he wasn't going to let her go."

"Yet, you still married him. Why?" Cora asked.

"That doesn't matter anymore. August went looking for Killian, and although I'm afraid of what will happen, I hope my husband does everything he can to come back to me. I'd prefer without any bloodshed."

"That is why I'm here. I need your help convincing your husband to walk away. He cannot hurt August because-"

"Your son tried to force himself on me. He is out of control. I will not ask Killian to refuse the duel in order to protect August's pride."

Cora's face hardens. "Emma, it was your cousin who did this to us all, I know, but time is of the essence. We need to go find them and stop this madness. Is it truly acceptable to you, dear, if your husband kills his brother?"

"His brother?"

"I know they will not believe me, but I have proof and they will listen to you. Please, help me save my son."

Emma stares at Cora in disbelief, all this time Killian had been alone, unloved, he was denied both brothers- his family. "I want to see this proof."

Cora hands the paper over, Emma reads it quickly and shakes her head. "You kept them apart, Killian and August could have grown up together."

Cora yells, "We are running out of time, that is no longer important, we have to go before your husband kills his brother."

Emma folds the paper and walks to the door. "Let's go, I sent Tink to warn Killian but I don't know if she got there in time."

Cora and Emma rapidly climb into the carriage after a quick introduction to Malcolm Peters, the new Booth Steward.

Smee and Thomas are working quietly, while Archie and Killian give Liam and Nemo a small tour of the office. Things are busy when August arrives at the shared office of Archie and Killian. He slams the door open with all his pent up anger, the rage he feels blinds him and he fails to notice the other men in the room.

"I loved you like a brother!" August yells as he rushes Killian and punches his face. He tries to take another swing but he is pulled off by Archie. He looks at Killian who is being held back by two unknown men.

Archie stumbles as he tries to keep August away from Killian. "August, what is the meaning of this?"

"Did you know? Of course you did, you've protected him his whole life." August sneers at Archie and turns to Killian. "You thought I'd never find out? About you and that whore I have for a wife!"

Killian stops the struggle to get away from his brother Liam and the older man, Nemo. The realization and understanding of his former friend's anger dawns on him. Months back it had been him in his place, from his return to the moment he found out about Milah's betrayal.

With an insincere smile, he says, "I will not lie. I've had many a man's wife, but Milah was unattached when our dalliance took place. She was going to marry me, if anyone should be outraged it should be me."

August shakes his head in disbelief. "Is that right?"

"August, your father wouldn't want you to fight with Killian. Remember his last words," Archie implored.

"You want me to honor my father's wishes? This man, I thought was my friend. He sullied my wife and if that wasn't enough, he seduced Emma into marrying him. I'm here defending their honor! I demand a duel to make things right."

Archie looks at Killian as the pieces fall into place. It was Milah, the woman Killian was to marry, but somehow he found love with Emma.

Liam finds his voice, "I will be his second."

August turns to Liam, "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm his brother," Liam answers.

August scoffs, "Brother? Well, your brother dallied with my wife, and still claimed to be my friend."

Liam turns to Killian and raises an eyebrow.

Killian shakes his head. "I haven't touched his wife."

August tries to get away from Archie who tightens his grip. "That's not what she claims, she admitted the affair quite proudly."

"Brother, is this true?" Liam asks.

August yells, "It doesn't matter, I demand retribution."

Liam answers curtly, "And you shall have it."

Killian turns to Liam, hurt at the doubt in his character.

August sneers, "At least one of you has honor."

Killian interrupts, "I do not deny my past with women is colorful, but I haven't laid a hand on Milah since she married you."

Realization dawns on August. "The rumor was true... but we were wrong about the identity of the woman, it was her, it was always Milah. Whether she was promised to you or not changes nothing. Once you're dead. I will be able to marry Emma and make things right."

Killian roars, "You will stay away from my wife."

August enjoys the anger he sees on his former friend's face. "You will die knowing I will make her mine. Just like you enjoyed my wife's companionship, I will enjoy Emma's. Meet me at Deadman's Peak in an hour. Make sure your affairs are in order." He storms out, followed by Archie who only nods at Killian.

