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still-astray · 2 years ago

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A Special Someone (part 2)

Sophie gets a taste of normal teenhood

genre: fluff, angst

word count: 2.2k

warnings: none! <3

Special thanks to @mynameisnotlaura for coming up with this idea <3 i really don’t know where Sophie would be without your amazing ideas

taglist: @fromfreesia @skz-angel @skzfairies @mynameisnotlaura (just send in an ask to be added or removed <33)

🧚🏻‍♀️

The next day in their dressing room, Sophie couldn’t stop bouncing around, overly hyper with the ever-growing excitement of meeting Sunghoon and Wonyoung.

Also of the sheer novelty of performing on THE Music Bank, but she’d performed so many times by now that she only got butterflies from performances.

Half of the members were already dressed, wearing the same outfits that they’d worn in that one particular video of Neverending Story. Seungmin hadn’t made an appearance yet, but Sophie was quite sure that he would appear wearing The Hat.

She wouldn’t admit it to anyone (except mayyyybe she’d hinted to Natalie and Nala in their private group chat that she really liked that hat), but she really, really hoped that The Hat would make its reappearance.

Jeongin snagged her by the wrist as she passed by him on one of her pacings around the room. “Don’t get all tired before the performance,” he warned, but he was smiling at her excitement. “You’ll get out there soon enough.”

“But Jeongin, we’re about to meet TWO idols!” Sophie exclaimed, completely forgetting in her rare fangirl moment that she herself was now an idol.

“Bubble, you’re only meeting two of your own kind,” Minho told her, entering the room, his in-ear monitors already ready to go. “Remember, you’re an idol now too.”

“Yes, but they’ve been idols long enough for me to be a fan! I’m not the only one who gets like this anyway,” Sophie said, her adrenaline spiking again as she thought ahead to the moment when she and her members walked onstage with the two MCs. “Seungmin and DAY6?”

“What about DAY6?” Seungmin asked, appearing just in time to hear that last bit, but he never got an answer. Sophie squealed when she saw his hat, all resolve to hide her love for that particular hat flying right out the window. “What?... SOPHIE, I KNEW IT WAS THE HAT!” he exclaimed in a sudden realization.

Sophie blushed a deep red. “No it's not! I uh, I uh, just, uhhh….” She gave up when she saw Seungmin’s knowing smile fixed on her. “Okay, fine… itsthehat!” she admitted finally, her face burning with the admission.

“Soph, it’s okay,” laughed Seungmin. “We all knew it was the hat that made you beg the stylists to reuse our outfits.”

“You, uhh, you guys weren’t supposed to know that aspect of things,” muttered Sophie, turning an even deeper shade of red.

That brought a round of laughter from the boys. “Idols can fangirl over other idols’ outfits,” Seungmin reassured her.

“But I’m a member now, it just feels weird.” Sophie, now that she’d had a mini outburst, had settled down for the moment and was currently snuggled up with Changbin on one of the couches.

“It’s not,” Changbin told her. “It’s perfectly okay. In fact, Jeongin almost had a breakdown when he found out-”

“SHUT UP,” interrupted Jeongin, turning almost the same shade of red as Sophie had a minute ago. “DO. NOT. FINISH. THAT. SENTENCE.”

“-found out that you’d be wearing what you’re wearing,” Changbin finished, ignoring the former maknae’s pleadings.

“I did not almost have a breakdown,” muttered Jeongin. “And is it my fault if I like how that color looks on her?”

“It wasn’t even the color!” spoke up Hyunjin, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation ever since his return to the dressing room. “Jeongin, you literally saw the outfit and yelled, she's going to look like a fairycore princess in this!! I can’t wait to see it!!”

Jeongin looked like he wanted to bury his face in his hands, but couldn’t due to his makeup already being done. “Sophie, I swear, it was not like that.”

“Yes, it was,” giggled Hyunjin. “I was there, Innie, I saw the whole thing.”

Sophie reached over and grabbed his hand. “It’s fine,” she reassured him. “In another six months we’ll be laughing about this.”

