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getyouasenju · 4 years ago

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Dragging It In.

Part 3/3 to the “Dragging” series

Part 1 “Dragging Along”

Part 2 “Dragging Away”

Warnings: some small spoilers, curse words, some suggestive themes, angst, (maybe some spelling errors I’m sorry!).

Word Count: 3.7k

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹

“(Y/N)”

I could hear my name being called from my slumber. I felt sore all over, my head was throbbing and my throat was entirely too dry to function. Being a shinobi I was no stranger to the scratchy unbelievably tightly tucked sheets and the sterile smell. I was in a hospital for what ever reason. I hear my name being softly called again. Forcing my sore eyes open I see my pink haired friend peering over my bed. Scrunching my eyes in reaction the sudden change of lighting caused a searing pain in my head. Crossing her arms and glaring at me, Sakura spoke sarcastically, “It hurts doesn’t it? That’s what happens when you leave a head injury untreated after a mission”. My eyes widen and I stared at her cheekily. She smiled sweetly back at me... too sweet for the friend I know. I didn’t even get a chance to brace myself before she struck me.

“CHA!”

I hiss and grab my now stinging shoulder. “God damn it Sakura, I’m in a hospital bed for fucks sake! Do you strike all your patients?” She crossed her arms and smiled at me, “Only the ones I’m best friends with that promise to see me in the morning to get checked out and then never show up! I mean come on (Y/N), how hard of a hit did you take on that mission to have to put you out of commission like this?” I thought back to the rainy mission and sighed, rubbing my shoulder I looked at my friend “Not that hard... only hard enough to lose consciousness..” grinning I laughed nervously as she started balling her fist again.

“Hey! you can’t hit me again, I have a head injury Sakura- god!” I cried out bracing myself this time. “That shoulder looks pretty fine to me!” Sakura replies brushing some of her hair out of her face. “Not-uh it’s pretty bruised now if you ask me.” I whined back, praying she doesn’t strike again. Can I get a new nurse that isn’t my worried friend? “That’s why you have two shoulders!” I paled as my eyes widened. “Sakura, please!” She quickly put one hand on her hip, the other pointing at me “Don’t Sakura me! You could’ve done some real damage (Y/N)! and don’t think I don’t see that your ring is missing!” So all of our friends are just gonna get dragged into this mess huh? .... Maybe I should just simply pass out again.

Between our bickering the door croaked open and in walks the shadow man. Sakura whips around placing her hands on her hips. “Excuse me Shikamaru, It’s not visitors hours yet, you just can’t waltz in here anytime you like, fiancé’s included!” I scoffed laying back and tugging the blankets further up my body. Didn’t just mention she noticed the missing ring? I already told him I didn’t want to speak with him... and he still smelled like cigarettes! This was a hospital, he’s gonna give someone an asthma attack. I turned my head to fully examine the Nara. He looked as bad as I felt, dark circles an unbuttoned vest and a loosened ponytail. As he should!

Sighing deeply while still holding the door handle, Shikamaru looks at Sakura pleading with his eyes. Taking her hands off her hips, Sakura looks at me then back at Shikamaru, I could see the gears turning in her head. Crossing her arms and sighing, “Just this once Nara! I’ll be back later (Y/N), I’ll bring an ice pack for that shoulder!” She laughs while giving my hand a friendly squeeze. Giving me her signature smile, she departs waving at Shikamaru on the way out.

As he watches her close the door, he turns to the right and grabs the chair in the corner. The sound of the dragging was highly irritating and I rolled my eyes as I fought the urge to pull the blankets over my head and just ignore the man. He pulls the chair to my bedside and sits down trying to make eye contact with me andI was refusing to give it to him. Sighing again he leaned back in the chair.

“You had some head injuries, you should be fine but you should’ve went to the hospital immediately after that mission, and that fall made it worse.” He sounded strained. I just nodded at him, thinking back to the mission and how outnumbered my team was. “You know, I was terrified when you went down like that.” He let out a shaky sigh putting his hands together in his lap. “Why didn’t you go in (Y/N)- god” He drags his hands down his face, “Are you doing this to spite me? Not going to be seen, then going and asking for a dangerous mission. Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I sat up straight in my bed and finally made the eye contact that he was searching for.

“I went home first because I missed you, I hadn’t seen you in over a fucking month!” letting out a humorless laugh I continued, “I didn’t avoid being seen to spite you, I went home first instead of being seen because you’re my first priority- but apparently I wasn’t yours.” Asking for that mission though was just a tad bit spiteful though, but I’m in no position to admit to that! By the end of my rant I wanted him out, I was tempted to hit the call button. I could feel the anger in the air from both of us. He broke the silence first. “You should trust me, you know nothing would ever happen between Temari and I, I’m with you, I’ve been with you for the last four fucking years!” I was livid, trust him? I do fucking trust him!

“I trust you Shikamaru, you don’t trust me because if you trusted me, you would’ve told me why you went to see her and you wouldn’t of left without making things right with me first.” He reaches for my hand, but I snatched it away shoving it under the blankets, he looked so crestfallen. He opens and closes his mouth several times before scooting his chair closer to my bed.

“Please give me your hand, (Y/N). Please don’t make me beg.”

I was hesitant, I didn’t know if I wanted to be touched by him at the moment but, he looked determined and I was nervous. I pulled my hand from under the blanket and he quickly reached for it. Grabbing my smaller hand in his larger calloused one, he let out a content sigh slowly rubbing circles on the back of my hand, moving almost impossibly slower when grazing over the bare left ring finger. “What do I have to do to get this ring back where it belongs.”

“Shikamaru I question your IQ everyday, don’t play stupid with me.”

I slowly start to retract my hand but his grip on me tightens ever so slightly. “I already have a head injury, can you stop making my brain hurt more? Either tell me why you ran to her side or let me and my hand go. Now.” I groaned out, I was getting annoyed, and fast. When was Sakura coming back with that ice pack again? The pain in my shoulder was dull now, but boy can that girl pack a punch and Shikamaru might as well be punching me in my brain right now.

When he suddenly let go of my hand, my heart started to race. Was he going to leave again? If he left me again then I knew for sure that we just weren’t meant to be. I laid back, I just wanted to curl into a ball and disappear. More so, I want him to stop dragging this out. I opened my mouth to dismiss him when he suddenly spoke “Rasa”.

...Rasa, the fourth Kazekage. Also the father of the sand siblings, but what about him. I was just outright confused now. “Shikamaru, can you elaborate?” He straightened up looking for that eye contact again, this time I granted it to him. “It was the anniversary of Rasa’s death” grabbing for my hand again he continued. “Temari is here on the account of business between the leaf and the sand. This is the first time she wasn’t with Gaara and Kankuro during this time.” he sighed deeply.

“He wasn’t always the best father but he was all they had, not being with her siblings for this affected her deeply. She’s the eldest and her siblings mean everything to her, they always have, she wants them to be able to depend on her. I’m the person she’s closest to in the leaf, so she called me.” he finished. Now I was even more confused. Why didn’t he just say that? “So you left me without explanation for what? You couldn’t just say this to me?”.

“I didn’t think you would understand.” I was baffled. He thought of all people that I wouldn’t understand. “You didn’t think I would understand, or is it that you didn’t want me to understand, Shikamaru.” I snatch my hand back again, this time for good. “I watched you mourn for your father after the war. You held it together on the field but I saw what it did to you after!” I rushed the words out so fast I felt like I was running out of breath but I went on, “I held Yoshino as she cried, I saw what it did to her, how it drained her, how it almost ruined her!” My head was throbbing again but I wasn’t done yet. “Tell me Shikamaru, did you run into my parents on the way here? how about someone from my clan, some siblings of mine? Please tell me they came to see me in my time of need Shikamaru!” I let out a pitiful laugh, “It’d be a miracle if you did, considering they’re all six feet under.” I let my shoulders drop as I leaned back staring straight ahead of me. There had to be more to it than this.

In a small voice I whispered to him, “You don’t think I have it in my heart to let someone who has experienced a loss have some comfort?”. I wanted to cry, more importantly I wanted him gone, at least my head did. He said nothing, but he doesn’t get to sit at my bedside in silence after this. I spoke again, still looking straight ahead, “Get out Shikamaru. You have my permission to leave this time, I won’t be mad. You’re giving me a migraine,” He still doesn’t move, so I whip my head around, I was tired. “Why are you pretending to fight so hard for us? Just admit you’re not as in love with me as you think you are”. I could hear my own heartbeat as I looked at Shikamaru. “It’s okay If you’re in love with Temari, I’ll be fine Shika. You can let me go.” If I had to let him go for his happiness, I was okay with that. He finally snaps his eyes me.

“I’m not in love with Temari, (Y/N).” How can he sit here and be so fucking vague with me? I felt not only emotionally exposed but physically as well with the tiny hospital gown. I wrap my arms around myself since I was the only comfort I’ve had these past few days. “There’s something there , I just wish you would be honest with me. If you’re not happy with me, then just let me go.” I was speaking as softly as I could, trying best to keep my voice from shaking. What kind of person did he think I was if he thought I lacked that much sympathy? I was a shinobi, but I wasn’t heartless. I at the very least expected him to know that.

“Temari will always have a spot in my heart,”

There it was, I didn’t want to hear anymore of it. when I said let me go, I didn’t mean give me a speech to verbally break my heart, he could easily just leave the room. Did he think I was going to listen to his confessions? wrong! I reach my hand out for the call button, if Sakura wasn’t coming back anytime soon, then someone else needed to come and rescue me, immediately. I felt his warm hand gently grab mine. “no more running, no more arguing, no more beating around the bush. Just you and I.” he sighed as he looked right into my eyes. He stands up and nudges me, signaling for me to scoot over giving him a spot on the bed. I felt conflicted, I really did love this man. We’ve shared our love and our lives for four years, but even before that I loved him. He could sense my hesitation and smoothes my hair down gently with his hand while gently nudging me over again. I give into the raven haired man and slowly slid to the right side of the bed making sure my IV’s were out of his way, the motion causing the back of my gown to open a bit to which I quickly pulled closed.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before” He smirked at me. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I ball the blanket in my hands. This isn’t the time for cheeky jokes! I was flustered and honestly feeling pretty vulnerable. His chuckle wasn’t helping the situation too much either. How dare he joke with me at a time like this! My shoulder was still throbbing but that didn’t stop me from attempting to smack the man. I winced as my hand hit something hard and glared at Shikamaru. Looking at me warily, he pulled out the pack of cigarettes and rubbed the back of his neck “You know I smoke when I’m stressed.” I remember when he picked up the nasty habit, and then I remembered why he did. I felt immediately guilty for contributing to that... but still the smell of cigarettes was just so gross.

He leans back, slowly starting to snake his arm around my waist while watching my facial expressions for a reaction. When he saw me make no attempt to remove him, he sighed and pulled my body into his. “I missed you.” he quietly tells me... funny how he misses me, but me missing him is what got us into this entire situation. I decide to keep my thoughts to myself and train my eyes on the corner of the blanket I was currently picking at. I could feel him staring at me.

“I remember when Asuma died.” My breath caught in my throat and I immediately dropped the blanket I was picking at. I didn’t know where this was going, but I knew it was going to be a painful ride. I felt him tilt his head as he continued, “I held it in for a long time. It took my father to pull it out of me.” I knew the story, I wasn’t too close with Shikamaru at the time, but a bond between a student and their sensei is strong. I didn’t have to know them, to know that. “Point of the story is I didn’t feel comfort in anyone... so I held it in, I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. I didn’t want anyone to coddle me, not even Temari and at that point in time, I was in love with her. I think I’ve only ever cried twice in my life in front of an audience.” He let out a sigh. By now I was fully looking up at him with curious eyes.

“When my father died in the war, I wanted to do the same. I held that pain in for my comrades, I didn’t want my fathers, nor Ino’s, deaths to be in vain.” He takes his other hand and grips my chin continuing on. “When the war was over I didn’t want to face it, but I had you. If it weren’t for you and Naruto, I don’t know how my mother would’ve made it another day.” He starts to smile a bit at me, “and suddenly I wanted to be coddled. I wanted you to hold me, to talk to me, to force me to eat when I didn’t want to, to be there when I slept and when I woke. I found comfort in you, and I still do.” He was stroking my cheek by now. “You made me realize that sometimes, It’s okay to coddle those in need. That sometimes even the strongest shinobi need a hug, need to shed some tears or just simply need some comfort. So, yes I went to comfort Temari but that was it, I finally understood how to give what you give me everyday.”

He moved me almost impossibly closer to him “I was a fool to think the most comforting woman in the world wouldn’t understand grief when she has had a handful of it herself.” By the end of his speech my head injury was long forgotten, I had an aching heart. “I can’t believe I let the most important person in my life down. The person who gives me the most security asked for just a bit of it and I refused it to give it to her like an idiot.”

“Please hear me when I say this, there was a time in my life where I thought Temari and I were meant to be, but I know there is a lifetime where you and I belong together. You are it for me, nothing happened.” He tilted my head, searching my face for a reaction when the first tear ran down my face. Shikamaru was taken back and seemed a little panicky at the sight of me crying. I’d have to be heartless to not shed a tear for that confession, this man was everything I’ve ever wanted and I’d be lost- I’d been lost without him.

I reach arms up and around his neck as he brushes the tears from my eyes. “Shikamaru please don’t scare me like that ever again, I won’t make it to the wedding day if I die of a heart attack.” Burying my face into his shoulder, I ignore the smell of cigarettes. I could feel him release a breath of air at my proclamation, squeezing me tighter in return. Suddenly he’s pushing me off and scrambling off the bed, but I didn’t understand. I thought we were making up and there he goes running off again! “Shika, didn’t I just tell you not to scare me again? Hey! get back over here!” I told him slightly out of breath from the change in position and pouting.

I had put myself in an upright position watching as he frantically searched through his pockets with his back to me. Sighing in relief as he finally found what he was looking for, he quickly turned back to me and dropped to his knee. My ring! “(Y/N), please don’t ever make me take this ring back again, I don’t know if my heart could take it. Will you please be my fiancée again?” He was proposing to me again! I quickly nod my head shoving my bare ring finger in the cloud gazing man’s face as he returned it back to its rightful spot and we sealed it with a kiss. A knock at the door separated us.

Sakura came in pushing a cart, “Just coming by to change (Y/N)’s IV dressing!” Shikamaru takes a step back, taking a seat in the chair by my bedside as Sakura moves in close. Gently grabbing my hand, she started changing the IV dressing, of course it was the left one. I could feel her smirking at my hand. “That’s a nice ring there (Y/N), is it new!?” the medical genius teased me snickering. She knew we would make up. I couldn’t help but laugh with her. “Yeah, Shikamaru just gave it to me, isn’t it cute?” I joked back. letting out a complete and full laugh now, the pink haired woman agreed while Shikamaru face palmed. “Who knew you’d be able to get two proposals out of this lazy one!” Shikamaru was full on groaning at this point.

Another knock on the door lead to a huge bouquet with some legs poking out from under it! Ino! “I didn’t know which arrangement you’d like best so I decided to bring you all of them!” Ino was the sweetest girl and I was grateful that Shikamaru had brought us together. “Here Shikamaru, hold these!” Ino drops the bouquet into the Nara’s lap and moved to hug Sakura and then me. Another loud groan was released from the shadow man. “Was all of this really necessary Ino? (Y/N) is getting discharged tomorrow.” Shikamaru complains holding onto the heavy arrangements.

“Get used to looking at arrangements Shika! You’ll get your fair share when we’re planning our wedding.” I smirk and wink at my fiancé dearest as the two women shriek and join hands. “You’re starting the wedding planning?!” Sakura says dreamily as I nod, “Yep, want to start my lifetime with that one soon”. I reply smirking at my soon to be husband. “About time! I’m on flower duty!” Ino proclaims. I just nod my head in agreement, stuck in a staring contest with Shikamaru.

“How troublesome... you two are going to turn my girlfriend into a bridezilla.” He smirks and lets out his typical sigh.

“Not-uh, I’m not your girlfriend Shikamaru, I’m your fiancée, remember?” Using his own line on him I giggled. We smiled so hard at each other that I swore my cheeks were going to cave in.

“How about a spring wedding?!” Sakura shrieks, “With roses!” Ino excitedly adds.

I was so grateful for everyone in that room, and I couldn’t wait to drag Shikamaru back into our home where we belonged, together.

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹

The Final part of the “Dragging” series guys! I’m still new and learning so Imma just apologize If you hated it lolll. Not sure if I’ll do anything else with this series, I might do a different series! feel free to message me!

Until Next Time! xxo (▰∀◕)ﾉ

#naruto imagine #naruto imagines #shikamara nara #shika #shikamaru #angst #shikamaru angst #shikamaru nara angst #shikamaru angst imagines #shikamaru nara imagine #shikamaru nara imagines #shikamaru Imagine #naruto angst #anime #anime imagine #shikamaru x reader #shikamaru nara x reader #shikamaru x y/n

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saturnsfavouritemoon · 2 years ago

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So I finally decided to stop bailing on my therapist and pay a visit. The first question he asked was you have been in love, right? I definitely didn't see that one coming. I mean, what kind of question is that? How intimate? Well, the first answer was a pretty major breakdown. He let me cry for a solid twenty minutes. I didn't know how to describe the storms I had been dealing with inside.

Looking back, I can remember every single detail about him. His Bournville eyes, the way he used to hold my hand in the crowd, when we first met, the way we kissed our mouth open breathing his exhale into my inhale, never ever wanting to be that close to anything or anyone else.

The worst thing about love is, no one actually falls in love with you.They fall in love with an image of you that they have created in their head and when you slightly misfit the image, well, that is when you suddenly start to relate to every Gracie Abram song.

That is when things are no longer "fairytales" and you start living in denial. Social media and Rom-Coms would have made us believe that people are finding their soulmates every second day, and if we haven't found that already, then bleh! "You're gonna die alone bitch!" Let alone the fact promises are made to someone and then kept with someone else.

Well yeah, I have been in love. I got betrayed. Got left alone in the dump during the worst time of my life when I couldn't imagine how to do this alone. Definitely the worst trauma in the past two decades of my life. And I still wear the wounds on my sleeves. Funny isn't it? We wake up everyday feeling so certain that this is gonna work out perfectly no matter what and yet, everytime things fall apart, you work through the ruins and make something new. And every time you lose a part of yourself. One day, you wake up and hallelujah! The person you thought you knew so well, like the lines in your palms turns out to be a complete stranger. Like a kid is making a sand castle and thinking he's the king of the world.

Well as to what I answered him?

Do you know what sucks? Being an extremist. When every sign of this universe says the opposite and against all the odds you can't help but choose to believe that there's true love exists somewhere when the timing is right.

Love does overcome all those frictions when the image doesn't match the real you. Love believes in you even when you can't find anything to believe in yourself. It picks you up everytime you fall. Definitely, there will be hurdles. Hurdles will remind you to embrace every part of what you have.

Yeah, I believe that love exists. It's just that I am scared of people pretending to be in love.

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shiteatinggrin · 3 years ago

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Wrote this quickly without editing it, so sorry if there are any mistakes. I tried to go fast because I didn’t want to miss Training Prompt Tuesday. This is a classic scenario, done a million times, but I wanted to be a part of the club. Jily are in hiding in Godric’s Hollow, and they dancing in the kitchen, ft Baby Harry. Enjoy! @petalstosarah

Word count: 1253

James Potter had been feeling hollow for quite some time. His whole head felt like cotton, and Harry had been crying all night, the poor boy was still teething (more like seething from the screams he let out). This morning he had spilled his coffee on his favourite shirt, burned his eggs, stubbed his toe on the corner of the bed and then again on the kitchen table. Sirius was supposed to come today, but a scrawny owl had come bearing the bad news in a short note: Got a mission tonight. Last minute. Sorry, mate. S. Dumbledore had come some weeks before and had requested to take a look at his invisibility cloak, which he had agreed to without much difficulty, since he had been in a very good mood that day, but now there was no possibility for him to sneak out at night anymore.

Before giving the cloak away, Lily and him had agreed to one night a week each where they could get out calmly, on different nights only since the cloak wasn’t big enough for both of them. One of his happiest moments of the Godric’s Hollow week night was to crawl out of bed at midnight, well after Lily had fallen asleep and not long before she would be woken up by Harry and going oustide by himself to look up at the immensity of the moon, or the stars, or whatever element of nature catcehd his attention that night. It felt like Hogwarts again, hanging out on the grounds, running in the Forbidden Forest and losing the others behind him, rare stolen moments of true freedom. So, maybe sneaking out of his own house on (human) foot was less exciting, and less free, but it was the closest he got to savour liberty again.

His tea was scalding, and he burned his lips. He knew he should have opted for orange juice, he didn’t even like tea in the morning, and apparently it didn’t like him back!

The thing he liked to do the most to pass the time was slowly remodeling their house, working with spells and sometimes Muggle instruments if he was sufficiently bored. They had repainted Harry’s nursery recently and the paint fumes had stayed for a week, so their son slept in their room with them, and sometimes Lily would place him on her chest or his, and they would all sync up their breathing, happily, serenely. The only times that they were completely safe from their nightmares, from the people they had killed, from the thought of suffering the same fate. Now Harry only slept in their room, since he cried a lot less when his parents were by his side, protecting presences.

He was trapped in here, trapped in the house he was trying to better everyday, but still couldn’t compare to what freedom and exaltation had tasted like. He loved his family, and he would have died for them, he would have, but sometimes, the most horrible part of him, the cruelest, meanest part of him wished that he could run away, go and live his life. Of course, he would never do it, never abandon anybody. The faint taste of wishing it was enough, like a buffet for the mind. Everytime he surprised himself daydreaming about it during the day, it felt like the biggest of betrayals, and had to go in the shower to stop himself from crying. One time, he had been nailing a painting to the wall and his vision had blurred after dreaming of a delicious beach, waves licking the sand, and he had almost nailed his thumb to the wall. Even with the help of magic, the bruise took six days to heal.

Sometimes he was afraid Lily could feel it, could feel his restlessness, his wish of going back to battle, going back to his previous life, he was scared she would think he would ever leave her behind. He loved her too much for that, but he didn’t know how to say it anymore. He could play at being himself all day, play at being happy, play at being funny and charming and bubbly, but before going to bed he would be too tired to act, and he knew she could feel the weight of his shoulders dragging towards the floor, the inherent heaviness of the prison they called home.

He wondered how she could bear it, bear being a mother and a wife and so kind and funny and playful. She didn’t need to act, didn’t need to force herself to do anything; she just was. He envied her for that, but he loved her even more for it. Lily was unbelievably strong and this lack of freedom was his own weakness, not hers.

He watched her in the living room watching tv with Harry, laughing at some truly horrible cartoon jokes. He went and sat with them, sat there stewing in his anguish, his intensity, his melancholy, trying to radiate only the love he had for them and to exorcise all of the worst parts of him. She let her head fall on his shoulder and they sat there, in front of the tv, Mama, Dada, Son. A happy little family who loved each other above all else.

When it was time for Harry nap in the afternoon, James announced he was going to try and get some sleep too, since he had had a terrible night. Lily looked up at him from her book and smiled tenderly.

He got up to the sound of music (not the kind that made the hills come alive, but close enough) (Lily had showed him The Sound of Music last Christmas Eve, tucked up in bed at her parents’ house before Harry had been born.) Some Beatles song floated in the air coing from the radio in the kitchen, and it was like waking up and walking into a totally different dream. The house smelled of cookies, which Lily had made to entertain herself (she was a bit of a stress baker) and she was all dressed up, as well as little Harry. She wore a red dress without sleeves that showed off the freckles on her shoulders, a dress that absolutely clashed with her hair, currently up in an elegant bun on the top of her head. Harry had a shirt on that normally came with a tie gifted to him by his Aunt Petunia, but that Lily had let the tie lie in the back of his wardrobe. There was a bit of chocolate smeared at the corner of his mouth. Everything felt a little bit like magic.

‘Place your hand in mine,’ said Lily softly, holding out her palm for him. ‘Please, hold my hand.’

She twirled him, and he was still in his pajamas, which consisted of a big long-sleeved grey shirt and plaid bottoms, all mussed up hair and hoarse voice. She looked like a princess, and when she turned, the skirt of the dress swished with her every movement. Little Harry could barely stand, but James took his hands in his and tried to get him not to lose his balance, swaying just lightly enough for it to be considered dancing. Finally, he took him in his arms and placed his other hand on Lily’s waist, slow dancing to upbeat and slow songs alike.

There was a bubble, a bubble of magic, but not the kind of magic he was used to. This was different. This was the only kind of magic the Muggles ever knew, but from his perspective it didn’t look all that bad.

And so they danced.

#evey writes #training prompts tuesday #jily fic #jily #training prompts #godric’s hollow #james potter #lily evans #harry potter

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halcyonstorm · 3 years ago

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I'm so sorry this prompt took me a long time to start, but once I started, I finished it in three days. I loved writing this prompt so much. I hope you enjoy. Warning: Angst, Major Character Death

The title is: The Most Beautiful Flower (For You) (click to read on ao3)

If heaven was a place on Earth, it would be in Italy. When the gentle waves of the Tyrrhenian sea kissed the Mediterranean coastline, the cool water splashed against the very pregnant gardener’s feet, as well as the powerful Duke, the father-to-be. The bright, hot sun beamed from across the ocean as it submerged beneath the waters. Suddenly, the gardener felt a sharp pain in her stomach, causing her to groan loudly.

“It’s time…” She whispers harshly, beginning to place her hands on her knees.

