#i know i’m a key holder but damn why does this place expect me to drop everything after being sick / coming back from a holiday /

[grimmweepers]

me: excited for this small trip with my friends

work: hey btw can you come back to work the day after you land, even though it’s your scheduled day off, and help us transition with this big change that we just found out about today. the correct answer is yes btw

[comfyswitcherblanketfort]

Grunge-Metal Geralt 2

holy fucking shit yall really loved the first one so I wrote some more

this is totally self indulgent tho. like yall have no idea. if i could live in any AU it would be this one. i have so many feels.

Warnings: drinking mention, nothing over the top, unwanted pics taken but like they’re celebrities? i guess, we get a bit emotional about past relationships/crushes but nothing too heavy

__________________________

Jaskier had no idea how he got there, but he was knocking on a green room door with a temporary label reading ‘The Witchers’ before the stadium had completely emptied. 

Lambert yanked the door open, Aiden clinging to his back like a monkey, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head before a huge grin spread over his face, “Hey there, Jaskier!”

Eskel grumbled, “Haha, Bert. No need to fuck with Geralt.” 

Jaskier shoved his hands in his corduroys and rocked up onto his toes, “He’s not fucking with anyone,” he laughed, desperately trying to keep the nerves out of his voice as he peeked around the door jam. 

Geralt was curled up in the corner of a couch, now wearing a massive grey-blue hoodie and gold wire-rimmed glasses, scribbling in a composition notebook propped up on his knees. His hair was pulled back in a disaster of a bun with pieces falling in his face but Jaskier absolutely loved it. It suited him. He hesitated a moment before scrawling one last line in his notebook, brow furrowed as he chewed on his bottom lip.

When he looked up he snapped his notebook shut, “Holy fuck,” he breathed, “Hi!”

His eyes were actually gold. Jaskier had just thought that was some thirst driven exaggeration. He expected light brown, but no. He was staring directly at eyes that practically sparkled.

Lambert waved Jaskier in and he hesitantly stepped through the door, “Hi! I uh, dig your boots.” 

“Th- Thank you,” Geralt bit back a grin, blushing bright pink as he stood up, “I didn’t think you’d see my message. Or respond.” 

“After that performance?” Jaskier, normally bard-worthy with his quick tongue and easy conversation, was feeling his own cheeks heat up as he scrambled for something to say, “I’m honestly not sure if I even locked my car when I came back in.” 

Eskel snickered from behind Jaskier, stretching and putting his feet up on a coffee table, “Told ya.”

Aiden sighed and rested his chin on top of Lambert’s head, “This is so cute.”

Jaskier laughed, not entirely uncomfortably but definitely awkward, and ran a hand through his hair, turning back to Geralt. 

Geralt pushed his glasses farther up his nose and snatched his wallet from the coffee table, “I offered drinks. You wanna…” Geralt trailed off and made an exasperated, and maybe a little annoyed face at the guys behind him but when Jaskier turned around they were pretending to mind their own business, “How does Pensive sound?” 

Jaskier shot him a grin, “Sounds perfect.”

Geralt snagged his keys from a bag and held the door open for Jaskier, “After you.” 

-

“Okay so,” Jaskier took a sip of his drink and set it in line with their two empty glasses and a napkin holder, “Aiden and Lambert fuck?” he asked, pushing an empty glass and the napkin holder together. Geralt snorted and nodded so he went on, “And Eskel and Lambert are brothers?” Another nod as he tapped the two empty glasses, “And you and Eskel were college roommates?” he asked, gesturing to his half-empty glass. 

Geralt grinned, “You know, you’re keeping up pretty well for a self-proclaimed lightweight.” 

Jaskier giggled, “I’m trying really fucking hard.” 

Geralt leaned his head back and laughed and Jaskier was absolutely done for. He rested his elbow on the table and his head in his hand as he stared dreamily at this adorable man. He was carefree and soft around the edges, nothing like Jaskier had expected from the lyrics he’d listened to all night. And either he was a good listener or Jaskier had had one too many vodka-crans. 

When Geralt finally got himself under control he took off his glasses to wipe at his eyes before placing them back on his nose with a grimace, “I shouldn’t have taken my contacts out.” 

“Old prescription?” 

Geralt blushed, “Don’t usually wear them in public,” He admitted, pushing the frames higher.

Jaskier must have had too much to drink because he reached out and tucked a curly strand of white hair behind Geralt’s ear, “I think they’re cute on you.” 

Geralt’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at Jaskier, jaw hanging down just a bit, his pupils blown wide. Jaskier bit his lip and smiled as he pulled his hand away and rested it on the table between them, hoping Geralt would get the hint. Gods he just wanted to hold his hand and giggle until the sun came up. 

“Thank you,” Geralt muttered, blinking a couple times and laying one of his hands over Jaskier’s. 

“Can I ask you something?”

Geralt licked his lips and nodded, shaking the hair loose that Jaskier had just tucked away. 

“Why that song?” Jaskier stared at their hands, not having the courage to look at Geralt in case the answer wasn’t what he wanted it to be. 

“Hmm…” he didn’t sound upset, but he was certainly choosing his words carefully, “I’ve done the whole.. How do I put it?” Jaskier looked up at him only to see him staring at their hands too, “...‘I could be enough for you if you’d let me’ dance more times than I can count… and knowing it would never happen but yearning anyway…” he chuckled and glanced up at Jaskier, a sad look of acceptance in his eyes, “And I love your voice.”

Of course, he’d heard those words before, it was his job to have a good voice, but fuck, they hit different coming from Geralt. He was so earnest and disarmingly handsome that Jaskier felt anything he said would make him giddy. His chest felt warm and it took a moment for his brain to catch up. He had planned on showering Geralt with praise and adoration, not the other way around. 

Jaskier squeezed his hand, “I love yours too,” he whispered.

There was that gorgeous blush again, making Jaskier’s heart skip a beat. 

“I can’t imagine anyone thinking you’re not magnificent,” Jaskier mumbled, watching Geralt blush even deeper and dip his head so the loose hairs covered his face a bit. Jaskier may have been a flirty drunk, but he was one hundred percent sure he’d be just as forward with Geralt sober. He wasn’t leaving the bar without making damn sure Geralt knew he was gorgeous and talented and everything Jaskier could imagine wanting in life. 

“Careful. You can’t just say things like that,” Geralt warned, flicking the hair out of his eyes with a guarded but amused smile. 

“And why not?”

Geralt squinted at him for a moment, “I might believe you.” 

“Geralt, darling,” Jaskier started, sitting up and turning to square his hips toward him, holding his large hand in both of his, “I don’t mince words. I mean everything I say. And tweet. I really do think you’re wonderful. And I really do want you to sing me to sleep. Sometime. Anytime. I’m not picky.”

Geralt raised his eyebrows and took a breath in to say something but was interrupted by a camera flash in the low light of the bar and someone swearing.

“Oi!” Jaskier turned toward the light, and the idiot fumbling with their phone. 

Geralt squeezed his hand before he could say anything more, “It’s alright. The hair kinda glows in the dark, I’m used to it. I was thinking we could get out of here?”

Jaskier did his best not to let the sly smile take over his face and give him away, “Would you like to come to my place?”

Geralt grinned, “Absolutely. Mine is a shit show right now.”

“Is it really that bad?” Jaskier joked as they stood.

“Eskel is a slob,” Geralt laughed.

“Mine it is!” Jaskier declared, slapping enough cash to cover their drinks and an exorbitant tip on the table.

They walked out of the bar with Geralt’s arm around Jaskier’s shoulders, both with giddy smiles and a little extra pep in their step. 

[darkstarnight02]

Why the Akuma Class Doesn’t Trusts Lila Rossi

Nino

This dude is a loyal friend

Like, he’s also a loyal boyfriend, so it’s hard when his girlfriend is siding with Lila

But he’s the one who’s like

“Dudes, we’ve known Mari for years there’s no way she would do the stuff this new girl we’ve known for five minutes says she did.”

He and Kim and Mari were besties since preschool, I think we all know that.  

Adrien

I hate it when people say he tries to defend her with the high road crap

When he sees her hurting people, especially Marinette

Because lets be honest, he cares about her alot

He’s less forgiven

Like do y’all remember the “BeCaUsE We’Re FrIeNdS, aReN’t We?”

So he’s not going to try and make her life miserable

But he is going to try to get her to stop

Chloé

Let’s be honest, she never liked Lila in the first place.  

So Imma give y’all bonus “how she figured out everyone’s identities”

So once she became friends with Marinette

Cause they formed a “we hate Lie-la” alliance

(tho since Mari’s still friends with the others its kinda awkward)

Chloe’s pretty smart.  

Like, she totally could have figured it out before they became friends

But she would never have believed back then that Mari-trash was Ladybug, her idol (and lesbian awakening, lesbihonest)

But now that she’s friends with her, it’s way too obvious

And she definitely already knew about Adrien because these guys are besties

And, dudes, she never had a crush on him, she was just an overprotective best friend

And a very touchy one

To her, it’s all pretty obvious.  

She thinks that its just whatever magic thats blinding everyone of the obvious, its immune to (like low-key Rachel Dare here)

But Sabine, Tom, and Jagged probably know to because they’re all Kings and Queens.  

So Chloe figures everyone out pretty quickly.  

Sabrina

She trust Chloe more than anyone.  

But I’m not just gonna use that because its kinda boring.  

Tho Chloe is her bi crush so that definitely helps secure loyalties

Its only when Marinette becomes MDC that she realizes

and yes, Sabrina probably knows because Chloe and she also recognizes the designs from some stuff she has in her own closet.  

So anyway, she realizes Mari is MDC and she’s some famous designer and Lila is not

And Mari also knows Jagged and Clara and a whole bunch of other famous people

And she never brags about it but there’s proof that she knows them

while Lila always brags about it but she’s never been mentioned and no one knows her.  

Alya

I hate it when people say she totally sides with Lila.  

This girl knows that her bestie never lies(or at least thinks)

and some things with Lila don’t add up.  

Like she doesn’t check directly if what Lila says is true

But she’ll be doing research for something else and see’s that it contradicts something that Lila said.  

So she’ll do more research and try to figure more stuff out

And she’s like holy f*ck nothing Lila says is true.

Or, alternatively, for those of you who have watched season 4

She immediately realizes Lila’s a liar right after Marinette tells her she’s Ladybug.  

Marinette

No explanation needed.  

Mylène

Mylene notices when Lila insults one of her classmates one day.  

Even if its subtle, or just piping on the edge of her blaming Marinette for something, she notices it.  

And a good person wouldn’t say something like that,  

Like Chloe, they all expect something like that from

No one every really liked Chloe in the first place

And Mari never says anything rude

Sure, she gets angry at Chloe and Lila sometimes, and she tries to prove what they say is wrong, but she never directly attacks someone.  

I don’t know who Lila was being a bitch to this time, but it cost her a follower.  

Alix

This girl is probably one of the most Gen Z kids in the Akuma Class, which is pretty sad because they’re all supposed to be Gen Z. 

She can smell bullcrap from a mile away

Not to mention the little hints older Bunnyx drops whenever she visits.  

With the mix of her being the future miraculous holder of time and being the daughter of a historian, she’s very aware of history and timelines and cause and effects and chain reactions

So when Marinette starts ‘acting up’ she tries to find when her personality switched over

And even if she seems more like a background character, this aro/ace queen always seems to know your secrets. 

So even before she knew Lila was a phony, she knew that Mari was MDC and that Jagged Stone was Juleka and Luka’s dad

So she definitely figured some stuff out that way

Honestly, next to Chloe, Alix was probably one of the first people to figgure out Mari’s identity.  

She’s a detective to rival batman

Ivan

I think Lila would make some sort of rift between him and Mylene.  

He loves her so much and it would be so hard

And mari and her friends would help him out

and he would see the truth

They wouldn’t like break up or anything

But he can just tell immediately when someone’s being a bad person.  

Kim

Probably something similar to Nino

But I think it’d be a bit more like he’s totally a die-hard fan of some of Marinette’s connections or some of Marinette’s work itself

And when he puts the pieces together its like everything makes sense in the world.  

He really feels super stupid afterwards.  

Ondine probably slaps him for not trusting his childhood best friend before some bitchy new girl.  

Max

This is the smartest dude in class

He made a f*cking robot with emotions you can’t tell me he doesn’t figure Lila out.  

A part of me believes that in the first episode with Lila when they were all waiting on her hand and foot they were probably aware that she was kind of delusional, but were giving into it the way you give into the tales of a six year old.  

Like ‘yeah, okay sweetie.  Sure’.  

I mean, at least that’s why Max went along with the napkin thing, because there’s no other excuse for that whole incident.  

Nathaniel

I don’t totally know how he figured her out, but I love the idea of her saying that she can introduce him to the creator of the Ladybug Comics.  

They actually sit next to each other in class, so he definitely is more aware of her weird behavior than others.

And since he’s an artist he’s very observant, always noticing things like her facial expressions and what seems more exaggerated than real.  

And we all know how kwami-damned done Nathaniel is with the class, so he probably knew all along.  

Not to mention that since the rest of the school is less submissive to Lila’s lies, Marc probably pointed it out to him at some point.  

There’s also the idea that since Nathaniel is pretty much never mentioned anymore, the class forgets about him and he ends up having to spend some time with Marinette and the other outcasts

In which he realizes that they are actually good people.  

Honestly, Nathaniel probably knew all along but he’s just not a drama queen about it so Lila never bothered him.  

Rose

Girls besties with Prince Ali, one of the key components of Lila’s lies

She definitely does not want to believe that someone is capable of so much evil, and she definitely gets Akumatized when she figures it out

She goes through a lot of denial but is eventually convinced.  

Juleka

Her dad is Jagged Stone, also another key component of Lila’s lies.  

After becoming Tigris Pourpre, the holder of the tiger miraculous (that’s canon in the future), she gets a little bit more invested in cat culture

And omfg I just realized that both of our models are kittens and I just wanna DIE because that’s so cute.  

And honestly now that I’m thinking about it if she was a celebrity she would totally take after Jagged and have an emotional support tiger like Princess Jasmine. 

ANYWAY, I’m kinda getting off topic here.  

So she asks Jagged about his cat, and he’s like 

“wtf I’ve never had a cat why would I have a cat I have FANG my CROCODILE”

And she’s like but your cat...

And he’s like “Jules, darling, I wrote a song about how I replaced my family with a guitar and I have three instagrams for Fang, why would I have a feline animal?”

And she’s just like

....

And honestly she probably already knew some sh*t was up before that

Because Luka obviously, despite only having met Lila, like, once, probably, dislikes Lila severely

And also Juleka is more of an observer than a do-er so she probably saw that some stuff was up.  

[shreddedparchment]

400 Buffalo Wings

02/14/2020

Pairing: Thor x Reader          Word Count: 2,149

Warnings: language, allusions to penises and sex, lots of buffalo wings, fluff

A/N: Just an intended drabble that turned into a one shot for Valentine’s Day. I did Bucky last year so I thought I’d do Thor this year. I may do another one, if I’m in the mood. I hope you enjoy it! This is seriously just silly fun. xoxo

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

It feels like your whole apartment is shaking.

Startled you spring to your feet and reach for the heavy wooden bat that you’d placed by your umbrella holder in the foyer.

You’re not exactly scared but you know the threats you might face.

It’s been three months since your life changed. Three months of surprising bliss. Three months of dating the perfect man.

With this perfect man, however, comes dangers that you know you’re not ready to face. Dangers that might very well end your life more quickly than you can attempt to fight them.

In fact, as you approach your front door—Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!—you know that if whoever is on the other side wants to hurt you, you won’t even have the chance to swing this bat.

There’s a heavy shift on the other side as you reach it, and with a trembling hand placed against the red painted wood, you push yourself up onto your toes and peek through your peep hole.

Your heart unclenches and relief floods you as you plant your feet back down and rest your forehead against the cool wood.

“Why are you knocking on my door, dummy? You have a key!” You tell him, pulling back to unlatch the chain and unlock the door.

He doesn’t answer you, but you open the door and you suddenly notice the way he’s swaying a little, the glazed look in his eyes, the sloppy grin stretching his bearded cheeks.

“There she is.” He says, his booming voice finding its way into your chest cavity to restart your heart at twice the speed.

Gods, you could listen to him talk forever, and be happy with only that if you couldn’t have anything else.

“Are you drunk?” You ask, brow furrowed.

“No.” He argues, frowning at you.

He blows a raspberry to emphasize the absurdity of what you’re saying, but then he sways too far forward and only stops when you throw your hands out against his chest to keep him upright.

His electric blue eyes look down at your hands, and suddenly he’s smiling like an idiot again.

“Thor, you’re drunk.” You insist.

“I’m drunk.” He agrees, too happy to notice your annoyance.

You hadn’t expected him to remember. This isn’t his thing. Earth holidays aren’t exactly something that he’s studied.

And technically this isn’t even a real holiday.

But you’d hoped…

“Come on.” You tell him and move to wrap his free arm around your shoulders so that you can help lead him inside.

He’s staring at you as you walk him in, absolutely pouring heart eyes at you and you’re so irritated by it that you really wanna just let him fall to the ground in a heap.

Instead he tightens his arm around you as you shut the door and presses his massive forehead against the top of your head.

“I missed you.” He whispers, sending shivers across your skin.

“Not much if you went out drinking after your mission.” You counter, not really meaning it but wanting to fight to expend all this damn disappointment.

“I had to!” Thor exclaims, voice rising and cracking in octave as he stands up straight.

He does it too quickly and he almost goes teetering backwards into your kitchen.

“Woah,” You exclaims but reach out with your bat less hand now and catch the loop of his jeans to keep him upright.

“When there is victory, there must be revels!” He assures you.

You sigh.

“Are you angry with me?”

“No.” You sigh and move him towards the room.

He can sleep it off.

“You’re angry with me.” Thor insists.

“Not angry. Just…I’m…”

“What were you doing?” Thor wonders, looking around the apartment as you pass through the living room and into the hallway towards your bedroom.

