#i promise if liam had done it the same would be true it would just be different parts of the fandom

[shorthaltsjester]

once again, begging, BEGGING everyone in the cr fandom to stop making posts critiquing how the fandom is being weird about one cast member by saying "if it was x, the fandom would love this/hate this even more." it turns out the cr fandom contains Multitudes of weird ass people and just because you haven't seen those reactions (or, even funnier if you are making claims about what the fandom does/does not do to other cast members, were not in the fandom during c1/c2) does not mean they do not exist. like there are certainly different social dynamics and injustices at play in some of the reactions the audience has to cast members, but almost always it is less a case of misogyny/queerphobia and more a case of people forgetting that storytelling is about understanding choices you would not yourself make and watching characters develop through conflict/struggle.

like, you can have the most salient point to make in the world about how shitty the reaction of the fandom to a certain cast member's (not their character, but the cast member as a person) choices but you immediately undo that if you make a claim like "if liam did this, the fandom would love it." perhaps the part of the fandom you are in, but certainly not the fandom that wanted to persecute him for having vax choose keyelth over gilmore, certainly not the fandom that consistently manufactured actual dislike between him and marisha throughout campaign 2 because of character choices.

likewise you might be absolutely right in criticizing the choices of the character that one of the cast members is playing, but if then in turn you say, "if this was a female cast member, everyone would hate it." my brother in christ, You are already the person who hates that character choice and it Wasn't a female cast member, so what is the truth? unless you have the statistics on the opinions every person who engages with the cr fandom has, truly just. you can make your point without appealing to a sense of misogyny/queerphobia/favouritism or whatever that you have no actual grounds for believing exists except for the fact that misogyny in general exists.

this isn't to say that things like misogyny don't influence how people react to things, all of our opinions are mediated through the social and material conditions in which we live. obviously, misogyny exists. however, truly, truly, the bigger problem in the cr fandom (at least on twitter/tumblr, idk about reddit and that is a choice I've intentionally made) is the consistent expectation that the cast adheres to what so many fans call 'comfort media' and a requirement that one's own opinions be validated by what the majority of the fandom believes (which aside from the obvious, is also an absurd expectation because trying to gauge the 'majority' of the cr fandom would be truly so much data). the cast have made it explicit many times that they value things like high stakes and big risks in their storytelling, and sometimes that means stupid character choices, character deaths, or interparty conflict. so much of the fandom has decided to engage with cr regardless of this and then gets upset when the liveplay of a ttrpg built around conflict contains conflict. similarly, people who claim to enjoy this conflict then get pissed off when other people in the fandom disagree with them and give away the ghost that what they want is validation by arguing that it is somehow problematic for the other side to have their opinions. it is much easier to blame any lack of satisfaction on how, actually, your section of the fandom has the right opinion and, actually, if everyone else wasn't queerphobic/misogynistic then they would see the proverbial light.

anyway, this is just me ranting out of both literal and metaphorical exhaustion with the "persuasive" (heavy quotes) tactics that some people in this fandom use. please look up some tips on like, how to avoid logical fallacies or formal critical thinking or just like. state your opinions and say you dislike the other options without thinking you need to provide some (often blatantly and horribly incorrect) rationale for how you're right. accept the pretentious bastard within yourself and stop seeking validation for your opinions in the fandom around you, your opinions are already correct if you assume them to be.

[daydream-wordflow]

Dear Liam,

never in a million years did I think this was how it was going to end, but here I am saying goodbye.

I must admit that when I saw Zayn's name on the shared statement, it affected me in ways that I wasn't expecting. This whole situation has affected me in ways that I wasn't expecting.

One Direction entered my life when I was 12 years old. You were five ordinary boys, with a great voice, but not so good dancing skills, that sang their way into my heart. It was so admirable, even when you were performing for 65,000 people, to watch you sing around the world while being your goofy, gentle, true selves. It felt like you were having the time of your lives.

Looking back on it, I can't stop wondering if it was too much. I can't stop thinking that maybe I would rather never have known about the existence of One Direction than be going through this now.

I was sad when Zayn left and I was wretched when the band went on hiatus, but deep down, there was still hope. Now I am devastated and heartbroken, and I only knew a small part of you.

One Direction will never be the same without you, I hope you were aware.

I never had the chance to watch you perform live, although all the youtube videos and documentaries made me feel like I had. When the time comes, instead of singing with you, we will sing for you.

I listened to 1D songs, and also all your solo albums, during various periods of my life. Somehow, they always said what I needed to hear. It wasn't just a phase. It cheered me up during some of the hardest moments of my life and it made me company during some of the best. Every time I was anxious or afraid, I would sing a song from my favourite artists to calm myself down. I listened to your songs on my way to school, during a long car drive, on my way to college, while I did house chores, it was the soundtrack while I wrote my master thesis and it accompanied me on my first day to work.

Right now, they are helping me grieve. And it won't stop here. I will have the time of my life dancing to some of them on my wedding day, I will sing them to my children and have dance parties with my grandchildren. It's forever.

I am truly sorry that this is how things ended. I am sorry we couldn't save you. It is so unfair. I know that if you were given the chance, you would have done things differently. You deserved all the good things in the world. You deserved so much more.

I can't even imagine what your loved ones, your family, your friends and the boys are going through right now. I hope that, one day, your son will smile when he thinks about his father, knowing that he touched so many hearts and saved so many lives. That he was talented, enough and loved just by the way he was.

This is not how it was supposed to go, but thank you for bringing the guys together one last time. Thank you for bringing us together. It has been healing to see that so many people loved you and cared about you.

Thank you for the songs. Thank you for my teenage years. Thank you for the smiles. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your laugh. Thank you for your words. Thank you for the love. Thank you.

"I want to write you a song, One to make your heart remember me, So any time I'm gone, You can listen to my voice and sing along."

I promise to remember you.

Always and forever.

Lisbon, 27th october 2024

[intoxicated-chan]

𝐓𝐰𝐨 ✠ ❝𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞❞

(A/n) ➳ Started playing the older games of Assassin’s Creed and when I tell you it’s so cuz I’m so used to Rogue/Black Flag controls. But you can expect some works for AC2 and Black Flag, maybe AC1 as well.

Word Count ➳ 1.6k

Content Warnings ➳ descriptions of violence, mentions of death, Chevalier being as asshole, talk about marriage/children...

Dreamers Masterlist

Liam held your arms firmly, his grip bruising. He pushed you into one of the rooms of the manor, the door slamming behind him with a loud thud, it was clear how frustrated and angry he was.  

You nearly hit the ground if it wasn’t for the desk you collided into, knocking over books and papers off the desk. You winced from the impact and were surprised by Liam’s action. You looked back at him, fearful.  

“Why did he do it?” You questioned, trembling under the eyes of your own brother. You dared not look at your arms and see the marks he left. But as scared you were, you were confused, you had no idea what went on.  

“Is it true what they say? That Shay stole the manuscript?” 

Liam paced back and forth, his hands clenched together. “You don’t understand. Shay betrayed us, betrayed the Brotherhood. There is no good reason for what he’s done.”  

“Yet you and I know him, Liam!” You insisted. “He would not do this without cause. Tell me, what happened in Lisbon?!”  

Liam froze as his head snapped in your direction. “You’re acting like a child.” He scoffed at you. “This is not a game! His choices put all of us in danger!”  

You flinched at his loud voice. “Then stop treating me like one! I can take care of myself!”  

“Can you?” He argued. “Chevalier could’ve shot you instead? Do you understand that? You could be dead because of Shay!”  

Yet you ignored his words and thought differently. “Shay had a reason.” You once again repeated. “And I intend to find out what it was, with or without you.” 

Liam pressed his lips together for a moment, his hands ran over his face as he was struggling to calm himself. “You will not.” He finally spoke. “You will stay here, on Davenport, and you will leave with me if I must.” He declared.  

“I will be keeping an eye on you.”  

You snorted, waving him off with a flick of your arm. But he remained stern, his gaze unwavering as he stared. Your smile slowly dropped when you realized that he was being genuine.  

“You cannot be serious!”  

“Would you like Chevalier to do the same?! I'm sure he would love ordering you around like a dog!”  

You stepped closer to him, getting in his face. “I am part of this Brotherhood just like you! I have fought by your side! I have fought for you all like the rest! Yet you treat me like- like-!”  

Liam grabbed your shoulder, and you froze in response. “Achilles will have you killed if you say another word.” As furious as he sounded, you could hear a crack in his voice. “I promised father that I would protect you, and I intend on to. Do you understand me?”  

Liam was right. Achilles would kill you if he caught of whiff of betrayal and Liam’s face solidified your answer. You knew that he tried to keep his anger from you, not wanting scare you away, and kept a kind face around you, yet he was honest this time. 

His eyes stared into yours, he watched as tears fell as you maintain a strong face. Or tried to. He saw right through your facade. He knew you were hurting, after all, Shay was your friend too. 

He engulfed you in his tight embrace, allowing you to cry in his arms. But he left you there. Alone.  

You cried in the room, collapsed to the ground. This time, you cried into your hands, truly believing the Shay was gone. Hope came moments later, trying to soothe your sobs by rubbing your back and whispering in your ears.  

Liam ignored the stares coming from everyone. He refused to speak to anyone, more like nobody dared to speak to him when they saw his face. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were narrowed.  

If Shay never fell down that cliff, he would’ve strangled him with his own hands for putting his sister in danger.

 

DAVENPORT HOMESTEAD, 1755 

Either you were brilliant or just blatantly lucky. The year without Shay was painfully long, yet all those days and nights spent in a room were trying to find anything that screamed Shay. But all of them were dead ends, you were starting to believe that it was all lost cause. 

Risking your position and your life... Was it all for nothing? Questioning your loyalty to the Brotherhood, was it all for nothing?  

You tossed your bag over your shoulder, carrying all the papers, scrolls, and maps of your search. You didn’t dare leave any of it behind in case someone came across it and reported it back to Achilles or Liam.  

You had gained permission from Liam to go on a mission without him. Your heart pounded quickly as you boarded Chevalier’s ship.  

It was bustling with activity from the crew, cleaning the deck of the ship, repairing damage, working on cannons or its mortars. You felt out of place, you clutched the strap of your bag tightly and stepped towards Chevalier carefully.  

He eyed you, arms crossed as his lips curled into a sneer. You opened your mouth to greet him, but he raised his hand, cutting you off. “If you try anything girl, you shall end like the cabbage farmer.” Chevalier advised.  

You nodded in agreement. “I will be out of your way.” You replied. “Captain.”  

He scoffed at you, heading towards the wheel of the ship. “Seems like you can listen.”  

You kept silent, knowing that any sign of disobedience would jeopardize your task. When he started barking his orders, you rushed below deck, pushing past the crew going up or down the steps.  

The ship sailed smoothly for hours, from word from the crew, it was a secure path that they often took to avoid the Royal Navy.

It was dark when the ship docked at a small settlement, and the crew, including Chevalier, went towards the tavern.  

Though a couple of members stayed on the ship, it was easy to slip past them and enter the captain’s cabin. The room was illuminated by candles, and many of them surrounded a large table.  

It was easy to tell that these were his maps, you flipped through the stacks, unrolling the scrolls until you found one that stuck out the most. You wanted to cheer with joy but instead you took out your own parchment and used Chevalier’s quill and ink to copy the actives of the Royal Navy.  

The minutes flew by, yet they felt like an eternity. You felt like you were sweating, your dominant hand nearly shaking from the panic. You had to get every detail correct, you could not afford to mess up.  

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from the deck outside. You gasped, dropping the quill and rolling up the maps, and carefully hiding them in your bag.  

Just as you were about to slip out the same way you came in, you heard voices approaching the cabin... Chevalier.  

You rushed away from the door, your eyes scanning the room for an escape route. You spotted a small window and hurriedly climbed through.  

You climbed the side of the ship, trying to remain calm as you heard the drunken shouts of the crew, the obnoxious singing and chatter did nothing but stress you out more.  

But you took your chance, landing on the deck of the ship. But no one had said a thing, they were drunk out of their minds or focused on the drunks. You were invisible to them.  

1757 

As rather small Davenport seemed to be, it was always active. You sat on a bench, watching the community go about their daily tasks. You watched as people cut down trees, prepared food, and parents playing with their children.  

“(Y/n).” He began from behind you, resting his arms against the bench. “What’s on your mind?” 

“Have you ever wished for kids?” You asked him, you didn’t look back at Liam. 

Liam looked in the direction you were looking. “If things had gone differently, there was a chance. A different life, perhaps.”  

You laughed. “You’ve told me time and time again that my life was supposed to be different. Apparently, you had it all worked out.” Now, you looked back at him and saw him grumble which made you laugh again. “And you’re still angry about that.”  

Liam sighed and took his place beside you. “I suppose I am. You were always stubborn. I don’t know why I thought you would just go along with what I had for you.”  

You leaned back and looked up at the sky, the cloud slowly passing by. “I’ve had this dream. A wonderful husband, a child or two. My husband works aboard for work, disappearing for months but always comes home.”  

He raised an eyebrow. “Am I in this dream of yours?” His tone was playful. 

“Yes. You’re married and have numerous of children.” You rolled your eyes, earning a jab from him.  

He laughed as well until it came to a halt. You hated how peaceful this moment was. And you hated having to tell your dream that was meant to have Shay in it to Liam. 

“I know you’d make a wonderful mother.” Liam started. “But I cannot see you watching your children grow.”  

“Excuse me?”  

“The life as an assassin is a life you cannot escape. We are bound to it. Whether you are a wife, a mother, or a sister, our duty comes first. And assassins... We don’t have the luxury of a future.”  

“It does not have to be that way.”  

“It’s the order of things, we cannot change it.”  

© Intoxicated-Chan 2024, I do not allow my work to be copied, translated, modified, adapted, or put on any other platform without my permission.  

⊰ Chapter 1 ⊰ » » YOU’RE HERE « « ⊰ Chapter 3 ⊰

[piinfeathers]

the scars we bare ch2

aaaaand here's part two. if you saw me promise this would be done on tuesday no you didn't <333 thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. it nearly killed me and i loved it

summary: emma swan came to the underworld with one purpose; to rescue the man she loved from hades' grip. and she would do anything, sacrifice everything in order to that happen. when hades offers her a deal, a test of their true love, she takes it. in the end though, the bargain might just take more for them than they have to give. S5B canon divergence

tw: minor moments of gore and torture, also brief mentions of abuse

✨ ch1 | Ao3 link ✨

Hades hadn’t lied about starting from the beginning. The memories they witnessed were, quite literally, some of the earliest moments of their lives. From infancy to childhood, the memories seemed to blur together. At times they watched together, both occupying the same head, witnessing old, long forgotten moments. Other times they were separated, both of them lost in the long, endless tunnel of sound and noise that led to yet another moment in time.

As the memories blurred together, one into the next, it occurred to Killian how similar their childhoods were. Aside from the time and setting, they could almost be confused for the same, miserable adolescence. The same empty bellies, the same too-cold nights, the same edgy fear of the too-large hands that reached out to slap or to hit. And sometimes, in the worst memories, the hands that would reach out and grab. The hands that would pet and coax, almost comforting. But even in the minds of the young children they knew not to trust them. So they ran. And when they couldn’t run, they fought. They bit and screamed and clawed until the large hands learned not to touch so easily.

Through it all, one key difference made itself apparent. The loneliness. Killian had felt small as a child, had felt fear and isolation, but never truly lonely, not when he had Liam. Liam who fought for him, who protected him, who held him through the worst of it. Emma had no one. She floated through her hopeless childhood completely and totally alone. 

At times people would drift in, foster parents who promised to love her, friends who tried to get closer. But in the end, they left. They always left.

Memories of Ingrid and Lily seemed to blur together. The bright hopeful spark that this person, this bond, would be different. That they would choose her and mean it. And when their betrayals hit her, blindsided her defenses, it hardened her. She built walls around her heart so high no one would ever scale them again. Killian ached for her. 

Through the bond he felt her, felt her presence, and tried to reach for her. He felt her hesitation, and imagined himself wrapping his arms around her. The feeling of her stilled, then softened, curling into him.

He’d spent nearly three centuries alone like that. It ate at a person. He couldn’t imagine a life that had known only that aching, hollow loneliness from the very beginning. 

Eventually the memories slowed. They became mundane and repetitive. It felt as if they were watching days pass just for the sake of wasting time. Hades was toying with them, drawing out the memory spell to keep them there longer. Killian pushed against it. 

That’s enough, he thought loudly inside his head. Do you hear me hades? I said that’s enough.

The memories broke apart, dropping them back into the middlemist field. Killian staggered, glaring at the god lounging in the chair. He had a drink now, a bright blue cocktail with a miniature umbrella sticking out from it. He toasted them with it and grinned.

“Enjoying the show?”

“You’ve made your point,” Killian snapped. “We don't need to drag this out.”

Hades' eyes grew sharp, focusing on something behind Killian. “Oh I don't know about that,” he said quietly.

Killian turned and stopped. Emma swayed behind him, her eyes unfocused, her face white. He rushed to her, his hand moving to her face, his hooked arm snaking around her when she faltered and nearly fell. 

“Emma! Emma, look at me.” 

Refusing to take his eyes off her, he snarled back at Hades. “What the hell did you do to her?”

“Just following the rules of our deal. Isn’t that right Emma?” 

Emma groaned, trying to push herself free from Killian's hold, but his arms didn’t move. 

“Killian, it’s ok,” she said with a croak in her voice. “I just need a minute.”

“What is he talking about? What does he mean ‘the rules of your deal?’”

Emma took a long shuddering breath and pulled herself upright, standing taller. Some colour returned to her cheeks and Killian cautiously let his grip on her relax. 

“He told me that in order for him to trust me, to make sure that I would see this through and mean it, I'd have to put some of my magic into it.”

Killian felt dawning horror bleed from his chest and into his lungs. 

“What does that mean?” he asked quietly.

She looked at him. “The memory spell he's using, it’s mine. I’m the one who cast it.”

There was a ringing in Killian’s ears, a shrill, staticky whine that made the world fade away for a moment. Her magic. They were standing inside her spell. He tried to think of how much power a spell of this size would take to keep going, and couldn’t conceive of it. Every moment that passed, ever second they stayed there, she was expending magic at an alarming rate. He could see it now, from the way her hands shook to how her skin looked thin enough to see through. It was devouring her. The magic was drinking her dry, hungry and unstoppable. 

Hades let out a gleeful giggle and clapped his hands. “And there it is! I was wondering when you’d tell him.” 

Killian heard the god of death move, and turned to watch him as he strutted closer. “A bit different when you’re not the dark one hmm? You’ll notice the magic hits just a liiiittle bit harder using light magic instead of all that infinite dark one mojo.”

“Go to hell,” Emma muttered, glancing back at Killian. “I'm ok. I swear I'm ok.”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” he asked, not quite able to keep the betrayal from his voice.

She looked at him for a long, heartbreaking moment. Something tragic flashed in her gaze, there and gone in seconds. “Would you have agreed if you knew?”

“No,” he said reflexively. The truth. He wouldn’t have. “But that was my choice to make Emma.”

She nodded “I know.” 

"Can you end it? Call off the magic?"

Her head shook. "Not while I'm under the sleeping curse. As long as I'm asleep the magic keeps going until this is over."

Her words struck him in the chest, robbing the air from his lungs. Of course. This had been Hades' plan all along. To force her to burn herself out. The cruelty of reliving memories was just a bonus.

“Why?” he asked, “just tell me why.”

She frowned, looking up at him. “I wouldn't leave you here. I can't.” 

She was going to kill herself for him. He knew it even before she answered. She’d die down here and he didn’t know how to stop her. 

“You have to go back Emma. You need to figure out a way to call off this spell and you have to go home.”

“I can do this. Killian please-” her voice broke and Killian felt his resolve crumble. “Do you trust me?” she asked after a moment

He smiled even as his heart split in half. “With my life.”

Her answering smile could have lit the entire night sky. “Ok then. See this through with me. We can do this. Together.” 

He wanted to say no. He needed to make her see. Did she even know? Couldn't she feel how much this spell was taking from her? But when she looked at him, when her chin raised and a light started to ignite behind her steady gaze, he knew he couldn’t stop her. Not yet, not now. But soon. Somehow, he would figure out a way to save her from herself.

As if caught in her current, he nodded at her mutely, and another door sprang into being beside them, swinging open and inviting them in. She took his hand again.

“It’ll be ok,” she said, a promise he knew she couldn’t keep. 

When she stepped through he followed her, powerless to do anything but let himself fall down after her.

***

Emma was tired. And pissed. And sore. And so filled with guilt it nearly choked the life out of her. She’d lied to him. Again. He probably wouldn’t forgive her this time. 

She’d live with it. Somehow, even if he walked away from her after this, if she managed to save him? It would be worth it.

They were falling again, she was holding his hand as the magic flowed around them. What he said earlier stuck with her. Hades was playing them. He wanted to drain her and let her die inside the sleeping curse. She realized that much. She needed to figure out a way to move this along. They needed a way out, and fast.

She tried to think, tried to feel for the edges of the magic. It was her spell damn it. If anyone knew a way out it would be her. But how-

She was thrown, full force into another memory before she had a chance to finish her thought.

In this one, Killian was back on the Jolly, in the captain’s quarters. A man with dark blonde curls stood behind the desk, his grin infectious. Emma felt the rush of love and relief at the sight of the man’s face. Liam. This must be Liam. She should’ve known from the smile. It was almost a twin to Killian’s.

“What now brother?” Killian asked.

“We reveal our king’s cowardice,” Liam announced, marching around the desk, grabbing his jacket.

Emma felt Killian's trust, his complete and total belief in his brother’s ability, and her heart hurt horribly. 

They kept talking, making plans and speaking about the future. Overhead someone called to brace for landing and the ship shook beneath their feet. They grinned at each other and Killian moved to the window, glancing out at the waves, a sense of new found purpose lighting inside him. They were going to expose the king, become heroes. No one else had to die because of his treachery.

“What do you say Liam? Want some company when you report to the admiralty?” Killian grinned as he turned to Liam. Liam who was doubled over in pain. Liam whose face was turning ashen and grey. 

Killian ran to him, grabbing for his brother, trying to pull him up. “No! Liam! Liam please!” he was begging, pleading to anyone who would listen for help

In his arms Liam gurgled, thin veins of inky black creeping across his face like curling spider limbs. Emma held on as Killian’s panic and grief crashed into her all at once, watching the life drain from his brother’s face. Killian’s voice sounded so tragically young when he begged for help, it nearly pulled her under. 

How could one person bear it? she thought again. All this loss. How did he keep moving forward, carrying it all?

She wondered how much more there would be. Who else had he lost? What else had he sacrificed and bartered away? How much more would Hades force her to witness?

None of this was new to her. None of these memories revealed “the man Killian Jones really was.” She already knew damn well who he was, and her heart broke for him. For who he had been and who he was now.

She was done. This was over. This pointless test was ending. Now.

She flared out her power in her mind. She could feel the borders of the spell that trapped them, felt the solid walls of it. She imagined herself reaching out both hands and pushed. Hard.

She felt the bars of her cage start to give and pushed again, harder this time, imagining herself balling her hands into fists and slamming them against the wall again and again. Cracks started to form. The memory she was in faded away, Liam's body and Killian's mind floating back into the past where they belonged. Here, in the present, Emma Swan wrapped herself in her power like armour and pictured the face of the man she loved. 

And punched her fist straight through the spell, shattering it.

***

Killian let the memory pull him where it wanted. He hoped it would be over quickly. He still needed to figure out a way to save Emma from herself. The answer, of course, came to him almost instantly. There was one way to show Emma the man he was. The man he hid from her. He had to show her the truth of his past. She would be horrified, she would leave and it would break whatever was left of the heart she had put back together. But she would be safe. She would go back to her life and she would love again. She would move on.

The thought of it. Of Emma Swan moving on without him, of her loving someone new almost destroyed him. But he knew deep in his bones that he would tear himself apart for her happiness. He had done it before and would do it again.

The memory formed around him as his decision was made. He glanced around. Emma stood alone in a dark back alley. Nervous excitement, and youthful joy crowded her mind. She was happy, so dizzyingly happy it made her head spin.

She was looking at a gold wrist watch, two sizes too big on her wrist and frowned, nerves started to edge their way into her excitement. She reached into her pocket and grabbed her phone. Baelfire- No, Neal’s face, filled her mind. He was late. He was supposed to be there and he was late.

She dialed the phone and held it to her ear, frowning when the automated voice told her the number had been disconnected. The hell? Had he forgotten to pay the damn phone bill again? 

“Damn right there’s an error,” she muttered, starting to dial again.

“Unless he set you up,” a loud voice called from behind her.

She turned and froze at the sight of the gun pointed at her. Icy, numb panic flooded through her, made her heart stop. When the cop told her to put her hands on her head she obeyed robotically, not understanding. Neal? Where was Neal? 

The cop was talking but Emma could barely hear him over the rush in her ears. He was full of shit, she was thinking. He didn’t have anything on her, and she told him as much.

“Possession of stolen goods,” he said, gesturing to the watch with the butt of his gun. “Your boy set you up.”

Emma could only stare. Neal . she thought. Just Neal , over and over. 

“He called in a tip, told us to take a look at the surveillance footage at the train station.” 

The words hit her like a physical blow. He’d betrayed her. She’d loved him, gave him everything she had, and he’d betrayed her. Cold, aching misery filled her head. Killian felt it, letting it wash over him. She was alone again and all he could do was watch.

When the cop turned her, snapped the cuffs of her wrists, a numb fury filled her, clouded her mind and settled deep in her bones until walls made of steel formed around her heart. Never again. She would never let herself believe in love. Love made you stupid. It used you up and softened you until you were helpless. Never again.

Killian let the memories move around him, too tired to fight them. So much hurt filled his head, both his and hers, like old scar tissue, hard and calloused. Had love ever come into her life without strings? Without hurt? The unfairness of it made his blood boil.

When the memory finally stilled, she was in a police station. The officer across from her asked her her age. In a quiet, barely there voice she answered; “Seventeen.”

“Got a kid your age,” the cop said flatly and Emma didn’t know how to respond.

Killian tried to focus on the memory, but everything felt blurry. Time seemed to move too fast and too slow all at once, sliding around him.

“Killian.” 

Inside Emma's mind, he froze. The memory around him came to a grinding halt, nothing moving.

“Killian, we need to go.” 

He turned, no longer in Emma's head, but in his own body, sitting inside her frozen memory. Emma, his Emma, stood in front of him, her hand extended.

“C’mon,” she said, “This way, we need to go before Hades finds us.”

He was on his feet, hand in hers and moving before he could ask any questions. She led him to a door with an exit sign above it and pushed through. Instead of the back street he’d been expecting, Granny’s dinner sat before him.

“Emma what-?"

“Just keep moving,” she snapped, breaking into a run.

They ran together through another door, this one leading them to Mary Margret and David’s loft. He tried to make sense of what he was seeing but Emma was pulling him forward still. They headed through another door into the cabin of the Jolly Roger. Then through another into their bed chambers from Camelot. She led him through door after door, all places he recognized, places they had shared together, until finally they crashed through back into the middlemist field.

It was exactly the same as the field they had started in, only it was night time now. They were dressed as they had been in Camelot, she in her white gown and him in his black coat.

She gasped when they came to a halt, stumbling and nearly falling. He caught her, cradling her head as he brought them both to the grass.

“Emma!” her eyes were closed, her breathing ragged. “Emma, what did you do?”

“Bought-” she took a shaking breath. “Bought us more time.”

She was still for a moment before opening her eyes. “You were right, Hades is toying with us and I'm tired of it.”

She moved to sit up and Killian saw her arms were trembling even as her shoulders straightened and her jaw set with determination.

“I’m done screwing around. We’re going to finish his stupid test, and then we’re going home.”

“Emma,” he dropped his forehead against hers. Cold sweat dampened her skin. “Emma, this has to end. You can’t keep going like this.”

He felt her nod. “Agreed. That’s why we’re only going to important memories, ones that-”

“No more bloody memories!” he bellowed, whipping his head up and gripping her shoulder. “This ends now. Call hades, call whoever. But tell them it’s over before you kill yourself.”

“No.” 

Her one word answer made his teeth grit, fear and anger nearly blinding him. “I won’t sit here and let you die for me Emma.”

She was still for a moment, studying him. “You’ve already died for me three times, Killian. I'm not stopping.”

He reared back as if she’d hit him. “So what? This is payback? Retribution? I die so you have to as well?”

“No!" the colour was back in her face now, her eyes alive and burning. “No this is me doing what I have to to save the man I love. And I will.”

He shook his head, raising to his feet. “No. Emma, no. I'm not worth this. I'm not worth losing your life over.”

She stood, the fine tremor in her limbs gone now, a halo of light magic behind her. “I’m the one who gets to decide that. Killian-” she broke off, then tried again. “Killian, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the whole truth. I should have and I'm sorry. But I am telling you now. I'm seeing this through. Because you’re worth it.”

“Enough!” his shout echoed across the field, shook the grass around their feet. “You want to see what kind of man you’re trying to save? The man you want to die for? Here.”

He thought of it, the worst things he had ever done, every unspeakable act he had ever committed and formed them into one solid, writhing mass in his mind. Inside the heart of the memory spell, the magic grabbed hold of him, greedily drinking in his shame. A door sprang into life between them. 

“Here, walk through here and see.”

She looked at him. One long, horrible silent moment passed as time held its breath. Then, she turned, opened the door and walked through.

***

There was no tunnel of light, no waiting, no falling. The memories started all at once. Killian with a sword in his hand, laughing, blood spraying on his face as he drove the blade through another man. Killian, with his hand wrapped around an insubordinate crew member's throat. The man was begging for mercy but Killian only squeezed tighter, his rage cold and unforgiving. Another man on his knees, pleading with Killian, telling him of the family who needed him, before Killian ran him through.

The memories felt sharp, pointed. They bit into her skin and tore at her, shredding her clothes and ripping her hair. All of it ruthless, unforgiving. At the heart of them, Killian stood with his heart completely black and hardened, a vicious grin on his face. The deadliest pirate of the seas. Revenge and blood and pain all muddied together in a blinding red haze around her.

He wore rings on his fingers, of the men he killed. He remembered all of their faces. In the darkness of his cabin he tortured himself with their memories. Of the feeling of ending their lives. He'd felt nothing while he did it, and yet in the quiet of his own mind he sliced himself open again and again at the sight of the rings. 

A bastard. A miserable, cruel bastard. He loved it. And he hated it. 

Emma sat in the corners of his mind and watched as the centuries moved in a blur. The heart inside Killian's chest turned hard as stone. Slowly, the killings grew less vicious. They became methodical. Practiced. 

Faces blurred past, cursing him, and he welcomed it. He was cursed.