It is ironic, though, how the scariest human to roam their city was born on such a beautiful night. The child’s father, the Duke of Smeraldo City, shouldn’t have impregnated the beautiful woman who tends to his castle’s garden daily, but he did. His wife, the Duchess, was infertile. This angered the Duke, causing him to have a secret affair with the gardener, a poor yet beautiful woman who he met with daily and eventually fell in love with. The Duke was scared. He didn’t know how or when to deliver a baby. He was smart, but he was smart in politics and economics, not childbirth. She sat down on the white sand behind a large rock, hidden from the rest of the world. He didn’t have time to bring her to a clinic. She opened her legs, ready to push. The Duke was ready. He patted her forehead dry of the sweat that had beaded up. He noticed then that she was extremely cold. This confused him; It was warm outside, almost too warm for the evening. She should be warm. She was starting to breathe heavy, her screams of pain becoming more breathless with each push.

With each push to expel the baby, more and more blood came out of her, staining the white sand dark red and black. It horrified the Duke. He was falling for this woman. He felt worse that he had no idea what to do to help her. When he saw the head, he cried out in joy, almost forgetting about the mother’s condition.

“You’re almost there! You got this,” he encouraged. His mistress looked ghostly pale with more sweat dripping down her face. She doesn’t look good. He noticed her neck pulsating. With three more pushes, the woman couldn’t scream any more; she was too exhausted. She was losing too much blood. The baby came out, crying and whining. The Duke was happy, extremely happy. All he wanted was a child. That happiness was short-lived, though. When the Duke wrapped his child up in his button-up shirt, he noticed his mistress hadn’t spoken a word. In fact, she was still… too still. He narrowed his brows in confusion and face contorted to worry. He placed his newborn down in the cool sand and quickly scrambled to place his ear to her chest. No heartbeat.

That is how Levi was born.

His father was scared he’d be caught by the Duchess, so he locked his child away in a tower on the outskirts of Smeraldo City. His father would come to visit him weekly, often having a maid tend to Levi in his place. Levi grew up hidden away in that castle. The castle, although extravagant, was torture for Levi. He hated it. It was a huge, tall tower made of cobblestone and vines. Levi had this aching, empty feeling in his chest when the maid would leave for the night. He described the feeling to her, and she explained to him it was “loneliness”. He never knew the feeling, but it was all that he felt when the sound of his shoes tapping the floor echoed as he walked down the dark, empty corridor at night. The lack of affection caused Levi to grow cold. He began to despise his maid, too. He was just her job, after all. Her extra chore. One more task to complete for the Duke of Smeraldo. When his prestigious father would come to visit, it was mainly to just apologize for avoiding him. It was a constant cycle. “I’m sorry,” he’d say, then proceed to do just that for another six months. Some nights, he would go to Levi’s castle to scream at him. “You are the reason she is dead,” he’d complain to Levi. The truth is, the Duke wanted a child. That child; however, was not Levi. Levi’s raven black hair and piercing grey eyes were too similar to his mother’s, causing the Duke to avoid Levi as much as possible. Levi despised his father. Whenever Levi’s maid/replacement mother came to visit him as a teenager, she always kept her distance. She’d stay on the far side of the room when she tended to his laundry, avert her gaze when he looked at her, and keep their conversations short and brief

“Why must you keep your distance from me?” Levi would ask.

“Because you are ugly,” she would reply. It didn’t hurt Levi’s feelings. He didn’t care about his appearance. He had no one to show. He was truly and utterly alone. Sometimes, the maid would come to his castle with a man. He wasn’t sure about many things. When he saw the man with her, he decided to watch them. He would wait around the corner from the maid’s bedroom, waiting and hearing what they’d do. When he’d leave her quarters, he’d press his lips to hers. Levi realized at that moment, he wanted a maid too. He wanted to feel whatever the fuck they were feeling. He decided to ask her about it.

“Why does that man press his lips to yours?” Levi asked as he stared at the stone ceiling in his bedroom. The maid was hesitant before replying. She realized she never taught him about those feelings.

“Because we are in love,” She replied plainly, sitting on a chair in his room, still keeping herself a safe distance away from the ugly and scary man. “We are close friends. Over time, we fell in love.”

“What is love?” Levi asked.

“Love is… complicated. It’s a feeling of deep affection... and it can be applied to anything or anyone. With a person, it is the feeling you get when you’re excited to see someone and enjoy their presence, but it’s also dangerous. Falling in love means you can get hurt, too. The person you love may decide they want to be with someone else, or they lose that feeling. Or, they may never feel that way about you at all…” She spoke from experience.

“Love is stupid,” Levi determined. “Why do it if you’re going to get hurt?”

“Love isn’t a choice,” she debated. “It can be, like the Duke and Duchess.” Levi perked up, the hairs on his nape erect.

“The Duchess isn’t my mother?” He asked. She hesitantly shook her head no. “Then who is?”

The maid told Levi about his mother, the gardener. She told him how his mother would sing to her belly every morning and evening, read him stories, and share her life stories with him. Levi smiled at this. From what the maid told him, his mother truly loved him, unlike the Duke. Learning about his mother inspired him to pick up gardening. He began by binge-reading the gardening and plant books in the master library. During the weeks, he would wear his black hooded cloak and mask and head into the town’s market. There, he found a stall that sold flower seeds of all kinds from Italy. The first seeds he bought were that of oleander flowers. He remembers from his book that they stood for “caution” and “destiny”. It is destined that he must be cautious around others, and others must be cautious around him. He was horrifying to the everyday civilians, and the shrieks of horror kept him cooped up in his tower for months until he finally got the courage to go into town again.

In those few months, his flowers began to sprout. The flowers were all he thought about day in and day out. They were his only joy. These were the first moments he felt “love”.

When Levi turned 22, his garden was blossoming into something extravagant. There was a dainty, white archway at the beginning of the trail that led to the tower. Inside, there were fields of white lilies -the flower of Italy- blooming in early April. As he walked through his garden, he bent down next to a budding cyclamen flower. It was a small pink flower, surrounded by its family. The family’s flowers were dark pink at the roots, becoming lighter in color towards the end of the petal. They opened up and out, allowing the sun to help them grow. He gently grazed his finger over the petals, feeling its velvety smooth texture.

“At least flowers can’t hate me,” he’d reassure himself. He placed his hands on his knees, standing up. With his bucket of soil and the packets of seeds laying on top, he found an empty patch of grass. He started to dig with his small shovel. Once he reached an area where the soil was moist, he opened the package and sprinkled the seeds inside. The seeds claimed to be for a Juliet rose. One that stood for love and beauty. He knew of love and beauty. He was standing all around it.

For hundreds of yards, the castle’s courtyard was filled with flowers in intricate patterns that were only visible from the top of the tower. Flowers that formed flower shapes, circles, lines, and everything in between. The bees had three hives attached to purple wisteria trees. He loved those trees the most. They were tall, old trees that were by his side ever since he could remember. The trees were almost like his grandparents, watching him take his first steps and speak his first words. Now, they take in his music when he hums a tune as he waters his flowers and console him when he vents about his father. He liked to walk through his garden and visit the wisterias. He would use the tips of his fingers to caress the petals between his fingers. He loved wisterias the most.

He woke up the next morning slumped under a wisteria tree, the purple tree creating a cool shade that enveloped his body from the warm sun. The grass beneath him was flattened by his body. He scrubbed it vigorously to help the grass stand upright again. Then, he stretched his arms above his head, groaning loudly. He stood up, using his watering can to hydrate the flowers as he walked through his garden. When he got to the rose bushes, though, he noticed some flowers were missing. He furrowed his brows, crouching down to examine the damage. One, two, three, four… Four roses were missing. They were intricately plucked from the bush, as if the perpetrator had planned this. Someone stole from my garden. His jaw clenched tightly when he realized this. How dare someone steal from me? He asked himself. He spent years and years tending to his garden and perfecting it, and now someone was trying to take his one and only joy away.

That night, he hid close to the rose bushes. He hid behind a tall vine of bougainvillea flowers. The beautiful pink flowers were bright as the moonlight shone on them. They hung over the tall, stone wall that encompassed his garden and the tower. As he lay in wait, he admired the beautiful leaf-like petals of the flowers. They were soft, rich, and pure. He was proud of his garden. He was reminded why he was waiting again, his blood boiling.

That night, the suspect did not show up. Nor did they show up for the few nights he guarded the garden. This person was sneaky. The person knew Levi was watching them, lurking, waiting to catch them. Levi caught on fast to this cat-and-mouse game. After a week of no luck, he decided to wait in his tower. He peered over his balcony one night and looked down at his garden. The white lilies blew in the cool spring breeze, They were hard to view, considering the moon wasn’t as bright. It was in the waning gibbous phase, darkened on its right side, bright on its left. It hung high in the sky, looking smaller than it did just a week ago. Levi was broken out of his trance when he heard a soft rustle in his garden. Levi glared out the window and off the balcony, peering down below. There, he thought. There they are. It was a girl. The girl had dark hair, wearing what looked like a piece of white cloth that draped over her lanky body. She had crouched down next to the rose bush, starting to tug. Levi decided to go downstairs. He grabbed his dark cloak and mask on the way out.

By the time he had gotten down to the garden, she was walking away, four more flowers in her hand. Levi was enraged. He felt his blood start to boil. Why is this girl stealing from me? Does she think this castle is abandoned? How would the garden be so well managed if it was? How dare she steal from him, stealing from the only thing he truly cared about. She walked slowly through the forest, talking to herself. She would ramble on about her mother and father and money. Levi was puzzled. She was talking as if there were someone standing right next to her. Maybe she knew he was there? No, he thought. She’d freak out. She’d never come back. Levi’s frown turned into a wide grin, a new idea popping in his head. He, unfortunately, thought of his plan too late. They had arrived in town. As Levi followed her to the marketplace, he kept asking himself why she stole from him. It was still booming at 2000 that night. The market was filled with stalls and tents. A lull of chatter hummed through the town as he followed the girl. He saw her stop at one specific stall and go behind it. She spoke to a tall man who looked to be her father. He shared the same brown shaggy hair as her. He gave her a wide smile as she handed him the flowers.

“I was only able to get four,” The girl explained to her father. “These ought to make us a lot of money! Then we can buy shoes!” At that moment, he realized both her and her father were barefoot. Levi felt a pang in his chest.

“Indeed, my love. Thank you,” her father said, kissing her forehead. Levi was taken aback. She wanted to sell his flowers? Is that what love looks like?

“These flowers are beautiful,” She said, recalling the scenery in her mind. “The garden has all different types! It’s breathtaking. I wish I could go during the day… but I don’t want to get caught.”

“Yes, that’s best,” he explained. “Hange, see what other types of flowers are there and see if any are worth selling.”

Levi felt his heart skip a beat when Hange complimented his garden. He was able to get a better look at her face. She looked about his age and had half her hair tied up in a messy knot. She had a hooked nose that fit her face perfectly. Her eyes were gleaming when the glow of the string lights hit them. He couldn’t describe how he thought she looked. It didn’t bother him that his heart was racing in his chest or how his palms were sweating. He didn’t know how to describe her, but he knew he wanted to see her more.

When he went home, he found a small rectangle piece of wood, a thick stick, some nails, and a hammer. He grabbed a bucket of paint and wrote the following on the rectangular piece of wood:

Be mindful of the thorns.

He went back downstairs to the garden to stake it into the ground after hammering it together. He wanted to see the girl again. He didn’t want her to hurt herself, though. He didn’t want to give her any measly excuse not to come back to his garden. She liked it. She complimented his garden.

“I think a ‘crush’ is the term you’re searching for,” the maid answered. She looked down in her lap. Levi felt his face go red.

“A what?” He scowled.

“It’s like… when you’re attracted to someone. When you enjoy seeing them and being around them…”

“I thought that was ‘love’ in your book.”

“Having a crush and being in love are different,” she began. “Love is developed over time. Eventually, a crush turns into love if you let it linger.” Levi shook his head fast.

“No, no,” he muttered to himself. “That can’t happen. I can’t love anyone.”

The maid stood up, stepping towards him. This was the closest she’s been to him in a long time. He looked up at her as he sat on the bed.

“Everyone is worthy of and deserves love. Even you.” When she spoke, he truly felt she meant it.

Two days later, Levi was in his tower waiting for Hange. Around 1945, she arrived on time. As she walked through the archway, she saw the sign right away. He heard her speak it aloud. She let out a short laugh. Her short laugh was like a loving punch to his gut, taking his breath away. It was so… crush, he determined. She didn’t stop and crouch at the rose bush like he predicted. She waltzed through his garden, careful to avoid stepping on his flowers. He heard her hum a tune as she danced through his garden. She took his breath away time and time again. She was as beautiful as the garden around her. She stopped humming when she noticed the oleander flower patch, right against the tower.

“Caution,” she said softly, careful not to rouse the garden keeper. Too late, though, but she didn’t know that. Levi was shocked at her statement. She knew why he put them there. The flowers rustled in the wind as it picked up. She crouched down to pet the flowers with the back of her index finger.

“These truly are beautiful,” she said to herself. Levi felt a smile creep up on his face. She looked up to the sky. “Why must I be cautious?” she asked herself. “Anyone who can create such beauty mustn’t be someone to be cautious of.” When she spoke, Levi had a thought cross his mind. Maybe I can show her myself. It was a silly thought, and Levi didn’t entertain it too much longer than that moment.

Another week passes by and the moon’s light is slowly diminishing each day. A new moon is coming. How will Hange know which flowers to pick? Levi thought of a solution. He grabbed his handy hammer as well as some string lights and secured them around the archway leading to his garden. On the ground, he stuck little lamps into the ground that radiated a white light. This way, Hange can come even when there’s a new moon. He also created a sign: The orchids are very loved. He loved his orchids so, but they were better off to give to someone who needed them. Orchids were rare to find and plant in Italy, and Levi had spent years and years trying to find the perfect technique to grow his lovely purple orchids. They were his favorites; he loved their long stem with the flowers that hung over the edge. He loved admiring the flowers up close, getting a very detailed view of the veins of the vibrant flower petals.

The moon was just a crescent in the sky when Hange came next. She wandered through the garden, not a care in the world, admiring the blooming flowers. She paused in her waltz when she saw his sign about the orchids. Her eyes shifted from the sign to the orchids. Indeed, they are beautiful, she thought to herself. She crouched down with her small shovel and pot and began to dig them up. This surprised Levi. The last few times, she picked the flowers with her hands. Now, she is preserving the flower’s life by relocating them to her pot.

“These sure are beautiful,” she said softly to herself. With the hustling and bustling of the town across the town, he wasn’t able to hear her. Again, he felt a pang in his chest when he imagined her seeing him for the first time. Her terrified face, her hands trembling in fear. He couldn’t scar her like that. He was too ugly, too brawny, too unworthy of being loved that he couldn’t dare to even consider revealing himself to her.

The next flower he wanted to draw her to were the gardenias. Now that she knew about flowers, he wanted to show her all he had to offer. He enjoyed seeing her in his garden. She talked a lot; he felt as if he were talking to her. She started staying for longer periods of time, which Levi enjoyed. He wondered if she even knew someone tended to the garden. She must, he thought. She sees your signs, right?

The gardenias were in a bushel next to the white lilies. He enjoyed having all the colors coordinated. Red when someone first walks in, met by rose bushes. Towards the castle were the oleanders of all colors, but mainly pink. That is where the bougainvillea’s were too, hanging from the castle window and wall surrounding the garden’s perimeter, as well as having their own bushel below. By his wisteria trees were the violets, orchids, periwinkles, and bluebells. The white flowers were blended with the purple and blue flowers. The white flowers included the lilies and gardenias, as well as jasmines. He loved the look of the small, delicate gardenia flowers climbing the wall surrounding his castle and garden. They had beautiful, rich white petals and a bright yellow center. He didn’t want to show them for his usual reasons, but in order to make a move. Gardenias stood for secret love, as well as a confession of sorts. After seeing her white cloth in the gardenias, he realized his crush was developing into something more. He decided to make another sign and placed it by the entrance: Open at dawn.

Hange seemed to understand his messages perfectly. One early afternoon, Levi was tending to his violets when he heard a familiar rustling. He didn’t have his cloak on or his mask. He was totally and utterly exposed. He quickly gathered his things and hid behind a grand wisteria tree. Please see me. Please don’t see me. She noticed footprints in the damp soil by the tree.

“Your flowers are beautiful,” Hange said aloud. “You have been a great help. I’ve finally gotten my own shoes!” She chuckles and glances at her covered feet. “I am trying to figure out a way to repay you…” You don’t have to repay me. I don’t mind.

“There are stories that a monster lives here,” Hange began, sitting down and leaning her back against the same wisteria tree Levi was hiding behind. “Is that supposed to be you? The person who plants these beautiful flowers?” Her words cause Levi’s cheeks to redden. She looks towards the bluebells. She sits up and kneels to admire them.

“Bluebells…” she murmured. “Gratitude. Everlasting love. I feel gratitude towards your everlasting love for this garden.” She giggled to herself. “Ah, I’m rambling nonsense. I should get going. My father will be worried. I hope you don’t mind if I take some flowers.” Take as many as you need. She walked through the garden. There was a sign next to the white gardenias as she walked towards the exit.

You’re lovely.

Levi was proud he was helping Hange and her family. From the sound of it, they were doing better. They were able to afford clothes for their bodies and provide two meals a day. She explained it was only her, her mother, and her father. She explained how her family loved her very much, and Levi believed her. He yearned for a love like that. He yearned to be loved at all. A foolish and childish thought ran through his mind. Could she ever love me? Does she love me? How could she love someone she’s never even seen before? Levi decided he must show himself to her. He must make some sort of confession to her. He planned it in the best way he could. He began searching the markets day in and day out to find the seeds to plant the most beautiful flower for Hange. It would be sure to bring Hange’s family wealth as well as help Hange understand Levi’s feelings.

He dressed in his dark cloak and mask and walked through the forest to the market. The smeraldo flower was one of the hardest to successfully grow in Italy. The smeraldo flower seeds were sold for dirt cheap since they were so difficult to grow. Many people attempted to grow said flower, but never succeeded. Once it blooms, it must be carefully maintained in order for them to prosper. He purchased a bag of seeds and headed home. He found the perfect spot in his garden: surrounding the wisteria tree. The purple of the wisterias and the blue of the smeraldos would perfectly blend together next to the violets, periwinkles, and crocuses. He got excited. Once he got home, he started to read about the Smeraldo flowers.

Must be planted at dusk. Must be watered every two days at dusk. Do not tear away dead leaves and flowers. Must be maintained in damp soil. If drought occurs, water daily. Meaning: I’m unable to tell you the truth.

Levi’s heart ached when he read the final line. Hange, he thought. I am unable to show you my truth. He wanted to, but he couldn’t dare to scare her away from his garden. He planned to make a grand gesture to express his love for her. He adored everything about her. She was his Sun.

That night, he went outside to plant his flowers. The sun was kissing the horizon, hanging low in the pink sky. He grabbed his small handheld shovel and began to dig a small moat around the tree. He palpated the soil with his fingers. It’s damp. It’s dusk. It was all ready. He sprinkled the seeds evenly around the moat of the tree and then scooped the dirt, placing it on top of the seeds. He patted it with his hands.

It took the Smeraldo flowers a long time to grow. Almost a year passed before the flowers were blooming. For every two days since he planted them, he watered them. Hange would stop by, chatting up a storm to the flowers before taking some in her bucket and leaving. As Hange aged one more year, she looked radiant. With the flowers to help her eat and dress, she filled out. She wasn’t as lanky as she was just one year ago. One specific summer day, Hange fell asleep in his garden. Her hair was sprawled over the white lilies, her body lying on the grass. Levi took this time to be brave. He walked over to her in broad daylight. He sat down next to her, admiring her face. She looked so peaceful.

“Hange, I am Levi,” he whispered, being careful to avoid waking her. “This is my garden. I am glad to hear you like it.” He looked into his lap then at the lilies. He plucked a lily from the bunch, tucking it behind her ear. Her dark brunette hair looked like melted chocolate scattered amongst the lilies.

“You are the most beautiful thing in this garden.”

Around 1700, Hange woke up. She noticed her pot was filled with beautiful gardenias. Levi filled it for her while she slept. Hange smiled softly.

“I wish to meet you someday, Levi,” she sighed, standing up then grabbing her pot. As the words came out of her mouth, she wasn't sure how she knew his name, but she was glad she did. The sun was beginning to set. She glanced up at the open castle window before turning on her heel to leave the beautiful garden once again. That night, Levi tended to his smeraldo flowers. They were beginning to bloom, a small baby blue head poking out of the green stem. It made him smile. He created this life.

It took about another month for the smeraldo flowers to fully open up and express their beauty. They were the most beautiful flowers Levi had ever seen. These are sure to help Hange the most. They were a light blue and purple with rather strange petals that opened less and less as they reached the center. They looked perfect surrounding the wise wisteria tree. They were so perfectly fitting for Levi and Hange.

He had planted some extra flowers in a hidden part of the garden just for Hange to take. He wanted her to be happy, so happy from his flowers. His flowers were all he ever knew. He wanted to tell Hange his truth, so so bad. He couldn’t. He couldn’t risk hurting her. All he wanted was for her to be at peace.

That day, he wrote another sign for her. He placed it along the path so she couldn’t miss it.

For you, behind the red camellias.

It took her a day to notice it - so yes, she did miss it. She loved the white flowers so much that she didn’t even venture to the red flower patches to find the smeraldos. She loved to dance and sing in the field of flowers that made Levi want to cry. It made his heart ache. She sounded like a siren; Her voice luring him, tempting him, but he had to try his hardest to resist her. As she had begun to leave that day, she noticed the new sign. Levi was in the garden that day, behind the wisteria. As she wandered behind the camellias, he followed her, peering at her behind the concrete archway leading to a hidden part of the garden. The smeraldo flowers were in a small bunch in a bucket, all ready for Hange to take. She gasped loudly when she saw them.

“Oh my God,” she exhaled. Her fingers touched her lips in wonder. Her eyes were wide. She ran to the flowers, kneeling down in front of them. She admired them closely, examining each vein of each petal and how the blue blended into purple. They were breathtaking.

“These are… extraordinary,” she said, caressing one flower with her hand. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Levi… thank you,” she said his name again. It made Levi’s heart skip a beat. You are extraordinary, Hange.

“When I return tomorrow, I want to meet you,” she said aloud, picking up the pot by its wooden handle. “I know you can hear me. I know you’re nearby. If not, I’ll let the whole world know. I’ll scream it from the top of my lungs so you can hear me. I hear what they say about you in the village. They say you’re scary and that you’re a monster, but I find that hard to believe. You are kind. You are special.” Levi feels tears well up in his eyes, his throat tightening. What is this? He asked himself. “Ah… I am rambling again. Anyways, I will see you tomorrow.” She started heading for the exit. She looked beautiful: she wore a long, white dress with sandals. Please don’t go, he wanted to say. But she left, leaving Levi alone again.

That evening as the sun set, Levi picked bluebells from his garden. He hated to pluck and kill his flowers, but this was for something special. He brought the flowers in a bucket to his bedroom. He sat on his bed with the bucket, using a delicate hand to turn them inside out. His book states, If you are able to turn a bluebell inside-out without tearing it, you will win the one you love. It also states, Wearing a wreath of bluebells will allow you to speak the truth. Levi’s gentle touch manipulated the flowers in such a way to turn every single one inside-out; It took him hours. He was up till the sunrise working to make sure he didn’t rip any flowers. God forbid if anything messed up his chance. Then, he weaved the flower stems together, forming a beautiful vibrant wreath of bluebell flowers. Today, he was going to meet Hange in person.

He slept late that morning into the early afternoon. He jolted out of bed, instinctively looking out his window. Did she show? He didn’t see her. He put on his cloak and mask and went outside. He made sure to put on his wreath.

He waited till nightfall, and she didn’t show. The next day, she didn’t show. The day after that, she didn’t show. The bluebell wreath was beginning to wilt. Levi was starting to worry. He felt this strong urge to go into town. So, he dressed in his usual cloak and mask and followed his instinct. He found her father outside a building talking to a man in a white coat. They looked distraught. Levi frowned. Why is a doctor talking to Hange’s father? Why do they look sad? The doctor started walking with her father down the sidewalk. Levi felt extremely concerned. He walked across the street to the door they came out of. It was unlocked; Levi let himself in.

On the couch, Hange lay. She had a cold pack on her head, covered in blankets. She was sweating but shivering. Levi felt the familiar pang in his chest again. Levi swore Hange didn’t hear him come in, but she did.

“Who’s there?” she called out, coughing harshly. It sounded like she was coughing up her lungs. Levi felt his heart begin to race. He was nervous and scared.

“...Levi,” he replied.

“Show yourself.”

Levi did. He stepped out of the shadows into her field of vision. She gave him a soft smile.

“Come here,” she whispered. Levi did. He kneeled at her bedside.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his face still completely covered.

“I got robbed,” she said, coughing harshly again. It made her wince in pain, a small “ow” escaping her lips. “They stabbed me.” She exposed her abdomen, blood seeping through the bandages on her upper left abdomen. Levi was too sad for words. His brows furrowed, lip quivered, eyes wide.

“I am going to die.” Levi felt his heart ache in his chest. His throat tightened again. No, no, no. This cannot be happening.

“Please, Levi,” she whimpered. “Let me... see your face.” Levi was like putty in her hands. He melted, seeing those rich beautiful hazel eyes looking at his face but at a black mask, unable to recognize any features. Levi slowly reached for his mask, untying the strap behind his head, letting it fall to the ground. That was the first and final time Levi got to look into Hange’s eyes. Hange gave him a sad smile. She reached her hand up to touch his cheek.

“You... are the most beautiful person... I have ever met,” She said, barely audible. Then, her hand fell from his face, her facial expression drooped. She was gone. Tears fell from Levi’s eyes uncontrollably. He tightly placed his hand on his mouth, sealing any sobs from escaping it. He wanted to admire her more, but he couldn’t. He had to go before they believed he killed her, delivering the final blow. He brought a white lily with him, her favorite, and tucked it behind her ear once more. He closed her eyes, pressed his lips to her forehead, as best as he could remember from his miniscule experience. Before he left her for good, he spoke.