He notices the glass of half-drunk wine on your coffee table, a small plate of half eaten pasta. Netflix is still running, Sleeping With Other People still playing.

“Nothing. Just watching movies.” You tell him. “What are you carrying?”

You look over at his other arm, tucked underneath it what looks to be a sleek fancy black box with a golden ribbon tied around it.

For a moment, you wonder if maybe he didn’t forget…maybe someone reminded him?

“Food from the party.” He tells you, shifting towards you so that you can take it.

“Oh.” You reach over and grab the box by the bow and place it on the end of the bed as you near it.

Quickly you shrug out from underneath his arm and turn him around before helping him sit, but he throws himself back making your whole room shake.

“Thor!” You gasp, chastising him as the walls and ceiling creak and complain.

“That’s my name.” He says, slurring his words. “Dunweritow.”

His eyes are already closed.

“Dumbass.” You sigh, watching him scratch at an itch on his chest.

You smack his leg and he lifts it for you to place on your lap. You untie his boot and peel it off, letting it drop to your floor with a thud.

You do the other, then move to undo his jeans and begin to tug those away too.

“Are you trying to take advantage of me?” Thor accuses you. “Getting me naked while I am not of sound mind?”

You scoff and almost laugh, but you only pull harder until the jeans fall free of his hips and you can slide them down his massive thighs to leave him in red form hugging briefs.

They leave nothing to your imagination, but you have to stop and laugh when you see that they’re covered in tiny black hearts.

“What?” Thor asks, pushing himself up onto his elbows despite the sleep in his eyes.

He looks down at his pants and makes an O with his mouth as he sees his underwear.

“I forgot I chose those.”

“Why did you choose them?” You wonder, still laughing a bit.

“Is it not St. Valentine’s day today? Where are your heart underwear? In my research this is what is done, is it not?” Thor asks, trying to clear his mind of his drunken fog to focus on you.

So, he did look into it, but maybe didn’t do more than get past the images part of the search? At least he tried…

“I don’t have any underwear with hearts.” You remind him.

“No…” Thor shakes his head. “No, but you have those red ones. With the pink lace?”

There’s a shift in his underwear that draws your eyes. You frown.

“I’m not changing into any lingerie, Thor.” You get up and throw his pants into your hamper, the move around the bed to take off his shirt.

“Come on, take this off. It reeks of booze.” You grab the ends and he sits up completely then raises his hands up above his head so that you can peel the shirt away.

“You just want to get me naked.” He insists.

You scoff a chuckle again. “Yes, it’s my dream. You naked, in bed, all the time.”

Never mind that it is partially your dream to have him naked in bed all the time. He doesn’t need to know that when you’re upset!

“Mine too.” Thor says, “One of them.”

He sits there, slouching, hands between his thighs as he watches you dump his shirt in the hamper too.

“I’m hungry.” He tells you.

“When aren’t you hungry?” You counter. “And you’ve ben drinking. Of course, you want food.”

You move to the sleek black box—there must have been fancy caterers at the Avengers after party—and pick it up only to deposit it back into his lap.

“Here, eat your leftovers.” You grab his boots and move to place them by the end of the bed. “I’m gonna go clean up the living room and I’ll be back.”

“Very well.” He sighs but grunts.

The sound draws your attention and you find him struggling with the knot of the golden bow.

You let him struggle with it for a minute, a little smug that he’s so helpless right now. But watching him also frustrates you more and you move to sit beside his legs and push his hands away to take the box.

Placing it in your lap, you sigh and begin to work the tight knot slowly.

Thor leans against the bed, his hand beside your thigh so that both your knees are between his hand and his body.

He scratches at his chest and his head, his thigh and his beard as he waits and watches you undo the knot.

It finally pulls free and you run the stiff glittery ribbon through your fingers as you pull it apart.

You’re going to just give it back to him and let him open it himself, but you’re curious as to the quality of food that would warrant such a fancy box.

As you toss the lid aside, you see that there is mostly white wax paper inside. You rifle through it, folding the layers of paper back and find instead of food a small drawstring pouch in deep velvet red.

Suddenly, your hands are buzzing. You’re not sure what you’re seeing but your body seems to respond to it before your mind can catch up.

“Did you really think that I’d forget what today is about?” Thor asks, reaching around to wrap his arm around your waist, tickling the small of your back.

You pull out the pouch and with shaking fingers you pull it open. Slowly you reach in and feel for what he might have hidden in so much paper and box, when your fingers make purchase on a small metal circle.

You were hoping for a card maybe. A bracelet or necklace at most. Flower or chocolates. Something small and simple.

Well, this is small…but most definitely not simple.

You fish it up and find yourself staring down at a thin golden band around which is wrapped another in silver creating a beautiful Celtic vine pattern.

The gem is round, brilliant, but modest in size. The brilliant yellow diamond, however, stuns you with its color.

“Will you marry me, babe?” He asks.

You meet his eyes, tears threatening to spill across your cheeks. You had accepted that you’d get nothing and all of a sudden here he is, offering you everything.

“Yes…” You nod. “Yes.”

Thor smiles and pulls you closer to kiss you silly as you struggle to lean against him with the angle that you’re sitting.

He kisses you until you can’t breathe then pulls back to rest his forehead against your own.

“How about that red underwear now?” He tries.

You throw your head back in laughter, as you shove him away and get up to go clean.

“Is that a no?” He pleads, and you look back to find him splayed out on his back at the center of your bed, watching you with deep longing.