Every part of him grew colder, harder, crueler. He no longer felt any sense of justice from the death around him. He felt nothing, only a bleak, yawning emptiness that he let fester and rot until there was nothing of him left. A living corpse that bayed to the sky for revenge. A man made of decay. 

***

In the field, cradling her body, Killian waited for Emma to awaken. When her eyes slowly fluttered, he braced himself, waiting for the hatred in her eyes, the revulsion. She blinked and stared up at him for a long moment. Then the most horrifically beautiful sight passed through her eyes; forgiveness.

“Killian,” she murmured, her hand reaching up to brush the hair from his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

He found it hard to breathe. A lump had formed in his chest, growing hard and sharp. 

Emma pushed herself up and wrapped her arms around him. “It's ok,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

He pulled away from her and just stared. “No. Emma no-you can’t-”

“Just shut up,” she said, her eyes closing as she rose to her feet. He followed her, his arms ready to catch her. She sounded so tired and it terrified him. 

“Was that it? Was that supposed to prove something to me?” her eyes opened and the green depths were so clear and understanding it completely shattered him. “It was a good try, pretty rough stuff. But Killian? Did you think I didn't know about your past?”

“I-”

“I know who you are. I know who you were then and I know who you are now.”

“Emma please, don’t do this.”

“I love you Killian. I love the man you are right now. And that’s the man I'm going to save.”

Laughter formed in his chest, rough and malformed, it thrust out of his throat in a harsh burst. 

“You can’t Emma, it’s too late, don’t you see that? Please. You need to let me go,” he looked down at the field of flowers beneath their feet then back up at her. In her white gown, lit by moonlight, she seemed to glow. “This is where it should have ended the first time love. Where it was always meant to end. Please just listen to me. You can’t stay here and die for me. I’m telling you now, I’m not worth your salvation. I’m not worth your life.”

She shook her head in short, frustrated jerks. “And I’m telling you, that you’re wrong.” Her hands lifted, framing his face. Hot, angry tears forming in her eyes, shining like burning stars. “I’m not offering you salvation Killian. You already earned that all on your own. I’m offering you a life, a home. With me.”

He smiled, trying to trace every line of her face, trying to memorize the curve of her cheek and the way her eyes lit with emerald flames. He wanted to burn her memory into his mind, how she looked at this exact moment, full of righteous purpose. His Swan.

“I know you love me Emma. And I know you feel you need to save me. But you can’t. Whatever misplaced guilt that’s keeping you here, please just forget about it. It’s alright,” his hand reached up to touch the ends of her hair, running the strands of them through his fingertips. “It will be alright.”

“Is that what you think?” she jerked free of his hold, took a step back. Whatever exhaustion had clouded her expression before was burned away, replaced with something hot and furious. “That I came all the way down here, let myself get cursed, put myself through all this, because I feel guilty?”

“Emma-”

“Well guess what? I do! I do feel guilty. I got you killed in Camelot and then I brought you back and cursed us all. And you know what? I'd do it again. I’d do this a hundred times over and then a hundred more times because when it comes to you Killian Jones? I'm selfish. Because. You. Are. Mine.”

She punctuated each word in short, clipped bursts that hit him like cannon fire to the chest.

“You’re mine,” she repeated, taking a step towards him, invading his space. “And I’m yours. And I'm not leaving you down here. I'm not leaving you with Hades. Because I love you. I love you so much and I'm bringing you home. We. Are going. Home.”

She was swaying, magic seemed to frame her like a halo. He couldn’t look away. “You told me, back in Storybrooke when I was the dark one, that it didn’t matter what I had done, that you still loved me. Well guess what? It's a two way street. Whatever you’ve done Killian? It doesn’t matter. I love you. I love you as the man you are now. The man who did those things and who still changed. They’re a part of you. And I love every single part.”

Her eyes were burning. He stared at them, transfixed. She had always been like golden sunlight to him. Now she was like a supernova, lighting him on fire. 

“We are going to get through this together. And then you’re going to kiss me, break this stupid sleeping curse, and we’re going to go home.” 

She sounded so certain, he didn’t know what to say. His mouth moved to speak, but nothing seemed to come out. What could he even say? That this wouldn’t work? That if he was right then this whole endeavor was doomed? That while they loved each other, it might not be true love?

“What?” she asked, searching his face. Slowly, a dawning look of realization came over her face. “You don’t think it will work. The kiss.”

“It isn’t just that, Emma-” he swallowed around a lump in throat. “Emma I love you, and I know you love me. But true love is the rarest magic there is. What if we’re wrong?”

“We’re not. I know it. I know what we have, I know it’s true love.”

Her confidence crashed over him like a wave. He wanted to drown in it. He wanted her belief, needed it so badly at that moment. But he just couldn’t.

“You still don’t believe me,” she said, studying him. “Ok then. Here. I’ll show you”

He saw her raise her hand, and dread filled him, knowing what she was about to do. Calling another door now would drain what was left of her magic and probably kill her.

“Emma don't! You can’t-”

Her hand flicked once, a surge of power snaking out like a ribbon of smoke, forming another door. She stood for a beat, then staggered. He cursed as he caught her, his arm circling her as her legs gave out and she fell into him. 

“There,” her voice was barely audible as she jerked her chin toward the newly formed door. “Let's go. You’ll see what I mean.”

Annoyance, terror, and misery surged through him all at once. Her face was too pale, her fingertips cold where they touched his arm. They didn’t have time for this. But as he looked into her face, saw the determination in her eyes even under half closed lids, he knew. There was only one way forward.

“When this is over,” he said carefully, bending down to pick her up even as she huffed a protest. “If by some miracle we make it out, you’re going to bed for two weeks. I'm locking the door and throwing the phones away. Understood?” 

She grumbled even as her head lolled against his chest. “If we get out of this, I'm sleeping for a month.” she muttered.

“Deal.”

Her face brightened with the ghost of a smile as the door opened and he carried her across.

***

The memories started so gently, inviting him now, rather than dragging him. Inside them, he could feel Emma beside him, her presence like a steady heartbeat, guiding him. He held onto her, felt her grip him back, and let them both fall into the past together. 

They were alone, in his cabin below the deck of the Jolly. He was stretched out beside her, asleep on the too small bunk. Through Emma’s eyes, he watched her reach out and brush the fringe of his hair away from his face. Love, a constant, drumming, beating force inside her heart, bloomed up and spilled over her. In the privacy of his room, where no one could see, she let the tears sneak into the corners of her eyes. She hadn’t known it could feel like this. That love could be simple sometimes, that it could be peaceful. Killian made loving him so easy that it had almost blindsided her a few weeks ago when she realized what she had been feeling. She loved him. Of course she loved him.

There were times it nearly overwhelmed her. Even thoughts of him were enough to have the feeling flood though her, washing her in the blinding glow of it. She hadn’t felt love like this, not once in her life. She’d thought she had, thought she knew everything love had to offer and decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. But god. For Killian? She would do anything, give anything for this feeling. She would have loved him for free. She didn’t know how not to.

In the memory, past-Killian’s eyes fluttered. He groaned something in his sleep, turning to her, reaching for her. He was always doing that. She wondered if he knew. She moved her head to rest it on his chest, felt the steady beat of his heart and grounded herself with it. And when she drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t help the smile that grew on her lips.

The memory blurred, winding around them. Killian felt helpless to stop it. They were at Granny’s, sitting together at a booth. He was making her laugh about something, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. The bright glow of her love for him was like a banking fire, strong and steady. When he turned to look at her, when she saw in his eyes the love he felt for her like an answer to her own, it took her breath away, the love inside her chest growing into an inferno. She knew he loved her. She could feel it in every moment he spent with her. Killian Jones loved her so much it practically shone out from him and bathed her in the warmth of it.

It scared her at times, being loved so strongly. She wasn’t sure anyone had ever loved her this much. She didn’t think anyone ever would again. 

More memories formed, all blurring over one another. They were in the car, Killian had brought her coffee and remembered to include extra sugar packets. She’d kissed him like they were teenagers making out in the backseat. Then they were at the station together, going through paperwork. Emma had shivered and Killian had thrown his coat over her shoulders without looking up, the act almost second nature to him. She thought her heart might have burst open in that moment.

Killian wanted to stay in these moments, wanted to live in them as long as he could. But they were moving him, gently guiding him, and he let himself be pulled along. 

They were on her bed in the loft. She was on top of him, dizzy, joyful relief making her giddy. He was alive. She had watched him die in another realm and here he was. Alive. 

She loved him so much at that moment and it nearly paralyzed her. She had almost lost him without telling him, almost lost her chance to say it out loud, to make it real. And the idea of that terrified her even more. She should say it, now while they were alone, while they had this time. In his eyes she could see he knew, he knew the words she wanted to say, could feel his anticipation. 

He loved her, but he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t needed to of course, she already knew. But still he had held off, waiting for her to make the first move. He knew her better than anyone else, and he knew she would run if he moved too fast. So he waited for her. He was waiting now.

The words were there, ready, waiting to come out. And she couldn’t say them. 

If she told him, it would become something else. It would be out there, in the open, for anyone else to see. In this moment, her love, this perfect, precious feeling, was only theirs. It belonged to only them. And she wanted to protect it, keep it safe. At least for a little while longer.

She would tell him. Soon. She would sit him down and tell him the words and make everything real. But for now? For now all she wanted to do was hold him. To feel the weight and the warmth of him beneath her. To sit in the feeling of his unspoken love for her, just a minute more.

Killian’s heart clenched, hard. Inside the frozen moment he felt Emma, his Emma, press a kiss to his face. Sorry, she thought, and he heard it inside his head. I’m sorry Killian. 

There was nothing for her to be sorry about. She loved him. He adored every bloody inch of her and in return? She loved him back so fiercely he was nearly blown down from the force of it. 

He tried to imagine himself holding her, pulling her close. Was there more? More quiet memories like this? Full of love and endless happiness? He thought he’d like to see them.

But slowly, the memories started to fade, the colours running, the sound quieting. All around them, the light dimmed, and the magic ended.

***

Emma, he thought. Emma. 

She had been right all along. It was true love. How could it not be? How could this feeling be anything less than true love? He woke in the field, his heart full, turning to reach out for her. 

She lay in the grass beside him, unmoving.

For one awful, terrible second, Killian could only stare. Her face was too white, the skin of her eyelids a pale purple, her lips blue. She wasn’t breathing.

“No.” The word came out as a whisper. “Emma no.”

He moved mechanically, his arms jerky, his breathing shallow. No she couldn’t be. He had just been with her, in the memory. She’d been alive and had kissed him, she was-

Her whispered words came to him, unbidden. I’m sorry Killian. What had she been apologizing for? 

“No.” He repeated the word. “No, no, NO, NO!”

He touched her cheek and nearly flinched back. Her skin was frozen. Terror built up in him in a frenzy, a dull whine building in his head. She couldn’t be. She couldn’t.

He pulled her to him, his movements gentle, like she might shatter in his hold. Her head lolled to the side, her arms heavy and dragging, a dead weight at her sides. Something primal beat through his veins, a screaming, gnawing terror that bordered on hysteria. She was not dead. They had not done all this, come this far, for her to die. 

He pressed his ear to her chest and nearly sobbed when he heard a heartbeat. It was sluggish, but it was there. 

“Emma please, you need to wake up.” He cupped her face, rubbing his thumb across the icy chill of her skin, trying to press some colour into it. “I need you to wake up. Please-” his last word broke on a strangled plea, tears filling his vision.

A crack of magic snaked through the air and a door exploded into life several feet away from him. Hades burst through, his face a mask of pure rage. 

“You little-” he hissed. He came to a halt at the edge of the field, his snarl freezing at the sight of Emma in Killian’s arms.

“Well now. Isn’t this something?” A cruel, vicious grin split his face. “This looks almost  familiar doesn’t it? Killian Jones, holding the body of the woman he couldn’t save.”

His words bounced off Killian, unheard. He was too deep inside his own churning panic. She was fading, every second they spent here, she was slipping away. There was only one thing left he could think to do.

“Emma,” he murmured, brushing the hair from her face. “If you can hear me, please. Come back to me.”

He cupped her face and lifted it gently. From behind him he heard Hades shout.

“NO! DON’T YOU DARE-”

Killian pressed his lips to Emma’s. 

And the world exploded.

***

Emma had seen true love magic before. She’d felt it herself when Henry had nearly died in her arms. The raw power of it had taken her breath away. But it was a different feeling altogether to be the one receiving it. To be kissed by her true love. It felt like coming home. It felt like love. It felt like everything. 

Every moment together, every lingering thought, every second she had loved and been loved by Killian Jones crystallized into one perfect, all consuming force of magic that flowed all at once into her body. It ran down her boneless arms, flowing into struggling lungs, and filled her with a warmth and a light so full and strong it felt like being lit from within. And when she started to wake, when the sleeping curse snapped apart and her eyes flew open, she swore she could taste rum and sea salt in the air.

Killian’s face floated in the space above her, his wide eyes shining as his mouth hung open in an expression Emma could only describe as awe.

“Told you,” she said with a smile, her tired eyes still half drooping. “True love’s kiss. Works every time.”

He let out a watery laugh, dropping his forehead to hers. “Aye that you did. Should have known you’d be right.”

She hummed a weary sound of pleasure, even as her exhausted body throbbed like a bad toothache. Her fingers moved up to thread their way through his hair. “Wanna see if we can do it again?”

His breath fanned across her cheek as he huffed out a laugh. “May have delay that love. First,” he glanced up. “I believe we should figure out where exactly we are.” 

Emma frowned as things slowly started to come back into focus. White, glowing light seemed to surround them from everywhere, and when she tried to slowly pull herself up, the floor beneath her felt smooth and warm to the touch. 

“Your guess is as good as mine,” she said as she looked around. It almost resembled a hallway. The widest and most expensive hallway she’d ever been in. It had golden marble floors and walls, and impossibly tall, carved column pillars that held up a domed ceiling. It rose so high above them that they had to crane their heads all the way back to see it.

“Another memory?” she asked him.

“Not one of mine.”

“Well it’s not mine, I think I would’ve remembered this place.” she said, trying to squint up at the airy, arched ceiling.

“If you’re both done laying around,” a voice called from behind them. “The way out is over there.”

Emma nearly jumped as Killian's arms tightened around her, both of them quickly turning to look at the woman seated at the far end of the hall who hadn’t been there a moment ago. She sat, half sprawled on a stone bench draped with spotted furs, a massive bow between her bent knees that she was trying to restring. Her copper skin seemed to glow faintly as she pulled the string taught and glanced up at them, clearly annoyed. Emma tried not to tense when she noticed the intense yellow of her eyes, or the way her pupil seemed to lock onto them like a hawk. 

“Well?” she asked again, jerking her chin towards the other end of the hall. “Go on, you can’t stay here forever.”

“Ah, where exactly?” Emma stuttered as Killian helped her to her feet.

The strange woman with the bird eyes waved her hand, dismissing them. “Just ask one of the others, I'm busy here.”

“One of the others…?” Killian murmured, trailing off as they both turned. 

Dozens of bodies suddenly moved around them, all of them with deep skin that held the same faint glow as the woman, and all draped in loose, airy fabrics cinched at the waists. Some slowed to stare at them, their smiles warm but puzzled. Others ignored them completely, pushing past with somewhere else to be.

“So I guess we just,” Emma gestured forward. “Find the exit.” 

“It would appear that way,” Killian said with a frown as his hand found hers, pulling her closer.

“Are they..? I mean do you think we’re in-?”

“I don't think it would be wise to ask that question,” Killian said in a hushed tone, keeping his eyes lowered. “I have a distinct impression that we aren't allowed to stay here very long.”

Emma tried not to stare as they moved past the impossibly beautiful masses, even when she felt the force of their power brushing against her senses. The sudden, overwhelming urge to not draw attention to themselves, took over her, and she tried to shrink. 

“Up there,” she whispered to Killian as she pointed to a spot where the hallway opened up and forked off in two different directions. “Let’s just pick one and hope the way out is somewhere along there.”

He nodded, gripping her hand tighter. As they got closer, they veered left, away from the crowd of people, and down another hallway. This was once smaller than the first, and quieter, but still managed to tower over them. 

“If we get lost here…” Emma said after a moment.

“Let’s hope very hard it doesn’t come to that.” Killian said tightly, pulling her through an arched passageway. “I imagine this isn’t a place they allow you to overstay your welcome.”

They moved into a massive room, the floor curving down towards an enormous raised platform that held a throne made of pulsing, molten gold. On it, a bearded man, nearly three times their size, towered over them. His fingers drummed against the arms of the chair, sending sparks of lightning shooting and dissipating into the air.

“Welcome heroes,” he said, his voice echoing and deep. “I was wondering when you would arrive.”

Killian and Emma stood frozen, awestruck. His eyes were a burning gold and so bright they felt hot on her face. Emma's own eyes watered with the effort of looking directly at them. He smiled at them, his teeth blinding white against the dark bronze of his glowing skin. 

“You have faced your trial with great bravery I see.”

“I-ah thank you. We appreciate that,” she murmured, at a loss for what else to say. “Are you-? I mean is this-?”

He leaned forward, his attention on them scalding, like the heat of the sun beating down on them. Emma nearly felt herself take a step back, but stopped when Killian’s arm curved around her waist, holding her up.

“What Emma means is,” Killian glanced at her, his smile tight, his eyes slightly too wide. “What might we call you?”

The man reached a massive hand up, his fingers stroking the thick, dark curls around his chin. “I have many names, given to me by many people. Although, I believe the one you may know me as, is Zeus.”

“Oh.” Emma said in a whisper, unable to stop herself. Zeus. Of course. He was certainly… bigger than the other gods they’d seen.

“I’ve been watching you two as you embarked on my brother’s trials. That was quite the clever loophole to his test, little Swan,” he said, inclining his head towards her.

“Your brother?” she blinked, glancing at the crackling electricity arcing across his knuckles, then back at his sun lit face. “I can uh- see the resemblance.”

His laughter was a boom of sound that made Emma’s ears ring.

“Hades spends too long below ground,” Zeus said. “I keep telling him he should get out more, put some life back into his cheeks.”

Emma smiled and nodded, suddenly wondering if she was still caught in the dream realm. Was this really happening? Was she making small talk with the king of the literal gods? Beside her, she could feel how tense Killian stood, every line of his body pulled tight.

“You look distressed Killan Jones,” Zeus said. “I would think meeting a god would not affect you so, having met two of my brothers so far.”

Two? When the hell had he met another one? If they made it out of this without being melted into puddles, she would have to ask him about that.

“It’s not that,” Killian said, his voice deceptively calm, a charming smile on his face. “I just worry about overstaying our welcome here, as honoured as we are to be here.”

Zeus leaned back on his throne. He was enjoying this. For the time being at least. 

“You two have fought well today. True heroes, both of you are welcome in my halls.”

“Thank you, that is a great honour indeed,” Killian said, his voice growing slightly sharp. 

Emma could feel panic start to rise in her. They could stay here forever if they weren’t careful, talking in circles with a god who seemed in no hurry to let them leave.

“Is that why we’re here? Because we passed the trial?” she looked at Killian, held his gaze. “Did we win?”

“Well that depends,” Zeus said, his voice like heavy stones rolling down a mountain.

“Depends on what?” she asked cautiously, her tone holding none of the tremors she felt in her limbs.

“Depends on you, hero born of love and magic. Do you believe you have passed the trial? Do you believe you know now what kind of man Killian Jones really is?” 

Emma felt like time held its breath. This was it. This was the sort of thing they wrote legends about wasn’t it? Trials set by the literal gods to test heroes? Everything that happened now rested on her shoulders. No pressure. 

“Like I already told Hades earlier, there wasn’t any need for a test,” she said after a beat. “I already know what kind of man he is. And I was right.”

She turned to look at him and saw he was already facing her, his face filled with love and awe at the sight of her. “Well it’s true,” she said, low enough that only he could hear.

Zeus's laugh was booming. Emma tried not to wince as her ears throbbed. She glanced back at the king of the gods, her eyes going about as high as they dared without looking directly into his molten stare, and landing somewhere on his chin.

“WELL SPOKEN LITTLE SWAN!”

Emma swore her knees almost buckled beneath his praise, but still managed to nod her thanks

“I bear witness to you both. Emma Swan;” his enormous hand swept towards her. “Saviour of magic and of her people. And you Killian Jones; Hero of the Saviour.”

Emma thought she heard all the air shoot out of Killian at once, the title landing squarely on his shoulders and nearly taking him out at the knees. She gave his hand a reassuring pat. It was a good name. She would remember that.

“Thank you Zeus,” she said finally, nodding her head to him. “We’re ah- We’re both honoured.” 

Killian stood still beside her, and she turned to look at him. As if drawn by her attention, he turned away from the king of gods, and leaned into her. His arms rose, circling her waist, pulling her closer. 

“I will tell my brother the trial is over; you’ve both passed.” Emma could hear the grin in his voice. “I’m sure Hades will be most pleased.”

Emma doubted that. She just hoped they were both far the hell away when he heard the news. 

“Are we…I mean. Are we free to go?” she looked up at him, trying not to squint as she met his stare, even when tears started to form in her eyes. “Can we go home now?”

Zeus smiled and it was like watching the sun rising between mountain peaks, the light of it so brilliant and overpowering it left spots in her vision. 

“Of course,” he murmured. Behind him, a passageway opened, forming between the towering columns. White, brilliant light spilled from it, as warm and welcoming as a homecoming. “You have my blessing. Well met heroes.”

They both nodded, moving towards the door with the warmth of his stare on their backs. When they walked to the passage, hands held, Killian turned to her, his face shining. “You did it Swan.”

She gripped him, pulling him to her. “We did it. Now,” she smiled, a heavy mass buried deep in her chest finally releasing its grip on her and falling away.  “Let’s go home.” 

As they stepped into the light together and the magic curled around them, their heads tilted together, their lips meeting. A bright light, shining and radiant, erupted from inside them. The power of it shimmered, colour and magic spiraling together like jeweled starlight, holding a world of promise and the faint scent of middlemist blooms.

[nabitoisdyingwithhomeworks]

PPT AU!

Hi! So in this post I will explain my AU! (I wont end it now because its late in my country so I will explain it in parts!)

Lets start with the first toy we met in the CHAPTER 1. 1. Huggy Wuggy/Felix Lambert: He was a orphan of 7 years old that was always a sweet one and caring one with his friends. He was finded by a worker that didn't seem interested of adopting him so that worker gived him to Playtime corp. when he was 2 years old. He knew about the experiments and always tried to defend himself but he couldn't... The scientists put him a lot of liquids that were for 2 reasons: Some of the liquids were for punishment(The scientist that didn't care for his life did that) and the liquids that would turn him in Huggy Wuggy. He was selected to be Huggy wuggy because he was obedient to the orders of his older and the scientist. He ended having his revenge, when he died he had flashbacks of his past life and remember his friends and say in his last moment "What I have done to deserve this hell?".

2. Poppy/Ayana Ludwig: She was the daughter of Ludwig, she didn't know her lovely and "sweet" dad did that mounstrosity to the kids that were her friends... When she know about it she tell her dad to stop but, her own father send her to a "special" experiment. "The most incredible doll ever invented"... Poppy was the perfect doll maded from Playtime corp. And it was perfect for Ayana to be the "happyness" of his father. She didn't want the HOUR of JOY to happen but.... Things happen for some reason...

3. Mommy Long Legs/Marie Payne: A girl that had 9 years old that would become Mommy Long Legs?.. Yep, thats Marie! She was Ayana's bestie and she was gentle and sweet to everyone except for the scientist, she had exceptions but... she still hated the scientist... The prototype promised her if she joins her as MML he would let her free... She tought he was saying true so she was obedient to him but... It was fake... She died after meeting the players... She was ANGRY... she tought the prototype would help her but she noticed at the end Prototype's intentions...

4. DJ Pug a Pillar: He is just a robot without feelings.. He was in reality a prototype but a kid (doesn't has to do too much with the history) was used to have Dj Pug a Pillar mental control. But afterall... The toy take the control over the body and it got killed by MML. He had trust on her but... He was just a toy for her.

5. Bunzo Bunny: As Dj he was just planed to be a prototype but... The scientist used a kid(Doesn't matters too much) to control the toy but... The toy take control of the body and the kid... Was forgetted in his own mind...

6. Mini Huggies: They were Felix's little siblings in the past, they were cuadruples and cared a lot about his older brother and helped him to confess at someone but... At the end become that 4 monsters.. When they knew about their older brother's dead... They wanted revenge but.... MML killed them without pity... The yellow one survived and his name was Oliver(The youngest one)... The red one name was Noah(2nd oldest)... The green one was called Liam(The 3rd oldest) and the blue one was called Henry(He is the oldest).

7. Kissy Missy/Juliet Guillen: She was a girl of 6 years old and was besties with Ayana and Marie. Her friends didn't notice but she had feelings on Felix and Felix had the same feelings but... In the same day she wanted to confess herself... Felix was taked apart for the experiments... Juliet feeled bad... She taked care of Felix's little brothers until she was taked to become Kissy Missy... When she know about the dead of Felix she feeled broken but she couldn't do something to the players because they were going to save them.

CHAPTER 3: 8. Catnap (Cannon): You may know who is Theodore... So I will explain you the changes of the history.. Theodore was brother of Nell/Dogday. That two were adopted by Miranda's mother that I tell her name that was Sally and his adoptive father was a man named Alan... Sally and Alan had Miranda 4 months later and waited for a new baby... but not everything is in color pink... Sally got atacked by a virus that she had when she was a kid... She had fever and couldn't walk because the pain of it... Alan had to go to another country to take new toys... The scientist taked that opportunity to take Theodore after they taked Nell... After months.. Sally came back a bit better(She gived birth to her waited son if that mean she will die but she survived) but... She finded her son like that and tried to calm him and she did it but... The scientist shoot her before she could say a goodbye to her dear son that was Catnap... Theodore taked his revenge... He didn't know what happened to his father and siblings...

9. DogDay (Cannon): Lets do it fast... Nell was adopted by the same family that adopt Theodore... He knew Miranda and know about the waited baby... He was taked for experiments... He got reunited with Miranda with the S.C but... There was 2 HOUR of JOY.. The 1st one was the try that the scientist stopped... The 2nd was the one that worked... In this time Alan find Nell... He was shocked... He gived comfort to Nell when he saw him as DogDay.. Alan ended being atacked by the scientist... Nell felt guilt about what happened to his father... After the S.C killed Skyblue and Tedd... He noticed they was his parents...

10. KickinChiken: Well... Callem had a sister that was friend of Miranda.... He was a blank for a worker that take him to Playtime corp. with his little sister... The worker wanted to adopt him with his little sister. The worker give him some trust and tried to make a friendship with him and it worked. Callem wanted to be her son and his sister be with him... But.... In the 1st HOUR of JOY... Huggy Wuggy killed his almost adoptive parents... The scientists taked that opportunity to take him to become Kickinchiken... He didn't know what happened to his little sister until he killed Candell Dancer by broking the ice and let her fall to the cold water... He noticed at the last moment she was his little sister... Cassie...

11. Craftycorn: Alba that was a orphan that had 14 years old and she worked(Obligated) with the kids from the playcare... She was taked by a worker that didn't seem interested of adopting her... She know about the experiments... But she didn't know that it would happen to her... In the experiments she almost joins the PROTOTYPE... But she didn't do it because the S.C promised her it would be a better world if she didn't do it... Afterall.. She accepted being with the group and was the mother figure and the 2nd leader from there... Nell is the 1st one but he isn't too mature for it..

12. Hoppy Hopscotch: Nicole is a orphan that was taked by a worker that didn't seem interested on her either... She had imsomnio and had problems to grow... She was strong enough to keep alive but... The scientist selected her to be Hoppy... She stayed in the laboratory with the S.C like for 9-10 months. She had her revenge afterall... She had a crush on Alba and confessed and now they are a couple :p.

13. Bubba Bubbaphant: He was such a smart kid... Charlie.... You were perfect for the scientist to be Bubba.... Thats why the scientist selected him to be Bubba... He was such traumatized about it... The traumas turn him into a serious one... He was finded in the street by a scientist... In that moment the scientist knew he was perfect for a experiment... He was sended to be with the Delight sisters.

14. PickyPiggy: She was a sweet kid called Samhy... She was so obedient with the scientist... She didn't know what could happen to her... She had respect to a scientist... She didn't know that the same scientist she loved so much... It would make her worst nightmare... After it... She feared the scientist but... She ended eating everyone... (Except the S.C).. Now she is just sick of everyone... She finds funny the violence..

15. Bobby Bearhug: Oh.... Dear Amanda.... Why did you trust them... Amara was a kid of 5 years old that was such a love to be in that hell.... She was just only 5 to be in that project.... She tought the worker that she loved so much would help her but.... That worker didn't come.... (The worker was killed by a scientist)... She had to stay there smiling.... Afterall she get free from the control and stay with the S.C. She is just a psycho if that means protecting your friends..

NOW WE GO WITH THE CARTOONS!!

1. Alexander Smith/C!DogDay: He gived the voice to the cartoon of DogDay... He was such a smiling kid... But he hided with that smile all his traumas with his father that was a scientist... His own father killed his mother... His mother show him how to smile if that even means if you are suffering inside... He was such a brave kid to argue with his father... It would be the last he did.... He mention his mother in the argue and the scientist/father killed him without pity... At the 2nd HOUR of JOY... Appears in the 7th night and kills the scientist with help of the kid that gived voice to C!Catnap...

2. Carles Addison/C! CatNap: He gived voice to the cartoon of CatNap(He only did cat sounds for the cartoon. C!CatNap is mute). He was bestfriends with Alexander. He was the 2nd that will die by the father of Alex. He discovered Alexander's body in the lab. He wanted to tell it but... The father of Alexander killed him by drowning him in hot water and make him stay in silence... Nobody hear his screams of fear and pain... In the 7th night he uses a body of a toy of CatNap to move and make that scientist enter in a room where Alexander would kill him. He still angry with the scientist but manages to stay calm. He doesn't felt pity for them.

3. Kyle/C! Kickin Chiken: He was bestie with Alexander and Carles. He was the cool one, he liked the character Kickin because it show his trust on himself. Obviously he felt bad when in the show Kickin Chiken broke (Yeah, The happy ones can be broken in a episode). He was the 3rd one to die... By the same person that killed Alexander and Carles... The father of Alexander that his name is Robert, he killed him when he threaten him of saying what he did to Alex and Carles, Robert got in a moment of rage and kill him by punchs. He appeared for 1st time in the almost Hour of Joy in the 6th night. He feels such a rage towards the scientists.