“I will keep planting flowers for you. Over and over again.”

#levihan fic #levihan #my pride and joy #i loved writing this #levi ackerman #snk #hanji zoe #aot #attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #levi x hanji #levi x hange

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rohad93 · 4 years ago

Text

Moonlit Masquerade: Sandcastles Final

The final part of MM: Sandcastles its 2:30 am so just excuse any mistakes in it for now.

She doesn’t really want to go to the beach house with the twins.

She’d much rather spend it with Luz, but since Luz is busy and it would be depressing to sit at home alone all weekend, and on her birthday no less, she relents. The two practically beg her to come with them anyway, which is strange, but she knows they still feel bad about the hair thing from a couple of weeks ago, and are looking to make up for their teasing her about it, so with few other appealing options, she agrees.

They get off the Boiling Isles version of public transport at the closest town to the beach and from there it’s a short ten-minute walk to the Blight family’s vacation home.

Though it’s mostly only used when their parent’s really want to show off to people, most of the year it sits empty.

“Ah, don’t have such a long face, Mittens,” her brother starts. “Maybe Luz couldn’t come with you to the house, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time.” He smiles at her and there is something suspiciously knowing about it, she knows her siblings, they’re planning something, but she hasn’t the slightest clue what it could be.

The pranks are still quite present, but to a much smaller degree since the ‘library incident’ as it’s now referred to, so she’s not particularly worried about that; her siblings are just acting strange.

They’ve been sneaking around and having hushed conversations; last night she’d passed by Edric’s closed bedroom door and overheard some of their muffled conversations by chance.

“Luz is sneakier than I gave her credit for,” Her sister laughed. She hears her brother’s muffled voice but can’t clearly hear what he’s saying. “I trust her, I’m sure she has it all taken care of, I can’t wait to see Mitten’s face,” Emira speaks again, and then it’s too muffled to hear anything else, try as she might. That one little comment set off warning bells in her head.

Luz was doing something with her sibling, but what could it have to do with her?

By the sound of it, all Luz’s sudden absences during the week make sense if Ed and Em have her sneaking around doing something, which worries her. Her siblings can be quite devious when they want to be and sometimes even when they aren’t trying, their pranks sometimes tend to backfire spectacularly. She worries that Luz may be in over her head, that, and she’d lied to her about Eda needing her help. The only reason she would do that she can guess at is that the twins have her doing something she wouldn’t approve of, which makes her head spin with worrying possibilities. She knows Luz would never help her siblings pull some kind of mean spirited prank on her; not intentionally at least.

She hadn’t intentionally been part of the debacle with her diary that night in the library either, but it had happened. Her stomach twists up and she frowns. Ed and Em know how much Luz means to her and she can’t imagine them doing something, now that is, that could end with Luz hurting her in some way.

She’s missing something but she can’t for the life of her figure it out. It’s the blue moon masquerade all over again. Luz and her siblings are collaborating again. Not that that had turned out bad in the end, not at all, but the twins are unpredictable and Luz is an unstoppable ball of energy when the mood strikes her. Amity loves that exuberant energy when it’s channeled in the correct direction that is.

They round the bend and the house comes into view.

It’s large, just like their everyday home, in the gothic style the Blight family is known for and sits only about thirty yards from the sand and water of the beach.

“Ah, sweet, parentless solitude!” Edric grins as they walk around the house to the front door with their bags.

“Ready for an awesome birthday weekend, Mittens?” Emira nudges Amity playfully with her hip and grins.

“What’s going to be so awesome about it?” Amity grumbles, crossing her arms, missing the looks the twins throw each other over her head, they are living for this; knowing what’s coming.

“You sure are grumpy without your daily dose of Luz,” her brother teases, and Amity pinks, growling at him, her sharp eye teeth poking out from between her lips, but doesn’t say anything though.

There’s no point, they all know it’s true and she won’t do their relationship the disservice of denying it. She’s wrankled because she’s here with just the twins when she’d really hoped Luz would be able to come with them, and they know it.

Add in that something is going on with her girlfriend and siblings and she hasn’t the slightest clue, does not put her in the best mood.

“Hey, I bet Ed and I can give you the best birthday you ever had.” Emira smiles at her and Amity can tell it’s genuine.

“I doubt it,” Amity mumbles, making her sister frown and she feels bad immediately after. The twins are trying, they are, which is more than she can say about their parents.

She stops a few feet from the door, looking down at her feet and the twins both look at her.

“I’m sorry… I’m being a jerk…,” she finally says, and the twins share mirrored looks of surprise. “I just… we only have a few minutes before school and a couple of hours after, and we can’t be seen out together in public much or mom and dad would find out, and then after what happened at the owl house someone is always checking up on us…,” she trails off. “I was just really hoping she would be able to come this weekend so we could hang out without worrying about anything… I really wanted her to be here for my birthday… which I didn’t even tell her about…,” she sighs.

When she looks back up the twins are looking at her with identical, sympathetic faces.

“Hey, it’s okay, Amity.” Emira wraps an arm around her shoulder. “We can’t imagine how hard it must be to have to hide it all the time.” She squeezed.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it… it’s not like we’ve never been jerks to you!” he chuckled. “But, uh…, why didn’t you tell her about your birthday?” he asks what both twins have been wondering since Luz revealed she didn’t know.

Amity frowns at the question and fingers the hem of her shirt

“I guess I just… didn’t want to explain the stuff about our birthdays to her. I know she feels bad about a lot of the stuff that goes on at home already, I didn’t want to give her another reason to worry about me, or do something totally overboard,” she huffs a small laugh but it quickly dies in her throat and she chews on her lips before looking up at the twins who for once are looking at her with patient, understanding.

“Sometimes… I just feel so overwhelmed by all her affection, like I don’t deserve it…,” she barely gets to finish before both twins have their arms wrapped around her.

“Of course you do.” Emira squeezes her tightly. “Maybe you can be a stick in the mud sometimes…”

“But you’re our stick in the mud,” Edric finishes. “And we bet Luz would say the same thing.”

"Yeah, she’s lucky to have you,” Emira agrees.

Amity’s cheeks are pink but she can’t help but smile as her brother and sister squeeze her between them.

They finally let go and stand back.

“We know how much you wanted Luz to come with us, but don’t worry, this is gonna be the best birthday you ever had, we made sure of it,” her brother assures, and the twins smile, not their usually coy or playful smiles, but ones of genuine affection for Amity, who can’t help but smile back.

“Okay…” she takes a step forward but her sister holds her back.

“One more thing…,” Emira says, her smile turning into a grin. “What happened at the owl house that makes the owl lady have to check up on you two?”

Amity’s face turns blood red.

“Nothing! Nothing happened at the owl house!”

The twins share knowing grins.

“It sure sounds like something happened…,” Edric sing-songs and Amity scowls.

“I’m going inside!” Amity spins on her heel and opens the door and the twins follow her in, still grinning. They’ll just have to interrogate Luz later. They promised themselves they wouldn’t tease Amity this weekend… much.

The house is pitch black, save for the shaft of light coming in from the open door to light the entryway. The curtains are all drawn closed, keeping out the sunlight.

Ed and Em close the door behind her and it’s truly dark for a second before somewhere in front of her she sees a blue and green spell circle blink into existence for a brief second before all the lights are lit.

“Surprise!” Confetti is flying everywhere.

Amity jumps as Willow, Gus, Luz, and the twins yell.

“Wha- what…?” she stares at them wide-eyed.

“Happy birthday Amity!” The three standing in front of her shout.

Amity just stands there, mouth hanging open.

“I think she was surprised,” Edric laughs from behind her.

“I do believe your right,” Emira agrees.

“What is this?” She blinks, wide, gold eyes as she looks around, confetti in her hair. The room is decorated with streamers and balloons.

“Your surprise birthday party, duh!” The twins laugh at Amity’s shocked face. They are quite pleased with themselves.

Willow and Gus both run up and hug their bewildered friend. Luz hangs back, still grinning and watching her girlfriend’s shocked face. She knows her turn will come, she’s glad to watch for the moment, even as she vibrates with energy.

“I…,” Amity mumbles finally when it sets in what is happening as her friends hug her. Her lip trembles and she doesn’t even realize she’s crying till it’s hard to see through the tears. She squeezes both Gus and Willow who are still grinning madly and laughing.

They finally let her go as Luz walks up.

“Soooo, are you surprised?” she asks, grinning from ear to ear and only just manages to steady herself as Amity throws herself at her with a choked cry, arms wrapping around her.

“It’s a party, don’t cry, mi amor,” she chuckles quietly, running a hand soothingly up and down Amity’s back.

“I’m just… really happy…,” she hiccups into Luz’s shoulder. She pulls back and wipes at her face but she’s smiling so brightly it makes Luz’s chest tight to see her so happy

“How did you…?” she trails off, still sniffling.

“It was all Ed and Em’s idea.” Luz nodded to the twins, giving credit where it’s due, looking back at the twins who were grinning at them; when Amity turned around to look at them, they wink.

It’s the twins turn to get wrapped in Amity’s arms, an arm slung around each of their waists as she squeezes them for all she’s worth, face buried in their chests.

“I love you.” only the twins can hear her muffled words. They squeeze her back, a head-on each side of hers.

“We love you too,” is quietly mumbled in stereo into her ears.

“Are we going to party or not?!” Gus finally asks, throwing up his hands when the siblings have separated.

“Yeah!” Luz whoops.

They quickly get settled in, putting away their bags and retreating to the strip of beach that makes up the backyard.

There’s a net stretched between two poles stuck in the sand and the Blight siblings notice it immediately.

“What is that?” Edric cocks his head curiously.

"It’s a net. It’s for a game I’m going to teach you guys called volleyball.” Luz explains, holding up a grudgby ball. It was the closest thing she could find to a volleyball and was of a similar tough, but giving, material.

Luz explains the rules and they have a few practice rounds before they decide to play a game.

“Who is going to be on the teams?” Willow looks around at them.

“We could play boys vs girls,” Gus suggests.

“That would make the teams four versus two though.” Emira points out.

“We’ll take Luz.” Edric wraps an arm around the human’s shoulders and Gus nods his approval, while Luz just blinks as the guys drag her to them.

“Why do you get Luz?” Amity is quick to protest.

“Because, she’s good with girls, and looks dashing in a suit.” He holds up a finger for each reason. “What else do you need? She’s one of us,” he explains with a smirk. Emira rolls her eyes at her brother and Amity grumbles while Willow can only watch, chuckling.

“It’s cool, I’ll play with the guys,” she agrees. “Let’s get this game started, I’ll serve!” Luz runs to her position and everyone else moves into place.

They’ve been blessed by the last lingering whispering dregs of summer and the day is quite warm.

Especially as they run around in the sun, screaming and laughing as they chase the ball and trash talk across the court Luz has drawn with a stick in the sand.

“That was so in!” Emira yells.

“In your dreams!” Gus yells back.

They only have to break up a few arguments, usually between some combination of the Blight siblings, though Gus and Willow will argue a call too.

Luz is just glad they all seem to be having a good time.

She knew Amity was athletic and could be very competitive, but actually watching her play, and a game without magic at that is a different experience altogether. She’ll jump and dive at any given opportunity to score or keep their shots from scoring.

The timer on Luz’s phone is ticking down to the final minutes. The next shot will decide the winner and Ed is serving.

He smacks it in the air and Willow meets it, passing it over to Amity who sends it flying back over the net.

“I got it!” Gus shouts diving forward into the sand and sending it back over before Amity’s shot can land.

Luz watches the ball fly over the net but her eyes land on Amity who is grinning brightly as they play, and she can’t help smile stupidly, glad Amity is having so much fun.

She’s too busy gawking at her girlfriend instead of watching the ball and especially not Emira, who jumps up at the net to intercept Gus’s shot and with a loud smack spikes it over the net.

Luz sees Amity’s eyes turn to her just before the ball smacks her straight in the face and it all goes black for a second.

“Luz!” Several people are yelling her name as her back hits the sand.

Her eyes squint open, the bright sun glaring down at her.

Then there’s a shadow over her, blocking it out. Amity’s scared and worried face comes into view, followed closely by everyone else.

“Luz, are you okay?” Willow asks.

“Ow…,” Luz mumbles, and then her friends are helping her sit up.

“I’m sorry!” Emira quickly says.

“I'm… okay… just kinda dazed…” she smiles reassuringly, though it looks a little more like a grimace as they help her to her feet.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Amity is gently running her fingers over her face as though looking for a fracture or something.

“I’m fine, Amity,” she says, shooing her hands away, though her face does smart, she’s not going to tell Amity that.

“Good… in that case, we won!” Emira cheers with a grin and the boys squawk at that.

“That doesn’t count!” Edric stomps.

“Injuring a member of the other team does not count!” Gus agrees.

“It hit the ground.” Emira sticks her tongue out.

“It did hit the ground inbounds,” Willow agrees.

“After it bounced off Luz’s face!” Edric fumes.

Amity rolls her eyes at all of them and turns her attention back to Luz as she stands, brushing sand off her shorts.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” she asks.

“No harm!” Luz grins. “Not the first time someone hit me in the face with a ball, and it probably won’t be the last.”

“Let’s try to keep it to a minimum anyway though,” she smirks, crossing her arms. “Try watching the ball and not me,” she says quietly, so only Luz hears as the other four squabble about who won.

Luz chuckles while Amity looks at her knowingly.

"No promises, Hermosa.” Luz winks.

Amity knows that word from her Spanish to English dictionary and Luz knows she does by the way she flushes red, which makes her snicker.

The girls finally claim victory when Luz agrees with them that the ball hit in bounds, regardless of whether or not it bounced off her face first. The boys look betrayed for all of a few seconds, but concede, she’s the injured party here, and she knows the rules.

Though that doesn’t stop Edric from coughing ‘whipped’ into his hand, which fools no one and only makes Luz blush and Amity scowl; everyone else just grins or smothers their laughter

Edric quickly issues a challenge for a rematch, though this time it’s the Blight siblings versus the friend squad, and they give as good as they get, but the Blights are overwhelmingly victorious in the end.

They hang out on the beach and play for a while until the twins decide it’s time to start cooking dinner.

Luz uses a fire glyph to start the fire pit sitting in the sand and the twins go back up to the house to collect the things they need. Willow volunteers to go with them to help carry stuff back down.

“I’ll stay here with…,” Gus starts but Willow grabs his arm and drags him along with her after the twins.

“You’ll come with me.”

“But…,” he protests as the plant witch drags him away.

Amity chuckles at it. 'Very smooth, Willow…’ she thinks fondly as she plops down into the sand next to Luz, who smiles at her.

“Having a good time?” she asks and Amity wraps an arm around Luz’s as they sit shoulder to shoulder.

“The best.” She nods, setting her cheek on the human’s shoulder. “This is the best birthday I ever had.”

“Well, there’s still more to come.” She beams. “Which reminds me, why the heck didn’t you tell me tomorrow was your birthday!?” She throws her free arm up. Amity grimaces, turning her face away and sighs.

“I’m sorry, Luz,” she says. “I just know you worry about the stuff that happens at home and I didn’t want to add the mess that is our birthdays onto that. It’s not a big deal, I just didn’t want you to worry about it.”

“I know you don’t want me to worry, but I’m gonna anyway, and I worry more when I find out stuff like this from Ed and Em instead of you, so you shoulda just told me. We talked about this…,” she said quietly, frowning.

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. I just didn’t think my birthday was anything to be concerned about, but I knew you would be, It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal to me! I for one am glad you were born!” she says and Amity smiles at that.

“…I also didn’t want you to go overboard trying to make up the difference…,” she adds.

“But going overboard is what I do!” Luz grins, much to proud of that, and Amity rolls her eyes but smiles fondly at her.

“I know you do. It’s just…,” she pauses, and Luz can see her making that face that means she’s thinking about what to say. “It’s overwhelming sometimes,” she finally says and Luz blinks, smile falling as she looks at the pensive look that has slipped onto Amity’s face.

“My going overboard? I can work on pulling it back…,” she starts but Amity is shaking her head.

“No, Luz, not that, and don’t do that, I love you just how you are.” She stops her, and those words make a whole host of emotions rise up in Luz. She can’t help it, after being the outcast all her life in the human world, but she pushes that aside for now. She needs to stay focussed! She unwinds her arm from Amity’s and turns to better face her.

“What’s overwhelming then?”

Amity doesn’t hesitate for more than a second.

“Being loved by you,” she finally says, and brown eyes widen at that. “Sometimes, it just feels like so much all at once and I feel like I don’t deserve it all,” she admits.

“That’s not…,” Luz begins but Amity’s hand on her mouth stops her.

“Just… let me finish?” she pleads, looking at Luz. She nods and Amity pulls her hand away. She looks sad and Luz frowns, she wants to tell her how wrong she is, but she waits. Just more time to gear up for her rebuttal.

“You're… so kind and loving… and I’m just not. So I can’t help but wonder why you love me…,” Amity trails off and turns away from Luz to look out at the water, hands on her knees, pulled up to her chest, unable to look at Luz right now.

Luz pursed her lips. Leave it to Amity to not see how great she is and that just isn’t going to fly with Luz.

“Can I talk now?”

Amity nods.

“Excuse the language, but that’s crap, Amity,” she says plainly and Amity whips back to look at her, gold eyes wide.

“Eda says when it comes to kindness I’m a freak of nature, so you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to me or to anyone for that matter! You’re one of the kindest, most loving people I know!” Luz starts. “And maybe, yeah, you’re not great at outwardly showing it, but I know that’s your parent’s fault.” She reaches over and takes hold of one of her girlfriend’s hands.

“When you didn’t know it was me and turned me down at the masquerade, I could tell how upset and sorry you were, because you’re kind like that, you don’t like hurting people, and hate it when you do. You read to little kids at the library, and put up with a lot of my nonsense…”

“Luz…”

“Hup up.” Luz stops her with a finger on her lips. “Not done.” She smiles, pulling away her finger and Amity frowns, but remains quiet. “As far as loving goes, someone who wasn’t wouldn’t always be running their hands through my hair the way you do, or take care of me when I’m throwing up 'cause I eat all kinds of weird things I’m apparently allergic to, and try so hard to recreate my favorite food for me, or hold me for hours while I’m a sobbing mess. So, yeah, that’s crap!” Luz looks at her sternly. “You ARE kind and loving and you deserve everything,” she finally finishes, squeezing her hand.

Amity is biting her lip and getting teary again. She only just manages to keep them from falling and wipes at the few that have gathered in the corners of her eyes with her free hand.

“Well, I don’t want everything…,” she finally managed to get out. “Just you.” She squeezes back.

“You already have me, amor,” Luz tells her with a bright smile.

Before Amity can say anything else a loud sob makes them jump and look over their shoulders.

Gus, Willow, and the twins are standing a few yards away and Emira is biting her lip, trying to stifle her crying while Gus is openly sobbing into Willow’s shoulder while she pats his back and Edric looks a little choked up as he stands there awkwardly holding a tray of uncooked food.

“How long have you been standing there?!” Amity screeched, face almost purple all the way to her ears, and Luz has also turned a bright shade of crimson at her friends bearing witness to this, supposed to be, very, very private moment.

“Since… Amity… said she didn’t deserve Luz’s love!” Gus helpfully cries before going back to sobbing into Willow’s shoulder.

Edric shuffles his feet awkwardly in the sand.

“We thought you’d hear us coming and stop talking, but then you didn’t and…,” he trails off, unable to look at his baby sister or her girlfriend.

“Then we couldn’t interrupt…,” Emira sniffles, wiping at her eyes, moved to tears by what she’d just witnessed.

“Sorry…” Willow grimaced, still consoling Gus.

“Well, this is awkward…,” Luz mumbles, scratching the back of her head.

Edric clears his throat, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Why don’t we get cooking?” He offers with an awkward smile and walks over to the fire pit, Emira nods and follows him, still wiping at her eyes.

“I’m gonna just… take care of this…” Willow leads Gus away from the group.

“It was so beautiful!” They hear his muffled cry.

Amity buries her face in her hands and groans loudly.

Luz pats her back.

“Me too…”

The awkward air hanging around the beach eventually disappears once the food is done and they all fall into easy conversation as they eat.

Luz sticks to the foods she knows, but the rot dogs are calling her name and she picks one up when her girlfriend isn’t looking.

Luz holds up a rot dog… it looks so good… but she knows the bun is bramblewheat bread…

Just a bite wouldn’t hurt…

Before she can get it in her mouth Amity slaps it out of her hand into the sand.

“No, Luz!” she scowls and Luz pouts while the twins snicker at them.

“Still thinks she’s kind?” Edric mock whispers and Amity turns red, this time a combination of embarrassment and anger.

“She’s allergic!” she barks at them, and they only howl with laughter.

When the food is gone, the sun is starting to dip toward the horizon and Luz jumps up, excited.

“I’m going to go get the cake!” she declares before turning and running toward the house.

“What kind of cake is it?” Amity turned to her siblings questioningly. Ed shrugs.

“Dunno, we put Luz in charge of the cake,” Emira says with her own shrug.

“So, hopefully, no bramblewheat,” Willow chuckles. Gus makes a face.

That catches Amity’s interest. There’s no telling what Luz has prepared.

Luz comes back a few minutes later with the white box and sets it on the small table they brought out.

She unboxes it to an appropriate chorus of 'oohs’ and 'ahhs".

With Lilith’s help, it actually came out quite beautiful.

The white icing is smooth as glass with a lip of smoothly piped icing keeping the jam filling on top from sliding down the sides.

“Oh, it’s beautiful, Luz!” Willow praises and Luz puffs out her chest. Sure Lilith helped, but Luz wanted to make it, so she had the elder Clawthorne walk her through every step, though maybe Lilith went back and smoothed the icing that may have been a little chunky when Luz was finished.

“Thanks, I made it myself.” She smiles proudly and Amity’s look of awe that had been trained on the cake is now on her instead.

“You made this?” Emira asks, bewildered. Edric also looks impressed.

“Lilith helped me some, she’s a crazy good baker, but, yeah!” She beams. “The Redstone bakery was closed so I couldn’t get a thornberry cake anywhere else.”

“It’s thornberry?” Amity is still looking at her amazed.

“Well, yeah, that’s your favorite,” she says casually. “Those were not easy to get…,” she mumbles, unconsciously reaching up to touch the bandage on her forehead. In the back of her mind, Amity makes a note to ask her about that later.

It amazes Amity how easily Luz can just do these things that mean so much to her and just shrug it off like it was expected. She’s starting to get misty-eyed again, and she is adamant that she’s not going to cry for a third time today, despite how determined Luz seems to be to make her. The twins seem to sense this.

“Well, let’s eat this bad boy!” Edric calls.

The assembled witches then quickly notice something though.

“What are those?” Gus is the first to ask, pointing at the fifteen little pink candles Luz has stuck on top.

“They’re candles…” Luz blinks at the cake and then back up at everyone else who is looking at her strangely.

“Yeah, but why did you put them on the cake?” Willow asks what everyone else is thinking.

“Oh! I guess you guys don’t do that, huh? It’s a human tradition. Usually, you put a candle for every year you are, and then you blow them all out and make a wish,” Luz explains to the gathered witches. “It’s just that your birthday is supposed to be… well, magical,” she chuckles to herself. “So the belief is if you make a wish on the candles it’s more likely to come true.” She shrugs. “I can take them off…,” she starts.

“No!” Amity almost shouts as Luz reaches for the little pink candles. “No, leave them… I do have a wish I want to make,” she says quietly and smiles.

Ed and Em smile at each other and twirl their fingers, and pale, blue spell circles appear before the candles light up in a flicker of flame.

Amity seems to think for a second, eyes closed before they open and she blows them out. Willow cheers and Gus waves his flags excitedly, and they make little whipping noises.

“Whoo!” Ed whoops and Emira leans down to press a kiss to the top of her sister’s head, making her cheeks pink.

“Cake time!” Luz grins and starts cutting it up, humming to herself, unaware of Amity watching her with that same small smile as she does.

Luz hands Amity a piece as she sits back down next to her.

“Is it any good?” Luz looks around nervously as everyone takes a bite.

“I think this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten…,” Emira mumbles in amazement and Edric just stuff’s more cake into his mouth.

“It’s fantastic, Luz!” Willow praises and Gus nods, following the older boys, lead, trying to shove more cake into his full mouth.

A delighted hum at her side makes Luz look at Amity who looks absolutely smitten by the dessert and Luz grins. Amity catches her gaze and her cheeks pink but she is smiling so hard she can’t stop it.

“It’s amazing, Luz,” is all she can say. There are so many words but none of them do what she’s feeling justice.

She doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to this feeling that consumes her entire being when Luz is near, and she really doesn’t want to.

Between the six of them, all that remains of the cake are some smears of icing and crumbs. The sun has set as they move back into the house so they can give Amity their gifts.

Gus proudly presents her with a book he found. 'A witches guide to humans’.

“I thought this might come in handy for you. It’s got all kinds of facts about humans,” he explains.

“I am both intrigued and mildly offended by the implication that I’m an animal from the wild…” Luz makes a face at the book and Amity grins. The twins just laugh at her.

“You can be pretty wild…,” Willow supplies helpfully.

“Fair”

“Thank you, Gus.” Amity smiles at the younger witch, who grins.

“Here, Amity.” Willow smiles, handing the other witch a potted plant. Their flowers with wide, pure white petals.

“It’s an Emoticanthea plant. Also known as…”

Amity reaches up to touch one of the flowers and they all suddenly shift to a bright sunny yellow.

“Mood flowers,” Willow laughs and Amity grins at them.

“Oh, that’s cool!” Luz breathes, leaning in close to look at it. Amity glanced at her and smiled. the flowers change to a deep fuchsia and Willow giggles as Amity whips her hand away from the petals.

