#i like how daniel hesitates on the apology because a part of him (probably) believes johnny deserves that

[gaffney]

THE KARATE KID (1984) / COBRA KAI (2018-2025)

[onboardsorasora]

Um, I love your Disney Princess AU, can you please write more?

Hii HitGirl!! Sorry I took so long. Thank you for this ask, I'm so truly happy you enjoy it so much! Please don't be hesitant to prompt me for this verse, I'm all too excited to write it- and I truly appreciate that people love it as well <3

I took a bit of extra time because I wanted to get all of Alex's cats right! so I went searching lol Also this is unedited so hopefully it doesn't suck

Part 1 | Part 4

Part 5

Getting to Alex's wasn't as difficult as Max worried it would have been. Considering all that has happened so far, Max thought Daniel would have had issues getting into a car. but it turns out the main problem ended up being getting Daniel out of the car. 

He loved to drive and he loved to race. Max had to promise to let Daniel drive at some point in the future. 

Pinky swears because those were unbreakable. Daniel's face had taken on a seriousness that Max found out of place. He agreed easily because he hadn't been lying and it was such an easy thing that made Daniel happy.

Lando had tried to prepare Alex, he really did. But there was nothing that could get you ready for seeing literal magic in real life– if you'd never experienced it before. Alex knew about magic, it was a cultural thing, but he'd never encountered it in exactly the way Lando tried to explain.

Daniel was in heaven. That's what Alex's house was! Alex was fun, he was tall and his smile was bright but then the noise had overwhelmed Daniel for a little. So many curious voices! And he was so excited to meet everyone.

Very soon he was in the middle of a kitty pile; there was Horsey but he also answers to Stan, Duckie, MooMoo, Sasha, Frooky, Goosey, Lookie, Gucci— there was no way Daniel was going to remember everyone. He apologized so many time already and Tino said it was fine. They were all just happy to talk to someone new and Daniel was so so happy to meet everyone.

He was overwhelmed in the best way and his grin told everyone just how ecstatic he was. Max could only stare at Daniel, while Lando and Charles tried to fill Alex in on what they knew. There wasn’t that much information other than what was happening in front of them.

Alex’s girlfriend Lily came home with boxes of pizza and Daniel swayed happily in his purring pile. She placed the boxes in the kitchen counter and bounded happily over to Daniel. Alex had been texting her updates and she wanted so much to meet Daniel.

“Hi! I’m Lily, its so nice to meet you!”

Daniel beamed at her, entranced by the glitter that sparkled over her eyes. It shimmered green in one direction and purple in another. Lily was beautiful and Daniel sang as much, he reached out for her face and the rose on the back of his hand bloomed more petals than it had before. 

The pile of cats vibrated with purrs that would probably register as a seismic event if Jimmy and Sassy were there as well. Tino and Otto started their own awhoos and then it was chaos because Alex joined in, awhooing with the dogs. Lando followed suit because he loved all forms of chaos. 

Max and Charles were left watching the madness from the kitchen, because even Lily fell to Daniel’s charms– giggling and blushing at the magic around her.

It took a little while for everything to die down, and reach a baseline level once more. Pizza was shared and Daniel positively vibrated out of his skin. He hummed the entire time that he wasn’t chewing or swallowing– though he did try hard.

“Lily���” Daniel asked when the boys started playing FIFA, it was interesting but he was way more interested in the glitter Lily wore. MooMoo said it was eyeshadow and Daniel believed them because they would know best. Cats never lie. Michelle never wore make up like this, she stuck to neutrals, this would look amazing on her.

“Yes?” She smiled sweetly at him, looking up from petting Horsey.

“How did you get the glitter– on your eyes? It's really pretty.” He asked shyly, biting the side of his finger.

“Oh! I can show you– come!” The cats shuffled away, letting them get up from the couch unhindered. Lily lead him out of the living room– Max’s eyes following them– to one of the bedrooms, but there was no bed. It had all sorts of sports tools and there was a desk with lights and a large mirror. Lily turned on the lights and started digging through a drawer. With an aha! She showed him three small pots of sparkly powder.

Grasping his left hand, she opened one of the pots and dipped her index finger in, before smearing a bright red shimmery pigment over his rose. Daniel’s eyes widened in surprise and his mouth opened in an O as he shifted his wrist to see how the colour shimmered in the light. The rose bloomed even prettier with the added colour.

“May I?” He asked reverently and she nodded, handing him a pot of bright sapphire blue. She uncapped it for him and he tentatively dipped a finger in, admiring how the whorls of his fingerprint were now shimmery. “So pretty,” he whispered before smearing the colour in the fluttering wings of his cherub. The tattoo smiled at him before shooting an arrow in glee.

“That’s beautiful!” Lily gasped, entranced by the site. Daniel smeared the rest of the pigment on the belly of the cherub who giggled, which made him giggle.

“I can’t wait to show Max!” Daniel smiled in wonder, his big brown eyes watching the play of shimmer as he moved his wrist and forearm. Lily smiled sweetly at him, “you should show him now.”

“But he’s playing–”

“He won’t mind.” She grinned conspiratorially and he grinned in return, nodding once before skipping out of the room, humming a happy tune.

“Max! Max– look! I sparkle!” He sang proudly, kneeling by the bewildered man who sat crosslegged on the floor and pushed his arm in his face. Lando and Charles snickered behind them.

Max looked at Daniel’s fluttering and shimmering tattoos before looking up at his beaming face, “yes, very beautiful Daniel.” He responded softly, his tummy swooped– as if he just took the checkered flag– when Daniel blushed.

Part 6

[yenforfairytales]

Terry Silver + Unknown Caller Theory

Strap in my fellow feral Silverusso, we going for a long ride!

I mean... why in the world would a billionaire presumably keep the same number he had from the 80's AND answer an Unknown number...

BECAUSE HE WAS HOPING IT WAS DANIEL

Look at his reaction to the phone call:

There's a slight hesitation before he answers

He grabs it as if ripping off a bandaid (strike first!)

He answers a little hopefully but cautiously. I'm going to assume not many people have his personal cell

By the time Kreese starts to say 'Long', Terry is already pulling the phone away from his ear

After Terry hangs up, his arm drops heavily and his shoulders slump in disappointment

He goes right back to his music without skipping a beat. Which the actor has said is a way Terry distracts himself from feeling

Obviously we know that he wasn't happy to hear from John Kreese. And because we know that they spoke over the phone in KK3 - more specifically that Terry did indeed have a cell phone in 1985 - it's not unreasonable to assume that Kreese remembered Terry's number. But that only works if Terry never changed his number. Which is possible.

Knowing Terry his number is probably a pun of his name or something lol

Anyway, what I'm getting at is-- If Terry did not want to hear from Kreese, then why didn't he change his number?

I think it's fair to say that a billionaire wouldn't give out his number to just anyone. And the only other person from his past that we've seen is Daniel LaRusso. They had to set up times to meet up sometimes, right?

Ok maybe I'm reaching a bit

But c'mon! Over the course of almost forty years, it would be nothing to change your phone number. Easy peasy.

And it appears that Daniel was not far from his thoughts. Nothing forgotten. Terry was very aware of Daniel's car commercials to the point that he knew their catchphrase. Terry IMMEDIATELY refers to Daniel as 'Danny boy'. Like it was yesterday.

There was no: "What was that nickname I used to call him...?" And it's been said but, he was happy to see Daniel as opposed to angry at seeing Kreese.

So it's not crazy to believe that he kept that line of communication open. Boy, what I would give to see some of Terry's therapy sessions.

Now on the other side of that, it's perfectly reasonable to think that Daniel changed his number many times lol. He kind of lived like a nomad, not much money, probably was afraid of Terry contacting him. Daniel tells Johnny that he never heard from Terry again. You could take that to mean that he half-expected it. Heard from him how, Daniel?

But Yen, you may ask, why didn't Terry ever call Daniel if he did indeed keep that line open on purpose?

Well, take Mike Barnes for example. He tells Daniel that there were many times he wanted to reach out to Daniel to apologize, but was afraid of "triggering" something painful in Daniel. And since Terry went to therapy, he was probably told something similar. Terry did say that he understood Daniel's initial angry reaction, but still tried to appeal and apologize.

Maybe a part of Terry always hoped that-- when Daniel was ready, then they could talk. So he kept his number, the last number he knew Daniel had, just in case.

Then there's the UNKNOWN part of all this. You can't convince me that Terry Silver, of all people, wouldn't know every single last person who had access to his personal phone number. Meticulous and two steps ahead of everyone, Terry Silver.

And so

Why on Earth would he answer an Unknown caller? Why not let it go to voicemail? Why not hang up and consider it a telemarketer or something?

Because he knows who has his number. And out of two long lost friends there was only one that he was hoping to hear from.

Is my thinking anyway.

NOT TO MENTION. NOT TO MENTION THAT TERRY WAS WEARING RED DURING THAT SCENE.

Facing a very zen garden I may add

When we see Terry with Kreese, even in KK3, he wears more yellow, black, it's the Cobra Kai colors

DANIEL was the one who wore red all the time. It's in his name- LaRusso. But that's a post rant for another time. Because throughout the rest of Season 4, Terry never wears red again.

Anyhoo, I'm going to randomly talk about Terry's silk robes now lmao.

So... since it looks like Terry started his morning by playing the piano, seemingly right out of bed, threw on a robe etc, can we infer that he was shirtless under there?

I mean, we got to see him getting ready for bed here:

In nothing but a robe and sleep pants.

I must accept that he plays the piano shirtless like the sexy god he is 🚬

And studiously ignore how lonely he must be, going to bed alone and waking up alone, enough that he must play a difficult song on his piano first thing in the morning to distract himself from his thoughts and emotions, since he can no longer numb the pain and loneliness with drugs and violence. 🚬

Cheyenne doesn't count because she didn't seem to fill the void either. TiG said it was mostly the music and art collecting for Terry. No mention of beautiful women. Hmm.

This post got away from me. What was I talking about

What do you guys think? I love this show too much? Agreed!

[tripleaxeldiaz]

will it wash out in the water, or is it always in the blood?

read on ao3

He can’t sleep.

He hasn’t been able to do much of anything these past few days — eat, read, focus — so of course he can’t sleep. Every time he closes his eyes, he sees his parents, asking him what he expected them to do with two kids that made it all so hard, that didn’t listen, that weren’t enough. How they had to ask, and Buck had to tell them.

He wanted them — needed them — to love him anyway.

That’s it. 

But even that was too much, apparently.

So now it’s 2am and he’s wide awake. He could work out, but his body is still sore from boxing this morning, and the look on Eddie’s face when he stopped the bag and said I don’t recommend it twists something in him that he thought was long forgotten. Staring mindlessly at the TV sounds too depressing, would probably just push him right off the cliff he can feel himself dangling from. But he needs to do something, focus on anything other than the stinging, crushing feeling of too much not enough never enough coursing through him.

He needs to get out of this apartment, at least, so he throws on a sweatshirt and grabs his keys.

There are still cars on the road despite it being so late, but it’s quieter, easier to navigate, makes it a little easier for him to breathe, with the windows down and the radio off. The cool breeze grounds him, and he gets seconds, minutes even, of peace. Just the white noise of tires on the road and wind rushing through the Jeep. He can almost forget it all, pretend it’s last week before his parents came to town, before Maddie told him about Daniel, before his life completely tilted on its axis and threw him into freefall. But then it comes rushing back in as quick as it left, and Buck feels himself falling faster and faster.

He pulls into a parking lot eventually and just sits. His chest feels a little too tight, his hands a little too numb, and he tries to do the breathing exercises Dr. Copeland showed him, but all they do is make him more lightheaded. 

It’s a distraction, at least.

His phone vibrates softly in the cup holder. He ignores it until it buzzes again.

[from: Eddie] Why are you in a Target parking lot?

[from: Eddie] I’m pretty sure they don’t open until 8.

[to: Eddie] why are you creeping on me

[from: Eddie] Couldn’t sleep.

A pang of something gently hits Buck’s chest. Both of them awake, probably for different reasons, but it’s nice. Knowing he’s not alone.

[to: Eddie] me neither

He watches the three dots appear and disappear a couple of times, holding his breath. He’s not sure what he’s waiting for, what he wants Eddie to say, but he knows it’ll be what he needs. Eddie’s good at a lot of things, and telling Buck what he needs to hear, even if it’s hard, is near the top of that list.

[from: Eddie] Come home.

[from: Eddie] Please.

[from: Eddie] I have beer. And Oreos.

[to: Eddie] sold

Buck starts the engine again. Come home echoes in his head, fighting off the other voices until he’s unlocking Eddie’s front door. Eddie’s stretched out on the couch, reading something on his phone, and Buck doesn’t think before dropping himself onto him, head in his lap, arms around his waist. He buries his face in his stomach, and Eddie just cards his fingers though Buck’s hair. 

It’s the first time Buck’s felt any tension leave him in almost three days.

That brief relief seems to make his mind relax a little bit, too, because there’s no moment of hesitation before he asks:

“Am I hard to love?”

Eddie answers almost immediately, hand never stilling. “No. It’s a little too easy to love you.”

“My parents would disagree.”

Eddie sighs, and Buck props his chin up so he can look at him fully. His phone is facedown on the arm of the couch and he’s staring out the window, lost in something. When he looks back at Buck, his eyes are soft and sad and bright with a hint of anger, but Buck knows it’s not directed at him.

His hand never stops moving.

“I think,” Eddie says, “that your parents have a very specific idea of what love should be, and when you didn’t fit that mold, they gave up. They didn’t try to change perspectives to figure out what you needed. It all came down to you to somehow figure out what they needed.”

Buck swallows thickly. In all his turning over their words and trying to figure out what he did wrong, it didn’t really occur to him that he wasn’t in the wrong in the first place.

“Part of me still wants to apologize,” he whispers. “Like I always did when I was a kid. Say I’m sorry and hope that next time they’ll actually give a damn.”

“You’re an eternal optimist,” Eddie says, the faintest smile on his lips. “It’s one of those easy things to love about you. But there’s being optimistic and then there’s setting yourself up for disappointment and hurt. You have to see for yourself where that line is, but I’m pretty sure you crossed it a long time ago.”

Buck doesn’t say anything after that, just lays his head back on Eddie’s stomach and lets his words sink in. 

He always says what Buck needs to hear, even if it’s hard.

He feels his eyes close, heavy with exhaustion at this point. Eddie must notice too, because he maneuvers them on the couch until they’re both full horizontal, Buck’s head on his chest and Eddie’s arms around his shoulders.

Buck whines, but just a little bit. “You said there were Oreos.”

He feels Eddie laugh more than he hears it. “Maybe in the morning, if you don’t tell Chris.”

“Deal.” Buck smiles and sinks in a little deeper. He’s so wrapped up in Eddie and he doesn’t ever want to leave because he’s safe. He knows that. Never doubts it when he’s here, close enough to feel Eddie’s heart beating in time with his own.

“Thank you,” he says, slowly, half asleep.

“We’re family,” Eddie whispers into his hair. “I said I’d always have your back, and I meant it. No matter what.”

Coming from Eddie, it’s easy to believe. Doesn’t feel conditional or temporary or fake.

It just is. An undeniable truth.

The voices are finally quiet, and he finally falls asleep.

[rjhpandapaws]

I Will Always be with You

Ch 1: There are Some Answers that Not Even Fate May Know

Names/Translations:

Daniel: Daniel

Sixty: Balance, Silas

Tw: Death, Description of death that is a little graphic, and religion

Balance hated his purpose, there was really no other way to put it. Not even its importance could change that; ore rather, he hated it so much because of the weight of it. He did good things, often it seemed; but the bad things out weighed them in his opinion. He didn’t have the luxury of impulse like his brothers did, not in the same sense if at all. Given what he was meant to do, he could see every possible outcome the moment he or anyone else made a choice. The “dark age” Wisdom’s grief fueled library destruction had caused; the fact that he would have to lure Hennek to his death once Curiosity had saved his life; and, the Ntaniel would die the moment Balance had decided to get to know him. He was simultaneously the most powerful being of Fate, and utterly powerless when he needed it the most. While he was able to see and know every possible outcome of almost any given decision, and even influence them to some degree; he could not prevent the making of a choice, and he could not prevent death. Only bargain with her. As fluid as the course of humanity was, Balance couldn’t help but believe that all of it was little more than an act. There were an infinite number of paths yes, but every moment of them was predetermined to some degree.

The reason he hated his purpose the most though, was all of the unanswered questions. He got asked so many questions. Most of them he wasn’t allowed to answer, and others he simply didn’t have the answers to. The Beginning never answered the questions that he asked her, she always said that it wasn’t his place to be curious and to leave it alone. There had to be answers though, after the absolute tongue lashing Curiosity had given him after Sealgair had died; there had to be a reason for all of this. Why was The Beginning letting them remember their past lives and their deaths? If Ntaniel came back, would he remember Balance at all? What about his death? That had been a violent and traumatic event, so Balance sincerely hoped not. Was it all humans; or did all of them have some sort of memory of their past lives? Why didn’t The Beginning stop he and his brothers from going back? From having gone at all? What was the worth of being a power of the universe if you couldn’t save the life of the human you loved? If you weren’t allowed to? How many times were they going to fall in love only to fall victim to the fragility of humanity? 

He wouldn’t be getting answers to any of his questions, he knew that. He couldn’t answer Curiosity because he didn’t know why he had done that; he just felt like he had to, like he didn’t have a choice. As The Beginning had aptly put it; he was not meant to be curious. He knew when Ntaniel was coming back. It would be in the age of Catholics, Kings, and Cathedrals. He would be raised in a monastery and not come to love Balance, well, not any more than his faith. Balance was determined to be loved, and love Ntaniel. Challenge his Fate as it were. For all of the things he could see, Balance couldn’t see details; at least, not when it came to Ntaniel. While he knew the overview of his life, even down to how he would die; a fire this time; he was not permitted to know the choices Ntaniel would make. Probably because The Beginning was aware that he would try and save Ntaniel’s life; as one was known to do when in love. The knowledge of the way Ntaniel was going to die wasn’t enough to stop him from going down to him once Ntaniel was back. He planned to wait until Ntaniel was a teenager, he had no intention to keep his distance in the way that his brothers had. A poor decision looking back; his sight was always blocked when it came to decisions involving Ntaniel.

The sheer number of things he would change, undo even, if only he had known. The irony was not lost on him in all of this. Had he only known he would have stayed away, only observed Ntaniel in this life, despite the fact that he had promised to always be with him. Being with him seemed to be the start of everything going wrong. Balance didn’t know what life at a Catholic monastery would be like, but he hadn’t expected it to be so empty; for lack of a better word. Ntaniel was called Daniel in this life and he was usually Balance’s only company. Balance had no way of disguising his name, so he chose to call himself Silas. He and Daniel were close friends, more like brothers honestly. It wasn’t the sort of love that Balance had wanted, but it was the love that he was going to get so he wasn’t about to complain. He was, after all, with Daniel, and that had been all he had ever wanted when Daniel had been gone. Daniel was the best thing about the monastery. Balance wasn’t one for faith as it was, but this odd, complex thing that the humans had built for themselves was nothing more than a mess. The falseness of it not withstanding of course, but he still practiced. If only just to appease Daniel. 