4. Catherine/C! Craftycorn: She is one of the oldest one of the group.(They all are over 5 to 11 years old). She was bestie of Alexander(Alexander has a crush on her.) She joined and gived voice to Craftycorn, She was REALLY blind, because she didn't notice that Alexander had a crush on her until they 2 were souls. Kyle and Carles gived her a LOT of signs that say that Alexander liked her. She discovered the death of the 3 days after Kyle "dissapear".... She find the bodies but... A woman that her name is Cassandra find her... She just say "You have to stay in silence" and killed her with the liquids of the lab. She appeared in the 6th night with Kyle, She found Cassandra and killed her by making her feel anxious. She is a quiet one, she doesn't felt bad for the scientist.

5. Harley/C! Hoppy Hopscotch: She was the one that liked to do sports!. She was perfect to be Hoppy, She "maybe" had a crush on Kyle and Kyle had the same feeling about her, Their form to show love for them was to treat them as if they were a problem for them. Harley was bestie with Catherine and always drag her to do something new and Catherine was always happy to do it with her. She discovered that Catherine died a week later. Cassandra find it out and killed her, she appeared on the 3rd night with the one that gived voice to Picky Piggy. She doesn't has too much rage towards the scientist.

6. Brandon/C! Bubba Bubbaphant: He was the one that gived voice to Bubba Bubbaphant. He liked the cases of murders and terrifying cases. He liked how the trama goes and how they find the one that has the fault. He didn't know that it would happen to him, He find it out everything about the murder and experimentation of the kids.. But as always... The scientistS make him "keep quiet"... He appeard in the 2nd night with the one that gives voice to C! Bobby Bearhug.

7. Petunia/C! Picky Piggy: She was the one that gived voice to Picky Piggy, She liked to be with the one that gived voice to Bobby Bearhug, She was the one that liked to eat A LOT, she liked to cook for her friends and help them with their problems the most she can... She didn't find it out but the scientist still killed her... She didn't wanted too much revenge but she still had to make it for her friends.

8. Amira/ C! Bobby Bearhug: She was such a lovely girl and she was the one that gived voice to Bobby Bearhug. She feeled that her home was with her friends, she loved to be with Petunia and cook together. She had a crush on Carles and Carles had the same feelings for her. She was left alive with 2 kids that gived voice to Minasheep and Goatmak(MY OCS). She finded out that how all her friends dissapear and tell everybody but..... NOBODY BELIEVED HER.... She ended being the only survivor in the crew... She misses most Petunia and Carles. She find some things of Carles and brought his favourite flowers: Roses. She remembers that Carles tell her if someday he dies... "Please give me roses in my grave... I would be happy"... She fullfill her promise... Would she come back to the factory?...

[that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main]

The Initiative Project| Javik

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Reader: female | pre-established relationship

Warnings: Detailed Smut is very much not present but very much eluded too

Notes: Hi, Im on spring break. Enjoy me being back for like a week :)

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"Hey."

"What?"

"Damn, who pissed in your cereal?" Y/n laughed, hands in her pockets as she casually mosied along the high arc of the Citadel with one hand tucked away in her pocket, the other holding a flashlight, neither were meant to be up there, "Garrus recommended you this place?"

"Yes," Javik answered, Y/n smiling small as she took a spot next to him.

"Light generator's busted," Y/n responded, standing next to the Prothean, turning off her flashlight "One hell of a view."

Light pollution usually took such a view away; but now? With the light gone, and nothing but natural light from candles, the beauty of the dark took over, the sky showing its true colors, star dust glowed and burned bright purples and blues, reds and oranges at the center.

"I am positive Andormena will likely be the same." Was his only response, causing Y/n to roll her shoulders.

"Yeah...maybe," Y/n chuckled, "I think we all deserve a long nap after what we've been through; but six hundred years...what will you do?"

"What I have always done," Javik answered.

"Survive?"

"Precisely."

Y/n nodded, "Good plan..."

"Then...I will take my leave." Javik spoke, turning himself to leave.

"You don't have to you know," Y/n told, stopping the Prothean in his tracks; "I...It's..."

"What?"

"Please?" Y/n asked, "Just...for a little while more?"

Even in the dark, it was easy to see he didn't want to be there, yet he stayed, and stood, facing the Citdeals opening which framed the galaxy in front of them.

"Look I'm sorry-"

"Sorry? You do not get to be, sorry," He snapped, his footsteps coming closer till she realized he was clearly in her face, "You do not get to apologize, to be sorry, to be remorseful, you have no remorse, you have no sympathy, you have no mercy. You are selfish."

"Selfish?" Y/n defended, offended by such a remark, "Tell me what selfish, you're clearly the higher being, aren't you? You understand all and every primitive, then understand me."

"Running off to another galaxy! Six hundred years in stasis via cryo! Six hundred years dead!" Javik argued: "All so you can run away from your problems-"

"Problems?" Y/n questioned, "What problems- I have to have people to have problems; You just don't get it? My family in the world I helped survive which I come from does not want me! The family in that world? Does not want me! Thane- the only father I ever had- not even of my own blood dead- the closest thing I had to a brother? Kolyat!? Blames me! Mordin is dead! Miranda is dead! Shepard is dead! My best friend Leigon is dead! Garus and James? Dead! So is it so bad that I ask for one thing; one damn thing that guess what?"

Y/n backing up, already starting to leave; "Ends up being me doing shit for others though anyway! Welcome to our fucking cycle your majesty!"

Y/n turned the flashlight back on, leaving the Prothean alone; alone like he was before her, and alone like he'd be after.

"I need a fucking cigarette." He heard her argue to herself her boots clanking against the metal arch of the Citadel.

Sometime soon, the lights would turn back on, people rejoicing in the artical light, the artificual light that posioned the dark of space.

Y/n got her cigratte, shoved away in the back of Liam's apartments in the Initiative base.

"Let's slow down on the cigs, eh?" He spoke, grabbing the tin from in front of Y/n: "He stressed you out that bad love? I haven't seen you smoke in a few years, you know- since I almost arrested you for underaged smoking, then-"

He paused, Garrus had gotten her out of the situation, promising that if she stopped, he wouldn't rat to Thane or Kolyat.

"Yeah...."Y/n sighed, leaning back, half a lit cigratte in between her fingers.

"Sorry..." he apologized, Y/n nodded.

"It's cool." Y/n told.

She looked out the window in silence.

"you know," Liam started up, "what always gets me up when I'm down-"

"Beans on toast."

"Beans on toast!" Liam cheered, "Want to go get some?"

"Yeah sure why the fuck not, my relationship's ruined, why not ruin my stomach," Y/n responded getting up walking towards the door.

"Hey! It doesn't have to be beans on toast!" Liam laughed in his defense following Y/n into the hall quickly, "Could be avacado."

"We're leaving the galaxy in a what? Week and a half and you wanna eat beans and avacado on toast as your last meals?" Y/n spoke.

"Well, not together." He told, "What's better than toast with beans?"

"Litterally anything." Y/n told as they walked through the halls, "Mini wheats for one."

He gaged as they continued out of Initiative headquarters and to a food court, continuing to go back and forth between food choices. Liam grew up in Earth's British city of London, with the citadel sprinkled in for vast periods of time. Y/n, though born on Earth, never seen a damn day of it: her life was a duct rat: how she met Thane after all, no parents to claim her, so, in a way: Thane claimed her as his; felt responsible, one needed the other after all. Thane got his information, Y/n got her payment, usually settled in Diner food. After some time, it became a weekly thing, the drala'fa and the assassin at a diner, eating whatever was being served: breakfast lunch, or dinner.

It's how she joined the Normandy in the first place, she had gone missing; Thane had practically begged for assistance in finding her; she had disappeared with no trace; she had been caught, grabbed by smugglers and slavers, free product with high profit with no strings attached was ideal. With enough luck, and treats they found the cargo ship and Y/n within. At the crisp age of nineteen turning twenty within her first week there, she was on the Normandy; ready to fight, not to mention she gained an unofficial family. Kolyat had even joined the group for a small time: Y/n and him enjoying each other's company. Kolyat...right, in a fit of anger; perhaps resentment or just sadness he blamed her; it was her fault, it was her doing; she was there she could of stopped Cerberus; it was just one person, it was just one assassin, she knew better, she could of handled it.

"Hello! Citadel to Y/n!" A hand waved in front of her face.

"What?" Y/n asked.

"You were talking then you stop," Scott told.

"I was?"

"Yeah." Sara told, "You forget there was a salad in front of you too?"

Y/n looked down at her food before rubbing over her eyes with a groan.

"Are you good dude?" Scott questioned.

"I'm fine," Y/n told them.

"She's goin threw it; her 50k-year-old boyfriend just fucked her in the ass and left," Liam commented.

"Really Liam?"

"It's true, got her smokin' and everything," Liam told the Ryder twins.

"Damn that's gotta be rough," Sara started, "Sorry..."

"I don't get it." Scott spoke up, "You're 21 dating an old man, look at you; you could have anyone and you date a Prothean you helped unfreeze when the reapers attacked."

"Scott." Sara scolded hitting her twin in the chest.

"What? I'm being honest! Why him in the first place even?" He questioned; "he's an asshole! We all know it!"

"he's not an asshole."

"Right. He's a dick." Scott corrected himself.

"He's rough around the edges sometimes." Y/n defended, "I am leaving and never coming back, I just feel like maybe I should stay-"

"You're kidding me?" Sara asked.

"What?"

"After all you've done, and at your age: you wanna do something for someone else? Again?" Sara argued; "What has he done for you to make you stay?"

"Well-"

"Fucking you does not count," Sara defended.

Y/n was silent for a moment, what did Javik do for her?

Javik had her back, for better rather than worse; usually. After Thane's death, he was her vent mate; her rooms vent connecting right into his, the night crying he claimed was annoying; useless even.

'Crying will not bring back the dead.' He argued, sat on his cot.

'Sorry your royal fuck face that my dad just fucking died.' She snaped back.

'Rage was always one thing you humans got right,' He commented, 'I believing it's one of your...greatest inspirations, it is what has kept your people alive for so long."

'I'm not angry,' Y/n defended; 'I have to keep a cool head, I am not angry. It'll just get more people killed.'

'Not angry?" he laughed, 'Is that what the drell taught you? anger gets people killed? Anger fuels life. It is the chaos that keeps peace in balance, You're anger is not what gets people killed. it's the ignorance that is contained within your anger.'

Y/n was silent for a moment as she laid down on her cot, wipping her face with her sleeve.

'How do you know?' Y/n asked looking up at the ceiling.

'Its one damn thing I have learned in this cycle,' he told, 'I have also learned you're saying Ignorance is bliss, is quiet idiotic. It is what breeds your ignorant behavior in anger."

"He's had my back." Y/n spoke in Javik's defense, "More than once."

'You could have protected him!" Kolyat shouted, 'Why didn't you protect him!'

"I-"

'What?! You tried!?' Kolyat shouted, 'Tried isn't good enough! You're so busy fucking around that you couldn't even do what your fucking here for!'

'You will not talk to her in such a tone!' Javik shouted, pushing Kolyat back and out of her face, 'Speak to her on such a tone again, and it will entail a problem between me and you.'

Kolyat glared at him, 'Do I make myself clear?' Javik argued.

'Fuck you.' Kolyat snapped pushing passed Javik and walked away from the two of you.

'Kolyat-' y/n spoke, but he was already gone, 'Kolyat, please...'

'He will not bother you-'

Y/n had already crumbled, crying into her hands in the middle of the room he walking up to her.

'Do not waste tears on some so ignorant. You primatives-'

She hugged him in desperation, freezing Javik in place as she held onto him.

"Yeah. He's had my back." Y/n nodded to the group, "Just rough around the edges is all. Trust me."

"What we mean is." Liam spoke up, "We want you to be happy, live for you. You know? What do you want to do? For you? You've done a lot for others."

"I don't know what I want anymore." Y/n answer honestly.

"Well..." Liam spoke, "How do you want to feel?."

Y/n looked down at her food, "I don't know."

"Thats thw good thing about stoves." Liam told with a smile. "Things can go on the back burner to simmer."

Think about it. Just think, it didn't have to be immedate, just, think. Take time, and think.

"I feel full."

"You barely ate."

"Yeah I'll take it with me." Y/n told picking herself up and the container, leaving the group.

Gone from sight, she decided going to her initiative quaters was best, and on the way, she would drop her untouched meal off in front of a duct where it would be grabbed up quickly by one of the kids.

Maybe a nap would be best.

Making it to the halls of doors, each leading to onrs own room and office, she saw Javik leaning up against the wall, clearly waiting. She'd have to deal with it sooner rather than later.

"Hey."

He glanced her way, "Hello."

"You're...here..." Y/n spoke.

"I am."

Y/n looked towards the door, "Did you-"

"Here."

Y/n looked at the small bunch of flowers wrapped in paper and a string.

"Oh. Marigolds." She spoke, "my favorite."

"They were annoying me. Every time I passed that old human woman."

"So...you got them for me?"

"They annoyed me because they reminded me of you."

Y/n took them carefully, "thanks. Appreciate it..."

"The Krogan offered me work."

"Oh. Wrex?" Y/n spoke, looking down at the flowers," bounty work?"

"Land Work," Javik commented, "a farm."

Y/n looked up, "he offered you work as a farmer?"

"Amongst other opportunities."

"And farming? It? Caught one of your eyes or? Six?" She questioned.

"All of them." He commented: clearly not getting the joke.

Y/n chuckled under her breathe, "why uh. Why farm work?"

Javik was silent as Y/n looked at him awaiting his answer.

"You." Was his final answer, "I had discussed with Wrex while we were still together on the Normandy. You had...talked about it a lot with the fields."

"...the corn fields we saw in that colony," Y/n told him Javik nodded, "You remember that?"

"My memory may not be as sharp as a Drells, but it's still better than humans."

Y/n chuckled in response gently rubbing one of the leaves on the marigold's stem to keep her mind busy, hoping not to give away her bashfulness; "Thanks uh again for the flowers,"

Javik gave a curt nod as she smiled back, "I should get to filing some stuff then..."

With a put of a button, the door opened allowing Y/n to go through she sent him a small wave of the hand as she did. The door closed as she stood there, looking at the flowers in hand, before setting them on a shelf in an old ration can she had used for a vase. She looked at them sitting all pretty in an old can. A finger came up to her mouth as she chewed on the nail in debate. Y/n was quick to backtrack, opening the door once again; Javik still standing there seemingly having a debate himself as Y/n quickly kissed him, he quick to kiss back; hands grabbing her arms as he backed her up into her office, Y/n quickly flailed her hand around for the control panel to press the lock button, uncertain if she got it, she was already pushed back into the desk, being lifted up to sit ontop it.

"I don't think she's going with us," Sarah argued.

"She's going." Liam defended, "Trust me."

[alj4890]

Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

(Maxwell Beaumont x Olivia Nevrakis) in a Choices The Royal Romance Crackship AU

Masterlist

A/N Sorry this took so long. I'm the girl who gets the flu each year in the dead of summer, instead of the winter like a normal person 🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyway, on to more enjoyable things! The Court is at Lythikos. After replaying TRR, I forgot how the things Maxwell says and his reactions could be interpreted into him actually liking Olivia in the two Lythikos chapters. Naturally, for this storyline, I ran hard with it 😂 This chapter focuses on that first day there.

Chapter 2

The Royal Palace, the Duke of Ramsford's chambers...

"Maxwell?" Bertrand snapped. "Are you paying attention?"

Maxwell remained silent as he stared out the window. His thoughts were focused on a wild variety of revelations. After the previous day's time observing Liam and Riley play croquet and then last night's sneaking out for cronuts, he could see that Liam had a definite favorite amongst his many suitors.

It continued to give him hope, not just for himself, but also for Liam. He'd never seen the prince react the way he was with any of the ladies they'd grown up with. Maxwell could tell that Riley seemed just as crazy about him. If things continued to move along like he thought, he would be lifting a glass of champagne with the rest of the nobles in honor of their engagement in a few months.

The rest of Maxwell's thoughts, as usual, were filled with Olivia.

The conversation he had with her outside her room the night of the Masquerade Ball revealed that she preferred it when he acted like himself. He couldn't help but be pleased to hear that. Perhaps his idea to be more casual and aloof was going to pay off in the end.

It has to, he argued with himself. This has to make her finally see me.

He also couldn't help but notice her looking at him curiously the day before at the derby. When he didn't go up to her to even say hello, her eyes narrowed. Usually, he'd have remained by her side, making outrageous bets in the hopes of seeing her smile. It'd been hard to merely nod her way then turn his back on her. He wondered what she was thinking at that moment.

He'd then done the same at the Queen's tea later on. Olivia's frown followed him over to where Riley was sitting after the croquet match. He hadn't even bothered to look for her, at least not obviously. He'd instead watched her from the corner of his eye.

If his actions kept him on her mind in trying to figure out this new version of himself, then it would all be worth going against his very nature.

His worry now was how to behave at Lythikos.

Should I change it up or--

"MAXWELL!"

He jumped, turning quickly towards his brother.

"Sorry!" He automatically replied. "I um, well..."

Bertrand groaned.

"Maxwell, I have to return to Ramsford." He began again.

"Why?" Maxwell asked.

"Why?! I just went into a detailed explanation on why I'm not journeying to Lythikos with you and Lady Riley!"

"Oh." Maxwell said a touch sheepishly. "Right. Sorry."

Bertrand sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Can I trust you to make certain Lady Riley behaves herself appropriately at Lythikos?"

"Of course you can!" Maxwell replied, slapping a reassuring hand upon his brother's shoulder. "You know I'll make sure she has a great time snow skiing and all."

"That's not what I'm worried about!" Bertrand grumbled. "I'm worried about her bringing attention, the wrong kind of attention, upon our House!"

He narrowed his eyes at Maxwell.

"Don't think I've forgotten what I'd hoped was a joke of yours about finding an indecent woman to represent us."

"Come on, Bertrand." Maxwell folded his arms. "You've seen for yourself that Riley has been a perfect lady since she arrived."

"She does appear to be all you've promised." Bertrand said. "I suppose I have little choice now."

"You can't send her home, even if you wanted to." Maxwell pointed out. "Liam is crazy about her. Now, the public wants to see more of her with him."

"True."

Maxwell held his right hand up while placing his left over his heart. "On my honor as a Beaumont, I swear only the best of both me and Riley will be shown at Lythikos."

"I can't very well argue against that type of reassurance." Bertrand's lips curved into a slight grin.

"You and I made sure no one could ever doubt the word of a Beaumont." Maxwell added, grinning even more.

"That we did." Bertrand patted Maxwell's back. "Let's go awaken our chosen lady and give her the details about this next event."

*****************

Lythikos...

Olivia watched from a window in her library as Maxwell's limo pulled into the drive. She knew she should already be outside to greet them, but she wanted just a few more seconds behind the curtains to see how Maxwell acted with Riley.

She didn't know why her curiosity was notched to an eleven over his odd behavior, but she was determined to see if Liam's new suitor was possibly stringing both men along.

Her eyes narrowed even more so to see Drake and Hana getting out of the same limo.

Well that's odd, she thought.

She ducked down when Maxwell glanced over towards her way. Cursing herself for that ridiculous reaction, she crawled out of view and hurried to greet them.

"Welcome to Lythikos." She announced from the front steps. "I hope you will take advantage of all the beauty my duchy has to offer."

Before anyone could properly respond, she waved towards her butler standing at the ready. "Harris will show you to your rooms. Please let him know of any needs you might have."

Olivia cast her typical smirk and took off towards a frozen pond that already had a gathering of nobles.

"Join us when you're ready." She added.

She glanced back to see Maxwell help Riley with her luggage. A slight frown formed on her lips when she noticed the two laughing over some joke.

Her temper simmered as she faced forward. No matter how distracting Maxwell was at this moment, she was determined to focus all her attention on Liam. After all, the prince was the whole point of this social season.

I despise the mystery that is Maxwell Beaumont. He can act weird all he wants with that barely attractive American. If he wants her, then he can have her. See if I care.

***************

"C'mon Riley!" Maxwell urged. "We need to get down to the pond."

"Okay, okay." Riley struggled with a sweater she was pulling on. "Geez, Max. It isn't like the ice will melt before we get there."

"I know." He mumbled. "I see that Liam is already out there."

"He is?" She hurried over to the window. "Looks like most of his suitors are out there too."

"Yeah." Maxwell's brow furrowed the longer he watched the group skate.

Riley gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh. Yeah! I'm great!" Maxwell held her coat up for her. "I'm only anxious to get our future queen out there for some fun!"

Riley laughed as she slipped her arms in the sleeves. "I'd love some fun."

"Then you shall have all the wintery fun you could possibly want!" He slung his arm along her shoulders. "On the suitor front though, you'll have to work hard to catch Liam alone here."

"I figured." She gestured about the mansion. "It's what happens when you have a home field advantage."

"Yep." His smile dimmed. "Olivia isn't going to waste this opportunity to win Liam."

"Max?" Riley stopped him once they were outside. "Do you think this is right?"

"What?"

"Me trying so hard to win Liam?" She turned towards the pond, eyes narrowing in thought. "I mean, if he wants someone like Olivia or Hana or anyone else out there; should I be breaking that up?"

"But he doesn't!" Maxwell exclaimed. "He has to humor them because that's who Liam is. He's too polite and thoughtful to tell them he's already made his choice, i.e. you."

Riley shook her head, a smile forming. "You really believe strongly in your candidate."

He smiled once more as they walked to the pond. "I can't help it that the Beaumont's are backing the right lady."

He took her hand and squeezed it.

"Liam really is crazy about you." He whispered.

"You think so?" She asked.

"Not only do I know, I'll prove it." Maxwell helped her lace up her skates before he did his own.

The pair stepped out on the ice.

****************

That was a close one.

Maxwell ran his hands over his face as he thought back to his rash action on the ice. He tried to excuse his impulsive behavior as a means of helping Liam and Riley find a moment alone together, but he knew the truth.

I didn't want Olivia with him.

He stared into the flames of the crackling fire. What had he been thinking? Yelling out for Olivia to watch him spin. He'd nearly blown the whole cool, aloof noble persona he was cultivating by acting like he was twelve years old again, trying to get her to notice him.

Thank God for Penelope.

If she hadn't clapped and begged him to teach her how to spin like a professional figure skater, he might still be acting out in front of Olivia. Penelope's attention gave him a chance to once again ignore the one he wanted most. Olivia's frown formed the moment he turned away from her. Her perplexed expression when she rejoined Liam and Riley helped him keep as far away from her as he could.

When everyone decided to go snow skiing, he knew he couldn't join them. He'd probably break his neck in trying to impress Olivia. So, while his friends headed towards the ski lift, he escaped back into the manor.

Unable to sit still and dwell on how badly he could screw this up, he pushed himself off the couch and looked about. He needed something to distract him from his worries. His attention landed on a pair of crossed swords over the mantle.

I'll go check out Olivia's armory, he decided. That'll take my mind off things.

He lost track of time as he toured the impressive display of weapons and torture devices the Nevrakis had been fond of for centuries. As he got near a wall covered with war hammers and flails, he heard voices coming from a nearby vent. There was one in particular he recognized.

That's Olivia!

He leaned closer to hear what she was saying.

******************

Olivia's Ballroom...

"Harris?" Olivia called out. "Were you able to find the items I asked about earlier?"

"I was, your grace." Her butler answered. "I took the liberty of placing them in Lord Beaumont's chambers as you requested."

"Good." She eyed her ballroom and the work done to have it ready for the next evening's special event.

So far, it was exactly as she pictured it. Her lips curved as she imagined dancing with Liam. Her ballroom always sparked romance with the soft lights of the chandeliers combined with the wide expanse of windows showcasing the wintery beauty of Lythikos. Once everyone saw her in Liam's arms against that perfect backdrop, there would be no doubt that she was meant for him.

The other ladies will be forced to give up, she thought with glee. My history with Liam alone puts me in the top spot. Add in everything else I possess and it will be proven to be a lost cause for those poor, pitiful suitors.

"Your grace?" Harris cleared his throat once more to get her attention.

"Hmm?" Olivia refocused.

"Is there anything else I should put in Lord Beaumont's room?"

"Not at the moment." She checked the time. "Everyone should be returning shortly. Have the footmen prepare the refreshments in the main drawing room."

Harris bowed on his way to do as she commanded.

Olivia left and began to mentally prepare to steal Liam away from everyone. Along the way, she noticed Maxwell running down a hall towards her right.

She almost called out, then stopped herself. She still wasn't certain what was going on with him. The one thing she did know was that she was tired of how often this mystery that was the new Maxwell Beaumont was getting on her nerves. She detested anything she couldn't figure out quickly.

Her hope was simply this: that the old Maxwell would return once he saw the surprise in his room. When that happened, she'd interrogate him over who made him change.

She still suspected it was Riley. He was perfectly normal before she stuck her big nose in Cordonian affairs. Now this woman was trying to befriend everyone. Olivia wasn't buying her sweet, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth act. Everyone had ulterior motives for doing what they did.

She would find out the American's and then make her regret ever coming to Cordonia.

*****************

Maxwell took the main stairs two at a time. He nearly tripped twice as he made a mad dash for his chambers.

I gotta know what she had put in my room!

His door bounced against the wall once he burst inside. Breathless, he quickly scanned the guest room for anything out of the ordinary.

Is it a cool weapon? Maybe a letter finally telling me she's been crushing on me too?!

He shook his head

No. It wouldn't be that.

He noticed a silver covered tray sitting on an end table near a wingback chair.

He lifted the lid and gasped.

"SHE GOT ME CHEETAH CAKES!"

Maxwell slapped his hand over his mouth for that outburst. He rushed to his open door and peeped out to make sure the hallway was empty. He blew out a relieved breath to see that no one heard his undignified excitement over a sugary treat. He hadn't reacted like that since he was eight years old and first tried the perfection that was simply Cheetah Cakes.

He couldn't believe she remembered something so insignificant like his favorite snack cake.

But why did Olivia go to the trouble to find these for me? Does this mean she like likes me? Or am I just wishful thinking again?

He didn't know. He only knew that this made the trip here that much sweeter, literally and figuratively.

"I'll see you in a few hours." He said to his cakes. "Together, we'll celebrate the awesome duchess who sent you to me."

Feeling a lot happier than he had mere minutes ago, he went downstairs to wait on Riley.

*****************

The Main Drawing Room...

Olivia eyed Maxwell from across the room.

He's doing it again!

Maxwell was sitting next to Riley, grinning that dimpled grin of his and listening.

Since when did he ever just listen? He's always got some story or joke or anything that makes him the center of attention! Why is Riley able to be at the center? Why is he not mingling with everyone else? He hasn't even come to me like he normally does to brag about his skiing or whatever he did when he disappeared earlier.

And what in the hell is Drake and Hana doing hanging out with her??? I get why Liam has to be nice to her. That's just how he would be with anyone. But Drake?! There is nothing more unnatural on this earth than Drake Walker going out of his way to be nice! Come on! And is Hana that stupid to think Riley is a friend? She's in competition with you, you idiot! You can trust no one here.

Maxwell, can't you see it's all an act? As soon as she loses to me, Riley will reveal her true self. Then you'll be hurt because she isn't as sweet as you think she is. Are you falling for her? Is she actually playing both you and Liam?

Olivia couldn't take another second of their happy little group.

"Is everyone enjoying all I've provided?" She asked.

The group stilled. Drake and Hana eyed her warily. Riley nodded while Maxwell spoke.

"I've always enjoyed my time with you, Olivia." He said in a soft, unassuming tone.

Olivia blinked over that. She wasn't certain how to take that statement. Normally she'd chalk it up to his crush on her. But that damn tone! How was she supposed to interpret that now?!

She did not like him pushing her off balance like this. Searching for anything to make her world seem normal again, she zeroed in on the half eaten eclair on Hana's plate.

"Drake, did you notice the treats I had the staff set out?" Olivia smiled at him.

She knew he wouldn't like where she was going with this. A little verbal sparring with some carefully executed jabs would be just what she needed to recover from Maxwell's mysterious ways.

"What about it?" Drake asked.

"I remember how Savannah loved eclairs. She plowed through them as if they were the last on earth." Olivia laughed. "I guess we should all be grateful she isn't here or else no one would have a chance at the buffet."

"Don't," he hissed, "talk about my sister."

Drake glanced at his watch and stormed out.

"Wait Drake!" Olivia shouted with a giggle. "I'm not done--"

"Shut your damn mouth!" Riley snapped.

Olivia whirled back towards her. "Well, well. Look who has a soft spot for Cordonia's most popular commoner."

"Leave him alone." Riley commanded, getting to her feet.

Olivia's smirk faltered when she noticed the sad, disappointed look in Maxwell's eyes. A slight pinprick of guilt washed over her.

"As fun as that was," Olivia straightened her shoulders, "I should be on my way. I promised Liam a personal tour of my duchy."

She left the small group, doing her best to avoid Maxwell's unwavering gaze.

[punkscowardschampions]

Roses

Rio: I’m on my new phone

Moses: Yeah, I can see that, like

Rio: I don’t know what else to say

Rio: I must be in shock

Moses: You don’t need to be scared of me

Rio: I shouldn’t have said that

Moses: Nothing I haven’t heard before

Rio: It wasn’t supposed to go like that, for me to ruin everything

Moses: Notice my complete lack of shock, it’s only ever a matter of time ‘til everything goes like that

Rio: That’s not true

Rio: why are you upset?

Moses: Fuck all lasts however much I want it to

Moses: you made me forget that but now I remember

Rio: Oh, I see

Moses: Enjoy the [whatever kind of car it is]

Rio: I thought you wanted to show that you would keep your promises

Rio: but you’re paying me off

Moses: You wanted a way home without me, you’ve got it

Rio: I can’t drive

Moses: I taught you

Rio: Once

Moses: And I told you it’ll practically drive itself

Rio: That’s not the point

Rio: you haven’t finished, you can’t just drop me

Moses: I made you cry, that’s breaking my promises

Rio: We just had a fight

Moses: I haven’t slept

Rio: I didn’t mean to do that, any of it from that point it all changed

Rio: I had my apology all ready but then you said that nothing lasts

Moses: I had your [whatever he was gonna dress her in from the shop they never made it to] all ready in my head

Rio: I should’ve just done it

Rio: I didn’t want to lie but I want what happened less

Moses: Neither of us was in the mood

Rio: Now you hate me

Moses: What did I say

Rio: when?

Moses: I can’t hate you, is the answer

Rio: Do you want to

Moses: I never want you to feel like that again

Rio: and I don’t want you to be unable to sleep

Rio: or talking like there’s no hope

Moses: You’re my only hope

Rio: That’s not true, you know how much you have going for you

Moses: She told me to leave, won’t talk to me

Rio: Edie?

