#i do like mrs arrow in every way or form

[moneypowerglorymiddleofmiami]

— trickentine જ⁀➴♡ pt.2

pairing: luke castellan x aphrodite!reader

summary: after lord eros' silly little trick, you're now forced to deal with the consequences— more specifically, in the form of a lovestruck luke castellan.

warnings: tons of corny pick-up lines

genre: still very much a romcom

part 1

note: thank you, thank you! all your support for pt.1 means the world to me! really, i couldn't be more grateful 𖹭 i hope you think this brings justice to the first half 𖹭

─── ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° . ───

“What do you mean you can’t do anything?” You suppressed the urge to shriek, settling for gritted emphasis instead. You crossed your arms across your chest, your foot tapping impatiently against the wooden floorboards of the Big House.

“Exactly what it means.” Chiron responded, looking at Luke with more amusement rather than concern.

“But he's under a spell,” You reasoned in disbelief. You might have spilled over your words while you explained the rundown to Chiron, but they were coherent enough to at least get that point across.

“It’ll wear off eventually, kid.” Mr. D downed an entire can of diet soda in one go before procuring another one in his outstretched hand. He snickered at the intent puppy eyes Luke was giving you. “That type of love magic won’t last long. Best to let it run its course than tamper with it.”

“But–” You wanted to argue before Mr. D stopped you. He pushed his feet up on his desk.

“Look, at least this proves that your boyfriend actually loves you.” He gave you a pointed look. What does that even mean? “Now, leave.���

You huffed indignantly, but decided against speaking further. You begrudgingly turned around and pulled Luke up by his arm, guiding him towards the narrow hallway that led to the foyer.

“When did I become your boyfriend?” Luke huddled closer to you, whispering as you made your way to the front door.

“You didn’t.” You told him plainly. You shook your head. “You aren’t.”

“Yet.” He responded, his tone a bit mischievous but his gaze sure and determined.

─── ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° . ───

You leaned your elbows against the table of the crowded Arts and Crafts Center, your chin resting against the pad of your thumbs. You studied Luke with a contemplating gaze.

“I hit you with one of Eros’ arrows.” You told him. This was hardly the proper place to have this conversation, but the rest of the Aphrodite cabin practically hauled you to the building to begin Valentinkering? Valenmaking? (whatever in Tartarus they decided to call it this year).

“Well, I guess you could say I’ve been lovestruck by you.” He said, giving you a stupid little wink as he mirrored your posture.

“Gods, Luke. That was corny as hell.” You flushed almost as crimson as the container of beads in front of you. “Also, I’m serious.”

“And who said I wasn’t?” He challenged. He smirked against his fist, wiggling his eyebrows.

You snorted. “The fact that you’re under some valentine voodoo makes all your intentions questionable.”

“You wound me.” He feigned offense, pouting as he clutched at the fabric of his shirt above his chest. “To be fair, my train of thought has always been questionable when it comes to you.”

“Again: unimpressed.” You buried your face into your hands, the second hand embarrassment of his poor attempt at flirting was overwhelmingly potent. Besides, it was difficult not to react when he looked at you so intently, like he was trying to memorize every minute detail of you.

“On a more serious note, I do remember the whole arrow thing.” He told you, his lips pursed. “I don’t blame you; it was a complete accident. It just feels… odd.”

Your ears perked up, worried. “You feel odd?”

“No,” He shook his head. His expression was perplexed, maybe a bit incredulous too. “That’s the thing. I feel completely normal.”

“That is weird.” You agree. You wrap the string in between your fingers around his wrist, measuring it to his size. "Maybe it was just a prank?"

“No. If anything, it’s more like I can’t hold my tongue.” He shrugs. “I can’t help but say what I think.”

“Would that explain the flirting?” You tease. All cheeky, but with a hint of curiosity hidden beneath the humor.

He leaned in, smirking. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

You stare at him, tilting your head. He returns your gaze just as intensely, brown eyes fixed onto yours. He raises an eyebrow as if to question your silence. There was something magnetic between the two of you, pulsing and pulling you closer— maybe not physically, but definitely in other ways unbeknownst to you.

“Woah!” Percy exclaimed with an accusatory edge to his tone, his eyebrows furrowed in disbelief and his palms raised as if to distance himself from you. “Respect for the children, maybe? Consider shielding my young impressionable eyes from this trauma?”

“Percy!” You squeaked rather uncharacteristically. Annabeth trailed behind closely, pushing a leg over the bench to sit beside you. You smiled at her, tugging her closer by placing your arm around her shoulders.

“Annabeth,” Luke called. “Trade places with me.”

Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows in confusion before narrowing her eyes in suspicion. “No.”

“Come on.” He persisted. He leaned in, almost conspiratorial. “You know, the Stoll brothers have an extensive archive, and I think I may have heard word of them having that Rem Kolhaas book you've been raving about."

Annabeth stopped to consider the offer before ultimately conceding. She stood up from her seat. “That’s a big bribe for a small favor.”

“Know what prices to pay to win your battles.” Luke muttered as he sidled up next to you, grinning triumphantly. His fingers played with the hem of your weathered camp shirt. “Sacrifices aren’t much in the face of victory.”

“Did you just use a bad battle strategy as a flirting tactic?” Annabeth scrunched her nose in distaste. “Gross.”

"Done." You finish tying up the ends, letting the red bracelet dangle in Luke's line of vision.

"It looks so pretty, baby." He compliments you, holding out his wrist. You proudly put it on for him. "Not as pretty as you though."

You scoff. Both Annabeth and Percy imitate gagging noises.

─── ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° . ───

The only time you ever truly left each other’s side were the few moments of reprieve before dinner where you’d returned to your cabins. The older campers insisted on making the meal a whole affair, complete with a romantic candlelit set-up and a string quartet to serenade everyone. Chiron decided to indulge the request and sent everyone back to freshen up.

“Have fun with your boyfriend?”

“Christ!” You jumped in your spot, turning around to see Eros laying on one of the bunks. His arms were tucked underneath his head, his smile suggestive and knowing.

“Lord Eros,” You bowed.

“That is not your shade.” He tutted, pointing to the tinted gloss in your hand. “Too summery for your complexion this time of year. Go for the pink one. He’ll go berserk.”

“Thanks.” You muttered, facing your vanity once more. You dabbed the product against your lips. You sighed as you inspected your make-up. Once more, he was right.

“You didn’t answer my question.” He shifted to his side, looking at you expectantly.

“Yeah, I guess.” You grumbled. You looked down, pretending to look for something in your drawer so he wouldn’t notice the blush creeping up your cheeks. Luke refused to leave your side the entire day— his fingers hooked around the belt hoops of your skirt in one way or another. He made a whole spectacle of it too: his big brown eyes tender, his wistful sighs, his shy grins, his playful winks.

“Good.” He clapped his hands. “Gods, the boy has had a crush on you for forever, you know. It was torture watching him pine over you. I can only take so much longing.”

You froze, staring at him through the mirror. He stared back at you.

“What?”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know,” He sounded shocked; he was shocked. “You’re a daughter of Aphrodite, how could you not know?! That's like our thing!”

“Well, he hasn’t been obvious, has he?” You rebutted, flicking your wrist.

“Sis, I don’t know what reality you’re living in,” He sat up on the bed, “But that boy wouldn’t know subtle even if it hit him in the face.”

“But surely it’s just because of the arrows.” You rationalized.

“Nuh uh.” He wiggles a finger in the air to deny the accusation. “The arrows you used just accentuate pre-existing feelings. Not make new ones.”

A knock interrupts your conversation. You hurry to fix your hair, brushing it out of the way. Your hands begin to shake with giddy excitement. You feel your heart thrum strongly against your chest, almost wanting to burst out from the confines of your body and find its other half in Luke. Your smile eventually becomes hard to contain.

Eros beams at you, his pupils dilating into hearts again like it did this morning. He opens the door for you and pushes you out. “Have fun with lover boy. Mother sends her regards.”

Luke spins around at the sound of the squeaky hinges. He can't help but pull a hand out of his pocket, his palm lightly grazing his chest. He whistles. “Call me favored by the gods because I think I’ve just entered Elysium.”

“You’ve been with me the whole day.” You responded pointedly, breathless and in love.

“And yet you still manage to take my breath away.” He gasps when you rush into him, wrapping your arms around his nape.

“This is new.” He looks down at you, your noses touching. His hands fall naturally to your hips, his thumbs rubbing against the fabric of your dress. “But definitely welcome.”

You gaze into his eyes before pressing your lips against his. They felt pleasant and pliant against your own. You tugged Luke closer, your fingers twirling through his curls. His hands squeezed your skin. The kiss burned sweetly, almost as if it’s been waiting in anticipation to happen.

When you both separate for air, Luke gently grabs your hands from behind him. He wraps his fists around yours, placing soft kisses on your knuckles. “I’ve been waiting so long for that.”

“So I’ve been told.” You hum. “I figured I might take the first step.”

“Don’t worry.” He presses another kiss against your lips, short and sweet. “I promise to match your pace the rest of the way.”

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧���

taglist: @ace-spades-1 @patitotodd @fandomthings-blog @bugcuti3 @liv1104 @mindflay3r

[fablesfolklore]

In The Graveyard with Lilith Rose Shelby (and Jack Nelson)

This work is inspired by @zablife and her 2K celebration: An Evening at The Arrow House. The OC of Lilith Rose Shelby is my own. The characters of Scarlet Shelby, Aurora Sabini, Heaven Shelby and Eva Smith belong to @zablife, @evita-shelby and @call-sign-shark. I only mentioned them because they inspired me. Eva is only mentioned by name but I did my best to do Scarlet and Heaven justice. Thank you for inspiring me.

TW: Violence, Sexual Content, Swearing.

Lilith Rose Shelby was all grown up. She’d flown the coop and (unlike most members of the Shelby clan) had miraculously escaped the clutches of Tommy’s schemes. Some suspected that her untapped freedom had to do with her immense luck in life… but for those who knew better….it was because Thomas Shelby loved no one more than his youngest sister. No one held such an influence over the greatest gangster turned MP in all of Great Britain (and its dominions) than Lilith, no one else had the keys to his smile or to his heart. You might ask Why, then, she was allowed to roam free? Not shackled to the Arrow House as Ada had once been to the shithole in small heath. Not obligated to attend every family dinner or family meeting that Tommy threw whenever he felt like it.

       “Why?” The new Mrs Shelby kissed up Tommy’s back as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Will she not meet me?” Of all the people she desired to make a friend of in this family, Mrs Shelby wanted to make the best first impression on her mysterious good sister. Everyone spoke of her with reverence. Lilith’s name was the very essence of sorcery. Once spoken, even whispered in corridors and in dark corners, a shiver danced up one’s spine…or one’s blood spiked with adrenalin and excitement.  

Thomas bristled and stiffened, not responding. Mrs Shelby paused, a pout forming on her nervous lips. In truth, she had expected for Thomas to be eager for his new wife to meet Lilith. The siblings were so close, that she’d expected for her to have been the first person he’d have introduced her to. Instead she was met with a cagey Thomas.

       “Lilith doesn’t like Arrow House.” He deflected easily, lighting a cigarette as he stood up and wandered to the window, looking out into the foggy grey autumnal morning. He exhaled some smoke in the way that had her swooning, before he spoke again. “It reminds her of Grace.” Mrs Shelby’s heart dropped. Grace, the woman whose shadow she was forever enshrouded by. She didn’t openly wish to express her dislike of Grace or Lizzie, but she was beginning to despise them. She knew their spirits were mourned and honoured in this house…. if only by the staff and the children. It was complicated. But she hated being compared to them, hated the way the children refused to acknowledge her but would gaze in awe at the portraits of their respective mothers. It made her feel like a replacement…. nothing more. Perhaps Lilith would think the same of her. She chewed on her lip.

        “She must have loved Grace a lot.” She mused. Tommy scoffed.

        “On the contrary, Lilith hated Grace.” He licked his lips, glancing at his wife. He’d put it politely for her, spared some of the details. No one hated Grace more than Tommy’s beloved little demoness. “She disliked Lizzie as well, but for different reasons.”

        “Oh.”

        “Grace betrayed me. Lilith refused to forgive that. The only reason she refrained from dancing with joy when she died was that she loved me too much.”

        “And Lizzie?”

        “Lizzie broke John’s heart.”  Tommy spoke casually, remorselessly as though he’d had nothing to do with it.

        “I’ve not done anything to hurt anyone.” Mrs Shelby sulked, looking at the floor. Tommy strolled back over to the bed and took her into his arms.

        “Quite right.” He kissed her forehead. “Perhaps it’s not such a bad idea to invite her this weekend.”

        “But she hates the Arrow House.”

        “She’ll come for the family, and for me. The kids will be delighted to see her”

        “She’s good with them?” Her interest was piqued. Perhaps Lilith could shed light on the way to Charlie and Ruby’s hearts.

        “She dotes on them.” He smiled, a real genuine smile. “They’re mine, after all.”

*****

Mrs Shelby skipped towards Tommy, her letter filled left hand raised in triumph. Her sparkling sapphire engagement ring sparkled in the light.

     “They’re coming.” She kissed him joyously. “They’re all coming.”

     “All?” He chuckled.

     “All.” She confirmed. “And they’re all staying. Scarlet and Luca will stay in the room opposite Finn and Aurora. Alfie and Ada will stay in the room opposite Polly and Aberamma.” Tommy smiled as she babbled out her arrangements. He imagined it was a good idea that Alfie and Arthur should stay in separate wings of the house…. otherwise Ada and Heaven would be forced to intervene, and no one wanted a mess. Gina and Michael would go next to Ada and Alfie. John and Tatiana would have to be kept in the room next to Tommy and Mrs Shelby so he could keep an eye on that mad bitch. Speaking of that insane Russian duchess…. she’d have to be kept as far away from Lilith and her beloved husband, Jack Nelson. Last Christmas had been a disaster when Tatiana – having had way too much to drink – announced that herself and Lilith had been lovers for the entire year before Lilith had met Jack. Jack had hated her guts since. The children would have three whole rooms to themselves. Something Mrs Shelby wasn’t sure was appropriate, but something Tommy had insisted was necessary.

     “They all love being together.” He insisted. “And it’s not like we’re giving them the entire house.”

     “I’m still so shocked they’re all coming.” She smiled dreamily up at him. “I’ve always wanted a big family.”

     “Well, now you have one.”

     “You never told me Lilith was married.”

     “Ah.” Tommy looked sheepish. “I didn’t think she’d bring him.”

Two years ago she’d eloped with Jack Nelson, the last man on earth Tommy had thought suitable or good enough for Lilith. Jack Nelson was everything Tommy (ironically) hated. He was unfaithful, violent, a fascistic Irish American and he was the most obnoxious, ambitious, cunning bastard he’d ever encountered…It was like looking in an ever so slightly warped mirror. His dislike of the American hadn’t stopped Lilith marrying him though…And yet somehow, the marriage worked. Jack followed the little Shelby witch round like a lost puppy, salivating whenever she looked at him. It was like she held some sort of magical enchantment over him. The loved up pair made Thomas feel a little bit sick. Mrs Shelby smiled teasingly.

      “You can’t stand him, can you?”

      “He’s not good enough for her.” He grouched. “But for some unfathomable reason, he makes her happy. That’s enough for me.” From the way he gritted his teeth it seemed like that hardest thing he’d ever had to say.

      “Everyone thinks you’re a big bad gangster…but I know you’re really just a big softy.”

      “Don’t go telling everyone, ey.” He laughed, “I have a reputation to uphold.” Wrapping his arms around her waist he hoisted her up onto the table, taking her lips with his own. Someone coughed. Tommy turned to see Mary, the maid.

       “The house is all prepared for the guests, Mr Shelby.”

        “Thank you, Mary. That will be all.” She nodded, turning to leave but not before she eyed Mrs Shelby with frigid, calculating eyes. Thomas didn’t seem to notice though as he shifted his attention back to Mrs Shelby as his fingers slid beneath the hem of her dress.

*****

They were nothing like she expected. None of them. Polly arrived first, gliding in like the image of sophistication, barely glancing at Mrs Shelby. Aberamma following closely at her heels. He grunted in greeting, simply tilting his head after removing his hat. Arthur and Heaven arrived at the same time as Scarlet and Luca. Arthur’s greeting had been sweet. He seemed to like her, spluttering over his words to greet her. His hands shook and his eyes looked a little wild. But he meant well. Heaven waltzed in behind him, looking like an angel in her white fur coat. The snow haired beauty’s presence seemed to ease Arthur’s nervousness. He wrapped his arm around her waist as she held out her hand for Mrs Shelby to shake.

     “You must be Heaven.” Mrs Shelby stuttered, transfixed by her crystalline eyes.

     “Pleasure.” Heaven’s eyes slid to Tommy and her expression instantly shifted to a predatory one. “Bastard.” She acknowledged with a cat like smile.

      “Yes. He is.” Scarlet stated as she sauntered through, pushing her way past them and following Polly into the drawing room.

      “You’re not going to say hello, Tesoro?” Luca paused in the hallway, smiling at Mary as she took his hat and coat.

       “There’s no point in greeting Tommy’s latest victim. Knowing him, she won’t last the year.” Scarlet called back. Tommy watched Mrs Shelby’s confidence dissipate momentarily. Headlights glowed in the driveway.

       “Heaven, why don’t you take Arthur and Luca into the drawing room.” Tommy suggested. Heaven’s icy eyes hardened before narrowing at him. Her lips parted in order to respond in a somewhat poisonous manner but Mrs Shelby stepped forward and whispered to her.

       “I wouldn’t normally agree with Tommy but Alfie’s just arrived.” Heaven observed the mouse like woman Tommy had married for a moment before she nodded, escorting her husband and brother in law to the drawing room. Music blared as the door opened and Mrs Shelby could see the reflection of Scarlet in the large mirror as she turned the gramophone up.

       “SHALOM Thomas!” Roared the bear of a man as he wandered in. Ada rolled her eyes beside him. She hugged Thomas tightly before embracing Mrs Shelby, much to her surprise.

       “I hope they’ve not been too scathing to you.” She whispered. “Don’t worry, they’ll warm to you with time.” She pulled back and smiled. “This is my son, Karl, my daughter, Elizabeth and this,” She brushed her hand over her swollen midsection as Alfie beamed with joy. “Is baby Solomons.” Tommy paled as she spoke, only just noticing the pregnancy.

        “Jesus Christ.” He muttered beneath his breath.  Mrs Shelby held his hand and gave it a squeeze as she spoke.

        “You’d better head on in before he has a stroke.”

Tommy had just about recovered when the door to the drawing room opened and he heard Arthur exclaim.

         “Fookin’ hell Ada! You bloody kept that quiet, din’t ya?!”

Finn and Aurora Sabini arrived next. Polite and jovial as ever, though Aurora didn’t appear to like the way the youngest Shelby boy looked at his new sister in law. John, Tatiana, Michael and Gina all arrived together. Lawrence ran in from the cold, zooming in circles around Tommy and Mrs Shelby before running past them to the drawing room, banging on the door and yelling “Granma, Granma!”

       “My boy!” Polly called in joy as she came out and greeted him, swooping down and collecting him in her arms before slipping back inside. Gina made a noise of disgust.

       “Thomas.” She acknowledged.

       “Regina.” She scowled as he full named her.

       “So this is you’re newest whore?” She studied Mrs Shelby with critical eyes. “She doesn’t look like much, I’m surprised you’re so taken with her.”

        “She’s worth ten of you, Regina.” He snapped.

       “Michael.” Mrs Shelby smiled warmly. “Thank you for coming.”

        “It’s nice to see you again, love. I hope he’s treating you right.”

        “He is. Very Much.”

        “I took the liberty of bringing a wedding gift. It’s out the front.”

        “That’s very generous of you. Really, you didn’t have to.”