“Thank you, Willow,” Amity says, cheeks pink. This was a dangerous plant when Luz was near.

“Oh!” Luz digs in her pocket and pulls out the small dark blue wrapped gift. “Here Amity, this is… it’s from Lilith, but she said only if you want it.” She holds out the present.

Amity hesitates.

She wants to forgive her old mentor, she does. She’s just afraid of being hurt again. She trusted Lilith and she used her to cheat. She wouldn’t say her pride wasn’t stung by the fact that she hadn’t thought she could win under her own power. Though now the idea of trying to beat Luz in a witch’s duel is completely ridiculous to her.

“Taking the gift doesn’t mean you have to forgive her,” Luz says after a few seconds. “She’s trying…”

Amity nods and takes the package and pulls away the paper. She opens it and her eyes go wide.

“Whatcha get?” Edric leans over, trying to see into the open package.

Amity pulled out a necklace.

It looks like a large coin made of carved stone, with runes etched into the surface around it and they glow a faint pink in Amity’s hand. All the witches in the room look shocked, so Luz knows she’s missing something.

“What is it?” she finally asks, tilting her head curiously and glances around at the others.

“It’s a power amulet…,” Amity mumbles numbly.

“A what?” Luz is as confused as ever.

“A power amulet,” Willow says. “Their ancient magic artifacts. They’re incredibly rare, you wear it, and over time it absorbs power from you to store. So if you’re in danger or something you can use up all the stored power in the amulet to cast a much more powerful spell,” she explains.

“Oooooh” Luz looks at the stone coin hanging from a braided cord in a whole new light. “Magical present,” she mumbles with awe.

“Wow, Mittens, that’s some gift.” Emira stares at it wide-eyed.

“Yeah, I’ve never seen one before, just pictures in our textbooks,” Edric agrees.

Amity thumbs the coins gently. Willow is right, as far as anyone knows there are very few power amulets remaining in the boiling aisles, full-grown witches spend years of their lives searching for power amulets in vain. Where did she even get it, and to just give it to her?

Amity doesn’t know what to think.

For now, she slips it back into its box and nods, saying nothing.

“Didn’t you guys get her anything?” Luz turns to the twins, in an effort to break the sudden tension in the room; it works.

“The party is our present,” Emira says.

“Yea, and what’s with the accusations, you didn’t give her anything.” Edric sticks out his tongue.

“Luz doesn’t need to get me anything, she’s done enough.” Amity is quick to jump to her girlfriend’s defense. It’s true though, Luz has done so much for her, she doesn’t need more.

“Well, I didn’t buy you anything,” Luz admits. “But I do have a gift for you.” She grins excitedly. “We’re going to have to go back outside though.”

She and Edric carry the two large boxes she brought back out to the beach while everyone else follows in the dark.

Luz sets it down and starts digging through it, buzzing with excitement.

“You guys don’t have this on the Isles, so I thought this would be perfect to celebrate your birthday!” Luz says to Amity, grinning wildly.

“It’s not going to explode is it?” Amity asks with a laugh. She finds herself asking this question much too often ever since meeting Luz, she’s mostly joking though.

“Actually, yes.” Luz grins, and that grabs everyone’s attention.

The twins look absolutely giddy with excitement while everyone else looks very concerned by her answer.

“What is it?” Amity asks, suddenly worried.

“Patience, mi amor.” Luz smiles deviously as she pulls some long tube-shaped things from the box and moves away to stick them in the sand at the water’s edge. She lines up several and turns to them.

“Ready?” she asks, and her grin couldn’t be brighter, so against her better judgment, Amity nods.

“Yes!” The twins shout.

Luz pulls out a fire glyph and taps it.

She holds the flame up to the bottom of the tubes and a sizzling sound fills the air. They watch the small sparks travel up toward the bottom of the tube and suddenly it erupts, shooting into the sky, making everyone jump.

It climbs higher and higher before suddenly exploding in a bright wash of colored lights.

“Wow!” Gus shouts, Edric and Emira whoop, while Amity and Willow watch in amazement.

Luz runs down the line of tubes and lights them and the air is filled with explosions and colors of varying patterns.

When the last ones die down she turns to the witch’s who are still staring up at the sky in wonder.

“What was that!?” Gus turns to her and he’s still grinning.

“They’re called fireworks,” Luz says. “You shoot them off at celebrations and stuff.”

Edric is suddenly digging through one of the boxes, excited, and pulls out a package of long, hand-sized tubes. They’re significantly smaller than the ones Luz just set off.

“What are these?” he asks, turning to Luz

“Oh, those are Roman candles.” Luz takes them and opens it, handing him one. “Here…” she directs his arm out toward the ocean and lights the fuse. It sizzles for a few seconds and then a flaming blue ball shoots out of the end of it. He’s startled at first but then grins as they continue to shoot out the end at intervals, making a puffing sound as they do.

Luz hands one to everyone.

“Just light the fuse.” She shows them, and then they’re going off everywhere.

“This is awesome!” Gus says and Willow laughs in agreement.

Amity’s face is alight with astonishment as she watches them shoot over the ocean and Luz is smiling as she stands at her elbow, watching.

“In the human world people like to have roman candles fights,” she says.

“What’s that?” Amity turns to her.

“People shoot them at each other.”

Upon hearing that, the twins turn to each other with wicked grins and suddenly brightly colored flaming balls are whizzing back and forth across the beach, and then everyone is running and shooting, shrieks of laughter echoing everywhere.

When they’ve used them all up Luz shows them some of the other items in the box and the twins are delighted by the pen missiles and their loud screeching sounds as well as the smoke bombs. If they pocket a couple for later use, no one notices.

Luz explains the mechanics and then everyone is digging things out of the box and the beach is awash with pops, explosions, and bright colored lights. Luz digs out a small box and trots over to where Amity is sitting in the sand, watching the other four set off different things.

She plops down beside her and smiles as she pulls two long sticks out of the box and hands one to her.

“I think you’ll like these, they’re called sparklers,” she says and lights it and it begins to pop and crackle, throwing off sparks.

Amity jumps at first but when the sparks cause no pain, relaxes, smiling. She doesn’t think she’s stopped smiling all day.

“So, you like it?” Luz asks after a few moments of comfortable silence.

“I love it.” Amity turns to her and Luz can see the joy that lights up her entire face, and she feels incredibly proud of herself. “This… everything, it’s all just been so amazing,” Amity says, leaning into her and Luz wraps an arm around her back and squeezes.

“I’m glad.” Luz is grinning back.

Now that it’s dark, the beach is getting cold, and that’s a fine excuse for Amity to sit as close to Luz as possible, not that she really needs one.

Luz touches her sparkler to Amity and it lights.

“Watch this.” She quickly twirls it around and Amity can see the word 'Luz’ trace through the air, following the motion.

She reaches out and flicks her own wrist and her name traces through the air, making her giggle, which in turn makes Luz laugh.

They sit there, flicking out different shapes and words as they work through the box of sparklers.

Luz draws a heart in the yellow light before her sparkler dies and If it’s possible Amity smiles wider, and with the last dregs of her own, she flicks her wrist and the words 'i love you’ are traced in the air in bright light before it fades away, leaving them in the dark.

The next thing Luz knows is Amity’s hand on her cheek, turning her head and then her lips are on hers.

Everyone else is too preoccupied with watching the lights and colors of their fireworks to notice them.

They empty one box and decide to save the other for tomorrow night as they pack up and head inside, it’s nearly frigid out now.

It’s late and everyone is partied out.

They say their goodnights and make for the rooms they’ve been given for the weekend.

Amity walks into her room after brushing her teeth and sees a second bag sitting on the bed that is not hers. Before she can go ask anyone, Luz walks in and freezes upon seeing her.

“Did you need something, Luz?” She turns to her girlfriend.

"No, just… the twins said this was my room…,” she trails off and Amity blinks before scowling and stomping over to the doorway, past Luz, and sticks her head into the hall.

“Edric, Emira!” she yells and somewhere in the house, they hear loud snickering and the sound of running feet.

Amity growls, rolling her eyes before pulling her head back into the room.

“This is my room and they know it,” she grumbles.

“Oh, well Gus and Willow are in the other two rooms. I can go sleep on the couch,” Luz offers.

“No,” Amity says, and the tone leaves no room for argument. “You can stay here, we’ve slept in the same bed before,” she reminds, closing the door.

“I know, I just didn’t want to…” Luz makes some vague hand gestures. “…assume anything,” she finally says with a shrug.

“You’re fine, querida,” Amity says, kissing her cheek, and Luz smiles. She’ll never tire of that word coming from Amity’s lips.

“I’m gonna go change in the bathroom.” Luz hooks a thumb over her shoulder and goes to dig through her bag, pulling out some clothes and dashes out of the room.

Amity changes into her own nightwear and crawls under the covers.

She reaches over and pulls the book Gus gave her out of her bag and starts flipping through it.

It has a lot of interesting things but some of them sound so outlandish she’s not sure if it’s fact or not. Luz is kind of strange at times. Always in a good way, but strange nonetheless.

She’s been flipping through it for a few minutes when the door opens and Luz comes back in wearing her shorts and a tank top.

“Is that the book Gus gave you?” she asks, stuffing her clothes into her bag before crawling into bed and snuggling into her side, draping an arm across her waist and resting her face on Amity’s arm to look at the pages.

“Mhmm” she flips a page.

“Well, what does it say? Should I have a tail or wings?” she asks laughing. “Cause I’ll feel cheated if I should.”

Amity chuckles at her.

“No, no wings,” she says.

“Aww…,” she says sadly and Amity rolls her eyes.

“It says you shed your skin twice a year… do you?” Amity looks at her curiously.

“Not last I checked…” Luz grinned up at her.

“Spit acid venom when threatened…” Amity can barely read it with a straight face and Luz chokes on her laughter. The more they read the more ridiculous it gets.

“Where do they come up with this stuff?” Luz snickers and Amity grins.

“Well, I know you can’t glow in the dark…,” Amity says reading another line.

“No, but how great would that be?!” Luz lights up at the idea and Amity just laughs, finally closing the book and setting it on the bedside table.

“For you, that would be perfect,” Amity agrees, shuffling to lay down. She presses a brief kiss to Luz’s grinning mouth. “Goodnight, Luz.”

“Night!”

She draws a spell circle and the candles go out, casting the room in darkness.

She rolls onto her side and Luz quickly sucks up to her back, snuggling into her

They’re quite a while but Amity keeps shuffling around like she’s uncomfortable.

“You okay?” Luz mumbles after a while.

There’s a pause.

“Yeah…”

Luz frowns in the dark.

“You sure?”

Amity pauses, thinking. There’s something she wants but feels embarrassed to ask even though she knows that’s silly.

She mumbles something that Luz can’t quite hear.

“What?” she asks, and Amity sighs silently to herself.

“Can I… be the big spoon?” she mumbles and feels her face heat up in the dark, especially when she feels the hot breath from Luz’s laugh on the back of her neck.

“Of course, mi amor” she moves her arm and flips over and Amity is quick to turn and wrap her arm around Luz, her face buried in between her shoulder blades and she hums contentedly at the warmth and earthy smell she’s come to associate with the human, happy as she gets to hold Luz for a change, and pointedly ignoring her girlfriends knowing giggling.

They’re quiet again for a long while, Amity is nearly about to drop off before she feels Luz’s hand on hers in the dark.

“Hey…”

“Hmm?” Amity hums drowsily, eyes closed.

“It’s midnight,” Luz says and were she more awake she would be able to hear the glee in those words.

“And?” The word is a sleepy, half mumbled slur, and Luz feels the word as much as she hears it with Amity’s face pressed into her back.

“Happy birthday, Amity.” The hand on hers squeezes gently.

That brings her back to full consciousness.

She just squeezes Luz tighter.

#Lumity #Moonlit Masquerade #Edric Blight #Emira Blight #Gus Porter #Willow Park #fic #toh #the owl house

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captainsuke · 4 years ago

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Yusuf should be asleep, he should be wrapped around his husband's body, taking strength from the warmth he's never quite felt anywhere else.

Instead he's in the kitchen, the cool metal grip on his pistol warmed by his hand wrapped white knuckled around it.

He'd heard a noise.

He'd dreamed he'd heard a noise.

It doesn't matter. It's late and the little cottage they are currently calling home is empty, except for his sleeping husband, and Joe, standing vigil in the dark.

(rest of fic under the cut for all you ao3 haters)

There's a small gap between window and wall, and the wind flows through it with a whispering wail. Once all houses creaked and swayed and whistled with the wind, little leaks with pots that were emptied in the morning, a row of fine dust along the window sills and under the doors gifted from a night of wild wind. Now these things are considered nuisances, problems to be torn down and rebuilt new and unremarkable. His heart feels heavy tonight, the feeling of long years catching up on him and curling it's fingers around his soul.

Joe looks out the window of his and Nicky's little Maltese cottage, the moon shines bright enough behind shifting clouds that even the slivers of light allow Joe to see the branches of the apple tree in the front garden sway with the cool night's breeze. Many summers ago they'd laid in the shade of that tree, eating the sweetly tart fruit until they'd made themselves sick. He has a sketch - or eight - of the passing shadows dappling Nicky's face as he'd laid back, full and content.

A memory stacked upon another memory from the days they'd done the same with Andromache, years and years ago, four, five hundred years ago, filling their bellies with overripe apricots after several long hard years of fighting and barely being able to tell if they had even made a difference, let alone actually helped anyone. Even now Joe can close his eyes and see Qýuhn's hair blowing free in the cooling winds coming up along the Peloponnese peninsula. Andromache's fingers sticky with pasteli, her cheeks rosy where she laid them on Qýuhn's thigh. Nicolò, sunbleached and glowing in the golden of light of a Mediterranean sunset.

He remembers retelling the apple story when they'd all met up again, Booker with his ever present flask, Andy sharing long drinks from it, all them tired but smiling, leaning heavily of the heavenly taste of crisp apples and the folly of gorging on enough fresh fruit to upset their stomachs. Because it made Booker laugh. Because it gave them all something to laugh about, to distract themselves from the weather turning and Sèbastien's eyes growing cagey as the winter's teeth started to bite.

Nicky had stoked the cottage's fire til they'd been sweating in front of the tiny hearth, toasty and ridiculous in their undergarments, with thick woolen socks on their feet in respect for the wild weather that battered at the windows. He'd felt happy that they'd managed to turn that haunted look to smiling eyes that crinkled at the edges. Had that moment meant something? Anything? Nothing? Was the glow in his eyes merely momentary? A trick of light and the gleam of drunken eyes?

Would this be the rest of his days? Questioning every moment, desperately searching for where he went wrong, where he should have noticed Booker's pain. Looking for the moment that had been Sèbastien's last straw.

It's funny, Joe can joke, he can laugh, he can make vague reference and yell angry accusing words, he can recite a bit of original poem he's writing as he speaks, but he can't work out how to open his mouth and say the words why did you hurt me?

He's always horribly envied Nicky's ability to put his hurt away, to shelve it for later, or never if he feels it best. Even as he's pulled his hair out in frustration as his other half willfully tears himself to pieces in an effort to find a way to please everyone.

Oh, he knows they're both different shades of Not Dealing Well, both of them like a purpose to distract themselves.

Foolishly, stupidly, for a wild moment Joe wishes for someone else to try for them, to attack them, just so he can slip back into the head space of being a unit, a simple moving part in a machine much larger than himself, Nicky and him working hand in hand, two halves of a whole.

He desperately wishes for that feeling, for anything other than devastated, tearing, hating hurt that sits on his lungs like peine forte et dure, each time he feels like the worst of the pain has occurred he remembers some other occasion, some other memory now colored by betrayal.

He can forgive, he can sympathize, he can hold his brother close and cry for the losses he's suffered.

But anger stabs through at the thought of him not returning that empathy. Like he and all the kin before Booker haven't suffered days of death and nights of death. Day after day, month after month of unimaginable loss, not knowing how to stop it, how to help it, just enduring as time pass uncaring of the pain felt.

He's held Nicky as he begged for the end, for them to finally (please, please, please) be released from the unrelenting years of horrors, just as Nicky has pulled him close while he cried, screamed, wailed for even the slightest chance of reprieve. From the widow with dead eyes and fevered blush, burying her last child and going back to work at the sick houses, for the children with nothing – nothing - yet who could still muster a smile, for Nicky spitting blood, choking, drowning, dying, then coming back to do it all over again. Never ending and relentless.

This is stupid.

He is being stupid.

Awake in the middle of the night, stalking around their Malta house gun in hand, the most unnatural state of himself, but unable to rest, convinced that if he relaxed, if his guard dropped for a moment, he would lose it all.

He places the gun on the table, sits down, there's no peace or answers to be found in an old cottage kitchen by the sea at midnight.

All there is, is the long shadows of moonlight between furniture, the evening dishes neatly washed and drying on the sink, a glass full of pens on the table, Joe's gun now sitting atop Nicky's latest writing attempt. Never long, never complicated, Joe found himself devastated by each small letter his husband left for him, even the three thousand that merely read I love you ♥♥♥♥, he held each one to equal esteem, though Nicky barely seemed to remember writing them, he would just smile and say I was thinking of you.

you unmake me.

you remake me.

everyday

Doodled across cheap lined notepaper, tucked under his dinner plate. They'd shared that meal just a few hours ago, Nicky's eyes had been tired but he'd kissed Joe's curls with a soft smile as he'd served dinner.

A meal that had taken more than half the day to create because if Nicky had the time he found peace in simmering oil and tomatoes, in adding all the extra ingredients that might make an Italian swear but had delighted them so when they'd first tasted them, that now they'd add them to whatever meal they could.

It'd been less than a week and Nicky was already on first name basis with the halal butcher a few blocks away, and many a day they stroll the streets, collecting fresh produce from the little garden markets, stopping by Zakaria's so he could wrap the evening meal with a only my finest cut for my favorite customers and a wink, despite having claimed the same to the little Italian grandmother before them, blushing and waving her hands in a flustered, delighted stop motion.

Joe closes his eyes, feeling suddenly overwhelmed, like his heart would be beat out of his chest, fall out onto the floorboards that they'd sanded and placed lovingly when they'd first started rebuilding this little cottage. Nicky could live his life with just Yusuf and the sea and be happy, but Joe needed people, needed to see people living their lives no matter how mundane. No matter how out of sorts he's been since they arrived, exhausted and devastated from London, Nicky hadn't forgotten that.

And so Nicolò knows the butcher by name, and, in turn, Zakaria's fisherman boyfriend, who stocks the butcher shop with the freshest of catches and shies away from company, with deep sad eyes and ankle bones that jut out like he needs a Nonna to fuss over him.

And so he's befriended the old ladies from the markets who give him unsolicited advice on his roses, on his apple tree, on the lush green vine that flowers bright bursts of color, on how to keep That Nice Young Man He's Always With happy.

And so each of these people is a friend of Joe's as well.

Joe takes one last long look out the window. Daring anyone who might be out there to take the moment. To give him a reprieve from his thoughts.

But the apple trees branches are the only thing moving. Wind rustling leaves the only sounds to be heard over the soft ebbing crash of waves in the distance.

There's no respite to be found tonight, he thinks as he put his pistol away. Part of him aches to remain armed, to keep vigilant, because last time, last time, but he won't walk into their bedroom with a loaded gun in hand. Not tonight when he feels like his very soul has been twisted, not when he still feels as if unseen eyes are watching him.

As Joe closes the bedroom door behind him, eyes open slow but sharp, immediately awake, perhaps awake before Joe came in. His Nicky is a light sleeper, more prone to 3 or 4 hours sleep before waking alert and ready to face the living hours,.

Nicky's eyes go soft, the faintest of gentle smiles curling his lips as he focuses on Yusuf.

“Where are you, my love?” he asks with quiet rasping voice of someone newly woken.

He doesn't know, he feels adrift, but Nicky's hand moves, reaches out and Joe crosses the room to take it as the lifeline he needs.

“What do you need?” His voice is steady and calm and ready to promise anything in his power to Joe.

And Joe feels his heart constrict, he can't live without this man, he thinks wildly

(a flash, a dagger in the dark, Nicolò on the ground, a halo of his blood, his beautiful skull, his precious brains scattered across the floor without second thought)

he wants to know Andy's okay, he wants her and Nile here immediately so he can see for himself that they're safe, he wants Qýuhn in his arms so much it physically aches. He wants her dark humor and her sharp eyes. He wants to hear her screech like stepped on cat whenever something delighted her. He wants Booker snorting into his wine at some stupid joke, he wants to know he's alive, that he hasn't thrown himself into another stupid situation.

In the morning, he thinks, in the morning he'll speak to Nile, her occasional furtive texting isn't quite as secretive as she perhaps thinks but none of them had felt the need to tell her to stop.

In the morning, he can wait til morning to soothe the lies and worries that his anxiety haunts him with. Til then, he threads his hands tighter with Nicky's, lets him pull Joe to bed, lets him rearrange them til he's flat on his back with Joe's head is resting on his chest, Nicolò's heartbeat in his ear.

He keeps a hold of Joe's hand, brings it up to his lips, presses a kiss to where they're joined, then curls it close to Joe and his chest, as if shielding it against the rest of the world.

“You, just you.” Joe tells the darkness.

“You have me,” Nicolò says, his breath, his lips, his jaw moving against Joe's curls.

“What do you need?” He asks again, free hand coming to rest, cradling Joe's head, gently gently he feels fingers move lightly in tiny soft circles.

“Tell me something.”

Joe pulls their joined hands close, presses his own kiss against Nicky's long fingers, holds it close enough for his breath to warm skin “Please. Tell me something good.”

It's a hard ask, he knows, he knows, every good moment of their lives can be tied to a bad one, the past could be a minefield with no directions or signs. But Nicolò rarely shied from a challenge.

“Did I ever tell you of the time Qýuhn demanded to know my intentions with you?”

“But she loved you!” He mumbles against their joined hands.

“Yes she did, but she loved your heart just as fiercely.” Nicky's chest moves against Joe's cheek as he snorts, amused, “We'd had to have been intimate for almost a year by this time, but she had me feeling like a sham of a man standing before the most beautiful man's guardian, offering a pauper's dowery.”

Joe starts shifting to argue but the hand on his head keeps him still, gentle but firm.

“It was good. To be reminded that you had someone else who would fight for your happiness, that my love for you was visible enough to be challenged, a reminder that we both still had family even if it looked very different to what we'd been born with. It'd been nice to know no matter how much I felt I didn't deserve, I'd been ready to fight for the right to let that be your decision.”

“You do deserve me,” the gentle circles on his scalp are making him sleepy but he puts a token argument, the principle of no one was allowed talk shit about Nicky, not even Nicky, one he was always ready to defend.

“Hush, you asked for a story, this is my story.”

“Scusi, scusi,” he kisses Nicky's hand again, “tell your story, tell me how you convinced me that Qýuhn you were worthy of my hand in marriage.”

He swears he can hear Nicky smile in the dark.

“I didn't, Andromache came in and declared they should leave us to make our mistakes and then stab which ever of us was most in the wrong.”

Joe can't help but laugh. “Qýuhn like that?”

He feels Nicky's soft laughter vibrate through his skin, he wants to die like this, in a moment like this, just the two of them entwined.

“No, she called Andy soulless and unromantic, they went outside to spar. We didn't see them again til morning, and Qýuhn never mentioned it again, so maybe Andy had a little romance in her.”

“How have I never head of this story?”

Nicky's answering chuckle is a delight.

“You came back and we had the house to ourselves for the entire night.” The hand on Joe's head flexes, like he wants to hold Joe as tight as he is can but its as much as their position allows. “It was a good day. We were loved, we are loved.”

He wants to crawl inside Nicolò, live forever embraced by his heart, to feel every lung full of breath press against him

“Sleep my love,” Nicky says leaning low to press his cheek against Joe's curls, to place an unaimed kiss to his forehead.

Sleep.

Nicky’s heartbeat is a sure and steady thing against his ear

(a monitor screaming as his lives hand falls limp against restraints)

Joe squeezes his eyes tightly shut then forces himself to relax, to hear the beat that's been by his side for a thousand years. He thinks of crinkles at the sides of Qýuhn's eyes when she grinned, the way she'd look to Joe when she found something fun to share.

He thinks of the way Booker's face grew soft in the late of the night when the game had long ended and everyone had gone to sleep and it was just the two of them, keeping the sleepless night company.

He thinks of the glow of Nile's face when they walked the halls of the National Museum, her excited but obviously knowledgeable commentary, how he itches to draw the lines of her joy over and over til he gets it just right.

He thinks of Andy in Marrakesh, the feel of her ribs reverberating with the force of her laugh as he swung her around. She's mother, weird aunt, odd stranger, honored elder, pain in the ass know-it-all older sister and so many more things he can not think to name, but she's theirs, and it's going to take a lot more than mortality to take her from them.

He swears it.

Finally he thinks of Nicky.

Nicky with long hair in his face, of the ever changing color his eyes across the firelight, of the weight of his body passed out, sated atop Yusuf, of the weight of his body lifeless as Joe pulled him somewhere to revive safely. The heaviness of his gaze and the weightlessness of even his smallest smile. Of his hands as they held Joe together, the gentleness of his touch as he put him back together. Of the unique light in his eyes, the fire that burns brightest when his sword is out. He thinks of words freely given when speech was hardest, he thinks of the uncountable I love you's, the innumerable languages he's learnt just to speak them and hear them back.

He thinks of hot blood spattered across his face and the way Nicolòs eyes would fight to meet his own when the end was coming. He thinks of the tightening of hands before they became unbearably limp. He thinks of the bad deaths, of eyelashes glued together with tears as hes gasped alive and the watery smile that followed. He thinks of Nicky moving, his sword swinging, on broken ankle, spitting blood and still moving.

His head, his heart, his life is full, and sometimes it feels like he'll drown with all that's in it.