“That’s a no.” You assure him, but as you go out of sight, you know that it’s only a no for now.

~~~~~~~~~~

“THOR!” You shout, staring at the team of delivery men as each one comes in and deposits tray after tray of what looks like buffalo wings.

There are at least twenty boxes, each one with twenty wings each.

“Is my food here?” Thor wonders, still drunk off his ass despite the very competent way he just made love to you.

“Your food?!” You demand, looking at not only your small kitchen table, but your coffee table and end tables all laden with boxes of wings.

Thor smiles at the sight of them and throws himself down onto the couch as he reaches for one of the boxes but being so drunk, he falls sideways and just stays there where he’s fallen, eyes shut as sleep threatens to take him.

“Thor! What the hell were you thinking?!” You demand, flabbergasted by the sheer amount of food in your home.

“I’m hungry.” He explains, eyes still shut, voice losing strength with his drowsiness.

“That…that doesn’t mean that you order four hundred buffalo wings!” You nearly shout.

“Well, I’m the God of Thunder and this is how I eat and I love you, babe.” He tacks on at the end and you’re not sure if he says it because he’s trying to get out of trouble or if he means that you’re supposed to eat too or whether his drunken stupor is just making him say whatever comes to mind.

You remember that you just told him that you’ll marry him and that you will have a lifetime of buffalo wings in your future. The very thought is so ridiculous that all you can do is laugh as you watch your husband to be pass out on this, your first shared Valentine’s Day.

[t-lostinworlds]

Subverting Expectations (Shawn Mendes)

A/N: Am I being extra with the title? Maybe haha. Anyhow, here’s a quick birthday blurb I wrote that may suck since I really wrote this in a few hours (yay me *gives self a cookie* aslkalska) Hope you enjoy!

AND HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY TO YOU SHAWN! ILY 

Summary: Shawn expected his birthday to not be as happy since you couldn’t make it, but it was his birthday, of course there was a surprise.

Warnings: Fluff and typos.

Word Count: 2.2k+

Masterlist in Bio

-:-:-:-:-

"Come on man, lighten up, it's your big day. I'm sure she has a good reason why she can't make it." Brian tried his hardest to comfort the birthday boy, but much to no avail, Shawn didn't even bother to move a muscle. He was all bundled up in his bed on the bus, a deep frown etched on his face as he stared blankly at the conversation shown on his phone.

They were on their way to New York at this hour to celebrate his 21st birthday, but Shawn couldn't find his excitement anymore as he re-read the two text messages his girlfriend of 2 years, sent him just last night and one this morning.

iMessage from Y/N: Hey bub, I am really really reallllyyy sorry to tell you this over text but I don't think I can make it to New York :(( Something came up with work and I can't say no unless I want to jeopardize my job. I feel soo awful right now but I will make it up to you in due time, I promise. I love you with all my heart my wonderful rockstar. Happy birthday. xx

iMessage from Y/N: Hey baby, my boss just said it's a no phone event so I won't have access with my phone the whole day. I really am so so sorry Shawn :// I will make it up angel I promise. I love you loads x

Shawn had been so thrilled for months on end leading up to this day, not only because he was turning into the big twenty-one but he was finally going to see her after months of being away. But now, even that plan has flunked and he wasn't sure when he was going to see her, if it was sooner or later.

The young man's hopes were definitely crushed with those simple text messages, and he doesn't even have the energy to get up anymore. Sure it may sound a bit too extra, but he just misses her so damn much and he was looking forward to celebrating this special day with the love of his life.

"Bro, don't make me drag your ass out of bed." Brian's voice echoed around the space again, followed by a loud thump as a pillow was thrown right at Shawn's face, making him drop his phone on the floor.

"Seriously dude?" The curly boy reached for the device with a groan as he shot his friend a death glare, to which Brian only shrugged. "We're almost there, get up or I'll be throwing something less soft than a pillow."

"Okay fine. Jeez, I didn't ask you to become my dad all of the sudden." Shawn grumbled, sitting up fully with a deep sigh as he ran a hand through his unruly hair.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she sends all her love to you dude. And she would want you to have as much as you can; it's your big day." Brian gave his friend a reassuring smile, trying his best not to say anything or else Y/N would definitely kill him for good this time.

"Yeah, I know. I just really wish she was here."

***

"Does he suspect anything?"

"Not a single clue. Idiot has been moping around the whole day." Connor chuckled as he helped you with your bag, loading it in the car as quick and as low key as you can, making sure both of you will go unnoticed.

Connor's alibi of buying more film not raising any suspicion in Shawn's mind, and you were thankful.

You couldn't help but feel bad a little though, knowing that he was probably so gutted when he found out you couldn't make it, or at least that's what you made him think.

What you told him wasn't entirely a lie, but you've managed to charm your way out of the situation, thankful that your boss was an understanding person. You owe that woman a lot.

Though the last text was totally made up, since you can't find the courage to lie to him more when he calls you, and knowing your man, you best believe he's going to blow up your phone.

Besides, he is turning 21 after all, a little surprise won't hurt.

"And none of you has managed to slip something up this time?" You raised an eyebrow at your companion, Connor scoffing in response as he placed a palm flat on his chest, feigning offense.

"Are you doubting our ability to keep secrets Y/N?" The young boy teased, to which you only roll your eyes. "Oh please, I haven't forgotten Amsterdam." You stated, still remembering how both him and Brian managed to slip that you weren't missing Shawn's first show after all.

"Touché."

"Come on, party starts in a few hours and I need to get ready." You laughed as you nudged Connor to get in the car, the boy nodding with a chuckle of his own as he slid in the backseat.

This was going to be a fun party.

***

You went straight to the back once you got to the venue, keeping your head down low as you met with Jake who stood just beside the cake that sat at the table.

"Hey there kiddo." The big man chuckled as he brought you in for a hug, you returning the gesture with a bright smile of your own, casting your eyes at the cake once the two of you pulled away.

"Is it heavy?" You asked, wondering if you would be able to carry it with ease without it toppling over. It was a cute cake to say the least – a simple three tiered cake with the colors of blue, pink and purple in swirls, sort of like a galaxy with the tour flowers littered everywhere along with musical notes, and of course, with a guitar right up top – and you definitely don't want it to end up on the floor.

Jake only gave you a knowing nod as he gave the cake a once over. "It's nothing you can't handle."

You flashed him a genuine and grateful smile. "Thank you so much Jake. Are we set?"

"Yup, you should hear Brian yell in just about a few minutes."

***

Meanwhile, Shawn was across the room from where you were hiding, constantly checking his phone to see if you had responded to any of his texts, also while trying to keep up with the conversation with his friends.

Shawn had a smile on his lips while he talked, going around and thanking each person for coming and for greeting him happy birthday, but that smile never did once reach his ears for the whole duration of the party.

He was being a Debbie Downer at his own birthday bash but he just can't help it. He hasn't spoken to you the whole day and he was worrying himself sick just thinking about where you are and if you were okay.

It was maybe the hundredth time he's checked his phone when Brian pulled it straight out of his hands.

"Dude what the fuck?" If looks could kill, Brian would've been straight up dead as Shawn glared at his friend, nowhere near pleased with what he did.

"Relax man and enjoy your party! You're being so grumpy right now and you're ruining the mood." The ginger boy joked, punching Shawn's arm playfully with a loud laugh.

Shawn sighed, a hand threading through his curls as he thought about how awful it might have looked, that he was mopping around when a lot of people went their way to celebrate his birthday with him. "Fine, I'm sorry. Just give me my phone back."

Brian did so as he handed the 21-year-old his phone, giving his arm a comforting squeeze as he said. "Just enjoy your night man and besides... It's cake time!" The boy yelled the last part at the top of his lungs, making sure that his voice was heard through the loud thumping music.

Everyone cheered at Brian's announcement, the DJ quick to transition the tune to the usual happy birthday song as the crowd sang along. "Happy birthday to you..."

People started to slowly make way for the cake at it slowly approaching the birthday boy, the crowd singing with bright smiles as the sparklers on the cake glowed high and bright, just enough to hide who was actually carrying it.

Shawn smiled, waving his finger in the air as if he was conducting an orchestra as he was relishing his moment, giving his friends and family thankful glances, heart filled with nothing but love and gratitude from them.

"Happy Birthday dear Shawwwn, happy birthday to you!"

A series of applause was heard soon after, Shawn laying his eyes back on the cake as the sparkler started to die down, but before it could fully go out, Jake came into view, taking the caking away from the holder's hand.

And when Shawn finally saw who it was, he felt his whole world halt, full stop.

"What? Did you really think I'd miss your big day?" You giggled, tilting your head to the side as you opened your arms wide. Shawn stood frozen in his spot for a split second, glancing at Brian who shoved two thumbs up in the air before casted his eyes back on you, a mixture of shock, and confusion followed by pure joy flashing on Shawn's face as his brain finally registered what's in front of him. And that was when he ran – like really ran – into your arms as he buried his face right on the crook of your neck.

“You’re so sneaky. I hate you but I love you.” The boy whispered against your skin, his voice soft and gentle but with a little hint of annoyance that you couldn’t help but giggle.

A chorus of Aww's filled the air as Shawn held onto you as tight as he can, scared that if he lets you go, you might disappear before his eyes. Your heart was melting at the seams as you rubbed his back comfortingly, the more so when you heard a soft sob escape his lips.

"Oh baby, are you crying?" You pulled away slightly with a pout, hands going to cup his face to get a better look at him and sure enough, your boy stared right back at you with glossy eyes, bottom lip quivering as he lets out tiny sniffles.

"I just miss you so much." He croaked, resting his forehead against yours as he grips at your waist, the look in his eyes enough to make your tear up a little, an adoring smile on your lips as you pulled him down for a sweet and loving kiss, both of you sighing in a combination of pure relief and content to finally be this close again.

The howls and cheers from the people around you made the two of you pull away with wide grins, a giggle heard from you as wiped away the tear the ran down his cheek with your thumb before your finger got lost in the mesh of his curls and oh how you've missed that feeling. "I miss you too Shawn, happy birthday bubba."

Shawn's never left your side after that. He was somewhat attached to your hip as the two of you went around to room to great new and old friends. Him introducing you to some people with that proud smile on his face and that made your heart grow ten times its normal size.

It was an hour later and a few drinks more when you can tell that he was close to being fully drunk as he can’t seem to keep his hands to himself anymore. Always leaving kisses on sensitive spots and trailing his hand too far down your back as you sat on his lap right on the couch.

"Can we go back to the hotel now please? I just wanna love on you." Shawn whispered in your ear, a pout on his lips as he looked up at you with those pleading eyes.

You couldn't help but giggle at your boy, shaking your head in the process as you boop his nose. "You can't ditch your own party you dork." Shawn shot you a wink, bottom lip now caught between his teeth as he chuckled deeply. "Watch me."

A hearty laugh filled the air as you  threw your head back, his offer sounding tempting but you can't just steal him from his own party now can you? "Okay how about I make you a deal: you be a good boy for the rest of the night, enjoy your party, have the greatest fun and in return, I'll be your good girl after hours."

Before Shawn could even get a word out, you dipped your head lower, placing a soft kiss just behind his ear as you whispered, "Plus, I have one more surprise for you later tonight too." You felt Shawn shudder a little under you, hopeful and now blown out eyes looking at you expectantly, a growl like chuckle rumbling in his chest.

"Oh really now? Then it's a done deal miss."

And throughout the rest of night, the birthday boy had the widest smile the world could have ever had the pleasure of seeing, so grateful to be surrounded by so much love and so happy to have you by his side to celebrate this special day that would for sure be a night to remember.

The more so when it was finally left to only you and him back at the hotel, alone and in love with all the time in the universe.

-:-:-:-:-

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[blissfulalchemist]

“I locked the keys in the car.” CatRaf 😘

Jo! This was very fun as it is early stages of their relationship so please enjoy. 

There was nothing Cat hated more than having an early morning after a late night. It should always be one or the other. It shouldn’t have even been her making this drive either, but someone just had to have a full night with their resistance boy toy. John was just lucky she knew how to keep her mouth shut and feign ignorance to his exploits. Not that anyone cared about what she knew or thought about things anyway. She didn’t even want to go to whatever performative service was to be held on in the Whitetails, but someone had to. 

Having to attend the night service already was leaving a bitter taste for the whole situation. “‘Oh I just don’t feel very good’ he says. ‘I think I ate something that didn’t agree with me’,” Cat mocked as she drove down the long stretch of road, “‘Just go without me. Take my place please. Be a good little wife.’ Maybe you should be a good little husband and not sleep around with the damn deputy.” She rolled her eyes letting out a slow breath, “I shouldn’t be upset. I know I should tell him that I know. Should tell Wes...maybe make life a little easier for him. Are we even at that, like, friendship level?” Does he even consider me a friend? Was almost three months enough time to become friends? “I’m just overthinking this. It’s just safer to not know. Turn a blind eye, play the fifties housewife in this situation.” 

She was just tired, just needed to get some sleep. The only brightside to this debacle was that she was never expected to stay at the vetran’s center, she could stay at a smaller cabin no one cared to know about. When was the last time she went to it at night though? The road wasn’t looking familiar anymore, did she miss the turn? The car strayed as she tried to look for something to give a clue as to where she was. The groves in the center of the road startled her, jerking the car back into place. Her lights casted shadows, appearing to be a deer in her tired eyes. She once again moved the car suddenly, the front tire kicking up a broken beer bottle. The sharp edge hitting the back tire. The sudden feeling of the car becoming off balance made Catlina hit the brakes pulling over to the side of the road. 

“What the fuck!” Her heart raced as she put the car in park resting her head against the steering wheel. She turned the radio down focusing on her breathing trying to calm herself from reaching panic levels. It was just a rock or something. It’s not that bad surely, she thought feeling her pulse slow down. She shut the car off leaving the keys in the ignition loosely, as she stepped out, her fingers brushing over the locking button on the door. The beeping of the car filling the silence of the mountain road as she left the door open. 

The light above her did little to show what the damage may have been and the beeping was starting to get to her. The already grating sound was piercing her ears as she went to grab the phone to use the flashlight on it. She growled as she pulled the keys out, putting an end to the sound they created. She took a deep breath looking at the back left tire, the rubber deflated. “Fuck,” she said under breath. She’d need to change the tire but the tools needed to do so had been taken out of the trunk to make room for some boxes the other day. 

She looked up to the sky, “I know you hate me but did you really have to do this to me?” She sighed going to sit in the driver’s seat, scrolling through the few contacts she had. John was out, same with Wes, his willingness to help her still up in the air, Lance was also indisposed at the moment per Jacob’s orders. She wasn’t going to call Jacob either, didn’t want to hear what he had to say about her driving. Her finger lingered over the only other number that could help her out, Rafael. The question of whether three months was enough time for people to become friends passed through her mind again. When they’d hang out Wes was always there, never alone, and he was nice enough, though Catlina had low hopes of him coming to help her out. They didn’t seem to be at that friendship level yet.

Not only that she was awkward enough around him with other people around, being alone with him? The image scared her. It’s not like he was someone that would be interested in her like that anyway, this was a one sided school girl crush and that was fine. They were friends….she….she called him a friend. He was probably busy anyway, With what exactly, Cat? “Resistance things. Honing his skills,” she leaned back in the seat, “Some other person he had his eye on.” 

She groaned, the idea of that was stupid in this county at the current moment. It was simple, all she had to do was call and ask. Worse he could say was no, you’re shit out of luck. Try not to die out there by yourself. He wouldn’t say that, “Fine yeah he wouldn’t but the worse he could say was no.” She looked back to the screen, “Fuck it.” She pushed the name calling him, it rang twice before she hung up tossing the phone to the seat next to her. Her heart was racing, all she had to do was call him. She picked up the phone, swallowing the anxiety building in her chest, pushing the name once more, “He might not even answer.” Two rings, “That would be the best thing to happen,” Be a damn miracle. Three rings and she felt the car start to close in, “Please go to voicemail,” she pleaded as the fourth ring moved into the fifth. She was calming down as it appeared that he-.

“Hello,” Cat gasped, resisting the urge to hang up the phone at the sound of his voice. 

She needed his help, Worse he could say was no, “Hey. Raf. Uh. How are you? Or um I mean are you- are you busy at all?” She placed the phone delicately along the wheel leaving the speaker on, twisting the tips of her fingers. 

“No,” he started off curious, “Why? Did you finally burn the kitchen down?” He laughed, This was a bad idea.

Cat scoffed at the notion, “No,” she mocked, “How dare you assume otherwise good sir.”

“Then, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call, Conejito?” 

She took a breath, “I kind of sort of have a little tiny bit of car trouble,” she closed her eyes, resigned, “My tire popped and I don’t have what I need to fix it. If you can’t or don’t want to it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about it. I just.” She bit her lower lip, I just didn’t have anyone else to really call.

“Sure,” What, “Just tell me where you’re at.” She looked at the phone wide eyed, Did he just agree to help me? “Conejito,” he called out, “you okay?”

She blinked a few times, clearing her throat, “Right. Right, sorry I’m here. What did you say?”

His laugh filled her car putting a smile on her face, “I need you to tell me where you’re at so I can help you.”

“Are you sure? You really don’t have to.”

“I’m sure. I can’t have my only competition go out like this,” she laughed shaking her head, “It’s going to be me that takes you down. Now just tell me where you’re at.”

She nodded, “Well I know I’m on that main highway road that takes you up towards that big lake in the Whitetails. Like the really big one, that’s on the,” she moved her hands clockwise, “Never eat sour watermelons,” she mumbled, “The one that’s on the West side. Yeah cause I came through the South Entrance.”

“Okay I think I know the road you’re talking about. Do you mean Snowshoe Lake?”

“I think so,” she shrugged. She’d been here almost a year and still had trouble with the names.

She heard Raf sigh on the phone, “Okay let’s try this. Do you see a mile marker near you?”

She peered out the window looking for the small green sign, “Hey question what if-,” she smiled seeing one not that far in front of her, “Oh never mind I see one. Hold on I can’t see what it says though.” Cat got out of the car, pushing the lock button on the door, walking closer to the sign, “It says sixteen point five.”

“That’s perfect I know exactly where you’re at,” she heard some rustling on the line, “Just hang tight I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

Cat crossed her arms, turning to face the car again, “Thank you Raf.”

“Of course, what are friends for,” he hung up after that, and Cat felt the blush running up her cheeks. 

“He said we were friends,” she hummed walking back to the car. She rubbed her upper arms before reaching for the handle of the door. She pulled, stumbling as the door didn’t give. She tried again, the door unyielding, she patted her pants looking for the keys. Oh fuck, she looked into the car shining the flashlight through the window. There in the cup holder were the keys, she rested her forehead against the car. She thought back to the events trying to figure out how she could have locked the keys away. She was distracted, on the phone with Raf, and she shut the door, her hand must have hit the lock button on instinct. She always locked the door if she was going farther than a gas pump, never wanted to run the risk of someone stealing her car or sneaking in to harm her.

“Fuck me,” she whispered. Sighing she found a place to sit on the side of the road, grabbing a branch. “Only twenty minutes. That’s all. Just wait twenty minutes.”