        “Yes, Michael. You didn’t have to.” Gina snapped before stalking off to the drawing room and loudly demanding a drink. Michael winked at Mrs Shelby, smirked at Tommy and left them to it. He turned to greet John and Tatiana and froze.

      “Fuck!” He fumed. “What the fuck are you wearing?!” He looked at John. “What the fuck is she wearing John-boy!”

      “Don’t worry, Thomas.” Tatiana purred sensually. “It’s not for you…or your wife.” She stepped around him, the thin scrap of material she called a dress clinging to her figure. “Tatiana Petrovna Shelby, delighted to make your acquaintance.” Mrs Shelby blushed and stepped closer to Tommy as the Russian duchess invaded her space. Grabbing her jaw, Tatiana kissed both of Mrs Shelby’s cheeks.”

       “She’d got a beautiful neck, Thomas. I can see why you like her.” She paused. “And that ring!” She snatched Mrs Shelby’s hand, admiring the sapphire encrusted in diamonds. She tutted. “I would have thought you’d learned your lesson with sapphires.”

       “They’re a particular favourite of my wife’s.”

       “Grace liked sapphires too.” Tatiana smirked, her dark eyes flickering madly in the candle-light. “Is Lilith here yet?” She changed the subject.

       “Is she the reason you’re dressed like a whore?” Tommy took a swig of the amber liquid in his tumbler. “You not bothered by this John?”

       “As long as I’m the only man she fucks, doesn’t matter to me.” He joked.

       “It’ll only ever be you Johnny.” Tatiana turned and kissed him.

       “Aye, John-boy. As long as you’re a Shelby, she’s not picky.”

       “What’s that supposed to mean?” Mrs Shelby asked, nervously glancing at Tommy.

       “It means that before she chose me, she was fucking Tommy…until she got bored of him.” John answered. 

         “Are we interupptin’ somethin’?” Came Uncle Charlie’s deep gravelly voice. He stopped short to shake Tommy’s hand, flanked by Johnny Doggs, Isiah and Curly. Curly smiled bashfully at Mrs Shelby and handed her some flowers. She blushed.

         “Thank you Curly.”

         “How’re you findin’ us so far, petal?” Johnny Doggs asked loudly.

         “So far I’m struggling to find someone who likes both of us. Polly, Aurora and Gina dislike me, everyone else has a gripe with Tommy.” Johnny Doggs barked out a laugh. “Welcome to the clan!”

          “Families.” Isiah scoffed. “Who’d have em?”

*****

Lilith Rose Shelby was the most beautiful creature Mrs Shelby had ever seen. So beautiful, that the air rocketed out of her lungs when she first saw her. They heard Jack first as he escorted her up the steps and held the door open for her. She looked like a goddess, draped in silk. Tommy was fascinated that Jack never once looked away from her. His only greeting to the new Mrs Shelby was a nod and a smirk. He sneered at Tommy before his attention gravitated back to his wife. She had the most beguiling dark eyes Mrs Shelby had ever seen. They were like pools of endless night. Lilith catapulted herself into Tommy, who embraced her tightly and inhaled her scent. Pomegranate and dark amber. She relaxed into him. Releasing her, Tommy cupped his baby sister’s face in his hands and looked at her for a moment.

     “You grow more and more beautiful every time I see you.” He smiled.

     “Brother.” She spoke quietly….and she sounded like magic. Soft and sensual. “You look well.” She beamed at him. And Mrs Shelby’s heart fluttered at her smile. Jack snaked a hand around Lilith’s waist and pulled her back against him.

      “Shelby.” Jack acknowledged. “Married again? You can’t seem to get em’ to stay, can ya?”

      “Nelson.” Tommy spoke evenly. “I can keep women just fine. In fact, I’ve never had to cross a continent and steal a woman away to make her mine. I suppose that means I have better luck than you.” Lilith covered Jack’s hand with her own.

     “Or,” She interrupted loudly, “It simply means that I was special enough that he had to travel all this way to find me.” Mrs Shelby watched, fascinated as both men melted at Lilith words. Jack kissed Lilith’s forehead and Tommy smiled.

    “Could be.” He agreed. Lilith stepped away from Jack and turned her attention to Mrs Shelby. All the noise fell away. She couldn’t hear anything. Apart from the sound of her blood pulsing through her at a rapid speed. She glanced at her husband, and watched his beautiful lips move as he spoke to Lilith and Jack. She watched Lilith study her, eyes raking over her in an unreadable manner. Mrs Shelby’s finger twitched as Lilith’s eyes pause over her engagement ring, her full soft lips quirking into a small smile for a moment before it vanishes. Mrs Shelby gasped, startled when Lilith unexpectedly stepped forward and smiled at her. Lilith took Mrs Shelby’s left hand in both of hers. Her thumb brushed over the sapphire. Her eyes pierced into Mrs Shelby’s hypnotically and Mrs Shelby found herself transfixed as Thomas brushed a hand up and down her back, comfortingly…. obliviously.

      “Sister.” Lilith tested the word on her tongue as she surveyed Mrs Shelby. “You’ll be good to him, yes?” She sounded so innocent. So angelic. Her eyes held no malice. Mrs Shelby stuttered.

      “Y-Yes. I shall try to be all that he deserves.”

Lilith beamed at her and released her hand. Mrs Shelby’s ring finger throbbed momentarily as she watched her fascinating sister turn and enter the drawing room with Jack. She saw through the reflection in the mirror as Polly embraced her niece tightly and was startled to see Lilith’s reflection gazing predatorily through the looking glass at her.

*****

Dinner was a fucking disaster. It had been nothing like she had hoped. Perhaps she was just projecting her own fears but it seemed that none of them liked her…. even the ones who appeared to. It seemed as though they were watching her every move with a pre-existing negative judgement. She was guilty to them, of something. The problem was she didn’t know what and she didn’t know how to change that. Tommy had enough to deal with, especially after Tatiana had goaded Jack into a row and she was swearing at him in Russian. Arthur had had way too much to drink. Scarlet was screaming at Tommy for something he’d done years ago and Luca was trying desperately to calm her down. She turned to look at Michael, who was in a heated discussion with Gina…and Aurora kept throwing her dirty looks.  In the end she’d left the table, claiming to check on dessert. She’d just found a quiet alcove to take a few moments when someone touched her shoulder. She jolted and turned to see Lilith.

    “Feeling overwhelmed?” Her voice was so soft, sympathy swirled in her onyx eyes.

    “A little.”

A lot. I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

    “I know. We can be a lot to handle.” She looked out into the darkened garden. “Why don’t we go for a walk.” She suggested. “Take a moment to ourselves.” Mrs Shelby’s heart soared at the prospect of having a moment alone with someone who might actually like her and in doing so, might sway the opinion of the others. She nodded and took Lilith’s offered arm as the two of them stepped out into the cool autumn air.

It hadn’t been long since they had returned from their honeymoon and so Mrs Shelby hadn’t yet had time to explore the grounds of the Arrow House properly. In the dark murkiness of the evening she couldn’t really see where she was going and clutched on to Lilith’s bare arm a little closer for security. She smelt dizzyingly alluring. Away from all the smoke and whiskey the magic of her perfumed the air in a wonderful way. 

    “How did you meet my brother, if you don’t mind me asking?”

    “Da’s one of his employees at Shelby Company ltd. I met Tommy when I brought Da his lunch.”

    “How…. quaint.”

Mrs Shelby wasn’t paying attention. She was too bust staring at the purple love bites littering Lilith’s creamy throat. Lilith flushed and giggled when she noticed.

    “I’m sorry, I should have covered up more, Jack can get carried away some times.”

    “He’s very fond of you.”

    “And I, him.” Lilith patted Mrs Shelby’s hand. “I never expected to find Jack. But he’s my better half. As Heaven is Arthur’s and Luca is Scarlet’s. We were worried Thomas would never find someone….worthy.” Lilith stopped her movements and released Mrs Shelby’s arm. For the first time, Mrs Shelby noticed her surroundings. Lilith had brought her to the churchyard close to the Arrow House. She turned, only just able to see the outline of it looming in the moonlight. She shivered, looking back to Lilith who was now staring at something in front of her. “Thomas has very specific needs.” Her voice had lost all of its warmth. Mrs Shelby’s mouth ran dry as she read the names on the gravestones in front of her.

Grace Burgess Shelby.

Daughter, Mother, Beloved Wife.

Elizabeth Stark Shelby

Mother, wife, friend. Lost to childbirth.

Something rustled behind them. Lilith turned and smiled adoringly as Jack stepped out of the shadows. Mrs Shelby wondered how he had known where to find them. “You have to be a certain kind of person to survive in this family. Don’t you, my love?”

    “Ya got that right. It’s an honour to love a Shelby…to be prepared to kill and die for them.”

“Thomas needs a fighter.” Lilith reached out and caressed Mrs Shelby’s cheek. “You didn’t fight tonight. You fled, little mouse.” Lilith tutted and stepped closer, so close, Mrs Shelby could feel Lilith’s sweet, warm breath burning against her flesh. “How can I trust that you’ll fulfil him?” Lilith shook her head, looking sad, disappointed even. Jack brushed his wife’s hair off her shoulder, exposing her flesh. He pressed a kiss into the crook of her neck. Mrs Shelby watched Lilith relax a little. “You’re not good enough for him.” Lilith purred softly, Jack’s lips and tongue trailed down Lilith’s neck as she spoke. “Neither of them were, either.” She glanced to the gravestones behind her. “I was lucky with Lizzie; God took care of her. But I had to intervene with Grace.”

  “B-but we’re happy.” Mrs Shelby spluttered, fear creeping into her voice every second longer that she spent in Lilith’s presence.

   “For now. Until he realises that you’re not enough for him.” She paused, relishing in the look of despair on Mrs Shelby’s features. “Don’t worry. He’ll be happier than ever with Eva. They’ll be perfect together.” Jack hummed in agreement with his beloved and imprinted his teeth in a perfect love bite into her neck as she slid home a beautiful carved and somewhat bejewelled blade into Mrs Shelby’s sternum. Mrs Shelby gasped in pain, a sharp sound leaving her soft lips. “She’s earned him, you haven’t.” Lilith continued as she twisted the hilt, a horrible tearing noise was heard before Lilith let go. Mrs Shelby staggered back and fell back against the willow tree overhanging the makeshift graveyard.  Lilith looked down at her blood spattered fingers. Lifting them to her face she licked one, smearing her lips in the substance. Greedily, Jack took her fingers and painted his own mouth with them. Lilith spun in Jack’s arms, giggling and moaning as their lips fused, unbuckling his belt. She murmured something to him and he acquiesced without question, sitting and leaning back against Grace’s headstone. Lilith slipped her dress over her head until she was wearing barely anything in the coldness of the autumn night. She straddled Jack, kissing him deeply before sliding down onto him in the ghostly glow of the full moon.

Mrs Shelby heaved, opening her mouth. She tried to call for help but no sound emerged. Instead she found herself mute, only coughing and spluttering on the crimson blood as it tried to liberate itself from her mouth. Her vision grew blurry for a moment as tears gathered and obscured her sight.

And then she saw them.

The ghosts of Grace Burgess and Lizzie Stark, both completely drenched in blood and staring in horror, not at her but at Lilith and Jack, as he flipped his wife over and took her like an animal. Lizzie’s expression was melancholic. Her hair loose and wild, eyes ceaselessly spilling tears and her mouth agape in silent cries of agony. Her body had been slit open from chest to lower abdomen and still, even in death, she was bleeding. Grace stood beside her still in the gown she wore the night she was murdered. the bullet wound on her chest still wept even though she didn’t. Her face was curiously, disturbingly calm. The sapphire around her neck pulsed and throbbed and pulsed and throbbed. And suddenly Grace wasn’t looking at Lilith and Jack anymore, her pale grey eyes locking onto her second replacement. Mrs Shelby found herself growing shivery and yet unable to move, unable to scramble backwards as the sapphire whispered to her over and over some kind of spell in Romani. The curse…. she recalled hazily as she forced her limbs in an attempt to move. Tommy believed it had been cursed by the Russians. Mrs Shelby’s fingers dug into the soil as she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Every movement was excruciating in both pain and in effort. Her eyes fluttered closed in exhaustion and the spell of the sapphire seemed to sing louder and louder, it’s feminine voice echoing seductively in her ears. She realised it was coming not only from the necklace Grace’s ghost wore, but also from the ring on her engagement finger. Struggling, she tried desperately to remove it. But to no avail, it was as though it had fused to her flesh, strangling her finger.

Mrs Shelby’s eyes snapped open. Just in time to see the ghost of Grace stood over her.

“I should feel sorry for you.” Grace whispered. “You’re a victim of this family, just like me.” She paused, licking her discoloured corpse lips. Grace heard it too. She heard that it was Lilith’s voice cursing her inside the blue sapphires, not Tatiana’s. “And Tommy does love you.” There was a moment of silence. “But… I’ve come to realise something.” Grace leaned down and kissed Mrs Shelby’s lips, her ghostly fingers coming up to wrap around Mrs Shelby’s throat. “If I can’t have Tommy…” Grace murmured as she pulled back looking deeply into Mrs Shelby’s eyes.

Her grip tightened...and tightened…and tightened. Mrs Shelby choked and spluttered, her body convulsing. The last thing she saw was Lilith’s dark eyes staring at her over Jack’s shoulder, her nails digging into his back as he held her to him. And Grace’s hoarse voice looming over her.

“Then no one can.”  

[gloryhrs]

⟡ 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒! ━━ 「 Keigo Asano. 」

male reader.

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ "A-AND THAT’S WHY we should save the planet, the end." Keigo watched as you read from the same research paper for the third time. Tomorrow was your turn to present your project and you’d been dreading it all week, the feeling of getting embarrassed ran across your mind every time it was mentioned. "Did I do good? I think I need to work on it a few more times." You held the paper to your face, which was starting to warm up from embarrassment. "You did amazing the first two times! You don’t have to work on anything else." Keigo got up from his bed to stand in front of the male who was still covering his face with the papers.

His eyes softened before grabbing your hand to move it down so he can see your face, which revealed you stared back at him with a small smile on your lips. Keigo could've sworn he felt an arrow pierce him through his heart from your extreme cuteness. "Aww, you're so cute." He pinched and squished your cheeks which made you hold back your laughter when Keigo started placing small kisses on your cheeks. "Mwah, Mwah, and Mwah!" He continued to peck your nose while laughing at the way your nose scrunched up.

"Now let's get to bed, since it's already a quarter past 11... and we have school tomorrow." He glanced at the clock before intertwining his hand with yours and dragged you to the bed. Once both males got comfortable a sigh of relief left from Keigo’s lips as he nuzzled his face into your neck with him hearing a small laugh that made his heart flutter slightly. "Mm, Goodnight Kei, I love you." The soft voice made his heart stop, "Goodnight babe, I love you more."

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ "AHH MR. L/N, are you ready to present your presentation? " The woman called out to the male who was currently rereading the presentation over to the brown-haired male in front of him. "Y-Yes ma’am." You muttered as your heart started to beat faster and faster every second you moved until a hand grabbed yours and intertwined them together. "Don't worry babe, you got this!" Keigo spoke softly to his nervous boyfriend as he held your hand with a tight grip.

"Yeah, you're right, I got this!" You stood up with the chair making a loud screeching sound behind that led to the whole class looking at you and Keigo. Oh, My God, You felt your heart stop for a mild second. "You should get going, and as I said, you got this!" Keigo patted your lower back and pushed you forward and made you take one step at a time as the class eyes watched you speed walk your way to the front. As you tried to straighten up the papers a loud noise made you squeak and flinch slightly, your eyes trailing up to look at the group of kids laughing and snickering at you quietly.

"Are you ready, Mr. L /n?" The woman patted your back lightly as you nodded slowly while trying to block out everyone. When the class started to quiet down it felt like millions of eyes were watching you and your every move, your legs began to feel like jelly and your heart breathing became slower than before until someone cleared their throat which made you look up to see Keigo who had a smile on his face.

'You got this, I love you! He mouthed to you with both of his hands forming a thumbs up which made you calm down slowly with a tiny smile appearing on your lips. " Okay... Today I'm here to give you a presentation on why we should save the planet... "

˚୨୧⋆｡˚ KEIGO’S FINGERS GRAZED against your soft freckled skin as a soft hum escaped your lips. You felt his hands travel on every part of your body before landing on one specific area, which was your face. Keigo eyes soften when he saw you press your head closer to his chest, your h/c locs falling along as well. He brushed your hair from your face and kissed your forehead, which caused you to smile. "I still can’t believe I did that." You looked up from your boyfriend’s chest to see him staring back at you with a bright grin.

"I always knew you could do it. You just had to believe in yourself." He pinched your cheek and tugged on it as you whined. "Yeah, but you helped me too. Thank you, Keigo." You kissed his cheek and then his lips. "All you needed was a confidence boost and a few kisses! It’s no big deal." His hand intertwined with yours and then kissed the back of it.

© gloryhrs, 041623. // notes and reblogs are appreciated! (≧∇≦) /

[lowkeyclueless5137]

ooooh, What about a sonic the hedgehog AU for twst :D. Can Idia and Ortho be the main stars again?

Hmmm... Let's see...

Sonic is a very wide franchise. I do enjoy Sonic, I like to mindlessly watch gameplay of the games, but I really didn't see every single sonic piece of lore. I am very lacking in the og lore, reboot lore and any kind of sonic deep lore tbh.

What I do know a bit better than others(like I just have a general idea at best) tho... Are 3 Sonic games: the black knight, secret rings and unleashed. Along with the 2 live action movies... I guess I have a pretty solid material to work with! Look at it!

*slaps roof of material*

*material crumbles apart*

:'3 yep... Pretty solid

We are starting with a distant planet, one full of lush green forests and aincent temples.

In here we meet Mrs Shroud, who is living in a modest tree house alongside her 2 sons. Idia, a 9-10 years old and Ortho, a newborn, who is yet to comprehend anything about this new world.

Idia was a quite curious child. He always asked his mama all kinds of questions, such as: where's papa? Why can't I go outside without covering my hair? Why do my teeth look wierd? Those were very VERY common questions. Unfortunately, all 3 would be always answered with 'when you get older, you'll find out'.

Their house was isolated from any other villages and other people that inhabited the land. Doesn't mean that Idia didn't see them. He would go after his mom to help her sometimes, so he saw the vibrant hair colors, the sparkly eyes and all the marks on one's skin, marks that would glow when those people would perform supranatural feats. He saw people flying, running fast, punching holes in stones and many more. The catch was that only 1 superpower was per person. And they seem to be awakened after a special ritual, which Idia always saw be made by the end of summer.

Idia once asked his mama why he doesn't have marks like the rest. Even his mother had some marks, although they seemed faint and weak. He never saw his mom ever use them. He didn't know what his mama's special power even was.

One day, Idia was watching over his little brother at home, mostly checking on the cradle and making sure Ortho is sleeping nicely and doesn't stirr around. Their mother was supposed to come back from the village with the usual errands.

Except that the 2's mother returns in a hurry, with an arrow plunged in her left arm. Idia, of course was absolutely horrified, but his mother tells him that he has to take his brother and leave. She hastily gives him a map and a pouch with golden rings, telling him that whatever he does, he must not be discovered, she tells him to look over Ortho and prevent anyone from finding out the truth about the Shrouds and their fire hair.

Idia begs for his mother to come with him and Ortho, but Mrs Shroud says that she can't, that she would only weight Idia down, just how she weighted her husband down to the point people discovered why they should fear the Shrouds. All she wished was for her 2 sons to find a peaceful life on earth.

It was a very first time that Idia heard about his father, but he had not much time to even sink in the info that he had to run with Ortho in his arms, finding themselves on earth. Only with a flimsy piece of paper that was useless, a pouch of interplanetary portals in the form of small golden rings and nothing else but their clothes and each other.