Rio: About this

Moses: And her boyfriend

Rio: Fill me in

Rio: she’s very protective of Liam

Moses: I’d be upset whoever he was, she’s my baby and every lad is the same, out for one thing

Moses: it was her who said she don’t wanna turn out like your mammy has, I’m only looking out for her by pointing out he won’t be this grief-stricken for the rest of his life, that he’ll be after living

Rio: Ah

Rio: of course you would, things are changing

Moses: She told us at least it wouldn’t be a crime, which I’m spending my time committing

Rio: Oh Jesus

Moses: I’d be kneecapped, and worse, to hear her talk

Rio: But you covered, obviously, what did you say

Rio: maybe if you take the car back, she’ll cool off, it’ll be okay

Moses: That I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s true

Rio: We’ve done what she thinks we have, that’s the point

Moses: The point is I’ve never forced you, you want to be with me

Rio: Of course I do but I don’t think that matters to Edie, or to anyone else

Moses: The men who get strung up snatch little kids in their cars, they don’t buy ‘em their own

Rio: Aren’t you scared

Rio: I’ll die if something happens to you

Moses: There isn’t anything to be afraid of

Moses: she’s as jealous of [the tattoo girl] as she is of you

Rio: Why would you argue with her about Liam, of all things, when she’s accusing you of that sort of thing?

Moses: Jesus, don’t you start now

Rio: Do you not feel sick

Rio: I just don’t understand

Moses: You know what she’s like

Rio: Yeah, I know what she could do

Moses: If you’re that worried, I’ll go

Rio: Is that what you want

Moses: No, but you can drive to [wherever he’s working next]

Rio: I don’t want you to go

Moses: I can hear your heart from here, you won’t sleep yourself unless I put some distance between us

Rio: I’ve forgotten how to sleep away from you and now you’re making me

Moses: I should’ve handled her better

Rio: She’s not a little kid anymore

Moses: She’s my baby girl forever, whether she likes it or not

Rio: She won’t, not now, she’s growing up and you have to let her or she’ll not have you involved at all

Moses: I’ve given her more freedom than any of my sisters, cousins or nieces, she’s had everything she could ever want

Rio: Surely you weren’t expecting gratitude in return, not at her age, at the very least

Moses: I weren’t expecting blatant disrespect but sure, I am too soft, and this is what comes of it

Rio: There’s nothing you can do about any of it now

Moses: Ah, what’s to be done, accusations are all she has

Moses: she’ll not get a length of rope long enough to hang me off the back of only them

Rio: I’ll leave you alone, if I have to

Moses: Don’t say that, it’s killed us already, your silence

Rio: All for some childish freakout

Rio: sure she’d not have no notion if you didn’t feel you had to buy me the car

Moses: I promised you the car before then, I was always going to buy it

Rio: I remember, it’s one of the first things we talked about

Moses: My cousin paid your brother off with wheels and euros, who said a word about his wrongs

Rio: It’s one of the awkward truths that looms over everything and all of us but is never really discussed

Moses: You were more mine than he’s ever been his, I was open about it then, why would I have anything to hide now

Rio: You’re allowed to still care, no one can say otherwise

Moses: I love you, I won’t turn it off for no one

Rio: There’s nothing wrong with us loving each other

Moses: If there was I wouldn’t have missed you every single day I wasn’t allowed to be your daddy

Rio: My heart can’t handle being separated from you again

Moses: It put a hole in me bigger than your entire body

Rio: We need each other to be whole, that will always outweigh all the rational danger I’m ignoring

Moses: Promise not to ignore me again

Rio: I’ll throw this phone out the window if you ask me to

Moses: I thought you was gonna follow your old phone out

Moses: that made me feel sick

Rio: I don’t know what came over me

Rio: sounds like a load of shite but I really mean that

Moses: I’d have stopped you, used every part of myself as a shield if I had to

Rio: I have to stop hurting you

Rio: even if it’s through trying to protect you, it’s still so wrong and I hate myself for it

Moses: You’re just scared, all my love is a lot

Rio: but I want it

Moses: I want you to have it too, but we can go slower

Rio: You’re the kindest and gentlest already, I don’t deserve a daddy as good as you

Moses: You deserve to be treated like a princess

Rio: I’ll be the best daughter for you

Moses: You are

Rio: I need to be with you at all times

Moses: I mean it, drive yourself to me

Rio: Where are you?

Moses: [Wherever you are, it’s giving in my head somewhere he’s working not somewhere she’s been before for the added drama]

Rio: Okay

Rio: I’ll make it happen

Moses: [shameless content of him kissing her on the mouth via this tattoo he has]

Rio: I love you

Rio: I need your tongue in my mouth very badly

Moses: [say it all in gypsy lingo for her because she wouldn’t know the 2nd bit at all and it’s vital info clearly]

Rio: [copy it out loud because you’re !!]

Moses: Your tongue is so fucking good at that

Rio: I want to learn it fluently

Rio: there’s so much I want to tell you

Moses: Maybe I won’t let the babies learn any english, then they can’t leave us

Rio: They’ll not want to leave, you’re going to be my whole world and theirs

Moses: You can have a car in every colour there is, hundreds to crash on your way to me, long as you aren’t hurt

Rio: I feel too short right now, I’ve only done it in your lap really

Moses: I’ll buy you a massive 🧸 to sit on when I’m not there

Rio: You’ll be jealous of him

Moses: I’ve a part he’s missing, he’ll be jealous of me

Rio: Everyone should be very jealous of you for that, daddy bear

Moses: Everyone would be if they saw your reaction to it

Rio: It ranks highly but I am obsessed with every part of you really

Rio: that’s why I need to recreate you 100 times over

Moses: I’d let you read me the bible 100 times over

Rio: That would make me tall enough, I’ll have to buy us one

Moses: You can have my mammy’s, I’ll steal it for you

Rio: Fuck

Rio: you’ll listen to the lessons from me, won’t you

Moses: I’ll be even more of a changed man for you

Moses: her baby naming and praying days are over, yours haven’t started yet

Rio: My man

Rio: perfect the way you are

Moses: I need to be to keep you happy

Rio: You’ve never made me unhappy

Rio: I let myself get scared

Moses: I let you down if you’ve ever been in front of me

Rio: I stood in my own way, got lost in my head

Moses: You shouldn’t be getting lost anywhere, I’m meant to guide you

Rio: You were, I stopped you

Rio: I’m not going to make the same mistake twice 

Moses: And I’m not going to see us separated, anyone who tries is making a much bigger mistake

Rio: See, it’s sexy when you’re threatening someone else

Moses: I know what you like, [the nickname because she loves that]

Rio: 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 

Rio: don’t ever forget it

Moses: You’d like it when we do it

Rio: I liked what you did

Rio: I always do

Moses: Show me you haven’t forgotten, anything I’ve done

Rio: [send him a picture of your speedometer showing you’re driving too fast how he would/always has]

Moses: You wanna be my good girl again

Rio: I have to be

Rio: I hate fighting

Moses: So touch yourself how I touch you

Rio: You trust me not to crash?

Moses: Don’t you trust me to know what’s best for you

Moses: that’s who you’ve learnt from

Rio: Okay

Rio: though I trust you to be better at driving and at touching me, obviously

Moses: Your hands are too small and soft to feel like mine, but I want you to really try

Rio: I promise, I’ll give it my best shot for you

Moses: [‘make your daddy proud’ but in gypsy lingo obvs cos she wants to learn it]

Rio: You make me better, the way you teach me and believe in me 

Rio: you know what I’m capable of 

Moses: [tell her a way to go so she doesn’t get caught driving underage af, in English this time, thankfully, cos lol imagine if not]

Rio: I won’t get caught 

Rio: I’m not about to lose the gift you just gave me

Moses: You’re smarter than that

Rio: I can’t crash alone

Moses: I won’t let you crash

Rio: You look after me

Rio: I was scared I was sick, for the things I’d let you do to me, what I’d do for you, that’s why I stopped you

Moses: [giving her some kind of specific driving instruction like slow down up here/this bit is bumpy etc something like that, to show he is looking after her rn even though he’s not there]

Moses: as you said, it’s natural we’d feel this toward each other

Rio: [saying thank you in gypsy lingo because something you could easily know]

Rio: There’s no going back, you know how it made my body react, no hiding from that

Moses: Mine too, at the idea of you on your way

Rio: I’m trying to concentrate on [whatever he just told her about the road ahead] but I can’t

Rio: I really struggle to think about anything but you now 

Moses: [say whatever you said as a voice note with daddy energy as if that’ll help her concentrate instead of simply being more distracting in the mood y’all are both in rn]

Rio: Your voice 🥴

Rio: I hated when you stopped talking to me 

Moses: Can you tell I’ve not used it since?

Rio: Yeah

Rio: I’m sad but I want to be the only person you talk to too, if I’m being honest 

Moses: Waiting ‘til you was ready to come to me and talk shouldn’t have been easy as I found it but I don’t want to speak to anyone else either

Rio: None of this should be easy but it really is

Rio: nothing feels as right as us

Moses: Driving included, I told you

Rio: I’ll come with you 

Rio: when everyone finds out, you’ll never have to drive without me 

Moses: No one’ll catch us out

Rio: But she knows 

Moses: She’ll know when she has a baby brother or sister to meet, before she’s just thinking the worst of us

Rio: Oh God

Rio: she really upset you, didn’t she 

Moses: She reckons you’re a whore for anyone’s attention

Rio: You know the truth 

Moses: The rest of you can’t fake being pure even if your mouth did

Moses: I know I were your first

Rio: And it’s your attention I’ve wanted since I was inside my mammy, before she was 

Moses: What we’ve got is special

Rio: I’m your first too, I would have waited to do anything until your say so

Moses: You don’t wish we’d waited though, do you?

Rio: I love the thought of us back then, you know it

Moses: She wouldn’t listen to how happy I was, all she said is we can’t go back

Rio: We have, where we left off, still as devoted as the day we were separated 

Moses: I need you to make her understand

Rio: Okay

Rio: I can’t see a way right now but I’m always thinking of how to make everybody see 

Moses: And I’m always thinking of you, our future together

Rio: You should be allowed to be happy, she should want that for you 

Moses: She’s as selfish as I used to be, I can’t blame her, she’s of me

Rio: She hates me 

Moses: She hates that I was your daddy first, but she wouldn’t exist if you didn’t

Rio: I wish I could tell her that 

Moses: We both know the truth

Rio: You needed me 

Rio: to give me a sister 

Moses: I had no purpose, you gave me one

Rio: You’re my protector and you’re the best at it

Moses: I nearly cried too

Rio: I was cruel

Rio: I let you down when you were being so good and loving 

Moses: Your body remembers everything I’ve taught you but you’re still learning

Rio: I never forgot how I felt about you 

Moses: Don’t be harder on yourself than I’d be

Rio: I’m not strong enough 

Rio: it’s not the same, I’ve need of a firm hand 

Moses: You’re strong 🐅

Rio: Is there a word for cub, maybe kitten?

Moses: [tell her because I’m sure there is]

Rio: That’s me

Rio: [repeat it via voice note]

Moses: [likewise because you’re !! and wanna say it not because you care about correcting her if any are needed]

Rio: I need that tattooed on me now

Moses: Where

Rio: The place only you see

Moses: How are we going to get [the tattoo parlour they went to] to do it with their eyes closed

Moses: [the girl] would agree to being blindfolded but I don’t want her to

Rio: She’ll have to show you how to do it on an 🍊 

Moses: I’ve a steady hand

Rio: I trust you 

Rio: mama would show you but that’s a little obvious now

Moses: She could show you, you show me

Rio: True

Moses: Think what you’ll write on my body

Rio: How will I narrow it down

Moses: Don’t, do every word you’ve got in your head without ink

Rio: I love you so much 

Rio: I won’t turn you into a school desk with all the 💘s 

Moses: It’s us you sit on whenever you’re of the mind to learn something, why not

Rio: 🤤

Rio: They suit you, even the ones that are nothing to do with me, not just being biased

Moses: I trust you’d find spaces for a 100 more when the time is right

Rio: Have you ever thought about having a son?

Moses: Every man does, sure

Moses: you’ve imagined a little girl since you were yourself, have you not

Rio: You’re good with girls though, I know, you like spoiling them 

Rio: it’s nice to have as many as you’re able, boys and girls, experience it all, s’what I think 

Moses: True enough

Rio: Junior loves you, you’ll be a good boy daddy too 

Moses: He’ll love us both when we bring him home

Rio: No one will have reason to be mad at us then

Moses: Except my nieces who’ve lost their playmate but I’ll make it up to them with a puppy, he’s much the same

Rio: True enough, he never stops just the same 😅

Moses: His father’s son

Rio: You can say that again

Rio: he looks like them both equal though

Moses: Luckily there’s plenty of your mammy in him, yeah

Moses: but the girls are probably taking every chance to be messing with the poor boy’s hair while they’ve got him under their roof 🎀

Rio: No different to here, there

Rio: Grace would swap her hair for his if she could

Moses: She kept bringing them up to me, your little sisters

Rio: That doesn’t surprise me, as she was trying to make you feel a type of way

Rio: What did she say?

Moses: Laying her guilt on with a trowel where she could, thick, as I’ve taught her

Rio: There’s nothing she could do to make you love her any less, is there

Moses: No, but I’ll struggle to show it from my grave if she has her daddy murdered, like

Rio: She doesn’t want that, she won’t take it that far 

Moses: She’ll calm down

Rio: Give her space 

Moses: Space for that man-sized boy of hers

Rio: That’s your fault for buying her horses

Moses: She have it that everything’s my fault

Rio: Good thing I’m only joking

Rio: I told you, it’s just a phase she’s got to go through 

Moses: Joke’s on him if he’s not built proper like a horse

Rio: He’s just a kid, don’t be mean 

Moses: She was mean first

Rio: I know but I’m coming to cheer you up, aren’t I 

Moses: [give her another kind of driving tip cos you’ve been reminded she is rn]

Rio: You’d forgotten 

Moses: You distracted me

Rio: Stopped distracting you, more like 

Moses: 😏

Rio: Don’t 😏 at me

Moses: And why’s that?

Rio: Firstly because you aren’t doing it in person but secondly I’m upset with you 

Moses: Upset about what

Rio: Reminding me that my daddy doesn’t love me like you do Edie, never has 

Moses: I’m your daddy and you know how I love you, [the word that’s kitten/cub vibes]

Rio: Promise you won’t stop for nothing 

Moses: I never did in all the years I saw nothing of you

Rio: Did you think of me?

Moses: Every time I saw your sister I wanted to ask after you

Rio: I wanted to go, to see you, not just to get to do whatever fun thing you were taking her to

Moses: If I’d known I’d have taken you

Rio: I know, it just didn’t feel like I was allowed to ask

Moses: Me either, your brother showed no interest, only in staying with your mammy

Rio: They’re closer for it, not being hers but being left the two of them, always have been

Rio: it’s a different bond so it’s never made me feel bad

Moses: A bond she’s testing now

Rio: I guess so

Rio: he’s just separating it in his mind though, how it seems to me 

Moses: It’d kick off otherwise

Rio: At least if he’s just her fella, he doesn’t have to be who he actually is to him, y’know?

Rio: he’s not like me, he doesn’t reckon he’s missed out on nothing, doesn’t even feel that way for his real mammy, he’s said

Moses: He’s right there anyway, she wasn’t the mammy sort

Rio: Not getting to an age to prove otherwise 

Moses: It’s in you or s’not

Rio: You think?

Moses: By her age, she proved herself grown in plenty of ways

Rio: Grown for one thing don’t mean everything but maybe there’s something there

Rio: Sometimes it’s people you least expect that do it the best though

Moses: No one expected it of me

Rio: Exactly

Rio: you’re a natural but you’d never know it at a glance

Moses: What would you know, hmm?

Moses: you should tell me

Rio: 😏

Moses: Are you going to act coy now?

Rio: You started it, daddy

Moses: But if you behave I might finish you, how close are you to that

Rio: And if I don’t?

Moses: You can’t help yourself, what you’ve said

Rio: Yeah but I’ll try really hard if you want me to

Moses: You want it, you’re upset with me

Rio: Long as you don’t get upset with me back

Moses: How naughty are you gonna be

Rio: Enough for you to lovingly remind me to be good again

Rio: How is your lip?

Moses: [send her a pic as a shameless excuse to, as if y’all haven’t seen each other for a thousand years]

Rio: You’ve definitely bitten it since I did

Moses: You’re blaming us instead of taking it

Rio: And you worded it like that on purpose

Rio: 😣

Moses: You’re getting what you deserve

Rio: I intend to

Moses: Very big talk for a tiny girl

Rio: A tiny girl you know is capable of a lot

Moses: Proving yourself with the [car]’s only the start

Rio: I can’t believe this is real, that you bought this for me

Moses: Didn’t you believe I’m a man of my word?

Rio: I don’t believe I’m this lucky

Moses: Cute

Rio: Are you taking the piss?

Moses: Would I do that when you’re being nice

Rio: Hmm

Moses: I’ve forgiven you

Rio: That’s as maybe but I think you like it when I’m not always nice

Moses: Or maybe you like it when I’m not and you remember you’re guaranteed to get back whatever you give to me

Rio: You reckon so?

Moses: Am I wrong?

Rio: No, you know me too well

Moses: Inside and out

Rio: The only person known me longer is my mama

Moses: So I’m the lucky one, aren’t I

Rio: You’ll make me cry happy tears

Moses: You’ll crash, dope

Rio: I’ll dry my eyes, if you’re not protecting me from crashing no more, cheek, like

Moses: I can protect you better when you’re under my eye, speed up instead of mouthing off

Rio: [lil speedometer vid]

Moses: That’s better, there’s a 👼🏽

Rio: Feels a bit like flying, after [a speed]

Moses: Maybe I’ll let you feel [the top speed this car can because let’s say for fun this car can go faster than his because it’s even more tiny and sporty coded obvs]

Rio: What’s the fastest you’ve ever driven?

Moses: It’d be that, you’ll have it

Rio: Oh

Moses: You’re welcome

Rio: Romantic, you are

Moses: You don’t remember us picking you up and flying you ‘round, this is the next best thing

Rio: I bet you could do it with all 3 of us at once too

Moses: Made your mammy nervous I’d drop one of yous but you know I didn’t

Rio: Would be a really awkward time for you to let me know you dropped me on my head, yeah

Rio: ‘course you never 🥰

Moses: My body’s been a shield for yours since before you came out of hers

Rio: I love you

Rio: I can’t wait to see you and kiss you all over your body

Moses: How’s your tattoo?

Rio: [send him a pic, even if it’s a pic taken earlier today so you don’t crash trying to take one rn lol]

Rio: Way less itchy, thank God

Moses: You’ll be all healed soon

Rio: In time for my next one

Moses: Ready for it

Rio: I’ve always been your [this word for kitten/cub you’re going to tattoo on you unless someone puts a stop to this], it can’t be on me soon enough

Moses: Right now wouldn’t be, if you were driving yourself to [the location of the tattoo place instead of wherever he is]

Moses: I want it on you already

Rio: You want it 14 years faded, I know

Rio: but you can practice, if you find a pen or something else to write on me with

Moses: You’ve an earring, no?

Moses: that’s closer to the feeling of a needle

Rio: Okay

Rio: I want it as bad

Moses: We can’t wait no longer

Rio: No, I want everything you’ve always wanted to give me now

Moses: We’ve the same need

Rio: I’ve thought about having your name ever since you said you wanted me to have it

Moses: Putting the thought in your head never took it from mine, all I think of is you having my name

Rio: I really should

Rio: you can give me it in marriage but we know the truth is I’ve always been more yours than I could ever be his

Moses: It doesn’t matter how you belong to me, only that you do

Rio: It matters to me, you wanted me, you still do

Moses: Like I told you, I can’t stop

Rio: Then I’ll never stop being your baby, you can keep me just for you forever

Moses: Promise

Rio: I promise

Rio: I can’t pretend this never happened, forget all the things you’ve told me, shown me

Moses: And I’ve plenty more to show you, to tell you still

Rio: Do we have to wait ‘til I’m older?

Moses: Christ no, I’m at the end of my patience waiting for you to get here

Rio: 😁😁😁

Rio: Closer now, [telling him something you just passed as an indicator]

Moses: [telling her how to touch herself graphically, to get closer in that sense too, wink wonk, as a voice note to literally say it]

Rio: My legs are shaking

Moses: Don’t you go making a mess of your new seats you haven’t time to clean up

Rio: I’ll lick it up, good as new, you’ll never know

Moses: You’ve told me now

Rio: 🤫

Moses: I’ll shut you up, you’re the one asking for it

Rio: Begging for it

Moses: Not yet, no

Moses: but go on

Rio: When I’m down here cleaning up

Moses: When you’re looking your daddy in the eye

Rio: I’d say anything

Moses: I wanna see how big yours go

Rio: No hiding

Moses: What you wear doesn’t hide anything neither

Rio: Do you want it to?

Moses: You’re a show-off, I am too

Rio: People look, why wouldn’t you want to look good when they do

Moses: We’ll give ‘em something to watch

Rio: Becoming a tradition

Moses: Traditions are important, especially when they’re ours

Moses: I’ve missed years of you

Rio: I’ll work out how many birthdays, christmases, everything

Rio: when I’m not already multi-tasking

Moses: Send me more pictures of how you spent those ones

Rio: [do that, in dribs and drabs here as you find said pictures that you can on the fly like this]

Moses: By god, you’re so fucking cute

Rio: You mean it now 

Rio: and you’re the cutest

Moses: No, this is

Moses: [and sending whichever is your fave for whatever reason back to her like !!]

Rio: What do you like about that one most?

Moses: The innocence of you

Moses: make us a baby who looks exactly like that

Rio: Okay

Moses: Do you mean it?

Rio: Yes, I will

Moses: You’re not scared now

Rio: Even if I am, I know what I want 

Moses: I’ll make it happen, you know there’s nothing to be afraid of

Rio: You would’ve made it happen so many times over by now

Moses: Don’t make me throw whatever you’re taking to stop us out the window

Rio: Too soon 😋

Moses: It’s your choice, you have to want it as much as I do

Rio: I know, you’d never force me into anything

Moses: If I had that power I’d have forced your mammy to get hitched

Rio: You wanted it all

Moses: You in the cutest little dress chucking bits of flowers ‘round the church with every step you could barely take by yourself

Rio: I’m sorry it didn’t happen

Moses: She reckons we’d never have worked

Rio: She’s saying that with all these years hindsight

Rio: we’ll never know either way

Moses: She’s saying it from under him again, wes all know that’s what she was really after

Rio: Yeah

Moses: Things ending as they did hurt enough without adding in vows she wouldn’t have meant

Rio: 😔

Moses: He’s been there, done that and I had to go to that wedding without a face on, so

Rio: What was it like?

Moses: He treated it like a funeral, everyone else did their best to at least aim for the wake, some celebration to be found and had

Rio: Your sister must’ve felt terrible

Moses: Least she refused to let my mammy pick her dress, could’ve been worse

Rio: I still don’t know how she managed to do it

Rio: even if I knew I was meant to, that everyone wanted me to

Moses: We’re wired the same, to not be told what we don’t wanna hear

Rio: Why would she not want to be told about this though

Rio: sorry, I don’t know why I’m asking you as if you can tell me, just a sad situation all around

Moses: All she cared about was getting out from under my mammy and daddy’s roof under one that were her own, if you’d met the pair of them you’d understand

Rio: I understand that, any teenager would

Moses: She had no say ‘til she had a family of her own, he was willing to give her that much

Rio: It was an option, just because it ended, doesn’t make her stupid for taking it

Moses: I tried to show her she had others, but I was the eejit 

Rio: You’ve never had to follow rules, breaking ‘em is second nature

Moses: Being born a girl didn’t need to mean the nonsense it led to, what fucking year was it, like

Rio: You’re changing things

Rio: Edie can be and do whatever she wants to

Moses: So can you, as my [gypsy lingo for daughter] or my [wife]

Rio: You’re a good man

Rio: the best

Moses: You deserve that

Rio: When we go to get Junior, you should have a proper talk with your sister

Moses: Well, I don’t know what else I’d say, but sure

Rio: It’s just nice to know you’re there, I think

Moses: Right, I’ll try not to bring up how I reckon if she’d honest to god put her foot down my daddy would’ve come ‘round to the idea of a no

Moses: my I told you, sister, probably wouldn’t sit well with her even with the benefit of hindsight

Rio: No, it’s far too late in the day for any of that

Rio: she married him, you can’t hold it against her, you’ve probably made plenty of decisions she thought were even worse, right

Moses: I doubt that, as you said, I’m the best

Rio: Hmm

Moses: From your own mouth

Rio: The obvious is staring us in the face right now

Rio: she can’t have been happy with you for involving yourself with my mammy

Moses: She lost her chance to comment, involving herself with our cousin

Rio: That’s ridiculous 

Moses: S’not

Rio: Well I know how I’d feel if my husband and both my brothers all went for the same woman

Moses: Ronan rubbed it in, give her that

Rio: He’d waited longest and it showed

Moses: Your mammy went for me, not the other way ‘round

Rio: Still, you know what I mean

Moses: Why are we talking about this?

Rio: Don’t worry

Moses: You’re meant to be [another driving instruction like concentration on this please and thank you and not my flaws lol]

Rio: [tell him where you are like I’m still driving I haven’t just stopped]

Rio: You said you miss them, that’s all

Moses: They’re my family, ‘course I miss them

Rio: I want you to be happy

Moses: You reckon it’s my fault she’s unhappy too, just like your mammy said

Rio: I didn’t say that, no I don’t

Moses: I wouldn’t of gone near her if they hadn’t wed each other first, no one can put his fuck up on me

Rio: I know that, it wouldn’t even matter if you had without the context of them being together

Moses: If my sister resents me, she should’ve listened

Rio: And she doesn’t resent you

Moses: Like it was any more fun having to be there for her as a brother while she was his wife

Rio: She was different?

Moses: Hitching yourself to a man who don’t love you’ll do that

Moses: him naming your eldest daughter for someone else and showing everyone what he thinks of you and the state of your marriage, when you’d given him a son and put time in already

Rio: Like I said, I couldn’t hack it

Moses: Never mind his first son we don’t speak of

Rio: He’s no choice but to face up to all of it now

Moses: No rest for the wicked

Rio: I’m sure he’s haunted too

Moses: Whatever, he’s a prick

Rio: I’ll just drive

Moses: Best you concentrate

Rio: You don’t wanna talk no more

Moses: None of yous agree with us or see him for what he is

Moses: I’m wasting my time

Rio: I didn’t disagree 

Moses: I don’t hear you backing up anything I’ve said about him

Moses: you’re blatant in your opinion

Rio: There’s nothing I can do about it now, is there

Moses: He got you your job, didn’t he

Rio: Yeah, being an alright person now doesn’t mean he didn’t do that shit in the past though, or that it’s any better for it

Moses: How exactly is he an alright person now?

Moses: abandoning his family to create another

Rio: An alright person to me specifically then

Moses: Better than your real daddy isn’t decent, anyone’d be done a favour by the comparison

Moses: the job was to buy you, same as the car and money he offered your brother

Rio: But you can do it

Moses: I didn’t do it, I’ve no guilt weighing on me

Moses: And I show the love I feel for you, not your mammy

Rio: I asked him if he could find me a job though

Moses: Which he jumped at, it puts him in both yours and her good books

Rio: That’s true

Moses: The fact you’d compare my actions to his tells me how well his plan’s worked

Rio: I really needed something to focus on, of course I was grateful

Moses: Where’s his focus though, he weren’t there when you needed him, I was

Rio: Aren’t you glad you were

Moses: Obviously

Rio: God

Moses: Johnny don’t care about being a good person, he cares about looking like he is and everyone falling for it

Rio: I believe you

Moses: I don’t want you taken in by it and hurt

Rio: I appreciate you looking out for me, always

Moses: No one ever listens to me

Rio: I am

Moses: Just drive

Rio: Why are you still upset with me?

Moses: I’m not

Rio: I’m trying so hard 

Rio: but fuck it

Moses: I’m upset at the way things are, not you

Moses: it isn’t your fault

Rio: I feel like I make things worse, whenever I try to talk

Moses: That’s not true

Moses: I meant when I said you’re my only hope, you make everything better

Rio: You deserve someone you can tell everything to, share your burdens

Moses: What else would you call what I’ve been doing?

Moses: nah, to be fair, don’t answer that

Moses: I’ve been moody

Rio: I upset you

Rio: again, somehow

Moses: Baby, it’s me

Rio: I’m not even a good girlfriend how will I be a good wife

Moses: I’ve never even been a boyfriend before, we’re learning together

Rio: Really?

Moses: Teething troubles, you can bite me again, it’ll cheer you up

Rio: I do like biting you

Rio: but I feel stupid now, you’ve got to ignore me 

Moses: I need you as my wife, I’ve none for a saint, got it?

Rio: Got it

Rio: I’m still your 👼🏽 even though I’m far from perfect

Moses: You’re what I want

Rio: I love you, I’m on your side whenever you need me

Moses: Come be at my side where I can’t ignore you

Rio: Under your arm as well as on it

Moses: Against my chest as well as inside it

Rio: You say the most amazing things, I’m just going to let you do the talking from now on

Moses: Shut your mouth with mine, our bodies can speak for us

Rio: No room for confusion then, you know exactly how I feel

Moses: I’ve missed the feel of you

Rio: I’ll try to stay a few days

Rio: if you want me to, obviously

Moses: You’re owed a date 

Moses: I’ll drive this time and you can enjoy a break from pulling pints to be served [drinks that are giving the extra af cocktails and mocktails with all the unnecessary bells and whistles at the Italian restaurant we went to because childlike vibes]

Rio: That sounds perfect 😌

Rio: you’re perfect

Rio: and I’ll make you breakfast in the morning, I remember just how you liked it, [and tell him like it’s an order because you would remember exactly unlike him often getting things wrong]

Moses: Sounds like you were worrying yourself over married life for nothing

Rio: I don’t know but I’ll learn before it can be official

Moses: You’re learning already

Rio: Well, you’re a good teacher

Moses: You should take a day off school

Rio: Are you going to pull a sickie with me?

Moses: I might

Rio: Ah, please

Rio: It’ll be fun, I’ll take good care of you

Moses: It’d be fun to make you wait ‘til [whatever time he finishes work]

Rio: Very cruel but

Rio: I see how it is

Moses: We’ll see how nice you are before I decide how nice to be

Rio: You know I’ll wait for you

Rio: if that’s what you want

Moses: You wanna be treated like a wife

Rio: But I’ve not even got any babies to look after, alls I can do is think about you

Moses: Think about whose fault that is

Rio: Hey, it’s not a bad thing, I like thinking about you

Rio: and you know I did that for you

Moses: I know you’d need a car that ain’t a 2 seater

Rio: Exactly, have to wait at least until my birthday

Moses: Or mine

Moses: your sister gets presents on my birthday, it’s tradition

Rio: Or she’d have cried, I remember 

Moses: I can’t have you crying again

Rio: I won’t, promise

Rio: I just want to focus on us, no one else

Moses: My focus is nowhere else, ask my daddy how this job’s going

Rio: Oh no

Rio: I owe him several rounds now don’t I

Moses: [whatever this man’s drink of choice is, but elevated, like, you owe him the good stuff]

Rio: Noted

Rio: It’s been so hard, not talking to you

Moses: I didn’t want to say something I’d regret

Rio: I understand

Moses: If you’re upset, I’m upset

Rio: I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did

Rio: things will be different now, I can’t be without you

Moses: I’ve lost you too many times as it is

Rio: You don’t deserve to go through that ever again

Moses: I wouldn’t survive it

Rio: We can’t talk like that

Rio: you’re too important

Moses: You know what you did, it won’t happen again

Rio: It’s all sorted?