Then came the war. It was not Wisdom’s doing this time. From Balance’s understanding it was an act of the Church. Which was why he was so confused when the monastery went up in flames. The one thing he did know was that he needed to get to Daniel. He was going to do everything in his power to save Daniel. Make a deal with Death if he must, they were somewhat close, though he wouldn’t go as far as to call them friends. He got to Daniel shortly before she did and he stopped her at the door. “Not like this, please.” He begged. Her hollow blue eyes stared back at him. He blonde hair was over her shoulder hanging out from the hood. “It will cost you something.” She said with the usual lack of emotion in her voice, “What are you willing to give me? Who’s life will it be this time?” Balance hesitated for a long moment. Right, sparing a life always cost something. “There is an army to the north of here. I will give you all of them, just please don’t take Daniel.” He watched Death think about it. Her tilted just so, and then she smiled. That fake overly pleasant thing that Balance hated. “He will get one year for every soul I get, but his death starts on this day and you will be punished when its over. The Beginning is not happy with this.” Then she was gone.

He got Daniel out of there, and despite the state of the monastery, the flames did not touch them. Daniel lived a great many years after that, longer than most humans of that time, and Balance tried to ignore what that meant. The thing was that Death came back every single one of those years on the anniversary of the fire, and Daniel could see her. Daniel didn’t ever come to tell him, but he didn’t need to. His reaction whenever she came around was enough. They moved around a lot. It was Daniel’s way of attempting to out run her. It was futile of course, no matter where they went she always found it, and no one ever outran Death. As frightening as it was, the hardest thing for Balance was seeing how much it shook Daniel’s faith. As false as it was, Daniel’s faith was important to him. He had built his life around it, facing something like this was not something he had been equipped to deal with. Balance helped as best he could. Daniel became somewhat of a legend for having so many close calls but such good luck. To humans it must have been strange. Daniel’s mind was leaving him, it was a means of coping with all of this. As promised, small parts of Daniel died as time passed. Gradually he became someone that Balance didn’t know.

By the later years Daniel was closed off and distant to the point where they didn’t do much more than exist separately in the same space. Balance hated every moment of it. This was not what he had wanted when he had begged for Daniel’s life. He had wanted Daniel to be able to have a life, that had been the whole point. He had been cheated, they both had, and it was his fault. Daniel’s last day would be one that Balance would always regret. He and Daniel had gotten into a particularly nasty fight and Balance had needed to clear his head. He was so used to being in a human form at this point that he stormed out instead of just changing forms. For the first time in a little over a century, he had left an opening for Death, and she had taken it. When he came back in the evening ready to apologize and make amends he found their small house to be fully ablaze. He could hear Daniel still inside; he was laughing and it was near hysterical from the sound. Balance ran for the house, but Death stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “I gave you your time.” She said with that same lack of emotion to her voice, but there was something almost like pity in her eyes, “He belongs to the flames now.”

Balance screamed, or cried, or both; honestly he couldn’t remember at this point. He watched as the house burned to nothing. He could have left and saved himself the hurt, but he didn’t want to leave Daniel alone. He had promised to be with him after all, and that meant to the very end. When he was pulled away it was not by his own volition. It was time to give The Beginning what she was owed. Changing Fate was always met with punishment, that was the whole reason for his existence. To punish those who dare challenge their Fate. He was left to wonder what would happen since this time he had been the challenger. It couldn’t be any worse than having to watch Daniel burn. There would be nothing worse than that.

[youralternantpersonality]

The Note

Paul x Reader: The Note

Anon request: Hey! so I just wanted to do a request. [Paul: He finds reader lost and cold in the forest.] and (if you can) [Embry: Reader was part of Victoria’s army and he imprints with her while they're fighting.] Thanks! I just love your stories.

Warning/Authors Note: Just know, the reader has curly hair but your hair color. Mentions having anxiety and indirectly saying depression. Also, I feel like it is necessary that I post in hopes that it takes other's minds off of everything that is going on. I know it doesn't do too much, but I hope it helps and does enough. 

Embry’s request can be found here

***

Stupid Janie, stupid Daniel, they can go fuck themsel-

“Fuck!” I said, falling. I scratched the palm of my hands to catch myself. I look back, and I can hear those cheating bastards calling for me.

“Y/n! Come back!” Janie said.

“Babe! Come on! Where are you!?” Danie called. Ha, yeah, right, like I’m about to go anywhere near you guys. I hurry up and continue walking towards my house. I cannot believe what I just witnessed. My “best friend” and my now ex-boyfriend were fucking! Are you fucking kidding me!

“Y/n! We can explain! Please come on, girlie!” Janie said. Really bitch! Why should I? How could you? I knew I should’ve listened to that note in my locker. A few weeks ago, I received a mysterious message in my locker saying,

Don’t trust Janie and Daniel.

They used to date and still see each other now behind your back.

Please end it with them both! Save yourself.

Whoever wrote it had horrible penmanship, but I should’ve listened. I saw the signs, the way they glanced at each other not long after Daniel and I started dating. Daniel always tried to include himself when Janie and I wanted a girls day and how he “conveniently” shows up. Fuck! I’m an idiot. And not only was I an idiot for not listening to the note, but I was also stupid because I was so caught up in my thoughts that I am currently lost.

I can hear Janie and Daniel from a distance where I should’ve turned to and try to follow their voices. Not long afterward, I find myself lost again! I stopped hearing their screams about 10 minutes ago, and I’m scared. There’s supposed to be a storm, and it’s already getting dark.

I look around to see if I notice any sign of familiarity, but I find nothing. I stop and close my eyes as the adrenaline rush I had earlier declined, and I lost it. I slide down a tree to the left of me and cry. I can’t believe I thought they both cared about me. When I first moved here last year, Janie quickly searched me out and befriended me. At the time, she always talked about an ex that she loved, but it never worked out. Had I known that ex was Daniel, this whole mess would’ve never happened. I now wonder how long this fiasco has been going on. Right after we got together. Must’ve been at the point where Janie said she was over him. The hoe! Now, here I am, lost in the forest, in need of bandages for my hands and knees. Suddenly, a light drizzle comes down. Encouraging me to get up and run out of the forest. Or at least attempt to.

As I’m rushing, I feel someone or something following me. I look around and see nothing due to it getting darker and darker. I try to go faster without tripping, but my clothes start getting heavier and heavier as the rain gets harder and harder. I tripped again, and as I was trying to get up, I hear a branch break next to me. I freeze and take small shallow breaths as I slowly lay down on the floor to blend in as much as possible with the ground.

“Y/n?” I plop open to see Paul. He was a grade older than me, but we shared history and gym together. I usually see him around Jared and Embry at school. What the hell is he doing here?

“Paul?!” I say, trying to get up. Without asking, he lifts me up with ease and carries me out of the woods.

“What the hell are you doing all the way out here? You could’ve gotten yourself killed! Don’t you know how dangerous the woods are? There was a band from coming in here for a reason.” He says in a low, angry voice. I roll my eyes and grab onto him tighter when he jumps down from a small step.

“I didn’t intentionally get lost in here. I…saw something, and I was trying to get away from it. I got lost along the way on accident.” I said in a low, quiet voice. He stops to look at me and signs.

“Okay. I’m taking you to a friend of mine house where you can get cleaned up. Then, you’re calling your parents and telling me what happened.” I nodded my head and laid my head on his shoulder. I didn’t realize how scared and tired I was until Paul stopped again and held me closer to him.

“Hey, it's okay. There’s no need to cry, my love. You’re okay now, I promise. Nothing or no one is going to hurt you again. I promise.” Paul says calmly in my ear. I didn’t realize that I was crying. With it raining and his body warm enough to dry my clothes, I’m shocked I didn’t acknowledge it. I just nodded my head, and I couldn’t stop myself.

“I caught them,” I said quietly.

“I know I saw it.” I look up at him.

“What?”

“I saw. I saw you run out of that bastard's place crying, and I saw them run after you with barely anything on. it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.” I hid my face even more and cried. This is fucking embarrassing. To not only have someone witness this shit but to witness it and then tell you they did was worse.

“I should have listened to the note. Someone put a note in my locker, telling me to leave them alone. I should’ve listened! Had I listened, I wouldn’t be lost in the woods crying and wouldn’t need anyone to save me.” I look at him. “You know, whoever put that note in my locker, I should say I’m sorry for not listening, and thank you for warning me. Hell, I might even bake them something!” I leaned more against Paul’s shoulder. He shrugs and says,

“No need for apologies, beautiful. You’re very much welcome, and I like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and banana nut muffins the most. Better yet, can I have both?” He asked, nonchalant. I turn to look at him.

“What did you just say?” Making sure I heard right.

“I said, you don’t need to apologize; I’m happy that I can help, and I like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and banana nut muffins.” He says, looking at me. I snap out of it when I hear the loud thunder, and Paul gets back to moving.

“YOU sent me that note? Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Would you have listened?”

“Yes.” He gives me a look that said, ‘we both know you’re lying.’ “Okay, I see your point. But why? Why did you warn me?” he didn’t say anything. He looked ahead and ignored me.

“We’re here. Emily and Sam know you’re here. And by the way, don’t stare at Emily. Sam hates that.” he said in a monotone voice. I looked towards where he was staring and saw a small house with windchimes and plants. We step inside, and I am immediately consumed with warmth and the smell of banana nut muffins. A woman, who I assume is Emily, rushes over with towels to lay on the floor and wrap me up.

“Oh, thank god you found her. Come on, Y/n, let's get you cleaned up.” I take off my muddy shoes and follow Emily into the bathroom.

“Sorry for the weird introduction, but I’m Emily. Here are some clothes to change into. Just put your clothes in this bag and come on out.” I nod and smile, and she closes the door. I look at myself in the mirror and shake my head. My eyes are puffy, and my mascara is running. I grab the washcloth and wash my makeup off and try to get it off her towel. I strip my clothes and place them in the bag. I take down my hair and scrunch it up gently with the towel to get the excess water out of it, then proceed to dry my body off. I put on the oversized sweater and sweats, and some socks that I can tell were new. I place everything in the bag and double-check myself. I look decent enough, and I head outside.

When I step out into the main area, Emily, Paul, and I assume Sam, were waiting for me. Emily comes towards me, grabs my hand, and leads me to the kitchen where she laid vegetable soup and a roll for me.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do this.” She looked at me and smile,

“It is no problem, Y/n. How are you feeling?” she asked; I smiled.

“I’m okay. Nothing I can get through.” She gives me a sad smile and nods her head. I feel a rush of heat next to me and look over to see Paul. He rests his arm around the back of my chair and plays with my hair.

“You have dirt in your hair.” Emily throws a bun at him.

“Really, Paul?” he shrugs his shoulders and smiles slightly, making Y/n smile back. Emily walks out of the room, shaking her head.

“Thank you for saving me out there. Probably would’ve still been stuck out there too.” I said, playing with my untouched soup. He shrugs again and continues playing with my hair.

“I’d do it every day if I have to. Just don’t make me, deal?” he says, looking at her with a grin. She nods her head and smiles. Then ask,

“You never answered my question.” He stops twirling my hair and looks at me, takes a deep breath, and shrugs his shoulders again,

“Eat.” I proceeded to do so, “I didn’t want to see someone as sweet as you get hurt by a bastard like Daniel. You don’t deserve to be with someone who would hurt you. You deserve a man who would take your feelings into consideration, love you unconditionally, and be by your side. Someone who will always look at you,  go to you, and never give anyone else the time of day. You deserve love and constant assurance that you guys are okay to lessen your anxiety. To brighten up your hard days. To make you happy, smile, and laugh all the time.” He hesitates and looks at me while I wait for him to finish. I give him a smile of encouragement, and he continues with less skepticism and more confidence. “I can promise that I would be there 99% of the time, but give 100% of me to you.”

“Really? Me?” I whisper with a smile. I think back on the first time I saw Paul. It was my first day last year, and I was lost. I looked for someone to help me find my way, and I tapped on the friendliest face I could see.

One year ago: The first day of Sophomore year

“Excuse me, do you know where room 1135 is at?” I say to one of the tall men of the group.

“Oh yeah! It's right around the corner on the left, three doors down, and it’s going to be on the left. You’re the new girl, right?” The guys say in which another responded.

“No shit Embry. Why else would she be asking for direction?”

“You never know. She could’ve been a regular student here and has amnesia.”

“I have to agree with Quil on that one,” Embry said.

“How are we related?”

“Ask Jacob, Jared. It was his great-great-whatever grandfather's seed.”

“And on that note, I’m going to leave. Thanks, Embry?” he nods, and as I turn to leave, I run into an even larger man.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry,” I say as he catches me. I look up, and I see who I now know is Paul. I look up at him, and he seems pissed, but before he could say anything, he looked at me and stopped before anything could come out of his mouth.

“Oh shit!” laughs, Jared.

“No fucking way.” –Quil

“You owe me $20.”—Embry.

“Fuck!” –Quil and Jared say together. I turn to look at them and step away from a shocked Paul.

“Um, thanks for the directions and catching me. Sorry for running into you. Bye, guys.” I said, walking around Paul to hurry and get to class.

Present-day: Emily’s house.

“Yes, you.” He smiles and continues, “how about this? I know it might feel too soon for you, but what if I take you out on a date. A real date. I know you just broke up with-”

“Yes,” I say without a problem. He looks at me, surprised.

“Yes?”

“Yes. Daniel and I were ending after that note. I started to put away the rose-colored glasses and see what was going on. I just needed proof of everything, and, well, I saw it.” I said. Thinking back on it but clearing it out my head to look at Paul. He had the cheekiest smile, his smile that shows his tiny dimples.

“Well, if that’s the case, I definitely deserve those treats.”

“Oh my god.” I laughed and tossed a piece of my bread at him, which he easily caught in his mouth. Now, this relationship is something I could count on being real and true

MasterList 

[sleepyowlwrites]

find the word tag CLXVI

I thought I was missing a letter in there. is this how far I’ve regressed? I’m also watching bridgerton compilations because I can’t bring myself to actually watch the show but regency gossip girl is too tantalizing to totally ignore, apparently. from timespace, because why not. @spacetimewraithwrites 

hope (anxiety story)

With a colossal effort, Aiden pushed all of his contrasting thoughts to the side and opened his mouth to say, "Okay."

There was a lot of weight behind that one word and even he wasn't sure he knew what all of it boiled down to. Was he giving in to hope? Was he just accepting her apology? Was he trusting in her offer of being there for him? Was he open to her being around? Aiden knew it could be any and all of those things and didn't feel like going through them at the moment.

As soon as he'd said that one word, Ree's face had lit up like she'd suddenly discovered a long-lost treasure. Her smile struck his heart in a way he couldn't describe, but he thought that it was a good one.

forward (anxiety story)

"Okay." His whisper brought a wave of relief over the two of them. He could see it in the tension leaving her shoulders. He could feel it in the way he ignored his sidewalk bruises to cling onto her fingers.

"Okay," she whispered back, leading him forward. Aiden didn't know he was doing or what she was doing or if she knew what she was doing, but the hesitant spark passed between them through their hands felt more right than wrong. Aiden couldn't think straight, so he didn't try to argue with it. He was scared. He was tired.

He was empty and Ree's hands were full. It didn't make sense and Aiden believed in it completely.

style (more anxiety story)

Theo’s head knocked into his gently before he stood and dashed off to the kitchen. It was only after Aiden stood up himself and was pulling on his first boot that it registered. Theo had given him a kiss.

A tiny, barely there kiss on the side of his head, but still. A kiss. But this was Theo. Theo probably kissed all his friends like that. It seemed to be his style. But a kiss. Aiden put his fingers to the spot. Huh. Somebody had kissed him, willingly. Like, like they had a great amount of affection and just wanted to show how much but be discreet about it. Huh.

level (youth story)

Daniel smiled gently up at Nyks. “I think that’s just how love usually is, darling. Learning to give what we can is part of growing and loving.”

“Can you come up here and hold me?”

“I can do that.” Daniel propped himself up on his elbows and shimmied along the bed. He stopped when he was level with Nyks and let him roll over into his arms. “This is something I can give you.”

“It’s a very good thing,” Nyks said. “And I can give you the same in return.”

wilt (ellipses of thoughts .01)

I emptied my intentions into the lake where I slept. if the morning is ugly I’ll dive back under. are there roses that bloom brighter if no one can see them? I think I heard them bleeding. the artist can wander but if the stories are gone, the lake will swallow me and I’ll drown, and the legend of the roses I will never live down. they died to see me living and I left them to wilt. my intentions were benign, but they don’t exist. I’ll sleep again knowing that I can’t hide my guilt.

child (prologue, 2020)

Has summer ended? It must have, for I am no longer a child I’m left spilling ink over all that I own I wish someone had told me I’ve grown But I look back on my penmanship I should’ve known

home (youth story)

“Do you guys want to come over for dinner? My mother isn’t home and I don’t want to be lonely.”

R let Nyks play with his fingers while he perched next to him on the arm of the chair. “You sure you want all of us coming over? Would you rather just steal Nyks so you can cuddle him to sleep tonight?”

Daniel nodded, not even trying to deny it. “Yeah, but Evie loves eating my food, and if Nyks comes over he’ll tell her about it, so before I hear any complaining about favoritism, I’m formally inviting you first.”

“I accept,” Nyks said happily.

down (youth story - fun fact: this dialogue exchange was had between my coworker and me. guess who was Nyks.)

"Oh." Nyks sits next to Mark with a soft thump. "You are very tired."

Mark blinks at him, slowly lifting an arm. Nyks quirks a little smile and scoots under the offered arm, resting his head against Mark's shoulder. "You can tell?" He hears Mark ask, his voice not indicating anything.

"I was being cute on purpose and you didn't laugh. You didn't even smile. So you must be tired."

Mark shifts, peering down at Nyks. "Sorry?"

heavy (smoke and sunglow, 2020)

Sometimes I’m heavy and sometimes I’m weightless There is no distinction to mark the exchange The sky remains just as grey and the cracks in the pavement remain

around (anxiety story)

Aiden opened the door of his dorm building at 4:13am to a very floppy Theo who promptly pulled him back up to his room and collapsed on his bed. Being still somewhat asleep, Aiden didn't bother thinking anything of it and just plopped down beside him and blinked sleepily, for a few moments, watching Theo's chest rise and fall. Then an arm reached out and hooked around his waist, making Aiden smile as he rolled toward his friend.

... “You're my teddy bear so be quiet and teddy-like."

Aiden was already falling asleep, so this sentence made perfect sense to him.

@zmlorenz @shellyscribbles @ink-fireplace-coffee @inkovert @woodlights OR ANYBODY: collapse, fall, faint, sleep, awake. bonus: nightmare, dream.