Idia and Ortho found, thankfully, their way to a small city. More on point: at a house of an old lady that was blind. She had a service dog and as such she couldn't see the flaming blue hair of Idia, taking him and his baby brother. She told the 2 about stories of her children that were living out of the country and didn't visit in a while.

Those children never once came to visit from what Idia realised over the years he came to stay in there. The old woman knew how to braid and would usually braid Idia's hair in a tight bun or something that could make the flaming hair be easier to cover up.

But when Ortho was around 7-8, the old woman died. Her time did come in the end, but the 2 brothers still cried at the funeral. Surprisingly, that's also when the said children of the woman showed up. Idia thought all that time that they were dead too or something, but no... They were all healthy and well off.

Even more surprising was when the testament was read, in which the old woman leaved all of her valuables, belongings and house to none other than Idia, the one who for the past 7-8 years was trying his best to both raise his little brother and also take care of the old woman. Idia was 18, therefore he was deemed the legal guardian of Ortho and had all the rights to inherit everything in the testament, much to the surprise of the other relatives, since they knew that the old woman had some valuables that make up for a fortune alone.

As such, past that, Ortho is 15 when Idia realises that his little brother couldn't be home schooled anymore. Idia himself worked a lot to get into an university, a lot of paperwork, a lot of exams and situations until he was allowed to study from home. This is also how he started his job in Graphic design and assets programming. He was working from home, for the sole reason that he had to both work his job and also play teacher for the sake of his brother.

Of course, Ortho grew up to be just like how Idia used to when he was 8: curious, energetic and always happy for the little things he discovers. Unlike Idia, who still had his hair long, Ortho had his in an undercut even, mostly since it was easier to hide with a beanie. Idia was very skeptical of leaving his brother to go to the high-school, but it had to be done. Many in the town never knew Idia's actual upbringing before he was basically adopted by the old lady, so he enrolled in college without much suspicion, but the town knew that Ortho is of age. Middle school, sure... He could be homeschooled, but not high-school. That would raise questions.

Idia tho, still kept the old woman's car. That probably belonged to her husband, but still with some repairs and upgrades, it was just like new, maybe even better. As such, Idia decided to drive Ortho to school.

The rules are the same as ever: don't show your hair, hide anything that may seem wierd, if anyone asks about parents, dodge the question and move on. Also don't get into trouble.

Ortho also asked why he has to wear long sleeves, even at PE, to which Idia reassures that it's just in case of anything, which puzzles his younger brother even more.

Idia also wore a lot of long sleeves, which Ortho found it curious, since he was aware that his brother had a bunch of tattoos. He never knew when Idia got them, but he always thought those were really cool.

First day in and already Idia is called to the school. :'3

Apparently Ortho got in an argument with Epel, his deskmate, which immediately escalated in a fight. Thankfully, no one got hurt as a teach broke them in time. Still, Ortho had a bruise on his cheek and Epel had his eye swollen. Additionally, Deuce, Ace, Sebek and Jack were there because they intervented and made it worse. Weather it was on accident or not, it wasn't important.

Idia of course arrives first. Mrs Spade called, saying she couldn't come in time, Mrs and Mr Trappola couldn't come, but Alex will go. For Jack his mom showed up, for Sebek his dad and for Epel his grandma.

Ortho also noted how Alex and Idia seem to be the same age and something is going on in between the 2. Sum kind of rivalry that Ortho never saw up until now. Ace did mention how his big brother was a passionate conspiracy theorist so Ortho concluded that it had to do something as to why both had a glaring war in between them.

Idia also was particularly giving sum business vibes by how he dressed, to the point the other kids thought he was either sum young business mogul or a mafia man. He was also much colder than Ortho knew him.

Of course, the 5 in question did have to address their unresolved tension, while their guardians were also arguing in the office, but ya know... Like adults. :'3

Of course, Idia and Alex are the first ones who get out, both clearly more than ready to take a jab at each other. Especially how the 'Holesti Ghost' is still kicking. Idia instead replies with 'how's the salary kicking at the donut shop?', which it's a pretty hard hit.

Ortho is confused, but apparently everyone in the town knew that Idia and Alex went to the same college. It was a pretty small town after all and everyone knew pretty much everyone.

Well except Ortho.

Idia, of course, is trying to keep sum sense of actual calm, as to not look like an absolute hypocrite after telling the kids to not fight in between them.

That ride home was one silent one for Ortho. Once home, he does inquire why Idia is so secretive. It's his first time when he gets outside fully, interacts with other people and all he's meet with is secrets that all dial back to Idia. Just how much did Idia truly hide from him?

That's also when Idia snaps, since Ortho keeps pressing on it. His hair flares up in bright orange hair and electricity around the house starts malfunctioning and a serious blackout occurs. Ortho is absolutely horrified, while Idia realises what he just did, so he firstly tries to calm down his brother before he finally puts down Ortho to have the ✨talk✨.

Idia tells his little brother that their real name was Shroud, that both descended from another planet. They had to run away in order to survive. Their mother sacrificed herself for their sake. Idia tells Ortho that at one point, marks would appear on his body, sign that his powers are finally ready to be used. Idia had his in the spur of the moment and since then they grow. Of course, everything has to be a secret, otherwise who knows what would happen to them. They might have to flee to another planet altogether.

Ortho wants to ask why, but Idia tells him that he also has no idea. His only lead was the flimsy map he hid in the attic, but even with that, Idia had no idea what they would be searching for? Answers? A tool? A weapon? Who knows?

With the new knowledge, it daunts onto Ortho literally everything. How every aspect of his life was absolutely unnatural because of that need to hide and survive.

This made high-school even harder to go through with the new anxiety over literally everything. :'3

PE does have to play an important role, because that's also when Ortho discovers that he can go super fast. And not just faster than a normal kid. Faster than a car even. The teens did not give it much thought and even the sports teach wasn't thinking too much into it, but Ortho realised something was up, so he excused himself to the bathroom.

Low and behold! The marks started to appear. And Ortho was more than horrified since they appeared, just like Idia warned him. And it wasn't something that easy, it was goddamn super speed. He could make a run of the sports field in a second, maybe even less!

Ortho wanted to call his brother, to take him early, but after PE he only had history and it would be less suspicious if he simply stood that class and then go home. What the worse that could happen?

The worse indeed happens when it gets announced that sum military investigation is going on. Something about the blackouts that seemed to not happen only in their city, but in the whole region. At one point it happened spontaneously in the whole continent, although for a few secs, that was something to raise suspicions.

So it took a while until they got on board a 'genius' scientist to lead the investigation. Rumors did go around that towns or villages in the vicinity were scouted as well, so now it was their turn.

And Ortho was downright horrified of this. It doesn't help that for today, his math class was cancelled for the sole reason that the kids could also be examinated in case of anything. Oh he was so scared, he was basically shaking off his feet.

A note on this whole mess wast that several weeks passed and during those weeks, Ortho actually got along with Epel, Adeuce, Jack and Sebek. They had their own lil group and it was great overall.

As such, the 5 in question noticed Ortho's state and asked if he was alright. Yeah, sure, everything is alright if you count off that his hair is literally blue fire, he is currently having tattoos spreading on his body and that apparently he can run faster than an F1 car. Sure those are minor details... Right?

Of course, his turn comes to the lil examination, which Ortho absolutely dreaded. His friends all went before him, in fact, everyone went before him, and he was the last. Jack tried to reassure that it's a simple thing and won't hurt at all, while Ace and Epel in the bg are dramatically crying about how they were cut open and stitched back up via super hi-tech lasers and what not.

Surprisingly, he passed. These bitches did not realise he was an odd one, but he was absolutely glad about it.

Although Ortho notices that the head of the investigation, that 'genius' scientist has sum holograms that depict runes and photos of ruins. Ortho thought those were familiar, that he saw them somewhere.

When he comes back home, Idia is obviously waiting for him. Apparently the adults went first before the kids, so Idia also passed by quick.

And that's when Ortho noticed that the marks on his big brother's arm were similar to the signs he thought were runes on the reports he saw around. And he did bring it up to Idia, on how his marks are actually engraved on sum temples and shit and that's what the special forces are looking for.

Idia, rightfully, is taken aback by this, but his worry is more when Ortho also tells him about his special power and the marks that did spread over his own body. They were faith and already were fading away quickly, but the more it's used, the more the marks become permanent and spread.

Idia also reveals his special power: electricity manipulation. This is why he caused that blackout when he got mad. His powers got out of control at that moment.

But Ortho insists that maybe those temples and aincent engravings could be the answer Idia's looking for. The answer to why they are like this. Idia tho, says that for now, they shouldn't pursue anything. He searches in the attic and finds his old pouch with rings and the map in question. Idia gives half of the rings to Ortho, teaching him how to use those and telling him that only in emergency cases he should use them. He had to picture clearly where he wants to go first of all. Idia would forge a PE pass for his brother, so they won't have a worry over it.

That night, Ortho also couldn't sleep and Idia was more than welcoming for a bedtime story and sum cuddling under the blankets.

But, next day at school, there is again an inspection, which apparently it's because of the fact that the wierd energy was repered to be around this small city, as such, another more through investigation had to commence.

And this time, everyone is put in an line at the end and told to hold something. From what it was whispered around, it was a small piece of rock, a brick with engravings if one was to say. It was a bit heavy, but not as heavy as a couple of grapes. Ortho had 0 idea what this meant and he was scared for life. He was absolutely glad he had foundation on him to quickly cover the marks for the through investigation, but now his anxiety got the best of him, not knowing why he has to hold a goddamn brick of all things.

Until it reaches in his hands and the brick starts shaking. Scared, Ortho passes it off to the next one, Jack, but that doesn't stop the brick from shaking, it goes even worse. So it gets passed to Sebek, it starts glowing, Epel got scared when it started cracking, Deuce already had it starting to crumble apart and Ace found himself with a bunch of crumbles of the brick and a pretty lil purple gem in his hands.

Oh they were screwed. So fucking screwed. :'3

Cue running away from the military and Ortho using in the spur of the moment one of the rings in order for all 6 to escape through it.

They ended up in Siberia. In fucking Siberia! It was cold, they were buried in snow and Ace had his pants caught in a pine tree.

They are all 6 scared and try to make their way through, until they find a quite cozy looking house. It was apparently an inn, so it wasn't wierd to have 6 guys completely decked out in snow to come in.

Thankfully Sebek knows sum Russian so he could ask for them to just be let to stay for a bit. And now, all 6 at a smol table in the corner, they are eyeing Ortho. Ace still had that purple gem and none of them knew what the hell that was. It was pretty? Yes. But what is its purpose? Why was it in a magic brick? And why tf did the brick shake so much? What does the military even want with them???

Ortho does start to explain what Idia told him. They are aliens and it seems that they go under hiding because there is something inside of them, some sort of power that people are afraid of and would kill them to ensure that it never comes to light. Ortho was downright terrified and all he wanted was to call his big brother and at least make sure he is alright too. Now Ortho's friends were dragged in because of him being stupid and passing the brick around. He couldn't blame anyone but himself.

Deuce is the voice of reason this time, reassuring that Ortho shouldn't apologise for what already was done and over. They need to just get out of this situation. They have a wierd gem and that would be it. They are absolutely not ready to die or be dissected by the government since apparently they put targets on all of their backs.

Jack is the ACTUAL voice of reason and says that maybe they should go somewhere warmer, because they cannot stay in this snow paradise without freezing to death. Ace suggests Hawaii, just because why not? Free trip to Hawaii I guess. :3

So with an excuse that they will go to the bathroom, they use one of the rings in there and find themselves in Hawaii. Epel took the gem from Ace and wrapped it in a handkerchief, putting it in his pocket in case of anything. They just need to find a goddamn public phone and call Idia, in case the government tracks their phones as well.

Idia, of course responds and immediately nags Ortho because 'WHY THE FUCK DID YOU GO TO SIBERIA OF ALL PLACES?!'. He panicked, alright? Idia tho, was also in hiding so he didn't have much time to talk. Neither did the Bois have coins to keep the discussion longer.

In frustration, Epel punches the bottom of the telephone, which immediately makes a hole from which coins pour out. Absolutely terrified at this, everyone realises that the gem is glowing slightly. That because of the gem, Epel had some sort of super strength.

But they got free money at least. :'D

Idia gave to them a location to meet up, in Hawaii so that they won't have to use the rings willy-nilly and end up in the middle of the ocean or something.

Idia himself looked a bit dishevelled, but he had a similar gem, but green. Apparently these 2 were taken from 2 different temples, but even so, they were 7 in total, as per sum aincent manuscripts that retell how 'celestial beings' came from nowhere and built 7 temples in order to hide those gems.

Idia made sum proper research onto this. Ya know, hack into the top secret files, violate some laws of digital security, the usual. :3

But Idia tells them that there is a catch, that the gems, or as they were named, chaos emeralds, can be used to obtain power beyond imagination. To birth gods at that. Idia also did some digging since yesterday to the lead of this investigation and knows that Crowley, the said genius's record, isn't that clean. The government got him in lead because it was their easiest choice: erase some things of his record and they are all gud.

The first years group concludes 1 thing: they have to go after the rest of the emeralds and find them before Crowley does. Currently Crowley uses the discovery of the Shrouds's true nature as a plausible excuse to hunt them down. If the gems reacted to them, it meant that they could find the others.

Of course, Idia also clears it out that Adeuce, Epel, Jack and Sebek cannot go back, for they would be hunted down by the special forces. So they will have to stick together.

At least they have a pouch of stolen coins. :3

Using the map, Idia manages to activate it via his powers, revealing 6 locations all in different colors. Idia says that the green and purple sparks have to be the temples where the green and purple chaos emeralds were initially hidden. The closest to them was the red one.

Idia also insists that the emeralds should be kept separated, so the green one gets handed to Sebek. If he happens to unlock sum new cool power, good for him I guess. Epel is pretty hyped up about his super strength. :3

Cue a lot of shenanigans and chasing around. Crowley keeps getting on their trail and with all the machinery and everything, we are talking about 6 teens and a 25 years old all trying to survive and race to find all the emeralds before Crowley does. Well... It's easy to say race when Ortho has that super speed. And on the way, the other emeralds allowed the rest of the first years to also gave cool new powers, but only when they had them on their person.

Sebek had electricity manipulation

Deuce had water manipulation due to the blue gem, while Ace fire due to the red one.

And Jack had the yellow emerald, which granted him the ability to make plants grow. Ace laughed at that so much until Jack threw him in the air with a tree.

So far, they were missing 2: the torquoise and white one. And Crowley, much to their dismay, has the torquoise one. The white one was the last and as such either way they had to keep the other emeralds safe, not risk it for one.

Cue heading towards the white emerald, but crow man manages to get in their way, catching Idia. Of course, Ortho wanted to save his brother, but Idia denies him of that, his last words being to find that goddamn emerald and hide it from Crowley.

So while our group goes on to the biggest and most booby-trapped temple of all, Idia is held hostage by Crowley, who realises that the emerald does react to Idia. It's a very wierd reaction, volatile at that, but it's one that Idia himself feared and actively tried to avoid it. When he got too close to it, his marks would glow and skin would start to crack up, which was an unseen reaction.

Crowley realises that Idia knew something else about the emeralds. Not only that they can grant immense power to someone. And with that, Crowley gets himself a nice lil experiment to conduct with a brand new subject.

Cue a bigger race for the last emerald. Our group had 5 while crow man had 1 and also Idia.

The Very epic fight is up to the imagination of everyone, just imagine a lot of boom and pows and cool af poses. :v

In the end, Ortho is given an ultimatum: the emeralds or his brother gets it. Idia himself begged the group not to do it, but the rest were on Ortho's side and even encouraged to save Idia over the emeralds.

Of course, that's also when the big betrayal occurs. Ya know, the military holds hostages the first years, while Crowley double backstabs and uses the emeralds on Idia, who seemed now to bring him immense pain. The ground stated to shake and the whole temple was becoming rumbles, so everyone had to flee, leaving Idia alone, there to be killed by the crumbling of the temple. Our first years were devastated, while Ortho was the most affected out of all, crying his eyes out and accusing Crowley of killing his brother. The grief was turned into rage, but already Ortho was holded up with special cuffs, which were made by Crowley when he had Idia as a hostage. Of course, the other first years were huddling closer, trying to comfort each other and hope that they won't be killed.

Except that the earth shaking didn't stop, as something rose up from under all that rubble. Something big and very angry. It was a being that seemed to be made out of pure magma and stone, with long fire hair as it stretched out. In the middle of it's supposed to be chest was a soft colorful glow, clearly the emeralds.

That was Idia. And unfortunately, Idia was very angry at Crowley. But crow man warns him that if he tries anything, he can immediately give the order to shoot all the kids up. The soldiers in question put hesitantly guns to the kids's heads and that seemed to make Idia hesitate, deciding to demand to leave the kids alone. Crowley tho, insists that Idia has to give out the chaos emeralds if he wants the kids to at least be alive by the end of this.

While this exchange occurs, Ortho the solider from behind Ortho undoes his shackles. It's revealed to be Alex, Ace's big brother, who apparently is working as a secret agent. This reached a new level of messed up and while Alex had strict orders to listen to Crowley, he couldn't put a gun to his brother or his friends's heads.

With this, the first years manage to free themselves and cause a commotion enough to distract everyone, including Idia.

Well, everyone except crow man, who used Idia's distraction moment to aim at him a device, which forcefully took the emeralds out. This did not revert Idia to his original form, it weakened him, yes, but he still was a gigantic creature that currently tried to get back his footing. He fails tho, falling unconscious.

Meanwhile, Crowley, now empowered with the emeralds, is reeking havoc and again double crosses, but this time the government, by starting to attack the military and abusing of his absolute power. In his delight, he wants to start first with the first years, who were the menaces that kept annoying him.

Cue epic 1-1 in between Ortho, who only had his super speed, and Crowley with God powers. The gimmick in here is that Ortho is aiming for the emeralds. And when he gets one, he gives it to one of the rest of the first years, thus putting in game more players.

In the end, the last 2 emeralds are kept by Ortho. And using 1 ring to the mushroom planet, the 6 of them throw Crow man in there.

After that, Ortho goes to his big brother. Idia gained back a sense of consciousness, but he was still weak and the only thing he could do is leave out huge tears that became steam immediately, as he saw his little brother, giving to him to of the emeralds. By now, Ortho's body marks were fully developed and proeminent and Idia ws proud of his little brother. With 2 out of the 7 emeralds, Idia does gain enough power to raise on his knees at least, holding Ortho in his palms. Ortho himself was bearly half of his big brother's thumb now and Idia carefully holded him, telling him how happy he is that Ortho was alright.

We also get Ortho hugging his big brother's cheek and saying that he only wants everything to be back like usual. He wants back to the normal school days, to coming home and being just happy in general, with the only care being his homework and the upcoming tests.

And that's also when the other first years manage to also climb on Idia's hands, all wanting to give up their emeralds to Idia, but the latter refuses, saying that in a bit of time, he won't need any of the emeralds to sustain this form, for he takes his power from the core of the earth itself. That was why the Shrouds were so feared. When they awakened to their full power, they take out from the core of the planet they are on, thus able to control it to greater lengths than anyone could. The chaos emeralds were simply a method of defeating a Shroud and keeping them grounded from going mad with power.

Alas, there was still the fucking government to take matters with. Idia does manage to return voluntary to his human form and as such, he offers an agreement: Act like nothing happened, leave him and the first years to live peacefully back in their home city and in turn, they won't cause any trouble, unless some other planet threats occur. It was either that or Idia just smashing through the soldiers like warm butter so you guess that it wasn't merely an agreement.