“I can just see the headlines,” lamented Jeongin. “Stray Kids’ Maknae Line Freaks Out Over Each Other’s Outfits.”

“So what?” Sophie shrugged. “Just means that we know how to display our impeccable sense of humor.”

“Sense of humor?” howled poor Jeongin.

“I guess he’s not going to be laughing anytime soon,” remarked Seungmin. “Oh well, happens to the best of us.”

Chan and the remaining members entered the room just then, Woojin included. “Okay, are we all ready? They’re about ready for us.”

Sophie gasped and turned white as a sheet, making half the boys laugh and sending the other half into near heart attacks. “I’m okay!” she said brightly, although the half-terrified, half-ecstatic expression on her still-pale face said completely otherwise.

Woojin laughed and took her hand. “Just think of it like when you met me. Except better, because you won’t be bodyslamming Sunghoon.”

“We hope,” muttered Jisung from somewhere behind them.

“Jisung!” scolded Hyunjin. “Don’t make her more nervous.”

“At least it’s a dance form you’re more familiar with,” said Chan in English, trying to keep Sophie as calm as possible by distracting her from the upcoming meeting. “Didn’t you tell me waltz was one of the easiest ballroom dances you learned?”

“Well, yes,” admitted Sophie. “Then again, I wasn’t performing it on camera!”

“Um, according to your stories about your mom, yes you were,” laughed Hyunjin.

“But- but-” Sophie gave up and fell silent, turning her attention to praying that she wouldn’t do something totally stupid in front of Sunghoon and Wonyoung. Lord, I could really use some help here, she thought, directing her thoughts towards her Heavenly Father. I’m really freaking out about this, and I know I shouldn’t be this nervous, but I am for some reason. And I know I’ve performed with more nerves than this, but… I just could really use some comfort and peace. Jesus, please be with me onstage today and let me feel Your presence with me there. Amen.

By the time she finished her silent prayer, the group had reached the backstage area and the staff were fitting the final mikes and in-ear monitors. Sophie bit her lip as she waited for the go-ahead to step onstage, her hands beginning to shake. Felix and Woojin noticed, and Felix covered his mic before saying a quick, quiet prayer over the girl while Woojin hugged her.

“Thanks, Lixie, Woojin,” she whispered, covering her own mic.

Their smiles were the only response they could give, as just at that moment, the staff were shooing the members onstage.

Sophie’s adrenaline spiked so high it physically burned her middle, but she pushed down the feelings and sent up yet another quick prayer for stability and comfort.

The moment she stepped onstage, all the tingles vanished, replaced with a dull but live throb of adrenaline in the pit of her stomach. She relaxed a bit, knowing that the change in sensation meant that she was going to be okay.

Didn’t stop her breath catching in her throat when she caught sight of the two MCs smiling at them. She was sure her eyes widened, and she was really glad that Hyunjin put an arm around her shoulders, because she wasn’t sure what would have happened if he hadn’t.

She’d wonder about that later. Right now Sunghoon- THE SUNGHOON- was greeting the group, introducing them to the cameras and audience, asking them what song they’d be performing.

Wait! That was the question Sophie was supposed to answer!

Sunghoon and Wonyoung were looking at her. The camera was pointed at her. The audience was waiting. She swallowed her starstruck emotions and took a breath. “The song we’re performing today is Neverending Story, a song about staying together beyond forever. The song is originally from the drama Extraordinary You, but we- er, Stray Kids- decided that the lyrics fit our group’s relationships as well.”

Sunghoon and Wonyoung were nodding, so Sophie breathed a sigh of relief, figuring that she couldn’t have fumbled her words too badly.

Then it was time to perform. Sophie was to flit from member to member, the interactions with each member telling a different section of the story the dance was meant to tell. By random selection, she had ended up paired with Woojin first.

Sophie stood in the “ready position,” having to stretch a bit to reach Jeongin’s shoulder, but nevertheless perfectly comfortable as she waited for the music to start.

And then it started. The opening notes floated over the stage, Seungmin began to sing. Woojin led Sophie in the opening steps, passing her off to Hyunjin at the start of the second half of verse one.