[emilyschoi]

Falling

From First to Last Series Included:  Eunha (Emily), Jupiter (Lucas), Serenity (Jane), Venus (Minah) Daehyung (Daniel)  Mentioned : Endymion (M), Sungjae 

⁺˚*･༓☾ kitchen ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Jupiter stood by Princess Serenity as the Elysian’s elite gathered around her, gawking like she was some sort of exhibition. Prince Endymion had held a ball in their, well Princess Serenity’s honour. The night had been tense, to say the least, half of the earthlings thought they had the right to ask whatever they wanted not showing any of them an ounce of respect while the other half were more forthcoming about the disdain for them. The other Senshi were spread out across the room, Mars was leaning against a scowl permanently scarring around most people away from him as he eyed the exit. Mercury was a bit more civil but Jupiter could tell she was forcing a smile while dealing with them. Venus was nearby but surrounded by Elysian men who were making passes at her, he half expected her to pull her sword out and slice them up. The prince’s royal guard were also around each of them watching over their Prince and Princess Serenity.

“Are you okay?” Jupiter asked as the latest hoard left Serenity to no doubt go gossip with their friends about the princess from The Moon Kingdom. Serenity turned to him a small smile on her face as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I am fine,” she assured him but Jupiter knew better, there was sadness in her eyes. “I am just-” she said eyeing Prince Endymion who was stuck talking to bureaucrats and court officials. “I know the Prince means well, I can see it in his eyes. He truly believes that we can have peace but -’ she frowned as more people walked past her hushed whispers escaping their lips. “I have to wonder if it is worth it for him?” she said.

“Of Course it is, these people are probably stuck in the old ways and don’t want to change it because they might lose their power,” Jupiter said. “Plus they are jealous that I have managed to nab the prettiest girl in the room,” he said nudging her lightly. Princess Serenity smiled a real smile at him.

Venus finally made her way over to the pair muttering about how she needs a drink. Princess Serenity giggled turning to Jupiter with her eyes wide. “Lu-Jupiter, sorry i keep forgetting i meant to use your codenames, but could you get Venus and I something to drink, oh and maybe one of those delicious cakes we had at lunch?” she asked. Jupiter looked to Venus waiting for her permission, Serenity was their Princess of course but Venus was their leader. Venus nodded, her hand casually grazing over her waist where her whip was wound around unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

Jupiter walked away not trusting any of the already filled glass of champagne, Venus was still wary of the royal staff and until she was sure they would take no liberties. He made his way out of the ballroom heading in what he had hoped was the right way to the kitchens. Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed he had a shadow following him.

Once he was far enough away from the party, in a dimly lit empty corridor he turned catching his new shadow and pinning it against the wall. His eyes widened as he recognized one of the royal guard, Eunha, the only female Knight. “What are you doing?” he asked softening his grip but not letting her escape.

“Getting my arm broken by you apparently,” she said through gritted teeth. “What are you doing sneaking around in the hallways?” she asked, pushing him off. Jupiter blinked, surprised that someone so small could push him away. “Well?” she asked her hand moving to reach for her sword.

“Stop,” Jupiter said holding his hands up. “Look i am trying to get the princess a bottle of champagne or actually she prefers wine, i don’t suppose you have any Plutonian red?” he asked.

“No sorry the ship hasn’t come in yet,” Eunha responded sarcastically. “And why do you need to get her a bottle there is more than enough in the ballroom,” she pointed out.

“Don’t take this the wrong way but your people have been a little hostile,” Jupiter said. He knew he shouldn’t explain anymore, Venus was still not sure about the royal guard, she believed that Sungjae was loyal to the Prince so, for now, they could trust him but the other three not so much.

“Oh so you want to make sure it’s safe,” Eunha said nodding, “Makes sense,” she said. Jupiter let out a relieved sigh at least she understood. “But can you explain why you are headed towards the Astronomy tower?” she asked raising an eyebrow

“I may be a little lost,” he admitted scratching the back of his neck. Eunha giggled and it might have been the sweetest thing he had ever heard. “Can you show me to the kitchen, the princess also wants cake,” he said.

“Well i can but first we are going to make a pit stop to the wine cellars, I know it’s not Plutonian red but we have a lovely Sauvignon from Komo,” she said. “I think Princess Serenity will like it,” she said with a grin. “Come on,” she said turning around and walking in the opposite direction that he had been headed. “Are you coming or should i let you just wander around on your own?” she asked tilting her head to the side as she looked back at him.

“Huh, no I,” he started to say before Eunha raced back grabbing his hands and pulling him along.

“Just come on,” Eunha said pulling him along. Jupiter smiled to himself that he would follow this girl anywhere, at least for the rest of the night.

☾

“Are you sure you can reach it?” Jupiter asked as Eunha climbed the least sturdy ladder he’d ever seen.

“Give me some credit,” Eunha laughed, “I got it,” she said, she turned to show him the bottle proudly. Jupiter gave her thumbs up, wishing she would just get down. As she moved to climb the room shook, the wine bottle fell to the ground with a crash as Eunha clutched onto the ladder for dear life. A second wave hit the room and the ladder lunged backwards, Eunha falling off with it. Without a moment hesitation Jupiter raced forward catching her in his arms.

“Uhm,” Eunha said, her cheeks heating up. “Guess Princess Serenity is going have to drink something else,” she muttered, tapping Jupiter’s arm to be put down. “What the hell was that?” she said as he placed her firmly on the ground. “We should have known if there was an earthquake,” she mumbled a frown on her face.

“I am glad you are okay, we are lucky we didn’t get hurt,” He said, a wine cellar full of glass bottles, they could have been covered in glass shards. Eunha turned to him a small smile on her face.

“Thank you for before,” she said. “That would have been a real pain in the -” she trailed off with the laugh. “Anyway should we just grab something and get out of here, i think they might need our help up there,” she said going to the door trying to open it but nothing happened. “Ah i hate to say it but do you think you could -” she said gesturing the door.

Jupiter nodded trying to open it himself but frowning it seemed the Earthquake seemed to have lodged into place. He tried to put his whole body into it but it still didn’t budge.

“Okay change of plans then,” Eunha frowned, walking over to a nearby barrel. “Come sit,” she said tapping the leftover space.

“Shouldn’t we send for help?” Jupiter said siting down. “I can try and get one of the guys to come down,” he said, pulling his communicator out, frowning as he looked over the screen, it was glitching, he couldn’t even get it to turn on.

‘I take it, it didn’t work,' Eunha said looking over his shoulder. “I guess there are worse places we could be stuck, at least we won’t dehydrate,” she joked. Jupiter continued to frown as hit the side of his communicator. “Hey, I’m sorry you are stuck down here, I should have just shown you to the kitchen like you asked,” she said softly.

“No you were just trying to help,” He said. “I am sure the will come to find us eventually, they are probably just helping everyone else get to safety,” he said. “So…. you look nice,” he said. “I mean you look good in a uniform, no that's still not right,” he said, shaking his head ignoring the giggles that were coming from beside him.

“Thank you, your suit looks very nice as well,” Eunha said, “It must be nice to be able to wear whatever you like,” she pouted. “But i guess since you are royalty you can -” she said, frowning. “Though the four heavenly kings title, though it would have to be changed to a queen - sorry i should stop talking,” she said closing her eyes.

“While i am sure you would have looked beautiful in a dress you look great in what you are wearing now,” He said. “Plus it’s pretty cool that you are the only female knight, your family must be proud,” he said, eyes widening as Eunha frowned. Did he say something wrong? “I’m sorry-” he started to apologize.

“No you did nothing wrong,” Eunha said softly. “It's just my family should be proud but apart from my cousin who is also part of the royal guard but they aren’t,” she frowned. “Infact, I am pretty much disowned until I give up on this foolish escapade and accept Lord Gideon’s proposal, be a proper lady of society, live the aristocratic life,” she said fiddling around with her bracelet.

“Well they are stupid,” Jupiter said, grabbing her hand and threading his fingers through hers. “On my planet, you’d be praised for your bravery and hard work,” he said. “And what are you talking about, you are a queen aren’t you,” he said causing Eunha to laugh. “A queen should not be slumming it with a lord,” he pointed out.

“Do you happen to know any single princes?” she joked.

“Just one, I think you’d like him, he wouldn’t care that you are a royal guard he’d think it’s pretty cool,” he said. “Plus he is very handsome,” he said.

“Oh really, well you will have to introduce me to him one day,” Eunha giggled.

“Hi I’m Lucas, Prince of Jupiter, “ He said squeezing her hand lightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said letting go of her hand to stand up and bow.

“Oh,” Eunha said purposely avoiding eye contact, her falling to frame her face trying to her pink cheeks. “Is Lucas really your name?” she asked not looking at him. “It doesn’t sound very Jupitery.’ she said as Jupiter snorted. Jupitery.

“It’s the Elysian version,” he shrugged. “You wouldn’t be able to pronounce my name,” he said.

“Well that somehow sounds you like are insulting me,” Eunha said as Jupiter spluttered ready to apologise to tell that he didn’t mean it like that. “But I’ll allow it since your very handsome”“ she laughed.

‘I have been told i look good in a suit,” Jupiter laughed.

They both stopped as the door opened, one of the royal staff, Eunmi, a friend of Eunha’s stood there a look of confusion gracing her features as she took in the scene in front of her. They weren’t in a compromising position by any standard but still, the look on Eunmi's face was one of disapproval.

“Eunmi,” Eunha called, “You are okay? Is everyone else okay? How bad was the Earthquake?” Eunha rushed over as her friend’s brows furrowed.

“What are you talking about? There was no Earthquake?” she said looking from Eunha to Jupiter barely hidden her very obvious distrust.

Eunha frowned, “Yes there was, I almost fell off a ladder, if it wasn’t Jupiter i would have broken my neck,” she said. Eunmi shrugged pushing past them and grabbing two bottles of champagne

“I think you should go back to guarding Prince Endymion,” she said as she walked past them. “Maybe he’ll know about this earthquake,” she said with an eye-roll. Eunha scowled at her friend, wondering what her problem was.

“Sorry about her,” Eunha apologized to Jupiter. “She just really hates most people actually,” she said frowning. “It’s not as good as the Komo but that Antares is pretty good, very sweet though,” Eunha said nodding to a bottle a lot closer to a reachable level.” Jupiter nodded, grabbing it. “Do you still want to go to the kitchen?” she asked.

“Hmm I am feeling a little peckish how about you?” he asked.

“I could eat,” Eunha said with a grin.

“Ladies first,” Jupiter said holding the door open for her.

“Age before beauty,” Eunha said with a giggle as Jupiter rolled his eyes walking out of the wine cellar. Eunha followed, looking down the hall to see Beryl, one of the workers sneaking out of a room. She frowned.

“Are you coming?” Jupiter called out with an eye roll Eunha followed after him thinking nothing more of Beryl or the weird not quiet Earthquake.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

“Daehyung you can’t let them to this me,” Eunha cried as she was thrown into to the cell, soldiers ordered by her so-called leader, locked her way with a harsh glare. “Dae please,” she whispered looking at her cousin desperately hoping some remnant of her cousin was left.

“Oh Eunha,” Daehyung spoke, his normally vibrant brown eyes were cold and maniac. “This is only temporary just till we defeat those bastards and get you free from his control,” he said, stepping forward and trying to reach out to her, she stepped back a cold glare of her own thrown his way.

“Right,” Eunha said. “I am the brainwashed one,” she said rolling her eyes. “You are so stupid Daehyung,” she said mockingly.

“I am going to forgive you for saying that because i know it’s not you,” Daehyung said eyes narrowing. “But i would suggest thinking very hard about what you say next, actions have consequences,” he warned.

“Threatening me now Dae?” Eunha laughed darkly. “So when exactly did my cousin die? Was when you decided to betray our prince or -” she trailed off. “Just go, i never thought i would have something in common with your father but just seeing your face right now is making me sick,” she spat. For the briefest second her Daehyung came through, her harsh words managed to get through if the hurt look on his face was anything to go by.

‘And your mum is right you should never become a member of the royal guard, you are too emotive, too easy, one guy gives you a little attention and you’re ready to betray your entire planet,” he spat and like the Beryl controlled Daehyung was back. “I’ll make sure to bring back lover boys corpse, maybe that will snap you out of this,” he said.

Eunha said nothing, turning away from him instead of looking at the wall. Was it to make a statement? Sure, but it was mostly to hide her tears. She waited until she heard his footsteps disappear to turn around. She couldn’t stay here, she had to get out of here and warn Endymion and Serenity.

She was about to enact her escape plan when she heard footsteps coming down to her. She frowned, who was left. Daehyung had surely gone.

  “You should have just agreed to marry me,” Gideon said, stepping out of the shadows. Eunha bit back an annoyed groan, seriously. She looked over at him dressed in the new Elysian uniform. “If you did you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“Gideon?” she said softly, “My head hurts,” she lied as he stepped forward. She felt bad for playing on his emotions, sure he was arrogant normally but deep down he was a good guy, well normally, now he had been corrupted Beryl who knows. “What is happening?” she groaned grabbing at her stomach. “Make it stop,” she whined. Gideon stepped forward putting his hands throw the bars only for Eunha to grab the back of his head and slam it against the bar, knocking him out.

The idiots, in a rush to get out of the way, didn’t check for weapons, well they thought they did but they didn’t look at her jewellery, an anklet from the Mercurian Royal Family, one Lucas had given to her on their last visit, just incase something happened to her. Well, this definitely counted as something happening to her. She stood as far away as from the bars as she could before breaking the chain off her anklet and throwing it at the bars blowing them straight out of the way. The blast wasn’t as large as she expected but it did the job and thankfully left Gideon and his uniform completely unscared.

“I am sorry Gideon,” she whispered as she stripped him of his uniform, smiling as she found his credentials. She threw his uniform in a rush racing out the garden where ships we being filled with Elysian soldiers. She couldn’t go with them she would be found out in instant but the transporter pods, those would be useful. She saw Parker one of Sungjae’s right-hand men about to take forward, she ran forward pushing him out of the way stepping on the pod and instantly being transported to the moon.

She looked around seeing wave after wave Elysian soldiers storming through the moon kingdom. To her left, she saw a Lunarian family quivering in fear staring at her wide-eyed and shaking. She shook her head removing the dagger Gideon had on his uniform and passing it to the mother who looked at her unsure. “Use it protect your family,” she said. The woman said nothing grabbing the dagger and looking at once more before nodding.

Eunha nodded racing forward pushing past Elysian soldiers as she got into the castle. It seemed the Elysian army had already managed to make it’s way into the castle because all she saw was ruins and bodies. She shook her head looking around for anyone she knew, ideally finding Prince Endymion would be the best option but she would take anyone right now. She saw sparks coming from further inside, Jupiter, she ran forward spotting him.

“Jupiter,” she called out running forward. “Look it’s not them, they are being controlled by Beryl,” she said as she got to him. She didn’t notice the look Jupiter and Mercury shared, “We have to find Endymion and Serenity, Beryl wants them -” she said, Jupiter grabbed her holding her still. “What are you doing? They are coming? They are going to-” she spoke as realization hit her like a punch to the gut. He didn’t believe her or he thought she was part of it.

“Lucas, you have to believe me, I am still me,” she said. Jupiter whispered that he was so sorry. She looked up at him, a frown on her face as she felt the dagger pierce her skin, her eyes widened as her hand went to her chest, she felt the warmth of her blood being spilled.. Stumbling forward Jupiter’s arm wrapped around her, she choked trying to speak but her mouth was full of blood. She tried to push away from him, desperately trying to breathe but her body had stopped working.

[dannifielding]

Danni Regeneration AU

I had an ask, a little bit ago, who agreed with me that Danni appearing and regenerating for the first time in front of Ten and Donna would have been great.

Here’s the start. Expect more

“I know,” Rassilon said and his voice just really pissed Danni off. Even so, she felt herself moving slightly towards Koschei, a little scared of where he was going. “But you won't. I will give you the regenerations, you will take me with you and I will save her life.”

That was strange, and Danni frowned, confused. “Save my life?”

Rassilon's hand shot out before either of them noticed, a bolt of energy shooting out of his gauntlet and it hit her straight in the stomach. She screamed as she flew backwards, hitting the marble dome that housed the Eye with a crunch and she fell to the ground. Pain spread from the impact zone like tree branches, burning her from the inside out and her hands flew to her stomach as she held it in reaction to the attack. Her vision was white, her ears were ringing and everything hurt so much.

“Danielle!” a voice shouted, panicked and scared and she tried to focus on it, but she couldn't. All she could feel was the pain that her body was screaming at and the rabid warmth she could feel in her hands.

Koschei was on the floor next to her, cupping her face even as the dome opened like eyelids, slowly and groaning with the effects of being closed for so long. Her hands clutched her abdomen like it was her lifeline, but the red liquid was already soaking through her clothes. She was dying, and rapidly as well. He shot up, arm at the ready as his rage caused him the flash blue.

“What have you done?!” he screamed and Rassilon smiled evilly, which was something since he was the Master, and therefore the villain of any piece.

“Take me with you, and I can save you both,” he offered, like he was doing them both a favour and wasn’t the cause of the problem in the first place. “Without me, she will die.”

Koschei shook, torn between killing the man and trying to save Danni. He crouched, taking her roughly by her arm and pulling her up. She could barely hold her own weight, the light flickering in her eyes and he only had one chance. He hugged her tightly.

“Listen to me,” he whispered in her ear as she leant on him. “Look into the Eye for only a moment, press the button then close your eyes. I'll hold him off.”

“I'm not leaving you,” she slurred, her knees giving way and he caught her. He was so happy that he still had such a tight hold on her that she was ready to die than leave his side. However, there was absolutely no way that he would let Rassilon win. He was the Master. He always won.

“I'm right behind you,” he promised her. “Do it.” He turned to Rassilon, looking like he'd decided to accept. Rassilon obviously believed him, until Koschei pushed Danni onto the dome. “Never,” he declared and Rassilon's face dropped.

“Then you'll both die,” he retorted and Koschei shook his head.

“Not quite,” he promised. “Now, Danni!”

And as Danni forced herself to do as he told, one hand pressed on her stomach and the other poised over the big green button on the control pad, he began to fire as much energy as he could at the President.

Danni opened her eyes, looking into what could only be described as eternal, soul-destroying abyss and she pressed the button, her hand immediately shot out to grab Koschei, but feeling nothing but emptiness.

~0~0~0~

The Doctor was living the best life he had lived in a while. There was just nothing better than seeing the universe with someone by his side that enjoyed it just as much as he did. And boy, did Donna Noble enjoy life in the TARDIS. They both were grinning at each other, happily tired from their day exploring a monastery about 3500 years into Donna’s future, and a couple if lightyears away.

“Where to next?” he asked her. “A bit of sun? Or some greenery? I know a lovely little place where…”

Donna held her hand up, specifically the one with the bottle of wine in it. “Actually, I have a date with the sofa and this gift I was given by a couple of monks as an apology for almost locking you up.”

The Doctor frowned. “Wait, what? When did that happen?”

“When I spent ten minutes convincing them that you weren’t there to steal all the things you wouldn’t stop touching.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but then became too curious for his own good. “How did you manage that?”

“Oh, by just telling them that if you even thought something illegal, I would know and had permission to kick your arse.”

“Hang on a minute!”

She smiled her sweetest smile. “It worked, didn’t it, Spaceman?”