She leaned against the car trying to keep her eyes open, reciting song lyrics, Pokemon names, facts about her friend’s Dungeons and Dragons characters. Anything to keep her mind occupied as she waited in the dark. He said we were friends, she repeated once she ran out of things to recite. The slamming of a car door had her jumping to her feet, stick outstretched. She couldn’t make out his features with the headlights behind him, blinding her. “Woah there,” Raf’s voice said, his hands raised with a smile on his face, “It’s just me, Conejito.”

“Oh,” she tossed the branch to the side, “Sorry. You scared me.”

She walked closer to him, “Why aren’t you sitting in the car?” His head tilted, noticing her shivering.

She looked down, “Yeah, about that,” twisting the tips of her fingers, “I locked the keys in the car by accident.” She looked up giving him a shy smile, “Sorry. I can get them out if you have a slim jim on you.”

He chuckled, shaking his head, “You know how to unlock a car but not change a tire?”

“Hey I never said I couldn’t change a tire,” she argued crossing her arms, “I just said I didn’t have the tools to do so.”

He made his way to the bed of the truck, Cat following him, “Well locking the keys in the car Conejito is not ideal.” He checked the chains and machinery in it, “Thankfully for you I brought a tow truck.”

She watched him keeping her arms crossed, “Why do you own a tow truck?”

“I don’t,” he shrugged his jacket off handing it to her, “I borrowed it just in case you had to go far.” 

Cat stared at the jacket not moving, “Right you can’t drive more than a certain number of miles on it.”

He nodded, handing the jacket over to her once again, “Here.” When she didn’t take it he placed it over her shoulders, “It’s cold out here,” he went back to setting things up, “The rough roads up here don’t help either with them.”

She put her arms through the sleeves, swimming in the jacket, “So where are we going to go?”

“Home I assume,” he gave a curt nod to the work stepping into the driver’s seat, “Let me pull up in front of you.” 

Cat stepped back trying to think of where to go, from what he said the cabin was a no go and there was no way he could take her to any of the other places she had in mind without Raf getting hurt in the process. Raf got to work on hooking up the small sedan to the tow, Cat walked up to watch him, “I can’t go home.” He looked up at her confused, “There’s some stupid public appearance thing and I have to take John’s place. I was up here so I didn’t have to wake up as early to get there on time.”

“I can take you somewhere else then.”

“And risk getting a bullet no thanks,” she paused, “Well risk you getting a bullet I mean.”

He ran a hand through his curls, “Sounds like you’re saying you’d take a bullet for me.”

She shifted avoiding his eyes, “I’d try to. Doesn’t mean it would happen but you know.”

“Thank you,” she met his warm eyes returning the smile he wore. “Okay. Got her all set up. Go ahead and get in the truck.” Cat nodded, jumping in watching as he fully got her car set up, eyes following him as he moved around. She pulled the coat closer over her, its warmth relaxing her. The smell of his cologne mixing with the leather of his coat felt familiar and intoxicating, her head spinning as she tried to commit it to memory with her sleep deprived brain. She jumped with Rafael jumping into the car, “Okay. I know where to take you, because I’m pretty sure I know where you have to be tomorrow.” She nodded, leaning her head against the window. 

The drive felt short as the two tried to sing and recite lines to poems, anything to fill the void of silence from the lack of good radio stations. Cat was yawning by the time they approached the small cabin. “What is this place?”

“Home sweet home,” he declared, his eyes taking in her state once the truck was in park. “You should head inside and get some sleep.”

She shook her head, eyes half open, “I’ll be fine. Besides I got to help ya. Least I can do for your kindness.”

He was quick in making it to her side of the truck opening the door, “I got it don’t worry.” He held his hand out to her, “Come on. Let’s get you inside,” she tried to shake her head no again, “You know I could carry you in there if I wanted to right?”

“That’s not fair and you know it,” she mumbled. Cat took Raf’s hand as he helped her down from the truck. He led her inside, the cabin all one room, save for the bathroom that had a door, and filled with bare bones furniture. A table, some chairs, night stand, old wood stove, and a queen sized bed pushed into a corner. “No wonder you’re at Wes’ all the time,” she mused looking around, “Wait. Where are you going to sleep? There’s only a bed in here. No couch.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he told her, pushing her lightly towards the bed.

“No,” she moved in front of him, hands on her hips, “I don’t want you sleeping on the floor. It’s not fair.”

“I won’t sleep on the floor,” she stared him down, until he finally rolled his eyes, “You sleep first while I change the tire, then we can decide on what to do. Deal?”

“You promise?” He drew an X over his heart. She still didn’t like the idea but at least she’d be able to sleep in her car once he woke her up. “Okay. I get some sleep and then you wake me so you can have your bed.” He nodded, helping her into the bed tucking her in. “You better keep your promise Rafael or else you’re gonna pay for it later,” she mumbled, her eyelids closing, his light laugh the last thing she heard. 

Her eyes fluttered open to the light blue morning, the clock on Raf’s nightstand reading five fifteen in the morning. Cat shot up in bed, looking around the cabin for Raf, it couldn’t have taken him all night to get her car in order. She turned to look behind her in the bed spotting his sleeping form. He had a different blanket on him, Cat noticing that he slept over the covers of the bed. He lied to her about waking her up but still kept his promise to not sleep on the floor.

She sighed pulling the jacket she still wore closer to her, her car keys on the nightstand. Maybe it was too cold for him to allow her to sleep somewhere else, he was just being nice, the blanket situation proved that. She stood quietly taking the jacket off a shiver running up her spine, “Stop projecting, Cat,” she whispered, “it’s not that deep,” she laid the jacket next to him, “It never will be.” She gave a smirk shaking her head, grabbing the keys and making her way out the door as quietly as she could to not wake him. He said I was his friend and that’s enough.

[autumnslance]

Lmao I got three I'm particularly curious about for you on the character meme. Thancred, Lahabrea, Igeyorhm. XD Feel free to do as many or as few as you'd like of course!

You asked for it. We’ll start with That Damned Rogue. The Ascians will be below.

This of course got long, so behind a cut it goes:

Thancred

First impression: I started in Gridania and took like 2 years to finish ARR 2.0, was already spoiled on the possession angle (I spoiled myself, no big), and had just @erickgage‘s affectionate joking summary of Thancred being the guy who shows up 5 minutes late with Starbucks to all the early battles. So I didn’t really get to meet the guy ‘til the Waking Sands.

And honestly, he was stereotypical generic bland anime prettyboy competent guy. His 1.0/ARR model is…just sorta there. He was a flirt, also generic as heck. Really didn’t register too much, until I finished 2.0 finally and then went hard on the MSQ through the patches and into HW and StB 4.0, when I finally caught up to content.

Impression now: Godsdammit.

My first replay through the game was on PunchyCat, starting in Ul’dah, which meant I got to meet Thancred much earlier. I was immediately amused by his nickname for Nanamo, and Papashan’s assessment of the witty Archon. I was more into the lore, getting the first lorebook and reading the short stories on the main site, and playing through all at once instead of piecemeal over months/years made things make more sense. Thancred hits a lot of tropes I commonly like in a lot of characters, so he jumped up to being a favorite.

Gunbreaker suits him as a tank job (thank goodness he can stop trying to tank warmachina as a rogue, ffs Thancred), and tanking in general suits him when it comes to fighting for those he cares about.

I’m interested in the ShB story mentioning why he wears white in all his gear iterations; I’d previously made a post about his color choices and that aspect of character design, but having a lore explanation for his affinity for that color was interesting. I didn’t think his HW model suited him, honestly; way too rough mountain man hobo. His model in ShB is closer to his ARR model, but different enough, and imbued now with actual character, that he’s a bit more visually interesting and while still pretty typical handsome anime protagonist in appearance; his true personality just comes through a lot more.

I’m still forever mad about the unintentional character ‘ship with Aeryn, tho. It took a 3rd playthrough for it to happen.

For myself, mind, when I got into playing and learned his canonical age, it was at the time the same difference between myself and my younger brother. My assessment of the Scion “family” with Thancred being the middle child (esp his behavior pre-HW) maybe helps that. I’m getting to a point, really, where I look at the characters under 35 and think “OMG disaster children, all of you.”

Favorite moment: Oh goodness. There’s some good ones.

‘How was I supposed to know all my girlfriends would track me down and show up at HQ all at the same time: a master class in how to not to deal with multiple paramours by Archon T. Waters.’

His dramatic reappearance and duel with Ardbert in HW 3.1.

Taking out his frustrations by soloing the Coerthas cyclops boss so we can get on with the Tournament and fight Raubahn. (Side Bonus: pre-tournament when he jokes about fighting for the other team to even up the odds, and then: “It looks to be a veritable who’s who of the Eorzean Alliance. The only question is: who came to watch and who came to fight? Hmm…Nanamo. Definitely Nanamo.”)

Making sure Urianger knew he was still part of the team post-Soul Surrender climax.

“All right, which one of you triggered the obvious trap?” Also learning he can hold his breath for 10 freaking minutes–but still gets to be jealous of the WoL, Lyse, and Alisaie for their kojin blessing.

That dramatic teamwork with Urianger to knock Ran’jit down the pit in Rak’tika.

That frickin’ Trolley duty and it’s aftermath with the completed checklist of anime death markers and then just sitting there battered and bleeding and smiling and then giving Ryne a name and a headpat and “You’re family.” Bastard.

Idea for a story: Have you seen my Ao3 account? *grumbles*

Unpopular opinion: While he likely used drinking as a bad coping mechanism at times in ARR’s patches, I doubt he ever really went to blackout, as losing control to that extent, after having been controlled and probably losing a lot of time while possessed, would be awful. We see him drink a few times, but I don’t think he is/was an alcoholic.

I also agree with @ahlis-xiv that his flirtatious persona was mostly adopted. While he probably does have a healthy libido and enjoys time with paramours (that Urianger keeps a handy list of), there’s a lot that’s likely exaggerated, allowed to be assumed, and otherwise used as a cover, given his specializations. It’s also noteworthy how he’s mostly acting the same even after being lost in the wilderness, right up until our foray into the Antitower. The wit/humor gets toned down a lot, but the flirting is cut out entirely after that. He still charms some ladies in the First, based on incidental dialogue, but that seems a general reaction to him being a handsome hero type rather than any intentional flirtatious act on his part.

Favorite relationship: Thancred and little sister types. I do wish we’d seen more of his relationship with Minfilia outside of informed moments and the short stories. I feel like he has a semi-older-brother relationship with Lyse, too, given their antics in the 2.0 patches (particularly the “Hoary’s fighting the WoL, come watch!” and Thancred not even considering how one of his girlfriends would see him sending Lyse to retrieve an item until after and going “oh yeah, whoops”). And now there’s Ryne, and she is totally running things if you watch their background conversations/body language. But that’s kind of where Thancred likes it; find a girl who needs a protective older brother and do what she asks and whatever she needs.

I do have a special place in my heart for the expanded broship with Urianger that Shadowbringers gave us, though. I’ve already spoken on that one.

Favorite headcanon: Everything people assume about how he spoils the nutkin. And really, focusing on taking care of and doting on a pet would be good therapy. Goodness knows he needs it.

Also I assume he and Hilda hooked up at least once during the HW patches. Part of that expectation and cover, sure, to immediately flirt with the pretty, tough, half-elezen guard captain. But also, he spent however long mostly alone, and then only with the Vath and a nutkin for company; the guy was probably touch-starved and lonely and just needing a connection to another person he could relate to (that wasn’t a bug).

Otherwise, again, have you seen my Ao3? Ugh. Damned snarky smart rogues…

————

Lahabrea

First impression: Laughing Organization XIII-wannabe is obvious villain. Wonder what their deal is.

Impression now: So much lost/wasted potential thanks to being stuck as the ARR villain when it was so hastily rewritten and acted, and so little was decided on the Ascians and their motivations yet. A lot of what we learn now retroactively makes him more interesting. The fact he was a workaholic who looked at the workaholic Scion and went “ah yes; that one will do, perfect” makes me laugh.

Favorite moment: I like his interactions with Elidibus. And I am actually fairly fond of his theatrical reveal in Praetorium about the Ultima Weapon, the Heart of Sabik, and casting Ultima.

Idea for a story: Maybe stuff while he’s possessing Thancred. Maybe stuff between then and the Reactor. I dunno; I’ve been enjoying a lot of others’ stories about our first Ascian antagonist.

Unpopular opinion: Dunno if this is unpopular, but some of the retroactive information is to excuse why he seemed so much less powerful than other, later Ascians, but I do think the Speaker could be quite devious and powerful, if he had better writing around him. He suffers for being from ARR.

Favorite relationship: I am not ashamed to admit I am a Lahabrea/Igeyorhm shipper and Hades Ex seems to agree with me so there.

Favorite headcanon: The Speaker likely also had a good singing voice. Another thing good about possessing a man whose primary cover was a bard–excuses to indulge that.

————

Igeyorhm

First impression: Wannabe-Organization XIII also hires women, cool. Wonder if she’ll get to do anything?

Impression now: I’m sad so much got cut from HW; as great as it was, a lot got left on the editing room floor and it shows in spots–particularly where the Ascians connect with the plot. We learn much about her retroactively as well, including how she worked for/with Lahabrea thanks to being the one to wreck the Thirteenth, and change Ascian policy on how to bring about Rejoinings. I still wanna know more about her.

Favorite moment: You beat the whale, good job–thanks, that’s my key now. It’s such a perfect dick move. Excellent timing and taunting. 

Idea for a story: Maybe some of her inner thoughts working for/with Lahabrea. She was a raised up shard, so does that mean they found the scattered pieces of her original soul and force-merged them? I doubt it, since Emet-Selch mentions raising up those who are a piece of the previous office holder, but I wonder if it came with imbuing the new title-holder with some of those memories and knowledge. Perhaps she wonders if some of her interactions/feelings/whatever with Lahabrea are her own, or her tapping into her previous life’s memories. Something to think about, anyway.

Unpopular opinion: I dunno, she shoulda gotten to stick around longer? Or been allowed to do a lot more? Should have been much more of a presence in HW, but I don’t think that’s unpopular so much as unconsidered.

Favorite relationship: Lahabrea is really the only one she gets significant interactions with. Though I wonder about her interactions with the other few women in the Ascians.

Favorite headcanon: See above with the story ideas, really; she didn’t get a lot of time onscreen so there’s a lot of room to make things up, and retroactive info from ShB to make her more interesting, or at least her situation as an upraised Ascian.

[blueishfood]

Wind In Our Sails (Chapter 6)

Fandom/Ship: Maraudrer era in a Pirates of the Caribbean au! Jily, Dobby x Winky, Alice x Frank,

Summary:

James pondered at her question for a few seconds, he walked back to Remus and they whispered among each other while glancing up at Lily. She had just hooked a hand though the ladder and sat down on one of the ropes when James shouted back up to her; “You can have Sirius!”

“Me?”

Warning(s): a knife

Words: 2,1 K

A/N: A bit of backstory info

Chapter 5

It was Alice who had told the truth, Lily realized. Their eyes locked, Alice shrugged.

“How did you-?” Alice looked at Winky promptly, who in turn had the audacity to seem embarrassed.  “Damn it,” -Lily stomped her foot to the deck with a thud- “you pirates can’t keep a secret for shit.”

In a split second of surprise James had loosened his grip on her, and Lily shoved her knee to his abdomen, a threatened look crossing her face.

Her secret was out.

She was cornered, and this, she realized, had just turned into a very dangerous situation.

As James stumbled back in recoil, Lily ran for the railing. The crew stumbled out of the way, no one thinking of stopping her. She climbed up the Jacob’s ladder, fear pulsating inside her. There was no way to go, nowhere to hide, and now he would kill her.

Her hat was gripped by the wind, she grabbed a hold of it, but it was already off. Lily placed the hat in her belt. Potter looked shell shocked, but now less angry than before.

“Come down Lily!” the Captain commanded firmly, “We need to talk about this.”

“I hold no value, my parents won’t pay you any bail and neither will he, so why don’t we just let this go and I can get off at the next stop.” Her voice broke at the end of the shout. Lily swallowed the embarrassment and hoped they didn't see her red cheeks.

“We can negotiate terms in my cabin.” Potter shouted up to her, waving for her to come down.

Lily laughed loudly and angrily.

“How do I know you won’t just kill me?” She tried to keep the fright out of her voice, but she knew that she couldn't stay in the ladder all week, and from the way he looked at her Lily figured she hadn't been entirely successful.

James pondered at her question for a few seconds, he walked back to Remus and they whispered among each other while glancing up at Lily. She had just hooked a hand though the ladder and sat down on one of the ropes when James shouted back up to her; “You can have Sirius!”

“Me?”

“You know he is dear to me. You will have him at your mercy while we negotiate.”

Lily blinked. That was not a smart move, but if he were so sure in his negotiation abilities, she would not stop him. She watched as Sirius was discarded of all weapons and pointed out the small knife by his waist which he reluctantly removed. With a sharp nod that she was certain they would not be able to see, she slowly climbed back down to the deck, hooking her arm over his shoulder, and placing her knife calmly against his throat.

“I thought I liked you, runt.” Sirius muttered, clearly upset with the deal his Captain had made.

“You do.” Lily said simply and smiled a bit at his chuckle.

Potter’s office was a mess, the charts and maps that last time she was there had been gathered on his desk, was now scattered all around the room.

“We don’t have to make this harder than it is,” Lily watched, calculating her words as James turned away from her. “All I want is to get off at the next port,” she paused, and clarified; “safely.”

“Impossible.” Lily turned her head slightly to the right where Remus stood and gave him a death glare. He had uttered the word like it was obvious.

“No, it’s not.” Potter was looking out the window, hands behind his back, but Lily knew he was listening. “You just sail me to port and drop me off.”

“That is not what he meant,” Sirius muttered. Lily placed her knife against his throat so he could feel the cold metal. Sirius shut up.

“I would do that.” Potters words threw her off, and he turned around quickly enough to catch her surprised stare. As fast as her hope had risen, Lily realized that the words implied something else entirely.  “But I can’t ensure your safety.”

Lily scoffed, “Just tell your crew to back off.” Mostly she figured she could take care of herself. She was not afraid of the crewmembers, but if someone managed to corner her… Lily almost shuttered at the idea.

“I’m not talking about my crew.” He rubbed his chin and swiftly turned back to his charts, “Have you heard of the prophecy?”

“What does a prophecy have to do with this?” Lily asked, clearly unimpressed at the change of topic. James looked at her for a while before he sighed.

“There is a rumored prophecy going around.” He gestured for Remus who in turn dug through some papers. He pulled out a particularly worn one and started reciting the words.

“A commander of the sea shall arise,

to banish the darkness, they must pay the price,

Gold or silver will never measure

to the power of the sea, the greatest treasure

Crucial it is to know the lore,

the ancient goddess, holder of the seashore.

The briny deep, never owned by any man,

As a deity they shall rule beyond one lifespan.”

The two men looked at her expectantly. Lily lifted her eyebrows at them, wondering what they were expecting, “You believe that this commander is, what? You?” Lily saw the corner of Potters mouth raise in a smirk.

“No. Voldemort believes that this commander the prophecy speaks about is predestined to be him.”

Lily was more confused than ever. She figured the Captain was after some kind of ransom, or at least information on which ships to attack. Lily did not doubt that she unconsciously had taken notes of the ships coming in and out of town, she would know valuable information. It was the only reasons she could think of as to why he had not killed her by now. He could have shot her down from the Jacob’s ladder, but here he was talking about a prophecy and the cruel island king?  

“What the hell are you on about?” Lily knew she was not in the position to talk like that. Remus were standing behind her; he could have his gun a centimetre from her cranium at this moment. But the Captain was getting on her nerves.

“He believes that you are the key to the power of the sea.” Potter was leaning back against his desk, watching her reaction. Lily blinked

“Me?” Lily’s train of thought stopped short.

“Yes, you.”

“That makes no sense.”

“You are aware that you were born out of wedlock?”

“No – I.” Lily tried to go through every conversation she ever had with her parents. Never had any unfaithfulness come up. She was the lady of El Puerto del Rey by blood. “That’s a lie.”

“It’s not.” Lily was startled to hear that Mad eye had slipped inside the Captains cabin. How he had managed to be so silent with that limp of his was beyond her. His staff went ‘thump, thump’ as he got close to her, and put a firm hand on her elbow. The message was clear.

To Potter’s great surprise, Lily reluctantly lowered her knife. Sirius stumbled away from her, not willing to spend another second near the fire headed woman.