Killian knows he has some explaining to do. Bloody hell, once Emma's parents find out, they will beg her to dissolve the marriage. He runs his hand through his hair. There's no time to think of that. Perhaps he can ask his brother to take care of Emma if he doesn't survive.

Liam claps Killian's back, "Was this Milah the woman you were to marry when we first met?"

Killian admits his truth, "Aye, when I returned she was already married. I will not lie to you brother, I still wanted her and at the time, I would have taken her, but then I met Emma and from the start I felt a pull to her. Slowly she filled my dark heart with her light."

Liam nods, "Good, her father is a close friend and she is a lovely lass. Let's get ready for this. Do you have a weapon?"

"Aye," Killian responds as he goes to his desk and pulls a revolver from the top locked drawer.

"This is obviously not going to be a proper duel. Anything else you need to do before we leave?"

"I can't face Emma. If I do, I know I will not be able to leave her. How could I? I don't doubt my ability to win the duel, but how will I face her after? All I want is to be the kind of man she deserves."

Tink had never ran that fast before in her life. She used every back alley and road she could think of to make her journey shorter, only to open the office door and simply find Mr. Smee and Mr. Thomas. She had missed them! Mr. Thomas had kindly offered her some water, while she was catching her breath, and Mr. Smee recounted the tale for her.

She is about to leave to go give Emma the bad news when the door flies open for the third time. Emma rushes inside, followed by Cora. Mr. Thomas' demeanor changes rapidly at the sight of his old boss.

Tink confusedly asks Emma, "What are you doing here?"

"Where's Killian?"

Tink answers sadly, "We missed him and yes, that jerk was here. Mr. Smee said they all left to go to the duel."

Both Cora and Emma pale at the information.

Emma turns to Mr. Smee, "Where did they go? What's the location?"

Smee looks down, "I'm sorry ma'am, I don't know if I should. A duel is no place for a lady."

Emma turns to Mr. Thomas, "Michael, please, we need to know. We have to stop it and we are losing time."

Cora snaps as she looks between Smee and Mr. Thomas, "You idiots, we need to know now! If we don't stop it and my son dies, I will make it my mission in life to ruin the rest of your lives!"

Mr. Thomas turns to Emma, "Ma'am, they went to Deadman's Peak. Mr. Hopper left with Mr. Booth, and Captain Jones' brother went with him and so did Mr. Nemo."

Emma smiles gratefully at the man. "Thank you, Michael. So where's this place?"

Michael Thomas looks at Mr. Smee as to ask for permission.

"I can take you. It's hard to get to if you don't know the area," Smee reluctantly offers. "Ma'am, you have nothing to worry about. The Captain has never lost a duel," Smee tries to calm his captain's wife.

Emma gives him a small smile. "Thank you, Mr. Smee."

Deadman's Peak is an accurate name for the cliff. So many men had lost their lives here. The less honorable people simply kicked the deadman's body down the cliff into the welcoming waves of the sea. The proper duels followed protocol. Archie Hopper knew all of this, he also knew that Killian was the more experienced of the two brothers, and that once the truth was known, he would never forgive himself. His attention turns to a pacing August. "August, are you sure? Your father wouldn't want you to go through with this."

"Are you serious? That pirate-" he spits, "he deserves to die, he was never my friend."

"August, you can't be serious? I saw you two together when you were young. Your father's wish was for you two to look out for each other like brothers."

August glares at Archie. "Why are you here? It's obvious you care for him as if he was your son and yet you're here with me?"

"Killian has his brother Liam and Captain Nemo. You're alone, and although I don't agree with your desire for a duel, I feel like I owe it to your father. He was my best friend."

August turns to look at the small trail that leads to the peak. "Thank you," he whispers.

"August, are you sure you want this to be to the death?"

August sighs, "He deserves to die."

Archie's head falls in his failure to persuade a different outcome as a reluctant Killian arrives followed by Liam and Nemo.

Emma and Cora hear a single shot as they are closing in on Deadman's Peak. Emma picks up her pace as she tries to run up the cliff. She almost trips a few times in her haste to reach the top.