“That is not the point…”

He was cut off by a loud crash from the other side of the console. A golden light illuminated the opposite wall like a spotlight and Donna’s brows furrowed as she stepped towards it. “What on Earth is that?”

The Doctor reached out and grabbed her arm before she got too close. She glanced up at him and all of the fond happiness that was there had fallen away to a grave look. “It’s the heart of the TARDIS,” he told her.

“You mean, the thing that Rose looked into?”

He didn’t nod, instead he took a step closer himself. “Don’t look into it,” he warned. He had no idea what would cause the TARDIS to open herself up like that, but he knew that it wasn’t good, and it certainly had to be important. Something dangerous was about to happen and he needed to work out what, and fast.

There was a flash of light from within the golden glow, almost like the flash of a camera, and then a scream. A bundle of clothes and red hair skidded across the floor and hit the railings with a painful cry. The hatch on the console slammed shut and even though the levels of light returned to normal, the room felt almost dark in comparison.

He didn’t step forward at first, a little wary of what could travel through the heart in such a fashion. Donna, on the other hand, had no such qualms. “Danni!” she shouted, rushing over to the figure.

His hearts skipped a beat, and his eyes widened a fraction as he caught up to what Donna could see. Danni, on the floor, curled up like a wounded animal. He rushed over as well, dropping the floor next to her. Donna looked up at him from her friend, pale and terrified.

“Doctor, she’s bleeding,” she exclaimed. “What’s happened to her?”

“I don’t know, I’ve been here as long as you have,” he snapped rudely. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. She was pale, a different pale to normal. She was curled up and clutching her stomach tightly. He needed a better look, so he took her hands in his, ready to move them away. Then he saw the blistering, scarred burn on her wrist. “Her manipulator,” he breathed.

“What? Did that thing do this?”

He met Donna’s eyes again. “No, it’s gone,” he replied. He turned back to her friend, the woman who had wormed her way into his hearts long before he was ready to admit it. “Danni, Danni, can you hear me?” he asked.

“Koschei?”

Her voice was weak, but the word was clear and he swallowed back the dread that the word brought up. Had she could from the Valiant? He remembered the state she was in at the time vividly, though, and she hadn’t been injured then.

“No, it’s me,” he replied and her eyes opened. He could tell she was struggling to focus on him and he tightened the grip on her hands. “Hey, Danni-Girl,” he offered gently.

“Spaceman?” she asked and he nodded.

“That’s me. And look, Donna’s here too.” He nodded to the other ginger, who smiled as warmly as she could.

“Welcome back,” Donna told her. “You’re going to be just fine. The Doctor can help.”

“I’m sorry,” she slurred back. “I’m so sorry…”

“Hey, there’s no time for that nonsense,” the Doctor pretended to scold. He lifted her hands out of the way. Her top was in tatters, and it was easy to see the damage underneath. It was a miracle she was even still alive? How was she still alive?

“I know, let’s get you to the medi-bay and get this sorted,” he said, keeping as calm as he could. “Donna, could you…”

He didn’t need to finish his sentence, because Donna was immediately helping him get her off the ground. She couldn’t hold herself up under her own weight and it was only the two keeping her from falling back down.

“Koschei?” she asked again, this time trying the find the other Time Lord. He could tell Donna was confused by the name, but he nodded anyway.

“He’s right behind you,” he promised, if only to keep her moving. “One foot in front of the other, and we’ll be there in a jiffy.”

They tried moving her, but she felt like dead weight between them. Donna was already tearing up, as if she knew what was happening, but he refused to let it end like this. He knew Danni had more to come. He knew they had more to come and he wasn’t about to let her die.

“Theta,” she moaned in pain. “It hurts.”

“I know, but it’ll be over soon,” he yet again promised her. “Just a few more steps.”

Danni could barely think. This must have been what it felt like when the Doctor was regenerating. It was as if she could feel each part of her body shut down. Her blood was no longer running and her limbs were turning cold and numb. Each breath felt slightly further apart, her heartbeat slowing down. She pushed away from them both out of reflex and stumbled away, into one of the railings again. It didn’t hurt as much as it probably should have.

“I think…” she muttered. “I think something’s wrong.”

“It is, but we can fix it,” the Doctor told her, stepping closer. She shook her head.

“No!” she exclaimed, suddenly very afraid of him coming towards her. She didn’t have long left. She needed to turn around. She found the strength, turning to face him. She knew Donna was there, but she couldn’t see her. She only had eyes for the Doctor. The Tenth Doctor, the one that she never had. She loved him so much.

“I think…” she started again. “I think you should stay back.”

“No…” he started, darting forward as she screamed. Her head flung backwards as she exploded. Every pore on her skin blew, every cell in her body burnt away. The Doctor could only stare, dumbstruck as golden light poured from her.

Then it stopped.

“Well,” she declared with a voice she didn’t recognised. “That’s new.” And her new eyes rolled back into her new skull as she dropped to the ground, unconscious.

[ghostsray]

(Danny interns for the GIW + Post-reveal + Dissection)

Danny was being followed. Contrary to what some may believe, he wasn't so dumb that he wouldn't notice the white van trailing after him as he walked down the block with Sam and Tucker. He had an idea of who may be driving it, too.

Danny was Phantom. That information became public only a few months ago. It happened during a particularily gruesome fight in which he couldn't keep enough energy to stay in ghost form after letting out a ghostly wail. And since it happened in the middle of a crowded park, everybody saw him transform.

His half-life had been hectic for days after the reveal, between explaining things to his parents and dealing with his newfound popularity in school. But as difficult as it was, soon enough everyone came to accept it. His parents, after apologizing profusely for trying to hunt him, were supportive of his heroic duties. Even his teachers were now understanding when he came in late or skipped his assignments. Everything became easier since the reveal.

Maybe too much easier.

He knew that sooner or later the repercussions would reach him. After all, he was a half-ghost. Any scientist would dream of figuring out his biology; he was lucky that his parents are an exception due to him being their son. That was why he wasn't surprised--was expecting it, actually--to see the GiW following him. (It had to be the GiW; no one else would own a van that suspicious and white.)

He felt a nudge to his side and turned his head to see Sam tilting her head toward the van. So his friends have noticed it, too. With a quick glance at the van, which was still following him, he pulled his friends in to whisper to them.

"Leave," he whispered. "I'll handle them."

Tucker frowned. "You sure?" he mouthed.

Danny nodded. When the other two didn't seem convinced, he rolled his eyes and added, "I'll be fine, I promise."

He was grateful that his friends didn't argue with him. After no more than a second of hesitation, they split off, waving to each other as they walked away. Now that Danny was alone, the white van gained confidence and followed him faster. He let it.

As he passed by a row of buildings, he veered in his path and entered a small alley. Hidden from sight, he let himself transform into his ghost form. Not that he needed to be hidden anymore, but old habits are hard to get rid of, he supposed.

Out on the street, he saw the van park in front of the alley. The door slid open, and a GiW agent stepped out, dressed in a white suit and black shades. An ecto-gun sat at his hips, and the man's hand hovered over it as he entered the alley where Danny was hiding.

He let the agent take a few steps into the alley before he sprang into view, ectoplasmic energy ready in his hands. He blasted at the man's hip, knocking the gun away before he could use it. The man didn't go after it. Instead, he stood staring, his pose stiff and ready, at the ghostly teen floating lazily before him.

"There you are," Danny spoke cheekily, positioning himself so that he looked like he was lying across the air, his head resting on his hands. "Guys in White, right? I was wondering when you'd go after me. Heck, I was starting to think you lost interest! I mean, what's a guy to think when someone ghosts him like that?"

The agent didn't comment on Danny's pun. Instead, he did something the teen didn't expect--raise his hands up in a show of peace. "I'm not here to fight," he said.

Danny rolled his eyes. "Right. And I'll just fly into the van peacefully like an obedient little ghost, so you can dissect me when we get to whatever facility you work at."

"We won't dissect you," the agent assured. "We're here to give you an offer."

Danny's interest was piqued. "An offer?" he asked curiously.

The agent nodded. Danny wasn't sure what he was expecting him to say, but he was definitely surprised when the man said, "We want to hire you."

Actually, he wasn't sure if he heard that right. "You want to what?" he asked.

The agent lowered his hands, and Danny tensed as he prepared for an attack, but it never came. He simply let his hands hang by his sides as he explained. "We are a ghost-capturing organization, and you are the world's leading ghost hunter. It is only logical that we seek your assistance."

He couldn't believe it. Danny wanted to laugh--and he did. He bent over in the air and laughed. "Hold on, let me get this right," he said in between wheezes, "you expect me to not only trust, but work for you? An organization that has tried to hunt and maim me several times?"

The white-clad man managed to keep his stance professional despite the laughing teen in front of him. "That was before we discovered you half-human status," he explained. "If we were to vivisect you now, public opinion would not be kind to experimenting on a living minor. Even if you are only half-alive." He said that last part with some contempt, as if it personally didn't matter to him how much human he was as long as he was part-ghost. It probably didn't.

"Public opinion? I don't think you had any in the first place," Danny responded. The agent didnt reply. As danny's laughter died down and his smile disappeared, he finally stopped and stared at the Guy in White.

He was serious.

The GiW really did want to hire Danny Phantom to their ranks.

"No," Danny said, his voice resolute. "Nope. Nada. Absolutely not." The agent looked like he wanted to speak, but Danny stopped him with a raise of his hand and continued, "You really expect me to forgive you after all those times you wanted to capture me? Yes, I'm part-human, but I'm still part-ghost. And I know for a fact that you guys aren't kind to ghosts. So, thank you for the offer, but no."

Danny turned to leave, still feeling incedulous at the agent's proposal. But before he could disappear, the man spoke up and said, "We'll pay you."

That made Danny pause. He turned back to the agent. "Seriously?"

The agent gave a small nod. Danny frowned. Logically, he knew that didn't change much. The GiW were still a bunch of ghost-torturing, evil maniacs. Surely a few wads of cash shouldn't change his mind.

But... he was in his senior year. He was just a year away from going to college, if he could afford it. The money from his parents' inventions was just enough to keep their family fed and clothed, and only sending jazz to college was a huge strain on their income.

The GiW agent knew that. He must have, because Danny could spot a small smirk making its way onto his otherwise neutral expression. Danny bit his lip and hesitated.

Oh, heck it. Why not?

"How much money are we talking?" he asked.

____

"Tell me you didn't accept."

"...It was a lot of money."

Sam gave him an incredulous look. "Seriously?"

"Look, not everyone can be rich like you," Danny snapped. Sam winced, and he immediately felt guilty about using her status against her. But he had to make her see. "They offered me a well-paying job that involved something I'm good at, so I took it."

A moment of silence passed between them, which was broken by Tucker speaking up. "Sam has a point. Can't you find any other job?"

"How many jobs do you know of that accept half-dead superheroes that probably attract ghosts?" Danny pointed out.

"...Touché."

"I still don't like this," Sam said, her arms crossed across her chest. "How do you know it's not a trap?"

"If it's a trap, I'll find my way out of it." At the unimpressed look both his friends gave, he rolled his eyes and added, "Fine, I'll wear a Fentonphone so I can call you for help if I need to. Happy?"

Sam and Tucker exchanged a look. After an unsaid conversation between them, they turned back to Danny and spoke in unison to say, "No."

"But," Tucker continued before he could feel disappointed, "we won't stop you, if you think it's good for you."

"And if things do go wrong, at least I'll say 'I told you so'," Sam added with a smirk.

Danny smiled, feeling grateful for his friends. "I'm probably going to regret this decision, aren't I?" he said.

"Probably," Sam agreed.

"Yep," Tucker said.

Danny nodded. "But it was a lot of money."

"How much?" Tucker asked. Danny told him.

"Holy shit that is a lot."

____

Danny felt awkward walking up to the headquarters of the facility that he would have avoided with his existence less than a year prior. The pristine white building loomed before him, inviting him in.

He wasn't sure whether the GiW were expecting him to appear in human form or ghost form, but when his parents found out he was getting a job, they insisted that he dress formally. So now Danny Fenton was walking through the building's entrance wearing a hand-down tie. He was greeted by a burly man, dressed in white (duh), who introduced himself as Agent C.

"Daniel Fenton-Phantom," Agent C greeted.

"Please, just pick one last name," Danny pleaded. "Saying it like that makes it sound like I'm married to myself."

"Mr. Fenton," the man amended, though it still sounded weird to Danny's ears. "We're glad that you accepted our offer." He sounded more emotionless than glad.

"Right. So, how is this gonna work?" Danny asked, fiddling with his tie. "Do I sign in here every day or...?"

"No need," Agent C replied. "Simply continue capturing ghosts as you always do, but bring them to us instead of releasing them into the Ghost Zone."

Danny narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the agent, but his eyes were impossible to see behind his glasses. He furrowed his brows. "What will you do with the ghosts?" he questioned.

"Research," the man said flippantly. "You don't need to know."

"And what if I want to know?"

"Classified."

Danny raised his chin and stared the man down. "Then I won't work for you," he announced. At Agent C's raised eyebrows, he continued, "I don't want to work here unless I know what it is you guys do."

He could see a slight frown appear on Agent C's face as he considered the statement. After a minute passed (Danny had counted), he finally said, "Very well. I suppose we could make an exception. Besides, a tour of a facility won't hurt." He turned and, motioning for Danny to follow, made his way deeper inside.

They made their way through the building, and as they did, they passed several cameras and wall-mounted ecto-guns that seemed to aim at Danny. As was expected, he didn't feel very comforted. Seeing how nervous he was, Agent C told him, "Don't worry. We calibrated the anti-ghost security to make an exception for you." Danny wasn't sure he believed him.

They passed training facilities where Danny saw rookies shoot at ghost-shaped targets (was that one shaped like him?). They passed workshops where ghost weaponry (clearly ripped off from his parents) were being built. They passed a cafeteria that served food as bland and colorless as the agents' suits.

Finally, they entered an elevator and went down.

The first thing Danny was greeted with when the elevator doors opened were countless shelves lining the walls, each holding what looked like knockoff Fenton thermoses. Almost every thermos had a light on to indicate that it was occupied. He frowned at them, and then his eyes widened as the realization seeped into his skull.

"This is where we keep the ghosts we've captured," Agent C explained, confirming Danny's suspicions.

"Really? And you never let them out?"

"Only for experiments," Agent C replied. "We can't risk letting the ghosts escape."

Danny stared at the rows upon rows of thermoses. He knew from experience how uncomfortable it is being held in one of them. He couldn't imagine what it would be like staying inside one all day, every day.

Agent C didn't wait for Danny as he continued down the hall. The halfa tore his eyes away from the thermoses and hesitantly followed. After passing what must have been a dozen shelves, Agent C stopped in front of a door.

"This is where we conduct our experiments."

He stood and waited. For Danny to take a look inside, he guessed. So, he gulped and peeked into the glass pane in the door.

For a second, he thought that he must have landed in a hospital, because it was an operation room. There were surgeons inside wearing white scrubs instead of white three-piece suits. And then he saw it. On the operation table was--

He had to swallow down the bile that rose in his throat.

On the operation table was a ghost, its body cut open to reveal its anatomy inside. Gooey organs and a shining core that seemed dimmer than it should have been. Knives and scalpels were digging into the ectoplasm, letting out green ooze that stained the surgeons' white gloves green.

All the while, the ghost was awake, its eyes wide and its mouth opened in a soundless scream.

The ghost's eyes met Danny's for half a second, and Danny had to look away.

(Had it not been for his identity reveal, that could have been Danny on that table.)

"Well?" Agent C prodded. "Are you still willing to work with us?"

Danny gulped. His throat still felt like it was burning. For a moment, he wanted nothing more than to scream no, to declare that he would never work with people like the GiW. But then he stopped and thought. He thought about his parents, about college, about Jazz.

He took a deep breath, and he let it out. Finally, he forced himself to raise his head and stare at Agent C's pitch-black sunglasses.

"Okay," he said, trying his best not to let his voice falter. "Okay. I'll do it."

[ciestessde]

Phantasma Magica Ch. 12

STORY SUMMARY

Clockwork and the Observants send Danny to Hogwarts on a special mission. But, cryptic as ever, that Old Stopwatch never actually told him what would happen on it!!! “All you need to do right now, Daniel, is stay focused on your mission. And remember, the-” “‘The Lions with the time-turner, lightning-bolt scar, and hair like fire are friends; watch out for the rat; and the black dog is not a threat.’ Yeah, you’ve only repeated that a few dozen times today.”

← Previous (First)

Dumbledore and the other adult wizards -- along with much of the staff, who, of course, had noticed the commotion -- drove the dementors back to their posts. Ron, Hermione, and Sirius were ordered to go to the Hospital Wing to recover. Then, with everyone else distracted by their own tasks, Danny followed Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic up to Dumbledore’s office.

Danny couldn’t remember what the Headmaster had said to convince him to come. But as long as the old wizard didn’t attack him again, Danny didn’t care. ‘Harry…’

The door closed behind them with a soft thud. The Minister was pacing. “Dumbledore, what do we do? What do we DO?! When the Prophet hears about this-” “Please, Minister. We must remain calm.” “Yes, yes. You’re right. But the Boy-!” For the first time since heading toward the school, the Minister looked at Danny. He was a frightening sight -- Danny didn’t need to look in a mirror to know that: slitted pupils, claws that were dripping with whatever replaced blood in a dementor, glowing, and holding a human soul… The Minister didn’t dare meet his eyes.

But Dumbledore did. Standing in the middle of the strange room he called an office, his voice was impossibly calm. “Mr. Phantasm.” Danny broke out of his daze, but his voice was… listless. ‘Harry…’ “... Yes?” “This might be far-fetched, but -- well. Seeing as I have no way of…” His gaze moved to Harry’s soul. “Storing? A human soul -- I thought it best… to ask if you have any ideas on the matter?”

Hope returned to Danny’s eyes -- “The bottles…!” -- and he took off like a bullet through the walls and floors.

He couldn’t waste time.

Making it to his Pipe-Room, he held Harry against his body so he could grab an empty test-tube-like bottle. ‘But how do I…?’ He had never had to put anything into one of these containers before -- and although souls were naturally malleable, if Harry slipped out of his grasp… Danny didn’t know what would happen to him! Would he die? Disappear? … Become a ghost?

He didn’t even know if he could get Harry back into his own body, let alone-! ‘Calm down! … It doesn’t matter. There’s no other choice!’ Praying, Danny maneuvered the bottle to below his other hand -- and pushed down. Gently… Carefully… 

At first, he thought it wouldn’t work, but slowly, Harry’s soul morphed, extended, and finally slipped into the container. Danny capped it -- And collapsed. Just for a moment… 

… ‘No… Not yet.’ Mind clear of emotions -- just for the moment -- he flew back up to the office.

Everything was a blur after that: Lots of terms, names, and legal jargon tossed around; planning for how to keep panic to a minimum; what should be done with Harry’s soul, with Danny, with Black, with “The media, Dumbledore…!”

Finally, the Minister was somewhere between satisfied -- and panicking over how behind on his schedule he was, and he left. Dumbledore sighed, sat down at his desk, and there were a few moments of blessed silence.