Moses: I trust you to do better whenever we next fight

Rio: Do we have to

Moses: If you mean what you’ve said, no

Rio: Of course I do

Moses: Then there won’t be any trouble

Rio: I love you, [the word for daddy]

Moses: I love you too

Rio: [tell him how far away you are giving nearly there vibes]

Moses: [tell her where to park this car because I said he’s wherever he’s working and assumedly therefore this man isn’t the only person around so please be slightly more subtle than y’all usually are]

Rio: [turn up and get this car parked, definitely pleased your reunion isn’t in front of a crowd of people right now because you’re trying not to cry because you said you would not but you would like to]

Moses: [mhmm, even if you wanna have the whole bring your daughter to work day energy and show her around and show off now is not the moment because feelings are too high after that domestic, shelf that until you’ve had your reunion ™ it’s uncasual enough that he’d be waiting there for her and will be immediately be coming at her with all his !! before the car is even properly parked, opening said car and pulling her out of it with no chill whatsoever]

Rio: [me like don’t get run over, she’s not had real lessons yet but we know you will not heed my warnings now or ever lol, the dramatics are too real and we’re both here feeling ‘em, clinging to him like he’s been away to war and you haven’t just had a domestic, really squeezing him with all your might about it because you thought it was over and another knockback like that would’ve been bad news honey]

Moses: [literally, stop being being so manic and unnecessarily dangerous sir but he will NEVER, out here about to crash this car by not letting her park it properly after she drove this entire route unscathed, it’s ridiculous as is the kiss he’s initiating that’s also giving returned from war but on steroids, but at least it’s cinematic, y’all are welcome for that]

Rio: [we made it this far only for you to be acting so foolish lol, we all knew you would, making this man hold you by fully leaping into his arms so you can kiss him properly, nothing to see here anyone]

Moses: [if any of his co-workers see this no they don’t, except his dad who wouldn’t do fuck all if he did because he’s as bad, you may bear witness to this nonsense if anyone must lol, it’s only jemily who are ever considering these things, y’all are too busy making out like your life depends on it, because in no world is he not eventually also lying this girl on the bonnet of this car, hopefully it’s stopped by then and she’s taken the giant bow off it]

Rio: [oh you’d be so proud, wouldn’t you hun, ugh, I do think you should see, just for our own knowledge and Moses can then have to talk to his father about it, I likewise want Nancy to ask her about the mans she clearly has as well as the time she’s spending with Moses because she’s a nosy bitch and she can (obviously we can’t do that but perhaps we can ref in some way some how idk think about, not saying Rio tells her like oh yes the two things are related lol); I’m no expert but I personally feel driving with the bow would have been a fire hazard so let’s say you’ve taken that off and put it in your car because don’t need that when you’re being stealthy lol, not that there is anything stealthy about an orange sports car but you look old enough to not get pulled over as long as you’re driving well enough so here we are, here intending to spend as long here as you can without causing alarm because got to make sure you are so back in his good books]

Moses: [I agree wholeheartedly because then Moses’ dad can be so in her grill in the pub, in that flirty bants kinda way that’s never crossing the line fully but is making her uncomfortable because I’m evil like that and she wouldn’t wanna bring it up to Moses and cause trouble, especially when they are only just back on, so, anyway, for now they can just be hooking up on this car (as if that’s in any way stealthy, as per) because that’s the vibe and like my boo said we know that’s what it is]

[bebepac]

The Good Part

Series:  The Rotten Apple 🍎 The Book:  TRH and Beyond! The Pairings:  Eleanor x Nico / Eleanor x M!OC) / Liam x Riley Word Count: 4940 Warnings and Ratings:  Teen: Mentions of mental illness, mention of character deaths Song Inspiration:  The Good Part by AJR Summary: Nico comes to visit Eleanor and unknowingly brings a stowaway.  Eleanor leaves the hospital to begin a new life in Greece. 

Original Post: 08/21/22 at 10:50PM EST. 

A/N:  We are finally here at the first installment of the finale of this series.  Again, I am really content with the story I’ve presented to you all so far, and I hope that you have enjoyed it too, and look forward to the conclusion for this little family I have created for Eleanor.  

“Eleanor you’re beaming.”

“I’ve never felt quite like this before.”

“Tell me about what you’re feeling. Is it Nicolas? I heard he had visited."

Ellie’s smile widened.  

“Nico wants me to come home to him and our daughter, Doctor Stanley.  I didn’t think I had a home anywhere anymore.”

“How does that make you feel, Eleanor?”

“Incredibly happy.”  Her smile faded.  “Also sad at the same time.”

“Why sad?”  

“Because I wonder, why does he love me? Why do they love me?”

“Why shouldn’t he? Why wouldn't they?”  

"My own mother doesn't even love me, and she was supposed to be that person I was supposed to have an unbreakable bond with. She was supposed to unconditionally love me and she doesn’t. My father loves me now, only because he got to know me, but if he had known I wasn't his genetic child, he wouldn't have wanted me either. Do you know how hard it has been for me to find my own path in the world, when I know my parents would have ended my life before it began, because of my true lineage? I wasn't supposed to be in this world at all, Doctor Stanley."

"But you are Eleanor, so what are you going to do with that?"

“Try to change, because I’ve done horrible things that I’m sure you’re aware of. I am a bad person. I want to be the person they deserve.”

“Eleanor, look at me.”  

Elle’s downcast eyes slowly drifted up to meet the eyes of her therapist.

“You are the person they deserve. But, you’ve also had horrible things happen to you.  You were fractured long before  you committed those crimes, and that was not your fault. It wasn’t. Being fractured does not make you bad, evil, or unworthy of love.  It just makes you… a person. People fracture in a lot of ways, some are just not as clear as what happened to you.  You said you were ready?”

“Yes."

"Then let's continue on this path talking about this, you’re doing great. This is exactly what I want you to do, you need to address these thoughts and feelings you have. You have to understand and acknowledge them, all of it!  Grieve for it if you must,  and move past them, to get to a healthier place. I believe you can get to a healthier place.  One of the things we have to do which I know that really upsets you, is we have to talk more about your mother; A lot more.  It’s not going to be easy, but it’s something we have to do. You have to forgive her, and yourself.”

“I don’t know how….”

“It’s going to take time Eleanor.”    

Doctor Stanley increased Elle’s therapy sessions  as Elle was finally benefitting from them, and talking during her sessions.  After a month they were really beginning to make headway.  Doctor Stanley thought it would be a very positive thing for Elle’s recovery for Nico to come back and visit, but also bring Ana with him.  Elle refused.  Doctor Stanley had already spoken to Nico and when he called her that evening,  he tried to convince Elle as well.  

“Elle please.”

“No Nico.”

“Don’t make me tell her no.”  

“It’s out of the question. NO.”  

“Doctor Stanley promised me they can make a nice little area for us to visit.  We could even have a little picnic together, by the lake.  Why don’t you let them show you what  they can do for us, and then you can make your decision?”

“Because I don’t want our daughter to ever be near a building like this.  Not even if she is coming to see me.  This is not the place where I want her to meet me for the first time.”  

“Elle, she’s not meeting you for the first time.”

“Birth doesn’t count Nico.  Those first three months of her life don’t count because she doesn’t remember me from that. I am the only one with memories of her.”

“Elle, she knows I’m coming to see you.  She’s going to be so hurt when I tell her no.”

“It’s for the best. You understand why, right?"

"I do Elle, but  you're not the one who has to tell her no and see the look on her face. She doesn't care where we are Elle, just so long as we're all together. She just wants to see you, Elle. You're all she talks about now."

"I care Nico, and she will see me, when I…."

"Come home. You can say it Elle. It's going to happen.  You have to believe it too."

"When I come home."

"I don't agree with you doing this Elle, but I understand why you feel this way. I'll see you on Saturday."

After hanging up with Elle he walked into Ana's room where she was reading a book. Nico sat on the edge of her bed.

Since he didn't speak, Ana ignored him and continued reading. But Nico was trying to find the right words to gently break the news to Ana.

"Ana?"

With a little sigh first, Ana looked up from her book as if she had been interrupted. Nico was getting sass from both the main women in his life.

"Yes Papa?"

"I want to talk to you about Saturday."

Ana's face immediately brightened and excitement completely illuminated her face.

"We're going to see Mommy! I can't wait! Can I wear my pink dress with the green flowers?"

"Honeybee, Mommy thinks it's best for you to wait until she's able to come home so she can see you."

The look on Ana's face broke his heart, when her eyes filled with tears.

"Mommy doesn't want to see me?"

"No! That's not it at all. Mommy just wants to wait so we can all have fun together and eat ice cream, and swim in the ocean. Stuff we can do here together,  that we can't do there.  Mommy can't wait to see you."

"Then you don't want me to go?"

"Ana, I want you to see Mommy. I know you want to go with me."

"Then let me go with you Papa, and we can surprise Mommy."

"Not this time Honeybee, I'm sorry."

He went to gently rub Ana's arm, she pushed him away.

"Ana, please don't be like that with me."

Ana turned away from him, cuddling one of her teddy bears. Nico gently rubbed her back.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!" Ana screamed.  Nico pulled his hand away and  abruptly stood, walking towards the door, but he paused when he heard Ana's little sniffles.

"Honeybee…" He whispered softly.

"Go away Papa."

Nico softly closed the door behind him, leaning against it.

When Saturday morning rolled around,  Ana didn't even want to eat breakfast with him before he left;  Ana had plans of her own.

Elle

"Thank you for this, it's beautiful, Dr. Stanley."

"We had some clothes here for family visits, and this one looked like it would fit you.  It's not much, I know you are used to garments made from finer materials than this.”

“That was a lifetime ago, it feels like, and to be honest a lot of it is overrated. Trust me when I say, I will never wear a corseted ball gown ever again. To be honest, I never felt very comfortable in that type of clothing anyway.”

Dr. Stanley smiled.  

“We still want to give you access to the lake area for the afternoon, Since you and Nicolas look to be rekindling your relationship.  It could be a nice little romantic afternoon for the two of you.”

Elle smiled.  “I was thinking so too.”  

“As long as you keep it PG.”  

“Duly noted.”  

Elle felt nervous getting ready.  It was the first time she had seen Nico since his declaration of love…their declaration of love.

 In the weeks that followed, she had been showered with calls from him and letters from both him, and Ana.  

Ana.

Her little girl.  The last time saw her in the flesh she could cradle her in her arms, and was dependent on her, for her very survival. 

 Now she was an independent child that could walk, talk, feed herself; she had grown up. Elle had missed so much.

She had spoken to Ana multiple occasions. When Nico gave Ana the phone to let her talk to Elle, he could barely get the phone back.  Ana became a chatterbox and would recount for Elle everything she could remember from the last time they spoke. Elle loved every second of it, learning about Ana’s school, her cousins, the family, and every little thing her daughter thought was important enough to tell her.  It was almost overwhelming for her to be showered with so much affection, but Nico and Ana were her family.

Staff had given  Elle a little makeup which she used sparingly on her skin.  It had been quite some time since Elle had worn her hair loose, she thought Nico might like that.   Once Elle was ready  she grabbed the little pink teddy bear before she left her room.  It made her think of Ana, and she knew they would be talking about her a lot.  She felt she needed that little extra comfort today.  

Ana

Papa thought he was smart but so was she. Ana had an idea and she wasn’t taking no for an answer.  

Ana had packed her little overnight bag the night before. She went to the closet and picked up her dress she wanted to wear for Mommy. She slipped it on and tied a little green ribbon in her hair the way her father had taught her to. She had one chance to get this right. 

Ana waited until she heard the boat whistle to hop out of the window, to land on the porch, her foot falls masked by the loud whistle, and she ran as fast as her feet could carry her for her father's vehicle, using the spare key fob to unlock the vehicle. Papa always had a blanket in back, the perfect thing for her to hide under. She was great at hiding, and Papa wouldn't find her until it was too late.  She was going to see Mommy today and nobody could stop her.  Ana curled up into a tiny ball under the blanket, waiting for her father to leave.

Nico and Mama K

"Where is Ana? She's usually an early riser like you."

"She's still angry with me Mama. She wants to see Elle, but Elle doesn't want her to come to see her at the hospital."

"Children have funny memories sometimes. There are memories that you have of your father where you only remember the good parts. Or parts you remember of our family you remember the good parts. Do you remember that camping trip we had in the backyard?  When we had flashlights and ate food we cooked by the fire?"

Nico smiled recollecting that time with his mother and sisters.

"Yes, it was one of my favorite weekends that we ever spent as a family."

"Nico, we had no electricity and barely any food. That's why we 'camped' outside. The temperature was cooler outside than it was in the house. You don't remember that part do you?"

"No…"

"I really don't think Ana would mind where she was or remember what you and Elle think are the big details if it was just you, Elle, and her, and she is spending time with her family."

Nico glanced at Ana's closed door.  

"Are you going to say goodbye to her?"

Nico went up to her door and  sheepishly knocked.

"Ana? I'm getting ready to leave. May I have a hug?"

There was silence on the other end.

"I know you're sad, and mad at me, and I'm sorry for that. I love you Honeybee."

There was still no response from Ana; He turned to face his mother.

"She's never been this angry with me that she just won't speak to me before.  I'm just going to let  her be. Give her a little space Mama. She was so upset. Can you make her favorite meal for me, and give her a kiss and a hug?"

"Of course Nico. She'll be fine. Talk to Elle. Tell her about your childhood. She will understand."

She glanced at the door, laughing softly.

"Wait until she's a teenager. All those emotions! And when she wants to start dating."

Mama K's laughter increased with the absolutely mortified look on Nico's face.

"She's not dating until she's thirty."

"But Elle will be there to help you with that part."

"I hope so, Mama."

Nico walked up to the vehicle, using his key fob to unlock the door.

The doors were already unlocked, which wasn't odd, but he was pretty sure the last time he had gotten out of his vehicle he locked it. Nico decided since his bag was small he decided to put it on the back seat, instead of in the trunk.  In a few moments he was on his way.

The soft music and her father's singing lulled Ana to sleep in the back of the vehicle where she was hiding.

When Ana woke again, it was because her tummy was growling. 

She had packed a snack and her favorite juice, eating silently as possible under the covers.

Nico's phone started ringing.

Nico slammed on the brakes, causing Ana to spill her juice.

"Mama, what do you mean Ana isn't there?!?" She has to be." Nico’s voice was panicked.

"She's not here, I have looked everywhere for her."

"Did you check her hiding place she likes to go and read?"

"Yes Nico, she's not there."

Nico cursed under his breath and sighed.

"I'm going to turn around and come back home. Elle will have to understand this is an emergency."

Nico smelled the strong scent of pineapple juice throughout the vehicle, Ana’s favorite juice that she loved to drink.

"Mama hold on a moment."

Nico had pulled his SUV over and got out walking back to the vehicle's trunk.  Ana  tried to stay as still as she could under the blanket.

"Ana?"

She didn't respond, but he noticed the blanket move a little. Nico yanked the blanket away.

"Ana!"

“Papa.”  

"Mama! She's fine, she hid in my trunk! I'll call you back."

He looked down at Ana. His voice was stern when he spoke, but he truly wasn't angry with her, only angry for the fact she disobeyed him.

“Ana, I told you, it was for the best that you not come with me this time around.”

"I’m sorry, I just wanted to see her Papa, and I spilled my drink on my dress. I wanted to look pretty for Mommy, but I messed up.”  

Ana burst into tears.  

“Oh, Honeybee….”  

Nico didn't hesitate for a moment and picked Ana up from the trunk, hugging her close to him, gently rubbing her back.

“Shhhh… it’s alright.  We’ll get you cleaned up okay? It's not the dress that makes you pretty Honeybee. Mommy will think you're beautiful just as you are, just like I do. I promise.”  

“Is Mommy going to be mad at me?”  

“No Honeybee, she won't.”  

If anything, Nico was pretty sure that she would be upset with him.  He wiped Ana’s tears  carrying her around to the back seat.

“Sit in your seat, I need to make a quick call.”

He stepped away from the vehicle, making a call  to Elle’s doctor explaining the situation to Doctor Stanley.

“Nico, I believe Eleanor can handle it.  She really wants to see Ana, but she is so afraid of Ana being close  to the hospital.  It’s almost like she has an irrational fear that the hospital is going to infect Ana with mental illness.”

“I know it’s short notice, but can you make up the area the way you all had planned for us?”

“Yes, and we'll add a few special things for Ana as well.”  

“Thank you. I am so incredibly grateful for the things you are doing for us.”  

“You’re welcome Nicolas.  All these years, all the patients I’ve had, no one has made quite the impression on me that Eleanor has.  I’ve met the deplorable that aren’t worth redemption, that shouldn’t be given a second chance in society.  That’s never been Eleanor from the moment I met her, even though she tried to hide her true self all this time.  I’ll be on standby just in case you all need me, but I don’t think you will.  Eleanor wants to see her daughter desperately. I think it’s a good thing you had a little stowaway. This might be the push Eleanor needs to drive her over the threshold, seeing what she could truly have with the two of you, what it could be like, to really push herself that much harder towards healing herself.”

“Thank you again."

He went back to check on Ana. They stopped so that he could help Ana get cleaned up, and they drove to the ferry that would take them into Portavira. Both were nervous and excited, they were going to see Elle.

Elle

Elle sat at the small decorated picnic table facing the gate, waiting patiently for Nico to arrive, so she could see him the moment he walked through.   She glanced around the area, there was an adorable little spot that was set up for a picnic,  even a swing,  and some games. She didn’t think she would be playing the games with Nico, but she remembered he liked to play chess. Elle was horrible at it.  

Elle stood when she saw him walk through the gate, she smiled and waved when his eyes met hers. Nico smiled back at her.  The gate remained open and  Nico reached out his hand.  Ana walked  through the gate, taking his hand, and they proceeded towards Elle. The smile had faded  from Elle’s face, replaced with a look of shock.

Nico’s heart was racing, Elle’s eyes were fixed on Ana.

“That’s my Mommy?” Ana asked him. Nico paused, kneeling down to her smiling in Elle’s direction.

“Yes, that’s your Mommy. She's beautiful isn't she?”  

Ana nodded.

“She looks like a goddess Papa.”  

Elle was beautiful in her simplicity.  She was wearing a long flowing off the shoulder flower printed dress, and tan colored sandals.  Her hair pinned up on one side by flowers and the rest cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.  

“I always thought so too. Let's go say hi to her. She's waiting on us for once. Are you ready?”

Ana patted down her hair, and straightened her dress.  

"I'm ready Papa."

They walked over to where Elle was standing.

"Nico…"

"Elle.."

"Please don't be mad at Papa.  I didn't obey, because I wanted to see you."

"You wanted to see me?" Elle asked, her eyes filled with tears.

Ana nodded. "May I hug you Mommy?"

"I would really like that."

Ana  let go of Nico's hand to throw her arms around Elle.

Finally the tears  that filled her eyes rolled down her cheeks in rivers, as she hugged Ana.  Nico stepped forward to wipe Elle's tears.

"I'm sorry… this is what I really wanted." She whispered to him. Ana’s grip around her tightened.

"Well good thing, your daughter is just as stubborn as you."

"Good thing."  Elle directed her attention to Ana.  “What would you like to do first?  I don’t have much here, but  we could eat lunch, we could play games, maybe swing for a little bit.”

“You can pick Honeybee, whatever you want us to do first.”  

“Can we eat? I’m hungry.”

“I knew you’d say that.  She didn’t eat breakfast.”

“I’m glad you said that, I’m hungry too. I didn’t eat breakfast either. And you’ll have to tell me how you got into your Papa’s car without him seeing you.”  

Nico sat at the table thinking Ana would sit next to him, instead she sat  close to Elle.

“Is she allergic to anything Nico?”

“No she isn’t, and she’s not a picky eater at all.”  

“Giagiá is the best cook.  Papa cooks okay.”

“Papa cooks just okay?!?!?!  You always clean your plate when I cook for you!!!”

Elle laughed.  

“Can you cook?”  Ana asked her.

“Ana.” Nico’s voice was slightly stern when he saw the embarrassed blush on Elle’s cheeks.

“It’s okay, Nico.  No Ana, I don’t know how,  but I can learn.”

“That’s okay, I can help, so can Papa, and Giagiá won’t let us be hungry.”  

Elle smiled and eyes widened as Ana told the story of how she had sneaked out of the house early that morning and hid in the back of Nico’s car.  

Nico smiled as Ana  continued talking to Elle.  

He had never seen Ana open up so much to someone almost so immediately, or Elle for that manner.

She chuckled harder at Nico’s surprised face, and his slack jaw.  

“You are quite the escape artist.”  

Elle smiled. “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.  That sounds like your Papa.”

Ana rested her head on Elle.  Elle seemed surprised at first but embraced her.  

“I’m so glad you’re here right now Ana.”  

After they ate, they played checkers, then with the frisbee. Both Elle and Ana took off their sandals to run and play in the grass.  As much  as Nico had wanted to spend some time with Elle to figure out what all this was truly going to mean for them,  he knew this time with them together rebonding was more important. He had Ana for years, Elle only had the afternoon getting to know their daughter.  So Nico let go of the little twinges of jealousy he had with Ana choosing to be close to Elle, and he  hung back and let Ana and Elle have that special time together.

“I have something for you.  If you don’t like it, that's okay; I’ll understand.  You might not even like them anymore.”  

“Like what?”  Ana inquired.

Elle held out the little pink teddy bear for Ana to take.

“It used to be yours when you were a baby, but you left it.  So I kept it for you.  It used to smell like you.”  

“I love it!  Thank you!”  Ana hugged Elle again, then afterwards hugged the bear close breathing in the bear’s fur.

“Now it smells like you Mommy.”  

Ana was the very best parts of the two of them. Nico had been a wonderful father to her.  Elle could not be sad or upset that though her daughter had missed her, she had really flourished in Nico’s care.  Nico had surrounded her with family and love.  

“I think there’s a hammock swing calling our name.”  

“Yes, that sounds perfect.”

They all got into the hammock, getting comfortable in the warm afternoon air.  Ana cuddled closer to Elle, resting her head on Elle’s chest.  

Ana in turn pulled Nico's arm to drape over her, and Elle, causing him to pull the two of them closer to him in an embrace.  Ana was quite the little match maker. She always had been.  Elle thought back to that night Nico held them both in his arms, so she could get some rest. Elle closed her eyes for a moment.  They were her little family.  They were hers.  Elle felt safe, and content.  

“Papa, tell me our story.”  

“You’ve heard it a thousand times Honeybee.”  

“Then we can hear it a thousand plus one times!”  

“Fine fine fine.  I’ll tell it only if you help me tell it. Will you help me, Honeybee?”  

“Yes Papa I will!!!”  

“Okay, we’ll take turns.  I’ll start us off.  Once upon a time there was a very beautiful princess, who lived in a castle, and she was the fairest of them all.”  

“That’s you Mommy.”  

Elle listened to both Nico and Ana take turns telling parts of the story,  the story of the two of them, in a way that Ana could understand; He had even told her about Nicolai.  He had been so very honest with Ana, over the years about everything.

"What happens next?” Elle asked during the pause.

“It’s your turn Honeybee.”  

Ana was silent.

"Honeybee?" Nico whispered.

“I think she fell asleep, Nico, with her ear to my heart like she used to do when she was a baby.  It’s like she remembers that.”  

“Honestly, I think deep down she does.  She’s shy around people, Elle and seeing the way she just opened up to you so immediately is very uncharacteristic of her. I know my daughter. I watch her very closely. She is only that open with people she knows. That part of her is you, Elle.  She is very similar to you, and it runs deeper than just her features. I used to read a lot, and wondered what she would remember, if she could remember you.  Everything I read said she would forget.  But for the longest time, before she could talk, and even after she began speaking, she would just look around the room, almost frantic at times, like she was looking for something, for someone, and I firmly believe in my soul, she was looking for you Elle, and she looked heartbroken that she couldn’t find you.”  

“Nico…”  

“So, on her first birthday, I started telling her about you, in the form of a bedtime story.”  

“Thank you for being the father to her that I knew you would be.  I heard my father visits her.”  

“He does.”

“Alone?”  

“Yes.”  

“I figured as much.”  

“Elle… Queen Riley….”  

Elle’s body tensed in his arms.  

“I don’t want to talk about her, not here, not now.”  

Ana woke up a little while later, and Elle knew  they would be coming out soon  to take her back inside. She made the best of the remaining time they had together, now that Ana was awake again.  When the sun was starting to set, two orderlies headed in their direction.  It was time. Elle glanced at Nico.

“Ana, it’s time for us to go.”  

“But I don’t want to.  I want to stay.”  

Elle kneeled.  “I know. I don’t want  either of you to go.  But we’ll be together again soon, I promise. Until then, Lady Cupcake can keep you company.”  

“Lady Cupcake?”  

“Yes, I gave Lady Cupcake lots of hugs, so when you hug her, she’ll give one of my hugs back to you.  So it will be like you’re hugging me while you’re away.  But for now, can I have one more hug before you go, one that I can hold on to?”

Nico stood back letting the two hug each other.  When it was his turn, he embraced Elle once more.  

“We’ll be back in a few weeks.”

“Alright.”  

“Aren’t you going to kiss her Papa?”  

“She’s a little matchmaker like her Aunt Liberty.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”  Nico whispered.    

Both laughed for a moment before their eyes met.  

Nico slipped his arms around her.  “I mean look where we are right now.”

“You’re exactly right.”  

Elle closed her eyes when Nico closed in for a kiss, setting her whole body on fire.  

Elle didn’t want to let go of him when the kiss deepened, but was compelled to after a few moments when she heard one of the orderlies lightly clear their throat.  Elle pulled away from him.  

“I have to go.”  She whispered.

Nico pulled her close, kissing her again for a few moments.  He pulled away when he heard them call her name.  

“We’ll see you in a few weeks.”  

“I’ll be waiting.”

Elle watched Nico and  Ana until they were at the gate, before she headed inside.  

Doctor Stanley was correct in her assumption, Elle seeing Ana and Nico and having that time together and subsequent times afterwards had emotionally propelled Elle to push herself in ways leading her towards a healthy lifestyle outside of the hospital.

“What if I can’t do it?”  

“But what if you can, why are you afraid of that Eleanor?”  

“Because she needs me, and I don’t want to disappoint her.  I don’t want her to hate me, because I can’t give her what she needs. I don’t want to lose her. Lose them again.”  

“You won’t.  You are not your mother Eleanor.  Do you realize, from the moment Ana was born, actually before she was born, you have put her first?  You have been selfless, and you chose to be here when this was not where you wanted to be, because you wanted a life with your daughter someday.  You can do this Eleanor.  Greece is where you need to be, with your family.  You said the happiest time of your life was when you spent time with Nico in Greece, and when the two of you were caring for Ana.”

“Yes.”  

“You can have it all Eleanor, you’ll be home before your daughter’s eighth birthday.”  

“I could make her a cake.  I don’t know how, but I know I could do it.”  

“You can do it.  Nico will be here in the morning to pick you up.”  

“He’s in Portavira already?”  

“Yes he’s here.  Here is the name of a therapist locally to you, that you will start weekly  check ins with.”

“This is really happening isn’t it?”

“Yes it is, Eleanor you’re going home.”

Since Elle was leaving this part of her life behind, she decided to donate most of her clothes.  She had come to the hospital with the clothes on her back, now she was leaving the same way.  

“Ready to go home?”  Nico asked.

“Yes. Let’s go home.”  

[itsnothesameasitwas]

hiii! im looking for good freinds to lovers fics bc i go through them sooooo fast :/ if you have any good ones pls send them !!!

hii… sorry this took me a whole day but here some Friends to Lovers fics… all the fics I’m recommending are Larry and please be careful with the tags before start reading and leave kudos :)

ABO

♥ Promise Me You Won't Run Away by thinlines @thinlinez | 23k | E

“Does kissing me stop you from having bad thoughts?” Harry asked, voice muffled into the collar of Louis’ dress shirt. Louis chuckled at this. He trailed a hand down Harry’s back, feeling the muscles tensing along with his touch.

“I guess you can say that. You’re a good distraction.”

“Then I will be the best distraction.” Harry answered, pulling back and watched Louis’ lips unashamedly.

“Come distract me, then.”

Or the Prince/ Knight AU in which Harry left Louis, but the omega never once gave up on them.

♥ i don't wanna be your friend, i wanna kiss your neck by crybaby | 19k | E

Harry has been in love with Louis Tomlinson for four years, five months, and thirteen days.

Harry had fallen in love with Louis Tomlinson like how he’d seen in movies, and how he’d read in all the books he’d stolen from Gemma, headfirst and shameless. The only problem was, that in films and books, love was always either returned instantly, or else it took time for unrequited love to lose the first two letters, and since the first option was obviously not true, Harry decided he would wait for the second to become reality. And so Harry waited, three years, eight months, and four days, before his heart had been broken by a gentle rejection and a misplaced blowjob, before Louis and Gemma had packed up and gone to Manchester for university.

(Harry is a hopelessly romantic omega and Louis is his sister's best friend)

♥ picking up the pieces by falsegoodnight @falsegoodnight | 35k | E

“Zayn,” he murmurs, quietly but desperately.

Knowing what to do immediately, Zayn discreetly glances behind them to scan the room. “Walking over,” he says, confirming Louis’ worst fears.

“Maybe he’ll just pass by without stopping,” Louis says, glancing at the tables next to them as if hoping to find some other group of friends Harry had in high school that he could possibly want to talk to.

Eyebrow arched and lips pursed, Zayn has the nerve to look amused. “He’s looking directly at us.”

“Cause a diversion,” Louis rushes through his teeth, panic clawing up his throat. He can’t look Harry in the face again. Not yet, maybe not ever.

Zayn rolls his eyes and grabs his hand, interlocking their fingers. “It’s now or never, dear.”

- Louis returns to his hometown for the first time in ten years for his high school reunion and is faced with memories he’s long since tried to forget.

MPREG

♥ waiting on you by beckywritesthings @beckydoesthings | 21k | M

“Do you want to touch?” Harry asks, taking one of his hands off to tangle with Louis’. His open invitation finally drags Louis’ attention away from his baby and up to his face, blue eyes wobbly with emotions. It’s clear that he’s too taken to really form words, so Harry takes the initiative to press their laced hands against his shirt fabric, warmth from the skin radiating through.