And things went back to normal! :3

Except that now Ortho is allowed to not hide his hair and marks anymore. The first years are pretty known now through the high-school as 'the guys who fought an evil science man and the fucking government with cool-ass superpowers'.

At least they get a good PE grade :3

[coll2mitts]

#25 The Court Jester (1956)

Happy Halloween! I ran out of creepy musicals, so we're going to instead recap one where Danny Kaye wears a ridiculous looking costume.

Seriously, it looks like he lost a bet.

The Court Jester is a star-studded film that is only a musical by definition because Danny Kaye occasionally sings. It is the most fast-paced, disorienting, silly movie I have ever watched, and I enjoyed every absurd minute of it.

The movie begins with Danny prancing around during the title sequence to hype up the fairy tale they'll be reenacting over the next hour and thirty minutes while also assuring the audience actually read the credit sequence. Which, y'know, whatever you gotta do.

Once Upon a Time, King Roderick the Tyrant, a jolly, smiley old man who massacred an entire family to take the throne, is heading home with a bunch of his homicidal friends. One of his knights is unceremoniously murdered by an arrow with a note tied to it, because I'm guessing a pigeon wasn't available. The Black Fox (think Robin Hood, but way less charismatic), the King's nemesis, sends a (literal) message to warn King Roderick his days are numbered - There is a rightful heir to the throne, and he's an infant that has a distinctive flower on his butt!

This has King Roderick shaking in his perfectly aligned tight seams and the group books it back to the safety of the castle leaving the poor unmoving knight on the side of the road. His advisor, Sir Ravenhurst (Basil Rathbone), assures the king this news is nonsense, but the rest of his council (Brockhurst, Finsdale, and Pertwee) suggest the King should form an alliance with Sir Griswold - an alpha male from a neighboring kingdom that is so big and strong he'd send The Black Fox packing. Sir Ravenhurst disagrees, which sends these petty and dramatic queens into a slapping fight which is only quelled when someone suggests they marry off Princess Gwendolyn (my love Angela Lansbury) to Griswold cause she's got nothing currently on her calendar. Gwendolyn reacts to this news by threatening to jump off the building since she is also a petty and dramatic queen. Her behavior is blamed on her handmaiden Griselda, cause there's absolutely no other reason why Gwendolyn would want to marry for love.

Meanwhile, the band of The Black Fox are out in the forest having a grand 'ol time with their in-house entertainment!

They've really gotta work on rebranding cause at first glance I thought they were wearing Nazi armbands.

Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye), while a jester by trade, wants to contribute more than singing and dancing to the cause. He's even recruited an entire troupe of little people from the local carnival to free up some of his time to swashbuckle with the rest of them. The Black Fox instead puts him on babysitting duty with a Tarzan swinging Mrs. Banks, which apparently includes flashing the kid's bottom to anybody who wants to pledge loyalty to a royal.

After discovering there's a snitch in the castle, the stunningly beautiful Captain Jean (Glynis Johns) and Hubert, in order to keep the baby with the purple pimpernel buttmark concealed, dress in disguise to traffic the child in a wine barrel to an Abbey. Hawkins' old man shenanigans frustrate the King's knights enough that they don't suspect the pair are involved with The Black Fox and let them continue on their journey.

They take shelter in a dilapidated shack for the night and The Captain's ovaries explode watching Hubert sing the child to sleep with his buttery voice.

And, oh no! There's only one pile of hay they have to share! Maid Jean keeps her cool by telling Hawkins beta males can attract even strong men like her, and Hawkins replies her she'd make a pretty good girl before planting a kiss on her. Jean tries to steer the conversation back to their mission, but Hawkins, seeing now he has a chance, can't take his lips off of her.

"I wonder if she's thinking about other guys..." "There's a secret tunnel under the castle that leads to the King's chambers!"

But wouldn't you know, at that very moment, the King's future court jester Giacomo wanders into the shack looking for shelter. He just happens to be the type of person who would have access to the King and be able to grab the key to the secret tunnel. Instead of recruiting him into the cause, Jean brains Giacomo and asks Hawkins to take his place since he has all that convenient carnival experience.

Back at the castle The King is still struggling because Gwennie doesn't want to marry the Grim, Grizzly, Gruesome Grossy McGrosserson Griswold! Even though he has an unwilling bride-to-be, the King figures if he can distract Griswold with bitches there's a greater chance he'll comply, sending his knights out to grab a cartful of them. Ravenhurst also suggests their new jester might be able to provide some levity, which the king agrees to without knowing that Ravenhurst, in addition to being petty and dramatic, is also a scheming queen and The Original Giacomo was hired because he was a secret skilled assassin!

Unfortunately for Jean, the King's quest for hoes intercepts her baby-concealing wine cart on the way to the abbey and she is dragged to the castle ahead of a bumbling Hawkins. She rendezvous with The Black Fox's inside guy Fergus and asks him to take the surprisingly mute baby to the Jester's quarters in anticipation for Hawkins' arrival. She then steals the key from the King's quarters herself since she has to do fucking everything.

Hawkins/Giacomo arrives a few moments later to the delight of Ravenhurst and Griselda - the former because he wants Giacomo to go on a murderous rampage, and the latter because she convinced Gwendolyn the dude with the pointy shoes is her One True Love in order to weasel her way out of a Gwendolyn's pre-wedding murder-suicide pact.

Hawkins tries to determine which person is an ally by spitting in everyone's faces and unfortunately determines Ravenhurst is his man cause Hubert is dumb as rocks and Ravenhurst keeps giving him the "you're gonna murder the King's council for me" eyebrows.

The King asks "Giacomo" to choose the best wench for him since he assumes this man wearing the biggest feather I've ever seen in a hat is a massive slut who would be able to tell which bitch was quality. He's quickly intercepted by Griselda who, in a quest to save her own skin, hypnotizes him into wanting to fuck Gwendolyn. Fergus witnesses this and is rightfully disgusted.

Jean, barefoot and key laden, stumbles upon Hawkins on his way to get his dick wet and since he has a singular focus, Hawkins pimps Jean out to the King. Excited to be dining with such a beautiful woman, the King ignores the fact it's usually not a good sign if the guards have to physically restrain your date.

Arriving at the Princess's chambers, "Giacomo" lays on the charm hard, telling her they'll run away together. The Princess takes the key to the secret tunnel under the assumption they will meet and flee in the dead of night. The King uses this exact moment to check in on his daughter, immediately uncovers her plan to leave and steals the key back making the last 10 minutes useless. After a brief side-quest where "Giacomo" agrees to murder the council for Ravenhurst, Griselda removes the love spell and erases Hawkins' memory for funsies and to further complicate the plot.

After getting all dolled up, Jean is escorted to the King on the way to dinner only to find out that left unsupervised, Hawkins got himself in a shitload of trouble and also returned the key to the King. He is, however, able to perform well enough to distract the King from the baby in a basket.

Things are further derailed after Griselda poisons the King's entire council during a toast and somehow nobody cares about this except Ravenhurst who thinks that "Giacomo" did it. This doesn't prevent the wedding of her lady to Griswold, however, since Gwendolyn outs her love for "Giacomo" the second Griswold walks through the door. Griswold decides to win Gwen's hand through TRIAL BY COMBAT, which means "Giacomo" needs to be declared a knight to participate.

Ravenhurst, pleased with how his plan is progressing, praises the man who hired Giacomo, who instead blindsides him with, "My guy, this development is cool and all, but I've never seen that dude in my life." They assume Hawkins is The Black Fox for whatever reason, and instead of ratting him out to the king, they advocate for expediting the jester's knighthood so he will be forced to kill Griswold. The knights go out of their way to rig the tests so THE CANDIDATE PASSES, damning Hawkins to most certainly die by Griswold's blade.

Tasked with keeping the mission afloat, Captain Jean attempts to seduce the king to once again steal the key. She succeeds in both turning him on, and then turning him off by regaling the plague that unfortunately killed her family, and like, imagine being scared of catching a contagious virus. Just take some horse dewormer, King, you'll be fine. Jean gets the key and hands it off to Fergus to be sent by bird to the legitimate Black Fox, proving you don't need to send messages by murder.

Hawkins' fears are inching closer and closer to reality as he is incredibly enthusiastically knighted by ceremony. Griswold immediately challenges him to TRIAL BY COMBAT and Hawkins accepts under the assumption The Black Fox will come soon and take his place in battle.

Those quickly shuffling men that resemble a marching band on steroids are The American Legion Zouaves Post no. 29 from Jackson, Michigan. Formed in 1898 as an exercise group, the drill team were famous for moving at 300 steps per minute and being able to launch all 18 of them over a 12 foot wall in 22 seconds. When Hollywood came calling, they initially thought it was a joke until they heard they were scouted based on one of their 5 performances on the Ed Sullivan Show. A group of 200 people saw them off on their flight to film in California while carrying a key to the city to be delivered to Danny Kaye. Their favorite person to talk to on set was Angela Lansbury, which is the most believable thing in the world to hear. Basil Rathbone attempted to learn the steps but apparently was not very successful since it's just as hard as it looks.

Steering back from that tangent, the morning of the big fight arrives and The Black Fox is nowhere to be seen as the secret passage is partially collapsed only leaving room for someone the size of a small child and if only The Black Fox knew of several small child-sized men who could navigate their way through the tunnel and start a diversion... The Black Fox, instead of saving Hawkins' life, decides to change the plan by recruiting Hawkins' acrobat friends (which he could have done at the beginning of this movie) and use them as a distraction to gain access to the castle.

Hung out to dry, Hawkins once again finds an ally in Griselda, whose neck is once again on the line as Gwendolyn declares if Giacomo is killed Griselda will be next. Griselda only knows of one way to kill a man, however, and poisons one of the cups that will be used for the pregame toast, as if pregame toasts were a thing. Problem is, Hawkins is having issues trying to remember which chalice's contents won't make him foam at the mouth and limply fall over.

RED LEATHER YELLOW LEATHER RED LEATHER YELLOW LEATHER UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK

But right before the joust Hawkin's armor is struck by lightning which magnetizes it and oh my god I think whoever wrote this movie was on cocaine what is even happening. Danny Kaye changes out of his disco tunic and belt-I-swore-they-sold-at-Hot-Topic-in-2003 combo and dons his electrified armor to face his destiny. After the toast goes absolutely nowhere since Griswold gets word of the poison, they begin to battle and Griswold immediately knocks Hawkins' block off.

BUT THROUGH THE POWER OF A LITERAL ACT OF GOD Griswold's mace gets stuck to Hawkins' shield and he falls off his horse in defeat. Hawkins spares Griswold's life and is promised Gwendolyn's hand in marriage after The King's mealy mouthed apology about trying to get him killed and shit. This is a short lived victory as Hawkins is quickly outed by Ravenhurst as The Black Fox and Captain Jean as his accomplice. Poor Fergus was caught and tortured to reveal the heir apparent is hiding in the castle somewhere and Ravenhurst isn't about to take his chances at The Black Fox snatching the title of son-in-law.

Captain Jean and Hawkins are summoned before the court with Hubert sporting a surprising amount of chest hair for a prisoner. It's at that moment dozens of acrobats descend on the knights, launching their hilariously mannequin-esque bodies via catapult into the sea.

While The Black Fox and his men overthrow the castle, Hawkins confronts Ravenhurst mono e mono to mixed results. It isn't until Griselda Space-Jam-waters him into having confidence that Hawkins is able to corner Ravenhurst for a small moment to show off his wonderful dissection skills.

Hawkins eventually is able to scream and flail around long enough for the acrobats to launch a Ravenhurst-dressed rag doll into the sea, only to then be confronted by Griswold who wants to take down the traitors. The holy infant is then lowered from the ceiling so Hawkins can once again show off its ass revealing the baby as the true heir. The king is overthrown, Hawkins ends up with Jean, Gwendolyn magically likes Griswold for absolutely no reason, and a literal infant with no capabilities of ruling takes the throne. All hail the holy bloodline.

THE END.

This movie is a plot-heavy non-stop frantic fever dream that is also incredibly charming and funny. While I'm not completely sold on Danny Kaye and Glynis Johns' romantic connection, they play off each other incredibly well.

The whole cast sells the story in all its grand, melodramatic farce. Angela Lansbury, who is disorienting to see with long hair, cracked me up every time she threated to hurl herself off of a turret or murder a maid in order to get her way. Glynis really is our true hero, constantly running around keeping the motley crew on track, even if they didn't let her wear shoes the entire movie. Danny Kaye's facial expressions alone would have been worth more than the price of admission. I've watched this 4 times now and I find something new to giggle at during each repeat.

If you're looking for an evening full of brainless slapstick, The Court Jester more than fits the bill. Let the man in the ostentatious outfit entertain you - it's his job.

Thanks for reading on tumblr!  If you’ve enjoyed this post, please consider helping me fund this project by donating to my ko-fi :)

[averytiredhuman]

Broken Arrow

The warm scolding summer sun burned the skin of the unknown woman. Her bare feet blister as the Nevada desert sand burns, and her body is bright red and covered in dust and dirt. Mud forms as the tears seep from her green eyes, her lips chapped and ripped from being dry, her throat burns as she breathes, and the dirty torn dress she was forced to wear clung to her skin as she sweats. She was thin and not from going to the gym or from a diet, no months of only being fed once a week has taken its toll. Her legs quiver as she takes an unsteady step towards what she thinks is the main road, and her eyes burn as she looks up – how could this happen to her? How could a straightforward day of doing important work turn into her screaming, crying, bleeding and clawing her way to freedom? How could she have let it happen?

As her barren feet touch the scolding paved road she began to cry out in joy, she fell to her knees but soon stood up when she heard the rumble of a car, her bone-like arms swung up as she tried to flag down the car, and she was successful, it was – surprisingly, a police vehicle, as it came to a halt a man and a woman jumped out “Are you alright?” the voice in the back of her mind made a sarcastic comment of ‘do I look like I am?’ only as she opened her mouth to speak a cry of pure and utter pain ripped past her lips “Call it in, let’s get her to a hospital.” The last she spoke as the male officer carried her to the car was her name “Athena”

Athena stares blankly at the off-white wall, her mind is still and busy, both at the same time. Athena’s family stood outside the hospital room, “She hasn’t spoken yet, but that’s understandable. Her throat and her vocal cords have extensive scarring.” Nora – Athena’s mother clutched her husband’s shirt as she cries silently “I am sorry to say, Mr and Mrs Arthur, it seems that your daughter has gone through horrific torture and I am so sorry.” Her family breaks down, and her father, Ryan’s face is hard, and his eyes are broken. He rubs his large hand up and down his wife’s back to soothe her, his voice is hoarse as he spoke “Have the police spoken to her yet?” the doctor shakes his head “They are coming in later today to speak to her.”

Her mind keeps going back to her torturing, she could still feel the sting of her skin and muscle being ripped open by the whip as it touched her back, the man’s voice – gruff as if he smoked one too many cigarettes and ended its light on her skin 'You deserve this, this is your fault, you did this to yourself.' His voice plays like a broken record. Athena’s eyes snap to the glass door as it slides open, her body goes rigid fear flashes through her eyes “Miss Arthur?” her head moves stiffly, up once, down, stop. Her eyes followed the man as he sat in front of her bed, her eyes took in every detail of his face. A greying scruff covers his chin and cheeks, lines run from his eyes and a harsh one between his eyebrows, and his hair – although still brown, has flecks of grey in between them “My name is Anton, I’m a detective with the Special Operations unit," her eyes follows his lips as they move. The detective’s eyes soak in her details, her light brown hair is still matted, longer than the photo they have of her, her full lips are chapped, her porcelain skin holds scars that he would never wish upon his greatest enemy, her eyes, her eyes are what make his heart wrench and her stomach churn, the dull green colour of her eyes held so much pain and so much fear and terror. Her hand clenched the large, white hospital pillow to her chest, hiding most of her body from him. Anton moved his chair a whole foot from her bed and this seemed to calm her, her hands no longer clenched at the large pillow, but it was still held to her body. “I’m going to ask you a few simple questions, and if you aren’t comfortable with them please let me know.” Her head moves up and down again slowly “I’m going to have to ask this, to get it out of the way. Were, were, you raped?” her eyes snapped up, and her head shook forcefully, Anton nodded and wrote down in his notebook. After extensive questions and only a shake or a nod from Athena, he told her he was going to come back another time.

During her time in the hospital, Athena sat idle, staring at the drywall, blinking only when her eyes were drying. In the room with her once a week a psychiatrist sat on a chair several feet away from her, the doctor’s hair is always twisted in a neat bun, her face is framed with thin lines, and her thin lips are painted light pink, Athena refuses to speak to the doctor – who after the third hour of Athena’s silence told her, her name. Athena blinked twice at the name of Dayna Fraser, during the rest of the week Dayna was given more information about herself than she had received.

Athena still sat, silent until a cold Friday morning, she had moved from her tight seat against the wall on her bed, to the soft cushioned seat by the window. Her light green eyes now stared at the water falling from the dark clouds in the sky “He never allowed me to see the rain.” Her voice is still gruff, Dayna could tell that it used to be soft, and smooth when rolling from her tongue. “The water used to pour into the room he kept me in, I could tell it was some sort of basement, the windows were as small as a four-by-four plank, thick rusted steel bars covered them.” Athena turns her head to the older woman, “I’m sorry, I have been very rude to you.” Dayna lifts her hand with a silver pen held between the thumb and the ring finger, “No need for apologies, I understand.” Athena turns her head back slowly to the window again. “He calls himself Ares,” a sound of displeasure came from her throat. “He thought it was fitting due to my name.” Athena’s eyes follow droplets that race to the bottom “I, I thought that I was going to be raped, killed after he had his fun, only he never did that, he never sexually touched me, it was as if my body offended him.” Her right-hand moves from the pillow, fingers rubbing over the red-stained bandages that are wrapped around her torso, “He started with simply cutting, small cuts that healed within a day or two, it wasn’t after I stopped my crying – five days after he took me, that’s when he began whipping me, I remembered for the first fifteen days I screamed until my throat bled, I – I could taste the blood as it dripped down my throat.” Her left-hand clutches the pillow tighter as her right moves from her torso to her neck, “he held me on a bed for the first three weeks, after that he strung me up, I remember how he left me to hang there until my shoulders popped out of their sockets, first my left then my right.” Her shoulders rolled back as if to pop them back in, there was a light pop that could be heard, it was loud to both women.

The next day, Athena sat in the same spot as the day before, in the same position, only her hair is now braided – washed, she is no longer in the given hospital wear, and her mother had dropped off a pair of black sweatpants and an old jersey from her university days. “You've changed clothing.” Athena’s green eyes are now framed by gold and brown framed spectacles “You wear glasses?” Athena’s head bobs, once up, once down, stop. Same as it’s been since she arrived, her body is still ridged, muscles tight, her slender bone-like fingers holding on tight onto a new smaller white pillow. Dayna could now see more of Athena's body as it was no longer covered with a large hospital pillow the black sweatpants were falling from her body, she is no longer the size 34 or medium that she formally used to be, now with the bones of her skeleton poking at the thin porcelain skin, still slightly red from her hours spent burning in the sun – it was a gift and a curse of Athena, no matter what she does she cannot tan, her veins and arteries could be visible, tendons move like worms as she moves a finger or wiggles a toe, her cheekbones are more defined, her eyes are sunken dark iron-deficient circles lines the bottom of her eyes. Her green eyes still follow the water droplets from the heavy rain outside, “I’ve recommended you to a PTSS group.” Athena’s eyes slowly move from the window to the doctor, a small smile on her chapped lips ``If you believe it may help.” Dayna’s dark brown eyes follow her lips as it moves, her eyes hold so much pain and fear, she’s falling into an act, one that can fool many. Athena turns her body toward the doctor, this is the first time in a week and a half that she shows an invitation, only her body is still covered by the pillow. “I remembered something last night.” The doctor nodded, “He called me Arrow, and he said ‘An arrow broken can still be shot, it just needs to be modified. I found it to be something that echoes in my mind at times.” The doctor wrote down the phrase.