“I knew your father once.” Mad eye hobbled to Potters desk, apparently taking it for granted that he could look at the papers. “A lady’s man, that one.” Lily shook her head, tears meekly springing to her eyes as her existence tumbled down around her. “Young, handsome..” Moody slumped down in a chair and took in Lily’s rattled appearance. “It never took anyone by a surprise when he claimed a child.” The old man gave a chuckle, and Lily was about to break down crying. “I figure you’ve got quite a few half siblings out there.” Wealthy men having mistresses had never been uncomon, but Lily could not have imagined her father…

“Enough, Moody.” Potter’s commanding voice sounded a little uncomfortable and more than a little angry. “Get to the point.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he waved at the air, as if swatting away a fly, “One day he left alone and came home with a baby girl.” Mad Eye gave her a long stare, and Lily understood that the baby was her. “That did take us by surprise.” He shrugged slightly, bending slightly to pick up a paper from the desk, “He claimed some, but never had he taken any home.”

“After many loud fights, his wife adopted her. The port was forbidden from speaking of her as anything but the daughter of the governor.” The chair made a groaning sound as he leaned back into it, gazing at the paper he had found. “But there was a curious little detail that few thought of.” Mad Eye tipped his head to the right as his eyes bore into her.

“Your father left with his ship and crew, they were gone for about a week, he came back with a child.”

“So what?” Lily huffed, annoyed that he was dragging out her messed up backstory, “He met up with the whore he had been seeing and she had birthed me in his absence. It’s not that much of a mystery.”

“The ship never docked.” Potter said, gesturing to a yellow tinted sheet that was pinned up on the wall by his desk. When Lily walked closer, she saw that it was written by her father’s first mate. “They hit a ferocious storm a few days after leaving and had to turn back. The whole crew swore upon it.”

“Some believed the tale of a sea goddess’s daughter that started appearing along the coastline.” Moody's ominous voice stated.

“Others,” Remus started while rolling his eyes, “figured he bribed the crew.” He lifted his eyebrows in Moody’s direction, his exasperation clear as day, but the older man did not bat an eyelash.

“Either way,” Mad Eye said, clearly ignoring Remus, “The prophecy popped up a few months later, and now the people of Slytherin Island believe that Miss Evans is the key to ruling the seas. What is true or false does is of no matter.” Mad Eye’s indifferent attitude itched Lily the wrong way, but she forced her irritation down.

“You don’t really believe this crap, do you?” Lily looked at Remus. The lean man tilted his chin upwards, choosing not to answer. Lily turned towards Potter instead, who was scowling a little at Mad Eye. “The tale is false. You clearly do not believe it, so why would you even care what happens to me?”

“I don’t” Lily wondered if it was her imagination that convinced her he answered too fast. “But if Voldemort gets hold of you, the whole island will follow him to battle.”

“Who are they even going to fight?” Lily asked. Even the British kept away from the island.

“He hates the Brits, but he hates us more.” Potter seemed uncomfortable even talking about it. “What was it he said when you were there, Wormtail?”

Once again, a man had managed to sneak inside the room without Lily noticing. The man was short and plump in a homely way. His hair was a light mousy brown, and he ruffled it as his eyes regarded her with careful consideration. She had heard some call him Peter.

“He’ll rid the sea of scum and rule the islands with a steady hand. He believes it is what Spain needs.”

“It’s weird how he hates pirates, considering he is one himself.” Sirius said, looking for a second like he wanted to laugh. Then he turned his eyes to the sea and his laughter died before it reached his lips.

“He is not.” Wormtail said, eyes flickering to the ground in between looking at Sirius, “They are merchants.”

“I think you’ve been spending too much time with those snakes, Wormy,” Sirius looked back at Potter and they seemed to exchange silent information, “I need some air.” While Peter followed Sirius out, Lily tried to go over her options. She did not have many.

“The easiest way to make sure he does not get to me would be to…” She did not finish the sentence, but they all knew what she was implying. Potter frowned by his window, and Lily remembered suddenly the drawing of her younger self. She glanced over to Moody, who was still holding the paper and she thought for a second that she glimpsed a face in white and grey.

“That is not our way.” He said ‘our’, but Lily felt the ‘my’ vibrate in her bones. It was not solid, the answer Potter gave, and where she wanted rock foundation she was rewarded with glass. Easily broken if she slipped. But death had not yet gripped her, even if she could have sworn she felt him breathing down her neck. Lily did not know if the answer made her feel safer.

“What would you have me do?” She asked, as Moody and Remus left the room as well. Potter was pacing, he did not look entirely sure.

“We are visiting our wizard at the next port,” he says finally, “he will know.” And he seemed so sure, it was hard to doubt him, had it not been for the words he uttered.

Lily almost laughed at the bizarre idea. “You have a wizard?” She snorted, looking at the Captain she might have feared once.

Potter chuckled, “It’s more like the wizard has a pirate crew.”

[darkshadow90]

His Obsession Chapter 18

A/N: Hey guys. Last chapter for tonight. I hope these were a nice treat. This one focuses on Arthur’s perspective the day Ashe moved back into her apartment, but is still written in third person. 

Chapter 18

Arthur got up early on the morning Ashe was returning to her apartment. He needed enough time to get ready. He realized Ashe’s clothes were still at his apartment, which meant she wouldn’t have any clean clothes to wear. He would need to sneak into his apartment, get her clothes, and return them to Ashe’s apartment. He showered put on his makeup and was about to leave. “Boss?” “What is it, Sid? Why are you up so early?” “We thought you wanted us to be up at the same time as you. Besides, you look like you’re in a hurry.” “Well, now that you mention it, I might need your help after all. At least for this morning. Ashe won’t have any clean clothes to wear at her place or here. I completely forgot they’re still in my apartment. I need both of you to help me get them from my place to hers. We should bring some of her clothes here, too. If we leave now, we should have enough time to get everything done before she makes it to the building.” Arthur found his Arkham uniform. He was frantically searching it. “I know it’s in here.” He found what he was looking for in one of the pockets of the pants. “Here it is. I knew holding onto this would come in handy!” It was the key to his apartment. “What’s that for?” “Let’s just say in case you boys managed to get caught, I held onto this as a plan B. They let me keep it since it was useless for any of the cell locks. They didn’t know it was the key to my apartment, so they weren’t worried about letting me keep it. I needed to come up with another idea to get out of Arkham and lay low at some point. I wasn’t gonna let myself be locked up in there forever. It’s not the first time I’ve managed to sneak out of there.” The two men looked at each other surprised, and they were also afraid. “Let’s go.”

They made it to the apartment and were about to go inside. “Are you sure about this? Somebody might see us.” “I’m not worried. The landlord isn’t around this early. If anyone sees me, there’s a good chance they’ll be too afraid to do anything or they won’t care. And even if some rich person is stupid enough to get in the way, I came prepared.” He patted his pocket, referring to the gun. “Oh...okay, then.” It made Sid slightly uneasy. They were aware Arthur had hurt a few people, but they never saw him do it, and they never saw him kill anyone either. They weren’t sure how to handle the fact that he had talked about shooting someone as if it would be the easiest thing in the world for him. They could rob banks, hurt people, help with a kidnapping, but seeing or being involved in murder was on a completely different level for them. “You’re both wearing your masks, so no one will know who you are anyway.” They got out of the elevator and went down the hall to Arthur’s apartment.

Arthur opened the door and they went inside. It had been left as a crime scene. “They removed Randall’s body and cleaned up all the mess. That’s nice of them. My room is down the hall. I’ll go in the bathroom and take a few things back to Ashe’s place. Barry, you can come with me and help me put her clothes back.�� Arthur went inside the bathroom and grabbed the body wash. He’d have to come back for everything else. Barry went with him to Ashe’s apartment. He was carrying a bunch of outfits. He found some trash bags to put them in. It was still very easy to get inside. Arthur was happy the lock still wasn’t replaced with a new one. Everything was still the same on the inside. Nothing had been touched since he broke inside the first time. He went inside the bathroom and put the body wash back where she had it. She had an extra toothbrush in the holder. He didn’t see a reason to steal both of them when he was bringing her stuff to his apartment. He looked under the sink and he found an unopened bottle of shampoo and conditioner. He was happy he didn’t have to do as much work as he thought he would. Barry was putting all the clothes in her drawers and in the closet. “That’s almost everything. She has a lot of clothes. Some of these are in kids sizes. Is she really that small, boss?” “Well, you saw her yesterday.” “Yeah, but she was further away. I didn’t get a good look at her.” “Why does it matter if she has a lot of clothes?” “It doesn’t. It’s just...I didn’t expect someone living in Gotham to have so much.” “She’s barely five feet tall. She’s probably had a lot of these clothes since she was younger. And kids clothes are cheaper than other sizes. It saves money. She’s not rich. If she was, she wouldn’t be living in this city, now would she?” “No. She wouldn’t.” “Looks like we’re done here. Let’s get the rest of the stuff and head back.” Barry nodded. They went back to Arthur’s apartment. “We have everything put back in place. The rest of the clothes and everything else is going back with us.” They put everything in trash bags and left. As they were coming down the stairs outside, they saw Ashe, Gary and Sandy approaching the building. “Shit! We better hurry before they see us!” They stopped in front of the building. “Now is our chance. Hurry before she turns around!” Arthur whispered. She was right there. Just a few feet away from him. Sid and Barry were carrying all the bags. Arthur’s hands were free. All he had to do was move a little closer and grab her. It would be easy. She wouldn’t be able to fight him off. But he wouldn’t be fast enough to avoid catching Gary and the other woman’s attention. ‘It’s too risky. That’s just fine. What’s the harm in waiting a little longer?’ He managed to sneak away before Ashe turned around. He just barely managed to avoid being seen. ‘That was a close one! I can try again tomorrow.’

Arthur got up the next morning to follow Ashe to work. He grabbed a sedative and left. He knew Ashe would be taking the subway to work, so he went there and waited. What he didn’t count on however, was all the people intending to use it that particular morning. He didn’t see her anywhere. ‘Why does it have to be so crowded today?’ She sat right in his field of view. When she looked out her seat window and saw him, he noticed she was panicking. It hurt him. ‘Why is she afraid? She should be happy, not scared.’ He moved and went on a different car. ‘It’s not me she’s afraid of. She doesn’t like clowns. She hasn’t seen me as Joker. She doesn’t know it’s me. That’s right. She was still sedated when I shot Murray, so she wouldn’t have seen me. I should’ve been more careful. I didn’t mean to scare her. She’ll be okay once she knows it’s me.’

When he went inside the building, he overheard a coworker ask her to go downstairs to the basement. He hadn’t gone inside the building until now. He was getting more bold, more confident in his actions. He didn’t think he would ever go this far compared to the first time he “rescued” her. But something was compelling him to do it. He was able to sneak by without being seen. He never thought he’d see the day when being unnoticed would be an advantage for him. He took the stairs to the basement and hid. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Just as he grabbed a towel he found on one of the shelves and was about to put it over her head to muffle any screams she might have made, Ashe’s boss came down. Arthur made himself scarce. Her boss said she should take a few days off to rest, since she had been through so much. At least she had a caring boss. Good bosses were rare in Gotham. Arthur went back upstairs and ran out of the building. ‘Damn it! I almost had her. I was so close. I don’t want this to be too traumatic for her, but I don’t have a choice. I need to make my move fast.’ After giving it some thought, he knew what to do. ‘It won’t be easy for her, but it’s for her own good.’

[ryik-the-writer]

Marinara on Main (9/?)

A03

There was a tradition on Saturdays among the bleary-eyed residents of Storybrooke, Maine. All businesses, including the ever-busy diner, would close around six, allowing the owners to have the rest of the weekend rejuvenate for the following business day.

For the men who worked at French Bread’s Pizza, Storybrooke’s sole pizza parlor, their early night would consist of doing inventory for the restaurant and bartering over any un-picked-up pizza.

This night, however, would be a bit more…intense.

Mr. Gold was rather surprised when he received a hastily made flyer for a ‘poker night’ at French Bread’s.

He glanced into the living room where Belle, his beloved sort-of girlfriend, was nodding off on the couch, wondering why she hadn’t mentioned such a plan after coming in from work.

“Don’t do it,” Bae warned absently from the kitchen table (where he was playing on his phone rather than work on his neglected homework). “It’s a trap.”

Gold came up behind him and plucked the phone from his hands. “And how would you know?”

Bae accepted the unspoken warning and picked up his pencil once more.

“An eerie piece of paper in the mail for a game night in the establishment Belle owns but has not been mentioned by her? Sounds pretty trappish to me,”

Gold arched an eyebrow in question. The boy had a point. This was a bit odd, and inconveniently last-minute.

Still, these were Belle’s co-workers and friends—practically family by the way she talked about them. It might benefit him to get to know them, even if it was just over a game of cards (which, while rusty now, he’d been quite good at in his hay day).

Thus, he left instructions for Bae to handle himself for dinner (and he better have a vegetable or so help him—) and not to wake Belle unless there was an absolute emergency (because damn it she worked hard and deserved to sleep as much of wanted) and set off for the pizza parlor, leaving the flyer by the key holder.

The restaurant was empty and locked up, the closed sign standing at attention. Gold frowned, cautiously walking to the back of the building.

The setting sun outlined the scorch marks where Belle’s delivery car had burst into flame over a month ago, triggering the start of their unconventional relationship. He couldn’t help but smile at the memory, even if he had been terrified to his core at the time. The whole night had been bizarre, yet somehow ended with them dating, even though thanks to their schedules and Belle’s accident, they had yet to be on an actual date.

Still, he was grateful to have her in his life. She made him laugh and explore, and he wanted so badly to keep her a part of his life, even if that meant engaging with her strange friends.

Wherever they were.

The back was as quiet and locked up as the front, and Mr. Gold was beginning to think this was all part of some joke.

He rolled his eyes and prepared to leave when the back door suddenly burst open. Before he could turn and address the occupants, someone grabbed him by the waist and pulled him inside the dark kitchen.

A great hustle ensured, with Mr. Gold being duct-taped to a chair, and a bright light being turned on overhead.

“What the…” Gold coughed as his eyes adjusted and his heart stopped pounding.

A moment later, his numbing fear turned into rage when he recognized Merlin, Will, and Jefferson leaning over him.

“What the everlasting hell is going on!” he hollered, struggling against the bonds of the tape, which was so cheap and hastily wrapped around the chair that it was already beginning to peel off the chair.

“We’ll ask the questions!” Jefferson exclaimed, slapping the side of Gold’s chair.

Will grabbed the back of Jefferson’s collar and pulled him back. “Save the third degree for later,” he warned, taking the slightly unhinged man’s place.

“What is this all about?” Gold growled. “Is it the rent? Your apartments?”

“Try our Belle, old man.” Will popped off.

“Old man?” Gold spat.

“Harsh, Will,” Jefferson muttered.

“What do you mean about Belle,” Gold asked, worrying about his kind of-girlfriend. Had she told them something? Was she unhappy? Why wouldn’t she tell him?

“You got her in a hell of a state,” Will accused. “And do you know what happens to people who upset our Belle? Jefferson, demonstrate!”

Gold glanced over to Jefferson as he unpacked a deck of cards and shuffled them, emphasizing the snapping of the cards with a sharp frown.

The pawnbroker looked back and forth between his two interrogators.

“I…I don’t understand…” Gold said, woefully confused.

“Okay, both of you, move back,” Merlin order, pulling his two co-workers behind him. He grabbed another chair and spun it to sit in front of Gold.

“Look, Belle’s worried that you two are moving too fast, after the accident and stuff,” Merlin explained calmly. “We just want to hear it from you so that we can help her.”

“I…no,” Gold said, panicked. “I adore her…I’m glad she’s with me…I-in my house, I mean…I…” he lowered his head, hating bearing his soul to these strangers.

“I want her to stay…the idea of her leaving just... tears me apart,” Gold admitted. “But…I want her to be with me because she wants to be. And if being with me…living with me…makers her uncomfortable, then maybe we need to stop.”

Merlin frowned. “Is that what you want?”

“No,” Gold shook his head. “I really don’t.”

“Awww,” Jefferson sighed

Before anyone could respond, the back door flew open. The men hollered in alarm as Belle marched in, glaring at them with the flyer Gold left behind curled up in her hand. Bae peaked out behind her, looking both concerned and amused at the chaos his father had gotten into this time.

“Are you freaking kidding me!” Belle yelled as she marched in, grabbing hold of Gold and pulling him from the chair, the duct tape peeling off all at once.

“Did you get the cheap tape again?” Merlin hissed. Jefferson ducked in shame.

“Poker night! What the hell guys!” Belle cursed as she pulled Gold close to her. “You swore after Killian you would never do this again!”

“Desperate measures, Blue Belle!” Jefferson exclaimed.

“And you!” she yelled at Merlin, who went at least two shades paler. “I expect this kind of thing from these two, but you?!”

“I…” Merlin gulped, not being able to meet her eyes.

Belle groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Bae, take your dad to the car, please. I’ll handle these idiots!” she exclaimed the last word.

The teen sweated a bit as he led his father outside, wincing as Belle began yelling again.

“Dang,” he chuckled as he and his father slid into the car. “She is…not happy.”

“Indeed,” Gold sighed, picking sticky remains of duct tape from his suit.

The two Gold men sat in silence for a while, Bae returning to his phone now that his father was no longer in impending danger.

“Son,” Gold coughed, rolling his shoulders nervously. “Do you…like having Belle stay with us?”

Bae met his father’s eyes in the rearview mirror, cocking his brow in amusement.

“Sure,” he shrugged. “She’s fun, makes pizza all the time, and…she makes you happy, I guess.”

Gold smiled at his son’s secret heart. “Does she seem happy to you?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Bae scoffed. “What did they do to you?”

“Nothing,” Gold growled. “I just want to be sure she’s fine.”

Belle exited the restaurant a moment later, looking more pink in the face from whatever she shouted at Gold’s kidnappers.

“Well,” she sighed as she got into the car, gripping the wheel tightly. “Are you, um, okay?”

“Yes,” Gold nodded with a light smile. “Though I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to play cards again.”

Belle scoffed at that and started the car. “I can’t believe them. Getting into our business like this.”

“They were only trying to help,” Gold insisted.

“Wow, Stockholm much?” Bae chuckled from the back.

“That’s enough out of you,” Gold chastised, quieting as the car until the pulled into the driveway.

“Son, go ahead inside,” he said to Bae. “I want to talk to Belle for a moment,”

Belle and Bae both tensed at his tone, but Bae willfully left the car, giving Belle a look of pity before he slinked into the house.

“Belle…” he began, only to be cut off by Belle’s pleas.

“Please don’t sue us!” Belle begged. “They’re idiots! They don’t know what they’re doing!”

“W…what?” Gold gasped. “No…Belle I would never…do you really think I would do something like that to you? Endanger your friends and business all over a stupid misunderstanding?”

Belle shrugged. Of course she knew he wouldn’t, but he had made such a threat whenever his son had an allergic reaction to their product last year. Of course, he never went through with it thanks to Belle’s intervention, but it still spooked her that he had that kind of power.

“I’m sorry,” Belle said. “I really don’t. I just don’t want to ruin what we have right now.”

Gold was honestly a bit insulted. Belle was his girlfriend! She lived in his home and made him feel more alive every day! How could she even think like that?

“Belle, are you happy with me?” He asked instead.

“What? Of course!” Belle gasped. How could even think that? She lived in his house and drove his car for God’s sake! She laughed with him over books and teased Bae at dinner.

Of course, she was happy…of course.

“Do you think we pushed this a bit fast?” he asked, his hands absently playing with his ring. “I mean…we haven’t even been on a first date yet.”

“That’s partially my fault,” Belle laughed.

Gold chuckled too, the bite of humor easing the tension in the car.

“Are you okay with me being here?” Belle said. “I’m better now and all, and if you really want me too I can start—”

“No!” Gold exclaimed, the idea of her leaving turning his blood to ice. “I…like having you hear Belle, I really do. I don’t want you to leave unless it’s what you want to do. But just know that Bae and I are glad you’re here.”

“I don’t want anyone to think I’m leeching off of you,” Belle said bluntly.