Emma arrives as Killian is about to take his shot.

"Killian!" she cries out as she hurries to reach his side.

All the men turn to her.

"Killian, you can't do this. Please, both of you have to stop!"

Killian's right arm was scratched by the bullet. Emma sobs with relief as she finally reaches him. She gently touches his face, blocking him from August's view. She slowly turns to face August and takes out the paper. "This," she waves the paper in the air, "is the reason why you two cannot do this. You are brothers, both sons of Brennan Booth, and this is proof."

August shakes his head. "No, you are lying! He is not my brother."

Emma slowly walks up to him. "This says otherwise. Look at it!"

August reaches for the paper, as a frozen Killian looks on.

August reads the paper and he recognizes his father's signature.

"This is a lie, lies to save him," he points at Killian, "this is not over!" He throws the paper on the ground and rushes past the group.

Killian and Emma hold onto each other as they make the trek down the cliff.

Liam, Captain Nemo, and Archie are behind them.

Cora had raced after August as fast as she could, but her son had ignored her pleas to listen to her.

Cora gets on the carriage with the help of Malcolm and heads to the Booth Estate hoping to find her son there.

Killian, Emma, Liam, Captain Nemo, Archie, and Smee head to the Jones home.

Emma's head rests on Killian's left shoulder.

August walks into the tavern and heads to the back. He waves at the barmaid and sits down. The chair next to him slides noisily on the ground. August turns to glare at the intruder.

"Mr. Booth, fancy seeing you in a place like this," Nottingham says as he sits down.

August smirks, "We have an enemy in common Sheriff. How do you feel about working together?"

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[ohmyprodigalson]

Malcolm meets a girl who was mixed in a bad crowd before he met her, and shes going through drug withdrawal? (Shaking, fatigue, throwing up, dizziness, fever) I love your angst, I swear you do the best hurt/comfort

Thank you! I hope you like this 😊

Trigger Warning: Drugs, drug withdrawal, shooting, going to the hospital because of drugs.

———————————————————————————————————–

The night that they went to the night club to confront Estime didn’t start with Malcolm finding Dani. It started when Malcolm went to the night club and waited for her to show up.

He stood at the bar, a central location for him to scan the room for Dani. A beautiful young woman approached him, and offered to buy him a drink. After he politely declined, she looked away from him before saying, “Well, can I at least get to know you? You’re the most interesting person in here.”

Malcolm understood why she would think that. Everyone else was dancing and drinking, dressed in skimpy clothes. He was standing at the bar, no drink in hand, wearing an expensive suit. He didn’t see Dani anywhere and decided to throw caution to the wind. What would it hurt to have a simple conversation? Maybe he could even learn more about the night club.

“Alright. What’s your name?”

“It’s (Y/N).” She smiled seductively at him. She had gotten him to stick around.

“So, (Y/N), what brings you here tonight?” Malcolm, in his attempt to learn more about the night club, didn’t realize he was being socially awkward.

“The dancing…?” (Y/N) gave him a weird look. What else would she be there for?

Malcolm started to look around the room for Dani again and (Y/N) noticed. But she decided to shoot her shot anyway.

“Well, if you ever want to actually talk, here’s my number.” She wrote it down on a napkin and handed it to him. “Call me sometime.” She gave Malcolm one last seductive look before she walked away. Just as she did, Malcolm spotted Dani.

(Y/N) was still in the night club when the shooting happened. She had just done a line of cocaine and was not only terrified of being shot, but also of being arrested by police for drug use. As she was fleeing the building, she thought about why she was even there at a shooting. It was because of the partying and the drugs. She needed to get some space from her friends and re-evaluate her priorities in life.

A couple of days later Malcolm was trying to decide what to do about the suit he was wearing that night. It was covered in trace amounts of the drugs that blew up over him, but it’s not like he can just throw a suit in the washing machine or risk exposing people at the dry cleaner’s to drugs. While he was thinking about his options he found the napkin in his pocket with (Y/N)’s number on it. He held the napkin for a moment as he thought about their encounter. She seemed like a nice girl and he had blown her off because he was working. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to feel things out and meet her.