Nicky's hand moves from his head, moves to stroke down his spine, long and slow in repetition.

Sleep he says again, his own voice thick at the edge of sleep himself.

Joe hugs a small breath, then slows his breathing to match the deep level breathing of Nicolò asleep. He thinks about the first time they slept like this, arms around each other, tangled and holding tight. He thinks of the countless times he's rubbed his nose against the back of Nicky's neck as he tried to catch just a little more sleep time.

There's a heaviness growing in his limbs as he half dreams of Nicky as he wraps himself around and burrows himself closer to Nicky. Slowly, steadily and then suddenly all at once, the sense memory of nine hundred years in this man's arms lulls him into sleep.

#the old guard #joe x nicky #yusuf al kaysani #tog fic #fic #nicolò di genova #mine #teamsuke

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johaerys-writes · 4 years ago

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Fandom: The Song of Achilles Pairing: Achilles/Patroclus

Chapter 12: Still Waters of High-Flying Birds is up! This the second of the chapters that follow Achilles during his time in Skyros. Some light angst and pining, and Achilles getting to know Deidameia and the other girls a little bit better.

Read here or on AO3 | Read from the beginning

The unwrought wool was coarse and rough as Achilles rubbed it between forefinger and thumb. Deidameia had shown him how to spin it, thread it, coil it in loose skeins. He had been at this all morning, and now they were amassing in neat rows by his side.

Pagona, one of the maidens, was sitting beside him, working on her embroidery. She liked to sing as she worked, and sometimes the other girls joined her, but the hall was mostly quiet now. It was a lazy afternoon, and most of the girls had gone to rest, while Deidameia and her closest companions had stayed in the dancers’ hall.

The princess had swiftly taken a liking to him, keeping him close by her side wherever she went. Why that was, he could not tell, but he had soon found out that being on her good side was preferable. She was a noisy, demanding thing; her temper tantrums were known and feared the palace over, and not a few girls had received the sharp edge of her tongue in the short while Achilles had been there. Yet, with those in her favour, she was witty and affectionate, and surprisingly generous with her gifts and praise. Of Achilles she was particularly fond; she would often sit beside him and watch him work, or ask to braid his hair, or listen with avid interest when he played the lyre. Achilles quite liked her, actually, most of the time.

Achilles lifted his eyes from his work to gaze outside the lone window of the hall. The sun was hanging in the middle of the sky now, golden rays that made the sand and the sea far below glow iridescent in the light. If he listened carefully, he could hear the waves that rolled rhythmically against the shore, the wind that stirred the branches of the short pine trees close to the beach. Sea birds were flying high, gliding smoothly over water and land alike.

He sighed, the balls of wool forgotten in his lap. He longed to leave the stuffy room, to run down to the beach and dive under the waves. He wanted to stretch his muscles, to race and swim, to practice his spears. No matter how many hours he danced with the maidens, his limbs still felt heavy and stiff, and however long he spent spinning wool and plaiting flowers in garlands and wreaths his mind would just keep drifting from his tasks. Back in Phthia, he could walk to any corner of the palace and the lands beyond completely undisturbed. Here, in this windowless place, where guards stood at every entrance, he could only gaze outside the window, and dream. Almost he wished for another celebration or banquet, just so he could escape this confinement and walk out into the world.

How very dull, a woman’s life was.

“What is the matter, Pyrrha?” Pagona asked him, stirring him out of his thoughts. She had left her embroidery aside, and was now peering at him with tilted hazel eyes. She was from the north, from the mountains west of Vergina, and her accent was thick, her vowels flat and drawn out. “You are very quiet today.”

“I am well,” he told her with his woman’s voice. He suppressed another sigh as he tore his gaze away from the window and went back to spinning his wool.

Pagona watched him as he worked. “You often get this look in your eyes,” she said softly.

“What look?”

“One moment we’re all dancing and laughing, and then you’ll look away and sigh. As if the weight of the world is on your shoulders.”

“I do?”

“Yes,” she smiled. “It’s almost as if you’re in love. Are you?” Her eyes flashed with interest as she moved closer to him, lowering her voice so the other girls wouldn’t hear. “Did you have a... suitor, back in Phthia?”

Achilles frowned. “A suitor?”

“Yes. Or a special friend, if you will.”

Achilles swallowed thickly as Patroclus’ countenance flashed before his eyes. It had almost been two weeks since Achilles had seen him last. At times, he could feel his absence as sharply as an open wound; others it was a dull and ghost-like throb, like a missing limb. The ache was always there, even when he slept, even when he was busy with work or deep in thought. It still seemed impossible to him, right then, that they had spent so long apart. He felt dazed, as if the past several days, ever since he’d woken up on Skyros’ beach, were nothing but a dream. As if his eyes were closed, and when he opened them again he would see Patroclus there, smiling at him.

His throat constricted painfully. He pressed his lips together tightly and looked away.

“There it is again.” There was sympathy in Pagona’s features when she said, “You must really love him.”

“Who?”

Deidameia’s silvery voice pierced the relative quiet of the room. She had been practicing her dancing while one of the girls, Phrasikleia, was playing the flute for her. The music stopped abruptly as both girls stood still now, staring at them.

A mischievous smile widened Deidameia’s lips as she abandoned her dancing form and hopped to his side. “Well? Who is it?”

“Who’s who?”

“Oh, now you’re acting coy! I just heard you say you have a lover ,” she said in a lowered voice, her eyes flashing with enthusiasm. She folded her arms atop his shoulder and batted her eyelashes at him, waiting expectantly for his answer.

“Pagona said that, not I,” Achilles corrected her matter-of-factly, but Deidameia would have none of it.

“I know what I heard. And you, my dear Pyrrha, are blushing. So.” She brought her face even closer to his, until he could smell the faint scent of cloves on her breath when she spoke. “Who is this mysterious friend of yours? I want to know everything about him. Every little thing.”

“I…” Achilles started slowly, but Phrasikleia, who had also drifted closer, spoke up before he could.

“I bet he’s tall like a fir tree and strong like an ox,” she grinned, sitting on a plush cushion on the floor before him, her tight dark ringlets bouncing as she moved. “I bet he has a mighty beard like Ares, and a hairy chest like Heracles, and eats a whole roast pig everyday, all by himself. I bet he tosses you over his shoulder and carries you off to his hall whenever he pleases!”

“Oh, no, I don’t think he’s like that at all,” Pagona said with a chuckle, while Achilles stared at Phrasikleia in utter horror. “I think he’s fair like Phoebus Apollo, with delicate hands and a beautiful smile. I bet he’s very gentle and kind, to have won our sweet Pyrrha’s heart.”

“Nonsense!” Deidameia cut them both off with a dismissive wave. “Neither of you know what you’re talking about. I think Pyrrha has taken a satyr for a lover, short and stubby and ugly like a toad. That’s why she does not tell us of him.”

“What?” Achilles gaped at her. “He is not like that at all!”

She grinned wickedly, holding her tongue behind her teeth. “Ha! So there really is someone,” she said triumphantly. “I knew it!”

Achilles opened his mouth to speak, then closed it once more. The girls were all looking at him with gleeful smiles and bright eyes. Deidameia had laid out her trap, and he had walked right into it. He let out a soft sigh.

“Alright. There is someone,” he finally admitted. The girls leaned closer still, so they wouldn’t miss a word.

“Well?” Deidameia asked. “What does he look like?”

Achilles licked his lips and took a breath. “He… he is not too tall. Same height as me… perhaps a little shorter. His hair is dark, thick with curls. It quite never stays where it’s supposed to. And it’s always so tangled when he wakes, falling over his eyes, standing up in peaks… he tosses and turns in his sleep. I always tease him about it.”

Phrasikleia tilted her head to the side. “He is handsome, then?”

“He is.” He smiled sadly, “He doesn’t believe me when I tell him. He thinks himself quite plain. Yet he is anything but. He is unlike anyone I’ve ever seen.”

His lips quirked in a fond smile, just as his throat tightened once more. He hadn’t spoken about Patroclus to anyone for so long, and now he could do nothing to stop the words that tumbled out of him in waves. It was as if by speaking of him, he could summon his image in his mind, crystal clear. He could almost see his curls bouncing as he ran ahead of him, ducking under the low hanging branches of the maple trees in Pelion, the warm chestnut highlights in his hair catching the light of the early morning sun. His smile, now bright, then soft, then slipping sideways in that way Achilles knew so well. His eyes, watching him with warmth and adoration, with that tenderness that was reserved just for him. It made his heart ache with longing.

“Is he kind?” Pagona asked softly, urging him on. “Is he gentle with you?”

Achilles started to speak, but it was then that he realised that his eyes were stinging with tears. Gods, how he’d missed him. He hadn’t even realised how devastatingly hollow his days had been without him, until Achilles had found himself talking about him. It was too much to bear.

He swallowed thickly and nodded, looking away. He was sure that even if he tried to speak, he wouldn’t have been able to get the words out.

“Oh, dear. Please don’t start weeping, it would be quite the sight,” Deidameia said, but her tone wasn’t quite as abrasive as it usually was. She sighed as she leaned against him, stroking his hair. “I bet you’re pretty even when you cry, anyway.”

The other girls were quiet now, and Achilles could sense the sympathy in their silence. Pagona took his hand in hers, and her large, round eyes were filled with earnest compassion. “You’ll see him again one day,” she said in her soothing voice. “I know you will.”

“Yes, she probably will,” Phrasikleia said, gathering her legs up to her chest and perching her chin on her knees, “but her parents probably don’t want her to marry him. Why else would they send her here?”

Deidameia perked up, her lips widening in that mischievous smile of hers. “Then she’ll have to elope with him! Won’t you, Pyrrha?”

“Oh, stop it, Deidameia,” Pagona laughed. “She won’t elope with anyone. That will only bring shame upon her family.”

“There’s more shame in leaving the poor fellow pining after her! What if she leaves him for good, and he dies of a broken heart?” The princess swooned theatrically, falling into Achilles’ lap. “You couldn’t do that to him, could you, Pyrrha? It would be positively cruel.”

Achilles held her securely before she toppled on the marble floor at his feet. The other girls were chuckling with Deidameia’s antics, but he was as serious as ever. “I will never leave him,” he said solemnly, looking into Deidameia’s dark brown eyes. “I’ve given him my word. This is only temporary. Soon, we will be together again.”

She blinked up at him, taken aback by his earnestness. Her surprise lasted only for a moment before it melted away into a cunning smile. She reached up, tugging a lock of hair free from his scarf, as she often did, and curling it around her finger. “Our beautiful Pyrrha is quite the romantic, it seems,” she said softly, and in her eyes Achilles could see a flicker of understanding before it disappeared under the guise of a jest once more. “Who would have thought, hm?”

The moon was hanging high over the Aegean sea, casting its silver glow on its dark, glassy waters. It had been a long day and Achilles wanted nothing more but to retreat to his room, in his solitude, and finally take that dress off him and let his hair fall free around his shoulders. When his candle was out, and if he tried hard enough, he could almost forget that he was in a dark, windowless room. He could almost pretend that Patroclus was there, talking in hushed whispers with him until they both fell asleep.

He let out a soft sigh, untying the scarf from his hair, when the door of his room swung open. He spun around in surprise, more so because he hadn’t heard the approaching footsteps. Either his senses had grown dull, or…

His mother stood at the doorway, tall and imposing, her dark eyes flecked with gold glowing in the half dark. She was one of the few people whose footsteps he couldn’t hear, unless she wanted him to. Her presence now filled the room, absorbing the feeble, trembling glow of the candle. Behind her stood Deidameia. She was quiet and reserved, like a mouse, nothing like her usual talkative self. Achilles didn’t bother to hide the surprise and confusion that must have been plain on his features.

“Mother,” he said in his girl’s voice.

“Achilles.” His mother’s gaze was intent, piercing him to the bone. “Son of my womb. Blood of my blood.”

Achilles’ breath caught. He stood perfectly still, not moving a single muscle. He glanced instinctively at Deidameia, whose eyes had gone wide as saucers, her face as pale as the moon. Her gaze flicked from his mother to him and back, but Thetis didn’t deign to spare her a single glance as she spoke on.

“This,” she told the girl, her words sharp and steady like a freshly whetted blade, “is the prince Achilles. You are to tell no one that it is him. Do you understand?”

Deidameia’s expression was one of shock and confusion. She simply stared, dumb and stricken, until Thetis turned her head slowly to look at her.

“Answer, girl.”

The princess sucked in a breath and nodded quickly. “I- Yes. I do. My lady.”

“You are to be married to him. He is to be your husband.”

“What?” Achilles stepped forward. Surely, he must have misheard. “Mother, what is the meaning of this?”

Thetis’ features were hard when she turned to him. She let the silence stretch between them before she said, “You and Deidameia are to be married. Tonight.”

Each word was like a stone, pelting him mercilessly. “Married?” he breathed. For a brief moment the world spun around him, closing in on him. “You can’t mean it.”

“I do.”

“But—” He started, then stopped. His mother’s expression hadn’t shifted, nor had it softened. She truly meant what she was saying. Every single word.

His temper rose like riptide, rushing past his numbing disbelief. He straightened his spine, meeting his mother’s gaze levelly. “I will not do it,” he said, voice steady and firm. “This goes too far.”

“You must.”

“No.” His hands were balled into fists at his sides, his jaw clenched. Deidameia was staring at him now, the flickering light of the candle reflecting in her eyes. Whatever she saw in his face had her taking a step back, cowering in the shadows that clung to the corner of the room. No matter. She didn’t matter, no one did. There was a flame inside him, one that turned hotter and wilder with every second that passed. His mother could not do this to him. He would not let her.

“I am not marrying this woman,” he told her, tilting his chin up in defiance. “I am not marrying any woman. I already have a husband, and he is waiting for me in Phthia.”

Thetis’ eyes widened in what Achilles could only understand as genuine shock, and her nostrils flared. “No.”

“Patroclus is my husband,” he insisted, taking a step forward, “and I wish to go back to him, right now. You cannot keep me here any longer.”

In a blink of an eye, Thetis was standing before him, blocking his path. She was light and nimble despite her height, faster than he was. Achilles craned his neck to look up at her, but the blaze in her eyes did not stir any fear within him. “Mother, this is enough. Take me back.”

“If you go back to Phthia, you will both go to war. He might get injured, you might lose him, you might lose yourself.”

“Better to go to war with him, than stay in this place without him,” he spat, unable to keep his temper in check any longer. Anger was roiling within him, hot like molten steel, eating away the last of his control. Better far that they should go to war. It would be dangerous, but Achilles would keep Patroclus safe, no matter what it took, and they would be together. He and Patroclus were sworn to each other. He could not break that sacred bond. He would not. If going to war was what it took, spilling his blood and others’, then he would do it without hesitation.

For several long moments they simply glared at each other, neither saying a word. His mother's countenance was cold and expressionless, not a ripple disturbing the still waters. Deidameia was quiet as a shadow by the door, watching the entire scene with hungry, morbid curiosity.

Thetis let the silence linger between them. When she spoke again, her voice was low and controlled, but he thought he could hear a tone of regret in it. “I cannot let you go to this war, Achilles. You have to stay here, whether you like it or not. Marry Deidameia,” she said, speaking each word slowly and deliberately, “and I will tell Patroclus where you are. He will come here, and you will stay in Skyros until the war passes. You will be safe, both of you. But if you don’t…” She paused meaningfully.

“If I don’t?”

“He will never hear of you again. I’ll make sure of it.”

No.

The raging fires of his anger stilled, went silent. There was not a sound to be heard, no wind blowing outside the walls, no voice. The flame of the candle had ceased its endless flickering, as if it, too, was holding its breath. The world was caught in a stand still; a frozen, empty wasteland it seemed to him right then. A world where Patroclus was not there for him. For a moment, a brief, fleeting moment, he tried to picture his life without him: never touching him, never holding him, never gazing upon his face again. Never waking up next to him again, never hearing the sound of laugh again, never breathing the same air, ever again. A long life, steeped in misery without him.

His shoulders sagged, the breath he had been holding leaving him, the fight bleeding out of him. His mother knew him well enough to know that this was all the agreement she would get from him. She took Deidameia by the hand, somewhat forcefully, as if she was afraid he would change his mind, and bid her stand beside him. She placed Deidameia’s hand upon Achilles’ upturned palm. The words she spoke to bind them were not hurried, but spoken with low and quiet determination into the half dark of his chamber.

Deidameia glanced at him, and in her eyes he could see numbness and shock that must have mirrored his own. When his mother let their hands fall, it felt like he had just jumped off a high cliff, only to crash against the sharp stones far below.

And so was Achilles married to Deidameia.

#the song of achilles #tsoa #tsoa fanfiction #patrochilles #patroclus x achilles #patroclus #achilles #high flying birds #high-flying birds #johaerys writes

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yandere-ac · 4 years ago

Note

Could you do something with yandere Pietro or Dom I love them so much and I would love to see what my babies would be like ❤❤

Yandere Pietro X Reader

"Aaaaah y/n...ssssssuch a silly thou-*hicc*ought, hhhehe" Pietro had blurted out. The two of you were celebrating his birthday by relaxing by the beach and having a picnic. There you had given him your gifts, sung happy birthday and started to cut up the cake, which was fine and dandy. But then Pietro had busted out the Vacation Juice and well, that’s when things had started to become a little more blurry. It had started with just a couple of sips, but then you two were doing challenges and sooner or later you were both dizzy and giddy.

You had just suggested that you and him should start a circus together, which he had brushed off as a joke. "Nno, 'm serious Pietro. We should *hicc* totally do it! I cou-I could be the guy behind the lights and you could be the entertainer! Is’ genius!" You had blurted out. "Yeeeeeeah but we can’t just leave the island? You’ve got your job as island rep and I’ve got my job" Pietro responded as he looked at you contented. "Wah? You have a job?" This made you very much confused since there weren’t really any jobs on the island that you could think of. "Why yes of course! My job is being the greatest, most astounding villager around here!" He had stated triumphantly. This caught you off guard and made you snort. You playfully hit him on the shoulder and before you could react, Pietro had tackled you into a hug. The both of you fell onto the picnic blanket and you both started to laugh, but only for a little while. Yes, soon the laughter died down and you both just laid in each others arms, looking up at the sky, smiling.

"Thanks fo-or the offer y/n, but I’m perfectly content with living here on the island, entert-*hicc*taining our fellow islanders...with you..." that last part was very quiet, barely above a mumble. You weren’t sure if you were suppose to hear that part but you did. You liked Pietro, he was one of your first islanders and you two had quickly become close. By now you were practically *inseparable*.

He always kept you company even whilst you were doing your tasks, planting trees, terraforming, fishing, catching bugs, digging up fossils. It didn’t matter what you did, Pietro was always sure to follow you around, talking to you all whilst still having a smile. It was very sweet of him, sometimes keeping up the island was a chore but it was made much easier when you had someone to talk to. One time when you were walking by the beach, Pietro had given you a shell, saying that he thought it looked pretty. You still kept that shell, never once even thinking of selling it to Timmy and Tommy.

You and him had been through it all, the nooks cranny and plaza upgrade, the K.K. Slider concert, the May Day event, that horrid bunny day event. He’d been with you, from start to finish. And you wanted him to stay with you until the absolute finish. Or, at least you hoped so. You knew very well that there was a possibility that he might want to move away, but you always tried to shun that thought. It always made you so nervous and sad and now you were thinking about it and-

"Hmm? Is something wr *hicc* wrong? Honk honk" He could see the frown on your face, a frown that you hadn’t even realized that you had. "Oh...umm...Pietro? You...you enjoy your life on the island right? You don’t want to leave?" As you asked this, you could see his eyes widen and his face turn from confusion to worry. "Why, of course not. Why would you ever think I would? I love it here on the island!" He said, giving you a gentle smile. "I guess...I’m just kinda scared that you would find a better island and want to move there" you admitted to him, this had made him laugh. "Oh Y/N! No island is ever going to be better than this one! You wanna know why?" He quirked his eyebrow as his lips formed into a smug smile.

"Why?"

"Because this island has you"

The next morning you had woken up feeling rather stiff. Not because you had a bad bed or anything but because you and Pietro had fallen asleep right there on the beach, huddling close together for warmth. You in particular had buried your face in his soft wool, Pietro didn’t really mind, he knew that humans had a higher risk of catching colds since they didn’t have any fur. It had been nice at first. But now your back was hurting and your hair was full of sand. Waking up before Pietro you got up and instantly felt a sharp pain in your head. You winced and immediately put your hands on your head as if that would do anything to stop the pain. Good lord, if you were feeling like this, then you could only imagine how bad it would be for your sheep pal. He had drunken a lot, and I mean a LOT more vacation juice than you had.

You took a little while to let your nerves calm down and the pulsation in your head stop. And after taking a few deep breaths you stood up and pulled Pietro onto your back, giving him a piggyback-ride to his house were you safely tucked him in....well maybe not tucking him in, more like placing him on his moonchair. It’s not your fault that the madman refuses to get an actual bed. But now, it was onto the residential services, you had to let Tom and Isabelle know that you couldn’t work today.

Dragging yourself towards the resident services you appreciated that you had woken up early, since most of the other islanders were still asleep. You didn’t want them to see you like this, it took you everything to not go straight home so Tom and Isabelle didn’t see you like this. But you knew that they would be concerned if you didn’t show up. Opening the door, it had made the little bell on top of said door jingle. "Good morning Y/N!" You heard a certain yellow dog cheer. Her volume made you wince and cover your ears slightly. "Oh, sorry. Are you okay? Was I being to loud?" Isabelle and Tom were now fully turned to you, giving you all of their attention. "No, no. It’s fine Isabelle, just, keep it down a little right now. I have a hangover at the moment" this made Isabelle let out a sharp gasp and Toms eyes slightly wider. This wasn’t the first time you’d ever had a hangover, but it WAS the first time you’d ever turn up to "work" with a hangover. If you could even call it your work.

"A hangover? I don’t mean any disrespect Y/N, I truly don’t but why would you show up here then? Just go home and rest it off" Tom had told you. "Yeah, that’s what I’m planning to do, I just wanted to ask if you guys could handle all the rep tasks? You don’t have to do `em or anything but I just wanna know that you’ll be okay without me" now that you said it out loud it sounded a little stupid. Of course they could handle it, it’s not like you were really doing anything super important, and they both were adults. "Oh Y/N, how sweet of you. You know you don’t have to worry about keeping up with all the rep tasks right? This is your forever vacation! You don’t have to stress about not showing up everyday and work on the island" Isabelle had yipped happily, although a little quieter than usual of course. "Yes, yes. The deserted island getaway package is supposed to be relaxing, not pushing more work onto you. We’ll be fine. Go home and rest now" Tom told you with a smile. Seeing them both so supportive had made you feel warm inside. You had overworked yourself during these past few months, always wanting the island to be perfect. But this was your vacation after all. You thanked them both and just before you left Tom had told you: "And Y/N? Don’t feel obligated to come back after you’re better, you can take the next few days to yourself"

Oh god, everything was wrong! Everything was totally wrong!!! You had followed Toms request and had stayed inside for the day, not only that but the next two days. And when you came back, it turns out that a camper had visited the island, another sheep named Dom, he had heard of the islands good reputation and wanted to move in . But there was no room left on the island. And so, after some arrangements he had gotten to replace someone. And that someone had been Pietro.

But worst of all, Pietro had never even stopped by your house to say goodbye. You didn’t know if it was because he didn’t have any time or if he was mad. You hoped it wasn’t the latter but it wasn’t like it mattered anyways, you wouldn’t ever see him again. Once you found out from Isabelles morning announcements that a new islander had moved in and takes Pietros place you had stormed out towards Pietros house. To your horror it was a completely different house, and to hammer in the fact that Pietro was gone. The new resident had exited his house and greeted you. Once realisation hit you, you sunk to the ground, tears flowing out of your eyes. You couldn’t believe it, you refused to believe it! Your closest friend, the one person who had been with you since the very beginning. Gone! Just like that he was gone.

Your short stay inside your house and now extended to a week. A week, with no contact and no interaction with the island. Some of your friends on the island had slipped in some letters underneath your door but you couldn’t bother to read them. All you wanted to do was cry and mourn the loss of you friend. You felt like he had died, which he might as well have, you knew that once someone moved out, their chances of returning where next to nothing. And it made you deeply depressed to think about. You were mad at Tom Nook, you were mad at Isabelle, you were mad at the new Islander, you were mad at the world, you were mad at YOURSELF! But the one person, the only person that you’d never be mad at, was Pietro. The one who you needed the most.

It had taken a while, but you eventually got out of your house. Only to be immediately bombarded with apologies from Tom and Isabelle. As it turns out, there had been a mistake in the system that had allowed Dom, the new resident to replace anyone he wanted. They were both very upset and sorry about their mistake. It didn’t exactly make the situation any better, but you did eventually forgive the two. But that wasn’t the only thing that had changed during the week inside your house. You had noticed that your other fellow residents had started to treat you differently. They acted as if they were walking on eggshells around you, as if you could break at any second and they’d have to be there with the glue. It was very annoying, no one would talk to you like a normal person, but you did receive a lot of support, which was nice you supposed. Even Dom had tried to comfort you at some point, saying that he didn’t mean to separate you and your closest friend. But you had made it very clear to him that you didn’t want to talk to him at all, he was the one that did this. And you had no desire to ever forgive him.

But just like everything in life, eventually, you had to move on.

It was an ordinary day at the island, soon it would have been a year since Pietro moved out, and you had started getting used to life without him. By now, everyone was starting to act normal around you once again. You had grown closer to your other islanders and had even started to engage in conversations with Dom. You held less of a grudge towards him nowadays. He didn’t really know what he was doing when moving in. And he was pretty pleasant to talk with, although he was nowhere near your favourite resident.