[skyguy675]

Entry 4: 22/10/24 - Subject Matter is an Unknown Quantity

Ah, hello, fancy seeing you here today. Probably gonna be a short one since this entry will be the result of a desire to log a journal update without any particularly clear idea what it will be about. Oh well, let’s live dangerously.

I just came off my touch-typing course.

Correction: I just came off one smegging task/mission/worksheet of my touch-typing course after having spent, no joke, three smegging days trying to five star it. I thought I was getting pretty wizzo at the thing, but then the plying smeggers (throwing in some sci-fi swears for the fun of it btw) that devised the thing threw in all these random symbols and bits of punctuation I don’t think I’ve ever used before in my life.

“Great job at getting a measly three stars” it mocks; “Aim for 45 wpm” it cries; “You failure” calls the mocking little voice in the back, front, centre and little cubby hole of my brain. 

I’m trying, Mother!

Look I’m not gonna pretend to be a touch-typing prodigy, but I was batting that on average (more  or less) before you started chucking in all that % and ^ mumbo jumbo, most of which you can only input with the application of the smegging shift key. I mean, way to break my flow. There’s one assignment that’s basically all numbers and weirdo characters that I’ve just relented I’ll only ever have three stars on.

I know the entire point is to put things in efficiently, but how commonly exactly do they expect the ^ key to be? I’ve done God knows how many essays over the years, written dozens of short stories, several longform stories (not to brag; none but three of them turned into something of any significance – point is I’ve written heaps) and I’ve never once had the need to use ^ before being taught how to use it. I don’t even know what ^ is called - it’s just the arrow above six (God help me if I’m ever forced to read this out loud). The beautiful irony is that by having complained about ^ here, I’ll have effectively used it more times in one short period than I expect I’ll ever have to in the rest of my life. 

And the numbers, oy gevalt, do the numbers ever get on my tits. They’re bloody far away for a start, and for a follow up, relative to the wholesome home row, they’ve all been shunted to the plying left, so every time my fingers detach and go space walking in search of number 7, I have to keep this in mind and estimate where in the fecking of all reality they might be lest I press 8 instead, or, worse, two numbers, which can be really bad if you’re filling out a form of some description:

“Ah, Mr Bolton, I see we’ve got you down for 87 colonoscopies today. Someone Is certainly an eager beaver!” Doctor reaches over and buzzes in an assistant. “Candace, kindly cancel my 3 O’clock; we have a pervert in room 2.”

I understand the hypothetical above works under (ha, above and under; love it when shit like that happens) the flawed logic that that the way in which somebody gets a colonoscopy is by inputting how many they would like on some kind of online form, and ignore how the implication is that I wanted 8 colonoscopies in the first place, but still it gets across my worry.

I just, just don’t think the picking and pressing way of typing is all that inefficient when it comes to all these freak characters they’re expecting me to be rattling off in quick succession. I mean, for the love of God, I can just write seven, and who even uses %? Just write percent like a normal person.

And what doesn’t help is that the course was made by Americans, and I - if it hasn’t already been made clear by my choice in vernacular and barely lidded rage over mundane shit - am British, hence I have to forgo their instructions vis-a-vis where shit is on the keyboard on account that it couldn’t be more flaming wrong. What plying use do I have for the $ anyway? And even if I did, at the end of the day, if I did have to talk about American money, as established before I wouldn’t use the smegging $ symbol, I’d write the fucking word: dollar.

Clear!?

Ah, why bother. In a couple years, I’ll probably be better off learning how to write yuan.

Ruairi

P.S:

(I do want to emphasise that my Mother is in fact a lovely woman… on occasion).

[i-accept-the-robot-uprising]

Once upon a time, in the bustling port city of Riverton, two unparalleled thieves, Ariella and Knox, made a living by stealing from the rich to give to themselves. Together, they formed an unmatched duo, skilled in deception and acrobatics, ensuring that no heist was too difficult for them. They had only one rule set between them: under no circumstances were they to die during a mission. Despite their nefarious activities, they shared a genuine bond of friendship, and couldn't bear the thought of losing one another.

However, fate rarely allows life to remain smooth and uneventful. One day, Ariella and Knox were handed a job by one of their trusted fences, Mr. Hamilton. It involved the burglary of the most exclusive and heavily guarded mansion, owned by the malevolent Lord Ravenswood. A priceless artifact, known as the Cursed Emerald, was said to be stowed away in his private vault. This powerful gem was believed to grant riches and power to the one who could unravel its secrets.

Fully aware of the risks ahead, Ariella and Knox spent weeks formulating a thorough plan, taking into account every possible complication. With nerves of steel, the day finally arrived, and they embarked on their most dangerous mission yet.

As they navigated the shadows of the imposing Ravenswood mansion, the duo encountered countless security measures the likes of which they hadn't seen before. Through a combination of cunning, agility, and sheer determination, they surpassed each hurdle, gradually making their way to the ominous vault.

With just a few more steps to go, Knox unknowingly triggered a hidden pressure plate. The room shuddered, a heavy steel door began to descend, and numerous arrows flew from hidden slits in the walls. On instinct, Ariella pushed Knox out of the way, getting struck by an arrow in the process. Her body crumpled, heavy with the weight of the poison coating the weapon.

Knox scrambled to his feet and rushed to Ariella's side, desperately trying to stem the flow of blood.

"What's the one thing I told you not to do, huh? Don't die. One thing. One thing! Can't you for once in your life just follow orders?" he frantically demanded, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Ariella managed a weak smile. "I— I'm d-doing my b...”

Her gaze began to glaze over, eyes rolling back into her head. "Shit, shit, don't pass out, you asshole, wake up, " Knox cried, terrified of losing his dear friend.

With the last remaining ounce of strength, Ariella forced her eyes open and pulled Knox closer. In a hushed whisper, she revealed her secret knowledge of an antidote hidden somewhere in the mansion. The information was acquired during her late-night ventures into Lord Ravenswood's illicit documents.

Fueled by a newfound sense of purpose, Knox refused to give in to despair. With Ariella's wounded body tucked away in a hidden alcove, he set out to find the antidote to save her life. Racing against the clock, Knox combatted his mounting dread as he delved deep into the heart of the mansion.

As luck would have it, the antidote’s recipe was located in Lord Ravenswood's secret alchemy lab. Knox quickly concocted the potion, thanking the heavens for Ariella's penchant for learning new trades—having taught him a thing or two about alchemy to help with their heists.

He hurried back to Ariella, administering the antidote as her breathing grew shallow. To Knox's immense relief, the color gradually returned to her face, and she gasped for air as the poison released its grip on her life.

Though the odds were still against them, Ariella and Knox clung to hope. Struggling and dependent upon one another, the duo managed to retrace their steps. They finally obtained the Cursed Emerald and escaped the treacherous mansion.

With the artifact in hand and Ariella recovering, the two thieves spent nights at the local tavern, planning their future together. A life where the shadows would be left behind, and the sun would finally have a chance to grace their faces. They knew that their world was built on danger, but they also knew they had each other—and that was enough to keep them pushing forward, together, and very much alive.

"What's the one thing I told you not to do, huh? Don't die. One thing. One thing! Can't you for once in your life just follow orders?"

"I— I'm d-doing my b..."

"Shit, shit, don't pass out, you asshole, wake up."

[monkiinart]

does f zero have girlbosses

dont even get me started I adore these lovely women (even if they suffer from male gaze metal bikini 90s crop top illness. at least they're buff as hell in the games)

[queenshelby]

Saving the Devil (Part Three)

SPOILER WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SEASON SIX!

Pairing: Thomas Shelby x Reader

Words: 1,518

Warning: Mention of War, Major Character Death, Illness, Seziures

Summary: This plays after Episode 4 of Season 6 and before the start of WWII. Tommy got away with the assassination attempt on Mosley and now spies on him and his connections with the Germans on behalf of the Crown.

Please engage and comment so that I can keep going! your comments are super important for me.

‘He’s a lonely man with only one goal in sight. I am so sorry Y/N. I thought that he would have seen reason’ Frances told you and you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Thomas. He was ill and he had lost his family to illness as well, so why should he care for yours? There was no reason for him to care especially since he had such little time left to live. He had given up hope and you knew that, without your daughter being alive, you would have done the same when you were inside the camp.

‘That’s alright Frances. There is no need to be sorry. You’ve been very kind to me and I thank you for that and everything you have done’ you said, knowing that you had to leave but, before you did, Frances gave you something. It was a note with an address. The address of the orphanage you’ve been looking for.

‘This is where you might find your daughter unless she’s been adopted’ Frances told you and tears shot into your eyes as you fell into her arms, thanking her from the bottom of your heart.

‘Thank you, Frances! Thank you so much’ you told her and, just before you were about to get changed into your old and dirty clothes, she handed you some new ones along with a pair of boots.

‘These belonged to Mrs Shelby and I know she won’t miss them in heaven. She would have wanted you to have them considering the circumstances. She too was a kind woman’ Frances told you and you thanked her again before getting changed into the clothes and making your way out the door of Arrow House.

Three days later…

For the past three days, you visited the orphanage, walking around it and trying to find your daughter. You looked through every window and every gate, but couldn’t see her at all.

Like a stalker, you tried your best to get into the rather secure facility knowing that, if you were caught you would likely be arrested.

Without any form of identification, you couldn’t simply walk inside the institution and therefore you needed not to be noticed which was a struggle in itself.

Eventually, your efforts turned out to be futile and, on day three of your attempted break in, one of the guards captured you and knocked you onto the ground.

‘Let go off me’ you yelled at him before trying to yell out for your daughter in a sense of desperation but the guard dragged you away from the facility nonetheless and called the police.

You were taken to the local police station and were interviewed by a man called Moss. He questioned you but you refused to tell him anything, not even your name.

After an hour of useless attempts to interrogate you, the inspector gave up and locked you into a small and rather dark room until you were willing to talk.

But talking wasn’t something you wanted to do and when, suddenly, the cell door opened, you yelled at the man standing in hallway without even taking a look at him.

‘Common Love! Time to go’ a familiar voice said and you realised that it was Thomas Shelby who had just bailed you out of jail.

‘Go where?’ you asked somewhat surprised and, without words, Thomas led you to his car and opened the passenger door.

For a lack of options, you climbed inside the Bentley and strapped yourself in, allowing him to drive off.

***

‘Why did you bail me out?’ you asked somewhat surprised as Tommy was driving you down a familiar road, back to Arrow House.

‘Well, Hannah Schmidt, as it has happened, I am in need for someone who speaks German’ he said as he handed you a passport of some sort. It was a German passport of a diseased woman of similar age. Her name was Hannah Schmidt and her photograph was replaced with yours.

‘Hannah Schmidt?’ you asked somewhat confused. You didn’t understand why you needed a fake identity. Being in England now, it didn’t matter who you were and it certainly didn’t matter if you were Jewish or not. In fact, being German was probably worse.

‘I am also in need for someone who is not Jewish if you understand what I mean’ he then said nonetheless and you had no idea what he was referring to.

‘Aren’t you a socialist Mr Shelby?’ you asked after having read the local paper for the past few days, unsure as to why he cared about the fact that you were of Jewish heritage.

‘I am but I also have a strong association with Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists. I will be running as an independent for the next election and am forming an alliance with Mr Mosley in order to get what I need from him’ he admitted to you and your chin dropped.

‘Fascism? Do you really believe in that?’ you asked, wanting to leave the driving vehicle right then and there.

‘No, but that’s not the point’ Thomas pointed out to you.

‘Whatever the point is Mr Shelby, with your condition you won’t see the next election, so why bother?’ you said angrily and with a deep sigh.

‘And that’s why I need you. You can help me accelerate what I am trying to achieve before I leave this planet and, in turn, I will help you to get your daughter back’ Tommy explained.

‘She’s not at the orphanage?’ you observed concerned.

‘She’s in London. She’s smart and was enrolled into a program for gifted children’ he told you.

‘She’s not with a family?’ you asked relieved.

‘No, and I will ensure that it stays that way so that you can be reunited once I’ve completed my mission’ Tommy told you.

‘So you are forcing me to help you so that you will help me?’ you asked with some irritation in your voice.

‘Yes but, let me ask you this Y/N, do you want a safe country for your daughter to grow up in?’ he asked.

‘Of course’ you confirmed.

‘Then you will help me do good and redeem myself’ he said and, despite some hesitation, you agreed. You had no idea what you were actually agreeing to but you needed to have your daughter back and lacked options and opportunities to achieve this without the help of Thomas Shelby.

‘Okay, I will help you Mr Shelby, but I do have one last question. How did you know that I was taken into custody?’ you asked just before Tommy pulled up in front of Arrow House.

‘I’ve received word about a woman with a German accent trying to break into my orphanage. I knew it had to be you after Frances told me about your daughter’ Tommy explained before opening the door for you and, with that, you made your way back inside the mansion.

***

When you stepped foot inside the large hallway, Frances greeted you with a smile and immediately referred to you as Mrs Schmidt.

‘I will show you to your room’ she said and, when you followed her back upstairs, you soon realised that she wasn’t leading you to the same small bedroom that she had given you before.

Your room was rather large and well decorated, like that of a madam or mistress of some sort and, when you looked into the cabinet for some work clothes, you only found expensive dresses which had been tailored to your size.

‘There must be a mistake, Frances. I am going to work as a maid for Mr Shelby’ you told her while Tommy looked at you and cocked an eyebrow.

‘I didn’t say that Love, did I?’ Tommy chuckled and you had no idea what was going on.

‘You are Hannah Schmidt now, the young widow of Dr Hugo Schmidt who, unfortunately or…should I say fortunately…was killed by two Jews in Berlin nine months ago’ Tommy explained bluntly.

‘Come again?’ you asked, chin dropping.

‘Like I said, I am need for someone who speaks German. Dr Hugo Schmidt was experimenting on the Jews at the camps and, no doubt that, being doctor, you know enough about it’ Tommy explained.

‘I think I have seen some of the experiments’ you told him.

‘Good, then you will help bring down the fascists here in England?’ Tommy asked you and you were rather surprised by his question.  

‘You know I could just go to the authorities with this information and they would probably return my daughter to me for simply providing them with your whereabouts in light of these outrageous plans of yours’ you told him, arms crossed.

‘But you won’t. I’ve done my research on you. You were with the resistance in Germany’ he told you before telling you that he would see you at dinner.

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[folk-ever-lore]

with great power comes great responsibility

Tim had always been a huge superhero fan, even after he became one himself. As a kid, they’d been his escape, and nothing could change that. He’d looked up to and practically worshipped the real-life heroes in his world, but fictional ones? He loved them even more if that was even possible.

He loved the way that they were both so human (even if they weren’t really human) and so incredibly unrealistic power-wise. The MARVEL universe had always been his favourite, in any form. He’d devoured the comics, the movies, and the TV shows. He loved them all.

He loved how the mutants in MARVEL were so similar to metahumans in his own world. Both groups struggled with discrimination, both had good and bad individuals with gifts, and their gifts come from genetic mutants that people were born with.

He loved the Avengers and how their group reflected the Justice League. Iron Man was a bit of a play on the little that was known on Batman; Thor was a Norse, male version of Wonder Woman; Dr. Strange was a play on Zatanna; Hawkeye was clearly a less rich version of Green Arrow. Of course, not all of the MARVEL characters were based on real-world superheroes and issues, but Tim always found it more enjoyable when they were.

But his real favourite character was Spider-Man. He’d never once been able to pick out any one reason for that, but no other character could compare in his opinion. Maybe it was his age, maybe it was the fact that he’d fought to become a hero at a young age just like Tim, maybe it was all the different versions of Spider-Man. But either way, Tim truly loved the character.

That was why the Ultimate Spider-Man TV show was his favourite. That and the plots and the cameos from other MARVEL characters and the humour. Maybe the show in general just stood out to him. However, that didn’t matter. What did matter was it was his favourite TV show and he’d just found out that his girlfriend hadn’t watched it.

“You haven’t seen Ultimate Spider-Man?” He’d asked, completely bewildered. Marinette had always loved superheroes, or so he thought. He would have thought that she’d have watched it.

“Non,” she replied, “I haven’t watched many superhero films or TV shows. Real life was crazy enough in Paris, we didn’t need to watch the TV shows.”

“I suppose that is fair. Not much could top the stupidity that was the Bubbler or any of the many times Mr. Pigeon was akumatized,” he admitted. That was fair. At least half the akumatized villains Paris had dealt with during Hawkmoth’s reign felt like they could have been from a comic book or TV show or film without an issue. That’s why it had taken so long for the Justice League to offer aid to the Parisian superheroes. “Would you like to watch it with me now?”

Marinette laughed lightly. That was such a Tim thing to do. “Sure, I’ll watch it with you.”

“Yay!”

“But,” she started, upon hearing his automatic cheer, “you only get five episodes to try to convert me before I make my judgement. Do we have a deal?” She held her hand out for him to shake if he was going to accept.

He paused. Only five episodes? Would that be enough? He supposed he’d have to work with what he had been given. “Alright. We have a deal.” He shook her hand.

“You set it up and I get the popcorn?”

“Sure,” he said quietly, not wanting her to change her mind. He loaded up Disney+ on the TV and found Ultimate Spider-Man in the Spider-Verse section of the MARVEL page on the streaming service.

“You ready?” He asked as his girlfriend handed him a bowl of popcorn and sat down next to him.

“Oh go on then,” she sighed, clearly faking her annoyed reaction as the smile on her face was as bright as a day in Paris.

He pressed play.

Jonah Jameson: “I know you’re out there you wall-crawling menace! It is the duty of every New Yorker to report the actions of these masked miscreants! So listen up: As long as J. Jonah Jameson is CEO of Daily Bugle Communications, I won’t rest until New York has seen the last of Spider-Man!”

...

Nick Fury: “With great power, comes great responsibility. Good words from a good man.”

Spider-Man: “Uncle Ben was the best.”

Nick Fury: “It’s been what? A year now?”

“What happened to Uncle Ben?” She asked.

“He was killed in a robbery gone wrong,” Tim informed her. “Peter was there and couldn’t help, blamed himself and became Spider-Man.”

“Well that’s awful,” she commented. Her heart ached for the young boy, fictional as he was.

...

Nick Fury: “I want to S.H.I.E.L.D. train you to be a better Spider-Man. The Ultimate Spider-Man.”

...

Dr. Otto Octavius: “Impressed, Mr. Osborn?”

Norman Osborn: “Very, Octavius. More than ever, I’m convinced Spider-Man is the key to military superiority. Once I replicate his abilities, I’ll market an army of spider-enhanced super soldiers to the highest bidder. Nick Fury is a fool to think he can get Spider-Man to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. I prefer Spider-Man the way he is. Headstrong, undisciplined, easy to anger.”

Dr. Otto Octavius: “And easier to turn. I’ll inform our remaining allies to begin phase two.”

“Those two seem nasty,” she muttered under her breath. Only getting a hum in response from Tim.

They must be very important then, she guessed if he didn’t want to confirm anything about them. Could they possibly be the big villains of the season? Maybe.

...

Wizard: “Warning students. Your principal has something to tell you.”

Principal: “Students. Your attention, please. Your school is now under the control of the … the …”

Thundra: “The Frightful Four.”

Mary Jane Watson: “Uh, there’s only three of you.”

Marinette laughed at that. Maybe this show wasn’t too bad. She could definitely- maybe, see herself enjoying it. It was definitely funny.

Sure it was a bit childish with all the narrating and stuff, but it had originally been a kids’ show. Maybe that was the beauty of it. She definitely liked this show.

...