Danny was staring at the glowing bottle in his hand. “... I fear I must apologize.”

Danny looked up. The Headmaster had always looked old, but Danny’d never seen him… frail.

“I assumed you were dangerous because of your species. Given my experiences with such things, I really ought to--” “Don’t apologize.” Dumbledore smiled. “You really are a caring--” “-- I’m an outlier. What you did -- the way you treated me… You did the right thing. If I had been any other phantasm…” His voice failed him.

‘No. Not yet.’ He focused on a table in the corner. It had some weird, silvery machine on it.

Dumbledore frowned, but didn’t comment.

“The soul,” he said instead. “It will need to be protected. I believe it would be safest if it was left with me.” Danny looked back at the elder wizard. He tried -- desperately tried -- to come up with some form of protest. But… No. He was right. The man had done nothing but protect his students the entire time Danny had known him. Meanwhile, how many times had he failed his friends?

Once was enough.

Danny handed Harry’s soul over.

Dumbledore started asking many questions after that -- about him personally and phantasms in general. Danny just told him to “Ask Lupin” and phased out of the office. He was so tired. Just… Just TIRED.

But when he got back to his Pipe-Room -- and saw the still-open bag of substitute-souls…

Danny’s eyes glowed a menacing, poisonous green. “C l o c k w o r k . . .  ”

Snatching up the bag, Danny flew through the network of tunnels -- until he got to the Chamber of Secrets.

“CLOCKWORK!!!” His energy-infused voice echoed deafeningly, “I KNOW YOU’RE LISTENING! So ANSWER me!” He threw the bag at the wall.

Several of the bottles shattered, glowing-green liquid dripping down the wall like blood.

Tears were streaking down Danny’s face now, “Why?! WHY DID YOU SEND ME HERE!?!?” He punched a hole in one of the already-scarred-and-burned pillars. “You could’ve done this yourself! And NOTHING bad would’ve happened to ANYBODY! So WHY?! For ‘experience’?!!!” This time, the pillar shattered.

“. . .” Danny floated down to the ground -- and sat with his back resting against the pillar’s remains. “... Why would you send a damn predator… “-- a spirit-eater -- “… to save people…?”

“...”

“... Heh. Why did I think you’d answer me…? … You never do…”

He was… Just so tired. His eyes started drifting shut. But… ‘?’ ‘Why is there a nest--? Oh.’ Buckbeak. In all of the confusion, he’d almost forgotten the hippogriff.

It was a remarkably quick, uneventful trip.

He’d find out much of what happened later from Ron and Hermione. The rest of the student body -- of the entire magic society -- was under the impression that Harry Potter had been the victim of a “close-call” and would be taking a few months off with his newly-declared-innocent godfather to recover. While there was a manhunt going on for Peter Pettigrew, the true criminal.

Just about everyone else was happy: exams were over, there was another Hogsmeade Weekend coming up, and the dementors were being sent back to Azkaban where they belonged! And if Hermione and Ron were dispirited -- well, of course they were. Their friend had gotten hurt!

Buckbeak was assumed (in the official story, anyway) to have flown off on his own. (Lupin and Hagrid worked together to find a way to set the creature free in his natural habitat.) Malfoy was furious that the phantasm had “probably eaten” the hippogriff -- that he and his father had been “outwitted by a creature!”

If there was anything that was bringing the other students down, it was that Lupin was resigning as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Snape, the Potions teacher, evidently disliked Lupin and had revealed his status as a werewolf. Apparently, students’ parents were not comfortable with that.

But if they were unnerved by a werewolf teacher, they were at least equally unhappy about the presence of a phantasm inside the school. Danny couldn’t stay there. But Dumbledore didn’t want him far away, as Danny was the only one they knew of who could even potentially return Harry’s soul to his body. Sirius, saying he owed him, agreed to take Danny in. And as Harry’s newly closest relative, Sirius was given Harry’s belongings.

But before he could leave the school, Danny needed, desperately needed, to complete at least one part of his mission successfully. And now that the school-year was over, he could do it.

Without hurting his friend!

McGonagall briefly greeted the Ministry official outside the school entrance. Then simply handed them an envelope, and they went their separate ways. Invisible, Danny flew down to them. Thankfully, they had put the envelope in their pocket, and weren’t still holding it -- where they would’ve felt the loss of weight. Reaching intangibly inside their robe, Danny snatched one of the items.

That he was sent here to steal. By order of the Observants. A mission “FAR more important than some silly horcruxes!”

One time-turner down. An entire cabinet-full to go.

Ghost Zone - Observants’ Council - One week before Danny’s mission began

The room was large, and every seat was filled by a member of the Council. Most were Observants. Their appearance -- just a giant, green eyeball for a head -- continued to weird Danny out.

Odin, the Guarder of Knowledge -- and Clockwork’s brother -- shuffled the papers on his podium. “I believe that covers just about everything. Only one item remains. Clockwork?”

Standing, Clockwork spoke, “Yes, Brother?” “We have a mission for you and your…” He gave a hesitant glance at Danny, “apprentice.”

Looking up, Danny thought Clockwork might be glaring slightly -- but it quickly disappeared. He bowed, “Of course. It is my duty and pleasure to serve the Council.”

“You are aware of the anomalies that have occurred because of the Magic Society you have an… agreement with?” There was outbreak of nervous and angry murmurs from the Observants. Clockwork remained stoic, “Yes, I am.”

Odin was openly glaring now. “They have broken their contract. You are to inform them of as much and to retrieve the time manipulating devices you supplied them with.”