Louis pushes his shirt up to his chest, taking Harry’s hand and pressing it to hold the fabric in place. His hands return to warm skin, palms even more scalding now that there’s nothing in between them. And then, as if that wasn’t enough for Harry’s heart to handle, Louis leans in, pressing his lips right above his belly button.

“Hi, baby,” he says, lips moving across his skin softly. “I’m your… I’m Louis.”

Or Harry is pregnant with a stranger’s baby and Louis doesn’t know. It’s a minor detail that Harry’s both living with Louis and in love with him. No big deal.

♥ you fit me better than my favourite sweater by brightbluelou | 13k | NR

Harry didn't mean to fall in love with his best friend, and he definitely didn't mean to get pregnant. Despite that, it’s probably still the best thing that’s ever happened to him. And after that, well. It just kept getting better.

or; the one where Harry and Louis are friends-with-benefits and Harry unexpectedly gets pregnant. Harry never wants to stop getting pregnant after that, but Louis thinks seven kids is probably enough.

AUS

♥ our matchmaker: the fucking universe by peachloulou | 8k | E |

On your eighteenth birthday, you end up with your soulmates' name tattooed on your body. The universe works in a fairly simple way, so Louis knows Harry is his soulmate. He's got Harry's name tattooed on his ass cheek like a tramp stamp, and Harry's got the name Lou written on the inside of his wrist. Except Harry doesn't know what Louis' soulmates name is because Louis is a romantic fool, and, ever since Harry woke up with the name Lou two years after Louis, he's been a quest to find his own soulmate. Meeting after meeting.

But maybe Louis' wrong, and he and Harry are nothing more than best friends.

Or the one where the universe is annoyingly fucking complicated.

♥ Love Isn't Always on Time by softfonds @softfonds | 45k | E

Falling in love with your best friend sounds like a good idea, until he comes back from a work trip engaged to another man. A Made of Honor AU.

♥ You Might Want to Marry My Husband by Rearviewdreamer | 37k | M

When Harry’s husband dies, he asks one thing of him; to find love and happiness again without him. It’s a request that Harry is happy to disregard, until he meets the one person who is impossible to ignore.

♥ Work of Magic by Bekita @justalarryblog | 34k | NR

"C’mon Liam, are you really going to use this against me now? You know the kind of humans his kind is! You know very well why we hunt them!" Louis said, done with the conversation and walking down the hall.

"No! We hunt people who don’t care about others, and neither Harry nor anyone in his family is like that!” Liam exasperated, following behind. “Louis, it's been two weeks, don’t you wanna know how Harry is? Has this hatred taken over so fast?" Liam inquired, knowing the hit a nerve.

"You know what, Liam? I'm not going to have this conversation with you." Louis said decisively, turning his back to his friend ready to go to his class.

But life is never fair, is it? When he turned around he was face to face with Harry in the middle of the hallway. The two stared at each other. Do I hate him? Louis wondered as he watched Harry's eyes fill with tears and seem to be begging for something. He preferred to ignore the pang in his chest and the urge to comfort the boy in front of him. He lowered his head and continued on his way.

Or the one that Louis is a WitchHunter and Harry is a Witch and they keep it as a secret, but they fall in love.

♥ practice in pencil, seal it in pen by loubellies @loubellies | 16k | E

AU where drunk Harry lifts Louis up after someone says “bottoms up”. Louis blushes at Harry’s antics, flustered that his best friend knew him more than he thought. Friends to lovers with a happy ending pleaseor Harry is in love with Louis but he doesn't know.

♥ plant new seeds by glitterhaz @cloudslou | 44k | TUA

Harry nods, not trusting his words. Slowly, he crawls under the covers of his bed, all too aware that Louis is doing the same, so close to him. Initially, he faces his desk, not looking at Louis, but after a few minutes he gets uncomfortable and turns over. Now, he’s only a foot from Louis’ face, and Louis has turned around too.

He doesn’t think Louis is asleep already, and it's confirmed when Louis’ eyes blink open sleepily. Harry looks at Louis, and Louis looks at him. Really looks.

“Can you see me?” Louis whispers.

Harry doesn’t understand the question, not really, but nods anyway. “Yeah, I see you,”

**Louis works at a lonely community garden, Harry is the upstanding fraternity man who makes it all feels a little less lonely. Over the course of a semester, that is.

♥ Skin New, Hands True, My Hands All Over You by PearlyDewdrops | 44k | E

Harry designs wedding cakes, so of course meeting blissfully happy couples every day is part of his job description. Unfortunately, it's caused Harry to perpetually hope each new day is the one he'll find love, too. That is, until Harry realises everything he's ever wanted is right under his nose in the shape of his best friend, Louis.

But predictably, Harry only comes to this epiphany when Louis starts seeing someone else. And this is not a John Hughes movie as far as Harry is aware. Everyone else is pretty sure, though.

Featuring a heavy dose of pining, copious amounts of alcohol, drunk dialing that results in a situation reminiscent of Rachel Green's, a ginger cat that likes to interrupt intimate moments, and a Halloween party that changes everything.

♥ if it kills me by you_explode | 110k | M

Harry and Louis have worked together in a difficult office environment for six years. They're best friends; Louis is the bright spot of all of Harry's days. But Louis is in love with Harry, and Harry's engaged to someone else. And that's only the beginning.

The Office AU. More or less follows the first five seasons. A lot of pining and misunderstanding the depth of feelings and rejection and angst, until there isn’t.

♥ In This Light by exhilarated | 99k | E

Harry is a wardrobe stylist who likes to live in the moment, and Louis is a popstar who looks dreamy in double breasted jackets. Harry never stood a chance.

♥ smell the sea, feel the sky by lightswoodmagic @lightwoodsmagic | 16k | E

They’d been planning this beach trip for months, stressing around work schedules and engagement parties, trying to find the perfect place to stay in and a time where there wouldn’t be families everywhere but the weather still perfect. Louis had spent what felt like hours researching and planning, dinners with Zayn and his boyfriend at their house that just ended in looking at places and sending them to Niall. He’d been looking forward to it for weeks, getting away from his job and his bullshit neighbours and the noise of the city.

It seemed ridiculous, really, that in all that time, Zayn hadn’t mentioned once that Harry was coming.

Or, Louis doesn't know how he's going to spend a week with the one person he wants and can't have. Harry proves him wrong.

♥ This Shifting Ground by zarah5 | 28k | M

University AU. In which Louis, law student, is the cheeky waiter to Harry’s dates. This is how it starts.

♥ No One Like You by myownspark | 19k | M

Dear Niall,I was glad to have the chance to talk with you again at the AHA conference. Your idea that the Musee D’Orsay Tomlinson painting is in fact not a self-portrait is an intriguing one, and I may have discovered something that will have a bearing on that theory.

Some background: as you may remember, I’ve been researching for a book I’m writing about Harry Styles. I’ve been in communication with Styles’ last living descendant, who is in possession of a trunk that her family believed to have belonged to Styles himself. It held some personal items she presumes to be his, including two unmounted paintings and a small collection of letters.

Upon spending the last few days in Provins studying these items, I believe there to be a connection between Tomlinson and Styles, and I would very much like your opinion.

Are you up for a trip to France?

Sincerely, Liam Payne

Where Liam and Niall are art historians discovering the truth about two nineteenth century painters on opposite sides of an artistic divide.

♥ across city skyline (and straight through my heart) by Halos_Boat @halohamilton | 76k | M

Louis Tomlinson meets Hollywood Heartthrob, Harry Styles when he walks into Louis' little bakery one day.

Immediately, Louis is charmed by him and Louis thinks Harry might feel the same way, given the fact that Harry has visited the bakery everyday since he'd come to town.

Until one day, Harry walks in with a boyfriend under his arm and a smile on his face.

The one where Louis owns a small bakery that's well known in his town and Harry Styles is an actor who comes to town to film a new movie. Louis is endeared by him, but that doesn’t seem to matter since Harry Styles is already taken.

♥ Tired Tired Sea by MediaWhore | 113k | M

As a B&B owner on the most remote of all the British Isles, Louis Tomlinson is used to spending the coldest half of the year in complete isolation, with his dog and the sea as sole companions. Until, one day, a mysterious stranger on a quest to rebuild himself rents a room for the winter.

♥ Here In The Afterglow by fondleeds | 88k | NR

“If you hadn’t noticed, I don’t have many friends,” Louis whispers, the blossom of insecurity in his stomach unfurling and clawing its way into his throat.

Harry is silent for a long time, and then he speaks; a soft, slow uncurl that makes Louis’ stomach shake. “I’ll be your friend.”

- 1970’s AU. In a tiny town in Idaho, Louis’ life is changed forever by the arrival of a curious stranger.

♥ Nicotine by KrisStylinson | 42k | E

"We're two different types of people, Liam. He likes sex and drugs, I like theater and tea. Trust me, we'd never date." Except they would, they do, and neither of them plans on letting go anytime soon.

"Just because you can get me hard doesn't mean I like you," Louis whispered. The fact was, he didn't like Harry right now, not at all. Not even a bit.

"Yeah, yeah," Harry murmured, his breath fanning over Louis' cock as he spoke. "You done telling me how much you hate me so I can suck you off?"

♥ California Sold by isthatyoularry | 123k | M

Notoriously closeted boyband member Harry Styles is famous on a global scale, meanwhile Louis, as his best friend, is back home in Manchester, living the typical life of a 24 year old. When Harry needs Louis with him in LA, a publicity stunt gone wrong changes their friendship forever.

A fake-relationship AU between two lifelong best friends.

—————

if you feel like you need more, don’t hesitate to ask me :)

[emkay512]

Just For Tonight

What if it had been Liam’s idea to have house Beaumont sponsor Riley in his social season? And what was Liam’s night like after he dropped off Riley in the very first chapter?

A/N: I watch a lot of rom-coms and chick flicks and couldn’t stop thinking about Liam and came up with this 🙃 This exists in my OUAT universe, so I’m using those tags, I hope that’s ok and you enjoy!

Thank you at @sfb123 and @queenrileyrose for pre-reading and giving me that extra confident boost! I think I was marinating on this too long! Lol 😅

Warnings: Some language, but that’s about it.

Tags: @burnsoslow @bbrandy2002 @ao719 @kat-tia801 @sincerelyella @charlotteg234 @neotericthemis @queenrileyrose @kingliam2019 @iaminlovewithtrr @amandablink @iluaaa @jared2612 @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @secretaryunpaid @ladyangel70 @gkittylove99 @texaskitten30 @shanzay44 @ofpixelsandscribbles

Word count: 1,676

Liam’s head was swimming. He and Riley just piled into a cab to escort her back to her apartment after their midnight rendezvous with the Statue of Liberty. That kiss she gave him on the ferry had him dizzy, he was losing his inner fight to remember his duty bound responsibilities and wanted to embrace her again, but he also didn’t want to lead Riley on.

As if Riley was reading his mind, she broke the silence and asked, “hey, Liam?” Liam focused his gaze on her in reply, “what if just for tonight, we indulge in ourselves a little?” Liam lifted his brow in confusion.

“How do you mean?”

Riley was feeling quiet vulnerable with her idea, but in keeping with her own suggestion, she explained, “I have a feeling about you. That you’re used to putting your priorities and desires dead last in life. I’m even a little afraid that you may come to regret this night with me because you will convince yourself you had over indulged by allowing a little personal pleasure in your life. I’m saying, don’t do that. And I won’t either. I’m not sorry for opening up to a prince I know I’ll never see again. So… so how about you do the same?” Riley felt her cheeks blush and she looked up at him to see his eyes soften, knowing he was moved and would agree.

“Ok.” Liam smiled genuinely, she was completely right, and now thanks to her, he wouldn’t allow himself to feel any shame for enjoying this night. “Ok, Ms. Riley Brooks, I’ll do the same. Just for tonight, I will feel no shame for enjoying myself, for letting my heart call the shots for once.”

“Good.” Riley almost felt her eyes well up with tears from both the most sincere happiness she was feeling mixed with sadness of the night ending. Just then, the cab slowed to a stop right in front of her stoop. “Well, this is me. Good night, Liam. Thank you for the unforgettable evening.”

“Riley,” was all he could whisper before they both leaned in, closed their eyes, and surrendered into their goodnight kiss. Liam had relaxed completely, and it was Riley that deepened the kiss. She had parted her lips for him and he allowed himself to touch his tongue to hers, reveling in her sweet taste. He took one hand to cup her cheek and his other hand around her waist, both hands pressing her body as close to his as possible.

At the sound of the cabbie clearing his throat, they parted, both a little out of breathe. With smiles on both their faces, they said at the same time, “well, good night.”

They awkwardly laughed, and Riley touched her hand to his 5 o’clock shadow and said, “I think you are amazing, and thank you again for tonight.” She offered him the sweetest smile and then moved to exit the cab.

Liam replied as she was making her move out, “goodnight, Ms. Riley, and just so you know, I will never regret this night.” It was the right thing to say, as he saw nothing but elation on her face as she gently shut the car door and turned to walk into her apartment.

After giving the cabbie the name of his hotel, Liam leaned back in the backseat of the cab with nothing but stars in his eyes. He couldn’t believe the night he just had, and he was too far gone in his euphoria that he wouldn’t allow himself to think back to the reality that awaits him. Just for tonight. Just like they had said. He would allow himself to close out this night on his love sick high.

Upon his arrival back to the suite he was sharing with his friends, Maxwell was the only one still up. Liam could swear that his good, cheery, friend, Maxwell Beaumont, operated on constant energizer bunny batteries and actually didn’t sleep.

“Well, well, well… couldn’t quiet pull off the next-morning-walk-of-shame, my prince?” Maxwell knew Liam hated the formalities among his friends so he knew right away that Maxwell was in a full ball-busting mood. But Liam didn’t care. And to his dismay, Maxwell noticed. “Whoa. What the hell is that dopey look on your face!? You did get laid??” Maxwell was sincerely perplexed because he knew that a one night quickie was unlike Liam, but he could think of no other explanation.

Liam chuckled and shrugged, knowing he was unable to shake the grin off his face. No, he didn’t get laid. But he did get kissed. Twice. By a woman he knew he wouldn’t shake from his thoughts, for probably the rest of his life. Just for tonight. He continued the mantra in his mind. He’d let his mind wander to the idea of seeing her again. “Calm down, Max. She just showed me a very lovely evening. She pulled off a trip to the Statue of Liberty. Just for me.” Maxwell was not missing the stars in Liam’s eyes and couldn’t resist in fucking with him a little more.

“Huh, so your tryst involved another lady? Ya know, Lady Liberty? Kinky.” Liam rolled his eyes, that’s not even creative or funny, he thought to himself. “Wait, so how in the hell did you pull that off? I know you get shit done, but a last minute late night boat ride in a foreign country to impress a girl? How did you do it?”

“I didn’t. It was all the other way around. She called in a favor to impress me, and as you can see, I was quiet taken.”

“Well damn, sister’s got some moves! I mean, look at you, I’ve never seen you so smitten!” Maxwell was still muttering some mockeries at Liam, something about Liam being a smitten kitten. But it was something else he said that stuck out to Liam. Sister. Maxwell had call her a sister. After a second, a wild idea popped into Liam’s mind.

“That’s it! That’s it, Maxwell you genius!” Maxwell blinked up at Liam, very unsure what part of his rambles got Liam so excited. “House Beaumont still needs a sponsor for the social season, right?”

“Uh, yeah. That’s right.” Maxwell was clearly not putting two and two together.

“Catch up, Beaumont! Her! Riley! What do you think? We could catch up with her in the morning and ask her to join the season under your house. Well?”

Maxwell was grinning from ear to ear. He thought it was such a good idea that he was disappointed he didn’t think of it. “You’re on. You and I can find her in the morning before your early flight back and if she says yes, I’ll bring her back here to get the guys caught up and she’ll fly back with us.”

“Genius! Ah, I could kiss you right now Maxwell! I’m gonna try to catch some sleep before the morning.” Liam said while pumping his fist in excitement and he half jogged into a separate room to fall asleep.

The next morning, Liam and Maxwell caught sight of Riley walking up to her bar. Maxwell still had a curious amount of energy in him and next thing Liam knew, he was jogging ahead to Riley with his hand in the air to get her attention. “Hey! Hey, Riley!” Liam kept his pace as Maxwell rushed ahead.

Riley whipped around to see Maxwell charging at her. “Oh, hey. It’s you. One of Liam’s friends, Maxwell, right?”

“Yep! Good memory! Anyway I’m glad I caught you. I’m here because I want to formally invite you to Cordonia to participate in all the festivities for Liam. Normally you wouldn’t be allowed to join, but I want to sponsor you!” Maxwell could see the shock and confusion on her face as he continued to explain. “I’m from a noble house, but I don’t have any sisters so we don’t have anyone in contention to marry the prince. Instead we get to pick any girl to sponsor, and I pick you!”

“Wh-why me?”

“I’m not doing it just for you.” Just then Liam caught up and strode into the scene.

“Good morning, Ms. Riley Brooks.” Liam used his most husky and calm voice possible. He knew he was about to be asking a lot out of her.

Riley instantly picked up Liam’s voice as he walked up and greeted her, “Liam? What are you doing here?”

Liam approached and grabbed her hand, bringing it up to his lips for a quick kiss. He met her eyes as he explained, “I’m here to do the same thing my good friend, Maxwell, is here doing. I want to convince you to come to Cordonia. Everything he said is true. You can participate as his sponsor.” Riley moved her eyes from Liam and looked just over his shoulder at Maxwell, she was trying to decide if he was someone she could trust and someone whose house she wanted to join. She saw a very promising and honest smile on his face, and she felt comfortable. She then looked back to Liam, who was still holding her hand.

“I… I don’t know.. that’s a big commitment..”

“Look,” Liam said quickly not wanting to lose his momentum. “I’ll level with you, Cordonia won’t be like New York, but there’s something about you. About us, that I trust. There’s something here Riley, why not give it a shot. Come on, I know you feel it too.”

She most certainly felt it too and she thought about last night and the opportunity that could be ahead of her, versus her current shitty bartending life in New York, and she came to her decision. “Ok,” she smiled and looked him in the eye, “I’m in.”

“Yes!” Maxwell shouted from behind them, “go pack your bags, this is going to be the adventure of a lifetime!”

Riley looked at Liam and said, “I guess we’re shooting for more than just for tonight, huh?”

Liam replied, “heh, yeah I guess you’re right.”

[bbrandy2002]

Fool’s Rush In -- Chapter 16

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Liam x MC

Warning: Some language, mild sexual talk

Since it’s been awhile since I last posted an update, in the previous chapter Madeleine had confronted Riley with a video after she left the ball. 

Thank you @burnsoslow for the preread and beta.

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

Riley sat on a leather bench at the foot of the bed with a television remote held loosely between her hands, folded in her lap. 

Somehow her worn-out body managed to walk from the corridor after the encounter with Madeleine, up the many stairs of the quarters she shared with Liam and to their bedroom. The shock of the situation combined with exhaustion and throbbing pain in her lower back was secondary to the fear she felt at possibly giving up the man she loved. 

With trembling hands, she had slipped the DVD into the player and watched her nightmare play out on the screen -- It was all true. Madeleine acquired an illicit video of Riley and her ex-husband that the Queen had no clue was recorded of her or existed.

Her thumb grazed over the pause button several times, but she knew pressing it wouldn’t stop the hurt and embarrassment she felt at that moment at watching her former husband violating her trust and privacy. It wouldn’t stop Madeleine from releasing the video of it to the press and public. And it wouldn't stop the love she felt for Liam -- no one was powerful enough to take that feeling away from her.

But it was those words Madeleine threatened her with that got equal consideration with that video in Riley’s mind. She tried to envision how the scenario would carry out if the video was released and for those who would be affected by it: her father, her friends, her former students. 

Liam.

“It’s a shame that he’ll lose his reign, all because of you.”

“Would you really do that to Liam?”

“Do you genuinely believe you’re worth all the trouble it will cause him?”

Riley hit the pause button, her hands flying up to cover her tear-laden face as she bent over in sobs, shaking her head. She was wrestling with that inner voice, replaying Madeleine’s words like a broken record while struggling to remember everything Liam told her about trusting him and his love for her.

No matter how hard she tried to let his tender voice speak to that sacred place in her heart, Madeleine’s threats and taunts were getting the best of her. If there was even a slight possibility that the Countess was right, and Liam would get dragged through the mud in all of this, then there was no question what needed to be done. 

Those scattered bricks that formed the walls she came to Cordonia with, the ones Liam had broken down, were quickly stacking up again, one on top of the other. If something didn’t happen soon, Riley would be surrounded and suffocated inside that impenetrable cocoon that initially caused herself to doubt her worthiness to him in the first place.

All of those insecurities and fears crept up faster than a flooded riverbank, and she felt powerless to stop it from rising. Even if she could, she’d never allow Liam to suffer the consequences of something she had the power to prevent. To hell with whatever happened to her, but not him. He saved her weeks ago, and as her teary gaze slid from her hands to the wardrobe closet across the room, this would be her way of saving him.

Riley picked up the remote from her lap and tossed it aside. Determined to get out of the palace and Cordonia before anyone could see her, she swallowed her anger and grief and swiped a knuckle under each eye to dry the tears shed. 

She rose to her feet faster than she should have, feeling an intense shock of pain that began in her hip and shot down to her feet. There were no doubts that the fall from struggling with Madeleine injured her far worse than she wanted to admit to herself. With a shrieking whimper, she ground her teeth together and doubled over, feeling like she might faint. 

Riley grasped her back and gave herself a second to breathe through the pain before straightening up and staggering to her wardrobe to pack whatever she could as quickly as possible.

_____________

Liam stepped off the dance floor with Olivia's arm curled through his and escorted her back to their table. The conclusion of the ball was nearly upon him, and most guests had already stopped on their way out to say their farewells and offer congratulatory well-wishes. When they'd ask about the Queen's whereabouts, he'd tell them she had something come up that needed her attention. No one dared press him on the issue.

Checking the time on his watch, Liam looked up as Maxwell ran over with his phone in hand and dropped into a seat. He looked curiously at the out of breath Beaumont and asked, "What's going on, Maxwell?"

"Sorry," he replied before plucking a flute of champagne from a passing server's tray and gulping it down quickly. Wiping the droplets that dribbled from his mouth to his chin off with the back of his hand, he panted. "I ran here as fast as I could. I just got a text message from Drake. He's heading back soon."

"Did he say what the results of the paternity test were?" Olivia asked.

Maxwell nodded. "Yeah. They're Bastien's for sure. Las Vegas officials are allowing Drake to leave, but they've detained Bas until he pays up the $200,000 he owes to Boom Boom. Drake's return flight is scheduled to leave tomorrow morning, Cordonia time."

Liam pulled out his wallet and tossed $100 at a smug Leo, who promptly counted them out and stuffed the bills into his pocket. "I told you those little dudes weren't mine, bro. Really, your doubt in me hurts." 

"I'll admit you were right, Leo. But you do have a track record when it comes to being involved in weird stuff like this."

"Yeah, I've gotten myself into some pretty hairy shit a time or two," he laughed as the memories came to him. "Ahh, good times, good times. But, y'know, it wasn't always just fun and games with me, Liam. During those few occasions when I'd show up to train on being the top dog of this place, Father taught me several valuable lessons. Wanna know what they were?"

"Not really," Liam answered dryly, then tossed back the rest of his scotch to prepare himself. "But I assume you're going to tell me anyway."

"Damn right I am! This is good shit to know, straight from the Big Kahuna himself." He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "You must never tell anyone what I'm about to share with you all. This is top secret, classified Cordonian shit we're talking about; lives are on the line here. Father would be pissed if --"

"Just spit it out already!" Olivia snapped.

"Alright, first, never jizz in a jacuzzi unless you want to be covered in a thin spiderweb-like amalgamation of your own gravy. Daddio said he learned the hard way on that one ..."

"Oh, God. Leo!" Sickened, Liam dropped his head.

" ... Next, when you kiss a woman's hand, do it on the thumb side. Most people scratch their asses with their fingers, but rarely their thumbs. I might be an exception to the rule on that one." Leo chuckled to himself. "And lastly ... Rys spermies are MEAN sons-of-bitches, and we should dip my balls in a mug of hot water every day to kill them before having sex." 

"What the hell?" Olivia grimaced as she lowered her coffee mug away from her lips and pushed it away. 

"My dad told me the same thing," Maxwell boasted. "Except he called them Beaumont spermies. I guess he heard the same story from someone different than your dad."

Liam lowered the hands that were covering his face and breathed out heavily, "Leo, did our father ever teach you about anything other than using protection and sex during these meetings? Anything about negotiations, taxes, treaties ..."

Leo considered him for a moment. "Nope. He said you'd do all that stuff."

Liam grumbled. "Of course he did."

Olivia looked between Leo and Maxwell and scowled. "Well, it's too bad neither of your fathers took their own advice." She grabbed her clutch from the table. "At least I'll rest easier knowing the two of you aren't reproducing. Now, if you'll excuse me."

"I'll walk out with you, Liv." Liam rose and left the ballroom, having had more than enough of his fill of Leo for the night. There was also an incredibly sexy woman upstairs he'd been dreaming of pleasing all day, and he was overly eager to make good on his promise to join her shortly. 

______________

Liam made his way through the residential wing and down the long hallway to his quarters. While undoing his tie, he stopped midway when he noticed a vase that usually sat on a decorative table along the wall, tipped over on its side with bundles of long-stemmed roses littered on the ground around it. 

As he stooped down to pick them up, he found it oddly peculiar -- they didn't just fall over like this on their own. If a member of the staff had knocked them over, they would have picked them up; he felt certain Riley would have, as well.  

After rearranging the flowers in the vase and situating them back on the table, Liam removed his key card from his pocket and swiped it through the key fob next to the door.

"Riley! I'm home," he called out in a sensual tone, knowing she was most likely upstairs -- hopefully naked and ready to get her ass spanked -- and wouldn't have heard him.  

Taking a moment to check his reflection in the entryway mirror, Liam smoothed back his hair and tested his breath against his palm, satisfied he was good. After a quick stop in the kitchen to grab a can of whipped cream and chocolate sauce, Liam ascended the stairs, two at a time, to his bedroom. 

"Daddy's ready for his dessert ..." his exuberant voice trailed off as the sultry smirk he donned quickly faded away when he walked into an empty room. "Riley?"

Glancing around the bedroom, the en suite door was still open, and the light was off, so he knew she wasn't in there. The bed was still in pristine form and didn't look touched. He wasn't at all worried; Riley likely went for a snack, even though that thought seemed rather odd considering how adamant she was about returning to their quarters earlier.

Liam placed the toppings on a side table and slipped out his phone. He plopped down on the bench at the foot of their bed, thinking maybe he'd missed a message or call from her. 

There was nothing.

He scratched his head; it wasn't like Riley not to mention to him if she'd gone somewhere, not that she had to. But in this case, she knew he'd be up soon. Thinking about the overturned vase Liam walked upon, something started to not sit well with him. 

With the cell still in his hand, he pulled her contact information up. Just as he was about to hit the dial button, he heard "Liam" in a low, raspy voice.

Relief washed over him as he stood and put his phone away. "Love, you worried me. Everything okay?" Her face was ashen, and her eyes red and swollen. Liam's insides immediately clinched.

Riley didn't answer as Liam crossed the room, frantically approaching her, worry engraved on his features. “Riley, love, what’s wrong? What happened?” His eyes were desperately searching for any clue as to what was clearly something wrong with his wife.

She held out her hand, preventing him from coming too close. “Please ... don’t.”

Bewildered, he asked, “What are you doing, sweetheart?”

Riley turned her head away somberly; she couldn't bear to look at him. She had planned to get out of the palace before he returned from the ball; there was no way she would be able to face him. Liam would want an explanation that she couldn't give him. But when she got to the car, Riley noticed there was something important she forgot to give back to him, and there was no way she would take it. Maybe somewhere inside, even if she couldn't admit it, she needed to see him and do this right. “I ... have to go.” Her words were barely audible.

Liam's brows bumped together. “Go? You’re going somewhere this late? But you were tired before --”

“No,” Her head shook faster than she realized before she spat the rest out. “I’m leaving Cordonia. I’m returning to Las Vegas, and I’m not coming back.”

“Riley? What the hell is going on? You were fine and having a good time 30 minutes ago, and now, all of a sudden, you want to go back to Nevada. What am I missing here? Does this have something to do with what happened at dinner? Because I told you --”

“You’re not missing anything. I came here to prevent you from marrying Madeleine, and I did that. That was the agreement, and now ... I’m going home.”

Liam started to laugh and wagged his finger at her. “Leo put you up to pranking me? He's mad about me sending that damn monkey away and is trying to get me back, right? Because if he did, that's just … just heartless. And I don’t find it funny.”

“No, Liam.." She shook her head again. "Leo didn’t put me up to this, and it's not a prank.” Riley carefully pulled off the wedding bands she came back to give him and held them out to him.

He looked at them and gritted his teeth. “Put them back on,” he commanded.

“I can’t do that, Liam. They belonged to your mother, and I’m not taking something so sentimental with me back to Vegas.”

“You’re damn right you're not taking them back to Vegas with you because you’re not going!”

“I am.”

“No, you’re not!”

Riley choked out into a wispy sob, “I’m so sorry, Liam. I'm so sorry!”

He said nothing as he stared at her in disbelief and saw that she was serious. “Why?” He asked as his throat clenched and the first tear slipped down his cheek.

Her body felt leaden, never having seen him this shattered. “Liam, I just want to go home, okay? I mean ... this has been an amazing experience, and I’ll never forget it, but I miss my home, and my job, and my friends ..."

“Fuck your home! I’ll buy you one here that looks just like it. Visit your friends all you want ... hell, bring them here if you want to; I don’t care. That's NOT what's going on! There’s something you’re not telling me. And I want to know, NOW!”

Riley startled at his yell, wanting to hold him and make it better. “Liam, I don’t want to be in Cordonia anymore, or be the Queen, or live in this palace. I want to go home.”

He motioned around the room.“THIS is your home, Riley ... Cordonia.  I’m your home! This palace is your home." Liam scrubbed a frustrated hand furiously over his face. "Again, you were fine 30 minutes ago. What changed between you leaving the ball and coming up here? You're not telling the truth for some reason, but I can’t figure out why. Did I do something to upset you? Did someone else do something to upset you?"

"No!" she responded expeditiously.

"I love you, Riley. You know that, right?" She nodded; the glisten in his blue eyes and the desperation in his trembling voice was destroying her willpower. "Do you …  still love me?"

Riley slammed her eyes shut. She loved him with every fiber of her being, and to tell him so in this very moment would only serve to prolong this hellacious situation. The only way to protect him from losing everything -- in her mind -- was to let him go. He would fight her on this, and it broke her heart to see the pain and confusion in his eyes, but it had to be done.