Jonah Jameson: “In a shocking betrayal of the justice system he claims to uphold. Spider-Man, today, led known super-criminals in an attack on innocent school children. Believe me, ladies and gentlemen, it gives this humble commentator less pleasure. I imagine to say: I told you so. It is the opinion of Daily Bugle Communications that the police should issue a warrant for Spider-Man’s arrest! And that nothing less than deadly force should be employed in the pursuit of Spider-Man!”

“Well he’s just a nasty piece of work,” she remarked at the news reporter’s announcement. “Spider-Man is just trying to help people and is getting slandered like this?”

Tim nodded, “Unfortunately that’s what happens to Spider-Man. In every single story, he gets unjustified hate from the press and the public.”

“Well, that’s unfair.”

...

Spider-Man: “Okay let’s do this. Put out the welcome mat S.H.I.E.L.D. Spidey’s come a callin’. Fury was right. With his help, I can do better. I’m done with this lonely loser routine. It’s time for me to step up and show the big boys what the Ultimate Spider-Man can do.”

...

Peter Parker: “Your friendly neighbourhood Ultimate Spider-Man, reporting for duty sir!”

Nick Fury: “Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D., Spider-Man. Hope you survive the experience.”

“How was that?” Tim asked once the first episode finished, anxious to hear what she thought.

“It was certainly something,” she replied carefully. Not wanting to give him any definite answers until she’d watched a few more episodes. Tim didn’t need any false hope. “It was enjoyable and I’ll certainly watch the next few episodes with you, but I refuse to give any further judgement until the end of episode five.”

“But-” Tim tried to argue, wanting to hear more about what his girlfriend thought about his favourite TV show of all time.

“But,” she interrupted, “we could try watching as much of the next four episodes as possible so I can tell you my thoughts after that.”

Tim sighed, “That’s the best I’m going to get, isn’t it?”

“Yep,” she replied with a smile on her face.

“We better get watching then.”

“We’d better,” she snuggled up close to him as he pressed play.

Throughout the next four episodes, which they totally didn’t binge-watch, Marinette and Tim made sure that they were always stocked up with popcorn. At the start of every episode, they would take turns with making some more. It probably wasn’t the most healthy thing to do, but at least it wasn’t coffee. Alfred would have had their heads if he found out that they’d drunk that much coffee in that little time.

They weren’t going to risk that.

When one of them wasn’t making popcorn, they were generally cuddled up together. That had been very nice. The pair of them had smiles plastered on their faces. They didn’t get to do stuff like this all that often - not with all the work they had to do and all the superheroing - so it was incredible to get the chance to relax and have some fun now.

When they got to the end of the fifth episode, Marinette faked a huge sigh. “I guess it wasn’t that bad,” she admitted.

“So you liked it?” an ever-curious Tim asked.

“I did,” she confirmed. “It was good. I’ll happily watch it with you anytime.”

***

Ladybug grinned. She’d been planning this for weeks.

Even since Tim had shown her the Ultimate Spider-Man, she’d wanted to surprise him somehow with some new knowledge on the character, so she’d started watching some of the other Spider-Man movies and TV shows. And when she’d watched the Toby Maguire films, she’d focused in on one scene that she thought Tim would love, probably did love.

The infamous upside-down kiss.

Ladybug and Red Robin had teamed up for patrol that night, and she’d lead him on a bit of a wild goose chase so that she could find the perfect spot to re-enact the kiss in question.

She jumped down to the ground from a building using her yoyo to control the landing. Tim followed her without question, presuming that she’d seen something down there for them to deal with.

Once Red Robin was down on the ground with her, she threw her yoyo up so it went around the house’s chimney before suspending herself upside down, hanging in the air.

“Do I get a kiss or what?” She asked cheekily.

“Oh go on then,” Tim responded jokingly, “I guess I can do that.”

He grinned, pulling her face close and kissing her.

“You’re the best,” he said playfully after they’d pulled away. “You know that right?”

She grinned, “I could have guessed that, but why don’t you kiss me again to show me?”

Tim laughed, “Deal.”

[brummiereader]

@zablife that devil 😱!

You had me at xnun!reader, Lee. I've always loved peaky fics with religious tones to them. And this one did not disappoint!

Arriving as a novice, the scent haunted your waking hours as it seemed to follow you through every corridor, never fully dissipating. Initially, I thought it was the smell of the church and the incense they burn that had her stomach turn. Nothing prepared me for the end when I learnt it was the scent of Tommy and his predatory stalking that had haunted her😱!

Ok bare with me as I go off subject here a little, but...i find it incredibly clever that you used the scent of Tommy the only thing she remembers of their encounter when he was hiding in the darkness. Because they say scent memory if more powerful than any other form of memory. She knew she recognised his smell when she entered Arrow house but it wasn't until he refreshed her memory that it finally clicked. Eek I'm kinda fangirling over this 😍🤭! I love deeper meanings to everything, I'll sniff them out like I would Tommy 😂.

"Do you?" you ventured, holding your breath for his answer. - Without breaking eye contact he affirmed, "Yes, I do." The eye roll I rolled 🙄😂. He does have a flare for the dramatics, doesn't he? But saying that I loved this entire part, his toying comments, his demanding presence and the way he brings a sense of dread to the poor girl with the most simplest of mannersims and remarks.

"I wouldn't try that," he advised as he caught sight of your lips moving in silent prayer. His lips brushed your ear as he whispered a cruel taunt, "No one is listening." Goosebumps 😍! I loved this line, absolutely loved it. Not only because of the stark difference between their beliefs, but because I honestly felt like the devil himself had come through.

"You knew I'd been there," Mr. Shelby uttered and you cried out in horror at his ability to read your mind. It was beyond comprehension how he'd known your every move. "You wanted to know me too, didn't you? The delusions of this man 😬. He would convince himself of anything to not feel any guilt over what he's done. His predatory tendencies are the most frightening thing about him in this story. Once he noticed her, it was over. She stood no chance 😳.

"Mr. Shelby is a very generous benefactor. In fact, the Grace Shelby Foundation is the biggest single source of funding for this charitable institution. If he asks for your visits to continue, then that is what you shall do." Corrupt! They're all fucking corrupt 😠. And the worse part about this is, she'll sacrifice the poor girl to him on a platter if it means she keeps the funding.

Wow, what an incredible story you've shared, Lee 😍. It's an absolute joy to read your work, you've mastered dark!Tommy and his devilish ways!

Tommy's Scent

Tommy Shelby x nun!reader

A/N: The scent of smoke in the air, requested by @cillmequick and @peakyswritings. Part of my Corrupt a Wish challenge.

Warnings: predatory behavior, unwanted advances, brief mention of assault Corrupt a wish reminder: If you think this story has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention. Proceed with caution!

There was something about the earthy, spiced blend of smoke that would always be central to your memory of St. Hilda's. Arriving as a novice, the scent haunted your waking hours as it seemed to follow you through every corridor, never fully dissipating. The unique smell seeped from the banisters and books alike as though some specter lingered in every corner watching you.

The more it clung to you, the greater the weight on your mind until you could think of nothing else. Determined to banish the distraction, you took it upon yourself to air the classrooms every morning. However, breathing in lungfuls of soot and smoke from the nearby factories hardly seemed like a solution. The combination of smells gave you a nauseous headache which frequently made you ill.

By the end of your first month at the orphanage, your hands were already becoming red and chapped from the frequent, thorough scrubbing of your habit and stockings. At the end of your third, they were raw and bloodied. However, your nightly ritual had become something of a self-soothing gesture as you allowed the fresh scent of the soap to cleanse not only your belongings, but your anxious heart.

Your small room was something of a sanctuary for you in those days, the one place where the air remained pure. Loathe to leave the peace you'd created within those four walls, you began to delay the start of your day to remain there. Noticeably late for morning prayers on more than one occasion, you were swiftly reprimanded by Mother Superior who expressed doubts about your commitment.

After you pleaded with her to let you stay, she obliged on the condition that you performed a new duty. You listened intently as she explained there was a sick child in Warwickshire whose parents were to receive weekly communion. It seemed odd that this task had fallen upon the sisters of St. Hilda's when St. Mary's was much closer in proximity. However, you didn't dare question her judgement, especially after she'd shown you mercy.

The next morning you made the journey to a large estate called Arrow House in a shiny Bentley that had been sent just for the occasion. You tried not to show your excitement at the lavish accommodation, but you had to admit you were secretly thrilled at the prospect of making the drive in luxury each week.

The time passed quickly as you trained your thoughts on the little girl who'd fallen ill, wondering how you might find her upon arrival. Your nerves seizing hold of you before you'd realized, you began to fidget nervously as the large house came into view.

As the car came to a halt, you took a deep breath and held your head high as you exited. You were keen to project an air of confidence if the family was watching from the window.

However, you needn't have worried. There wasn't a single member of the Shelby clan to be found when the heavy oak door swung open, only a slight woman in a carefully pressed uniform. She ushered you inside as she studied you with piercing green eyes, stiffly introducing herself as the housekeeper.

Though you couldn't say why, the hair on the back of your neck prickled as you followed her down the hall. It might have been her unfriendly demeanor or the sudden rush of wind as the front door closed behind you, but an disquieted feeling came over you. The sense of déjà vu only grew stronger as a familiar woodsy, slightly sweet smell met your nostrils.

There was no time to reconcile your thoughts as the housekeeper left you at the threshold of Mr. Shelby's office, clutching your handbag against your body. By sheer willpower, you rapped upon the door, reminding yourself you were here to deliver communion to the Shelbys. Out of duty for this sacred act, you were compelled into the room where you glimpsed a man in only his waist coat and rolled sleeves sat at the desk. A rush of embarrassment caused you to falter, unaware he would be dressed so informally.

"Come," he commanded without looking up from his papers and the authority in his voice dictated nothing less than strict obedience.

Taking a seat across from him when he gestured, your gaze locked onto his sky blue eyes. They appeared quite angelic in the light, framed by his long, dark lashes. However, there was a hardened look about him which gave you a chill.

He hadn't failed to notice the effect he had on you, leaning forward to offer a cigarette. You shook your head as you politely declined, reaching into your bag for the small case containing the communion wafers.

"That won't be necessary," he muttered as he lit up.

You watched intently as he inhaled, your concern growing as his chest expanded like some great beast. The gentle roll of smoke tumbling from his mouth and nostrils did nothing to suppress your anxiety, especially as you were struck with a sudden revelation. The scent haunting you all those months was his unique blend of tobacco.

The clink of his lighter snapping shut jolted you back to reality and the purpose of your visit. "Mr. Shelby, I'm afraid, I don't understand. You asked me here, but you no longer wish to receive communion?"

The cigarette burned slowly between his fingers, curls of smoke reaching the high ceiling long before he gave an answer to your query.

Staring into the roaring fire beside him, Mr. Shelby's eyes reflected the bright orange hue of the flames as he admitted, "My daughter died last month. So, you see, I've no need."

You gulped harshly at his words, but quickly recovered. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Would you care to say a prayer together?"

He only laughed at your suggestion, "And what good would that do her now, ey?"

"Prayer has seen me through difficult times since I was a child," you answered, staring at him earnestly.

Plucking the cigarette from his lips, he pinched it between his thumb and forefinger as he punctuated his words. "When I was a boy I carried a screwdriver and a blade and everyone believed I had the power to lay curses."

Your blood ran cold upon hearing this, but you had to admit you were intrigued by his statement. "Do you?" you ventured, holding your breath for his answer.

Without breaking eye contact he affirmed, "Yes, I do."

You shuddered involuntarily as another chuckle escaped his lips and you became suspicious he'd asked you here only to humiliate you. Whether driven by grief or malice, you didn't know, only that you'd become terribly afraid of him. Reaching for the rosary in your pocket, you removed it and began rubbing your thumb over the beads to soothe yourself.

You didn't realize you'd closed your eyes to the devil across from you until he was standing at your side, one hand clamped against the back of your neck. "I wouldn't try that," he advised as he caught sight of your lips moving in silent prayer. His lips brushed your ear as he whispered a cruel taunt, "No one is listening."

The following moments were a blur, his body too close for comfort and his words a mixture of threats and perverse longing. He'd watched you from the day you arrived at St. Hilda's, careful to keep to the shadows whenever he visited Mother Superior.

Upon his confession, your mind traversed the path of your early days at the orphanage when you'd been assigned to teach Latin. Suddenly you were lost in memory:

The twist of the door knob down the hall caused you to jump before turning your attention back to the lesson you were teaching. As the ancient wood creaked upon its hinges, you redoubled your efforts reciting the lesson as you'd rehearsed. However, the potency of the scented smoke caused you to freeze with chalk dangling from your fingertips.

As though in a trance, you moved to the doorway, your head tilted at an angle to follow the dark figure now striding away from you. In the shadows of the darkened hall, you could make out the outline of a man in a peaked cap. His dark, dusty coat flapped behind him as he disappeared from view, leaving nothing more than a few dirty footprints to prove his existence.

"You knew I'd been there," Mr. Shelby uttered and you cried out in horror at his ability to read your mind. It was beyond comprehension how he'd known your every move. "You wanted to know me too, didn't you?" he asked, hands roaming your body despite your thrashing. You couldn't answer, catatonic in the face of his brazen assault.

What seemed to be a lifetime later, you collected yourself from the floor and bolted for the door. Hurtling down the hall as fast as you could with tears blurring your vision, you eventually reached daylight, but in your haste to escape, your feet stumbled on the stone steps outside Arrow House. Falling to your knees, you winced as the gravel cut into your legs.

"Let me help you to the car," a calm, even voice boomed behind you. Thomas Shelby came into view above you, hand extended like a perfect gentleman.

"Don't touch me," you snapped, chest heaving for breath. A spark of indignant rage caught fire inside his crystal blue eyes before taking a deliberate step back when he noticed the driver approaching.

Smoothing his hair back, he turned to the older man announcing, "William, Sister Y/n seems to have hurt herself. Please help her to the car."

As William took hold of your elbow, you rose to face Mr. Shelby with a look of determination. Inwardly you vowed to tell Mother Superior everything as soon as you returned and your steely eyed gaze said as much. It was the very reason he returned to his office at that moment, to make a phone call of his own.

And thus your confession about Mr. Shelby's behavior did not go as planned. The moment you divulged the false pretenses under which you'd been brought to Arrow House, her apathy turned to anger. Incensed at your accusations, she reprimand you for telling such “fanciful tales."

However, you could not accept the injustice that had been done. “You're aware of his wickedness and you do nothing?” you gasped in disbelief, glancing down at your bloodied legs as proof something had indeed happened that day.

"Mr. Shelby is a very generous benefactor. In fact, the Grace Shelby Foundation is the biggest single source of funding for this charitable institution. If he asks for your visits to continue, then that is what you shall do." When she was finished, she pursed her lips tightly to convey her resolve and you realized it was her final word on the matter.

You took the long, lonely walk back to your room in a stupor. The moment you closed the door, you allowed yourself a moment of pity and cried until your eyes were as red as your hands which scrubbed ceaselessly to erase the scent of him.

-----------------

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@moral-terpitude

[creoterative]

I have Questions, Ericson Kids. A lot.

Info: The title says it all. While playing the fourth season for the billionth time, I questioned the entire existence of this school and its inhabitants. But I’ll try and keep this short because I’m still learning for the last exams.

Warnings: Eh, spoilers and swears

-----

Alright, first question: When exactly did the adults leave the school? 

It is said, that every last one of the adults abandoned the school and the kids, except Mrs. Martin, who was the nurse there. So I guess she was in charge most of the time after the apocalypse started. When exactly did she die? Assuming Marlon is 19 years old when he dies, the apocalypse has been going since... 8-9 years. Never ever has he run this shit since he was 10/11 years old, never in my life would I believe that. So my guess is, that she died when he was AT LEAST 14. And that only goes if the adults left immediately after the first walker showed up. 

-----

Who trained Rosie?

Marlon said that she was the headmaster’s dog before the dead started to rise again. But like I said, the apocalypse broke out 8-9 years prior to the events of season four. At least that’s what I’ve heard and read. That means, Rosie has to be at least 8 years old. Depending on when the adults left... I got a dog myself and I can tell you, a 10 year old kid can’t possibly deal with such a huge dog who’s in puberty. That’s a death sentence. I mean, yeah miracles happen, but, uhm... very unrealistic. Did Mrs. Martin take care of her? And did she teach Marlon her signs and signals for Rosie? Help him gain her trust etc.? Maybe he was clinging to the headmaster because he wanted to get to know his new dog? If Rosie even was that new. Maybe she’s older than we think, but I higly doubt that. At the age of ten years and more, that dog shouldn’t be able to run and walk like that anymore. 

-----

This one would never have occured to me if I hadn’t listened to some cut out answers from Marlon in the basement. But now that I heard at (and am glad that he didn’t say that one line): How do the girls deal with their special time in the month?

It’s not like they can buy pads and tampons in a store anymore, especially since a certain SOMEONE has drawn a safe zone on a map. And don’t forget, they were a lot more when the apocalypse started. If we say that Mrs. Martin was there for about... four years, then she died because of the walkers in the greenhouse. Then she probably would have taken care of it, I dunno, use some bandages or cloth, but most importantly, tell them what the fuck is going on. And tell the boys too! In a discrete way of course and make sure they know to shut up about it, it’s not funny. 

But hell, if Mrs. Martin wasn’t there and after a few years of running the school, everything seemed to get a little bit better, Marlon one day wakes up to a bunch of girls having their period for the first time and he’s like What the Fuck is going on, are they infested, do we have to kill them, CAN we kill them, stop screaming at me, why aren’t any of the boys in pain and bleeding, why did I ever step up as your leader, stop this shit. - poor boy. And Louis wouldn’t be any help, he would just look at Marlon like Man, you are the leader, I’m the gentleman, you handle this xD

-----

How did they all learn how to shoot with a bow and arrow? 

I don’t think any of them really knew how to do that before they attended Ericson, but... was there some form of archer club? Because the bow Marlon uses looks like a professional one, a compound bow, but that’s the only one they use. The others look a lot more self made or less expensive. 

It’s a little weird that Marlon is the only one using the professional bow, considering the fact that it can be stretched better and has a wider range. Yes, he is the leader and all, but for surviving it wouldn’t be that smart to hold other, better bows back from your comrades, just so you can look good. And I’m sure he knows that, he’s the one constantly worrying about the food. 

So what happened? Or is it really his and he just took it with him from home? Very unlikely, I wouldn’t let a kid run around in school with a bow that is twice its size, even now that bow is as big as Marlon’s entire torso.

-----

...These are kids in puberty. And there was ONE pair confirmed, Violet and Minerva. And Aasim having a thing for Ruby, but that’s it. How exactly did these little hormone-driven kids not fall all over each other long ago?

They were a lot more back in the days, that means, they had more options as well. I mean, yes, they are in the middle of the apocalypse, but we see couples, we even see pregnant women throughout the entire game. Maybe Mrs. Martin had THE TALK with them, so there wouldn’t be any... accidents... yeah, you know what I’m saying here. But still, one pair? Hell, Violet managed to find a girlfriend, how on earth did they all reject Louis? I get why Marlon isn’t interested in finding love, he knows that would just cause trouble for them all, he said it himself. But Louis? And even Brody, Brody is a very beautiful girl, from the inside and outside. Why? And don’t come after me here now, I know very well that relationships have to develop and for some people it really takes time. I can’t imagine Violet and Minnie looking at eachother one day and saying ‘Fuck me’ (although... that would have been funny). It has to be worked on, yes. But a bunch of teenagers in a little fortress? Man, if I was there and had to choose between 30 kids, I’d definetely find someone (that sounds so perverted, Jesus Christ - but you know what I mean!)