Clockwork nodded. Danny could’ve sworn he was smirking. “Of course. We’ll get right on that.”

~~~~~

If you liked this story, please REBLOG!

That does it for Arc 1. Tell me what you think!

Arc 2 should be coming out some time in the Spring or Summer of 2020, but fanart might make me write faster. ;) If you just can’t wait that long for more, you can always send me a request for my One-Shot Wednesdays! I won’t give you big spoilers, but you can get some extra scenes that way, lol. (Look here for info on how requests work and check out my collection of one-shots here)

Finally, I have a few announcements:

First, I just started selling original content! I have three Original OSWs for sale (you can still read them for free, but you can now get an ebook copy for yourself) as well as a Poem Book.

Second, the poll to vote for the next OSWs is up! You can vote here until August 7th, or (if you find this fic too late to do so) you can find the current poll on my Tumblr, Twitter, or Website.

Finally, I’ll be on vacation for the next couple of weeks. Getting all these chapters out AND working on setting up everything for my original content has… REALLY worn me out. I’m glad you all have enjoyed this fic so far, and I hope I can continue making stuff you like for a long time! ^^

Happy Reading! <3

Other places you can find this fic: Fanfiction.net/~ciestess ArchiveOfOurOwn.org/users/Ciestess/profile Deviantart.com/Ciestess

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[croatian-nt]

The Observer (Part One)

Summary: Daniel Subašić  doesn’t really believe things get better with time. Ever since his friend moved out of the country his life went downhill and he blames all of it on Mario Mandžukić, who made his friend leave in the first place. So now, after 5 years, when he meets Mario’s best friend will he try to get back to him or maybe startto see things in a different light. 

Pairings: past Luka Modrić/Mario Mandžukić, eventual Daniel Subašić/Domagoj Vida

Word Count: 2533

Warnings: Depression, thoughts of violence, character acting like an asshole in general

Notes: So after super long time I decided to write a prequel of “I’ll be waiting”(you can find it on my masterlist if you didn’t read it to understand this story better). Just be warned, the story in written in first person and Suba’s action in this part are definitely not good. He is probably going to be frustrating to read. Also as always big shoutout to my beta reader and editor @wordpuddle for making this story readable. I hope y’all will like it(and Suba) more as story progresses :)

It was snowing again. Of course it was, it was winter. I didn't know why I was staring out of the window instead of getting ready. There was an ice skating competition soon. I should do a report about their preparations. I glanced back at the window, watching the snow fall.

I should dress in warm clothes. Wear a winter jacket too, perhaps. But it seemed so unimportant. The cold seemed so far away and I preferred the jacket Luka sent in a package for my birthday. It was a jacket for spring, autumn maybe. Definitely not for winter and definitely not for snow.

It didn't matter in the end, did it? I would be a bit cold, so what? I could picture you frowning at that. You would be angry, you'd tell me not to be stupid. But you-no I wasn’t going to think about you. Luka would probably agree with you, thought. But he also wasn’t here. He moved away and all because of that-stop. That wasn’t a good thing to think about either.

Breathe.

In and out.

I shouldn't be this unreasonably angry after five years. Even Luka had let it go after all this time. Or at least I thought he had. Mario Mandžukić wasn't a topic we discussed. Just a bastard who had broken my best friend's heart.  

I grabbed the jacket and my bag and I went outside into the horrible weather. The snow. I never liked it. Snow just meant another day without sun, another day without the warmth I was missing so much. I started the engine and typed a message while I was waiting for the heating to warm me up a bit. I really should have worn a winter jacket.

We just texted these days, Luka and I. He would take one look at my face over Skype and know I wasn't feeling good. He would ask me to go out, maybe see a therapist. He wouldn't see my face, though. So It didn't matter. I put the phone away and started the car.

By the time I arrived they had already started the practice. There were a few people who also came to watch it. That was usual- wait. Was that? No, it couldn't be.

But I'd recognize that tall figure anywhere. Almost the same haircut too. Mario Mandžukić had decided to come back then. After five years. After he had already made sure Luka wouldn't.

I felt the rage building in me. Slow but steady. It seemed unstoppable. I forgot about my job and I just started to push through the crowd to get to him.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I reached him. Yell? Punch him in the face? Or just grab his neck and watch his face turn blue? No.

I stopped dead in my tracks, struggling to breathe. I wasn't a violent person. But he deserved it. I couldn't just ignore seeing him there. Could I?

I was so focused on my inner dilemma I couldn't hear someone running towards me until it was too late. It was a strong impact, both I and the man that ran into me fell down, along with my stuff.

That's what I concentrated on first. The content of my bag. The notes, the research I made, all written down. I used to have it all in my head without having to write a word but it seemed the colder it got, the harder it was for me to remember. Not everything though. I could remember the way Luka would always patch Mario up so carefully, without a word of complaint even though I could see how worried he had been.

I finally looked up, meeting the stranger's gaze. His eyes were sharp and for a second I felt like he knew exactly what I was thinking. The feeling was so intense that I almost flinched back.

"I am sorry for running into you. Are you alright?" he asked and helped me gather my stuff.

It was normal, the polite thing to do. His gaze had lost all its edge, all its intensity. I must have imagined it.

"It's fine." My voice sounded odd, even to me. Like an old, rusty instrument that hadn't been used in ages.

He helps me get up too. I am not sure if he was just fast or if time had slowed down around me.

“You spend all your life inside your head, Suba.“ That's what you would have told me. I could picture your face saying it. All scrunched up and worried. I would almost compare it to the way Luka worried about Mario, maybe with your frown more obvious in his case.

"I apologize once again. I am being late for practice," the guy said, shifting from one foot to another.

I finally observed him more carefully. Long blond hair pulled into a ponytail, his clothes obviously comfortable and for practice. He did look familiar. I must have looked him up too when I had done my research but his name was on the tip of my tongue. Maybe I should have asked for an autograph or something and pretend I knew his name all along after he writes it.

But I just nodded my head instead and gave him something close to a smile.

"Don't be late on my account," I said.

Maybe I should really just go out more and try to talk to people. It's not like I didn't have other friends.

He smiled, smirked more accurately.

"It's alright. I can afford to be late every once in a while. I hope you...will enjoy the performances."

His voice was a tad bit different. Was he flirting with me? Or trying to hint I would definitely enjoy his performance? Or maybe something else? I was never quite good at reading social clues. Before I could decide though, he gave a little wave and slipped down to the dressing room.

Shit. The report. I should be writing something, take some notes at least. [I could research him later if I needed to. Not that it was important. He was not that interesting. We only exchanged five sentences at best. I should concentrate on the practice.

And I did. I even forgot what I was going to do before that ice skater crashed into me.

Until I heard his voice, of course. He was shouting something, but I couldn't make out the words. He was smiling, laughing at something.

Another memory. The three of us were sitting in your living room and he was laughing, his eyes fixed on you. Well if I am being honest, you were there too. It was four of us. He had always been so fixated on Luka, he had seemed every bit as much in love with Luka as Luka were with him. I had always assumed Luka hadn't noticed, that he was oblivious to how transparent he was. Maybe I was the one who was wrong. If he was so in love with Luka why did he tell him to leave? Why did he leave?

I let my feet carry me closer to him. I didn't know what to say. I could still feel the rage right below the surface.

I felt the exact moment he spotted me. His face froze up, his smile vanished. What did he see on my face? Anger? Apathy?  Maybe even how conflicted I felt? He was my friend too, I suppose. Not my best friend, no, that was Luka. But still. We used to hang out and I tried to keep him out of trouble.

He reminded me of how he had looked back then. His face. He had looked nervous, anxious. Had he already known what he was going to do that night? It had been about a week before it happened. He must have. That's why he was so nervous, so on edge. He knew he was going to break Luka's heart. That he was going to leave without a proper goodbye.

"Hey, Suba. I didn't know you liked ice skating," he said, nervously dragging a hand through his hair.

"I didn't know you had enough nerve to come back like nothing ever happened. But here we are." My voice is surprisingly calm, only with a hint of the jab in it.

If there was anything I could do to hurt him, even a fraction of how he hurt Luka, I'd take it. Bastard.

His face twisted and he flinched back a bit. Yes, it hurt, did it not? Remembering the past. I wished I could forget. But I couldn't. And you deserved to remember, for it to hurt you as much as it hurt me. As much as it hurt him.

"I am not acting as if it never happened. But it's been five years, Daniel. What do you want me to do?" His face is almost apologetic. He looked like it hurt him to say how much time had passed.

Maybe he should have thought about it before he walked out without proper explanation.

"I would have you crawl back to whatever hole you have been in for the last five years and make you stay there. You are lucky Luka isn't in the country because if he was I wouldn't hesitate to punch you in the face."

There. I said it. Some of it. I was clenching my fists too like I was waiting for him to say one wrong word to punch him in the face. Maybe I was going to after all. He definitely deserved it.

Mario opened his mouth ready to say something before a voice from the rink interrupted us.

"What's going on here?" The voice was smooth and vaguely familiar. When I turned my head I recognized the ice skater that bumped into me a few minutes ago.

"It's okay Domo. I can handle it," Mario said, staring at him.

It was the kind of a look you give someone who is supposed to get your point, even if the person standing right next to you doesn't.

Domo. I looked at him again and suddenly I remembered his name. Domagoj Vida. Of course. The one with unusual costumes. Yes, I remembered now.

He looked at me and there is that intense, calculating look again. Was he trying to analyse me, see if I was a threat? Good luck with that.

"You are the reporter I crashed into, aren't you?" His eyes were softer now, less calculating. What was he up to?

I didn't feel like talking to him. He was not the one who deserved my anger. Vida smirked. He looks pleased? By what? The thought that I was going to beat up his friend? Not that I could imagine Mario being a good friend.

Well, that was a lie. I could. I just didn't want to. Because he was a good friend up until the end. But he doesn't deserve me remembering him like that. The end is what leaves a trace. The rest is like winter snow. It melts as season changes.

"How did you know I was a reporter?" It was a stupid question I could admit that. Still, I wanted to see where was he going with this.

"I helped you pick up your stuff remember? Most of your research was about me. I must say I am flattered."

I felt my cheeks burning with shame. Why was I so embarrassed? It was just research. I didn't even remember his name.

"You came here to watch the practice right? You know if you don't punch anyone and guards don't have to escort you outside, we could do an interview after I am done."

It definitely sounded like he was flirting now. Too suggestive to be taken any other way. Why was he flirting with me? Did he think that would stop me from beating Mario up? Hardly.

On the other hand, Mario did look deeply uncomfortable with the idea of me going with his friend somewhere he wouldn't be. Why? Did he think- Oh. He thought I would go out with Domagoj just to hurt him through him. Like he did with Luka. Well, that was not such a bad idea. Even if I didn't do it, making Mario uncomfortable and getting him to worry about it? I'd take it.

I fixed my eyes on Domagoj now and smiled. I almost forgot how social interactions worked, let alone flirting. Let's see if I could still do it.

"That does sound like a nicer alternative. Especially if I will see your practice," I said, leaning forward a bit.

 It was a little awkward, the angle, the situation but he returned my smile and winked at me.

"I guess we'll see each other soon then. If you follow up on what you said that is."

And with a stern look and a nod to Mario, he turned and skated away.

I could feel Mario's stare burning holes into my head. Angry, wasn't he? Good. It felt good not to be the one who is always angry. [Hulk Smash. But seriously Suba, please just stop. This is awfully childish.]

"If you hurt him in any way I swear I'll-"

"You'll what? Beat me up? Please. If you were any good at that Luka wouldn't have to patch you up so often. So kindly shut up so I don't have to punch you in the face like I said I wouldn't." I hissed.

Mario flinched a bit at the mention/sound of Luka's name. I liked this plan more and more as the time passed. Mario looked on edge the whole time as if he'd rather have it that I really punched him.

Vida waved at me after the practice ended, signalling he was just going to the dressing room first. I waved back and Mario's jaw looked like it would snap in two if he pressed his teeth together it a bit harder.

 I barely recognized him when he walked out. He let his long hair down and he was wearing a hat. And a jacket. Jesus. A bright yellow winter jacket. Winter jackets were ugly as it was, did it have to be yellow too?

He practically skipped over to where I was standing with a big grin on his face.

"I am glad Mario's face is in one piece. I am sure he appreciates it too." By the look on Mario's face I would disagree but he continued. "So, shall we? There is a nice café right across the street."

I took one last look at Mario's face. It was a mixture of worry, anger and something else. Regret? Probably not. Even now I couldn't imagine him regretting anything. Why would he? It wasn't his heart that got broken.

I shifted my eyes to Domagoj's grinning face and followed him to the exit.

  Looking back, sometimes I wondered if I would have followed him if I knew how different that conversation would go from what I planned at that moment.

But, remembering his grinning face, the way his eyes were almost taunting me, even then, I know the truth. Yes, I would.

Taglist:

@lovren-la-vida-luka

@mvsicbookfrxndom

@kjldrv

@igecko1320

 @lovrenfc

@sad-forest

@roseszymczak

@snakesandcherries

 @domo-no-domo-yes

@asensihoe

@mrsmodric

@lukamodrix

@zadarskabagudina

@tinymodric

@wordpuddle

@childsmokers

@pachua

@flemishyugotalian

@living-lovren

@arduango

@winters-chiid

(I didn’t use this taglist in super long so if someone wants to be added/removed please send me a message or write in the comments)

[horsegirlhob]

Dan and Phil are actually outside for an extended period of time cause Pokemon Ch. 2

Summary: When he was 18, Phil Lester decided not to go on a Pokemon journey. But now he’s graduated university and he has no idea where his life is headed. So he decides to get a starter Pokemon and fly to the Kalos region to collect all eight badges and maybe figure out what to do with himself.

Dan Howell just graduated from high school and is not hesitating to start his Pokemon journey. He just wants to escape the little town he grew up in and maybe actually become something worthwhile.

Lets see what happens shall we?

word count: 2534

chapter 1 is here 

if you prefer ao3

Warnings: None that I know of?

a/n: So here’s the second chapter of this incredibly self-indulgent fanfic. We meet Dan in this chapter who I think I write better than Phil? But idk, tell me what you think. Also big thank you to my beta @theflowerybean! reblogs are really appreciated 

Dan hated the mornings more than anything else in the world. And that included himself, which was saying something. That being said, this was one thing he refused to be late for. He had waited 18 years for the chance to get out of this godforsaken town and he wasn’t about to throw away that chance because he slept in and the professor lost patience.  

        Slipping into a pair of black skinny jeans, Dan glanced at his reflection in the mirror leaning against his wall. No fringe gaps, no stains on his favourite eclipse t-shirt, and he had taken a shower last night. He was ready.

        “I’m going into town!” Dan yelled back into the house, slipping on his shoes and throwing on a hoodie. There was no response but Dan didn’t yell it again. His parents knew where he was going anyways.

        Walking out into the spacious yard, Dan let out a sharp whistle. Before long, pokemon started creeping out of the bushes and trees. “Hey guys,” Dan smiled, kneeling down next to an old flareon that had been nuzzling at his foot. “Hey girl, how’ve you been?” The flareon made a noise of contentment and Dan smiled, scratching behind her ears. “That’s good. I’m glad.

        Before long, Dan was surrounded by almost twenty eeveelutions. His family ran a breeding and wellness center for eevee and their evolutions, and Dan had been helping out since he was old enough to walk. If there was one thing he was going to miss from this place, it was the eevees. Although…

        “Where’s Loki?” he asked a nearby umbreon. The umbreon didn’t reply and Dan frowned, confused. Until that is, he was nearly knocked over by a ball of fluff that descended upon him from a nearby oak.

        “Oof! Hey there Loki.” Dan managed to grab the eevee clinging to his hoodie by the scruff of their neck. Loki squeaked indignantly and tried to nip playfully at Dan’s fingers. Dan dumped Loki unceremoniously on the grass in front of him. “You know, if you keep attacking me like that, I might just leave you here,” Dan threatened jokingly. He would never actually leave Loki here. He had raised Loki from an egg, and the thought of leaving his best friend behind was preposterous.

        Loki, despite knowing this, whined and drooped his ears in a way that they knew Dan found adorable. Dan sighed, ruffling the fur on top of Loki’s head. “Oh don’t you start with that innocent act. We both know you’re a little demon.”  Then again, Dan was sure he would be glad for Loki’s violent tendencies when he started challenging gym leaders.

        “We should be going.” Dan grunted, pushing himself back into a standing position. Loki perked up immediately- the little faker – and clawed his way onto Dan’s shoulder like he was some kind of glorified tree. “Oh, so now you want to be friendly. Let’s get going then. Don’t want to leave the professor waiting.”         As Dan made his way down the long path to Aquacorde town, he zipped up his hoodie against the chilly morning air. He never did like getting up this early. But it was a small price to pay for a proper starter pokemon.

        Dan’s family was a liaison of the Kalos science association. They helped with research on eevee and it’s evolutions. Though their part in that research came mainly in the form of providing large quantities of eevee to study. It did come with perks though. Turns out one such perk is professor Sycamore making a slight detour through Aquacorde town with three starter pokemon for Dan to choose from.

        He needn’t have bothered bringing all three considering Dan had made his choice four years ago. But if the man wanted to carry around two extra pokeballs, Dan wasn’t about to tell him how to live his life.

        Finally, Dan started to see the beige sandstone that made up literally all of Aquacorde town. Dan unconsciously picked up the pace,  his heart beating faster in his excitement. He had gotten his trainer card a few days ago, and once he got his registered starter,he would be able to leave. He could finally go somewhere, anywhere else.

        Making his way down the sandstone streets, Dan prayed he wouldn’t see any of his old classmates. It was early enough in the morning that there were only a few people wandering around, but you never knew who could be lurking about. You’re almost gone Dan. This time tomorrow you’ll be gone and you won’t have to see anyone from this town ever again. He repeated his little mantra to himself as he made his way to the café where he had agreed to meet Sycamore.

        He spotted the professor immediately upon walking into the town’s main square. He was seated at one of the café tables, sipping some hot beverage that Dan could really go for right about now. Then again, he was probably jittery enough already without caffeine in his system.

        “Professor Sycamore?” Dan asked,startling the professor out of his thoughts.

        “Ah, yes! My apologies. You must be Daniel?” Sycamore stood hurriedly, shaking Dan’s hand rather aggressively, in his humble opinion.

        “Just Dan is fine. Thank you for meeting me here.” Dan tried to keep professional, despite feeling severely underdressed. Sycamore was wearing a full on lab coat, and Dan couldn’t help but remember that the professor came from Lumiose city, and Dan was born and raised on a glorified farm. Sycamore didn’t really seem to mind Dan’s appearance, shaking his head dismissively.

        “Oh, it’s no trouble, truly! It’s quite exciting to be the one to see a new trainer off on their journey. And your parents have told me nothing but good things  about you.” Sycamore reassured. Although Dan was not entirely reassured, because if his parents had told Sycamore about him, then that meant that he had something to live up to. And historically, Dan was not good at living up to expectations.

        “Come here my boy, have a seat. Do you want anything to drink? The cappuccinos here are delicious!” Dan sat down awkwardly across from Sycamore, who seemed way too enthusiastic for 7am.

        “Um no that’s okay. I don’t really have any money on me so I can’t-“

        “Oh don’t worry about it Daniel! I can buy your cappuccino. You must be very sleepy getting up so early in the morning.” The professor offered, before Dan could even finish his sentence.

        “Just Dan is fine. And you really don’t have to, I’m not that sleepy, and I don’t want to be an inconvenience.” Despite Dan’s protests, Sycamore flagged down a nearby waiter and ordered two cappuccinos, seeing as he had finished his and apparently had some kind of crippling addiction.

        “Now Daniel,” Sycamore started after their waiter went to fetch their coffee, “I’m not just here to drink cappuccinos by the river. I’m here because you just turned 18.” Dan nodded, leaning forward just a bit in anticipation. He had been looking forwards to this since his birthday a few weeks ago. It was hard to believe it was actually happening right now.

        “And as we all know, when you turn 18, you are given the choice to receive your trainers license and start your pokemon journey. But of course, to do that you need an official starter, which is why I’m here today. To give you said starter.”

        Sycamore reached down under his chair to pull out a very worn looking briefcase. He placed it on  the table just as the server arrived with their cappuccinos, which they both thanked her for, before turning their attention back onto the matter at hand.

        Snapping open the latches on the briefcase, Sycamore continued his explanation. “Now I’m sure you already know what three starters we offer here in the Kalos region, but I am legally obligated to tell you, so I’ll keep it brief.” Sycamore opened the briefcase and removed three shrunken pokeballs, which he placed on the table between them.

        “Try the cappuccino. You’ll love it.” Sycamore said, taking a sip of his own and letting out a sigh of contentment. Dan took a sip of his impatiently, almost burning his tongue. It was admittedly very good. But Dan wasn’t here to drink coffee, and he was starting to get a little bit impatient.                 “So, as you can see, there are three starters. The fire starter fennekin, the grass starter chespin, and the water starter froakie.” Sycamore listed off the starters as he released them each from their pokeballs. Dan had to move his cappuccino to avoid it being spilt in his lap by fennekin.

        “Do you already know which one you want Daniel?”

        “Dan’s fine.” Dan replied absentmindedly, “And yes, I do actually know which one I want.”

        When Dan had started actually thinking seriously about becoming a pokemon trainer, the very first thing he had done was look at his starter choices. At first he had wanted fennekin. It was cute, and Dan already really loved fire types. But, comparing it to the other two, fennekin and its evolutions fell short.

        Dan had considered chespin as well, and while he thought that it would be a decent choice, Dan ultimately decided that chespin just wasn’t very suited to the battling style Dan was starting to develop with Loki and the other eevee.

        Froakie however, fit the bill perfectly. Not only did he seem like the most logical choice for Dan, he was also a frog. And you could never go wrong with a frog, is something that Dan has never said before in his life but is probably very true.

        Dan reached out his hand to the little blue starter, smiling down at him. “Whadda ya think Froakie. Would you like to come with me?” Froakie croaked in excitement and jumped onto his arm, climbing up to sit on Dan’s only vacant shoulder. “I’ll take that as a yes then.”

        “Do you have any plans for when you’re going to head out?” Sycamore asked, returning the other two pokemon to their respective balls, rifling again through his suitcase.

        “I think I’m going to spend the rest of today packing and getting to know froakie a little bit better. Then tomorrow I’ll start making my way through santalune forest.” Dan had considered leaving immediately, and he had to admit it was tempting to just up and go. He had been waiting for this day for so long, and the thought that he had to wait any longer to get out of this stupid town was an unhappy one.

        But he did have things he wanted to say goodbye to. Also, he still had a few things to pack before he left. He had waited this long, he could wait one more day.

        “That sounds like a good plan Daniel. Now, here’s your pokedex and froakie’s pokeball. Although, he seems pretty comfy where he is. And here are five other pokeballs for you to use along your way.” Sycamore slid the objects across the table, and Dan picked up the red pokedex curiously. He’d seen them before, but he’d never had one of his own.

        Dan and Sycamore talked for a while longer as they finished their cappuccinos. Sycamore seemed very interested in Dan’s plans, and Dan had to scramble to come up with anything meaningful. His plans consisted of “Leave home, go train pokémon, beat the gyms, elite four?” But that was starting to feel exceptionally juvenile.