You were going to fly to a deserted island to get more supplies and hopefully you would be dropped off at a rare island. As you were sitting in the seat of the airplane, you were conversing with Wilbur, your good friend and the captain of the plane. You found yourself often going to deserted island when you wanted to get away and be alone with your thoughts. Although that didn’t really happen that much since there were still other people going on island tours. They were nice, but you could never bring them with you since your island was now full.

In the distance you could see faint smoke coming from the island you were landing on. So there was another person there.

Stepping off the airplane, you walked off the docks and onto the island ground, you were in luck! The trees there were full of fruit that was not native to your island. You happily started to shake the trees and picking up the fruits that fell to the floor. That was all good until you saw the campfire off in the distance. And more importantly, who sat by it. You couldn’t believe your eyes, and you had to run closer to make sure your eyes weren’t deceiving you. Oh my god, it was-

"PIETRO!" You had shouted running up towards him and tackling him into a hug. You couldn’t believe it! He was here! He was okay! And he was-

"Oh...it’s you. Thought you didn’t want me in your life"

And he was mad.

"What?! No! Pietro listen to me! There was a big mistake!" You tried to explain, but by the look of his expression he was having none of it. "Save it, honk honk. You think I’m stupid? You let a new person move in, and then have the audacity to lock yourself inside, refusing to take contact and ignoring me before I was forced to move out!" The sheep’s eyes turned from angry to sad. "I...I though you loved me Y/N... I though we were friends... I thought we were gonna stay together, the two of us against the world... But I guess I was wrong" you could hear a small crack in his voice as he said this and soon your vision started getting blurry with tears. "Pietro, please listen to me, I never wanted this to happen. I wanted to stay together with you, believe me I did. I still do! But when that new islanders had come to the island he moved in without my permission. I was taking a break from my life as island rep and didn’t get the memo. Trust me! If I would have known about this. I would have stopped it! Please forgive me Pietro! I never wanted this to happen" you fell to your knees and started crying, you had finally found him again but now he hated you.

But little did you know, that was so far from the truth. As you wept into your hands you felt yourself being pulled into a woolly chest. And soon, a pair of arms wrapped themselves around your shaking body. You quickly returned the hug, the both of you now crying onto each other. The two of you had lost one another, we’re separated, divided. But you had finally found each other. And unbeknownst to you, Pietro was gonna make sure that he wouldn’t lose you to somebody else.

Later that day, you returned to your island, with Pietro. On the plane ride home you two were still holding onto each other. As if one of you let go, you would never see each other again. As the two of you stepped onto the island, a lot of people started gasping and some even ran up to Pietro. Giving him a big hug, telling him how they’ve missed him. But the moment quickly faded as a very confused Dom had walked up to you and asked what was happening. "Oh? Dom! This is Pietro! He used to live here befo-" one of your peppy islanders had said before cutting herself off, realizing what she was about to say.

"Oh...so...is this the islander who replaced me?" Pietro said, a smile present on his face, but his eyes, his eyes held what could only be described as pure hate. "Oh, im so sorry about that, indeedaroo. I never meant to-"

"No! It’s fine! Really! I’m happy to put all of this behind us, what is important is that I’ve returned" Pietro said, the wide smile still present on his face. Everyone could tell that Pietro was clearly not over it. But you didn’t care, Pietro was back and you’d both agreed that he’d stay at your house. And you felt ecstatic!

But that’s how you felt.

Pietro, felt quite the contrary. He had been willing to forgive you, believing that the whole "kicking him out" was an accident. And at that moment, he WAS happy. But the moment he stepped on the island and saw that the person who had replaced him was another sheep. That’s when he got angry. Not only that but he was wearing a rainbow shirt. He WAS trying to replace him! He had started to brainwash you so that you would let him move into HIS plot. He probably wanted to hurt you, or worse. PURSUE YOU! He couldn’t let that happen, he couldn’t let someone take you away from him. Not again. He’s the first to admit that when he had to leave, he was really hurt, he’d thought that you had wanted to get rid of him. How silly of him. It was clear to him now that DOM was the real culprit. Well he wasn’t gonna let Dom steal his life from him.

Not on his watch.

It had happened quietly, in the middle of the night. The clown had snuck into the jocks room, since he hadn’t closed his door. And then, he’d done things that he didn’t think he was capable of, things that would horrify any normal person, things that even made himself a little afraid of what he was capable of. After the hard part was done, he had to move onto the second part of his plan.

In the morning, you had woken up. You stretched a little and then went up. You had made your breakfast and now it was time to go outside. But first, you went into the room that Pietro was sleeping in. He looked knocked out, poor baby. You decided to not wake him up, leaving him a note instead.

"Out of the house, the bread is in the left cabinet in the kitchen"

Going outside you had greeted all of you residents as you all waited for Isabelles announcement.

"Hello everyone! Right now on (Island name), it’s 9:46 am on Tuesday, August 13th. For today’s news, we’re sorry to be announcing that Dom the sheep moved out last night. Leaving his house completely alone. We’re not sure why he have done this, but the house is going to be up for sale."

This shocked you and a lot of residents, Dom had never expressed a need to move out or the want to experience new things. So the fact that he would presumably move out without an explanation was very strange to you, especially if he had left the house. You went to the plot to see the house still indeed standing there. As you walked up to the house you saw a note taped to the door.

"Dear (island name), I’m sorry that I left you all in such a hurry but I knew it was something that had to be done. When I moved in here, I didn’t know that I would have to take one residents place, and I didn’t know you all liked him so much. I simply cannot live here with the guilt that I separated friends from each other. To make up for it, I’ve left the house for Pietro. I hope we could see each other again some day"

This note felt very weird to you, it didn’t feel right. You knew Dom, this didn’t feel like him. It felt like a wolf in sheeps clothing. But no matter, you all had to move past this weird incident. Pietro had moved back in and all had seemed to be going well. You and him had grown even closer now and Pietro loved it.

Before, you were close. But now, you always seemed to be afraid that if you looked away from him, he would disappear. And Pietro took full advantage of this. He loved to feel you being so dependent on him, he always felt so jittery anytime you held his hand. He loved you, he loved you deeply, he didn’t care if it was unhealthy, he loved you, he NEEDED you.

He lost you once, and he wasn’t gonna lose you ever again.

#yandere #yandere acnh #animal crossing #yandere animal crossing #pietro acnh #yandere pietro #x reader #honk honk🤡🤡🤡#i love this cured motherfucker #tw yandere #tw obsessive behaviour #tw murder #or well...#implied murder #if you wanna belive that Pietro just asked Dom to mocve out then thats fine to

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z-iridest · 4 years ago

Text

The Phoenix Queen:

A Pharaoh Atem x OC short story

Long ago, in the days when the Great Pyramids were still young, there were two children born. One, was a boy, born to the royal family of Egypt, the heir to the throne. The other, was a girl, born to a common family in a small village. Though they had nothing, their kindness and love were well known. The girl's father was a warrior, a royal guard who swore to always protect the Pharaoh. The girl's mother was a woman of great beauty, and her kind heart knew no bounds. Though the girl's parents were not royalty, the child was their own little princess. They named her... Asenath. They raised her to be as kind, and courageous as she was beautiful. But, when the child was merely eight years old, tragedy struck.....

The screams of the villagers filled the air as quickly as a fire began to spread. Bandits rode in on steeds as black as the night, many of the men remaining in the village taking up arms and beginning to fight back, trying to defend their home. Neith, Asenath's mother, ran through the crowds, carrying Asenath in her arms. Since her husband was at the palace, guarding the Pharaoh, he could not come to save them in time, even if she could warn him. The only thing she could think to do was to save their daughter. Neith hid Asenath in the shadows, the child's gold flecked, hazel eyes filled with fear. As Neith turned to face the enemy, she felt her daughter's small hand grasp her own. "Mama, don't leave me." Asenath whimpered. With tears in her eyes, Neith knelt and hugged her daughter one last time. Neith pulled away only slightly to look into her daughter's eyes, the eyes that were identical to her own. She tucked a stray, dark auburn hair behind Asenath's ear.

"My love, I will never leave you... Not truly. As long as you have courage, and be kind, I will be with you always." Neith promised before her hand slipped from Asenath's smaller one. Neith grabbed her sword, running into battle with the men, leading the bandits away from her daughter's hiding place......

By the time the sands had settled, no one was left alive in the village... Except one... As the smoke faded into the air, the fires dying out, little Asenath cried, shaking with the cold winds of the desert's cruel and harsh nights. A dim golden light began to glow, going unnoticed by the child. A sudden warmth spread out onto a small area on her back, a cloth wrapping around the child's shoulders. The warmth lulled Asenath to sleep, a soft voice whispering in her ear.

"You are safe, Asenath. Rest now."

In the years that followed, Asenath learned how to properly wield a sword, and to fight. As she grew, in her heart, she remained courageous and kind, though a power grew within her. You see, along with the time she lived in, were the great but terrible Shadow Games. These "games" involved shadow creatures great and small, sometimes the monsters being used in war.... Other times, the Shadow Games were used as strictly training. Deep within Asenath's heart, a creature grew stronger. Though most shadow creatures were thought to be malicious and led their hosts to commit horrible acts, the one within Asenath's heart was a benevolent force, feeding on the kindness in her heart. While Asenath's father worked at the palace, Asenath practiced her magic by healing those in need. By the time Asenath was fifteen, she had grown into a beautiful young woman, however, there was much more to the young woman.... The training with her father, both in sword and shadow magic, built her into the fiercest warrior in all Egypt... Even if she was a common girl... It was during these years of training that her father remarried to a woman. Pompous and vain, Asenath's stepmother Tiye had two daughters of her own: Maye and Nenet. Tiye, when Asenath's father was away at the Palace, was a cruel woman to Asenath... So much so, that the only place Asenath felt at home was healing the people of Egypt.

The day before her fifteenth birthday, Asenath left her home early in the morning, just as she had many times before. The clothing she wore that day was a scarlet cotton dress along with the necklace her father had given her (A/N: pictured below).

Over the dress was a cloak, the hood over her head to protect her from the scorching heat the Egyptian afternoon would bring. Asenath gave a kind smile to the sick and injured on the side of the road as she approached, cupping her hands together and focusing as she knelt. A scarlet golden glow began to shine in her hands, revealing a scarlet gold phoenix when the light dimmed. The bird itself was small, but it gave a caw and flew to rest on Asenath's shoulder as she began the healing process. The little phoenix, who she had named Bennu, stayed obediently on her shoulder, chirping as Asenath cared for the weak. Many grasped her hands in thanks once she had finished, to which Asenath only replied with a smile.

"Where were you?! You know better to run off while you still have chores to do!" Tiye shrieked the moment Asenath stepped into their home several hours later.

"Stepmother, as I have said several times before, someone must help the sick and injured. If not me, then who?" Asenath asked as she set the down the basket of freshly bought food down, removing her cloak.

"And as I have told you several times, I DO NOT CARE! You are forbidden from interacting with those... Those street rats ever again..."

"Or what, Stepmother? Father would never allow you to throw his own flesh and blood out on the streets, try as you might, and not a single one of them are street rats!" Asenath asked, facing her stepmother. Tiye growled in rage before the younger of her daughters, Nenet, entered the room.

"Mother, please, calm yourself. I think it is wonderful that Asenath's trying to help them with her magic." Nenet defended her stepsister. Tiye scoffed.

"The only magic a woman should be worried about is magic to make herself look younger and more beautiful. Who cares about caring for the weak when you can improve your own appearance. It is best for a lady to prepare to marry into power." Tiye commented, making Asenath roll her eyes.

"Women have every bit of a right to protect the Kingdom as men do, Stepmother, that is what Father says." Asenath replied as she began on the remaining chores she had left to do. Her father was due home any moment, having been away for several days at the Palace. Asenath smiled at the thought of seeing her father again. Her father, Osiris, was a kind man as well as one of the best warriors in all of Egypt. It broke Asenath's heart each time they were forced to be apart, but Asenath always held onto the hope that he would always return. But, she had no way of knowing that this time would be different. A knock sounded at the door just as Asenath finished lighting the oil lamps. The fourteen-year-old answered the door, the sight of her father's best friend at the door bringing a warmth to her heart.

"Amos, it is good to see you." Asenath greeted before her smile fell, noticing the grief stricken look on his face. "What is wrong?"

"It's your father, Asenath. There was an intruder at the palace... He tried attacking the Pharaoh, but your father got in the way and took the hit... He's gone." Amos revealed with Tiye standing behind Asenath. While Tiye covered her mouth in horror, tears gathered in Asenath's eyes as she bowed her head. "He left this for you, miss." Amos finished, holding out a small staff. The moment it was placed into Asenath's touch, the staff extended, revealing itself to be her father's spear. A sharp knife like blade on one side while the other side held a Kopesh blade. She willed it back to the small staff, holding it to her heart.

"Th-thank you for telling us... I-It must have been difficult for you to deliver such news." Asenath thanked him, barely holding her tears as she closed the door once more. As Tiye relayed the information to her daughters, Asenath put her back to the door, her entire body trembling with sorrow until she dissolved into tears and sobbed.

Beginning the day the news of her father's death had reached her, Asenath was treated like a slave by her stepsisters and stepmother, though Nenet was often times the one who advocated for her.... Or at least tried... The only possessions that Asenath had left and were allowed to keep was her mother's old gown, the red dress she had on, her father's spear and the scarab necklace her father had given her. Though the treatment at home had become harsh, Asenath remained kind, continuing to heal and help those in need. She had no way of knowing how things would begin to change....

The day of her sixteenth birthday, Asenath was healing the sick and injured just like everyday. However, this particular day, while Asenath tended to those in need, she was spotted by her Stepmother. Tiye, in a furied rage, grabbed Asenath by her hair, making the girl cry out in pain. "HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY ME!" She shrieked as she dragged Asenath up on her feet and away from those on the streets. Many stepped forward, but a burning glare from Tiye made them shrink back in fear. As soon as the women entered the home, Asenath was thrown painfully to the ground. "HAVE YOU NO SHAME?! DO YOU WANT US TO HAVE SEKHMET CURSE US WITH THE PLAUGES THEY CARRY! FOOLISH CHILD, YOU WILL BE PUNISHED FOR YOUR DISOBEDIENCE!" Tiye grabbed her whip while Maye laughed and began to beat Asenath, Nenet trying to get her sister to stop. Maye switched her focus on her sister long enough to push her to the ground before Tiye struck Asenath, making her scream in pain as she was whipped. When it finally stopped, Asenath had tears of pain cascading down her face and could just barely move because of the pain she was under. Maye and Tiye laughed hysterically as they watched Asenath struggle to stand before the young girl found her footing and ran to the stables to ride her father's horse, Asim. While Nenet yelled at her mother and sister for their actions, Asenath rode out of the kingdom, holding onto the reins as Asim galloped through the desert sands. Asenath hid her face in his mane as she cried, the bruises and whip marks sending shockwaves of pain through her. Asenath wanted a way for the suffering to end. She was a no one, a servant girl in her own father's home....

Asim suddenly reared, making Asenath scream as she clung to Asim's mane to prevent herself from being thrown off. Asim snorted as men surrounded them. Slave traders.... Asenath thought, her eyes spotting an opening, a hole in the men's formation. "Hyah!" Asenath urged Asim toward the opening, the men chasing after her. Asenath soon recognized the old ruins of her home village, but led the men to it. It would be the perfect place to unleash her Ka's battle form without harming anyone else. As soon as Asim set foot into the village, Asenath drew her spear and stuck out her arm, though it hurt her to do so. "Bennu Magician, come forth!" She called, a female spellcaster with a staff in her hand rising behind her. She was clad in scarlet gold armor, her hair a crimson red with gold streaks and amber colored eyes. She spun her staff, pointing it at the men coming toward them as Asenath dismounted from her horse, spinning her spear and standing in the clearing, ready to meet the men who would dare fight them. As soon as they were close enough, Asenath gave the order: "Bennu Magician, attack! Scolding Scepter Blast!" The spellcaster obeyed, a scarlet gold glow coming from the staff before it wiped out a majority of the men chasing Asenath, making them disappear. The three that remained, Asenath glared down as they dismounted, drawing swords. Asenath walked towards them as her Ka transformed into a phoenix. The men charged her, and with a battle cry, Asenath blocked an attack before countering with her own. The clang of metal upon metal rang through the air, young woman and men locked in a dance of a battle. Asenath was able to knock one out of the fight, left to fight the remaining two as the man ran away in cowardice. Asenath used her old village to her advantage, unaware of the reinforcements headed their way. As the three broke away from a lock, a shout was heard. Hearing it, the slave traders tried to run, but were caught by what looked like guards from the Palace... Guards like her father had once been.... Two men other than the guards were with them. One of the men, Asenath easily recognized as one of the priests, brown hair hiding under the headpiece he wore, his eyes a dark shade of purple that looked nearly azure blue in the light of the setting sun.... Eyes that were full of rage as he looked toward the slave traders. The other, however.....

The first thing Asenath noticed was the fact that his amethyst eyes were on her as he dismounted from his horse. He was wearing clothing made of the finest fabrics, fabrics Asenath concluded that only someone in the Palace could afford. His hair, however, was what was the most unique about him. His hair was tri-colored, black at the base, a dark magenta along the edges and gold bangs, three gold streaks were visible in the center of his hair. He wore no jewelry, but the way he carried himself spoke of authority and grace. Out of respect for him coming to her aid, she knelt with her left foot forward. She heard him chuckle before hearing a shift in the sands. "You do not have to bow to me." She felt the warmth of his hand under her chin, bringing her gold flecked, dark hazel eyes to his own.

"Is it not right to show respect to someone who has come to my aid?" Asenath asked.

"Perhaps, but it is not required. Please, rise." His hand left her chin to take her hand, helping her stand. As he did, the young man's eyes fell upon the bruises that lingered along her arms. "Did those men do this?" He asked, anger rising to his eyes.

"No, no, they did not get close enough." Asenath answered. "Please, do not worry yourself, I am nothing but a servant... No one worth worrying over."

"You are to me, I... Look out!" The young man pushed her out of the way as a snake, a venomous cobra struck, biting the young man in the arm.

"No! Bennu, attack the snake!" Asenath cried, the phoenix obeying and clawing the snake within it's talons, burning it to ashes as Asenath rushed to the young man's side. "Are you all right?"

"Do not worry about me." He answered her.

"Do not move." Asenath replied, gently taking his arm and bringing it to her lips, beginning to suck the poison out.

"No, you need not do this!" The young man exclaimed in horror. Asenath turned her head to the side and spat out the venom she had collected thus far.

"You were bitten, and I am going to get the poison out. Please, allow me to do this. You helped me, now it is my turn to help you." Asenath replied before returning to suck the venom out. Once she no longer tasted the venom , she turned her head to the side once more and spat out the remaining venom, wiping her mouth as the priest joined them. She held out her arm without moving her gaze from the snake bite. Now that the poison was out, she could seal the wound. "Bennu, come." The phoenix flew down and perched on her arm as she covered the snake bite with both her hands. "Lend me strength once again, my friend." She murmured to it before breathing out and closing her eyes, focusing her energy. As the priest and the young man watched, a scarlet golden glow emitted from her hands, illuminating the darkness around them for a brief moment. Soon, it dimmed once more, and when Asenath removed her hands, the mark of the snake bite was gone. "Thank you, Bennu." Asenath told the phoenix, the little bird ruffling its feathers before giving a coo toward the young man and disappearing.

"Thank you." The young man told her. Asenath merely smiled in reply.

"As I said, it was the least I could do. You helped me after all, it was only right that I returned the favor." Asenath replied as she rose from the sands and remounted her horse. He remounted his own. The priest took this time to speak.

"We should be heading back to the Palace. Young one, we can escort you back home for your efforts." The priest offered.

"Oh, no, it is..."

"Please, it is the least I can do. You helped me, it is only right that I return the favor." The young man interrupted, with a slight smug smile in his face. A chuckle left Asenath as she shook her head.

"Well then, I suppose I have no choice but to accept." Asenath replied, making the young man chuckle before they rode back home. The young man rode his horse at a gallop beside Asenath, the guards and the priest keeping pace with them.

"My lady, what do they call you?" He asked. Asenath shook her head.

"Never mind what they call me. I must thank you again for your help... What do they call you?" Asenath asked.

"You do not know who I am?" Upon seeing Asenath's confused look, he corrected himself. "That is... They call me Atem, or rather my father does... When he's in a good mood." This earned a chuckle between the two.

"You live in the Palace?" Asenath asked.

"Yes, with my father. My father is currently teaching me his trade, you might say." Atem answered.

"So, you're an apprentice?" Asenath asked.

"Of a sort." Atem responded with a smile.

"That's wonderful... Do they treat you well?" Asenath asked.

"Probably better than I deserve. And you?" Atem asked. Asenath looked away.

"They treat me as well as they're able." She answered.

"I am sorry." Atem apologized. Asenath shook her head.

"It is not your doing." She replied.

"Nor yours either, I am willing to bet." Atem responded, trying to look at her. As they reentered the bazaar, they all slowed to a trot.

"It is not so horrible... Others have it worse, I am sure. We must simply have courage and be kind... Must we not?" Asenath asked.

"Yes... We must..." Atem replied as he gazed at her. "You are quite right, and that is exactly how I feel." The two shared a smile, Asenath and Atem both coming to a stop.

"I am afraid this is where we part." Asenath told him as she dismounted once more, gently patting Asim's side as she took the reigns and looked up at Atem. "Thank you again, for everything."

"It was no trouble." Atem replied before the priest began to speak again.

"Your Hi-"

"It's Atem! Atem, I am Atem!" Atem interrupted the priest. "I am on my way!" Atem's outburst had Asenath covering up a giggle.

"Well, we'd better get a move on... Atem." The priest replied.

"As I said, Mahad, on my way." Atem told him before returning his gaze to Asenath. "I hope to see you again, my lady."

"And I, you, Atem." Asenath replied. A smile graced Atem's face before he rejoined Mahad and the guards, Asenath bringing Asim to the stables.

A few days later, a royal proclamation was made. To celebrate the young prince coming of age, a ball was to be held in his honor, a ball to which all eligible young ladies were required to attend in a couple weeks. Upon hearing the news, Asenath's stepsisters celebrated the chance to make an impression upon the future Pharaoh, at the chance to become his wife... "Just imagine: One of us, a princess!" Maye squealed in excitement.

"The Pharaoh's proclamation also means you can go too, Asenath." Nenet added with a big smile, grasping her step sister's hands.

"I think not." Tiye interjected with a cold sneer.

"Just imagine: her, dancing with the Prince!" Maye scoffed. "I'd be honored, Your Highness... Would you mind holding my broom?" She laughed hysterically as she made fun of Asenath.

"Stupid, stupid, Asenath." Maye snickered.

"Complete all your chores and find something suitable to wear, then we'll talk." Tiye replied. "Now, come girls, we must go to the seamstress." For the next two weeks, Asenath completed every chore in record time, fixing her mother's old dress in order to make it suitable for the ball. On the day of the ball, after Asenath had finished preparing her stepsisters, she placed the finishing touches on her mother's gown. It took a bit to complete the rest of the work on the dress, but she soon completed it. It was a green dress, old fashioned in design, but it was ultimately the perfect choice for Asenath, her mother's old dress fitting her perfectly. As she presented herself to her step family, she found all eyes in the room on her. While Nenet looked happy, Maye and Tiye looked angry. "Asenath..."

"I swear, it cost you nothing, Step Mother. It was my mother's old dress, so I took it up myself once my tasks were complete." Asenath told her.

"Ooh, la. Asenath at the ball." Maye commented.

"What is wrong with that?" Nenet asked her sister.

"No one wants a servant girl for a bride." Maye told her.

"After all I have done for you...." Tiye trailed off angrily.

"I do not want to ruin anything at all! I do not even wish to meet the prince..."

"Oh, you certainly will not... Because there is no question in your going." Tiye replied quite bitterly.

"Mother..." Nenet said softly.

"But, every maiden in the land is to attend, by order of the Pharaoh."

"It is, the Pharaoh I am thinking of. It would be an insult to the royal personage to take you to the palace in these.... Old rags." Tiye commented, gesturing with a finger to the dress Asenath wore. A stunned look crossed Asenath's face.

"Rags? This was my mother's."

"I am sorry to have tell you, my dear, but... Your mother had questionable taste. This... thing is so old fashioned, it's practically falling to pieces." Tiye said as she neared Asenath before pulling part of the dress, ripping it. "The shoulder's frayed." She gasped. Much to Asenath and Nenet's horror, Maye joined Tiye in tearing the dress apart until it was nothing but rags.

"It is a pitiful, old fashioned joke." Maye commented with Tiye chuckling. Asenath looked at her stepmother with tears in her eyes.

"How could you?" Asenath asked.

"How could I otherwise? I will not have anyone associate my daughters with you. It would ruin their prospects to be seen arriving with a ragged servant girl, because that is what you are, and that is what you will always be. Now, mark my words: You shall not go to the ball." Tiye snarled. "Come, girls, we will be late." With that, she left in a huff, Maye right behind her. Nenet looked at Asenath with tears in her eyes.

"I am so sorry, Asenath." Nenet told her.

"It is no fault of yours, Nenet. Please, go enjoy yourself at the ball. You deserve it." Asenath told her.

"So do you." Nenet replied before leaving for the ball. Asenath left the house, going into the back to the gardens her father had planted years prior. She collapsed at the fountain, sobbing. She was tired of being mistreated, tired of being walked on...

"Mother, Father, what do I do now?" Asenath sobbed. She wished she could have one last moment with her parents, one last moment of happiness...

"Excuse me, dear child..." Asenath's head was brought up at the deep voice to see an old man. He was frail, and despite Asenath's own sorrow, she wiped her tears and turned her attention to him.

"How can I help you, good sir?" Asenath asked.

"Water... Please..." The old man begged.

"Of course. Come and rest your weary heart." Asenath invited.