-----

That’s it for today, guys! If you have any answers for these questions, pls help me, this is just so confusing xD Anyway, I’ll leave some headcanons for Marlon and Louis soon (hopefully) but for today, that’s everything (well, depends on my mood, as always, hehe)

[galli-writes]

@marichatmay

Day 2: Roses (words 1,688)

(Click here to read on Ao3!)

“Maybe I’ve been going with the wrong color,” Chat said, his eyebrow furrowed in intense concentration as he stared at the page pulled up on Marinette’s monitor. “Like, yeah, I’m definitely going for a ‘love and admiration’ vibe endgame, but maybe a coral or salmon would be a good stepping stone. Just to spice things up.”

Marinette looked up from her phone, eyeing the boy currently seated at her desk. As it turned out, agreeing to give Chat Noir ‘a little bit of advice’ regarding his dating life was hardly a fair favor in return for being conveniently plucked out of harm's way by a superhero. Especially when you were one yourself. 

“I dunno. Lavender could be a good choice too. What do you think?”

Marinette hesitantly pulled herself from the cozy spot she had created for herself on the nearby chaise. When she was finally close enough to see what Chat had pulled up on the screen, all she could do was run a hand across her face, massaging her temples. 

“Seriously? This is what you’ve been looking at this whole time?”

“Yes. And?” Chat said, swiveling around in the chair to face her.

On the screen was a gaudy collection of pixelated images that just barely formed something recognizable as some sort of infographic. Wildly different graphics of colored roses were jumbled around the page in no particular order, boxes of text above and below them in comic sans. At the top of the page to the left of the url her computer read ‘Not Secure’. Which by itself was enough of a summation of how well Chat’s ‘research’ had been going. 

“And you’re the only person I know who would actually try and argue there’s a difference between those two colors.”

“Aren’t you literally a fashion designer?”

“Chat. Those are roses. They’re not coral or salmon. They’re just pink,” she said, staring down the site like it was an unstable chihuahua. “You can’t tell me that those two flowers mean different things. They’re not even different colors.” 

“Maybe she would know the difference,” Chat grumbled, mostly to himself.

“And maybe you would get a little further if you actually just told her how you feel instead of trying to make some kind of corny riddle out of it,” Marinette said, sitting down on a nearby stool.

“But I already have,” Chat whined. “So many times I’ve lost count.”

“Liar.”

He simply frowned. “Okay. If you’re going to accuse me of lying about anything, this is probably not your best bet.”

Marinette rolled her eyes. “It’s not a lie. You only think you’ve told her how you feel.”

“Because I have.”

“If she really knew, do you think we’d be doing this right now?” Marinette raised an eyebrow at him. “If you really want to tell her how you feel, you need to show her how you feel. And that’s probably going to involve a little more than giving her a different colored flower every time you see her.”

Chat’s mouth curled into a pout.“I don’t give her one every time.”

Marinette was silent. She was sure her expression served enough of an answer. 

“Okay, fine,” Chat huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. “So what do you suggest? Since you’re suddenly the expert on love, Mrs. ‘I can’t even tell Chat Noir the name of the person I have a crush on for fear that I might embarrass myself in front of another human being and subsequently ruin my entire life’?”

“We’re not talking about me right now,” she said as matter-of-factly as she could.

“Well, we could be.” Chat paused, considering the notion. “Actually, yeah. I like that idea. We already know how my love life is going. Maybe it’s time we explored the wonderful inner world of Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

Marinette got up from her seat and began to turn her back to the computer. “Because taking dating advice from you would be like giving my romantic life the death sentence.”

Chat feigned a very real pain. Like he’d been shot with an arrow. He had a penchant for dramatics that Marinette found hard to match. 

“Don’t worry,” he cried pitifully. “I’m sure I’ll survive. It’s just a direct stab to the heart.”

“Sorry,” Marinette shrugged, again making a point to turn her back on him. “But you don’t have a very good track record.”

Chat immediately dropped the act, shooting out of his chair and over to her side. “Okay, so maybe I need to change up my tactics on Ladybug a little. But that doesn’t mean those same tactics wouldn’t work on someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“Like...maybe the rose thing isn’t working for me,” he said, just a foot or two away from her now. “But it would probably work on me.”

“And that helps me…how, exactly?”

“I’m proof that, statistically, there is at least one person on the planet that thinks this is the epitome of a romantic gesture. So, maybe it will work for you.”

“Okay, wait, wait, wait. Back up,” Marinette said, taking a step back. “I am not trying to woo you.” “That’s not what I mean,” Chat said, heading back over to the computer. “Besides,” he said, shooting a teasing look over his shoulder, “I’m already kind of taken.”

Marinette watched as he scrolled further down the site page. Something about star signs was starting to enter the mix.

“We don’t have to go crazy right off the bat and declare your undying love or anything,” he said, laser focused on the screen. "Let’s start with something a little more casual. Maybe a yellow rose to designate ‘friendship’? Oh! Or a bright green one for ‘new beginnings’?” He paused, thoughtfully staring into an empty corner of the ceiling. “Though I have no idea where you’d get a green rose. You’d probably have to order them online, and maybe that’s getting too involved. You know, with the shipping and everything–”

Marinette was silent. And for the first time that night, it wasn’t because of anything ridiculous Chat was rambling on about.

“Marinette?”

Chat’s voice broke her out of her daze. Suddenly, he was right before her again.

“It’s just…it’s not really that simple, Chat,” she said, instantly turning away again. She sat down in her former spot, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders and pretending to look at her phone. For better or worse, Chat had never been particularly good at taking a hint.

“But maybe it could be,” he said, his enthusiasm slightly calmer. More gentle. “You wouldn’t know until you try.”

Marinette kept her eyes glued to her phone, where she looked at nothing in particular. “But I won’t try. I wouldn’t have the guts to. Even if I wanted to.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” She put the phone down, wrapping the blanket tighter around herself. “Because I can barely keep up a normal conversation with this guy. I can’t just start giving him flowers out of nowhere. That would be…weird.”

She didn’t turn to look at him, but Marinette felt Chat standing just behind her now. 

“Okay, so maybe it is a little weird,” he started. “But you know what? Maybe that’s how you’ll know.”

“How I’ll know?” Marinette repeated. “Yeah. How you’ll know If he’s worth your time or not.”

Marinette was silent.

“I mean, anyone who would make fun of you for doing something a little offbeat probably isn’t someone you want to spend time with anyway, right?” he continued, his tone surprisingly serious. “That’s why I still think I can make things work with Ladybug. She might deny it, but I’ve definitely caught her holding onto those roses for a little longer than she needed to. You know? Maybe your crush is just waiting for you to hand him one yourself. Literally…or metaphorically I mean.”

When Marinette turned to look at him, Chat’s gaze was no longer focused on her. It was strung off somewhere far away that she couldn’t see. 

“You know,” she said, taking care to do the same in a different direction. “I think I take back what I said earlier.”

In her peripheral vision, she saw him turn back to face her again.  

“There’s definitely a difference between the coral and the salmon. I mean, when you really look at it. It might be hard to miss if you’re not paying attention. But I think it would probably be just as bad to fall for someone who doesn’t pay attention,” she paused. “Metaphorically I mean.”

“I don’t know how you metaphorically pay attention,” Chat said. “But I think literally paying attention to things is probably pretty important too. I mean, I don’t know about you, but if I were trapped in a plane I’d prefer my co-pilot to be paying attention when we’re five thousand feet in the air about to hit a flock of geese or something.”

Marinette didn’t try to stifle her laugh. “Please tell me you’re not somehow speaking from experience.”

“I’m not. I was watching a documentary about it. Do you know birds cause so much damage to aircrafts that people actually study them to make planes more bird resistant?”

Marinette smiled quietly to herself.

“Well, hopefully they get a proper funeral.”

“There’s a rose for that,” Chat chimed in. 

“I guess it would make for a pretty inexpensive funeral. Decor and refreshments in one.”

“Do birds eat roses?” Chat asked, in complete seriousness.

Marinette had no idea. According to Google, yes. Sometimes they did, if they were feeling particularly vengeful surrounding meticulously pruned gardens.

“Do you think they’d still try to eat them even if they were dyed black?” Chat asked, his tone unwavering.

“I don’t know. Can geese see color?”

Chat was already back at the computer.

“Okay,” Chat said, beckoning her over to the screen again. “Actually you have to see this. Did you know geese can see ultraviolet radiation?”

Marinette hung back for a moment before reclaiming her seat next to Chat with a smile on her face. 

“You think that’s crazy? Wait until you learn about mantis shrimp.”  

[whentommymetalfie]

Home to you -chapter 20

-Liminal-

Prologue//1//2//3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19

Pairing: Tommy/Alfie

Summary: They arrive at Arrow House. 

Warnings:  aftermath of forced hospitalization, period typical attitudes towards mental illness, sickness, nightmares,

Wordcount: 3,8 K

The sun has just dipped fully below the horizon when they reach Arrow house. After the longest drive of Alfie’s fucking life. Adelman has kept close check on Tommy’s pulse and every passing second he becomes further convinced that it’s about to stop. It doesn’t. His heart keeps pattering away. As if there’s a frightened little bird in his chest, flapping i’s wings against his ribcage. But even as the little bird wings seem to grow tired, it keeps flapping away in there. The entire drive.

When they reach Arrow house this time, the doors are locked. Ishmael bangs his fist against it several times before looking over the shoulder at Alfie, who is carrying Tommy, raising his gun and nodding towards the lock.

“Want me to-”

But Adelman puts a hand on the gun and lowers it. “That may not be the best way to create a safe environment for Thomas.”

Ishmael is about to argue, but right then the door opens just a tiny bit. The face of an unfamiliar maid meets them. She furrows her brow and seems to very much regret the decision to open the door.

“Please, miss, this is urgent,” Adelman says and grabs the door. The maid looks at Tommy, eyes widening in horror. Covers her mouth with her hands before she turns back to the darkness of the house.

“Mrs. Shelby!” she calls and Adelman takes the opportunity to open the door fully and gently usher her to the side, allowing for Alfie to step inside. Ishmael holsters the gun and follows.

“I need a room with access to a bathroom,” Adelman tells the maid. “Clean, hot water, and a  clean bed.”

The maid nods, eyes still on Tommy’s battered form.

“Is he..,” she begins, voice trailing off.

“He’s in critical condition, but alive. Which is why we need to move quickly,” Adelman says.

“Mrs. Shelby!” the maid calls out again, and finally, running steps approach them. Lizzie comes down the stairs, nightgown billowing behind her. Her eyes first find Alfie, and soon thereafter Tommy. The cool façade cracks the second they do. She runs the remaining distance. Alfie has to stop himself from pushing her away as she grasps Tommy’s face.

“Tommy, Tommy, oh no, no,” she whispers. Looks to Adelman and him for answers. “What’s happened to him?”

“That fucking asylum happened,” Alfie says and hoists Tommy up higher in his arms, settling his head on his shoulder. Lizzie’s hands drop to her sides.

“He needs a doctor,” she says.

“I brought one,” Alfie says and nods to Adelman. “Now if you’d find us a room-“

Lizzie shakes her head. “No, no, we have to take him to a hospital.”  

“This happened because he was at a fucking hospital!”

Lizzie is about to argue, he can already tell, but Adelman steps between them, in both senses of the word, putting a hand on each of their shoulders.

“We do not have time to argue,” he says firmly. “I have agreed to treat him here. There’s no guarantee we’d make it to a hospital in time. So now you need to listen to me and do what you’re told, both of you.”

They both nod. Even if the looks the give each other are nothing short of hostile.

Then, finally, they’re escorted to a room. Not the master bedroom, as per Alfie’s specific request. Considering the things Tommy’s had to endure in that room already. Instead they’re taken to one of the presumably many of luxurious guest bedrooms with an adjacent bathroom, and a giant bed full of white crisp sheets. Now it’s covered with a blanket to keep the blood from staining it.

Adelman takes charge and Alfie finds himself listening, even if he’s forced to lay Tommy down on the bed. The loss of his slight weight in his arms feels like the loss of a limb. Lizzie stays too, and though he’d like to argue her presence there isn’t time to do much of anything except following Adelman’s orders. The maid goes to the bathroom to fill the tub, while Ishmael has been commandeered out of the room to stand guard. Against what Alfie isn’t sure, all he knows is that he doesn’t fully trust anyone in this fucking house.

When they open the coat to reveal Tommy’s torso, the protruding ribs, the bruises and nasty marks from the straitjacket, Lizzie’s hands begin shaking.

“Maybe you should wait outside, eh?”  Alfie grunts as he carefully removes the coat and helps Adelman pull away the dirty trousers, revealing blue track marks all over his thighs, left behind by less than gentle hands with syringes presumably. Alfie tries to comfort himself with the image of Winson Green asylum burning.

“I will not be ordered around in my own house,” Lizzie snaps, but her eyes are wide with horror as she looks at the bruises.

“Then get a fucking hold of yourself.”

“Stop with this nonsense, or you may both leave,” Adelman says sharply. “We have other things to focus on than petty bickering.”

They share a long icy stare, which is only broken by a knock on the door.

A voice calls, “Mrs. Shelby, young Charlie is asking for you. I think he heard the car pull up and got worried. He’s terribly upset.”

Lizzie hesitates, looking between Tommy and the door.

“Go, I’ll stay with him, Mrs. Shelby,” the maid says, coming out of the bathroom with a towel folded over her arm. “Your son needs you.”  

Lizzie allows her to gently usher her out of the room. Alfie can feel the muscles in his jaw relaxing.

“Alright. Let’s get him cleaned up,” Adelman says and nods towards the bathroom.

A while later, Tommy is bathed and dressed in one of Alfie’s clean shirts, retrieved from the luggage Ishmael has apparently deposited in the room without anyone noticing. It settles Alfie a little, tucking him into bed with clean clothes and a cool rag on his forehead and with the wounds on his leg properly tended to. He slumps into a chair next to the bed, feeling like he’s been hit by a sledge hammer. Working to combat the dehydration, Adelman gives Tommy several injections of saline solution before he’s done and can sit down as well.

“We’ve done what we can for now,” he says. “Now it’s a question of whether his body can fight off the infection or not.”

Alfie nods. Can’t look away from Tommy.

Tommy looks so fragile and damaged and it’s his fault. It’s impossible not to think about it now, when he can no longer distract himself with Adelman’s orders. He promised to protect him, and he couldn’t. Instead he let the worst thing possible happen to him.

He’s not sure how to forgive himself.

If he can forgive himself.

The door opens and Lizzie enters. Alfie only listens to her steps approaching the bed.  

“He hasn’t woken up yet?”

“No,” Alfie says, still without looking up.

“Has he woken up at all since… since you found him?”

“No,” he repeats.

“He’s very sick,” Adelman reminds her softly. “And they’ve given him strong medication, far too high dose for his current weight. We’ll have to keep medicating him to wane him off it slowly. I’m somewhat versed in the treatments these places usually supply, so fortunately I have brought enough doses with me.”

He begins organizing supplies on the nights stand. A thermometer, a bowl of cold water and several clean rags, as well as small bottles of clear liquid.

“The first hours are critical,” he says. “Someone has to watch him at all times. If the fever breaks, his chances will greatly improve.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Lizzie asks.

Well, what does she fucking think, eh?

“We’ll take it one hour at a time,” Adelman says.

Lizzie fetches a chair stood by the window and sits opposite them both.

They sit there, the three of them, in complete silence, as darkness settles in the room. Alfie is so focused on watching the rise and fall of Tommy’s chest that the rest of the world seems to fade away. His face is relaxed in sleep, and if it weren’t for the red painted over his cheeks by the fever, he’d look peaceful. Alfie hopes he’s dreaming of something nice. Or perhaps it’s better if he’s not dreaming at all…

A knock on the door is the first thing that breaks the silence. The maid comes in.

“Mrs. Shelby, may I show mister Abrams to a guest room?”

Right. Alfie has completely forgotten about Ishmael.

“Of course,” Lizzie says. “Perhaps you could show mister Solomons and doctor-“

“Adelman,” the doctor offers.

Lizzie continues, “To a room each.”

Alfie crosses his arms. “Oh, fuck off.”

Lizzie’s eyebrow twitches but she says nothing.

“But you should get some rest, doctor,” Alfie tells Adelman. “I’ll look after him.”

Adelman considers it for a moment. Eyes Tommy. Puts a hand on his forehead. Checks his pulse again before taking the stethoscope away from his ears to hang it around his neck.

“I’ll just sleep for a few hours,” he decides and gets to his feet, showing his age for the first time by his unsteady gait towards the door. “Fetch me the second he shows any signs of discomfort, or if his fever rises. But I suspect the medication will keep him under for most of the night.”

The maid follows Adelman out the door, leaving just Alfie and Lizzie by Tommy’s bedside. Adelman’s absence and the lack of his watchful eye over them is palpable. Alfie keeps his focus on Tommy and tries to forget Lizzie is even there. Only that’s impossible, isn’t it? Because had she not been there, he would’ve taken Tommy’s hand. Would’ve stroked his hair. Now he does neither of those things. Even though it makes his bones itch.

The silence between them is heavy with unspoken thoughts on his part and questions on Lizzie’s, presumably. But neither of them open their mouth to turn the frosty stalemate to an actual war.

Instead they sit in that complete silence for God knows how long.

It’s Lizzie who finally breaks it.

“Thank you for bringing him home.”

“I didn’t,” Alfie says. “I brought him here, didn’t I? And believe me, if there had been any other options, I would’ve taken them.”

Lizzie clenches her jaw and demonstratively turns her attention back to Tommy.  

The silence fills the room again as they remain there on their chairs, both staring at Tommy. Following his every breath. Around them the house seems deathly still and quiet. The only sound is a bird somewhere outside. But soon that grows quiet as well as night settles around them.

Alfie loses track of time, there in the chair, so it could be one hour as well as two when Tommy starts moving in the bed, whimpering under his breath. Alfie is the first to react, taking away the rag to put his hand on Tommy’s forehead

“Fuck, he’s burning up.”

Lizzie gets out of her seat.

“I’ll fetch the doctor.”

He doesn’t watch her go. Tommy whines quietly, squirming as if trying to get away from an unwanted touch. Alfie smooths his hair away from his forehead. Removes the rag and puts it into the cold water. He leans down and kisses his forehead before putting it back.  

“I’m here.” He strokes his hair.  “I’m right here sweetheart.”

Tommy keeps making noises, wordless little sounds as he screws his eyes shut.

Fuck it. Alfie moves to sit on edge of the bed, leaning down until his forehead rests against Tommy’s. Takes his hand and holds it to his chest.

“I’m here, love. I’m here. You’re safe.”

Tommy settles a little. Stops moving, at least.  

Lizzie comes in with Adelman in tow. Alfie straightens up but remains on the edge of the bed. She gives him a look which he ignores. Adelman puts a thermometer in Tommy’s mouth. His forehead smooths out as the mercury rises.  

“The fever hasn’t changed.”

“He seems awfully warm,” Lizzie says.

“Yes, it’s still high. But it’s not any higher than before. And it’s a good sign that he’s moving, even if he’s uncomfortable. A sign that the drug is wearing off. I’ll give him a low dose in the morning. Start weaning him off it, slowly.”

After once again checking Tommy’s pulse and breathing, Adelman takes out his pocket watch.

“I’ll be back in a few hours. But I think at least one of you should try and get some rest.”

Alfie demonstratively leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest, raising his eyebrows at Lizzie. Lizzie sits down and returns the stare with icy indifference.

Adelman sighs.  

“Alright. But again, don’t hesitate to wake me at any time during the night. And try to keep things civil.”

The by now familiar silence settles in the room, as the darkness outside slowly begins greying at the edges as the night wears on. Alfie can feel his eyelids drooping. His back his aching and his leg is just about killing him, but at least the pain is keeping him awake.

Lizzie’s voice makes him jerk upright in the chair.

“There’s a room across the hall you can sleep in.”  