Sophie moved as though on autopilot, equally caught up in the dance and her lines and hyper aware that, offstage, watching Stray Kids’ every move, were Sunghoon and Wonyoung. Please keep me focused, she prayed as she made a smooth transition from Jeongin to Minho during her lines in the first chorus.

It hadn’t been her idea to choreograph the dance to where Hyunjin and Changbin would be dancing with her as they rapped, but they’d pulled it off in practice several times with little to no mishap. Nevertheless, Sophie was practically holding her breath and sending up dozens of silent, wordless prayers per millisecond during the rap sections.

The final minute or so of the song went totally against the accepted norms for waltz dancing. A series of swing-reminiscent spins and lifts brought Sophie back where she’d begun, only this time she lay diagonal across Woojin’s body as the older member supported her in the most difficult lift of the dance.

And then it was over. Mere moments after the music stopped, Sophie dropped to the floor and instinctively hugged Woojin. The rest of the members crowded around, joining the hugfest.

“Stray Kids, performing Neverending Story!” announced Sunghoon triumphantly, Wonyoung chiming in with “We’ll be right back after the commercial break.”

Stray Kids and the two MCs headed backstage to freshen up and take five- okay, maybe ten. However long it was, Sophie found herself antsy to be onstage again long before her members.

“Chan,” she called to her leader, who was currently hiding behind the old-fashioned dressing screen.

“Mhm?” came Chan’s response, slightly muffled by the shirt he seemed to be having a little trouble with, if the view of his head and shoulders was anything to judge by.

“Can I go explore a little? I won’t go too far, plus I’ve got my phone.”

Chan latched on to the idea immediately. “Say, that’s the best idea you’ve had all day, Soph! There’s lots of other idols here, go meet some.”

“Thanks!” called Sophie happily as she skipped to the door.

Hyunjin looked up from retying his shoes as the girl passed him. “Just don’t bodyslam anyone,” he teased, only half-serious.

Sophie gave him a look, and he chuckled. “I’m kidding, Soph, I don’t think you’re going to bodyslam someone on purpose.”

“Unless it’s Seungmin,” replied Sophie with an evil smile, scuttling out the door before Seungmin could overhear and get to her.

Once out in the hallway, Sophie felt a sense of independence. She was no longer just Sophie; she was a woman on a mission.

The mission of possibly meeting some other artists.

Lost in thought, Sophie had no sense of where she was or what her surroundings were. Therefore, it took her by complete surprise when she felt herself ram into another body.

A solid, taller body whose clothes looked very familiar.

Oh no. It happened again, didn’t it. Sophie backtracked, her brain screaming at her to just turn tail and run, while her common sense told her to stay there and say something.

“Oh, my gosh! I’m so sorry,” Sophie exclaimed in a rush, bowing and hoping that she didn’t look like an absolute klutz.

“It’s okay,” Sunghoon reassured her, looking very much like he wanted to chuckle at her undeniably adorable awkwardness, but restraining himself so he wouldn’t embarrass her. “In fact, I was just looking for you, so this is perfect.”

“Me?” squeaked Sophie, astonished.

Sunghoon nodded and smiled. “I wanted to introduce you to my members,” he said, “want to come along?”

“Sure!” breathed Sophie, alternately excited and nervous. “Just- uhh- I gotta text Chan and let him know where I am real quick-”

Sunghoon nodded again to let her know that was fine, and Sophie quickly sent the message. Slipping her phone into her pocket, she followed Sunghoon through the hallways to Enhypen’s dressing room.

A stab of adrenaline poked Sophie’s stomach, and she pushed it down, praying she wouldn’t come off as a fangirl.

Sunghoon pushed open the door, and it was almost like Enhypen had been waiting for the cue. Six voices chorused a hello almost in unison, and Sophie returned the greeting, the realization just now hitting her that she was meeting Enhypen.

“Sophie, the members,” Sunghoon was saying, as he went around the room and pointed at each member. “Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki.”

Sophie returned each hello politely, praying that her accent and pronunciation were correct. Each individual introduction set off a spark in her middle, but there was one in particular that skyrocketed. One that struck her very differently.