“You?” Gold scoffed. “Belle, you’re the most hardworking person I know. If anything Bae and I are leeching off of you with all the free pizza you keep making for us.”

Belle laughed. “Bae mostly. That boy can eat a whole fridge.

“Indeed,” Gold chuckled, his hand caressing hers. “Are we alright then?”

Belle nodded. “We’re okay,” she leaned over and kissed his cheek, unbuckling herself from the seatbelt.

“Maybe we can work on that official date soon?” he suggested.

Belle laughed. “I think that sounds great. You coming?”

“In a moment,” Gold said, waving her off inside where Bae was inconspicuously peeking out the window. He collapsed in his seat, more exhausted from his talk with Belle than the actual kidnapping.

Still, it was an insightful night, and he was thankful Belle had good friends that would fight for their happiness. It was better if he knew her fears if they were to continue their relationship. And he really wanted to.

In his breast pocket sat the weight of his want: an antique wedding band that he was certain would be perfect for Belle’s taste. He had been pondering how and when he would offer it to her, but now that her uncertainty of their living arrangements were brought to light, he decided it would go to the vault in his store for now.

[trickkombowerskru]

The Bowers Gang When They Fall In Love With Their  Best Friends

Request:Anonymous: Did u ever do a hc best friends to lovers thing for the bowers gang? If not could you maybe please with a cherry on top!!! Thank you!!!!

A/N:I am so sorry this took so long

Warnings:None

Henry

You had been best friends with Henry as long as you could remember 

It began all the way back in kindergarten

He didn't have anything for lunch 

So you gave him half your sandwich and some of your cookies

Thus your bond was created

As you two grew up together people wouldn't question it since they knew you two were a pair

But they would wonder about you two

They couldn't get why you a sweet little girl who wore sundresses and braids or pigtails was doing with the rough and tough resident school bully who wore old worn out looking clothes 

But despite people's judgement you two just kept doing your thing

Always looking out for each other

Hell your place practically became a second home

Well really first since his place wasn't much of a home to begin with

But you let him stay and sleepover whenever things were rough

Comforting him when his parents divorced

And patching him up when Butch took his anger out on him

Telling him you would get the hell out of Derry one day together

Just you and him

And maybe the guys if the wind blew that way

Him teaching you how to fight so you could hold your own

And telling each other everything

Well expect for the fact you mutually pined for each other like idiots

Belch was the holder of that information for the both of you

Trying to give each of you advice 

Without spilling you liked each other 

Because he wanted you two to confess on your own time

Key word being trying

Patrick caught on 

And got so sick of you two flirting that he just blurted it one day

"God dammit you two are annoying the shit out of me with this lovey dovey holding out crap. You both wanna fuck so can you just kiss and get it over with so I don't have to deal with this sappy pine fest anymore. FUCK."

You and Henry look at each other and blush 

"That true? Do ya got a thing for me?" 

You nod

You gaze into each others eyes before finally kissing him

After all these years it felt surreal

Belch and Vic cheered and Patrick wolf whistled to fuck with you

"Very touching. Now can we get the fuck out of here?" he pipes up

You both smack him

And when you get in the Trans Am Henry stops you from climbing into the back

Pulling you into his lap

You talk about when your feelings developed and how they first started

His arms on your waist securing you

Yours around his neck 

Occasionally kissing his cheek

And having made plans for you first date to occur on the weekend

Patrick

You and Patrick sure have the weirdest friendship history

You have known him basically all your life

Having your parents be friends in church

So naturally you had to interact a lot

And at first you two didn't get along at all

Until the faithful Easter of 1980

Both of you just 6 years old

Your parents had brought you to the kids section of the church

Him all dressed in his little tux

You in your sweet little pink and white Easter dress

You two were arguing when you just shoved him

He got up and shoved you back

A small slap here and there

And some pushing

Before you knew it you two were laughing as you got into a mini brawl

Your parents pull you off each other and scold both of you

Until they realized you two were finally getting along

They tell you to play nice without hitting each other

And eventually you do

You tend to play like you're a queen and he's a king

Making Patrick in his little fucked up head know that you're real

Sleepovers

Even after your parents try to stop you he still snuck over and vice versa

Sharing a bed

Sneaking out of church when you could to get high

Thinking his pencil case is fucking gross

Also knowing about Avery

Possibly being there when he did it

Well not in the room but the living room at least and not knowing what was happening

Tbfh you know EVERYTHING about Patrick and vice versa

Like each others deepest darkest secrets

Well dark on Patrick's part at least

Him knowing you like him

Even if you don't tell him

Patrick telling you that you'll always be by his side

And sticking to that

I mean hell not only were you his Goddess

But you were also his only friend for a while up until the boys

Not like he needed anyone else

But still

You were with him before puberty hit him like a truck

Back when he was just that weird creepy chubby kid

Which quickly went away when his growth spurt plus the bits of exercise did wonders for him 

Evening out his weight and making him the 6 foot lanky ass tree he currently was

Of course your feelings for Patrick did develop before that but that transformation definitely added to it a whole lot more

Finally getting together when he asks you why you never had a boyfriend

Not that he cared since he wanted it that way and his presence scared most guys off anyway

"I-I don't know Pat, I've just never met anyone else"

Realizing your fuck up you turn red as

"Anyone else? So you like a guy?"

"Um yeah you could say that."

"Do I know him?"

"Can we change the subject?"

"Awww come on Princess I won't tell him."

"Seriously Patrick let's just movie on."

"But why-"

"It's you, you asshole! I have a thing for you!"

You expect to get rejected

But he just smashes his lips on yours

He kisses you hard

"Took you long enough"

"Oh fuck you"

You smack his shoulder

And he puts his arm around you pulling you into his lap

Not even taking you out

But just taking you home 😏

Vic

You and Vic had been friends since 1st grade

When this bitch stole your crayons and wouldn't give them back

Vic felt bad and shared his with you

Needless to say since he had the 64 pack with the sharpener that the girl felt stupid afterwards for taking yours

And while you two sat there and colored you hit it off

And now here you were in high school

Vic still by your side

Venting to each other

Being the first one he comes out as bi to

Dying your hair together

Well more like helping him bleach his

And him talking you into different colored streaks from time to time

Getting high and talking about random shit together

Hanging with the gang more than you would like

Getting into all kinds of trouble

Through all of the craziness over the years you developed a crush on each other

Silently pining

Until you're at a smaller party than usual

Well more like a big get together

There is like 20 of you

You, Vic, and the boys included

And someone decided since it was a 50/50 split of guys and girls that you should play 7 minutes in Heaven

You reluctantly agreed although you've never been kissed before

Cue you being redder than a damn strawberry when you had to go in there with Vic

It starts off awkward

Knowing that neither of you have been kissed

Before you decide to just go for it

I mean who better for your first kiss then your best friend of a crush right?

He is shocked but kisses back

When you leave the room you get hoots and hollers since your lipstick smeared on to him

You reach over and grab his hand

Ignoring the comments from the guys

Belch

You and Belch have been best friends since diapers

Your mothers had been best friends their entire lives

So naturally they wanted their kids to be best friends

And best friends you were

You and Reggie were practically joined at the hip

Doing everything and anything together

Comforting him when his dad leaves

Celebrating with him when he gets his license and going on a long drive in Amy

Him protecting you from the gang when they hit on you or in Patrick's case handsy

You two both have feelings for each other although you push them away

Because you don't know if he feels the same

But rest assured he does you have that boy wrapped around your finger

And you find that out in a less than ideal moment

Basically you were out with your boyfriend when Reggie was expecting you over 

When you get over there he is relieved since it was a few hours later than you told him you would be

And when he finds out where you were he gets a little pissed

"Oh so were out with Adam."

"Yeah. Why?"

"I was just worried you know people goin' missin' and all."

"You're right. I'm sorry for worrying you. I should've called saying I would be later."

"I just don't get it."

"What?"

"Why you're with him. He's cheated on you how many times? He doesn't deserve anymore of your tears at this point. All the douche does is break you into smaller pieces every time and I gotta pick em' up. I know you're extra trustin' but why do you wanna be with a guy who does nothin' but hurt you?"

"I...."

"I mean hell what does he even really know about you anyways? Does he know that your absolute favorite thing in the world is a long drive? Does he know that you sleep with your teddy bear after seein' a scary movie? Does he know durin' rainy days all you wanna do is stay huddled up in your blankets? Or what how nothin' makes you happier than a slice of your mama's peach pie? Fuck I mean does he even know what your favorite color is?"

"Well I mean...why do you care?"

"Why do I care? Maybe because I'm your best friend? Or maybe it's because all I want is for you to be happy? Or hell maybe because I'm so damn in love with you and you don't even fucking know it?"

Then he realizes what he said

"You love me?"

"Shit I'm sorry. I probably made everything awkward now."

You say nothing

"I just....I think you deserve the world even it if it ain't with me I want you to be with someone who treats you like the damn Princess you are."

You step closer and kiss him

"I love you back."

"Ya do?"

"Yeah. I have for a while now."

"You have?"

"Yeah. I was just scared you didn't feel the same way."

"Well I definitely do."

You smile and take his hand as he leads you to the couch

And you two snuggle up under a blanket and watch movies while lazily kissing every now and then

[fyrewrites]

The Fall of the Magic Elves

A Tragedy in one part

Sinmiaran was a Magic Elf. Specifically, he was a high ambassador. He went to other lands with his two faithful guards, Erianwe and Alanwen, but many of the human cities he’d visited had proven risky. Lots of humans wanted him dead for some reason, but he’d never sustained more than a few scrapes when he left. Healing magic was Alanwen’s specialty.

Today was the last day of War Month, so all throughout the land (with the exception of the Magic Isle, of course) humans, dwarves, and Wood Elves were celebrating the coming of Harvest Month.

High Ambassador Sinmiaran and his two guards had just entered the Mountain Kingdom of the Dwarves and were being shown around. It was a very large place indeed. Eventually they reached the place that he would be staying, and the guide dwarf bid him and his guards farewell, and to remember the welcome feast happening in a few hours.

Erianwe and Alanwen kept watch as Sinmiaran inspected the place, and eventually it was time for the welcome feast.

The dwarves kept a good table, and apparently there were other ambassadors here—seven human ambassadors from the seven largest human cities. And all of them had unfortunate history with Sinmiaran.

The dwarves built their kingdom from dark blue stone, carved into various designs. Sinmiaran had been placed in a room decorated with carvings of flowers, which any Wood Elf would be gushing over. Magic Elves were not so brought to tears by such stonework, but Sinmiaran found himself running his fingers over the carvings all the same. How delicate these were, delicate yet strong.

The halls were held up by pillars, and the ceilings were high, even considering that Magic Elves were the tallest of the beings (each one stood at a height of at least six feet and six inches). Impressive wrought iron candle holders hung on silver chains from the vaulted ceilings. It was magnificent… but Sinmiaran wasn’t here to give a report on architecture.

No, Sinmiaran was here to negotiate with the dwarf King. The humans had grown to conquering smaller nations, removing history, culture, and tradition—it was time to put an end to it. The Magic Elves’ Council of Twelve had met with the dwarves’ Twenty High Paragons, and both peoples had agreed on one thing: the humans must be stopped. Sinmiaran was here to make certain that the Magic Elves and the dwarves both gained from the removal of the humans’ conquering abilities, and his mind was one sharpened from years of negotiating, exchanging, and studying. Thus, it was clear that as long as the dwarven king was similar-minded, these negotiations would go well, and both parties would find the outcomes favorable.

Of course, there were matters that needed discussion that did not relate to the human problem, but these were best left for afterward.

Sinmiaran returned his thoughts to the welcome breakfast. Here the dwarves expected him to enjoy himself, and yet he’d let his mind go where it will. As the feast drew to a close, he kept a watchful eye on the human ambassadors. He knew no names, but he knew what cities they served: Silverport, Fenwood, Regis, Milea (taken from the Wood Elves), Ironstone (taken from the dwarves), Goldenhome, and E’asingsong (taken from the faerie folk, which were almost extinct). The E’asingsong ambassador, strangely, seemed to be only half-human.

None of the ambassadors followed him back to the guest quarters, but to make sure they could not enter anyway, he locked the doors with magic. The guards Erianwe and Alanwen had busied themselves while he’d been away, and now the rooms looked quite like home. Instead of dwarf-stone, now stood crystal walls and marble floors, glimmering in the light of lifesalt lamps, orbs of lifesalt rock suspended on adamantine chains. A gold-framed mirror was positioned along one wall of the main room, in front of which rested a dwarf-rock lectern carved with designs of elves. This room also housed bookshelves, dwarf-stone carved and similarly designed. There were two rooms that came off this one: Sinmiaran’s bedchamber, and the guards’. Both possessed a similar design scheme, but in Sinmiaran’s chamber there was an elegant dreamwood desk, on which was a neat stack of reed paper and a crystal pen. The guards’ room was equipped with a place to spar; Erianwe and Alanwen were using it now.

When the guards saw their lord return, Erianwe said, “I’ve observed that dwarf-stone is very easy to mold. It is not so easy to break.”

“Dwarf-stone is a wonderful material,” Sinmiaran agreed. “Now, Erianwe, Alanwen. I trust you remember the seven human ambassadors we spoke with a decade past? They are here, all of them. They seek to weaken the dwarves, no doubt. We must ensure that does not happen.”

“The dwarves have already decided whose side they’re on: ours,” Alanwen said.

“Not so,” Sinmiaran pointed out. “The dwarves merely agree with us. They are not our allies yet, and if we allow the humans to perform their duties, they never shall be.”

“You’re suggesting we… stir the cauldron, so to speak?” Alanwen asked. Sinmiaran nodded. Erianwe wondered, “How are we to do that when we aren’t even sure of the humans’ plan? We must figure that out before we stir this hypothetical cauldron.”

“Indeed,” Sinmiaran said. “And we must stir correctly; with the wrong ingredients, we are bound to create more harm than good.”

Night fell on the world. In the night, a darkness entered the chamber of Sinmiaran, and awaited an opportunity. One was swiftly found. The darkness smiled as it raised its weapon, landing a blow…

Or so it thought.

In truth, Sinmiaran had ten levels of shielding spells covering his body, and three of these shields were broken with this strike. No harm came to the elf, for the damage had been turned back onto the attacker, who cursed their misfortune.

“Damn these elves,” the assailant hissed, then realized their mistake. The glimmering crystal-lamp on the nightstand came aglow, washing the room in a blue light. Sinmiaran examined the intruder.

“Regis, I presume?” Sinmiaran asked at length, once he had identified the mysterious guest. “You attempted to end my days. You could not have simply started a war against my people? War seems to be the only concept you understand.”

“You elves think we are a disgrace,” the ambassador of Regis spat. “I think that your people need to be extinct. You think you’ve stopped me from ruining you, but trust me; you are not where you think you are. Tell me, now, why haven’t your beautiful guards caught me?”

“They must be—” The ambassador stopped him.

“They’re dead, elf,” the human said. “The other ambassadors dealt with them. My job is to deal with you. Think for a moment—is there anything off about this place to you?”

Sinmiaran looked around. The immaculateness, the elven purity. Glass, marble, crystal. But the layout of the room was not like the dwarven one. No, this was—

“How did you obtain the key to this place?” Sinmiaran asked. “How were you able to get past the guardians?”

“During your time away from this little island of yours,” the ambassador said, “I spoke with the war commander. Almost all of your people are imprisoned or dead. You don’t scare us anymore. Now admit it: we have defeated you.”

“What… what have you done to the queen?” Sinmiaran managed to ask. If she had been killed, then there was little hope, as the crystal crown would fall to her son. If he was dead, then the crown would go to….

“Do you want to see her head?” the ambassador asked. He presented the head of the queen of the Magic Elves, Aylwen, and there, atop her head, the crystal crown gleamed, covered in her blood. Sinmiaran took the head, stared into his mother’s dead eyes. He remembered the last words she had said to him before he had set out on his ambassadorial mission: “Keep our people alive, and never falter.” She always had said that. He hadn’t given her any farewells.

“And… the prince?” Sinmiaran queried, cradling the queen’s head in his arms.

“We burned him alive,” the ambassador said. “The only one of your people left alive is you. I thought I could kill you myself, but this is much better. Seeing you at your wits end, on the verge of breaking down. It is better than seeing you die.”

Sinmiaran reached for the crystal crown, hands trembling. As he placed it upon his head, he sniffed. “I—you killed my family, and my people. We… were never prepared for war; you knew this. That is why you attacked, isn’t it, because you knew—you knew that we would not be able to survive it.” He knew not if it was the crown or himself, but he felt… stronger.

“Now, elf,” the ambassador said. “You guessed correctly. But we aren’t done. I will change this elven city into a palace, and you’ll be forced to sit in a cage, watching your precious nation be torn down. I know—”

“No,” Sinmiaran said, grasping a crystal dagger hidden under a pillow. “No. I never once thought I would have to wear this crown, but now it has come to this. You seek an end to my civilization? I am the king of the Magic Elves now, and I will not let you.”

The ambassador shook his head. “How sad. You think you’re a king. And you think I’m alone. Well….” The other six ambassadors charged into the room, but the E’asingsong ambassador had to be dragged in. She seemed reluctant—and she looked strange. Almost as if she was hiding her true self in illusions.

“I thought I’d torture you first, but I see that you have to be killed now,” the Regis ambassador said. “Kill him.”

The ambassadors drew their weapons, turned to face Sinmiaran. But the E’asingsong ambassador did something unusual. She turned her fellows against each other with a spell, grabbed Sinmiaran, and ran through the crystal palace, locking them together in the arch-sapiarch’s chambers.

“I can’t believe I got away with that,” the ambassador gasped, dispelling the illusion spells. She was a Magic Elf—the arch-sapiarch, to be exact. “My king, I apologize for the direct intervention, but there was no other way.”

“I know,” Sinmiaran said. “The question is: how did you?”

“The sapiarchs listened in on the humans’ plans,” arch-sapiarch Cylenn said. “Before the humans could deal with them, they used illusion magic to look like the human soldiers. It was a clever ploy and one I regret not thinking of first. The honor there goes to your mother the queen, may she find peace in the afterlife.”

“Are there any other Magic Elves that yet live?” Sinmiaran asked. Cylenn shook her head.

“When the sapiarchs return, we will clear out the palace. For now, we must wait.”

Hours passed before the sapiarchs appeared, and when they did, Sinmiaran knew that there were few of his people left. Including himself, there were only thirty two.

They planned, and soon they struck at the humans silently and magically, ending their short lived dominance over the Isle.

The sapiarchs put themselves in charge of fixing the population issue, using experimental methods to magically procreate, and the first of the newborns reached maturity in ten days. In a few months, the citizen count was in the hundreds.

King Sinmiaran chose to close the Isle to visitors, traders, and outsiders, and began the arduous process of learning the laws and the ways of ruling. Humans tried to wage war on them many times, and with each conflict, tensions worsened. Sinmiaran had few comforts, but one of them was always nearby: the observatory/arboretum/library, situated at the very top of the palace. Another comfort was Cylenn, whom Sinmiaran had been friends with for quite a while. Sinmiaran had the feeling that Cylenn wanted something more, however, and on the day she asked to be his queen, he accepted without question.

In half a year’s time, King Sinmiaran, Ambassador, and Queen Cylenn, Arch-sapiarch, stood on the grand balcony, overlooking the glimmering city of Crystalspire.

“The gaping wound the humans left in our land is healing well,” Cylenn said. “The sapiarchs report that we have at least five hundred new citizens this month. I’ve assigned them tasks. We still have no army, however.”

“The humans have not attacked in months,” Sinmiaran said. “There is no need for an army yet. The humans are working on conquering the Wood Elves and do not seem to want to continue whittling us down.”

“I pray to the glittering crystal heart that they survive,” Cylenn intoned. “The humans have already destroyed the faeries. If the Wood Elves fall, then the nature of things will be upset.”