“Do. You. Love. Me?” he enunciated his question once more. The struggle and agony on her face were evident to him.

Riley turned away from Liam and faced the door. Did she have it in her to answer that question with a lie?

"... the council will have no choice but to question Liam's decision-making abilities after not only squandering his pick of a queen on some American nobody but now one whose ass will be featured on the desktops of teenage boys across the world. It's a shame he'll lose his reign, all because of you. Would you really do that to Liam? Are you worth the trouble?"

The sadness crushed her. There was no other way to protect him. Riley swiped at her face and answered firmly.

“No.”

With that, the Queen walked out, leaving the King in an empty room with his shock, his confusion, and an unimaginable pain he'd never get over.

-----------

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Liam x MC: @cordonia-gothqueen

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[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

White Lies (Pt. 20 of 21)

Pairing: Keanu Reeves X Reader

Word count: 1.6 K

Summary: Keanu found the girl almost dead, in the wrecks of what was once her car. While she was in surgery, stuck in a coma, he gathered the best doctors of New York to attend to her. They told him she is likely to have some kind of brain damage, what may lead to memory loss. And this possibility added up wit the fact that she's pregnant, made the council come up with an odd idea. They asked Keanu to pretend to be her husband, since the stress of finding out everything that happened could put the baby in danger. He reluctantly agreed, but only if she does has some kind of memory loss. He still goes she'll wake up soon, with her memories intact.

But when you finally wake up, there's nothing inside. You're quick to find your head is empty, void, like a blank canvas. The only thing that brings you some relief, that makes you feel less lonely is the mention of a husband. And you can't wait to meet him, because you know you can't deal with this by yourself.

<- Previous part (19)

Next part (21)->

{Keanu Reeves Masterlist}

{John Wick Masterlist}

×

His

The moment you open the front door, you know something's off. It's night already, and you're sure, by how dark it is, that every single light is turned off. Keanu was supposed to stay with Liam as you went to your appointment with the psychologist. Another one, someone who will give you a different perspective. So you don't get why the house seems to be empty. He doesn't take Liam out without telling you, and you do the same, always letting the other know where you'll be.

“Keanu?” You call, throwing your purse on the couch and taking your heels off.

Fear starts creeping over your skin when you see something weird on the floor, some feet away. Walking there, you bend over to take it, and at the same moment you realize what it is, you see another, and another, and one more after, forming a trail that leads to the back of the house. Furrowing your eyebrows, you wonder why are there so many red rose petals on the floor.

“Keanu?” You call again, making your way to the backyard, an unusual yellowish light getting your attention. “What–” The words get caught on your throat when you notice more and more the petals, and as you follow and then, raising your head, your eyes go wide at the sight of the backyard, completely lit up by candles.

There's a table set in the middle and roses all over the place. Keanu stands by the table, in a damn suit, which makes him look even more handsome. Mouth half open, you take a look at everything, perfectly set, before starting at Keanu once again.

“Ke... What...” He moves his hand a little and a slow, soft song starts playing. You gasp, biting your lip.

“Can I have this dance?” He asks, and you nod, making your way over him and taking his hand on yours.

Keanu guides your arms around his neck, his big, warm hands resting on your hip, and it burns right through the delicate fabric of the green dress you're wearing. And then, you start moving, from side to side, following the rhythm.

“What's this about, Ke?” You have to ask. It's been a while since you decided to start dating. It does sound silly, given everything that happened, but you both thought it would be a good start. You also promised not to let out what happened between you two, since people wouldn't understand and you don't want to affect his career. You forgave him, wholeheartedly, and you know he did what he did to keep you safe.

“Just thought we needed a romantic dinner.” He simply says, taking your hand and pushing you away, so gently, before pulling you back into his arms. “And don't worry. Liam is with Mrs. Jackson.”

“Alright...” Raising an eyebrow, you look up at him. “Is it a special occasion? Like my birthday or something?” The day you were born was mentioned, but you didn't really pay attention.

“Not for a couple of months.”

“You're oddly mysterious tonight, Ke.” Tiptoeing, you place a kiss on his lips.

“What's wrong with a little bit of mystery?” When the song ends, he takes your hand, guiding you to the table.

“There's nothing wrong with it.” Shrugging your shoulders, you smile at him, taking your seat.

“I'll serve dinner. Give me a minute.” You nod as he walks back inside, taking the time to look around again.

The yard was never so beautiful, the candles casting soft, warm lights. There are red petals, scattered around the place, and roses on the centerpiece. Reaching out your hand, you take one, bringing it to your nose and breathing in the amazing scent.

“(Y/N),” Keanu calls when he's near you, and when you turn around, you don't find anything on his hands. “I was going to wait so we could have dinner first, but...” Taking your hand in his, Keanu pulls you up, and you furrow your eyebrows at him.

He takes a deep breath before searching for something on the inside of his suit, and you feel your blood running cold when he gets down on one knee.

Keanu reveals a small, dark box, and when he opens it, there's the most beautiful ring you've ever seen in it. It shines, lit up by the candles, and you see three stones, the one in the middle a little bigger than the others.

“(Y/N), I know it's only been some months since we started... Dating.” He begins, and you feel your hands shaking. “But everything happened to us in quite an unusual way and I'm completely in love with you.” You're already crying, a hand covering your mouth. “I thought I knew what love was, but I was so wrong. This is love, and it's... Undescribable. The way I feel when you walk in the room is... You own my heart, it's yours.”

Biting back a sob, you let him take your hand in his.

“So I couldn't wait anymore, beautiful. I want what we had while stuck on that lie to be real. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine. Forever. So... (Y/N)... Do you want to be my wife?”

“Yes,” you mutter, a little too fast, but since you're not sure if he could hear it, you nod, watching as he slides the ring on your finger.

There are no words to describe this moment. As Keanu stands up again, welcoming you into his arms and lifting you up, and you know this is right. Maybe everything meant to lead you to this moment. You know there are important people you left behind, like Daniel, your first husband, but you can only count on what you remember. And maybe just maybe, this was meant to be since the beginning. And you're happy, beyond happy, to have found the love of your life.

So it doesn't take much until the preparations start. Actually, they start on the very next day. For the general public, you'll be just a wedding vow renewal, since you don't remember the first. But it doesn't matter what they think, only what you know.

Laura is overjoyed, and she takes it into her hands to help you with everything. The date is set for only two months after the proposal, so it gives you little time to put everything together. And Laura is as indecisive as you are about the wedding dress. You do want to know Keanu's opinion, but you really want it to be a surprise, so you manage to chose it without asking him.

Things start getting hectic as the day approaches, but thanks to Laura, and to some people Keanu hired to organize everything, stuff is getting done just in time. When the day comes, there's not a single thing that isn't perfect.

There weren't allowed any journalists, just a single photographer, who's friends with Keanu. You know the pictures will find their way online, and you're well aware of some paparazzi hiding away. But nothing else matters. When you say ‘I do’, dressed in white, eyes on the most handsome man on Earth, nothing else matters.

And when you kiss, sealing your love before all the guests, you finally understand the true meaning of happiness. And as you walk down the aisle, hand in hand with Keanu as he holds Liam in his free arm, you smile at the camera, barely able to believe your eyes.

Sometime later, you're watching Liam playing in Mrs. Jackson's arms as you're seated on Keanu's lap. It was just for some photos, but you decided to stay.

“I have some news. But only if you agree.” Keanu says, low voice on your ear.

“Let's hear it.”

“I thought about a week in the Caribean as a honeymoon. But in November, so Liam is a little older. And if you think he'd be alright without us for this period.” As he speaks, Keanu pulls your hair away, placing a kiss on your neck.

“If we can hire Laura as a babysitter, I think it'll be alright.” Biting your lip, you look down at him. “And you should at least try to control yourself, Mr. Reeves. There are still some hours before we can be alone.” Lowering your voice, you smirk, placing a kiss on his lips.

“Because you're so good on self-control, Mrs. Reeves.”

“Oh, I love my new name.” Kissing him again, you only pull away when a song starts playing. “Ok, we have to dance.” Jumping to your feet, you start moving already, holding his hand as you walk to the dance floor. The song is fast, so you get this chance to be all over Keanu the best you can without letting anyone else notice the teasing.

“Do you really think it's a good idea to tease your husband before the wedding night?” He asks, his huge hands coming to encircle your waist, pulling you against his chest.

“It's the best idea I ever had.” Winking, you turn around, moving along with the rhythm, rasing an eyebrow to see Laura dancing with Robert. That took some time, but you finally see something happening.

The rest of the party goes on wonderfully well, and when it's over, you go back home. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson offered to stay with Liam tonight, so you and your husband have the house to yourselves. You're not entirely surprised to find your bedroom all decorated with candles and roses. You love it, but before actually getting into bed, you completely fail on the self-control thing, joining Keanu in the shower.

But of course, it doesn't stop there, and in no time, the amazingly decorated bed is messed up, once again claimed as yours. And even though you're tired of the party and the ceremony, you can't stop. You can't have enough of Keanu, you can't have enough of finally being his.

×

@multific @inumorph @aestheticallywinchester @bvbwestfall @liviiii98 @allie1804-fan @gian-giannina @playboygeniusphilanthropist @partypoison00 @mariafetamina @fortheloveoffanfic @trin303 @june-harris

[angelasscribbles]

Complicated Part 2: A Bit of Forgiveness

Series: Complicated

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Liam x Riley, Drake x Riley

Rating: M

Warnings: Language, adult themes

My other stuff: Master List.

Riley woke up to a knock on her door.

“What is it Max?” She asked as she flung the door open, only to find Hana standing there.

“Riley!” Hana squealed.

“Hana!” Riley launched herself at her, grabbing her and pulling her into her room as she wrapped her in a giant bear hug.

“I thought you weren’t coming back!” Riley said as she released her.

“To be honest, neither did I, but my father received call from Countess Madeleine officially inviting me to stay in Cordonia as part of her entourage. She promised the court would find me a match worthy of the family name.” She rolled her eyes as she said it.

Riley gave her a sympathetic look, “Well, I know how you feel about that, but it’s great that you’re here!”

“I almost didn’t come back.”

“Why not?”

“Because it wouldn’t be the same without you. But then I heard you’d returned, and I couldn’t get here fast enough! I missed you so much! I wanted to call you so bad after the coronation, but Liam said it wasn’t safe and I would never do anything to put you in danger!” Hana looked so miserable that Riley immediately forgave her.

“Oh Hana! It’s ok, I mean, it wasn’t, I thought everyone abandoned me at first, but….”

“Oh Riley, no! The hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life was not call you that night! Then I had to go back to Shanghai, and my parents, they, ah…they took my phone….”

“Hana! No! Why?”

She shrugged, blinked back a few tears then shook her hair out and smiled, “Doesn’t matter! I’m here now, thanks to Liam.”

“Thanks to Liam? I thought you said Madeleine-“

Hana laughed, “Oh well, sure, the official invitation came from Madeleine, but Liam made her do it.”

“He did? How do you know?”

“He said he would, the night of the coronation ball, after…..well, you know. He wanted me to be here for you when he couldn’t.”

“Oh.” Riley sat down on her bed, a little stunned. She had been operating under the impression that Liam had just moved on that night but here was confirmation that what he had told her on his balcony was true, he had been working on her return since the moment she had left.

“What, did you think he wouldn’t be doing everything in his power to bring you back? Riley, he was heartbroken and furious! I’ve never seen Liam like that!”

“Really?”

“Really! Why would you think any differently?”

Riley recounted her conversation with Liam from the night before. Hana looked confused.

“He told you that he was working on bringing you back, clearing your name, getting you back. What’s the problem? You don’t believe him?”

“The way he jumped away from me when we heard voices in the courtyard.”

“But…surely you understand why? It’s not just about appearances for appearances sake, it’s about making sure no rumors make it back to your enemies, right?”

“Right. But Hana……..there was a private bedroom right on the other side of the balcony doors!”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but I’m sure Liam had a good reason.”

Riley shrugged, “I guess.” Maybe she had been a little harsh with Liam.

Changing the subject, Hana asked, “Anyway, have you seen Drake yet? He wouldn’t stop going on about how we need to take action and find out who set you up.”

“Not yet, but…”

“But?” Hana arched an eyebrow in question

“Well, he did manage to find a way to call me….” She read the questions in Hana’s eyes and decided to change the subject, she wasn’t ready to talk about Drake yet. “Hey! We don’t have anything until the engagement party this evening, wanna go explore the grounds?”

“Sure! That sounds like fun!”

They nearly ran into Maxwell on their way out the door.

“Max!” She squealed, as she threw herself toward him.  

“Hana!” He grabbed her and lifted her up off the ground as he hugged her.

“How have you been Max?”

“I’ve been good. You?”

Hana shrugged, “Better now that I’m back with my friends!”

“Same. I mean, hanging out with Riley was great, when she wasn’t throwing shoes at me, but it’s good to be back at court. I felt like an exile for a minute there.”

Hana turned to Riley with a shocked expression, “You threw shoes at him?”

“It didn’t throw it at him, just near him. Listen, Don’t let him lie, he wasn’t just sitting around moping, Max kept busy, didn’t you?” She teased.

“What have you been doing Max?” Hana asked with curiosity.

“You mean who?” Riley grinned.

“Oh! Spill!”

“His yoga instructor!”

Maxwell shrugged, “It’s casual. He’s cute. But now that I’m back at court, have you seen some of the pool boys at the palace?”

They all exploded into giggles.

After catching up on Maxwell’s love life, they made their way downstairs and out onto the grounds. The front lawn was a full of activity as servants scurried here and there getting ready for the festivities.

“There’s a pond on the other side of the gardens on the east side of the manor,” Maxwell was playing tour guide, “with the most amazing gazebo you’ve ever seen!”

As they tried to skirt the edges of the front lawn, they couldn’t help but overhear Madeleine berating one of the servants, “Oh my God, what do we pay you for you imbecile? Seriously, how do you not know the proper order for the silverware? Of all the incompetent, air headed mistakes-“

The girl burst into tears and ran toward the house. Maxwell, Hana, and Riley exchanged looks.

“Ok, I’ll distract the queen of mean while you go comfort the girl.” Maxwell grinned then sauntered over to Madeleine with the best nonchalant expression he could muster.

“Hey Mads, what’s up?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, “Do not call me that! What are you doing here? The party doesn’t start for hours, we are not friends, why are you even talking to me?”

As she continued her tirade, Riley and Hana ran after the serving girl. They followed the sound of her sobs to a broom closet off the main hallway. Glancing at each other, Hana motioned for Riley to go. Riley knocked on the door, then pulled it open.

“Hey, are you ok?” She asked.

The girl didn’t look to be any older than 19, her long dark hair pulled back, she had been crying into her apron. She looked up at Riley with a tear streaked faced then jumped up and started apologizing, “I’m so sorry Mi’lady! I didn’t mean any disrespect; I’ll get back to work immediately!”

“No, no, no,” Riley soothed her, “You misunderstand. I’m worried about you. We’re worried about you.” She gestured toward Hana.

“You…you are?” She looked back and forth between them, confused.

“Yes of course! Right Hana?”

Hana nodded, “We saw what happened and wanted to make sure you were ok.”

“Really?”

“Yes, here,” Riley pulled her forward gently out of the broom closet and into a small music room, “So we can talk in private.”

Hana followed them in and shut the door. The girl looked between them again then dropped down onto the couch and burst into tears once more.

Riley sat next her and put an arm comfortingly around her shoulders and let her cry for a bit, “It’s ok, get it out, that helps. Trust me, I know.”

The girl looked up as her sobs subsided, “Thank you miss…?”

“Just call me Riley. And this is Hana.”

“Nice to meet you.” Hana gave her a smile. “And you are?”

“My name is Callie. Callie Gataki.”

“Nice to meet you, Callie. Is there anything we can do to help?”

Callie gave a weak smile, “Not unless you can get me a better job.”

“What do you do here?” Hana asked.

“General housekeeping. I’m a maid. I came to Cordonia looking for work as a nanny, I have experience and I’ve taken some classes. Not that I’m complaining! I’m happy to have work at all. I just…sometimes Countess Madeleine can be so mea- I mean, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that!” She sounded like she was starting to panic.

“It’s ok!” Riley laughed, “We agree with you.”

“You do?”

“My friend Maxwell calls her the queen of mean.” Riley said.

“I’ve heard Drake refer to her as the countess of cruelness.” Hana added.

That made Callie giggle. Then she sighed, “I thank you for your kindness, but I really should get back to work before I lose my job.”

Just then Riley’s cell phone dinged.

Maxwell: Where are you?

Riley: Music room off the main hall, could you come here for a moment?

Maxwell: On my way!

��Could you give me one minute, Callie? I think I have an idea that might help you.”

“Ok..sure, but just a minute, I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“Hey, what’s up?” Maxwell asked as he came through the door.

“I need you to do something Max.”

“Anything for you Ri, you know that. What is it?”

“I need you to find Liam and get him in here, without anyone noticing.”

“Wow, you don’t ask for much, do you?” His eyes went to Callie, face still red and puffy from crying, “But you know what? I think I can pull it off. Hold on.” He whisked back out the door.

“Liam?” Callie thought for a moment then her eyes widened, “Do you mean the king? Oh, no, no, no! I can’t impose on him! I don’t want to make anyone mad at me! Countess Madeleine will kill me if I complain to her fiancé!”

“Callie, it’s ok, I promise you, the king is a good man, and he won’t hold anything against you, I’m the one asking him for a favor.”

“Is that so?” Liam asked softly.

Riley looked up, startled, “Wow, that was fast! Maxwell, how-“

“Oh, I just started talking about peacocks and said I wanted some advice about some emu’s and everyone else suddenly had other places to be.”

Liam and Riley started at each other for a long moment, until Maxwell cleared his throat.

“Right. Lady Riley, you were saying that you had a favor to ask of me?” He looked at her quizzically.

She knew she had left things on a bad note the night before. She also knew that Liam was a good man and that he would help this girl. Maybe a part of her wanted to gauge if he meant it, about being willing to do anything for her. Here was a perfect opportunity to find out. And maybe, just maybe, a small part of her just wanted any excuse to see him again.

Riley explained the situation to him. Then Liam turned to Callie, “Is this true? Did Madeleine make you cry? And is this not the first time?”

Callie looked at him with big eyes and nodded, then answered so quietly it was hard to hear her, “Yes, she did and no, it’s not the first time.”

“Can you all excuse us for a moment? Maxwell, Lady Hana, if you will be so kind as to stay with…Callie, was it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Callie curtsied.

Pulling her into the hallway then into yet another empty room, Liam sighed, “Riley, you know I have no control over how Madeleine or her parents run their household.”

“I know that Liam, but couldn’t you help her, get a job somewhere else? The palace maybe?”

“And what about the other servants that she has made cry? I can’t hire them all.”

“I’m not asking you to hire them all, I’m asking you to hire this one.” She looked at him with anger sparking in her eyes. The passion in her eyes made something twist low in his stomach, and he felt his heart turn over in his chest.

Liam sighed, then he leaned forward and took her hand in his, “And this will make you happy? Because Riley, I meant what I said last night, I will do anything to make you happy!” He looked at her with such anguish and longing that she almost threw herself into his arms right then and there.

“Liam, I’m sorry about last night. I may have been a bit…emotional. I hope we can talk again later. But in the meantime, yes, helping Callie will make me happy.”

Liam felt his heart soar. After last night, he thought all hope was lost, but now she was saying she wanted to revisit the issue. At least he hoped that’s what she meant. A huge smile broke out across his face as he pulled his phone out.

“Find one maid a new job? That’s all it took to get you to talk to me again? You know what? I would have hired them all if that’s what it would have had taken!” He sent a quick text and almost immediately there was a knock on the door.

A young man in a dark suit stepped in the room, “You needed me your majesty?”

“Alec! Follow me please. Lady Riley?”

The three of them made their way back to the music room. Liam looked at Callie and asked her, “Is it your wish to find new employment?”

She nodded as if she were afraid to speak.

“How soon can you be packed?”

Shock spilled across her face, “Your majesty?”

“Can you leave in the next, oh, say, half hour?”

Shock was replaced by joy, “Yes! Yes, your majesty!”

“Perfect. Alec, please escort Miss….” He turned and looked at her again.

“Gataki.” She supplied.

Turning back to his private secretary he continued, “Please find Miss Gataki a position within the one of the royal households, effective immediately. When that’s done, escort her to collect her things, then have a car brought around to pick her up and take her there.”

“Yes, your highness.” Alec bowed, then gestured for Callie to follow him.              

Callie paused to grab Riley’s hands on her way out, “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you!”

Riley pulled her into a hug, “No need for thanks, just go, be happy!”

The younger woman nodded happily as she wiped the last of the tears from her face, “Thank you your majesty, Lady Hana, all of you!”

Once they had gone, Liam turned to Maxwell and Hana, “Would you mind if I have a moment alone with Riley?”

“Of course not!” Hana smiled at Riley as she and Maxwell left and closed the door behind them.

Liam turned to her, heart in his throat, he was so afraid of losing her, he didn’t want to spook her again, but there were things they needed to discuss, “About last night-“

“Liam, I’m sorry. I just……..” she trailed off not sure what she wanted to say.

“No, no, don’t be sorry, I’m trying to apologize!” He smiled as he reached for her, pulling her into his arms. This time, she let him. He hugged her, burying his face in her hair, and inhaling deeply, “My God, I’ve missed you!”

She turned her face up to him, heart pounding. This time, she wanted him to kiss her. She was tired of fighting her feelings. She loved him and she wanted to give in, to believe that he loved her back.

His phone beeped and he froze for a moment. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was let go of her, but he knew he would be missed by now. They were looking for him. He sighed and reluctantly drew back.

“Riley……..” the look he gave her was full of pleading.

She nodded her understanding, “It’s ok, I know you have to go, but we really do need to talk again.”

“Riley, as long as you still want to talk to me, that’s enough for me, at least for now. Just knowing that you don’t hate me, it gives me strength, gives me hope. I will prove to you that we are meant to be together. You’ll see. Just please, don’t give up on me, on this, on us! Please.”

She gave him a small, encouraging smile. He started for the door, then turned back around and swept her into a kiss that made her tingle to the tips of her toes. Drawing back, he gave her a smile then was gone.

She brought her fingers up to touch her lips, savoring the feel of his lips on hers that still lingered. When she finally stepped out of the music room, she felt lighter than she had in three weeks.

[alj4890]

All Through The Night

A Choices: The Royal Romance Dark AU fanfiction. 

A/N Other than my few Bloodbound shorts, I’ve never written anything with supernatural overtones before. After receiving requests to see Liam and Riley’s story if he was a vampire, this storyline was born. Since it is set in one of my favorite books from Pixelberry, I had to include as many of the main and supporting characters as I could. The following chapters will explain more where they and what our main characters are. Not going to lie, I am very anxious to step out of my comfort zone for this, but I’m also super excited to see how it goes. Along with The Royal Romance, I will be referencing and altering both The Crown and The Flame and The Royal Masquerade.

@gkittylove99​​ @krsnlove​ @kingliam2019​ @texaskitten30​ @yourmajesty09​ @mom2000aggie​ @ofpixelsandscribbles​ @twinkleallnight​ @lodberg​ @twinkleallnight​ @amandablink​ @neotericthemis​  @mm2305​ @sfb123​ @iufilms​​ ​ ​

Masterlist

Prologue

Once upon a time...

"Father!" Zenobia rushed down the stairwell. "Kenna is at the gates!"

King Luthor's frown deepened as he studied the places his troops had been destroyed. His hope to unite the five kingdoms and wipe off the abomination was for naught.

Kenna would not stop until he and his surviving offspring's heads were on pikes.

...until their blood filled the crystal goblets of the Dark Queen.

"What do we do?" His son, Diavolos, asked.

Luthor knew it was only himself Kenna wanted. After he had killed her mother, hoping to stop the monsters once and for all, Kenna would have her revenge.

If only he had known that she was a vampire...just like her mother.

"Listen carefully." His voice trembled at this possibly being the last time he was able to speak to his son and daughter. "A Nevarkis must always be ready to fight the creatures that prey on the weak and vulnerable."

"But..." Zenobia sniffed. "How? How can we possibly kill the unkillable?"

"She can be killed just like her mother before her." Luthor snapped. "Sunlight. A dagger to the heart. Cutting the head off." His features hardened with resolve. "Know that those are our true allies. Continue your training with daggers. Never stop being vigilant. Educate your children. And remember: where there's one vampire, many more lie in wait in the shadows."

Diavolos stepped forward and gripped his father's shoulder. "We will fight for you."

"No." Luthor corrected. "Fight for our people. The innocent. Fight for a chance to live without fear of monsters."

He cleared his throat. "If I should die--"

"Don't say that!" Zenobia screeched. "We'll be--"

"Kenna is coming for me." Luthor interrupted. "I know I must face the consequences of my actions."

"But--" Divalos lowered his head. "What are we to do?"

"Kill her." Luthor ordered. "Let your emotion be your strength." He took their hands. "And remember that a vampire is nature's evil incarnate. They will do whatever they want and kill anyone who they think is in their way." His voice turned to pleading. "Kill Kenna before she has a chance to kill you."

Zenobia nodded in a jerky manner. Diavolos swallowed with tears in his eyes.

"Good. Now prepare yourselves." Luthor pulled his sword from its sheath. "The devil herself is here."

*****************

Two years later...

Kenna cuddled her infant son, humming a lullaby.

Dom came in, a soft smile gracing his lips at the sight of his family.

"How are we this evening?" He asked, placing a kiss first on her lips then one on his son's forehead.

"A little fussy." Kenna explained. "But otherwise perfect."

"Good." Dom stretched then went to stoke the fire. "I will be going out later tonight."

Kenna's head jerked up. "Why? Are there more rumors?"

He nodded, a determined frown formed on his lips. "The Nevarkis brats refuse to let us live in peace." He moved to stand before the window that looked out toward the kingdom he had once lived in.

High in the mountains, the couple and those like them had found sanctuary. They built a kingdom, one of darkness and shadow that allowed them to live freely. He and Kenna were crowned the rulers, chosen by their people...those that were cursed as monsters.

"Si and I will be standing guard." He explained. "I will not risk you or our child."

"Dom..." Kenna pulled him close, capturing his lips in a long tender kiss. "This must end. I was foolish to let my need for revenge take over." Tears sparkled in her eyes. "Luthor might have left us alone if I had given him a chance."

Dom's face contorted into furious hatred. "A Nevarkis can never be trusted!" He gripped her waist, hands heating as he lost his temper. "He would have plunged a dagger into your heart the first chance he had."

"Dom." She said softly when he singed her clothes.

He wrenched his hands from her with a grimace. "I didn't burn you, did I?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine." She tried to lighten the mood. "Just a little overheated."

He took deep breaths to get himself under control. "Stay here where it is safe." His eyes searched hers. "Have you fed recently?"

"No, but I should be fine until you return." Kenna lifted a bottle with blood for their son. "I can call on one of the servants to help me if I need to."

"Promise me you won't go outside." He pleaded.

"Only if you promise to come back to me." She responded.

His lips quirked in that cocky smile she has always adored.

"Always, my queen." He kissed her once more, then slipped out the door to search out their enemies.

******************

Present Day New York...

"Cordonia...land of both beauty and mystery." Riley wrinkled her nose. "Boring."

"No, it isn't." Hana argued. "I think that is the perfect beginning."

"Look at the comments from our last video." Riley swiveled her laptop so her friend could see. "People love our walkthroughs and all but hate my narration."

"Well..." Hana's brow furrowed. "Maybe we should try to add more to it than just narration." She pulled out some sketches. "We could add some animation of the history before showing our footage of the country."

"That might work." Riley mumbled, tapping her pen against her notebook.

The two set to work planning their next project.

After years of trying, they had finally achieved their dream of traveling for a living. The two college friends had taken every class they could on how to make their hopes into a reality. With Riley's love of history and business and Hana's talent with art and fashion, the pair had created a successful travel channel that showcased rarely visited countries and cities around the world.

Hana took care of all the shopping and dining found at their chosen destinations. Her "day trips" were hailed as must see for anyone planning a vacation. Riley took over for what could be found at night. Myths and legends blended in with what could be discovered once the sun set. A place's nightlife was thoroughly researched and reached a wide variety of their audience, causing many to plan a vacation just on her recommendations alone.

"Did your mom suggest where we should go first?" Riley asked, after skimming the same few articles about the elusive country.

"Not really." Hana hedged.

Riley glanced up. "Is she giving you a hard time again?"

"Yes." Hana slumped in her chair. "She told me to call when I was done playing tour guide."

"Geez." Riley grumbled. "Does she not realize that we have created a legit business?"

"Ladies shouldn't be involved in anything that does not pertain to their husband and family." Hana quoted. "I was supposed to have my debut to Cordonian society last year." Angry tears filled her eyes. "She still hasn't forgiven me for missing out on the Masquerade Ball."

Riley wrapped her in a comforting hug. "I'm sorry."

Hana patted her back. "Don't be. I finally feel like I can accomplish anything."

"That's because you can." Riley sat back with a grin. "Especially with planning out what we should focus on first."

Hana giggled as she went to search out some of her old books she had inherited from her grandparents. "These might help you with your part."

Riley's eyebrows lifted over the titles. "The Crown, the Flame, and The Night Queen."

"That is the earliest recorded story of vampires and monsters in Cordonia." Hana explained. "Queen Kenna Rhys and King Luthor Nevarkis both fought over uniting the kingdoms that make up Cordonia." She shook her head in disbelief. "There is a legend that Queen Kenna was a vampire that married a man who could transform into a dragon."

"For real?" Riley eagerly opened the book. "What happened?"

"Luthor died." Hana reached for another history book. "Some say it was a sword fight while others say she ripped his throat out with her fangs."

"Whoa. Either way, she sounds pretty epic."

"His son got revenge though." Hana flipped to another chapter. "He sneaked in one day and supposedly dragged Kenna into the sunlight. Before her husband could save her, she burned to ash."

"Brutal." Riley shivered. "What did the dragon do?"

Hana shrugged. "Supposedly he left with their child to protect him." She pointed at some drawings rendered from the Dark Ages. "Kenna's son came back to extract revenge. He eliminated one entire side of the Nevarkis family tree."

"And let me guess," Riley picked up another book. "The remaining Nevarkis's struck back?"

"It's supposedly been a feud for centuries between the Nevarkis and the Rhys' families." Hana pulled up an image on her phone. "Though one is currently ruling Cordonia."

Riley studied the image. "Queen Olivia Nevarkis. Looks like the Rhys lost the throne."

Hana shrugged. "There's a myth that they still rule Cordonia from the shadows."

"Mythical royal vampires, huh?" Riley laughed at the thought. "I hope I bump into one just so I can figure out who's really in charge."

Hana giggled at the thought. "You would be the only person to ask a logical, government question instead of the usual, whoa you're a real live vampire!"