Malcolm decided to call (Y/N) and offer to get lunch. She was surprised to get the call because he seemed like he didn’t care about her the other night, but she was delighted all the same. (Y/N) accepted his offer and was going to meet him for lunch tomorrow.

(Y/N) had been procrastinating. Instead of throwing out the drugs she still had, she decided to use them all and then get clean. She had used them all up by the time Malcolm called, and she viewed it as a fresh start. She would quit using drugs and start hanging out with people that don’t use drugs, like Malcolm.

She felt fine as she was getting ready to meet him for lunch the next day. But when she got there and started talking to Malcolm, getting to know him, his voice started to disappear in all of the noise around them. Everything became so very loud and she felt like she was drowning in a sea of sound. Then suddenly the room started to spin and she became unbearably nauseous.

Malcolm slowly stopped talking as he watched her grow pallid. “Are you alright?”

She had to get to the bathroom fast. “Yeah, I just need to… I’ll be back in a minute.”

She stumbled like a tranquilized horse through the restaurant to the bathroom. When she finally got there and found an empty stall her legs couldn’t support her any longer. (Y/N) crashed to the floor beside the toilet and started to vomit violently. After she was finished she sat on the floor, shaking. How was she ever going to go back out there and casually talk to Malcolm like nothing had happened.

He was sitting at the table, alone, waiting. Malcolm grew concerned after a while and decided to go check on her because she hadn’t looked well. He cautiously opened the door to the women’s bathroom and stuck his head in. “Hello? Is anyone in here?”

(Y/N) sat with her eyes wide. Malcolm had come to check on her?

Malcolm was met with silence and he worried that something had happened to (Y/N). He didn’t think she was the type to ghost someone on a date so she must be in the bathroom, in need of help.

“I promise I’m not here to do anything perverted, I just need to check on a friend.” He was met with no response again so he slowly entered the bathroom.

Malcolm looked around and saw that the bathroom was empty except for one stall. He could see her sitting on the ground because, in her rush to reach the toilet, she hadn’t shut the door. He walked up behind her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “(Y/N), are you sure you’re alright? Do you need for me to call someone or take you somewhere?”

(Y/N) was struck by his kindness. All of her friends before would never had cared for her like this. She thought about his offer for a minute and shakily asked, “Can you take me home, please? I’ll be fine, I just need to go home.”

“Of course, just let me get a car for us.” He got on his phone as she sat there, mortified that he had to see her like this. It was definately an excellent first impression.

(Y/N) managed to keep from throwing up during the car ride, but ran to her bathroom as soon as they got to her apartment. Malcolm followed her. What kind of person would he be if he just walked away from someone clearly in need of help?

He held her hair out of her face and and gently rubbed her back while she vomited. When she was finished and sat back away from the toilet, she was sweating profusely and still horribly pale. Malcolm brushed a lock of her drenched hair off of her forehead. “Do you want to go to the hospital? You are really sick…”

(Y/N) panicked. She couldn’t be caught. How would she explain that she’s sick because she’s going through withdrawals? They would probably find out anyway and then she would get arrested and…

Malcolm saw the fear in her eyes as he sat on his knees beside her. “They won’t turn you in, I promise.”

She looked at him with even greater panic. “How did you…?”

“I helped a friend of mine in college get off of drugs. It’s a long, hard road, but it’s the right one to take. I’m proud of you for taking your first few steps.”

(Y/N) couldn’t hold back her tears. How could this wonderful, beautiful man be so kind? He leaned forward and hugged her, because he knew that she needed comfort right now. If he convinced her to go to the hospital, she would be judged during her entire stay. But he could give her his understanding and compassion, which is what she needed most.

After she stopped crying, Malcolm spoke again. “You need to go to the hospital because they can keep you from getting too dehydrated and getting sicker. Even with their help, you’ll be sick for a while, but it will be worth it in the end.”