"Oh, thank you, my dear." The old man told her as she came to his side and helped him to one of the stone benches. "Thank you very much indeed." Once he was seated, she picked up one of the bowls, wiping more stray tears away. Despite her best hopes to have hidden it from the old man, he noticed anyway. "Why are you crying, my dear?"

"I-It is nothing, you need not worry." Asenath answered, her back to him as she filled the bowl with fresh cold water.

"Nothing.... What is a bowl of cold water? Nothing...." The old man rattled on as she brought the bowl to him. "But kindness, my dear... Kindess makes it everything." He raised the bowl slightly in a toast before drinking all of it. "Now, Asenath, I am afraid we do not have much time if you are to go to the ball." The old man added as he stood up. Asenath's eyebrows went upward.

"How do you know my name?" Asenath asked. The old man merely chuckled.

"Now, who do you think blessed you with that little Phoenix ka? I've been watching over you since the day you were born, my child. Besides, how would I be the God of Creation if I knew not the names of all of my creations?" The old man spoke before smiling at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Allow me to slip into something more comfortable. Slifer, Obelisk, come!" The old man stood straight up, throwing a diadhank into the air as a golden light swirled around him. Asenath watched as the diadhank extended before a man's arm emerged from the light, the diadhank latching onto it as the light dispersed, revealing a man dressed in gold armor. He looked to be around his early 30s, with gold hair and red eyes, a diadem with a lapis lazuli jewel in the center of his forehead. Blinking, Asenath dropped into a bow, her left foot forward. She heard him chuckle before he felt a familiar warmth on her shoulder. "Now, now, there is no need or time for that. There is work to be done." Ra told her as he helped her rise. "Speaking of which, my brothers should be here as well.... Late as usual... Slifer, Obelisk, come forth at once!"

"Geeze, we heard you the first time, old man!" Asenath jumped as two more men appeared beside Ra. One was dressed in red armor, with red hair and blue eyes, while the other was dressed in blue armor with blue hair and red eyes.

"Do not call me an old man! I am only 30 years old!" Ra shouted.

"Yeah, you are 30 all right... 30 centuries old!" The man in red armor argued back.

"Ra, Slifer, may I remind you that we are here to assist Asenath?" The man in blue armor reminded them, placing a hand on Asenath's shoulder as he effectively cut off the argument all together. Ra cleared his throat.

"My apologies. Slifer, you create a transport for her, I will remake her dress." Ra ordered.

"As you wish... Your Geezerness." Slifer replied. Before Ra could even think about getting back at Slifer for the comment, Slifer had disappeared.

"Surely we are not sending her to the ball alone, are we?" Obelisk asked, his brow furrowed.

"Of course not. That is why you are going to escort her." Ra answered. Obelisk looked in shock.

"Me? Why? Have you something better to do, Your Excellency?" Obelisk asked. "Why can't you or Slifer do it?"

"Listen, Slifer won't keep an eye on her, he would be too busy flirting all night. If I go, my weakness for wine would leave her wide open. You are the most responsible of us all, Obelisk." Ra answered. Obelisk glanced at Asenath before sighing.

"Fine, I'll escort her." Obelisk replied, sounding defeated.

"Wonderful! Now, Asenath, let us change up this ragged dress." Ra told Asenath as he led her to a private spot.

"Can you not mend it?" Asenath asked.

"No, no, I shall turn it into something new." Ra answered.

"No, please. This was my mother's dress, you see... If I wear it to the ball... It would feel like a piece of her is going with me." Asenath pleaded. Ra's eyes softened.

"Of course. Do you think she would mind if I changed it a little?" Ra asked. Asenath smiled softly as she shook her head in response. With a smile, Ra closed his eyes, his hands glowing gold before he willed the magic to swirl around Asenath. Asenath looked down at the golden glow as it transformed her mother's dress into a beautiful gown, made especially for her, though it felt like her mother was still with her (A/N: pictured below).

She felt her hair be braided and pinned back, a bronze crown adorning her head (A/N: hair and crown pictured below)

Ra smiled once the transformation was complete, Obelisk joining them in that moment. "Heavens above...." Obelisk commented. Asenath blushed.

"Does it look all right?" Asenath asked.

"More than all right, you look beautiful!" Obelisk exclaimed, making a smile come to Asenath's face along with a blush. "Not even the prince himself will be able to look away from you." Ra looked proud of himself, but before he could voice his thoughts, Slifer joined them. He grinned and bowed to Asenath.

"A lovely vision, milday. Your chariot awaits." Slifer told her. Asenath bowed to both Ra and Slifer.

"Thank you both." She told them.

"Go on, have fun." Ra encouraged her. Obelisk was surrounded in a blue light, dressed as a nobleman. Asenath noticed, having to hold back tears, that the appearance he had chosen was remarkably similar to her father. He offered his arm.

"Come, my dear." He told her. She placed her arm over his, her hand draping over his own, and they began to walk. Slifer opened the door of the chariot before Obelisk and Ra assisted her inside. As Slifer closed the door, Ra turned to Asenath.

"Remember, child, with the moon's midnight light, the spell will be broken, and everything will be as it was before." Ra warned her.

"Ra... What about my stepmother and the girls?" Asenath asked. Ra smiled.

"Don't worry. The dress I made comes with a spell that prevents them from recognizing you." Ra answered. "Obelisk, protect the child. No harm must come to her."

"How stupid do you think I am? I know what being her escort means." Obelisk retorted, making Asenath giggle. With a last farewell, Obelisk and Asenath were on their way.

The Palace was grander than Asenath could have imagined it. It made her nervous. When the chariot finally came to a stop, Obelisk, or rather, Rashid as he had told her to call him, stepped out before extending a hand to Asenath. Asenath placed her hand in his before he helped her down from the chariot. Noticing Asenath's nervous state, he bent to her ear. "Be calm, child. I will allow no harm to come to you. The only job you have is enjoy this night." His words soothed her, and she gave him a grateful smile before he escorted her in. They were later than the other guests, but Rashid couldn't help but crack a grin at how in awe of the Palace Asenath seemed to be. He chuckled as they entered the ballroom, Rashid entering first and stepping to the side while bowing a bit to her. Asenath cautiously entered the room, finding all eyes on her. She blushed under the attention, not used to it. Whispers arose from the people around them, mainly questions as to who the young girl before them even was before all of the whispers died out, a sound silencing them all.

Footsteps soon echoed through the quiet room, the crowd making way as a young man walked toward Asenath. He was dressed in the finest of clothes, a purple cape at his back, and yet, he bowed low to the ground when he was right in front of her. Asenath returned the bow, recognizing the young man who had escorted her home after she had healed him, though the look on Rashid's face told her that he was more important to the kingdom than a mere apprentice. His hair was tricolored, black at the base, a dark magenta around the edges and gold bangs with 3 gold streaks standing up. When they both looked up, Asenath found her gold flecked hazel eyes locked in the gaze of a familiar pair of amethyst eyes. (A/N: Sorry to interrupt! But the fanart I used for Atem, I do not own! If u know the original artist, pleeeeease dm me!)

As easy smile spread across both faces. "It's you..." Atem trailed off in awe, Asenath merely smiling at him in reply before he continued. "My lady," When he spoke, his voice was deep, reminding Asenath of the power and authority he possessed as the Crown Prince of Egypt, but his tone was kind, just as it had been the day they first met. "If it pleases you, will you join me in this, the first dance of the night?" He asked. Asenath nodded once.

"It would an honor and a pleasure." She answered. Atem before her smiled before offering his hand. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, feeling a familiar surge of power run through her upon the touch of his skin upon her own. Rashid straightened, having felt it as well. What had Ra done? Had his brother known that the man that now held Asenath was her soulmate?

As the two stopped in the middle of the dancefloor, the young man kept one of her hands in his while the other wrapped around her waist. As the ballroom filled with music, the two began to dance, unaware of the audience that was watching them. Included among them was Rashid and the Pharaoh himself, along with his council. Asenath didn't know why, but she felt safe in the young man's arms.... The two never looked away from each other, lost in each other's gaze. Asenath noticed the number of eyes that were on them. "They are all looking at you." Asenath whispered.

"Believe me, my lady, it is you they are gazing upon." Atem whispered back to her. The two danced together with the crowd watching them. As the music faded into a different song, Atem clasped both of Asenath's hands, coming to a stop in the middle of the dancefloor. "Come with me." He whispered to her before letting go of one of her hands to lead her out of the ballroom. Asenath glanced back at Rashid as she followed Atem. Rashid nodded once, silently confirming that it was indeed someone she could trust.

"So, you are the Prince." Asenath commented as she followed him. Atem chuckled, letting go if her hands to shut the doors behind them.

"I am merely a Prince, there are many other princes in the world."

"But... Your name is not really Atem... Is it?" Asenath asked.

"Sadly, it is, and my father still calls me that when he is especially unpeeved at me."

"But, you are no apprentice."

"I am technically... An apprentice monarch, I still am learning my trade, after all." Atem commented, which made Asenath laugh.

"Oh, gosh." Asenath commented as she continued to walk. Atem walked beside her.

"Please, forgive me, I thought you might treat me differently if you knew. I mistook you for a good, honest country girl, and now I see you did not want to... Overawe a plain soldier." Atem commented, walking ahead of her.

"Little chance of that happening." Asenath giggled. Atem stopped in place and turned to her, extending his hand for hers.

"No more surprises?" He asked as if making a deal with her. Asenath smiled and walked toward him, taking his hand.

"No more surprises." She agreed. He smiled and continued to lead her out of the Palace, ending up on a path in the courtyard. "They will miss you at the ball, will they not?" She asked.

"Perhaps, but let us not go back just yet..." Atem told her. Seeing the look on his face, she spoke up.

"What is it?" Asenath asked, her worry for him showing. Atem sighed.

"When I go back, they will try to pair me up with a lady of their choosing. I am expected to marry for advantage." Atem answered.

"Oh... Well, for whose advantage?"

"That, is a very good question." The two chuckled before they stopped, Asenath looking up at him.

"Surely, you have a right to your own heart." She told him.

"And I must weigh that against the Pharaoh's wishes. He is a wise ruler... and a loving father."

"Perhaps, he will change his mind." Asenath replied.

"I fear he does not have much time to do so." Atem answered, Asenath's eyes softening with empathy.

"I am sorry." He shook his head.

"It is all right." He smiled. "Though, I am quite curious as to know how a beautiful princess such as yourself learned to wield magic and a spear with such grace and mastery." A sad smile crossed Asenath's face.

"My own father taught me how to fight, my Prince." Asenath told him, looking away to hide the sadness that had crossed her face in that moment. She felt Atem squeeze her hand in gentle comfort.

"I would say you learned well, and to you, it is just Atem." Asenath blushed, Atem smiling with a chuckle before he led her to a garden of some kind, her hand still in his. She looked around the garden. Palm trees stood high above them, all kinds of flowers in full bloom... Asenath even recognized a moon flower.

"It's beautiful." She breathed.

"My mother used to love it here... But, since she passed, my father could not bring himself to visit the gardens." He responded, and Asenath could hear the sadness in his voice. She looked down.

"My own mother is in the Afterlife as well, along with my father..." She replied, her voice betraying her own sadness before she looked up at him again. "Do you think they know each other?" This brought a small smile to the young man's face, as well as a small chuckle past his lips.

"I believe they might. I certainly do not see why they could not." He answered.

"I would like to think that legends about the Afterlife being open to everyone, rich and poor, are true... Just like the ball was tonight." Asenath replied.

"In truth, the ball was only open to everyone because of you." Atem told her, his words bringing Asenath to a halt, the young man standing before her. "I made sure everyone could come because I had hoped to see you again." He confessed. Asenath smiled up at him.

"And I came to see Atem." Asenath replied.

"Not the prince?" Atem asked, raising an eyebrow at her. Asenath shook her head in reply.

"The prince is far too grand... What could I ever mean to him anyway?" Asenath asked, beginning to continue walking when she felt Atem take her hand, making her stop and face him. This time, however, he interlaced their fingers, a look of seriousness in his eyes.

"A lot more than you could ever know." He murmured, though Asenath heard his words. Atem's free hand came up, gently tucking some stray hairs behind her ear before his hand gently cupped her cheek. Asenath leaned her head into his touch, closing her eyes for a brief moment. When she reopened her eyes, she blushed upon finding Atem gazing at her, a very adoring look in his eyes. He drew slightly closer to her, his thumb caressing her cheek. "May I kiss you?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Asenath blushed darker with his words, but nodded all the same. Atem wrapped his free arm around her as he leaned down, both pairs of eyes closing before Asenath felt the warmth of his lips against her own. Asenath kissed him back, feeling Atem pull her closer to him. In response, she wrapped her arms around his neck, causing him to hold her closer in his embrace. When he finally pulled away, it was slow, as if that first kiss would be the last. He rested his forehead on her own, both pairs of eyes remaining closed. "That was..."

"Wonderful." Asenath finished as they both opened their eyes and exchanged smiles. They pressed their foreheads together, unaware that they were being watched by a friend of Atem's. Atem took her hands again, leading her down another path.

"I have never shown this place to anyone before." Atem told her before opening a wooden door that creaked slightly as out swung open. A gasp of awe left Asenath as Atem led her through the wooden door.

"A secret garden!" She breathed. Bushes of flowers were everywhere, a tall tree standing proudly in a small corner. Atem smiled as he watched her look around the secret garden, in awe of everything she was seeing. Asenath looked back at him. "I love it." She smiled, causing Atem to smile back.

"I'm glad you like it." Atem told her as he walked toward her again, picking a lotus flower and placing it in her hair as she giggled. Asenath closed her eyes as his warm, gentle touch once again came to her face. But, just as their lips went to touch once more, a rush of pain caused Asenath to move back a few steps. The magic is fading.... She thought. Atem's brow furrowed in worry as he stepped toward her, gently taking her arms.

"Are you all right?" Atem asked. Asenath looked up at him.

"I have to go... I am sorry." Asenath slipped from Atem's hold as she hurried to the gate of the secret garden before stopping, turning back around to face Atem. "Thank you, Atem. You have been wonderfully kind to me, and tonight had been fun. I truly loved it... Every second." She thanked him before running back through the Palace, retracing her steps. Despite the feeling of shock he felt at her running off, Atem chased after the girl. He had finally found the woman of his dreams... He'd have to be a fool to let her go that easily...

In no time at all, she reached Rashid, who caught her arms. "What is wrong?" He asked her.

"The magic is fading, I can feel it. We do not have much time left." Asenath answered. Without another word, Rashid wrapped a protecting arm around her and began to escort her out of the palace. "Keep running and don't turn back, I'll get the chariot!" Rashid told her as they were about to reach the main doors, running faster and heading out the doors. Atem followed his true love through the palace and down the palace steps, watching as one of Asenath's slippers slipped off her foot. Asenath turned back around to grab it, but Rashid had arrived with the carriage, his shout preventing her from grabbing it.

"Leave it, there is no time!" Rashid warned Asenath before he helped her into the chariot and held on as the chariot took off. Atem stopped on the steps and knelt to pick up the slipper, watching as the chariot that carried the woman he fell in love with disappeared into the night. The priest, Mahad, and Atem's childhood friend, Mana soon joined him, Mahad ordering some of the guards to search for her. Mana stood beside Atem with her hands on her hips.

"Out of all the girls in that ballroom, and you just had to choose her." Mana stated with an eyebrow raised. Atem smiled as he remembered the kiss he and Asenath had shared.

"Yes, I did." He answered before his eye caught something glittering gold in the moonlight. He bent and picked it up, only to find the scarab necklace the girl had been wearing both when he first met her as well as that night. His thumb smoothed over it. "I will find you again, my love... Even if it will be the last thing I ever do." He swore to himself, looking up at the stars as he prayed to the gods to keep his future bride safe until he could find her.

Meanwhile, just as Asenath neared her home, everything touched by the gods' magic went back to what it was before, including Asenath's gown, and Obelisk reappearing as a man in blue armor. It was then that Asenath realized the scarab necklace was missing. She looked around in a frantic panic before feeling the lotus flower still in her hair. She took it out and held it, praying that Atem was keeping the necklace safe for her. Obelisk dusted himself off before noticing the smile that graced Asenath's face as she held a Lotus flower in her hand. "I take it you had a fun time?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, a smile gracing his features. Asenath nodded, smiling up at him.

"It was so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Thank you... Will you thank Ra and Slifer for me as well?" Asenath asked in response. Obelisk smiled back and nodded.

"I shall." Obelisk promised, watching Asenath retreat inside the house before he disappeared into the night, rejoining his brothers. The next morning, the old Pharaoh passed away with his son beside him. When it was announced throughout the kingdom, Asenath's heart broke for Atem, knowing the pain he was suffering through.

When the time for mourning had passed, it was announced that the new Pharaoh declared his love for the young woman he was with at the ball. It was decreed that the kingdom be searched for her using the slipper she had left behind. If found, she would be brought to the Palace and if she would have him, he would marry her. The news came as a surprise to Asenath, but it was proof to her that he cared for her as much as she cared for him. She hurried back home to prepare, but found her stepmother awaiting her in her room, holding the slipper that had been left to her by the gods. "This must have quite a story behind it... Care to tell me?" Tiye asked her. Asenath remained where she was, her eyes remaining on her stepmother in that moment. "No? Then you will answer my questions. Did you steal it?" Asenath shook her head.

"It was given to me."

"Given to you?" Tiye scoffed. "Nothing is ever given, for everything we must pay and pay..."

"That is not true. Kindness is free, love is free..."

"Love is not free, do not be naive. Now, here is how you will pay me... If you are to have what you desire. No one will believe you, a dirty servant girl without a family, if you lay claim to the Prince's heart. But, with a respectable gentlewoman to put you forward, you will not be ignored. When you are married, you will make me head of the royal household. Maye and Nenet we will pair off with wealthy lords, and I shall manage that... boy." Tiye's last words brought a flare of anger to Asenath.

"He is not a boy." She told her stepmother. Her stepmother glared at her, unaware that Nenet was on the other side of the door, able to hear her mother's every word.

"And who are you? How would you rule a kingdom? Best to leave it to me, that way we all get what we want." Tiye told her before turning to leave the room, believing she had trapped Asenath into agreeing. Asenath's mind raced, tears forming in her eyes before a determined look crossed her face. She couldn't allow her stepmother to even have the chance to control Atem. She loved him too much for that...

"No." Asenath definently answered, making Tiye stop in her tracks. Tiye slowly turned around, her anger rising.

"No?" Tiye asked. Through a shaking breath, Asenath continued.

"I failed to protect my beloved father from you, but I will protect the Prince and the kingdom, from you... No matter what will become of me." Asenath vowed as tears fell down her face.

"Well... That is a mistake!" Tiye shouted before swinging open the door and looking at Asenath. "It is time your defiant tongue is silenced, Asenath!" Leaving the room, Tiye slammed the door shut despite Asenath's best attempts to stop her, and locked it behind her. Tiye ignored the screams and shouts of her stepdaughter, unknowing that her own daughter had witnessed everything. Nenet's own emerald eyes filled with tears, looking at the door of her stepsister's room. She had to do something.... She had to... But, she couldn't free Asenath without the key from her mother...

Over the next couple days, a battalion of guards and three priests searched the kingdom far and wide to find the young woman. But, no matter how many girls they tried the slipper on, the slipper's magic prevented anyone but its true owner from fitting it... No matter how eligible..... Before long, the time came for Tiye's daughters to be tried, being the last girls in the kingdom to try on the slipper. Locked in her room, Asenath didn't know who had come, nor did she care. She closed her eyes as she fondly remembered the ball, and the kiss Atem had given her. She knew that eventually, the moments with Atem at the ball would fade to memory, just as the moments of her parents and her childhood. Nenet was the first to be tried, and the second the slipper was found not to fit, Maye shoved her out of the way to try on the slipper. After several failed attempts, she too, couldn't make the slipper fit. The younger of the priests, a young man with striking blue eyes, turned to Tiye. "Madam, is there no other girl we may try?" He asked.

"No one else, my lord." Tiye answered, lying through her teeth. Nenet noticed this, and it certainly didn't go unnoticed by one of the priests either, something around his neck giving off a golden glow.

"Seto, I sense she is lying." Mahad brought up to the younger priest.

"Nonsense. I sense no ill intent from this woman." The other priest spoke, an adviser to the old Pharaoh. As the men argued, Nenet knew what she had to do. Closing her eyes, Nenet spoke up.

"My mother is indeed lying to you, my lords." Nenet told them, making the argument come to a halt and Tiye to look at her with a piercing look.

"Nenet, I suggest you watch your tongue..."

"Enough, Mother!" Nenet's emerald eyes snapped open, glaring at her own mother. "I am sick and tired of your lies, and it is about time someone in this family stood up for her because she has done everything she could for everyone else. She deserves the chance at a better life, you have done nothing but be cruel to her since you first married Osiris, may the gods allow him eternal peace and rest!" Suprised by her own daughter's outburst, Tiye stood still in shock.

"Who is this other girl you speak of?" Mahad asked. Nenet bowed her head.

"My stepsister, my lord. My mother married her father a few years ago. He died 2 years ago protecting our Pharaoh, and my mother and sister have been cruel to his daughter ever since." Nenet answered.

"Where is she?" Seto asked.

"My mother locked her away in her room." Nenet answered. Tiye glared at her own daughter's betrayal.

"Madam, you will open that door and allow the girl to try on the slipper, or you will be tried for treason." A hooded figure interrupted Tiye. Tiye turned to the hooded figure in rage.

"How dare you give orders to me! Who do you think..." Tiye was cut short when the hooded figure revealed himself to be the young Pharaoh, Atem. With a pale face, Tiye dropped low to the ground with her left foot forward, her daughters following her example. Atem looked at Nenet.

"I can see it took great courage for you to speak up. You will be rewarded for your honesty." Atem told Nenet. "What is your name?"

"My name is Nenet, Your Majesty, and I seek no reward but to see my stepsister happy once again." Nenet answered. Atem smiled at her before turning to Tiye with a stern expression.

"Now, I command that you unlock the room at once." He commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Tiye responded.

"Mahad, will you investigate?" Atem murmured.

"It shall be my pleasure, my Pharaoh." Mahad replied before following Tiye to Asenath's room.

When the door was unlocked and opened, Asenath stood, watching as the priest from when she had first met Atem entered the room behind her stepmother. "There! You see, I told you, it is no one of any importance!" Tiye exclaimed.

"We shall see about that." Mahad told her before bowing his head in respect to Asenath, gaining a respectful bow in return. "Miss, you are requested and required to present yourself to the Prince." Tiye rushed forward.

"I forbid you to do this."

"And I forbid you to forbid her. Who are you to stop a Priest in the Pharaoh's court? Are you an empress? A saint? A deity?" Mahad asked. Tiye looked at Asenath.

"I am her mother." She lied once again.

"You never have been, nor ever will be, my mother." Asenath told her stepmother. Mahad's gaze shifted from Tiye to Asenath.

"Come now, miss." Mahad told her before turning to leave the room, unknowing of Tiye harshly grabbing Asenath by the arm, making her stop for a brief moment.

"Just remember who you are, you wretch." Tiye snarled in her ear before letting Asenath go, the younger woman behind her stepmother as they walked back into the main room. Asenath was uncertain of how Atem would react to seeing her as nothing but a common girl, but the words her father had once told her rang in her mind once more, drowning out her stepmother's words and renewing her courage. She entered the room Mahad had gestured for her to go in, seeing Atem turn around the same moment she entered the room. For the third time, their eyes once again met. A smile spread across Atem's face as he recognized the face of his true love, of his princess.... His smile caused Asenath to smile back as she bowed to him.

"Who are you?" He asked, knowing that this time, he would finally know the name of his true love.

"I am Asenath. My Pharaoh, I am no princess... I have no carriage, no parents, no dowry, I do not even know if that beautiful slipper will fit... But, if it does, will you take me as I am? An honest country girl who loves you?" She asked. Atem smiled.

"Of course, I will... But only if you will take me as I am... An apprentice still learning his trade." Atem answered, the smile never wavering from his face. Asenath smiled back, fighting back the happy tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Atem stepped to her, gently wiping away a tear that had escaped her eye as Mahad and Seto watched. Once she was seated, he knelt in front of her and placed the slipper on her foot... It was a perfect fit. He took both of her hands and helped her stand. Atem smiled down at Asenath before holding up the scarab necklace. Asenath gasped when she saw it.

"You kept it safe for me." She stated as she looked up at him before lifting up her hair as Atem returned it to her neck.

"Of course, my love." Atem replied before holding out his arm for her to take. "Shall we?" She smiled and with a nod, left her childhood home behind.

Within days, due to wedding preparations needing to be complete, Atem and Asenath were married. Together, they accomplished great things until the day they paid the ultamite sacrifice for their country, leaving a brave and powerful princess in their place to carry on their legacy....

But that, my readers, is another story ;)

5000 Years Later....

"All right, class, settle down. We have a new student today." The teacher told the class, having to shout over the students talking. Yugi smiled a bit as he glanced at Joey and Tristan talking excitedly, Tèa rolling her eyes at the two's antics. Next to him in spirit form was the Nameless Pharaoh, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle who he had named Yami. Yami chuckled as he watched his modern day friends before a sudden hush fell over the room. Yami watched, stunned and frozen in place, as a young girl with gold flecked hazel eyes and dark auburn hair entered the room. As she introduced herself, Yami noticed the spirit beside her... Why did the spirit look so familiar?

In spirit form, Asenath looked around her host's new classroom, trying to calm the girl's nerves through the mind link. 5000 years in locked away in her Millennium Item meant that her memories of her past other than her name were erased, and it was something her sweet hikari, Yuka, was trying to help her uncover. However, she stopped looking around the room when she spotted a pair of amethyst eyes that seemed familiar to her. Why did he look so familiar? The two, however, couldn't deny the strong connection they felt. While they didn't know who they were to each other in the past, they knew one thing.....