“Let us not worry,” Sinmiaran said. “The dwarves are with them; the humans have never bested the dwarves in combat.”

“I would like to go inside,” Cylenn said. “There is a chill in the air.”

“Yes, there is,” Sinmiaran observed, tightening his silk cloak. In the distance, he glimpsed ships. Human ships. “Cylenn?” She looked where he was.

“Twenty ships,” Cylenn counted. “War galleons. This doesn’t bode well.”

A war horn sounded, and a loud voice carried over the water. “Magic Elves! We have arrived to tear your city down, brick by brick, crystal by crystal, elf by elf. We will not stop until you are all dead. Our siege begins at dawn—we give you until then to say goodbye to each other.”

“Sinmiaran,” Cylenn said as both went inside, “if I am to die tomorrow, I do not want to die without… you. If I die, I ask you to slay yourself so that we may be together, forever and always, in the afterlife.”

“We have not yet recited those vows,” Sinmiaran said, “but I will honor them any way. I ask that you do the same if I die; it is only right.”

“I… would like to recite the vows, even if by this point it is superfluous,” Cylenn said. “Meet me in your chambers in an hour. I must alert the sapiarchs.”

The Magic Elves assembled in the armories and took weapons and armor, and the sapiarchs planned out their strategy. Normally that duty would fall to the arch-sapiarch and the ruler, but at present, they were occupied.

By the time dawn came upon the land, Sinmiaran and Cylenn finally left each other’s arms and got ready for war. Cylenn’s face was streaked with tears; she was not ready to die, nor give up everything they had worked so hard to rebuild. But she knew, and Sinmiaran knew, that if they did not win, no one would.

It was a battle of ages. Many died, and overall, the humans were at an advantage—there were far more of them than there were elves.

Finally, Cylenn was killed and, with the last dregs of will in his body, Sinmiaran killed himself as well.

[mizu-writes-kumo]

Sorry this took a bit to get up.  I was traveling and with family for most of the weekend.  So I didn’t have much time to actually do a lot of writing like I would if I was just at home.

Based of @rigb0ner​‘s Shance Beauty and the Beast AU!  Or more specifically this post right here.

----

Seriously, why Keith thought it was a good idea to leave at night, when a storm was approaching, was lost on Shiro.

He was pretty sure the people Keith was venturing off to see, would more than understand if he was a day late due to weather.  It’s not an unheard of thing to happen.  But Keith acted like they would blame him personally for brewing up a storm if he didn’t leave right that instant.  

And don’t worry, he’d taken that route before way later in way worse weather many times before, he would be fine.  Back in a week’s time like nothing ever happened.

Except something did happen.

Red, Keith’s horse, came back like it saw some godawful sight....with no Keith.

Which was why Shiro was on Kuro, dragging poor Red along looking for the younger man.  Trying not to be worried too much about that fact that Red was being skittish and timid, when Red was never skittish or timid.  About like anything.  Let alone not wanting to find Keith, who she never failed leave too far behind.  Rather Shiro was trying to look around with an air of ‘I told you so...’

It was a lot easier said than done the longer they went along.

Shiro pulled his cloak a little tighter around himself.  Shielding himself form a cold breeze as he peered up at the dark branches of the tree tops.  

He had never been to this part of the forest before.

There was a weird feeling in the air.  One that Shiro can’t really put into exact words to describe.  Because it was like someone was watching him, but not.  And it was like there was something dark and terrible looming ahead, but also not at the same time.  Yet, there was a pull of some kind, like a distant string in the back of his mind.  It was weird, Shiro didn’t exactly like it, but he pushed on.  The sooner he found Keith the sooner he could get out of there.

It didn’t help that there were old wives tale or rumor of some beast that roamed around within the depths of the forest nipping at the back of his mind.  Something only a handful of local hunters had claimed to see and all their drunken stories differed greatly.

All was fine, until Red reared up with a loud neigh.

Snapping the rope tying her to Kuro’s saddle and turned tail.  Galloping away from Shiro before he could reach for her reigns or broken rope and calm her down.  She was gone by the time Shiro even knew what happened.

He cursed to the sky as he realized it was too late to go after her.  

Kuro huffed and puffed below him.  Completely indifferent to the events that happened as she stomped her hooves impatiently for Shiro’s command.  Making no moves to actually turn and look where Red went.

Shiro sighed as he took as a sign he was going in the right direction.  Gently nudging Kuro forward.  Knowing Red will wonder back to their little cottage and stay there until they returned.  Maybe only venture away to beg someone to take her reigns off, but not much well.

He rode for another five minutes or so, before stumbled upon a castle.

A fresh set of foot and hoof prints in the mud.  More than enough evidence to tell Shiro, Keith and Red wiggled open the gate and ventured inside of some hopeful shelter.  He just hoped Keith was still inside, completely fine and safe.

And not the victim of whatever scared off Red.

Sliding off Kuro, Shiro takes the reigns and leads his horse through the half open gates.  Being carefully mindful of everything he does as he approaches.  How and where he steps, like it mattered for some reason as he started up at the huge structure.

It was massive.  Quite literally a castle of fine craftsman ship, standing in decently perfect condition.  Granted it’s a little run down, and old looking, none of it seemed to be falling apart one bit.  Shiro was surprised he had never noticed it before.  Even with how tucked away it was in the mountain, it should more than have been visible form the village of Arus down in the valley.

Shiro tied Kuro’s reigns to post outside.  Securing them well enough before he ducked under the horse’s head to make his way to the main entrance.  Or rather the two huge wooden doors that were opened just a crack.  He stared at them in slight awe as he tried to kick as much mud of his boots as he could.

Carefully, Shiro eased his way inside.

“Hello?”  He called out softly as he gently eased the door closed.  

It echoed slightly through the huge foyer.  Which was as ornate and rich in appearance as the outside. And just was run down looking too.  A decently thick layer of dust collected on the furniture.  Save a sharp line, that Shiro could only guess was from Keith. 

“Keith!”  Shiro called out lowly as he advanced.  “Keith are you in here?  It’s Shiro.”  He peered around the wide halls, holding himself as close to himself as he can in the dark space.  “Keith!?”

Shiro snatched up a three armed candle stick holder from a table.  Carefully lightly the three slightly used candles with a match as he advanced further into the place.  The soft candle light giving the halls a warm glow.  Gently he kept calling out Keith’s name, and listening for any type of sound.  It didn’t matter if it was a reply or not, Shiro would take anything he could get with each passing second.

Until finally, when Shiro was peering down some stairs to the cellars or basement or something...there was something.

The smallest, most distant, and confused  “Shiro?” he probably ever heard Keith’s voice say.  

But it was more than enough.

Shiro raced down, calling out for the other man, who in turned did the same.  

Until Shiro fond him looked into looked like some kind of dungeon cell.  Calling out over to the bars at the sight of Shiro before him, huge smile plastered on his face.  There was a bruise forming on Keith’s temple, but other than that he seemed perfectly okay.  Save being locked in a cage like cell.

Shiro quickly took to trying to find a key once he realized Keith was okay.

“What are you doing here Shiro?”  Keith asked.

“Trying to find you,”  Shiro snapped as he kicked a small hay pile like it was hiding the key to the door.  “Red came back to the house without you, I knew something was wrong.  I told you not to go out that storm.”

“You shouldn’t be here, Shiro.”  Keith snapped sharply.  “You need to get out here.”

“Not without you.”  Shiro shoot back with a determined glare.  

“Yes, without me!  It doesn’t know your here, you need to get out here before it finds you and throws you in this damn cell with me...or worse.”

“It?”  Shiro asked, pausing his look for the key, to turn to look at Keith confused.  “What are you talking about?  Keith, who put you in here?”

“More like a what.”  Keith snapped in a frustrated tone.  But his eyes flicker to the opening of where they were.  Like he did whenever he was frightened by something.  “Look, I didn’t really get a good look at it, but what I did, wasn’t like anything I saw before.  It was big and quick...dragged me all the way down here.”

“I think you hit your head to hard.”  Shiro stated after a moment.  Going back to his task of searching for a way to get Keith out of the cell.

“Shiro, I’m being serious.”

“Hi Being Seri--”

“Shiro!”  Keith groaned as he banged his head against the bars of the cell.  Then he let out a desperate sigh.  “Please, just get out of here before that thing finds you, and...”

Keith’s words suddenly die away on his lips.

The other’s suddenly silence, caused Shiro to turn.  To find Keith staring wide eyes at the doorway of the space they were in.  Before he slowly crawled back away from the bars and towards the wall.  Eyes staying glued to the opening.

Shiro moved to look, trying to see what he saw and froze.

The hallway of the dungeon like area was suddenly lit.  More than Shiro’s three little candles, and more a rage torch fire.  The shadow of a large figure hulking figure.  A bulky mass that looked to be more fur and muscle than anything Shiro had seen before in the wild.  And there are heavy slow footsteps making they way towards the door.

“Who’s down here?”  A voice suddenly called out.  To was low, and growly, with an undertone of gargling rocks.  “I specifically stated no one was to go down here other than myself.  I made it very clear.”

Shiro turned to look at Keith, who was just look at him with wide-eyed back.

“Fine don’t answer me then,”  The voice continued in a grumble.  “I’ll just come in and see.”

Shiro flew to press himself against the wall as silently as possible.  Easing himself towards the opening slowly as the sound of footsteps made their way towards the opening.  He watched as the huge shadow of the floor shrunk slightly as it moved way from the light, but still a huge figure.  Gripping the candle stick tightly, Shiro lifted it above his head to attack when the figure came through the door.

He braced himself as the figure stopped in front of the opening.

Counting down in anticipation.

Three...

Two...

One...

The figure stepped into the room, and Shiro suddenly halted at the sight before him.

Because...well...

It was not the sight he was expecting.

Before him was man...well kind of.  Most of his features were human and man-like in appearance.  A natural tan to his skin, and brown hair, with a height maybe a two or so inches shorter than Shiro.  Save the cat-like ears on the top of his head, on of which was turned in Shiro’s exact direction.  And large red stripe like curves on each cheek.

He was dressed in what looked like a thick cloak, lined with fine furs for warmth in the coldest of winters.  And his clothes are loose, but they looked like quality  materials of someone wealthy.  But Shiro can see enough to know the guy has a lean build, more speed and flexibility, than bulk strength.

“Smaller than I expected.”  Shiro blurted out loud dumbly.

Suddenly, the man-cat-person-thing turned to Shiro sharply.

And Shiro has a brief thought of angry ocean eyes before he’s suddenly launched backwards.  

The candlestick clattering against the floor as the fire went out.  Darkness overcame the room again.  But there was just enough out the glow from the hallway, for Shiro to make out the outline of the man as he stalked forward.  

“Is this just break into random castles and be rude night?”  The man question in a growl, but it’s not completely as deep as the first time he talked.  

Shiro only groaned weakly at the pain in his chest.

Then suddenly the guy is on top of him.  And there is a flicker of something shinny and metal for a second, followed by something cold against Shrio’s throat.  He stiffened at the feel of it, and the other chuckled darkly above him as he did do.  Shiro could make out just a bit of their smirk and sharp teeth as his eyes adjusted back to the dark.

“Who the quizanack are you?”  The man asked from above him. 

Shiro glared up the guy, refusing to answer.  

Partly because he was still so shocked at the sight in front of him.

This was what Keith was so scared off.  Shiro would lift him twenty times, on a good day, no problem.

“Who are you?”  The cat-man thing asked him again.

Again Shiro didn’t answer.

Deciding giving his name to something in this weird place was a bad idea.  

With a growl, the man got off him.  Then yanked him up the collar of his shirt, and slammed Shiro’s back into the wall.  The cold metal returned to his neck again like it never really left.

Shiro was half surprised by the guys ease to do so.

“Hey, let Shiro go!”  Keith suddenly snapped, with a harsh bit to his voice.

Well there went Shiro’s plan of keeping his name unsaid right out the window.  Thanks Keith!

Looking over, Shiro could see Keith was glaring angrily at the man.  He almost looked extra annoyed, probably about the fact that man got a jump on him given his less then intimidating appearance. Literally the last thing Shiro thought of what he looked like when Keith talked about him.

But Shiro’s toes where just brushing the floor, and the guy was holding him up by the collar.  So the cover of that book was a decoy.

The guy growled lowly, shooting a sharp look back at Keith in the cell. 

It caused Keith to stumble a back in surprise.

But then he turned back to Shiro with a wicked grin on his lips.  A shadow almost falling over his eyes as his shoulders hunched gleefully.  His teeth catching the faint light from the hallway.

“Shiro...”  The man said like he was testing the name on his tongue.  Rolling the ‘r’ in something a purr, and elongating the ‘o’ of his name.  The cold metal of what Shiro is assuming is a knife, pressed a little bit into his neck.  And the man tilted his head as his eyes flickered up and down Shiro really quickly.   “What are you doing in my house?”  

Shiro turned his attention back to the man holding him against the wall.  Blinking down at him dumbly for a moment.

Wait...what this the beast from all those tales and rumors?

The one the had scared a handful of hunters.  That they claimed fought bears and pushed over huge trees.  Rumored to be so ugly that the devil would run and hide and seeing his face.

He was so...small. Scrawny and scrappy looking. 

Suddenly there was a dark growl in front of Shiro.

Oh crap Shiro said that out loud.

“I’d watch your mouth!”  The man growled out fiercely as he leaned in.  “Now, answer my question.  What are you doing in my house?”

“Sorry...I was just trying to find my brother, Keith.”  Shiro stated hurriedly as he gestured towards Keith in the cell.  “His horse returned to our home, I just came to see where he was, and stumbled on this place.  If you just let us go, we’ll be out of your hair.  It will be like we never here in the first place.”

“Not possible.”  The man hissed out.

“Why?”  Shiro asked calmly.

“The hideous hair disaster over there,”  The man grumbled as he with a slight nod of his head towards Keith.  Ignoring Keith’s sharp call of ‘hey’ at the comment, aside from the slightest for frown.  “Broke in, stole from me, and started to settle in for the night.  Not to mention attacked me when I told him to leave.  I don’t like strangers in my house.”

“I’m sure, he didn’t really mean too.”  Shiro stated levely.  “If he would have known you lived here, surely he would have asked.  Right, Keith?”  Shiro said glancing over the man’s cat-like ears at Keith, who really didn’t look half as sheepish as he maybe should been.

“Uh...yeah.”   Keith answered as the man glanced over his shoulder at him.

“He stays.”  The man growled out with an annoyed huff.   “You can leave, despite your rudeness and breaking in, you’ve done nothing but wander around looking for him  I suppose I can let it slide this once.”

“Surely we can discuss--”

“He stays!”  The man snapped with a finality to his words.

“What if I stayed instead?”  Shiro blurted out desperately.

“What?!”  Both the man and Keith shrieked.  

Or rather Keith shrieked.  

The man sounded more genuinely surprised and caught of guard.  Like he wasn’t sure if he heard what Shiro said right.  His ears stood at attention in a way that Shiro would saw almost looked...hopeful.  But it’s gone in a simply blink of an eye.  And it was like he couldn’t believe Shiro was willingly offering to stay with him.

“You let Keith go, and I’ll stay in his place.”  Shiro stated again, like it clarified things.  

“Really?”  The guy asked.

Shiro nodded quickly.  

It was an easy choice for him to make.  

Keith was needed more in town than Shiro.  Keith was a far better hunter and tradesman than Shiro...even with Keith’s...quarks.  Shiro was perhaps just a good stable hand at the most.  He was know more for having his eyes to the stars or nose in a book, than anything else.  

Really only going into town for supplies and a new book to read. 

“Fine.”  The man huffed after a moment.

Carefully the cat-man lowered Shiro back towards the ground.  His eyes flickering up and down Shiro for a while, slowly easing back away from.  Bits of blue in his eyes would catch the light from the hallway as he did so.  He wasn’t really hiding the fact that he was sizing Shiro up.

Suddenly he surged forward.  

“If this is some kind of ploy...”  The man hissed out as he slammed Shiro into the wall. There is a flash of metal.  The point of a thin knife placed within the center of Shiro’s vision.  “Both of you will be staying here in this dungeon for the rest of your time on Earth.  Understand?”

“Or course.”  Shiro nodded out.

“Good,”  The man stated with a satisfied nod.  

He shoved away from Shiro roughly, making a point to add a bit of growl.  As he moved away, he reached into his fur lined cloak and tossed something at Shiro.  It jingled loudly as Shiro scrambled to both protect his face, and catch the things...which turned out to be keys.  

Looking at the man, he just gestured to the door of the cell Keith was in.  Then he leaned down to pick up the candlestick Shiro had dropped on the ground.  Shiro turned his attention to the cell door as the man started to gently dusting it off.

Shiro made his way to the cell door, quickly working on which figuring out which key worked.  Hurriedly shoving each one in and trying to turn them.  Keith made his way to the bars be him.

“Shiro, you don’s have t--”

“I know, but I am.”  Shiro snapped as the sixth key slide in effortless.  With a simple turn the lock clicked out of place.  Shiro yanked open the cell door.  “End of discussion.”

“Yeah, enough chit-chat you two.”  The cat-man’s voice huffed in annoyance, and it was almost like Shiro could hear his eye rolling.  He turned to see the other hold the candlestick, which the candles lit again, and his hip jutting out to the side.  “Unless you want to stay in that cell, Haircut.”  

--

The cat-man, or Lance as he begrudgingly introduced himself as when Shiro asked (because he didn’t want to call him Beast...or Cat-man), was kind enough to let Shiro and Keith have a good-bye.

He stood in the doorway with the candlestick.  Seemingly to be looking slightly more annoyed with every passing moment he was standing there.  Shiro had noticed one of his eyebrows starting to twitch, as he glared at Keith.  No doubt hearing Keith trying to convince Shiro to just book it with him.  They could totally lose that thing, especially on Kuro.

But Lance never actually stepped in on their conversation.  Just stood there off to the side waiting.

Which made Shiro wonder if he really wan’t concerned that Shiro would get far if he tried anything.  He could lift Shiro with one arm like he was a feather.  Shiro wouldn’t be surprise he he could move a great distance in the blink of an eye.

So he just wished Keith save travels.  Assuring he would be fine...doing whatever Lance put him to work doing.  And he would find some way to keep in touch eventually.  Keith should just get going on his way, and go about his life like nothing was wrong.

Eventually Keith crawled on Kuro and rode away.

And Lance made a heavy example of slamming the heaving wooden doors.

“Here.”  Lance snapped as he roughly handed Shiro the three-armed candlestick once they were back inside the foyer of the castle.  He barely waited for Shiro grab it before he let it go, causing Shiro to fumble with it slightly.  “Coran will show you to your room, and only your room,”  Lance added pointedly, before he turned.  “I’ll be check you’re there in ten minutes.  There are some things I need to take off.”  

Then he just stormed off in a mix of grumbles and huffs. 

Leaving Shiro to just waiting around for whoever Coran was.  Shiro glanced around the foyer wondering when some other person was just going show up.  Half wondering if they would be a cat-person too, or something.

“Please don’t mind the young master, my boy.”  An accented voice suddenly said...like right  beside Shiro.   It caused Shiro to jump and turn sharply only to the sound.  “It’s been a while since he’s had a guest.”  

Shiro’s gaze turned to the look at the candlestick in his hand, because that was where the sound was coming from his hand.  Only to find the three-armed candlestick looking up at him.  Grinning up at him with a face and something that looked like a mustache.

“My name is Coran.”  The candlestick said with a wave one of it’s arms.  “I suggest we start making our way to your room, before the young master falls into more of a bad mood...if you wo--”

Shiro screamed and dropped the thing.

What the hell  was going on?

He watched in shock and some horror, as the candle stick moved to get up. Quickly brushing himself off like it was no issue that Shiro just dropped him.  Turn to glance up at Shiro like everyone is just normal, waiting for Shiro to let him guide him to his room.

Laughter suddenly bounces through the halls of the castle.  

The snickering undertone told Shiro that it was Lance somewhere else in the house.  Like a child who hid a fake snake under a bucket for someone to fine.  Some of the other furniture seemed to leaned towards the sound, before turning to look at each other than Shiro.

“You’re room is this way, my good sir.”  Coran stated cheerily.  He bounced forward with a metal clank of his base against the floor.  

And for some reason Shiro followed after him.

----

AN: Yeah!  I did.  I have like so many ideas for this AU of sort (and Beauty and the Beast really isn’t may favorite Disney Princes movie to being with).  But the idea of Shiro being a dork and a slight gay disaster...cause he finds Lance immediately cute because of well...his size and cat like features.  I just can’t get enough of it.