(Y/N) nodded wordlessly. She was trembling now, still pallid and sweaty. Malcolm stood up off the ground and tried to lift her up as well. Her legs were shaking underneath her and she barely made it out to the car. When they got to the hospital, Malcolm sat next to her in the waiting room of the ER and, despite how ill she was, she was still surprised. “You don’t have to stay, you’ve already helped me so much.”

“I want to stay. I want to make sure you’ll be alright.” He smiled and reached over to squeeze her hand. It was his kindness and support that helped her get through the rough weeks ahead.

[skjaldmo-ulf]

I was tagged by @vastness-and-sorrow and @thislovelyoptimist for 2 tags ! Thank you ! :)

Name: Lou

Nickname: Don't really have nickname anymore

Zodiac sign: Capricorn

Height: 1.60m

Languages: French, trying my best at english

Nationality: French

Favourite season: Each season has its benefits, my hobbies can accomodate for each one, but i would say spring or summer, since taking care of animals is more pleasing when the weather is kind ahah

Favourite scent: leather, it is the sent of my room there is leather and leather furnitures everywhere, forest scent, horses (if you’re a rider you KNOW that scent ahah)

Favourite colour: Green, black, orange, blue

Favourite animal: birds, horses, wolves, deers, bears, mooses, mustelidae and more...

Favourite fictional character: Rosa Diaz, Gina Linetti (Brooklyn Nine Nine), John Constantine (Hellblazer), Aughra, Deet, Urgo, Skekgra, Skekmal (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance), Lagertha (Vikings), Arya (Game of Thrones), Merlin (Kingsman), Perceval (Kaamelott) (basically every characters), Dewey (Malcolm in the Middle), Baze Malbus (Rogue One), and plenty more !

Coffee, tea or hot chocolate? Tea and hot chocolate, i really don't like coffee

Average amount of sleep? 8 hours

Dog or cat person? More cat than dog but still love both

Number of blankets? 2

Dream trip? North America and Norway

Blog established? I had this blog for almost 3 years i think ? but i'm on tumblr since 2012 or 2013

Number of followers? 119

Random fact? Owls can fly without making any noise because they have on their feathers a thing called leadind edge comb if i'm not wrong (the french word for it is "peigne")

1. Do you ever make your bed? Hmm not often

2. What’s your favourite number? 23

3. What’s your job? Currently working in a cinema, selling tickets and foods/drinks, projecting movies, cleaning, etc...

4. If you could go back to school, would you? Not really, school was not a happy thing for me.

5. Can you parallel park? I do my best ahah.

6. A job you had that would surprise people? I was a squire for medieval shows and i also did a bit of falconry (it was at the same place). People are surprised because of the "cool" side of it i think.

7. Do you believe aliens are real? I don't know. I think it's highly probable but not aliens like we imagine them. Also Alexandre Astier has an interesting point of view about this subject !

8. Can you drive manual car? Yes my car is a manual, i prefer manual.

9. What’s your guilty pleasure? Currently it's watching Gossip Girl

10. Tattoos? I got 2 tattoos and next month a third !

11. Favourite colour? Green, black, orange, blue

12. Things people do that piss you off? When i sell cinema tickets and people arrive and don't say hello but the worst is when they leave their trash and popcorn on the ground

13. Any phobias? I'm realy scared of spiders and some insects 🤷

14. Favourite childhood sport? Horse riding

15. Do you ever talk to yourself? Sometimes ! Usually i talk a lot to myself but in my head

16. What movie do you adore? The Thing, Trainspotting, Le Pacte des Loups (English title is Brotherhood of the Wolf), Into The Wild, Captain Fantastic, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Silver Brumby, The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge, Star Wars, Rogue One, Marie-Antoinette, Kingsman and so much more ! ^^’

17. Do you like doing puzzles? It's not that i don't like it's just i never do puzzles.

18. What’s your favourite kind of music? Even if i'm Rammstein/Till obsessed, my favourite kind of music is movies/series's ost, basically just music without lyrics

19. Tea or coffee? Tea !

20. First thing you remember wanting to be when you grow up? I wanted to teach horse riding ! :)