He just snorts at that, sitting up straighter in his chair.  

“You can’t stay up all night,” she says. “You’ll do him no good if you’re fucking exhausted. I can look after him.”

Sounding an awful lot like Esther, isn’t she?

He needs to call her. She’ll be beside herself with worry.

He’ll call when Tommy is better.

Lizzie isn’t Esther. And so he doesn’t leave the chair. Neither does Lizzie.

Despite his intentions to stay awake, the silence and the slow passing of time finally wins out, and he dozes off there in the chair, falling into a restless sleep with dreams of dark corridors where he chases after Tommy’s screams but only finds darkness when he rounds a corner. But he wakes again at the sound of Tommy whining, and Lizzie’s softly spoken words.

“Shh, darling, it’s okay.”

Lizzie is leaning over him, stroking his hair. Her face has softened from the tight scowl she’s been wearing every time she looks at Alfie. Tommy moves away from the touch. He frowns and squeezes his eyes tightly together.

“Alfie,” he whimpers.

Lizzie pulls away her hand as if she’s burnt herself. She straightens up. Alfie brushes past her and seats himself on the edge of the bed. Cradles Tommy’s face between his hands.

“I’m here, Tommy, you’re safe.”

He doesn’t look at Lizzie. Only looks at Tommy. He strokes his hair, speaking softly to him as he does. Tommy doesn’t shy away from the touch, but keeps making hurt noises.

“Shh, shh, it’s alright, love, I’m here. Right here.”

Nestling into his touch, Tommy quiets down. The foreign sensation of a smile twitches at the Alfie’s lips.

“I should sleep for a few hours,” Lizzie says. “Let me know if something changes.”

Her steps disappear and he’s finally alone with Tommy.

Alfie lays down beside him and holds the small body close to his, careful not to jostle his leg. It’s like the return of a missing limb. He cradles his head against his chest, palm stroking gently over his overheated skin.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart. Everything will be alright.”

Tommy settles, his breathing evening out as he buries his nose in his chest.

…

Alfie doesn’t realise he’s fallen asleep until there’s a knock on the door and he opens his eyes to find sharp sunrays piercing in between the gaps of the curtains. He just manages to get out of bed before it opens and the maid from the previous night enters, carrying a tray.

“My guess was you’d prefer to have your breakfast here, sir.”

If she notes his disheveled appearance she doesn’t show it, setting the tray down onto the small table by the window and pulling away the curtains just a bit, lighting the room. Alfie doesn’t even manage to scrape together enough brains to thank her before she’s out again.

He moves the table to stand by the bed, along with the breakfast tray. Observant maid, this. No bacon. He only discovers how hungry he is when he starts eating. Hasn’t had time for it, right, feelings of hunger.

He’s nearly eaten all of it when, without knocking, Lizzie enters, along with doctor Adelman. She can’t have slept much, and she’s wearing the same tight expression he’s grown used to. But it softens when she looks at Tommy.

“He hasn’t woken up?”

Alfie shakes his head and swallows the last bit of toast down with a gulp of tea.

“No.”

“Well, it’s good that he sleeps,” Adelman says. “It’s the best way of healing.”

Adelman examines Tommy. Checks his pulse, his breathing, his temperature. The bandages are clean. He still has a fever. Nothing’s changed during the night. Which Alfie knows, doesn’t he, because he’s been here. And he knows he should feel relieved that nothing is worse, but he’s only frustrated that nothing is better. Adelman fills a syringe with a clear liquid from a tiny bottle.

“Do we have to give him more?” Lizzie asks.

“Yes, unfortunately. It’s not safe to simply quit this kind of medication. I’ll lower the dose over the next couple of days.”

Alfie digs his nails into his palm when he sees the track marks again. Tommy doesn’t react as the needle punctures the skin. Adelman tucks him back under the blankets.

“There. I’ll give him another dose tonight,” he says. “And I’ll be back to check on him soon.”

As Adelman leaves, Lizzie takes a seat by Tommy’s bedside.

“Don’t you have some maids to order around?” Alfie asks. “Drinks to be drinking? Or whatever it is ladies of your stature do all day.”

“He’s my husband. I have every right to be here. Unlike you.”

The anger that’s been simmering under his skin boils up, if only enough to barely spill over.

“Think I gained that right when I got him out of that fucking asylum,” he says. “Or when I sat by the kitchen table for hours on end when I wouldn’t eat. Or stayed awake with him at night when his ghosts wouldn’t let him sleep-“ he stops himself, already having said more than he should.

“I would’ve done the same if you hadn’t kept him from me,” Lizzie says.  

“You didn’t, when you had the chance.”

“I’d advice against voicing any opinions on how I should’ve handled my husband’s illness, Solomons,” she hisses. “Considering you know fucking nothing”

Alfie bites back his next reply, because he’s no doubt going to say something that’ll turn the quiet hostility into an outright war. This doesn’t matter. She doesn’t matter. All that matters is Tommy, anything that distracts from him is just noise. And the second he’s well enough Alfie is getting him the fuck out of here.

Lizzie shifts her sharp gaze from him back to Tommy. And Alfie does the same.

…

All day they walk around each other like animals in a cage, him and Lizzie. Both unwilling to leave Tommy’s side. At the same time unable to both be there together. Alfie leaves only to use the bathroom at one point, and to wash up and change into the spare clothing he thankfully had the foresight to bring. Not that he gives a fuck but he wants to keep everything clean for Tommy’s sake. Lizzie disappears for meals, but is never gone for long, much to his annoyance. They say only the most necessary things, lest they both start saying things that’ll shatter the fragile peace. Or, peace might be overstating things. It’s rather a cease fire. A stalemate.

When afternoon rolls around, they’re once again both seated by Tommy’s bedside when there’s a knock on the door.

“Mummy?” a child’s voice says as it opens, and a little boy peaks in. Then Alfie hears a familiar bark and a just as familiar, four legged figure rushes into the room. Cyril skids to a halt in front of Alfie and jumps, tail wagging.

“Cyril, good to see you!” he says and scratches Cyril behind the ears as the dog sets his heavy paws on his lap.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Shelby,” the maid shows up in the doorway and takes the boy by the hand. “I told him-“

“It’s alright, Frances.” Lizzie shoots up and hurries forward, ushering Charlie from the room. “Come here, love, let’s go find your sister. We can read something-” her voice is cut off when the door closes.

Cyril stays, tail wagging. Then he seems to notice Tommy in the bed and Alfie takes a firmer hold on his collar just to be safe. He pats his side.  

“You have to be gentle with him, alright?”

Cyril stops pulling and Alfie lets go of his collar. The dog lays his head on the bed and looks at Tommy. Glances up at Alfie as if to say that he’s a fucking idiot: Cyril is a very intelligent creature, he knows when he needs to be gentle.

“Yeah, this is Tommy, innit. You know him, right?” Alfie scratches his ear. “He’s resting. Some bad people hurt him. But we’ll look after him, won’t we?”

Cyril huffs, which Alfie knows means yes, of course.

Cyril remains there by the bed until Lizzie returns. Then he lumbers out of the room. Lizzie pats his head as he passes.

“I don’t think he saw anything. Charlie,” she says as she sits down.

“Haven’t told him his dad is back, then?”

She shakes her head. “I will. When he’s awake. I don’t want him seeing him like this. Tommy wouldn’t want that.”

“No,” Alfie agrees. “He wouldn’t.”

Lizzie nods.

And they’re right back to their silent vigil.

…

When yet another evening falls, Lizzie gets out of her chair.

“I’ll have a bed brought in here for you,” she says. And with that, she leaves the room.

A bed does arrive, carried in by Ishmael and two maids and put at the farthest corner of the room. Alfie lets them. Not like he’s going to sleep in it anyway. And he remains by Tommy’s bedside until Adelman has done his last check in for the night, and the house has settled around them. Lizzie doesn’t return.

Then he climbs into bed to hold Tommy. It settles the itch in his bones. But he can’t sleep, even though his eyes sting with exhaustion and his entire body feels heavy enough to sink through the mattress. He reaches down into the suitcase and digs until he finds a book. He turns on the lamp on the nightstand and the room fills with warm light.

“How about we read something, love? We still have a few chapters left. But we might as well start over.” Alfie begins reading quietly, running his fingers through Tommy’s hair in between the turning of pages.

[sirensmojo]

"Depth Over Distance" Hubby! Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warnings: Angst & Fluff.

Summary: Tommy remembers the time he fell in love with you when he realizes that you are falling out of love with him.

A/N: It's Tommy's point of view all along. [it was supposed to be out yesterday but I fell asleep WAY TOO SOON and on my computer....]

PS: Inspired by "Keep your Head up" by Ben Howard.

*Masterlist*

*Arrow House*

The clock was ticking, it was the only sound that could be heard in the office, along with the smoke Tommy exhaled. His eyes were blankly staring at the void forward him, his vision blurred by his thoughts.

She was standing in the chair right in front of him but she wasn’t saying anything, she probably didn’t even notice he was standing near her.

She wouldn’t even look at him in the eyes anymore or even throw a single glance his way. He used to say he’ll not eat with Y/N when just coming home from the House Of Commons, but for several months she wasn’t even expecting him at all. When he would arrive late for dinner, he would rush to the dining room but found it empty.

No plates on the table, and no Y/N waiting for him. It was maids that would welcome him and tell him his wife took supper earlier before going to bed, using the excuse that “she had to wake up early”.

What was she doing early in the morning anyway?

Why was she out all day long? But most of all, why wasn't she looking at him anymore?

Y/N and Tom met during the war, she was a nurse in his department. Being a tunneler meant you weren’t going out often, but when you did, it was solely to put out the bodies of the dead or reach for help for those who were deeply wounded.

He remembers she used to always come to him to take care of his scars when he refused to let anyone touch him until all his soldiers would be taken care of.

She wasn’t saying anything when he would do so, but her eyes… Tommy remembers vividly the way she was looking at him, the aggressive burning fire that was animating her eyes and her stern look contrasting with the way her lids softly fluttered whenever he would catch her looking at him.

She used to panic a little before understanding it was his way to tell her she could take care of his wounds and scars.

Her touches were so soft and sweet, her skin was always smooth and cold. Not in a bad way, it was easing his own that was burning like hot coals.

Being under the ground in very tiny tunnels with all his soldiers, Tommy had to take on his shoulders an amount of pressure no one could ever even imagine, he had to give them orders and lead them to death from time to time. No errors would be acceptable, so he had to calculate everything for everyone.

The air down there was toxic, hot and tense. That’s why he loved Y/N’s skin being cold, it would remind him about the life above the ground, what fresh air felt like, and even if at the time he hadn’t had much space to think about that, she was bringing him hope.

A hope that would be killed as soon as he was back in the tunnels, but still. He could taste hope somehow, so it was better than nothing.

When returning home, he forgot about her for some time, but soon enough, the universe, destiny, or whatever, sent his angel back in the streets of small heath.

She was working in a bakery, and soon, Thomas was bringing bread everywhere he would go. Even in family meetings or the betting shop. Every occasion was an invitation to visit the woman that didn’t seem to recognize him… Or so he thought.

“Y/N! Give your Sergent Major what he needs and close the shop! We need you at the back!”

Her cheeks reddened.

“I’m coming!” Y/N responded by turning her head to the back door before slowly facing Tommy again. She was keeping her head down, but when she met the icy blue staring-eyes of the man she once knew in another time, she cleared her throat and gained composure again.

“So what do you want?”

“Huh?” He responded, aghast.

“What bread this time?” She answered back and he raised his brows.

“You remember me?” He will not order anything, but he wanted the truth.

“Who can forget what happened there.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement and the bitter tone of her voice alarmed him. Did he do something to her personally or was that tone about the war itself? Tom was confused.

He frowned and was staring at the woman in front of him.

“You heard my boss, I gotta close.” She let out before she walked around the counter to join him. She seemed to be aware he was going there only to see her, that’s why she didn’t wait any longer to put him out of the bakery shop.

Tommy, that was now out, under the rain, turned back to look at her through the windows, confusion filling his eyes.

She was aware of his scheme and she indeed kicked him out the shop.

Her attitude made him forget he was a peaky blinder and that he should be served like a fucking Prince. With her, he only felt like a simple man. Not that it was a bad thing, but since he returned his business was the only thing he could think about until he saw her again.

Now she became the key to this other dimension where Tommy Shelby was just Tommy Shelby, not the leader of a backstreet gang, not the head of the Shelby family, no. None of those things mattered or even existed in that dimension. It was just him, her, and the way she was looking at him.

Tom maybe didn’t know what to say that day, but he eventually came back the next day with only one purpose: She will not kick him out this time. This wasn’t too ambitious, or was it?

Because last time she made no effort to kick him out. Her Y/C/E eyes were enough for Tommy to be unable to say anything back.

But he wanted to believe this time will be different.

He pushed the heavy glass door and entered, no clients. He quickly glanced behind the counter but he was surprised to see a blonde girl. It wasn’t Y/N.

“Mr Shelby!” The woman began, a huge smile on her face, she surely knew about his position in this town. “What brings you here? Can I help you?”

But he glimpsed a form, in the tiny room at the back of the shop, and here she was, lifting huge bags of flour from the ground.

He turned back to the girl that was speaking to him and cleared his throat, “Give me my everyday order.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand… It’s my first time serving clients, I do not know what you usually take…” She seemed sorry and scared. So, she heard about what happened when the peaky blinders didn’t have what they wanted.

He got out a cig, lightening it up slowly before puffing on it and lifted his eyes back on the woman, “Well, bring someone who knows.” Was all he said.

“Y/N, please come!” The blondie girl ran to the back door.

“Is it something you do often, to frighten people?” Y/N asked, outright, when nearing the counter.

“Give me my everyday order.” He was looking deep into her eyes, and he could swear he saw her gritted her teeth as the muscle of her jaw tensed.

She grabbed a couple of pieces and wrapped them in fabric, shaking her head.

“Is it something you want to tell me?” He raised his brows, still smoking.

She handed him his order and exhaled, “I don’t understand why you chose that path. Haven’t you got enough with the killings?” She looked at him straight in the eyes, and he would swear she was looking into his soul.

Tommy didn’t say anything for a moment, his body stiffened. It was when his cigarettes burnt his knuckles that he blinked, grunting. He frowned and looked at the burning on his pale skin as the cigarette fell on the ground.

How did she do that? It was as if she understood him better than he did. And her words made him feel like he was cheating on himself.

She grabbed his hand in both of hers, which startled the man that looked up to her face.

It had been forever he hadn't seen her that close, her hair falling perfectly on each side of her face, framing her judging look. “Now you act like you don’t remember who you are, huh? Or maybe you truly forgot.”

Her words echoed in his mind but he was still desperately searching for their meaning. What was she saying?

“So, you hate me.” He concluded, not because that was what he thought but because it was his way of knowing what he truly wanted to know without directly asking her a question. He didn’t need her to think he cared what she thought, even if that was the case.

She put his knuckle in her mouth while frowning at him,” No, I don’t hate you, of course, no.” She was taken aback by his remark. As if it was the dumbest thing she'd ever heard.

“So, what is it? You always be looking at me with those eyes,” he pointed to her with his free hand. That’s when he realized his finger in her mouth, making him flutter his lids a couple times out of confusion, “like I did something wrong.” He concluded while staring at her mouth.

Y/N scoffed, “Stop speaking in the name of my eyes. It’s not my fault if you see your own conscience in them.” She said as letting go of his finger.

She pulled his arm, leading him in the tiny room at the back of the bakery shop. “Sit.” She motioned a dusty table and two chairs while she went away.

Tommy obeyed, patiently waiting for her.

He rewinds the time and hears her voice again, “It’s not my fault if you see your own conscience in them”, well. Maybe she was right. Maybe all of the things he thought he saw in her was in imagination, but here he was, about to have a full conversation with the woman that saw the real him.

“Give me your finger,” she let out while sitting right next to him. “I never hated you, Tommy. It’s who you become that I can’t stand. I thought you discovered your true self there, I guess I was wrong.”

“Don’t speak in my name. It’s not my fault if you see a version of me you want to see and not who I am.”

She lifted her gaze to his, “I saw you looking at your soldiers there. You felt powerless in front of their distress, and it seemed to burn you from the inside. I’m not lying.” She said, putting some kind of liquid on his burn.

“That’s why I become who I’m becoming.” He snapped back, staring at her movements, wincing of pain.

“To never be powerless…” She muttered utterly to herself, but he heard her, and noticed her nodding to herself, she was genuinely trying to understand him.

“And I saw you.” She tied a piece of tissue around his knuckle before exhaling deeply.

“Back then, yea” He completed before she could add anything as if to let her know he wasn’t the same anymore.

“It’s so depressing how you want everything out of life but not the life itself.” She smiled at him faintly, raising a hand to his cheek.

She fondled his skin and shamelessly brought her lips to his, kissing him softly.

Tommy was surprised but in a good way. Now he was sure about what he felt between them since the war.

He put a hand at the back of her head, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, his other hand she took care of cupped one of her cheeks, tenderly.

He couldn’t believe it was the same Y/N in his vivid memories that was ignoring him right now.

He wanted to say something, but the words refused to form in his mind, and his voice was tied in his throat.

He knew she never approved his business even if she never said anything, and he was pretty sure this was the reason he was forced to watch the spaces grow between them.

A heaviness settled on his chest, making him cough even harder than usual. He abruptly crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and clenched his jaw as he grabbed the paper Y/N was reading.

He wanted her attention, he wanted her to look at him the way she used to. He wanted to see his own conscience in her eyes, he needed his wife. And she wasn’t there anymore, or maybe it was him who wasn't there?

Maybe the fact he entered politics was the last straw that broke the camel’s back? It was love or business and he made a decision.

That last thought made sense and would explain why she didn’t even look at him after he grabbed the paper and just left the office without saying anything.

(...)

In the morning, as he just entered the Shelby Brother Company Limited’s office, he saw his wife, sitting in one of the two armchairs in front of his desk.

“Y/N.” His voice was full of expectations.

When he saw the suitcase near her legs, he realized what was bound to happen.

“Sit.” She spoke with a low voice. And that’s when he realized...

It was him who changed. She was still as calm as usual, her hair still perfectly framing her face by falling at each side of her head.

Her Y/C/E eyes that, for the first time in months, met his blue ones were still animated by the same burning fire that when he found her in the bakery shop.

She was the same.

He came and sat at his desk, taking advantage of the fact she didn’t refuse to look at him, to stare at her face, printing as many details as he could before she would vanish, because that’s what she’ll do. He knows it.

“You had been away.” He succeeded saying. He didn’t want her to go silent again or to ignore him, so he made a step towards her, hoping she would do the same.

Tommy didn’t speak the first words coming to his mind, he meant something while saying this.

He wasn’t talking about distance here, no. He was talking about depth, she had been far too in-depth for him to reach for her.

She seemed to understand the depth he meant because she quickly looked away, fleeing the judgment in his icy stern eyes.

“Keep your mind set in your ways. It’s who you are now.” She mutters, giving him a faint smile.

He knew a ‘but’ would be coming at some point, he was patiently waiting for the sentence to drop on his head, so she could finish him off as if her ignoring him didn’t already do enough damage.

“It’s the time we go separate ways, Tom. But it’s okay, cause I’ll always remember you the same….” She tilted her head to the side, closing her eyes abruptly. A couple of tears racing at the corners of her eyes, “Eyes like wildflowers… with your demons of change.”

So that was it, he was right, he was the one who let her down, the one who changed.

“May you find happiness there… May all our hopes all turn out right.” She concluded, finally opening back her eyes.

He closed his eyes at each of her sentences, they were like bullets to him. One hitting him deeper than the previous.

No tears were to be found in her eyes anymore, it was his Y/N right here, right there. The one that once saw him, but couldn’t see him now.