        He had no guarantee that he could defeat the gyms. He especially had no guarantee he could challenge the elite four. He was just some kid with no friends, no money, and no experience.  He also had no backup plan for if this whole pokemon trainer thing ended up being too much for him. And god, he had just accepted a pokemon. A pokemon who could have had the chance to go on a journey with a trainer who knew what they were doing. A trainer who wouldn’t have days where they couldn’t do more than roll over in bed. What had he just gotten them into?

        Dan felt a familiar warmth press against his left cheek, grounding him. Loki rubbed their face affectionately against Dan’s , and he felt a small smile slip onto his face. Maybe he didn’t know what he was doing. But, he had Loki. And this new froakie, that he was going to have to figure out a name for very soon. They could get through this. He would figure something out.

        “You have a good day Daniel.” Professor sycamore stood after paying their bill, sticking out his hand for Dan to shake.

        “Just Dan is fine. And thank you for going out of your way to be here. And for the coffee. You’re very generous.”

        “It’s no trouble. No trouble at all. I look forward to seeing how you progress as a trainer from here on out Daniel. You should come by my lab when you go through Lumios city, and we can catch up,” Sycamore gave Dan’s hand a good final shake before letting go to collect his briefcase.

        “I would like that professor. I’ll see you then.”

        With one final wave outside the café, the two went their separate ways. The sun had risen significantly while Dan had been talking to Professor Sycamore, and the streets were getting steadily more crowded. On a sunny Saturday morning like this, tons of people were going for morning walks, and Dan was weary of running into anyone he knew, especially from school.

        Dan took a slightly roundabout route  through a few shady alleyways, before he finally reached the edge of town. Froakie had abandoned his perch on Dan’s shoulder en lieu of hopping jauntily alongside him. Loki however, was used to Dan’s walking patterns after so many years and stayed put, apparently too lazy to walk.

        As they made their way back up the winding dirt road, Dan turned to look down at his starter pokemon, who was looking around frantically, trying to take in all that he could of the scenery.

        “I think we need to give you a name, don’t we?” Dan pondered, and froakie croaked in agreement.  “Alright, how about Fenrir. No no, that’s weird, uh… Collin? No that’s also weird…”

        Dan spent the rest of the walk listing off dozens of names. Often times, he would veto them himself before they were even fully out of his mouth. And a few of the ones he did like didn’t seem to work quite as well for froakie himself. By the time the house started coming into sight, Dan was on the verge of loosing hope.

        “Ugh, god I don’t know. How about Dante?” It was a little strange, Dan had to admit. It was more a human name than a pokemon name, although that didn’t much matter to him. And if froakies excited croak was anything to go by, he also liked the name.

        “So we’re gonna go with Dante?” Froakie croaked in agreement and Dan grinned a little bit. “Finally, we’ve got you a name. Welcome aboard Dante. Let’s hope I don’t mess this whole thing up.”

Tag list: 

@burnt-sienna-soup-ladles, @secret-society-of-bread @phanunsolved, @ocotopushugs, @dans-mistletongue, @amarytaile, @littledrummerdan, @rosecandy2005 

If you want to be added to the tag list just lemme know:) 

[gokailyger84]

Dan’s Preference?

Bri/an closed the door to his SUV, slipping his duffel bag onto his shoulder and walked up to the modest house. 

Upon reaching the front door, he pushed the doorbell and waited patiently.

As soon as the door opened, Bri/an’s expression brightened, looking up at the tall form of his partner.

“Hey, Bri/an.”  Dan said, stepping aside to let him in.

“Hey yourself.” Bri/an replied, walking through the door.

Dan looked up at the sky, seeing the fading orange light on the horizon.  Closing the door, he followed Bri/an down the hall towards his bedroom.

He leaned against the doorway, watching as Bri/an placed his bag onto the oversized bed.

“Cutting it a bit close, don’t you think?”  

Bri/an shrugged, taking his phone, wallet and keys out of his pockets and placing them on the dresser.

“My dear Daniel, I had more than enough time.”  He said with a smirk, grabbing the bottom of his shirt and pulling it up and over his head.

Dan shook his head, watching Bri/an slip out of his jeans, revealing a pair of oversized boxers.  He walked over, grabbing the garments, folding them up and putting them on the dresser next to Bri/an’s other things.  

“You say that, but who’s the one who would have to come get you when you’re changing while stuck in the middle of traffic?”

Bri/an let out a laugh, glancing at the digital clock on the nightstand.

“You act like you don’t like taking care of the Wolf.”  

Dan frowned slightly.

“Taking care of you has nothing to do with it, Bri/an.  Taking unnecessary risks is the problem.  We agreed on at least thirty minutes before nightfall. Not ten fucking minutes.”

Bri/an didn’t reply, staring at his changing hands.  He then looked over at Dan and gave him a cheeky grin.

“Have fun with the Wolf. I’ll see you in the morning, Danny.”  He said, as he dropped down to the floor, his body transforming before Dan’s eyes.

“Wish you’d stop doing that.”  Dan muttered to himself, staring at the werewolf now before him.

“Danny!”  Bri/an exclaimed, jumping clumsily to his feet, tail wagging behind him.

Bri/an moved forward to hug Dan but hesitated seeing the frown on his face.

“Danny?”  Bri/an asked, his initial excitement fading. 

“Not okay?”

Dan shook his head, giving Bri/an a small smile.

“I’m fine, Bri/an. Don’t worry about it.”  He then turned towards the door.

“Come on.  Let’s go fix something to eat, then we can watch a movie or whatever.”

Bri/an didn’t respond. He looked down as if contemplating something.  

“Bri/an?”    

“Sorry, Danny.”  Bri/an said, his ears drooping down.  

Dan glanced back over his shoulder. 

“Why are you apologizing?”  

Bri/an bowed his head, lowering his height below Dan’s, his blue eyes shining with regret.

“What said before. Not want Danny worry.”  He then raised his claw and pressed it flat against his chest.

“Other me…scared. Think burden. Danny tire.”

Dan felt his earlier annoyance immediately fade away.  No matter how many times he witnessed it, it was always surprising to hear Brian’s true feelings.

Simple, raw and unfiltered. 

It was hard to remain upset with him when he was like this.

Dan turned around and approached the sorrowful werewolf.  He wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close.

“You’re not a burden, Bri/an.  I’ve never thought that.  I just wish-“ Dan trailed off, causing Bri/an to look up at him curiously.

“Wish?”  He asked.

Dan shook his head, pulling back and walking towards the door.

“Never mind.  Come on.  I’m hungry.”  

Bri/an reached out a claw towards Dan’s back before pulling back. 

Hesitating a moment, Bri/an rushed through the door and followed after Dan.

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

Bri/an glanced up at Dan, pausing between bites, checking his caretaker’s demeanor once more.

Dan was sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich, while Bri/an was enjoying a plate of several chicken breasts on the floor.  

He seemed to be deep in thought.  While Bri/an still felt bad for earlier, he didn’t want to bother him.

“Leave him alone for once.  We don’t want him mad at you too.”  

Bri/an’s brow furrowed.

“Danny mad?”

“Not at you.  Just me.”

“You?  You, I same.”

“We’re not.  Danny likes you.  Prefers you.”

“…I not understand.”

“Just forget it.  Danny’s calling you.”

“Bri/an?”  

Bri/an’s ears twitched.  He looked up to see Dan kneeling before him, staring at the half finished plate of food.

“Is the food okay?  Or have you had enough?”

Bri/an quickly nodded his head.

“Food good.  I finish.”  He said, beginning to eat once more.  

Dan stared at him a few seconds longer before reaching out a hand and petting Bri/an’s head.  He then stood up and walked to the entryway.

“When you’re done come into the living room.”  He called over his shoulder.

“Yes Danny.”  Bri/an said between bites.  “I come when finished.”

Dan sat down on top of the piles of blankets he’d laid out earlier.   Leaning back against the couch, he grabbed the remote and began browsing for something interesting to watch.

Some time later, he heard the clicking of nails on the wooden floor coming closer.

Dan turned to see Bri/an staring at him.  But what caught Dan’s attention was that he was on all fours instead of just his hind legs and his ears were still lowered.  

He looked unsure of himself.

Dan offered him a warm smile.  He must’ve still been feeling guilty for earlier, while Dan had already pushed it aside.  

“What are you waiting for Bri?  Come on over here.  I want some cuddles.”

Bri/an’s ears slightly perked up.  His tail beginning to wag.  He trotted into the room.  

Nuzzling his head against Dan’s, he gave him a small lick on the cheek before pawing at the blankets and lying down, resting his head on Dan’s lap and closing his eyes.  

Dan moved his hand to the top of Bri/an’s head and began lightly scratching behind his ears.  Bri/an couldn’t help but sigh in contentment.

“Love Danny.”  He murmured, mostly to himself.

Dan smiled, clearly hearing the spoken words.  He leaned down and kissed Bri/an on his snout.  

“I love you too.”  He said.

The two then fell into silence.  The only sound was that of some drama movie Dan had found, coming from the tv.

It was unusual for it to be so quiet.  Bri/an was usually so hyper and talkative on full moon nights.  

After several more minutes passed, Dan had believed that Bri/an had fallen asleep.

He was understandably startled when Bri/an suddenly started talking.

“Danny love me?”  Bri/an asked.  His eyes still closed.

“Yeah Brian.  That’s what I said.  I love you.”

Bri/an then sat up, looking down at Dan.  His expression oddly serious looking.

“Love human too?”

Dan let out a sigh.  He really didn’t like it when Bri/an referred to himself as two different beings. 

Couldn’t understand why Bri/an wouldn’t accept the fact that the wolf was him also.

A different side.  

But nevertheless still him.

“I love all of you, Bri.  Human. Werewolf.  It doesn’t matter.  I love you.”

Bri/an’s eyes shifted to the floor breaking contact with Dan’s.

“Hard believe.”  He quietly said.

Dan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“What do you mean?  You think I’m lying?”

Bri/an shook his head, glancing up at Dan.

“Not lie.  Danny love Bri/an.  Happy with Bri/an.”

“Then what are you trying to say?”  Dan asked, voice full of confusion and concern.

Bri/an looked away once more, his ears drooping lower and his shoulders hunching forward.

“Wolf Bri/an Danny love.  Prefer.  Human not like.  Annoyed. Pain. Bother.”    

Dan stared at Bri/an.  His eyes wide.  Processing what Bri/an had just said.

Was that what Bri/an really thought?  That Dan only loved and preferred his werewolf form?  That he only tolerated Bri/an when he was human?

Dan, at first, couldn’t believe it.  But the more he thought about it, he knew that was how it looked.

Dealing with Bri/an as a werewolf was so much easier.  He didn’t have to worry about snippy or snide comments. Always keeping him at an arms distance nearly every day.

The nights of the full moon were filled with love, adoration and fun.  

Bri/an held nothing back.  Showing his emotions and letting Dan know exactly how he felt.  Just how much he loved him.

When Bri/an was human.  It was almost the complete opposite.  Bri/an never showed how he really felt. 

In all the years that he had known him, Dan had only caught glimpses of what was underneath the persona. 

Ever since Dan had found out Bri/an’s secret, it seemed that he was finally getting to see his partner for who he really was.   

Dan no longer bought Bri/an’s explanation that his Wolf side imprinted on him and saw him as his Alpha.  He knew it was an excuse. 

A way to explain away his behavior when he was changed.  Bri/an tried to separate himself from the wolf but you can’t separate what was always a part of you. 

Dan understood that.  He just wish Bri/an would accept it.

“Bri/an.”  Dan began, scooting closer until he could wrap an arm around Bri/an’s larger body.

“I will admit it is easier to deal with you when you’re like this.  But that’s only because you’re being honest with yourself.  You let me know how you feel and what you want.  I don’t have to guess.  And...you don’t push me away.” 

Bri/an let out a frustrated puff of air through his nostrils.

“I can’t help.  Human me can help. Is scared.”  He said.

Dan frowned, shaking his head, trying to understand the broken sentences.

“Scared of what.”

Bri/an was silent for several seconds, thinking of a way to make Dan understand. 

“Danny reject.  Bri/an love much.  Not lose.  Selfish feel.”

Dan’s eyes softened, wrapping his other arm around Bri/an, pulling him closer until he felt fur covered arms circle around his waist.

He understood now.

“Bri/an, you’re not going to lose me.  Whether your love for me is platonic...or something more.  I’d never reject you.  I...love you.  More than you probably know.”

“Truth?”  Bri/an asked.

Dan nodded, pressing his face into Bri/an’s fur. 

“Yes, it’s the truth.  But I think we should have this talk later...when you’re human again.  Is that okay?”

Bri/an sat up, meeting Dan’s eyes.  He nodded, nuzzling into Dan’s chest. 

“Okay.  When human.  Talk.  No hide.  Tell love.”

Dan smiled, hugging Bri/an to him once more.

“Gonna hold you to that.”

[shania-twain]

i’m still in love with who i wish you were (mulder/scully) part 2/?

Summary: “You were abducted, Scully,” Mulder said, sensing her confusion, “do you remember anything?” Post Requiem. AU.

PART ONE | PART THREE | PART FOUR | AO3 LINK

i’m still in love with who i wish you were (part 2/?) Fandom: The X-Files Pairing: Mulder/Scully Season: post season 7 Title: Wish You Were by Kate Voegele

“Fox.” A gentle voice spoke and he sighed, looking into the sorrowful but hopeful eyes of Maggie Scully. She had been in the room with her daughter for almost two hours now. Mulder had waited outside the room, in yet another uncomfortable hospital chair.

“Is she ok? Can I go in?”

Maggie opened her mouth to speak but Mulder was already up and rushing past her into the room. Looking back into her face, he felt the air leave his lungs. She still didn’t recognize him. God it hurt.

“Scully?”

“That’s not my name,” she quickly said, “it’s Dana. I know you call me that because of work but we don’t work together. At least, not that I remember.”

Her hands were clutching a blanket her mother had brought her, her knuckles white. He didn’t know what to say. He wanted to tell her everything. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to cry. He wanted to touch her, her face, her stomach. Her stomach. She was pregnant and she was pregnant with his child. Did she know it was his?

“Dana,” Mulder started, clearing his throat and shaking off his nerves. He moved closer to her on the bed and she shrank back. “I know you don’t know me but...I’m going to find out a way to fix this. I - it’s my fault. I didn’t want you to go to Oregon with me but you were insistent, stubborn. I should’ve been more stubborn and refused to let you go. And now this happened and -” he felt himself start to get emotional and he cleared his throat again, “and I’m going to fix it.”

Scully was quiet, studying him intently. Who was this tall, handsome man and why was he looking at her in that way? What were they to each other? I thought we just worked together, she thought, he’s looking at me with so much guilt and something else I can’t decipher. It’s making me uneasy.

“I know you don’t really know what I’m talking about but... We were on a case in Oregon and we were looking for an unidentified craft that had crashed in the woods and when I turned around you were gone. You disappeared.” Mulder’s eyes flashed with the memory, feeling himself go cold. “I’ve never been so frightened in my life, Scully. And we’ve been through so much, you and I. My biggest fear used to be never finding my sister but it became losing you over the years. I know I’m putting a lot on you right now I’m just...I’m so happy you’re alive. And awake. Even if you don’t know who I am anymore.”

Scully couldn’t hear anymore. “Please,” she told him, “this is too much right now. My mom told me my dad is dead. And my sister. She told me I had cancer. And she told me I can’t have children.” He watched with his heart clenching as a tear ran down her cheek. “I can’t handle anymore right now. Please.”

“I’m sorry,” he nodded, wanting to take her hand but refraining himself from doing so. He stood awkwardly at her bed. He wanted to bring up the baby, the miracle, but kept quiet.

Scully stared at her blanket for a long time, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. She looked up at him then. “Where is Daniel?”

Mulder looked at her, startled. Then he remembered. She was in 1989. End of med school. He remembered the night she told him about her affair with Daniel. It was also when she was in med school. She hadn’t left him yet. She thought she was still with him. She thought this baby was his.

“You haven’t been together in over ten years, Scully.” He said weakly.

“It’s Dana,” she corrected, “and how can we not be together? We’re supposed to be together forever.”

Mulder’s eyebrows lifted. The old Scully - the old Scully? He thought - she had told him she thought at one point she would spend the rest of her life with this man. He almost scoffed at this Scully’s childish together forever idealistic notions. Luckily she had realized what they were doing was wrong and left before anything could get worse.

“That’s not how it played out, unfortunately,” Mulder told her dryly, “after you left him his wife became suspicious he was having an affair and ended up killing herself.”

“What?” Scully whispered, horrified, bringing her hand to her mouth.

“I didn’t mean for it to sound harsh,” he said, “but there’s no way to say that pleasantly.”

“Oh my God. I have to talk to him,” she said, scrambling for the button for her nurse.

“Scully, no,” he stopped her with his large hand on hers, “you can’t. You’re not with him anymore. You haven’t seen him in months.”

She looked at him with one eyebrow raised curiously. “Months? So I have seen him recently?”

Mulder closed his eyes, rubbing his face again. “He had a heart thing months ago and you had checked up on him. But he’s fine now and you told him to move on.”

“He still wanted to be with me?” she looked hopeful and Mulder wanted to throw up. This was his nightmare, his hell. He couldn’t argue that after everything he had put her through he probably deserved this.

“Yes,” he hesitated, “but you’re not the same person anymore. He’s not either. And his daughter is older now and she - well she hates you.” He tried pushing her away from a man who would be no good for her. A man who only wanted to control her. What, like you’re any better?

Scully listened to him but shook her head, pressing the nurse call button. “I need to talk to him.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mulder waited outside her door once again, turning his head every so often to peek through the blinds, watching the back of the man talking to Scully.

Maggie Scully walked up to him, a bag of Scully’s things on her shoulder. Her hands were wringing together nervously. Probably afraid for her daughter and afraid of what to say to her. He knew it couldn’t have been easy telling her about her father over again and her sister. Along with everything else.

He glanced back again to peek and saw the tall broad back of Daniel Waterston, hovering over Dana. Mulder sighed when he couldn’t see her, wishing he knew what they were talking about.

He was eager to talk to her about the baby. About her. About them, their work.

“He’s still in there?” Maggie asked and Mulder kept his eyes focused on the closed blinds, nodding solemnly.

“It’s been a while,” she commented, trying to get Mulder away from their private conversation.

“Forty-nine minutes,” Mulder said.

When he still wouldn’t look away, Maggie sighed and lowered herself into the chair next to him. “I understand you feel hurt and lost,” she began and he finally did turn to look at the older woman, “I feel the same way. To tell my daughter what she’s lost...it’s hell.” Maggie’s eyes were shining with tears and Mulder noticed she held them back. Just like Scully would.

Mulder sunk further into his chair guiltily. He couldn’t imagine having to tell Scully over again what she’d lost. Especially since it was mostly his fault. He couldn’t think about himself right now. He placed his hand gently on top of Maggie’s. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Mrs. Scully. I’m sorry this is happening at all. I should’ve made her stay home. It’s all my fa-”

“Let’s not place blame anywhere,” Maggie interrupted, putting her other hand on top of his. “Except on the person or people who have done this to her. I know you’ve only ever cared about my daughter.”

Mulder kept his mouth shut, as to not burden Maggie with his internal turmoil. He stared in front of him, watching the nurses flutter about from room to room as they checked on patients.

“I know you love her,” he heard Maggie say to him and turned his attention back to her in surprise. Was it that obvious? “And I know she loved you.”

Loved.

That hurt like a bitch. Mulder must have had a physical reaction to that statement because Maggie pat his hand as if to comfort him but they both knew there were really no words she could say to make this situation better.

At least she’s not dead or seriously injured?

The door next to Mulder opened and Mulder’s face twisted at the sight of Scully’s much older ex lover closing the door behind him. He could feel Maggie stiffen next to him and could immediately tell she was also not fond of the man. Mulder had never met him except for an hour ago very briefly but he already had unabashed hatred for him from Scully’s earlier words of asking about him and his general jealousy over Scully’s obvious want to see him and probably be with him again since it’s what she knows and she’ll probably want to raise the baby with him too.

At this last thought, Mulder shot up from his chair in a mild panic, needing to speak with her. “How did it go?”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the older man shook his head. “No clue where she came from or what’s happened to her, barely a scratch on her, yet a large chunk of her memories just vanished? It’s…”

“She was abducted,” Mulder informed him.

“By whom?”

Mulder didn’t answer. Instead he stared at the closed door in front of him, bracing himself to face Scully and her unfamiliarity with him. “I’m going to go talk to her.”

An arm stopped him from reaching for the door. “I wouldn’t do that,” Daniel warned.

Mulder’s arms crossed, his eyes narrowing in frustration. “And why the hell not?” He realized how Scully he sounded and probably looked. That thought didn’t make him smile, or comfort him. It just made him miss her more.

“She doesn’t remember you, for one.” Daniel said, not even flinching at Mulder’s sudden defensive stance. “And if you go in there telling her all about the past she’s never known - about all this mumbo jumbo alien abduction crap, she’ll never believe you and she’ll think you’re crazy.”

Mulder’s lips formed a straight line. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh?” Waterston inquired. “You don’t think I know all about you and what you do? You run the X-Files department and you are a firm believer in the paranormal and of extraterrestrials.”

Before Mulder could respond, Maggie cleared her throat, gaining their attention . “I’d like to see my daughter, please.”

Daniel moved out of the way of the door and Mulder took the moment to calm himself and clenched his fists tightly. The last thing he needed to do was lose his temper, upset Mrs. Scully more, and get kicked out of the hospital.

The older mustached man looked at him with something akin to pity in his eyes. It made Mulder want to wring his neck. This man knew nothing about him or them and their work.

“I’m only trying to keep her calm,” Daniel told a fuming Mulder, “I think she’s got a lot on her plate right now that she’s trying to digest. You barging in, a stranger, will only confuse and frustrate her more. As a medical doctor myself and someone that cares for Dana very deeply, I insist that you keep your distance. She is fragile right now.”

Mulder took deep breaths as to not raise his voice in the hospital. “You’re not her doctor and you have no right to tell me what to do. I’ll see her if I want to and I will be cautious. I know her better than she knows herself right now. And I sure as hell care about her a lot more than you ever have.”

Daniel Waterston hesitated only for a moment and Mulder thought he was going to back off. Until - “Ah, but it was me she asked for, wasn’t it?”

Mulder could feel the heat in his cheeks from anger. “Only because you-” he poked a finger hard into the man’s chest, their faces level, “were the last person she remembers being with. But mark my words - I will go to the ends of this earth to help her and fix this.” Mulder’s glare was sharp, his jaw tense. “I’ve done it before.”

Waterston did not take the bait. His voice was still calm, cool as a cucumber. “I understand your frustration, I do. I’ve seen many patients lose their memories - sometimes they gain them back, sometimes they do not. It’s unfortunate altogether and I understand that it hurts to see the woman you love not remember you. But it’s crucial and it’s important that she is not given the pressure to remember things. It must come naturally, if it is to come at all.”

“What did you tell her?” Mulder wanted to know, was almost afraid to know.

“I apologized for her losses, she was taking it badly, poor girl. She cried to me. I held her hand.” Mulder’s fist clenched again at the man’s words. He should be the one in there, the one she cried to. Even if it was all his fault.

The last time she had cried to him was the day she told him the IVF didn’t work. He remembered the feeling of her arms wrapped around his neck, tight, almost choking but he held on to her too, his throat strained with emotions he tried to hold back. He had never really thought about being a father until Scully had asked him for his help. He felt flattered, at first, then felt it was a bad idea and agonized for hours over how to tell her. Then he had a dream of Scully with a bundle of blankets in her arms, her glowing face peering down into the tiny features of their child. She looked so...happy. He wanted that for her. He wanted that happiness for her and for him, too.

As he stood there, Scully’s tears leaking on his shoulder, he pulled her back to look into her eyes. She didn’t want to look at him, didn’t want to see the disappointment in his face. But he grasped the back of her neck with his hand, willing her to see him.

“We will figure this out,” he breathed, “together. You and me. We’ll - I’ll try again. Try as many times as you want me to.” When she said nothing, he continued, “we’ll adopt! God, you deserve this, Scully. You deserve this more than anyone. I’m sorry I couldn’t give it to you.”