They wouldn't have to uncover their past alone anymore....

(A/N: That's it for this one! XD would have been longer, but, I've hit the max limit! Like, reblog and comment down below if you would want a continuation of Atem and Asenath's days as Pharaoh and Queen. A big big thank you to @vivinightingale for helping me edit and write this story ^.^)

32 notes · View notes

ivyuns · 4 years ago

Text

summer feelings ✰

kim seungmin

genre: fluff; summer vibes :D

word count: 1.8k

warnings: none

A/N: my first fluff fanfic + this wasn’t meant for the reader to get prego o no + listen to summer feelings ft charlie puth by lennon stella and honey in the summer by public <3

masterlist

“cannon ball!”

a familiar voice was heard. you looked up and saw your boyfriend of 4 years jump into the pool as you two was invited to a summer party by your fellow friends. you were currently sitting on the edge of the pool with your legs in the pool. behind you was a beautiful scene of waves splashing with couples and families playing on the sand. the sun had almost completely set so it was perfect for golden hour.

you grabbed your phone and started taking pictures. at first, it was just the beautiful sky then you and your friends took a girls photo. you took a few selfies and felt someone attacking you with kisses from behind. seungmin moved closer to you so you could take a better picture with him. the kiss had felt so relaxing that your finger was still taking photos of now you and seungmin kissing.

chan had splashed some water on you two, making sure to not get your phone wet and yelled out “get a room you two!”. seungmin broke off the kiss and just smiled at you.

the city fair had open and both you and seungmin could not wait to go. seungmin had surprised you with tickets to go since you two have been dreaming to go with each other since you two started dating and none of the summer days would be gloomy. but this day was perfect.

walking inside the fair, hand in hand together, you spot a ride that you’ve been dying to tell seungmin about. “min, can we go to that ride?” you pointed to the ride. “babe which one? there’s a lot” seungmin smiled and tried to follow where your finger was pointing. “the one with the swings you dummy!” you said and gently flicked his forehead. seungmin agreed to the ride you pointed out and walked you there with a big smile on his face.

it was finally your turn and started running to a spot, perfect for you and seungmin. you guys had been secured for the ride to start and as the swings got higher, you felt scared and grabbed onto seungmin’s sleeves. seungmin felt the tension you had and quickly held your hand tightly, assuring you that it’s fine and the ride will end soon.

the amount of rides you went on, the delicious food you ate, and the amount of prizes seungmin had won for you made you feel like the happiest girl you’ll ever be. it was currently dark and the fair will be closing in about 2 hours. your tired legs dragged you to the last ride you and seungmin would be riding; the ferris wheel.

with all the plushies in your hand and backpack, you finally made it into a cart. seungmin was seating across from you, planning something for you. seungmin took his phone out and started taking pictures of you, admiring the best view of you. you look at his direction and caught seungmin taking photos of you.

“heyyyy delete those! i look ugly!” you pouted at him. seungmin adored you and your pouty face so much that he couldn’t. “no i can’t! after you look so cute with my hoodie on” he smirked.

you forgot that it got chilly during the day and all you wore was jean shorts, a red crop top and your white sneakers. seungmin noticed you shivering while sitting down and eating and gave you his hoodie to wear that was way too big for you but still felt comfy.

you looked down and blushed. you two were almost at the top and seungmin went to the floor with one knee and a box in his hand. you looked up and widen your eyes. no way did he-

“y/l y/n, from the day we became friends to us now has been the most memorable years of my life. and now that we have a new bundle of joy coming in seven more months, i’ll be on cloud nine. now knowing you’ll be the mother of my children and now my soon to be wife. y/n, everyday and every second we spend with each other will never be forgotten. i love you so much that i have to ask you one thing. y/n, will you marry me?” seungmin said in all confidence.

you nodded as more tears fell down your cheeks. seungmin smiles and puts the ring on your ring finger and kissed you. just in time for the fireworks to explode, as if they just congratulated you both.

as your time in the ferris wheel has been over, you two had went to ground level and got off the ride. immediately getting congratulated by the whole stray kids. how on earth did you get lucky to marry the kim seungmin?

the way back home was quite peaceful than then fair. seungmin had let you play your music as he drove. a familiar song came up and started doing karaoke.

‘hey aye, and i’m in my summer feelings.

and i’m tryin to keep it cool.

way up, here in my summer feelings.

and i, found a piece of me that i never knew.

yeah down on the beach, i’m staying out late for you.

oh, unlock ya loose, see the sunset on the roof.

yeah, you got to me, and i came out to someone new.

hey yeah, and i’m in my summer feelings.’

“hey seungmin?” you called out and grabbed his free hand. “yes baby?” “i love you. a lot. like you don’t understand” you smiled at him. seungmin looked over at you for a few seconds and laughs. “no i love you more than you could imagine” he smiled. you two kept arguing of who loves who more til you got two got home and headed to bed.

it was now a few months later and you were now in pain. your contractions had gotten more worse as you were in the operation room at the hospital. seungmin held you hand and told you it was alright to seek for comfort.

“come on ms kim, almost there!” the doctor and nurses tell you. one last push and you heard a cry from a baby. “congratulations mr and ms kim, it’s a girl!” and handed you your precious baby girl. a few tears fell from you while seungmin wiped it off.

seungmin notices that most of the futures came from him, but her beautiful dark chocolate eyes was inherited from you. the nurses took your child back for a cleaning as they took you to your respective room for you to rest.

you fell asleep after giving birth as seungmin sat next to you while holding your hand. he heard a knock and kissed your forehead and went to open the door. he was greeted by the nurse to give back your child. he thanked the nurse as she went out of the room and closed the door.

seungmin goes to the other side of your bed where your child was and goes to admire her. “hey baby, it’s your daddy here” the baby wakes up and suddenly wraps her whole hand with seungmin’s index finger. seungmin feels like he’s on cloud nine after feeling his daughters warmth and continues his speech for her. “i just want to let you know that both me and mommy loves you and will continue loving you forever. always remember that ok my love?”

you woke up as you heard seungmin softly speaking to your child. “min what are you doing?”. seungmin turns around with your baby in his arms and walks towards you. he gives you the baby after hearing multiple knocks on the door. he goes to the door and opens it to see stray kids. everyone passes seungmin and goes to you and your baby.

‘noona are you ok?!’

‘how was it?’

‘wow our seungminnie is a grown up now’

all 7 voices were heard from the boys til seungmin answered all of them for you, knowing you were still weak. seungmin had asked hyunjin something and agreed. he gave hyunjin his camera and walked back where everyone was.

seungmin goes back to you and sits next to you, both of you looking at your daughter. you hear a click and looked at seungmin. suddenly seeing a flash, seungmin locks his lips with yours, making the photo that hyunjin took look like a treasure piece.

a year later was the best moment in your life. a year ago, you gave birth to your baby girl named y/b/n. the months had went by and the three of you shared very special moments and now was your wedding day.

there you were. walking down the aisle with your father’s arms linked with you. looking down, you see your soon to be husband, smiling and happy tears falling and your daughter in your moms embrace in the seat in the first row.

at the end of the aisle, you let go of your dads arms and go in front of seungmin. you smile at him as he tries to stop crying of how beautiful you looked, finally marrying the girl of his dreams.

“my dear y/n. i love you so much because you make everyone happy and so cheerful. i promise i will love and cherish you till enternity. i promise i will help you with your darkest time and seek brightness into your life again. ever since i landed my eyes on you during high school, i knew we would be together forever. i promise i’ll be the best husband i’ll be. i vow to listen and learn with you. i vow to laugh with you and cry with you. i vow to value our differences just as much as our common ground. i vow to put all my effort into strengthening our marriage and giving you the best version of you. i’ll love you and y/b/n forever. i’m so lucky you’re mine now.” seungmin had just finished sayings his vows which made everyone burst into tears, even you. seungmin grabbed your ring and slide it onto your left ring finger.

you said your vows and made everyone cry harder. grabbing seungmin’s ring and sliding it on him, you two looked at each other. both eyes full of love and admiration of the two loving couples. “and you may now kiss the bride!”

seungmin cupped your face and leaned in, kissing your lips as if there was no tomorrow. you pulled away and everyone cheered for the new husband and wife.

everyone gathers outside of the building, waiting for you and seungmin. the doors open and everyone throws confetti as you two walk along the steps. your mom handed you your y/b/n. you and seungmin stopped at the end for pictures and most importantly, enjoying the sunset above which made you both feel calm. you two looked at each other then to y/b/n, smiling. the photographer captured every moment.

“i love you kim seungmin” you kisses his cheek. “and i love you too kim y/n”.

#seungmin #kimseungmin #stray kids fluff #stray kids angst #stray kids smut #skzangst #skz fluff #skz smut #skz #jyp stray kids #stray kids #kpop #kpop angst #kpop fluff #kpop smut #summer #straykidssayings

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spacesuitsforemergency · 4 years ago

Text

Olive Gardner Drabble

Got a random burst of motivation so here you go

Olive Gardner was a bull headed, arrogant, pain in the ass, but one thing people admired about her was that she truly was a fighter. She wasn’t one to ever back down from a challenge, and she would get up no matter how many times she was knocked down. Guy had seen his daughter take on whole armies by herself, when there was absolutely no hope left she still got back up on her feet and gave it her all. Yet, the same girl couldn’t even get out of bed anymore, let alone fight.

Guy had seen the whole thing, he had watched glass shatter into his daughters eyes during battle, and he couldn’t do anything about it. He had paced anxiously in the emergency room as the doctors operated on her eyes, trying to salvage the one good one. The other Green Lanterns and the Daughters of Justice had never seen Guy cry before that night, just like his daughter, he was stubborn and self absorbed, and didn’t believe in crying.

When the doctors told him Olive would never see again, he expected her to brush it off and start working to get used to her new sightless life. The Olive he knew would walk out of that hospital by herself and into a car, then get right back up and try again. The Olive he saw when he walked into that hospital room wasn’t his Olive. This Olive didn’t demand for him to convince the doctors to let her out. This Olive didn’t crack a joke or make a sarcastic comment. This Olive just laid there, crying into the bandages wrapped around her torn up eyes.

Guy didn’t know how to help her, nor did her friends or other family, who hadn’t even once seen her shed a single tear. They did everything they could to cheer her up and build up her confidence, but nothing seemed to work. Anja’s banter didn’t work, Olive didn’t care about trying to beat her anymore. Izzy’s words seemed to go in one ear and out the other, Olive hardly even acknowledged her beloved girlfriend. Her cousin, Sky, couldn’t hype her up enough. Her Uncles’ stories didn’t uplift or motivate her, they instead made her feel even worse. When Guy brought her home, he couldn’t get her to listen to a sports game with him or make sandwiches and cursed smoothies with him. Levi tried as well, trying to bring out his sisters competitive side, but she didn’t care about winning anymore.

Olive knew she was dragging everyone down with her, and being a burden to everyone, but she didn’t care. How was she supposed to be the best Green Lantern when she couldn’t see? She relies on sight when fighting in space, or anywhere for a matter of fact. She couldn’t even walk around her own house by herself, how was she supposed to navigate the real world? She felt useless, and she hated relying on other people more than anything in the world, but now she had to. She found it harder and harder everyday to get out of bed, it was difficult to do anything these days. She didn’t want to play with Molly anymore, which confused and sadden the poor dog. Olive knew that they got Molly in the first place because they knew this would happen, but now it was real.

All Olive seemed capable of doing was lying in bed, and stare at the light pouring in through the window. She would never see her girlfriends face again, or her dads, her brothers, her friends’, her uncles, nobody’s. She’d never be able to watch a football game again. She wouldn’t ever stargaze again, or watch explosions as she flew farther and farther away from the Earth. She would never be able to admire the beauty of space, or see any more pictures of her family again. How was she supposed to enjoy life when she couldn’t see it?

His daughter was suffering, and Guy couldn’t do anything about it. All he could do was be there for her when she cried, and listen when she ranted. He couldn’t take away any of her pain or dreaded, heavy feeling of hopelessness, and he wished he could take it all away and make it all better for her. He’d rather take on the pain himself than ever let her feel like this again, but that just wasn’t an option. All he could do was try his best to get her to eat, and work to help her get better. And the first step to doing that, was something he never thought he’d do; ask for help.

.....

“Is he here?” Guy asked from the kitchen, where he was frying up bacon.

“Yeah, do I let him in?” Levi asked from the door, looking out the peephole (which Guy found funny, since his son had to stand on his tip toes to see out of it).

“No, leave him out there.” Guy said sarcastically. Levi opened the door, and the man walked in like he owned the place.

“Hello?” Levi scoffed at his audacity.

“Matty, my man! Thanks so much for coming.” Guy shouted over the sizzling bacon.

“Of course I came.” Matt Murdock, AKA Daredevil, nodded as he scouted the place. “Your house is messy.”

“And how would you know that?” Guy asked.

“I may be blind, but I’m not stupid. This place is trashed.” Matt gestured to a pile of pizza boxes near the trash can, then the dining table littered with Levi’s various tech stuff. “Now, where’s Olivia?”

“First, don’t call her Olivia, she’ll kill you. Just Olive.” Guy instructed as he tossed the bacon into a sand which, then grabbed it and led Matt upstairs. “Second, she’s very...”

“Depressed?” Matt raised an eyebrow. “From what I’ve heard of her, I would expect this reaction. Your daughter is a very independent girl.”

“So you think you can get her to try being a hero again?” Guy asked as he stopped at her door, hand on the doorknob.

“I think I can be a good source of motivation, yes.” Matt nodded.

Guy sighed hesitantly, before opening the door. Molly was sitting beside the bed, head resting near Olives face. Olives eyes were open, staring at her window like usual, and didn’t move when she heard her door open.

“Livvy? There’s someone here to see you.” Guy said softly, not wanting to upset her.

“Great.” Olive mumbled, not sounding interested in the slightest.

“I think he can help you, honey.” Guy tried to reason with her. “He’s a blind hero, and he’s agreed to train you.”

“Well, unless you called Daredevil himself, no one out there is good enough to help me.” Olive snapped, slightly more maliciously than intended.

“It’s a good thing I’m here then.” Matt piped up from the doorway as Guy sat on the edge of the bed.

“No way. Prove it.” Olive slowly sat up, now interested in something for the first time in months.

“How should I prove it? I’m Daredevil, I think that’s enough convincing that your father let me into your disgusting home.”

“It is him, I promise. I need you to give him a chance, Olive. You’ve been moping around for nearly 3 months now and I need you to get up and at least try.” Guy said sternly, knowing Olive would be insistent on staying in bed instead.

“But dad-“

“No. Olive, I need you to do this for me. For yourself. You hardly eat anymore, and now that you don’t exercise you’re way behind. Don’t you want to catch up to your teammates? I heard Anja has a higher arrest rate than you now.”

Olive stared at the direction of her dad, actually listening to what he was saying this time. She sighed, looking down at her lap.

“If you agree to try a training session, I will give you this sandwich.” Guy held it up. “It’s got bacon, your favorite.”

Olive thought about it some more, before taking the sand which and tearing into it.

“So, do you think you can actually help me?” She turned towards Matt.

“If I can do it, you can do it. Meet me at Mount Justice at 8 am sharp, and we will get started.” Matt ordered.

“Fine. But if it doesn’t work I’m done, that’s it.” Olive insisted.

“Sure, Livvy. I’m sure you’ll give up.” Guy shook his head, patting her on the shoulder.

“Is that a challenge?” She grinned for the first time in 3 months.

#olive gardner #guy gardner #lanternfam #Matt Murdock #daredevil

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shualogy · 4 years ago

Text

in the city of angels | joshua

⟹genre: angst? maybe a little bit of fluff? mostly angst?

⟹pairing: joshua x female y/n

⟹warnings: cheating, guilt, mentions of non explicit sexy times, mentions of alcohol

⟹word count: 1.7k

⟹summary: Joshua moves to Korea but you try to make it work.

⇒ author’s note: this imagine is heavily based off of la la lost you by niki (the acoustic version>>>>>) the lyrics are italicized and in brackets and I highly recommend listening to the song while reading to make it hurt more,, just want to say who HURT me ,, anyways I hope you enjoy

[While I’m on sunset are you on the subway?]

You breathe in the salty ocean air and release it through a sigh. Wiggling your toes in the sand, you lean forward to hug your knees. The sea breeze gives you a chill and you pull your jacket tighter around your body.

You wonder what time it is over there, if he’s heading to practice or a concert or some other scheduled event right about now. Snapshots of you and Joshua flash every time you close your eyes. The time you went stargazing together during the summer and talked for hours. The hot summer days you spent marathoning anime in his bedroom and the popcorn fights that would lead into sweet kisses and giggles. The times where he would practice playing the guitar, humming random melodies while you read a book and glanced at him every so often. The days of sneaking around and stealing quick kisses in empty supermarket aisles or at empty bus stops. The evenings of dancing in your kitchen while baking cookies or trying to teach him how to cook which ended with burnt pots and pans and empty take out containers piled in the trash. The nights of scary movies that turned into cuddles and pillow talks. The day he was scouted. The day he left.

[You would know if you stayed

You would know if you put up a fight]

You promised each other to call everyday. You would send him letters and videos when he was too busy to call. “Y/N look at this dog I found!” or “I saw this today and it made me think of you” texts would wake you up. Good mornings, I love you, I miss you voice messages tasted bittersweet leaving your mouth. Your mornings were his nights, his nights were your mornings. You would spend your early mornings trying to help his mind calm down from the fears that kept him awake and he would spend his early mornings wishing luck and encouragements for you.

However, life inevitably caught up to the both of you. With you starting school and his training becoming harder, calls became less frequent. Soon the only texts that were exchanged were a curt “goodnight, love you.” Both of you fell into an uncomfortable silence. It was nothing like the silence you would fall into when you would be laying in his lap and he would be playing with your hair. It was a deafening roar of a love that had begun to burn out.

With a break from his training coming up, you promised to call him. You look at the time, making sure it was early enough for him not to be in practice nor too late to keep him up at night. You opened up your laptop, nervous but excited as the skype tones rang.

“Y/N? What’s up? Did you need something?” He looked terrible. His eyes looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“No I was just calling you like I promised to since you’re on a break. So how’s training been, have you had good food lately? I read this book the other day and I can’t wait to tell you about it and-”

“That sounds really good babe but I’m kind of in the middle of practice.”

You paused. “I thought you were on a break?”

He sighed, and ran his hand through his sweaty hair. “I was supposed to be but evaluations are coming up and I need to work on this one choreography.”

A little hurt that he forgot, you bit your lip then said, “Oh I can just call you when you’re done with practice if that’s ok-”

“I don’t know what time I’ll be done, it might be late for you.” He cut you off.

“I can stay up, I don’t mind. Is everything okay?” You could hear the bass of muffled music in the background. You could hear yelling and every so often Joshua would wince at the loud sounds.

“Joshua? You can tell me anything, we’re in this together remem-“

“Of course nothing is okay!” He explodes. He runs both of his hands through his hair, resting on them as angry tears gathered in his eyes.

“We aren’t in this together anymore! I’m the one who moved across the globe to become a trainee in a group that I don’t even know will work out! I’m tired and exhausted and God, Y/N I knew this was going to be hard but I didn’t think it would be this hard.”

As the screen became blurred with the tears in your eyes, you ask with the smallest voice, “Joshua what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I can’t do this anymore.”

[Your toes turn blue in winter, I'm gettin' red, rum]

Weeks pass and suddenly it’s winter. It’s been awhile since you’ve talked to Joshua, both of you deciding you need a break from each other indefinitely. Your friends drag you out to a house party, saying it’ll be good for you to get out of the house. You head over to the kitchen with your friends to grab a drink. Someone hands you a red cup with god knows what and you throw your head back as the drink burns as it goes down. The warmth quickly spreads through your body, beginning with your chest. Satisfied, you head outside to get some fresh air.

Over in Korea, the snow has piled up and the temperature is at a record breaking low. Joshua exhales, pulling his scarf tighter around him as his breath forms a cloud. He sees some lights across the river and thinks, Oh I should take a picture for Y/N, she would love this. But then he remembers. Then he regrets.

[I’m missin' our drunken 2 A.M. strolls in K-Town]

“Joshua shhhhh we’re gonna get caught!” You giggled as you tugged your boyfriend’s arm out your back door. He stumbles out the door and laughs. With a smile, he plants a kiss on your lips.

Somehow, the two of you ended up wandering the streets of Korea town. Warm with the alcohol in your system and with the warmth of your boyfriend, the universe seemed to fall into place.

You shake your head. No, that’s the past. It’s a chilly night out and you curse yourself for not bringing a jacket. Shivering, you let out a deep sigh and ignore the heat in your cheeks as tears being to well up in your eyes.

“Hey you seem cold, you can borrow my jacket if you like?” You turn and meet eyes with someone new.

[And fuckin' on Brooklyns in Brooklyn Your Chelseas in Chelsea Hope that eases the pain, so you remember to miss me]

Tired of training, tired of working, tired of everything, Joshua heads out to a party being thrown by someone’s friend’s brother. He didn’t know who but he didn’t care.

Joshua knows this is wrong. He knows he could get in so much trouble for this. But in the moment, with her lips on his and his hands on her hips, it doesn’t matter to him. He ignores the nagging voice in his head that tells him he could get caught. He ignores how her hands aren’t like yours and how his body doesn’t fit with hers like a puzzle piece. He ignores that she doesn’t kiss him the way you did. For now he just needed something, someone to get you out of his mind.

[And you sold your car, now you walk for miles Bet your feet feel numb]

Joshua wakes up the next morning with a headache and his heart still empty. He sits up in bed, replaying the events of last night. His mouth tastes sour but not from the alcohol. Sighing and ignoring the gnawing feeling at his chest, he chugs a glass of water and gets ready for the day. The dorm is almost empty, save for a few members still milling about. He decides to head out early for practice to give him some time and space with his thoughts. He takes the long way, walking through parks and neighborhoods to try to get the guilt out of his system.

[All my demons run wild All my demons have your smile In the city of angels, in the city of angels]

As nice as it sounded to go home with the stranger you met at the party, you and Joshua haven’t officially broken up yet. But then you start to see the stranger everywhere. At school, at work, and you begin to wonder if you’re being tempted, if the universe is saying it’s time to move on. He makes you laugh, smile, all of these things you’ve been missing in your life. However, you still remember Joshua. Your Joshua. You remember the way his lips turned up at the corners and how you could tell when he wanted to kiss you. And he would. Over and over again. You decide to go for a walk to clear your mind. You pass by the streets you used to walk with Joshua and wonder when they began to change.

[Hope it holds you like I do While my demons stay faithful In the city of angels]

“Shua-hyung, is everything okay? You’ve been off lately.” Chan asks as they stretch before dance warm ups. Seungkwan elbows the younger who is oblivious to Joshua’s situation.

“Everything is fine” Joshua assures him. Everything is in fact, not fine. Guilt threatens to swallow him whole but he pushes it aside. He came to Korea to train and become an idol. He’s realizing how selfish he’s been, and how selfish he has to be if he wants to make this work. Although the lump in his throat stays, he bottles all the other feelings down. He knows what he has to do. And he hates himself for it.

[Pretty little white lies got me good Thought this was love, I was misunderstood]

You pick up your phone and to your surprise, it’s Joshua.

“Hello?”

“Y/N, hey it’s been awhile.”

You bite your lip wondering if he’s finally decided what future of two of you looked like.

“What’s up Joshua?”

“Y/N, I have to tell you something.”

__________________________________________

[If I'm honest, I'd call, but I'm trying to let go]

You’re devastated when you get your exam score back. You could have sworn you studied everything the professor gave you but still, you failed. That’s how school has been lately. College has become a new type of hard and you aren’t used to failing so often. Tears blur your eyes as you cry in frustration about your grades. You pick up your phone, knowing exactly who can comfort you, who knows what to say. But you never press call.

[And I hope you're happy, livin' life in taxis But you'll always have me, you'll always have me]

“Y/N, I have something to tell you.” Sighing, Joshua tells you about that winter night. You can hear the regret in his voice.

You’re angry and hurt but also realize that you’ve grown so far apart. You’re relieved and heartbroken but maybe it’s for the best. Your words don’t meet his ears and his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. It’s been like this for far too long. You’re tired. He’s tired.

“Maybe it’s best if we don’t talk anymore Josh,” you said in between hiccups. You swallow the lump in your throat and ignore the the bone crushing feeling in your chest.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry, I truly am. Thank you for the love and memories. I wish you the best, Y/N.”

“Goodbye Joshua.”

If you thought about it hard enough, your fingertips could feel the fuzz of his cheek. If he thought about it hard enough, he could smell your shampoo and feel the pads of your fingertips against his cheek. However, you couldn’t reach each other.

__________________________________________

[And I hope you're happy, livin' life in taxis But you'll always have me]

It’s been 5 years since you last talked to Joshua. After some time, you began to date again but no one quite made you feel the swelling in your chest that you longed for. It’s okay though, you’ve become content with the life you’ve made for yourself. You heard Joshua debuted in a group called seventeen and as much as it hurt, you couldn’t help but smile and be happy for him. You’d still feel a pang in your chest everytime someone mentioned him. You wish things didn’t turn out this way.

You look back over the water and watch as the sun kisses the ocean goodbye. You get up, deciding it’s time to go home. You wipe as much of the sand as you can off of you. After taking one last glance of the fading sun, you take a deep breath and turn around to walk back to your car.

“Y/N?”

“Joshua?”

Your heart begins to swell.

[you'll always have me]

#joshua #joshua hong #joshua angst #hong jisoo #jisoo #angst #i am Sorry #but not really #joshua oneshot #seventeen one shot #seventeen joshua #joshua scenarios #seventeen scenarios #seventeen imagines #seventeen aus

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