Lance is really stand off for a handful of reasons.  Most of them do to the curse put on him and generally being alone for a long time.  But he really a sweet boy, and he looks like his M&M character, because reasons.  Coran, Allura, and Hunk all live in the castle, as well a Candlestick, teapot, and clock respectively.  And Keith and Pidge are more in Shiro’s world.

The ending got away from me a bit...but oh well.

[pandamilo]

The story for my 100 tumblr followers - it’s a drabble based on my Viktor from A.M, the morning he wakes up and Yuuri is gone.

What Happens When He Leaves?

“How’s he doing?”

“I don’t really know yet – he’s in the shower…”

“Ah shit, is he singing?”

“Yes.”

“Uh! He totally fuckin’ bailed on him. Damn it!”

There was a pause from the other end of the phone as it sounded like something was punched with a dull sound of a thud.

“I’ll come down… how much Taylor is he singing?”

The phone was shuffled around so it was placed closer to the closed door of Viktor’s bathroom.

Nice to meet you, where you been?

I could show you incredible things

Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Saw you there, and I thought

“Oh my God, look at that face

You look like my next mistake-

“This is the third one since I got here, you have already missed You belong with me and Dancing with our hands tied.”

“Crap – That’s new… his gone and made a bloody playlist.”

“The dude is fucking whipped Chris, you better get your arse down here, you know he won’t listen to anything I got to say on the matter.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming. Wait till I get there Leo, I’ll be like two minutes.”

Leo hung up, he knew Chris would get here quicker if he did.

Leo had no idea why he’d been dedicated holder of the spare key to everyone’s rooms. He was not equipped to deal with a pining Viktor, he was sure of it but Leo knew he wanted to check on him after seeing Viktor with that boy yesterday.

They had so much chemistry and happiness flowing between them but something kept nagging at Leo as he watched them together and when Chris mention that the boy wouldn’t give Viktor his real name, Leo started to worry.

When he came to check on him this morning there was a small part of him that thought maybe he would walk in and Viktor would be tied to the bed or something demeaning done to him in his sleep so the person could sell it.

Instead, Leo had came in and Viktor was almost scream-singing along to Taylor Swift – now Viktor singing in the shower was not a new thing but Leo did know that if Viktor was singing Taylor Swift… there was a problem.

We know way too much about each other…

So, Leo had called Chris after a few minutes of Viktor’s continued wailing (the plus side being even when Viktor was upset he still sounded like a lullaby when he sang). On the third call a groggy Chris had answered and Leo pretended not to hear the distinct grumble of Seung-gil in the background.

After a minute, Leo got up and held the door open, waiting for Chris only to nearly be hit in the face by Chris’ fist attempting to knock on the now open door.

“Hey – he’s still in there.” Leo pointed to the obvious sound of Viktor’s voice.

“I don’t expect him to be out for a while, you can go if you like. I’ll deal with V. Thanks for checkin’ on him in the first place.” Chris sighed, stepping into the room and looking forlornly at the door to Viktor’s bathroom.

“Glad to see you and Gilly had fun last night.” Leo murmured with a chuckle as the door clicked shut behind him just in time for Chris’ head to whip up in surprise.

“Observant prick… Oh well.” Chris laughed to himself before going to listen at the door to the bathroom.

I wish you would come back

Wish I’d never hung up the phone like I did

I wish you knew that

I’d never forget you as long as I’d live

And I wish you were right here, right now

It’s all good

I wish you would-

“VIKTOR NIKIFOROV, YOU LITERALLY KNEW HIM FOR ONE DAY!”

“HOLY HELL! CHRIS, YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!”

The water was shut off and a few second’s later the door was thrown open, Viktor was decent enough to hold the towel over his crotch as he grabbed his phone and turned off the music.

“You could have knocked and I am perfectly aware of how long I have known him.”

“If you are, in fact aware that it has been a day, why have you made him his own playlist?”

Viktor apparently didn’t have a response to that so he simply pouted, crinkling his eyebrows and turning to dry himself, showing Chris his arse.

Chris had seen it all before though, as model’s they were basically desensitised to these things, plus Viktor and Chris were roommates and Chris hated wearing clothes. Nudity was basically what their friendship was built on – mind you it was only that, friendship, they couldn’t like each other more than that.

Even so, Chris wolf-whistled when Viktor turned back towards him with the towel secured low around his waist because on his hip bone was an extremely distinct bite mark.

“Jeez V, no wonder you are singing for him, was it amazing? I need details”

“We didn’t have sex, Chris.”

Chris stared at him like Viktor had just told him he had cancer.

“I’m sorry. Did you just say you didn’t get that arse and you are this upset? Fuckin’ hell does this boy have a magic tongue or something?”

“Yeees.” Viktor’s reply came out in a whine of desperation and Chris couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh honey, you are such a goner. What are we going to do with you?” Chris attempted to take on a soothing tone, rather then the condescending way the words could have sounded.

“What you are going to do is help me find him.”

“We have nothing to go off, V we have a fake name and four pictures.” Chris realised what he said when it was already too late.

“You have pictures of us?”

“… Yes, I took four while you were on the floor last night.” Chris pulled out his phone and handed it to Viktor to go through as he went and order coffee to be delivered by room service.

“Chris… I need your help with something.” Viktor had spent the entire time they waited for the coffee and scones to arrive, plus a good five minutes and four sips of coffee after they had arrived, to finally look back at Chris.

“You know I’ll do whatever I can to help you, V but like I don’t know if we ca-”

“No, I have an idea, will you help me with the music for a new song? I need to sing it tonight.”

[captainexplody]

Good Guys

Joe Patriotic sleeps soundly in his bed, which is convenient as that is exactly what a bed is supposed to be used for. For sound sleeping. Not regular sleeping, not for napping. Go to the couch for a nap, you bum! Joe Patriotic didn’t fight in two real wars and three imaginary wars he made up in his head just for you to take a nap on your bed! You have a nap on your couch like everyone else, y’hear? Yessir, Joe Patriotic is a real man, a mans man, a man who has fought in wars (real and imaginary), a man who loves his country, a man who bleeds flags. Not literally, obviously. That would be a serious medical condition that would need immediate attention if his blood was actually flags. How would that even work anyway? Madness. 

Joe Patriotic sleeps the night away, as is appropriate to do at night. Night is for sleeping, daytime is for keeping America safe. Joe Patriotic has devoted his post-war time to keeping America safe. America is a dangerous place! There’s so many bad guys running around with guns, with no immediate way to solve that problem. None that Joe can see anyway. Bad guys will always get their hands on guns, thats an inevitability, a fact of life. You can’t change this fact, you can only do your best to fight against it. That’s why good ol’ Joe Patriotic does his best to counter the bad guys with guns scenario. See, he’s a GOOD guy and he has a gun, so it’s ok. Those damn bad guys have never met a guy like Joe Patriotic, that’s for damn sure, and we all know what bad guys with guns fear more than anything: Jesus. The second thing bad guys with guns fear is, good guys with guns. That’s a fact, jack. Joe Patriotic has done the research, he’s looked it up. It’s all true.

Suddenly Joe Patriotic is awakened (awoke?) by a clattering noise downstairs in his own house. He bolts upright, like a corpse on a spring (I’m not good at metaphors. Or anything, I guess). He looks around his bedroom, trying to figure out the source of the noise. He can see nothing, mainly because it’s night time and all the lights are switched off. He blinks his eyes like a blinky blink boy, but he can’t see anything, and the noise seems to have stopped. He wonders what it could be. A ghostly spirit, being mischievous and playing tricks? No of course not, ghosts don’t exist. A house intruder? No of course not, nobody would try to rob Joe Patriotic’s house, he’s too patriotic. He’d shoot anybody who walked into his house. This is why nobody but him has walked into his house for the last seven years. He really misses his wife sometimes. 

Joe Patriotic blinks again, and then he falls back asleep. Whatever the noise was, he’ll handle it in the morning. It’s probably caterpillars, or something. Joe Patriotic doesn’t know for sure what the noise was, all he knows for sure is that he’s tired. He’s had a long day, he has. He was running around outside his house, waving an American flag and talking about how great democracy is. He was shouting about how all immigrants should go back to their own country, because they’d probably like it better there than here. Yeah America may be the land of the free, home of the brave, but that doesn’t mean brave people can come here expecting to be free! No sir. So obviously, Joe is all tuckered out for the moment.

He sleeps for who knows how long, before he is once again woken (awaked?) by a clattering sound, this time much louder, much closer. Joe Patriotic sits up in bed and looks around him again, but still he cannot see a thing. Curse the darkness! It’s too dark, too suspicious. Joe Patriotic doesn’t like the darkness, no sir. He switches his bedside lamp on, and is greeted by the sight of a burglar man, balaclava over his face, gloves over his hands, other clothes over the other parts of his body, frozen in place as he reaches for something or other. It doesn’t matter what he’s reaching for, most of the stuff in Joe Patriotic’s bedroom is junk anyway. Joe Patriotic rubs his eyes in an almost cartoony, exaggerated manner.

Joe Patriotic: Hey what the hell? Are you trying to rob me?

The intruder turns to look at Joe Patriotic, pointing a gun at him. I should have mentioned earlier, the intruder guy is carrying a gun. I’m pretty sure I mentioned it earlier.

Burglar Man: Yep. Looks like I’m doing a pretty good job of it too. Or I would be if all your stuff didn’t suck.

Joe Patriotic: Hey I have great stuff! I bought my TV three years ago and it still works.

Burglar Man: Ha, that piece of crap? It’s not worth stealing. Where’s the cash at, old man?

The burglar waves the gun menacingly at Joe Patriotic, who no sells the gun completely and folds his arms across his chest in a huff.

Joe Patriotic: Hey now, that’s an American-made television! Greatest television in the world!

Burglar Man: C’mon man, you can’t actually believe that. 

Joe Patriotic: Of course I believe it! America first, America best.

Burglar Man: ..?

Joe Patriotic: Wait a minute here...

Joe Patriotic takes a good look at his assailant, he really starts to take in the situation. He really takes a good look at the gun pointed in his face. A huge smile creeps onto his face, covering his entire face in one hideous smile. Soon the smile fades down to a normal level, but still pretty big.

Joe Patriotic: Oh my god, it’s finally happening! Ok hang on, stop shooting for a second.

Joe Patriotic jumps out of bed enthusiastically and runs over to a nearby gun cabinet, frantically searching the pockets of his pyjamas for the key to the cabinet. 

Burglar Man: What? What are you doing?

Joe Patriotic: Wait a second til I grab my gun, so I can use it against you and protect myself.

Burglar Man: ... Are you an idiot? Stop trying to get your own gun.

Joe Patriotic: Nuh uh! I have a HUGE assortment of guns inside this cabinet! I mean, I’ve been DYING to use these bad boys on somebody! Man, this is is so exciting! I’ve always said, man, I’ve always said that the way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun. And I’M a good guy! All’s I have to do is get my guns... Stupid cabinet... Sorry man, can you hold on for a bit longer? I seem to have misplaced the key for this cabinet...

The intruder stands where he is, gun still pointed at Joe Patriotic. Joe bends down and starts to poke around in the pockets of his jeans, trying to look for the key.

Burglar Man: Oh yeah man, I’ll totally stand around and wait for you to open that gun cabinet, so you can open it and select a gun and then shoot me.

Joe Patriotic: Thanks! I really appreciate it. Boy I didn’t think a burglar situation would be this easy, y’know? I thought there’d be a big struggle, a bit of stalling for time while I desperately try to find the key, but this is going really easy. Except for finding this damn key! Where the hell is it?!

Joe Patriotic thumps his fist angrily against the side of the cabinet; it buckles slightly before the door of the cabinet slowly swings open, revealing a real treasure-trove of guns hiding inside. 

Joe Patriotic: Oh I guess I left it unlocked. Cool!

Burglar Man: Wow there’s a lot of cool guns in there brother.

Joe Patriotic: Tell me about it. Heck of a collection, let me tell you. Some of these guns aren’t even legal for civilians to own, but I managed to get my hands on some of these through my military contacts, know what I mean? Anyway hold on for just a second, let me figure out what gun I’ll use to shoot you with.

Burglar Man: Yeah no worries man, take your time.

Joe Patriotic turns to his gun cabinet, looking through it with his thumb and forefinger scratching his chin, contemplating which would be the best gun to use to kill this bad guy. As he turns his back on the burglar man, the invader lifts his gun and shoots Joe Patriotic point blank in the back of the head.

Burglar Man: You dumb motherfucker. 

The intruder steps over the definitely dead body of Joe Patriotic and admires the guns inside the now open cabinet.

Burglar Man: Seriously though, nice set of boom sticks. I tell you what man, America sure knows how to make guns.

The intruder holders his own gun and starts to grab as many of these new guns as he can carry. Honestly this is the score he was looking for, these guns will make him an awful lot of money. Remember kids, a good guy with a gun will always overcome a bad guy with a gun, unless the bad guy with a gun shoots first. And when both men are pointing guns at each other, who is to say who the good guy is? Think about that.

[saad-sack]

Be Careful – Ben Hutton

A/N: Hello hockey fans! or anyone reading this imagine!! Sorry this took so long to post, I wanted to post it yesterday but I thought I could do better and tried to rewrite the entire thing. I’m not very confident in this one but I’m not completely disgusted by it so I’m sharing it with you guys! Thank you too whoever sent this in (Hutts is low key the love of my life). I really hope you guys like this one, and I am working on more of the request that were sent in so if yours wasn’t posted yet, it’s being written now. Request, asks, and messages are open… Lemme know what you think!. Until the next time I post ✌️️ 

Anon Request: Can you write an Ben Hutton imagine where you're close friends and you're low key in love with him but you haven't told him yet so when he gets injured in a game you run to the locker room and you two get in an argument about how he should've of been more careful and then you yell and say how you love him. 

 Warnings: Swearing 

 •~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

There were a lot of things you never expected to do in life, not in an ‘I’m a failure’ kind of way, more of a ‘That’s not exactly me’ kind of way. You never thought you’d move to Vancouver, or find a hockey-loving best friend who lets you sleep on his couch when you get stood up. But you stepped out of your comfort zone and did. You settled in the beautiful city of Vancouver where you met your best friend of almost 6 years, Ben Hutton.

Growing up, you always had a soft spot for the Canucks and when Ben found out about this he got you tickets to every home game. He also started a new pre-game ritual which included picking you up before games, and karaoke in the car. He claims it’s lucky and who were you to argue with a superstitious hockey player.

Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks were taking on the Boston Bruins, the team you hated the most. And just like before every game, Ben picked you up on his way over to the Roger. You sat in the passenger seat looking out the window at the familiar sights of Vancouver while getting lost in your thoughts.

Recently, the only thing that’s been on your mind was Ben. All of a sudden, every little thing he does makes your heart skip a beat, and you don’t know why. You confided in your friend (Y/F/N), your sister, and a close co-worker who all said the same thing: You were in love with Ben.

You denied that; Ben was your best friend… and it was totally cliche to fall in love with your best friend. But the more you pondered the thought of loving Ben, the more you saw that it might be true. You couldn’t deny the fact that your heart sped up a little when you saw him, or that yur stomach filled with butterflies when he complimented you, or-

“…Earth to (Y/N)! Do you copy?” Ben said as he waved his hand in front of your face, snapping his fingers a few times to get your attention. You quickly turned your head to look over at Ben who was turning to look at you, and not the road.

“Put your other hand on the wheel, and pay attention to the road, you lunatic,” you teased. Ben chuckled and did as you said, putting both hands on the wheel and focusing back on the road.

“You ok?” Benn asked.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” you asked.

“I don’t know, you just weren’t singing with me,” Ben said.

“Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about the things I have to do when I go back to work tomorrow,” you lied.

“Don’t worry about that now, focus on me mucking things up on the ice,” Ben said as he pulled in the parking lot of the Rogers Arena.

“Ben, you are not a player that 'mucks’ things up. You’re the fluffy ball that giggles on the bench,” you said.

“I am not,” Ben pouted like a child.

“Whatever you say, fluffy,” you said. Ben pulled up next to the front doors where he usually drpped you off before games.

“Get out,” he said with a laugh. Damn that boy for having the cutest laugh ever!

“Alright, I’m leaving,” you said. You opened the door to the truck and gathered your things from the floor and cup holders. Ben grabbed onto your arm and stopped you.

“I’ll meet you in the hallway after the game?” Ben asked. His cheeks were growing red as he smiled at you.

“I’ll be there,” you said. Ben let go of you and you slipped your backpack on and slid out of the truck. Before closing the door, you looked up at Ben. “Hey, fluffy. Don’t muck things ok? The Bruins play rough and I don’t need you getting hurt. Do us both a favor, and be careful out there.”

“Will do, (Y/N)!” Ben said, flashing you one of his famous smiles.

“See you later, Hutts.” You closed the truck door and made your way into the arena along with the other Canuck fans.

The Bruins were your least favorite team and for a good reason. You always thought they played dirty and your point was proven during tonight’s game.

The crowd went silent as Hutts remained down on the ice after the whistle was blown. As soon as you saw Zdeno Chara take Hutts into the boards you were on your feet. You knew it was bound to happen, Hutts had been trying to run Chara all night, you just didn’t expect it to end this brutal.

The trainer ran out onto the ice as soon as he was allowed to. One of the Sedin twins was escorting him across the ice so he didn’t slip. Minutes later, the crowd erupted into a loud cheer as Hutts got to his feet. A sigh of relief escaped your lips.

Thankfully Hutts was able to skate off with the help of his teammates. He kept his head down as his teammates skated him to the door, then he staggered back to the locker room with the trainer trailing close behind him. You grabbed your bag from the ground and took off for the locker room with 17 minutes remaining in the second period.

You hurriedly pushed through hoards of people while digging in your bag for the pass Ben had given you at the start of the season. Before the security guard at the doors could stop you and ask for your 'locker room access pass’, you slammed it against his chest and walked past him, pushing the doors open.

From there, you sprinted to the locker room and went inside without stopping to think about anyone else being inside. Luckily, it was only Hutts that was in the room. He was sitting in his stall with his head in his hands. His pads were on the floor in front of him, and the room was silent, but that was about to change.

“What the hell was that?” you asked. Ben jumped slightly and looked up at you, quickly getting to his feet. You stopped a couple of feet away from him, folding your arms over your chest.

“I got hit from behind but it’s no big deal. The doctor took a look at me already and he said I’ll be fine to go back and play the third period,” Ben said.

“That’s great and all, but what were you thinking?!” you raised your voice at Ben. In the 6 years that you and Ben have been friends, you guys have only been in two serious arguments.

“What do you mean? I was just doing what I always do out on the ice,” Ben said. He was the more leveled headed person in the friendship, it took more to get him to raise his voice.

“What you did was dumb and reckless and-”

“Oh, yeah (Y/N). I just decided to throw myself into the boards!” Ben said sarcastically.

“That’s not what I’m fucking saying!”

“Then what are you saying?!” Ben asked.

“Who in their right mind would go after the biggest guy on the ice! That was the stupidest thing you have ever done by far. Chara could have seriously hurt you!” You shouted. Most of your anger had vanished, and now turned to worry.

“I’m just doing my job,” Ben said. “And why do you even care?!”

“Because, Ben! I love you! I’ve loved you for almost four years now!” you blurted out. Ben’s face softened immediately. “I hate seeing you get hurt because there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Why haven’t you said anything before?” Ben asked.

“Falling in love with your best friend is the most cliché thing ever and only ever works out in movies. And I didn’t wanna make things awkward between us, I didn’t wanna throw away the 6 years of friendship we’ve had,” you said. Ben laughed while shaking his head at you.

“(Y/N), we’ve done a lot of weird shit together… Nothing will ever make things between us awkward,” Ben said. He stepped over his equipment and took his hands in yours. “And did you ever think that I just might love you too?”

“No… I was to worried about being shot down and losing you as a best friend,” you said.

Instead of verbally responding, Ben gently placed his lips on yours in a passionate kiss.

“You will never lose me, (Y/N),” Ben mumbled against your lips.