Riley threw a pillow at her. "Hey! I can be calm and collected when faced with the unknown."

Hana threw the pillow back. "Tell that to the supposed haunted house we visited on our last trip." She broke out into laughter with Riley's defense that squeaking doors were the true villains. "On that note, I'm going to start packing. Our flight leaves first thing in the morning."

"I'll be ready." Riley promised.

Once alone, she flipped to a more current timeline of the supposed Dark Kingdom.

King Constantine Rhys the Third rules over what is his rightful kingdom. Rumors swirl that he is simply biding his time until he can eliminate the usurper, Queen Olivia Nevarkis, First of Her Name. The people know that one day, a Rhys will sit upon the throne, uniting the Dark Kingdom and Cordonia once and for all.

****************

Cordonia's Royal Palace, 2 a.m.

"Heeeerah! Olivia threw her daggers as hard as she could while doing a roundhouse kick.

The blades struck into the chest, head, and groin of the makeshift dummy.

She brushed the few strands of red hair that had escaped her hair clip out of her eyes. With a great deal of scrutiny, she studied her dagger placement.

"The one to the head needs to go deeper."

She spun around with a start at that all too familiar voice.

"You're late." She folded her arms and tapped her foot.

Liam rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry. Had to stop off for a quick bite."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "That's not funny."

"Not that kind of bite." He teased, holding up a styrofoam box.

"Oh." She blinked in surprise. "I forget that you enjoy normal food too."

He chuckled at that. "There are certain foods that I don't think any man could ever give up."

Olivia decided to ignore that as she wiped the sweat from her face and neck. "Now that you're here, let's get the formalities over with."

"Very well." Liam gestured toward her. "You may go first."

She sat down on a bench lining one side of the palace gym. She motioned for him to join her.

"Not you!" She hissed when she saw his all too familiar guard.

Drake Walker bristled at her tone. His brown eyes clashed with her green.

"Give us a moment, please." Liam asked him.

"Don't let your guard down." Drake warned. "Remember, she's a Nevarkis."

Olivia tensed. "Perhaps you should remember what happened the last time you said something like that."

She quirked one eyebrow at the man and felt a sense of glee when he winced in memory.

His hand automatically drifted to his side where one of her daggers had once struck true.

With a quick bow to Liam, Drake stepped back out into the hallway.

Liam shook his head. "Are you two ever going to get along?"

"Stop talking stupid." Olivia snapped. "Now then, as you know...I must have my revenge."

"I know." Liam folded his arms and leaned casually against a column.

She eyed him for any sign of hatred.

It drove her crazy how unvampiric he could be.

He seemed almost human.

He seemed...kind.

A vampire is nature's evil incarnate. You can never trust a Rhys.

Those words had been drummed into her skull by her parents and then her aunt after their deaths by Constantine's hand.

And yet...Liam had done the unthinkable.

He had actually been a friend to Olivia.

*************

The night after her parents' funeral, five year old Olivia had been sitting alone before the fireplace, weeping over them.

Her aunt had left her to deal with her own grief and to plan the next attack upon Constantine.

As she searched for a tissue, Olivia jumped back with a shriek at the little blonde haired boy that held the Kleenex box.

His eyes were filled with unshed tears as he handed her a tissue.

"Who are you?" She asked, remembering that a Nevarkis must always be brave.

"I'm Liam." He explained. "I wanted to...I wanted to tell you I'm sorry about your parents." He sniffed and took a tissue for himself. "My mom died too."

Olivia blinked and took a cautious step forward. "Are you...are you a vampire?!"

He nodded.

She whipped out the dagger her mother had given her and rushed at him.

Liam moved faster than she could comprehend, gently keeping her hand above her head.

"Let go of me, monster!" She ordered. "You're why I'm all alone!"

"I didn't do anything." He told her, anguish taking over his handsome features. "I don't want to hurt you or anyone."

"Liar!" She snapped. "That's what you do. Lie and kill." Her tears ran faster down her cheeks. "And now you'll kill me."

"I won't." He promised. "I swear I won't hurt you." He ignored his own tears trickling down his cheeks. His blue eyes burned with resolve. "My mother made me promise never to hurt a human."

Olivia shook her head. It had to be lies. Isn't that what vampires and monsters do? Lull you into letting your guard down so that they could have an easy kill.

"Your father will pay for what he did." She said, hoping to see his true, evil nature. "He must die!"

"I know." Liam slowly released her and took a step back.

Olivia watched in surprise as he sat down before her fireplace and pulled out a silk blue ribbon from his pocket.

He motioned for her to join him.

She slowly lowered herself down, dagger poised in her little fist in case he made a move.

"May I have your hand, please?" He asked.

He patiently waited on her to decide whether or not to give it to him.

She tentatively placed her hand in his.

His lips turned up into a relieved smile as he wrapped the ribbon over their joined hands.

"What are you doing?" She asked, lowering her dagger.

"Making a bond." He explained. "I, Liam Rhys, Crown Prince of the Dark Kingdom, promise to never seek out revenge and to end all vendettas against the Nevarkis family." His blue eyes held her green. "Just as my mother, Queen Eleanor wanted me to."

Oliva's lips parted. "You mean it?"

"I do." Liam's voice held a great deal of sincerity. "I would rather walk into the sun than not do as she asked."

"Oh." Olivia sniffed. She could understand that kind of devotion.

"Do you," Liam's cheeks colored. "Do you think we can be allies?"

"A Nevarkis will never be friends with a monster." She repeated the rhetoric that she knew by heart.

"But," Liam's shoulders slumped. "We're not all bad."

"All monsters are bad at heart."

"I'm not." He pouted. "I don't want to be."

"You're so weird." She muttered.

"Am not." Liam grumbled. "I hope I'm not."

Olivia looked down at their hands still bound together. "I guess since you promised something, I should too."

He didn't bother to hide his surprise.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "I, Olivia Nevarkis, The Crown Princess of Cordonia, swear that after I kill Constantine Rhys, I will lay down my weapons." Her brow furrowed. "I'll pick them back up though if you or any other monster tries anything."

Liam's smile grew. Before she could react, he tugged her into a quick hug.

"Now we can be friends!" He cheered.

"Friends?" She shook her head. "I'm a Nevarkis and you're a Rhys. We can't be friends."

"We will be." He vowed, jumping to his feet. "I have to go before Father finds out I've sneaked out. I'll try to come back in a few nights."

Olivia didn't have a chance to tell him whether or not she wanted him to. In the blink of an eye, he had jumped from her balcony and was already out the palace gates.

*****************

That had been the beginning of Liam's visits. Through the years, he had remained true to his promise. He did all he could to befriend her and never tried to sway her from seeking vengeance.

Olivia had once asked him how he could take her threat against his father so easily.

He had merely shrugged, explaining that he knew it was the way of things. His father had killed both her parents, while he had only lost one. He hoped she didn't since he did not wish to see his father or her dead.

Olivia had then told him again how weird he was, bringing another smile to his lips.

And now here he was again, calmly taking her promised vengeance well.

"So what business brings you here tonight?" She asked.

"Father thinks it is time I chose a wife." Liam responded. "I thought you should know that I will be spending more time in your kingdom to find one."

Olivia shot up off the bench. "What? But you promised to never hurt a human!"

"And I will keep true to that." He explained.

"But..." Olivia's brow furrowed. "You'll turn her into a vampire."

"Only if she wishes it." Liam explained. "I won't force her to make such a decision."

"I see." She began to pace while thinking. "You'll have vampire children."

"Only if she's a vampire." He reminded her. "Remember my brother."

Olivia paused. She had forgotten about Leo Rhys, The Great Disappointment of the Dark Kingdom. His mother had begged Constantine not to turn her. It had never been asked before, and in his mercy he had agreed. That was when they all discovered that a monster and a human could only produce a human child. In order for the heir to the Dark Kingdom to be a vampire, both parents had to be the same being.

"And you'll be fine having human children?" She asked. "If you're chosen bride refuses the Vampire's Kiss?"

"Of course." He responded.

"Lord, you're so weird." She muttered.

His smirk flashed. "Let's hope the woman I choose doesn't think so."

"Are there no women in your kingdom you can choose from?" She asked.

"I've looked." He shook his head. "It's hard to explain, but if one doesn't have an arranged marriage, then we must search until we see the one meant for us."

"And you somehow got weirder." She brushed her hands down her pants and held one out to him. "Good luck, I suppose."

"Thank you." He grasped her hand and lifted it to his lips. "I'll keep you updated on my progress."

"There's no need."

"Of course there is." He winked at her on his way out. "We're friends."

Her lips parted to once again remind him that they couldn't be. For some reason, she decided not to say it.

Liam had somehow wormed his way into her life and had become the closest friend she had ever had.

********************

The Lee Residence, Shanghai, China...

Lorelei paled as she reread the report. 

It can’t be. Not Now!

Of all the times for this to happen, it would be when her stubborn, foolish daughter decided to visit. 

Given the nature of her relationship with Hana, she knew that there was no way she could convince her to postpone her trip to Cordonia. 

There was only one course of action left to take. She would have to call the one man who was capable of protecting her daughter. She would promise hiim anything as long as he kept Hana out of Liam’s clutches. As much as wanted her to give up this ridiculous hobby she called a job and settled down with the right sort of man, she would never put her in the path of becoming the next vampire queen. 

Setting down the packet of information from one of her informants, she checked to make certain no servant was out in the hallway and then searched for the needed phone number.

Taking a deep breath, she placed the call.

Her trepidation grew when he didn’t immediately answer.

"Hello."

"Lord Beaumont?" 

"Yes." She could hear a door closing in the background. "Who is this?"

"Lorelei Lee." She replied.

"Lady Lorelei." He responded with a recognition. "How can I help you?"

"My daughter and her friend have got it in their heads to come visit Cordonia." She began. "I'm not certain how long they intend to stay, but I was hoping that I could retain your services."

"For what exactly?" Lord Beaumont asked.

"Protection." She replied. "I have heard through certain channels that the dark prince is beginning to search for a bride." She took a deep breath. "We do NOT want our daughter anywhere near that vile creature."

"I understand." He replied. "I usually don't do personal security. With my brother, Bertrand, retired," he hesitated, "it is left up to me to help protect Cordonia's borders."

"My husband and I would be in your debt if you could watch over her in the evenings." Lorelei cajoled. "I've heard that your brother is planning on extending his vineyards. We would be more than happy to invest in the production and distribution of his sparkling wine. Perhaps even let it be the only sparkling wine we serve in our hotels."

"Send me her information and picture. Call her and tell her that since our family is an old friend of yours, that I've volunteered to show them around. Find out where she's staying and when she plans on arriving."

"Oh thank you, my lord. We--"

"I'll also need a contract prepared and signed for all that you offered." He added.

"Yes of course. I'll get everything to you at once." She promised.

Once he ended the call, she sank back down onto her chair. 

She bowed her head and began to pray that her daughter came to no harm these next few weeks. To lose Hana to one of the many creatures that roamed the night in Cordonia was too horrible to even contemplate.

If anyone could keep her daughter safe then it was none other than Lord Maxwell Beaumont.

[elizabeethan]

Watch the Sunlight Fade: 7 / 17

Emma Swan finds out that her boyfriend has been hiding something from her: he’s in a gang and trying to get out. Reluctantly, she decides to support him, sticking it out with him until they have enough money to flee to Florida. All she has to do is wait and ignore that feeling in her gut that something is seriously wrong. With the help of a kind and handsome stranger, she just might make it out alive.

Or, alternate summary: I’m horrible at summaries, please just read it.

Something of a cross between a What Still Remains AU and a Sons of Anarchy AU.

A/N: We’re getting there! In this chapter we have hints, friends. Let me know what you think!!

Rated M

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Read on Ao3

~~~~

Killian’s intention was not to sleep with Emma Swan. His intention was to lift her from the couch, gently and easily as he’s done before, and carry her to bed, leaving her to sleep peacefully. He intended to leave her in his room, tucked in and comfortable, and then sleep in his guestroom, listening for signs of nightmares. 

 He did not intend to sleep beside Emma Swan. When she clung to the collar of his shirt, sleeping as he carried her to bed, he intended to uncurl her fingers, perhaps place a gentle kiss to her forehead, and leave her in the privacy of his bedroom. He did not intend to let her look of sleepy desperation-- of a quiet, hopeless need to be held-- sway him when she pulled him close to her, refusing to let him leave. He did not intend to give in to her so easily, curling up behind her and letting her nestle herself against his front. He didn’t intend for her to fall asleep so effortlessly, and to sleep so soundly through the night as he held her close to him. 

 He didn’t intend for any of this to happen, but when he wakes with the sun and feels her warmth pressed against him, he can’t say he minds. 

 The battle that has plagued him internally since the moment he laid eyes on her rages on with her soft, contented sigh, and he wonders what she must be thinking. He wonders what the few moments of gentle peace before she wakes must be like for her. How it must feel to be tricked so easily into feelings of safety in the arms of another, only to wake and be faced with the painful reality that, to the man who is supposed to love her, she is nothing more than a means to an end. It kills him to not know what the end could be. 

 She stirs, and he knows that the bliss he felt when he first woke is set to fade as reality sets in for her. When she nuzzles her cheek against his bicep, the one attached to his tingling hand, he knows she must still be trapped in a dream, thinking herself cuddling closer to her doting boyfriend. He would give anything for that to be true for her. 

With another gentle sigh, she wiggles a bit, her rear unfortunately enticing to his body despite his mind’s commands. “Good morning,” she says softly, her tone relaxed and, he thinks, almost playful. 

 He can’t help but to laugh just a bit, the sound forced out of his nostrils and blowing a lock of her hair off of her neck. “Good morning to you, too.”

 She hums, making no moves to get up despite the morning sun rising higher in the sky. Their time together is running out; Neal is due to be home today, and if she isn’t home when he arrives, he’s certain there will be hell to pay. 

 “Feels weird,” she remarks suddenly, her voice still quiet but more serious. 

 “What’s that, love?”

 “Being…” she shrugs. “Feeling comfortable, I guess. Safe. Even before all of this, I had to force myself to relax with Neal.”

 “And now?” he asks, his hand inadvertently sliding up the curve of her hip over her soft t-shirt. 

 She’s quiet for a moment before speaking up again. “It’s easy,” she sighs. “I know my life is going to shit, but I’ve never… I’ve never felt this relaxed.”

 He should’ve stopped himself from pressing a soft but firm kiss to the back of her neck, but he couldn’t if he tried. “I’m sure that’s not true,” he tries, but she shakes her head immediately. “No? Not even a happy childhood memory?”

 She stays quiet for far too long, hinting to him that he’s said the wrong thing. He barely knows her; he certainly doesn’t know enough to make assumptions about her childhood. She confirms this when she finally murmurs, “I’m not sure you know who you’re talking to.” Her tone is light, as if she’s trying to make a joke of it, but he can hear the pain laced through her words.

 “Perhaps I don’t,” he challenges boldly, voice strong and almost too powerful in the soft morning silence. “But I’d love to hear more about your beginnings.”

 Her stillness makes the blood sing through his veins, hot and painful in response to his anxiety, until she rolls over onto her other side, sliding away from him just enough so that she can look into his eyes. “You really mean that,” she says. It isn’t a question, more like a clarification. A statement used to prove the thought to herself in her own mind. He nods, wanting to drop his hand onto her cheek but holding back. 

 “Of course.”

 She closes her eyes, shying away from him, hiding the shining beams of light from his gaze for a moment before she opens them again and gives him a small smile. “I’m an orphan,” she whispers. Her wording takes him by surprise. She’s an adult, he overheard Neal telling Peter that she’s 25, but she still considers herself an orphan even now. “My parents… I don’t know. They abandoned me. I don’t know who they are. I spent years trying to find them and I never did.”

 “So you…” He sighs, biting his lip without meaning to mirror her. His hand is twitching at his side to touch her, to reach out and comfort her. “You spent some time in foster care, then?”

 “Care,” she scoffs. “I guess you can say that. I ran away a lot.”

 “Aye,” he nods. “If not for Liam, I’m sure I would’ve as well.”

 She looks at him so pleadingly, so deeply, her brows drawn tight together and her forest green eyes glowing in the light of the rising sun. “You were in foster care, too?”

 “I was,” he whispers. This time, he can’t stop himself from letting his fingers slide along the soft skin of her temple, brushing her hair away. He feels her relaxing into his touch, leaning into his hand and letting her eyes slip shut. “For a brief time, before Liam found our father. He was here with Gold; died shortly after we found him, but Liam had turned 18 so we stuck around with the club.” 

 Her eyes snap open, something he’d said alerting her senses. “You’ve been with them for a while then?”

 “About fifteen years now,” he confirms. 

 “So do you… I mean, they cared for you. You must have some kind of loyalty to them.”

 “No,” he answers immediately. “Fifteen years is a long time. Long enough for me to see the violent corruption that Peter and Neal seem to thrive on. They learned it from Gold, they tried to teach it to me, but Liam taught me the importance of good form.”

 Her movements are quick, and he can barely keep up as she scoots close to him and drops her head so that it’s resting against his chest, just below his chin. He doesn’t think before wrapping both arms around her, securing his hold on her and burying his head in her hair. It smells fruity and floral, and he doesn’t think he’ll get enough. 

 “I always thought I was good at reading people, with the exception of Neal,” she says, laughing softly. “And with you… I mean… I trust you, Killian.” 

 The relief that washes over him is nearly unbelievable, his desire to be here for her, to help her, too consuming. The confirmation that she trusts him steadies his heartbeat, calms his mind, soothes his soul. 

 “Emma,” he breathes, and at the sound of his voice, she pulls back and meets his eyes with her. “I promise I’ll get you out of this. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

 “I know,” she whispers. Her words wash warm air over his mouth and remind him just how close they are. He considers closing the gap between them when he sees her eyes fluttering, desperate to make her feel the same intensity that he feels. He craves the softness of her skin against his. He wants her. He thinks he may need her. Her eyes close and he watches her lips fall open just the slightest amount, her breathing evening out at the anticipation of his lips meeting hers. 

 But reality creeps back into the forefront of his mind, the danger that she’s in sure to increase if they should ever be found out. The half-confirmation that perhaps she wants him in the same way that he wants her is almost enough to hold him over. He’ll never put his own desires ahead of her safety, and he needs her to know that. 

 So he places his palm on her cheek and runs his thumb along the soft skin under her eye, thinking back to last night when her cheeks were tear and sweat stained after hours of emotional torment. “He’ll be back soon,” he finally whispers, and the way her face falls pains him. “I’m sorry,” he says, unsure why. 

 She opens her eyes and meets his gaze, seeming to understand as she takes a breath and nods. “Don’t be,” she smiles. “Thank you.”

 “For what?” he asks, unable to fathom what she could possibly be thanking him for. All he did was tell her of his past and nearly kiss her despite her being in a relationship. 

 “Everything,” she answers easily. “I’d be broken if you hadn’t come out and gotten me last night.”

 “I’ll always be here for you,” he vows, his palm cupping her cheek without having the excuse of moving her hair out of the way. 

 “I’m scared,” she whispers. Her voice is weak and small, barely audible over the sounds coming in from the open window. “When he gets home, he’s gonna want… I don’t want to…”

 “Emma,” he breathes, shaking his head. He’s horrified that they even need to have this conversation, but at the same time, he isn’t surprised. Growing up beside Cassidy, only a few years older than him, he knows how he was raised. The man has expectations of her, and that was made clear to Killian the other day when he dropped everything and barely had her hesitant consent before dragging her back to his bed. It’s wrong for him to have to offer her a way out of sleeping with him. She should be able to say no, she’s not in the mood, and that should be enough. But he knows that isn’t the case; he knows what will happen if she refuses. “Perhaps if you say you’re sick,” he finally offers.

 “Yeah,” she agrees, then smiles genuinely at him and says, “I mean, I did throw up last night. I guess I’m not totally lying.”

 “Aye,” he grins, although it feels wrong to do so. “You’ll be alright. I’m not sure why, but for better or for worse, Neal needs you for something. He won’t harm you.”

 She sighs and drops her head back onto his chest, the weight of it comforting with each rise and fall of his lungs. “I wish I knew why,” she says softly into his shirt. “I mean, I'm nothing special. Why would he want me, of all people, to be here?” 

 A twinge of anger sparks within him again at her words, at her genuine belief that she’s nothing special. It reaffirms for him that she’s grown up all her life alone, believing that no one could possibly want her. That she couldn’t possibly mean anything to anyone. That the only person she thinks she means something to is an abusive, manipulative monster. It can’t be true, he wants to tell her. It isn’t true. He wants to assure her that, despite hardly knowing her, she means the world to him. But the last thing he wants to do is to scare her off, the prospect of helping her out of this with her comfort and autonomy in tact too important to pass up. He can’t put his own feelings above her. 

 “I wish you didn’t think like that,” he finally says, letting his hand find the back of her hair again. “You are special. You just don’t deserve whatever it is he has planned for you. You deserve to be happy and safe.” 

 When she shakes her head again, he vows silently, daring not to scare her with his sincerity, that he’ll spend every day for the rest of his life proving to her that she means something. 

 ~~~~

 Emma finds herself being very meticulous about her position in the apartment in preparation for Neal’s return. Killian’s suggestion that she fake an ailment was a good one, but now she has to make it believable enough to turn him off. 

 She has whiplash from the last few weeks, but from the last day especially. She can hardly believe that she’s in this position in the first place, the fact that she’s found herself suddenly thrown into the role of a gang member’s girlfriend utterly fantastical. A part of her still thinks this is a dream, and if she pinches herself hard enough, she’ll wake up in the arms of her loving boyfriend once again. 

 Truthfully, she can’t believe that she never noticed. The fact that he was able to trick her so believably, that he got around her firm defenses and her lie detector well enough to sneak into her life, is almost too painful to consider. How could he manipulate her so easily? Is she really that weak? It’s easier to rely on the belief that this is a horrible nightmare and that she’ll soon wake up and her life will go back to normal. It’s not like her life was anything special before, but at least she was living in blissful ignorance to the horrors she now faces. 

 Neal is not the man she thought he was, that much is definitive by now. Finding out that he’s the brother of the leader of The Lost Boys was a blow so detrimental to her that she almost broke. If Killian wasn’t there to pick up the pieces and glue her back together, she’s certain that she would still be a crumbling mess on the hallway floor. 

 The helpfulness of his presence is something that she will never be able to put into words. The fact that he was there for her when she needed him, when she needed to be held together and soothed and cared for, the fact that he knew just what she needed in that moment, is something she can never hope to repay. 

 She feels silly thinking like this, when just the other day she was promising herself that she would try harder with Neal. It’s as if the second she found out about his nefarious intentions, she forgot about him. The way she feels when she’s with Killian makes her fear the way she felt when she was with Neal. Everytime she and Neal were together, she had to force herself to relax, to calm down enough to enjoy his presence. She told herself that it was normal for her to feel that way, that the way she was raised predisposed her to feelings of discomfort in the presence of others. But when she curled up in Killian’s arms last night, it was the most natural thing in the world. It was like there was nowhere else she was meant to be. Like being with him is exactly where she needed to be in that moment. Now, thinking back to the way it felt to be held by him, she wants nothing more than to be back in his arms. 

 The anxious nausea returns when she hears his keys jamming into the lock, turning it slowly as the sickening anticipation increases. She takes a deep breath, settling herself into the couch and easily putting on her best sick face as he pushes the door open. She’s met with a wide, leering smile that makes her stomach churn more. 

 “Hey, baby,” he calls as he shuts the door, dropping his bag to the floor in a way that makes her wonder if he expects her to unpack it. It’s as if her sudden realization of his true intentions was a bucket of cold water being thrown over her head, and now she can see him for who he truly is. Each of his actions are selfish, his expectations of her entirely misogynistic and manipulative. 

 “Hi,” she says with a purposely weakened smile, her voice small. “Good trip?” 

 “Pretty good,” he confirms, walking towards the kitchen and retrieving a beer despite it being before noon. “We’ll probably have to go out again soon, but I'll stick around for a while.” 

 “That’s good,” she agrees, pulling the blanket up around her shoulders and nestling into the couch cushions. Despite her stress, she found that she slept better than ever last night, so it’s more work than she expected to pull off a look of exhaustion. “What do you do when you go?” she asks, hoping to get a bit of information out of him. 

 “Oh, this and that. Nothing you need to worry about.” She fights off the temptation to roll her eyes as he sits on the couch, narrowly missing her feet and seeming not to notice. “What are you doing?” 

 She shrugs. “I don't feel that good,” she explains. “I’ve been nauseous since last night.” 

 “You have?” he asks, his interest seeming to be piqued.

 “Yeah,” she nods weakly, shutting her eyes. “I even threw up last night.” 

 “Gross,” he says immediately, and her mind runs back to the image of Killian holding her hair for her. He cocks his head to the side in thought and says, “Huh.” 

 “What?” 

 “Nothing,” he shakes his head, taking another draw from his can. “Just interesting, that’s all.” 

 She laughs, the sound likely not entirely believable. “Interesting or gross?”  

 Neal turns to her, his eyes suddenly dark and hooded, his grip on his can obviously tightening. He shifts in his seat, turning his body so that his shirt rides up slightly, exposing the handle of his gun to her line of sight. “Does it matter?” 

 “No,” she replies quietly, her eyes meeting his in undeniable terror. She doesn’t have to work at making her voice sound small and timid; it happens naturally. “Sorry,” she says without thinking. 

 She notices that, in the time that he was gone, she felt a sense of strength. Having Killian reiterate to her that what she’s experiencing isn’t normal, isn’t acceptable, has put her in the mindset that she’s strong enough to get out of this. But with a single motion, a few short words, she's back under Neal’s thumb with no chance of escape. 

 “Great,” he smiles, his demeanor shifting back as he leans back into the couch. “We’re going out tonight. The Rabbit Hole.”

 She wants to argue, to remind him that she just told him she isn’t feeling well, but she fears his response and simply nods. “Okay,” she says softly, feeling like less than nothing to him. It isn’t the fact that she doesn’t feel well, because that’s not entirely true. Her nausea is a result of her stress. What bothers her is his willingness to ignore her claims. His ability to forget so easily. 

 She means nothing to him. 

 ~~~~

 The Rabbit Hole is busier than usual, and it occurs to Killian that Peter didn’t bother to enforce it’s closure this evening. The realization makes him wonder about the last time, the night that Emma was brought here and victimized for the first time. It makes him wonder about the disconnect in Peter’s mind that made him want to celebrate such an event. 

 Tonight, he sees several familiar faces. There’s Scarlett, who was drunk and tried to steal Rufio’s bike one night, earning himself an entirely unwanted role in the club working off his crime. There’s also Tink, Olivia, who got herself into a lifestyle in which she’s never been truly comfortable out of sheer desperation and poverty. There’s William Smee, who boasts an ability to allocate anything the club desires, if only to keep him safe from their rivals. 

 The bar is filled with people who are here because they have to be, having little choice in the matter. Each of them agreed to be here, agreed to Peter’s terms, but none of them have any way out. 

 There’s a pair of arms wrapping around his shoulders from behind, pulling him into a hug, and he knows exactly who it is without having to turn. A smile creeps across his mouth when she squeezes more firmly and then spins his chair, turning him to face her and giving him a bright smile. 

 “Evening, love,” he mumbles softly, giving her a gentle smile. 

 “Evening, KJ,” she returns. Elsa moves beside him and takes the stool to his left, holding up a hand to signal to the bartender that she’s ready to order. “Having a good night?”

 “Sure,” he shrugs, turning back to his drink. 

 With a snort, she shakes her head and shoves her shoulder against his. “What’s wrong?”

 “What makes you think something’s wrong?” 

 “You’re brooding. More ferociously than usual.”

 “I don’t brood,” he grumbles into his rum, taking a drag from it. 

 “Yeah,” she scoffs, “and I’m a natural blonde. Is this about your girlfriend?”

 He turns suddenly, staring her down and raising a brow. “I don’t have a bloody girlfriend.” 

 “Mhmm,” she hums sweetly. “A winter sangria, please,” she orders, and Killian rolls his eyes. 

 “It’s still summer, El.”

 “I know what I like. Now, talk to me. Emma’s been staring at you all night.”

 “No she hasn’t,” he argues into his glass. At least, he hopes she hasn’t. It wouldn’t be safe for her to be staring… 

 “Killian, please.”

 “She’s--” he starts in a moment of boldness, wanting to retreat almost immediately as he realizes where he is. He leans a bit closer to Elsa and practically whispers, “I think she’s in danger.”

 “Killian, they’re keeping her safe! As Neal’s girlfriend--”

 “She’s in danger from Neal. She had no idea… Elsa, she found out last night that he’s Peter's brother. She thought he was some lackey until Gold told her otherwise.”

 “Why would that mean she’s in danger?” she asks, accepting her drink before shifting back to her serious demeanor. 

 “Why would he lie? What could he want from her that he doesn’t think he could get if he were truthful?”

 “KJ…”

 “He told her they would leave. He said he would move them to Florida to live happily ever after. You know that’s not what that bastard has planned.”

 “Watch your tongue. Are you sure you’re not just looking for another reason to hate him like you do everyone?”

 “Who said I hate him?” 

 She lets out a groan, dramatically throwing her head back before taking a sip of her drink and then glaring at him. “I’m not sure what’s going on in that pretty head of yours, but you’ve got to cut it out. For better or worse, Emma is Neal’s, and you know that he’ll make sure you know that. Him and his brother. They’re in charge; they keep us safe, and all we owe in return is our loyalty.” 

 She’s right, of course, although perhaps not in the way she means. They are mad enough to go to extremes for arguably unwarranted reasons. If Liam diplomatically disagreeing with them was cause enough for his death in their eyes, he doesn’t want to imagine what would happen if they found out about him and Emma. 

 Not that there’s anything going on between them, of course. Despite his feelings for her, he isn’t daft enough to think that they’re being reciprocated. She simply needed comfort and he was available and willing to give it. She needs someone to care for her, someone who understands her and what she’s going through, and when all of this is over and she’s away from this abuse, she can move on like none of this ever happened. It’ll be like they never met, and if that’s what’s best for her, then so be it. 

 Still, the fact that she slept in his bed, in his arms, just last night is dangerous. If that information were to reach the wrong set of ears, he knows it’ll mean bad news for Emma. 

 “Alright,” he finally grumbles. Although he trusts Elsa, knows that she wouldn’t do anything that would mean trouble for him, he suddenly gets the feeling that she doesn’t understand what he’s going through afterall. Her phrasing is startling, and he’s starting to realize that it’s not the first time she’s spoken like this. She doesn’t know the extent of what happened to Liam, but she’s aligned to the club very faithfully. He was certain that their shared experience, their shared loss, would mean her unconditional empathy, but he can see now that that isn’t necessarily the case. 

 He fears that he-- and as a result, Emma-- may be more alone than he originally thought.

~~~~

~~~~

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