Scully’s eyes filled again and he pulled her in, his nose in her hair. He hoped she wasn’t crying because he made her upset. Really, Scully was crying at the words we. You and me. We. He was so willing to help her and be in it with her. She knew she was in love with him, just like she knew he loved her. And they both knew it was merely a matter of time before one of them got their act together and made a move. Even still, Scully found comfort in the fact that even if there were no words shared on the status or eventual evolvement of their relationship, she felt secure in it, in him. There was no one else she wanted this with, the adventures, the discoveries. She could only wish and pray that they could have a child together, for a child would bring them so much joy. She yearned so badly to be a mother, to love and care for someone and watch them grow and become their own person. Just as much, she craved to see Mulder love and be loved by his child. He had never really known such love in his own childhood and she knew firsthand just how big his heart was, how caring and kind he could be. He deserved this chance just as much as she and she was devastated she couldn’t give this to him.

Scully kissed his jaw, inhaling sharply, trying to blink her tears back. His hand was soothingly rubbing small circles on her back and she turned her head to face away from him, still lying on his shoulder. “I wanted this for us so badly,” she sniffled.

“I know,” his whisper came immediately after and she pulled back again to look at him, surprised to find his eyes watery. “Me too.”

She brushed his cheeks with her thumbs, even though his face was devoid of tears. She just wanted to be close to him, to crawl into him and let all her sadness and loss melt away.

That night, she did.

Mulder continued to glare at Daniel Waterston. He was a fairly direct kind of guy himself, but this man really had some nerve saying what he did, as if Dana didn’t have her own choices to make.

“I feel like this could be our second chance,” Daniel said, then chuckled to himself, “well, perhaps the third. I did try and convince her to be with me the last time one of us was in the hospital.”

Mulder found none of this amusing. In fact, his hands now itched to strangle this man.

“You’re not going anywhere near her,” Mulder blurted.

Waterston almost smiled and Mulder could feel his blood boiling. Who the hell did this guy think he is? “On the contrary, Dana wants me here. She’s used to me, my presence is comforting to her. It’s important to surround her with comforts of what she remembers.”

“Oh, and you’re just so concerned about her wellbeing. You can hardly wait to whisk her away and manipulate her into thinking she’s still in love with you.”

Daniel stroked his mustache and Mulder wished with everything in him that this much older man wasn’t so goddamn intimidating. “I let her go, last time,” Daniel said insightfully, “I don’t plan to again.”

Mulder felt Scully slipping away from him so quickly, he didn’t know what to grab onto to keep him afloat and give him the strength to fight for her and for them. “You didn’t let her go, she told you to let go. Because she had moved on! And she moved on with me.”

Then he thought of his unborn child and his entire body filled with a fierce protectiveness he had never known before.

“And memories or no memories, you’d have to kill me before I let you near the woman I love and our unborn child.”

If Scully weren’t in this kind of predicament, Mulder would almost find Waterston’s reaction amusing. He didn’t, he just wanted the man to leave at this point.

“She’s pregnant?” Waterston blinked. And when Mulder nodded, said, “she didn’t tell me…”

“Well,” Mulder replied, bitterly, “she’s got a lot on her plate.”

Before Mulder could even blink, Daniel was barging into Scully’s room, Mulder following close behind, ready to usher him out the door before he could say anything to her.

Scully’s hands were clasped with her mother’s, tears falling down her beautiful pale face and Mulder’s heart clenched in worry. Did they get more bad news?

“Is the baby alright?”

“You’re having a baby?”

Both men said at the same time and suddenly faced the wrath of Maggie Scully’s hard glare as the women turned toward the anxious men, but for completely different reasons. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let my daughter and I have this talk, alone,” Maggie added.

Mulder nodded apologetically but said: “please. I need to know...is the baby going to be ok?”

He saw guilt flash across Scully’s face as she glanced at him and moved her eyes over to Daniel. Waterston looked horrified at the idea of a child. As if I’d ever let this man near him or her, Mulder inwardly scoffed at the thought. He had the mental image of a little girl with red hair, freckles painting her face, a small, shy smile. Mulder shook his head, feeling himself get choked up. “Is she alright?” he asked again.

Dana’s mouth opened and she hesitated nervously, glancing again at Daniel and then into the sad eyes of her mother. “I….I don’t know,” she answered truthfully.

End of part 2

[lilacmoon83]

Dreaming Out Loud

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 48: Smoke and Mirrors

The first thing Belle noticed upon waking was the smell of soot and when she opened her bleary eyes, she found her surroundings to be shrouded in darkness. And she was not alone. She heard voices, male from the sound of them and she lifted her head. Around her were walls made of rock and she looked down to find herself in some kind of mining cart. The mines...that's where she was. Then the memories all came crashing back to her. The portly man in the red cap had come after her and despite fighting her way to escape, he had put something over her mouth. The smell of the substance on the cloth had rendered her unconscious. But her mind still swirled with questions as to why. She had never seen this man before and had no idea why he might want to kidnap her.

Most in this town knew Rumple well enough to know that doing something like this to someone he cared about was as good as a death sentence, never mind that she would never approve of killing under any circumstance. But when she heard her name, things started to become horrifyingly clearer. Especially when she realized her wrists were handcuffed to the inside of the cart

"Belle…" Moe uttered, as he noticed she had awakened.

"Father...what's going on?" she demanded to know.

"Relax Belle...I promise you'll understand soon enough. This is for the best," he said. She looked at him with confusion written on her face.

"For the best? What does that mean?" she asked again in a demanding tone.

"That monster will ruin you. You will be better off forgetting him again...you were going to leave him behind before and it would have been the best thing for you," Moe explained. She stared at him in disbelief.

"You don't get to decide what is best for me! This is wrong, father! Let me go!" she pleaded.

"I'm sorry Belle," he apologized, but she didn't believe he meant it.

Cora looked around Regina's home with an impressed air about her.

"A lovely home...you've done well for yourself, dear," Cora mentioned and Regina found herself resisting the urge to preen under her mother's scarce compliments.

"Thank you, Mother. It is this world's version of a castle," she replied.

"Yes...now our real work begins. Persephone and her precious daughter must pay," Cora added. Regina frowned.

"How long have you know that Snow is Persephone's daughter?" Regina asked with scrutiny.

"For many years now...I'm actually the one that told Leopold that his fair little retch wasn't actually his," Cora responded. Regina's eyes widened.

"Leopold knew?" she exclaimed, as she clenched her teeth.

"Of course dear. I wanted him to know exactly who the daughter he doted upon really was and where she came from. I wanted him to realize that the pride he had in thinking she was his little girl was untrue; that his heir was illegitimate. My only regret is not being able to tell Queen Eva the same," Cora responded.

Regina was stunned. Were she and Snow the only ones that didn't know about her true heritage? For she knew if her mother and Leopold knew that Rumpelstiltskin certainly knew, probably from the time Snow was born, knowing the imp. It didn't matter though. It didn't change the fact that Snow still needed to pay. She and her perfect little family had taken Henry away from her and turned him against her. And that would not stand. But it had to be done carefully.

"Mother...we must be cautious on how we deal with the Charmings. Not only is Persephone powerful, but Henry will hate me forever if I kill his family," she mentioned.

"I've been waiting a long time to deal with the woman that cursed us with that wretched girl,"

Cora cooed.

"And Emma and her parents. We can't just kill them," Regina reminded..

"Yes, we can," Cora stated. Regina's face fell.

"Don't worry, dear. Henry will be made to understand that what we're doing is for his own good," she added. A cold chill slithered down Regina's spine at those words. Her mother had killed Daniel for her own good. She had accepted Leopold's proposal for her own good and put her on the Throne for her own good. And somewhere, deep inside Regina, the need to protect Henry from her mother bloomed. But turning against her would spell only her own doom and the need to still make Snow and her perfect little family pay was still very present. There was a war inside her, a war she had not felt since before she had descended down the path from young Queen Regina to the Evil Queen. She clenched her fists and her anger at Snow threatened to boil over. It was so much easier to hate her step-daughter and blame everything on her. Yes, if Snow was gone, then her problems would be solved. But deep down, she knew that wasn't true.

Maleficent had warned her about casting the curse and the emptiness it would leave inside her. And it had...it was an emptiness that not even Henry had completely filled. She thought he had, but that was when the curse was keeping everything and everyone in order. But now...it was all gone and again, because of true love's kiss. She was sure other villains were somewhere laughing at her being defeated now twice by something such as a kiss.

With Persephone protecting the Charmings though and David's weird pseudo friendship with Gold, there was no way she could take all of them on without her Mother's help. Could her Mother really be the lesser of two evils?

"Mother, we must handle Snow's demise delicately. It's very important. Her husband has developed somewhat of an unlikely friendship with Rumpelstiltskin," she informed. Cora seemed to ponder this for a moment.

"Perhaps, but I have something he wants and I assure you that he won't bat an eye at tossing his friendship with some pauper turned prince when he sees what I have," Cora promised. Regina swallowed thickly.

"Then what do you plan to do to Snow?" she asked. Cora smirked.

"Let's just say that I happen to know that the plant I used to have in Eva's court is somewhere here in Storybrooke and I believe it's about time that she come back to work for me. She failed to help me undermine Snow White when she was a girl, but this time, she'll help us see to a very tragic demise for her," Cora stated in a pleased tone.

Red led them through town, tracking Belle's scent from the article of clothing provided. David's phone buzzed insistently again and he finally answered it.

"What is it, Leroy?" he asked.

"It's the Queen...she's gone," he reported. Snow watched her husband's expression go from concern for the task ahead of them to hard edged and rigid.

"Check the cameras," he ordered.

"Yeah...those are gone," he reported. David clenched his teeth.

"Dammit...we'll be there as soon as we can," he responded, as he hung up.

"Regina is gone," he growled, as he balled his fist.

"What?!" Emma cried.

"The cameras are gone too…" he added.

"Gone?" Snow asked.

"Like magic," he answered bitterly.

"I'll go to the station and assess the situation while you all keep looking for Belle. Obviously, Regina found a way through my magic and I'll need to see the cell to determine how," Persephone said. Snow nodded, as her mother squeezed her hand and then disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke.

"You should have let me take care of her from the beginning and this wouldn't be a problem," Gold growled.

"This isn't the time to play the blame game...and killing her is still wrong," Emma countered, as they stopped near the Game of Thorns flower shop.

"Red?" Snow asked.

"The scent...it's muddled now. It's the flowers…" she said, as she struggled to keep the scent. David looked to Gold and saw he was seething with barely contained rage. He stepped into the shop and found it empty.

"You think he's behind this?" David asked.

"Oh, I know he is, dearie. Suspend your thinking that a father would never abduct his own child. Sir Maurice is not you," Gold replied.

"What the hell does he get out of kidnapping his own daughter?" Emma wondered.

"To keep her from me," Gold responded, like it was obvious.

"Yeah...but keeping someone under lock and key isn't as easy as it sounds. He knows we were gonna check his shop and his home. If I had to guess, they're not there either. So where would he keep her?" Emma reasoned. Just as she said that, Snow noticed something on the ground and knelt down.

"What is it?" David asked.

"I think it's part of a footprint. Whoever's shoe it was is really dirty," she mentioned, as they looked at the substance on her fingers.

"That's soot...I know where he took her," David said, as they hurried off after him.

Persephone rushed into the station, where Leroy and Happy were in the process of locking Keith up.

"Well...hello doll face," he leered. She glared at him.

"Call me doll face again and I assure you it's the last thing you'll ever be able to say," she snapped, as she waved a hand over the lock on the other cell where Regina had been.

"What are you doing?" Happy asked curiously.

"Trying to figure out what magic was used. The spell I used isn't easily nullified," she explained.

"Ain't it obvious, sister? Regina got out and then blasted the cameras," Leroy retorted.

"No...she didn't. All magic leaves a signature and this is not Regina's," Persephone replied.

"Then who would have freed her?" Happy asked. Persephone swallowed thickly. Thankfully, she knew it wasn't Hades. She'd know his mark anywhere, but the sinking feeling in her didn't disappear. She didn't know her signature, but instinctively she knew it had to be Cora. She was the only one that would have the magic to free Regina. She almost felt faint at that. They had expected her to eventually find a way to this land, but they had not expected it to be so soon.

"I have to go," she said, as she disappeared and then reappeared in front of Regina's house.

"Cora...I know you're here…" she called. But there was no answer.

"So...that's how you want to play it? Lurking from the shadows...fine by me. Just know that if either of you hurt my family or think of employing anyone else to do so...I won't hesitate to turn you to mulch!" she called with vehemence. She let her warning carry for a few beats, before she disappeared again.

Cora peeked through the curtain with a smug smirk. The Goddess was unnerved by her presence in town, which made staying concealed for now all the more fun. Like a game of cat and mouse, with her as the cat of course. As matriarchs of their respective families, Cora could already feel the coming stand off between her and the Queen of the Underworld. And she relished it. She couldn't wait to cause Snow White to lose yet another mother and give her everything she so justly deserved. Of course, that meant making the Princess truly suffer by taking away what she loved most. Her Prince Charming and lovely daughter. And then, only when Snow White was finally nothing more than a broken shell of a girl at her feet, would she grant her the release of death by allowing Regina to finally crush her heart.

"Let the games begin," Cora said quietly to herself.

"Father...you have to let me go! This is wrong!" Belle pleaded.

"I know it seems that way now, Belle. But I promise this is for your own good," Moe reasoned.

"You don't get to decide that! You cannot continue to try to force me to live the way you want me to. Why can't you understand that?" Belle exclaimed.

"Belle…" he started to say again.

"No! This is my life and if you do this, then you are the true monster!" she interrupted.

"Belle...that beast is the monster! I don't know what he has done to you, but this will fix it," Moe said. Her brows furrowed in confusion, as she watched him put a hand on the lever that controlled the mining car.

"Father...what are you doing?" she asked fearfully.

"Sending you over the town line. At least as Lacey, you can be free of that beast. Even if you leave and I never see you again, at least I know that monster won't be ruining you," he replied. Her mouth dropped open in shock, as he admitted he'd rather never see her again than allow her to be happy as herself.

"Please don't do this...I have friends! I don't want to leave them again!" she pleaded.

"This is for the best, darling," Moe said tearfully, as Emma and David rushed in with Snow and Gold behind him. Moe hit the lever and the car started speeding away, as Belle screamed. Emma drew her gun and pointed it at Moe, making him move away. David stopped the mining car and ran down the tunnel. The car screeched to a halt, barely a few feet before the line and a frantic Belle looked up.

"Belle?" he asked. She breathed in relief and nodded.

"Still Belle," she confirmed, as he unlocked the cuffs and lifted her out of the car. When they returned, she saw Emma had cuffed her father and she ran to Rumple, as he enveloped her in a hug. Snow sighed in relief, as she felt David's arms encircle her waist and she leaned back against him, relishing it, as he pressed a kiss to her hair. She turned in his arms and he cuddled her against his chest, folding her into his arms.

Dark magic swirled in Gold's palm, as he threatened to virtually vaporize Moe for what he had done.

"Rumple...no," Belle pleaded.

"He needs to pay, Belle. How can you defend him after what he almost did to you?" he growled.

"I'm not...but I don't want you to kill him," she countered.

"No...he has to pay," Rumple argued. But she put a hand on his forearm.

"And he will...because I never want to see him or have anything to do with him. Ever again," she said firmly.

"Belle…" he started to plead, but she put her hand up.

"No...just stop," she said, cutting him off.

"Belle...I'm your father," he reminded.

"No...you're not. Father's do not do what you just tried to do," she hissed. Emma nodded.

"She's right…" Emma agreed.

"And you think you know so much about father's, Miss Swan? Or mother's for that matter?" Moe questioned, glancing at Snow and Charming. Emma smirked and gave him a smug glower.

"Oh yeah...I know about having parents, in a way no one ever expected. And my parents...they'd never even think of doing to me the things you've done to your daughter. They're real parents, who love and support me, no matter what. If I thought you weren't a lost cause, I'd say you could learn a whole hell of a lot about parenting from them. But...I don't think you're worth their time," she replied. The looks on Snow and Charming's faces at that clearly stated they were both surprised and touched by their daughter's staunch defense of them.

There had been times over the years in the dreamscape that they had truly felt like horrible parents. There were even times in Emma's anger that she had told them such. And though, they knew she hadn't meant those words at the time, it was never lost on them that in many ways, she could have been right. So to hear her so passionately defend them nearly brought them both to tears. It's not something they would expect from her, so perhaps that was exactly why she believed they deserved such. Emma may have saved them all, but Snow and Charming were determined that there would not be any more challenges or battles that she would face alone.

Moe could only glare at her though and Emma never really expected to get through to him. She had a feeling he was just one of those people that would never change and this instance, perhaps Belle would be better off without him in her life. It wasn't for her to say, but she certainly wouldn't blame the brunette if she truly did cut him out of her life.

"Let's go...you can have your phone call at the station, because I'm booking you for conspiracy to commit kidnapping. And if I manage to get to the rat you hired to do the job before Gold, he's going to jail too," she informed, as she marched him out of the mines and back toward town.

Snow and Charming followed behind Belle and Gold with their arms around each other's waists. They couldn't help but exchange looks filled with so much love and emotion that anyone noticing probably would have felt like they should avert their eyes, for the looks passing between them seemed so intimate.

Unfortunately, when they reached the station, they found a nearly frantic Persephone waiting for them.

"What's wrong?" Snow asked in concern.

"Besides Regina being gone," David added.

"Because I don't think Regina was the one that freed herself," Persephone responded.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I thought you said she couldn't get through your magic?" Emma questioned, as they took Moe into the station and locked him up.

"She can't, which is why I don't think she did," Persephone responded, as she watched Gold hobble over to the cell that had once held her and examine the lock. They shared a knowing look.

"Then who did?" Emma asked.

"Cora…" Gold hissed and Snow felt dread knot in her stomach.

"She's here?" she squeaked, as she felt Charming's arms encircle her waist again.

"I'm afraid so, snowdrop. I knew she'd come...I was just hoping for more time," Persephone replied.

"So...if she's here and hasn't shown herself yet, what's her ploy?" David asked.

"She is patient...she'll lurk in the shadows and bide her time until she's ready to make her move. What that move will be...is uncertain," Gold responded.

"He's right, which means none of us should move about the town alone, no exceptions," she warned, as she looked to Gold.

"And you…" she started to say.

"She's going to come to you wanting to make a deal," Persephone warned.

"And she has nothing I want," Gold retorted.

"Really? So when she offers you the globe that will allow you to pinpoint Baelfire's location, you won't sell us out?" she challenged. He went silent and Belle looked at him in disbelief.

"Rumple!" she scolded.

"How can you expect me to turn down an object that will allow me to find my son?" he questioned.

"Because the price is too high!" Belle exclaimed.

"Or maybe you don't turn it down," David said, earning incredulous looks from all the women in the room.

"Do you think you could play double agent?" he asked, cluing them in on a plan of sorts.

"You want to double cross Cora? That's gutsy, even for you, dearie," he warned.

"What other choice do we have? She's going to come to you and probably evade the rest of us until she's ready to strike. Let's not let her get the drop on us," he suggested.

"I think the question is what is she going to want from you in exchange for that globe?" Snow asked.

"Probably a truce. A promise that I won't kill her on sight," Rumple responded. Emma's brow furrowed.

"What did she do to you?" the blonde asked.

"Never mind...making deals with Cora is almost as bad as making deals with Hades. However...without that globe, I might as well kiss the possibility of finding my son goodbye," he replied bitterly.

"Cora may say she wants a truce, but you and I both know she only wants that for one reason," Persephone countered. He nodded evenly.

"The dagger," he agreed.

"The dagger?" David asked.

"Quite simply, should Cora find my dagger and use it to kill me, then she becomes the Dark One. And I don't think I have to tell any of you what that would mean for all concerned," he responded. There was dead silence, as they let that sink in.

"What do we do?" Emma asked, breaking the silence.

"When she comes to you...let her convince you into a truce and get the globe. Let her think she's in control and then we track her. Once she thinks she has you at a truce, that's when she'll search for it," Persephone reasoned. Gold nodded.

"It sounds like it's our best bet, even if there's a lot of room for things to go wrong," David mentioned, not missing the troubled look on his wife's face. Emma checked the time and started for the exit.

"I gotta get Henry. He'll be getting off the bus any minute," she mentioned. The others followed, with Gold and Belle returning to the shop and Persephone letting her daughter and husband have a few moments alone.

"Snow…" he started to say.

"Cora is evil…" she blurted out.

"I know," he responded.

"No Charming...you don't know what she's like! She used my dead mother to manipulate me into telling Regina's secret. Then she killed Daniel in front of Regina," she reminded, as he put his hands on her arms.

"She won't stop until she takes away everything I love...everything her own daughter loves. That means Henry, Emma, my mother…" she lamented, as she trailed off and tears filled her eyes.

"You…" she finally managed to choke out, as he folded her into his arms and kissed her hair.

"I know you're scared...I am too. I'm terrified of losing you and our family. I don't even want to think about my life without you..I lived that when I thought we couldn't be together back in our land," he confessed. A tear slipped down her cheek and he brushed it away.

"I know...so did I," she recalled.

"Without you...I felt dead inside," he continued.

"I took a potion to forget you...it was the worst mistake ever," she reminded. He smiled gently and caressed her cheek.

"I understand why you did...I was in misery without you, but that's why I'm going to fight with everything I have for you...for Emma and Henry. Because I refuse to ever be separated from you again," he said passionately. She swallowed.

"And I'll fight for you...even if it means ending Cora myself," she realized darkly, before her green eyes flicked up to him again. She could see his worry, but he brushed it off.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he replied.

"But if it does, I will do it...I will do anything for you," she promised. He hugged her close at that.

"And I you," he confessed, as he slowly led her out, tucked closely to his side.

They joined their daughter and Snow's mother at the bus stop to greet their grandson. He dipped his head down to capture her lips in a tender kiss, just as the bus pulled up and deposited Henry. With that, the five of them headed home to the loft.

Regina parked her car on the curb. A simple glamor spell had disguised her easy recognizable car as something less conspicuous and they watched Emma arrive at the bus stop with Persephone.

"These carriages are strange," Cora commented.

"They take some getting used to, but I've found they are a preferable way to travel when magic isn't an option," Regina said idly, just as they spotted Snow and Charming join the other two women at the bus stop, arms around each other.

"Ugh...are they always this nauseating?" Cora complained.

"Yes...as a matter of fact, they are. True love…" Regina said, hissing the last part with contempt.

"Love is weakness, darling. True love will be Snow White's undoing," Cora stated.

"Believe me, I've tried to get rid of her Charming multiple times, but that love always seems to save them," Regina warned. Cora smirked.

"Yes...Snow White seems quite willing to do whatever is necessary for him. It will be interesting to see how far she really will go," the former Queen of Hearts cooed. Regina gave her mother an odd look in response, but Cora didn't elaborate.

"It's time to find the person I asked you about earlier," she added. Regina nodded curtly and started the car, all while casting a longing look at Henry's retreating form.

"Don't worry sweetheart, you'll get him back and then everyone that has crossed you will pay dearly," Cora promised. Regina resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably and then slowly drove off for their intended destination...