“Sophie, Ni-ki,” Sunghoon introduced the two maknaes, finishing the introduction.

Coming up from her bow, Sophie caught Ni-ki’s eye (or was it the other way around?). And at that moment, as their eyes locked on each other, something happened.

An electric shock shot through Sophie, bridging the gap, connecting her with Ni-ki. Time stopped as their eyes met, their attention only on the other for that moment.

And at that moment, Sophie knew that there was something special between them. Something that only could happen if there were certain factors involved.

Factors telling Sophie that Ni-ki wasn’t just an idol.

#skz’ bubbly sunflower 🫧🌻#stray kids’ sophie #stray kids 9th member #enhypen sunghoon #ive wonyoung #kbs music bank #enhypen #enhypen niki

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bookwyrminspiration · 3 years ago

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Half of the things that regarding Tam in Kotlc frustrate me honestly. It feels like he’s pushed aside in the series so frequently, and I feel like this really peaked when he was in the Neverseen in Legacy. First off, it kinda rubbed me the wrong way the way that half of the characters were acting like Tam betrayed them? And maybe I just horribly misread the scene in which he was taken to the Neverseen, but I would not say that was a consensual decision, like at all. Gisela basically just said “Hey come with me or I’m making an entire species extinct and killing your sister.” like that’s manipulation that’s not what an honest decision looks like. I just felt so bad for him because he was borderline kidnapped by this awful group and it felt like no one was taking it seriously. Sophie reached out to him once on her own, and then once again when Linh pushes her to. That’s about all she did to try to help Tam for pretty much the entire book, unless I’m forgetting something. It just frustrates me, especially considering how much she did to try to figure out who her parents were during that book. This isn’t a thing against Sophie, it’s just that the things she did during that book kinda make it seem like Sophie being able to get a matchmakers list is more important than Tam being kidnapped. I don’t know, I just feel bad for Tam it always feels like he’s getting the short end of the stick when he seems like he’s one of the characters who would need support the most? I mean, he’s got so much to deal with and half of his scenes just feel like “here’s a scarring situation for you Tam! Now go back home to Linh or something.” Also, the way they described Tam being chained and mind-controlled actually made me sick that’s really horrific. (Also I don’t know where to put this, but characters keep acting like Tam’s super-ultra edgy and I don’t really see it? This is probably just me, but he’s always seemed more like a really stressed out person to me, not necessarily edgy. This might just be because he’s in a stressful situation in like 80% of the scenes he’s in.) I’ll be honest, Tam just kind of feels like a punching-bag character half the time.

tam is one of my favorite characters so i'm looking forward to this one, nonsie

I do feel that Tam's situation was treated very similarly to Keefe's, though there was actually a lot differentiating the two, which makes it feel weird. To summarize, Keefe ran away to the Neverseen, actively making that choice, and Sophie decided to trust him with that decision. She thought it was dumb and that they'd have to rescue him, but it had been his choice. And she coordinated with him, reaching out nightly to see what was going on and to get a sense of how he was doing. She was actively doing what she could to monitor him and balance her other responsibilities

some of this mindset carried over into Tam, while I think he should've been approached differently. because this wasn't his choice. it wasn't coordinated, and he didn't want to be there. he wanted out, and he wanted to be out safely. My mind is linking it to that one conversation with Sophie you mentioned, the one with Linh. Specifically because he told Sophie not to reach out to him, and said "I. LIKE. IT. HERE[...]I'M EVEN MAKING FRIENDS," (Legacy 407). I think this kinda led us to the "Tam wants to be there the way Keefe did" connection that really isn't accurate. he was threatened into joining, and nothing he says after the fact will erase that.

additionally, while Tam was with the Neverseen, Gethen was back and could search his mind, which was why Sophie didn't reach out to him more than twice. it was a risk that could put Tam in direct danger, and he wouldn't know when it was coming and couldn't agree to that risk. so if the two paths of action we're applying to Keefe and tam are to try and physically remove them from the situation or keep tabs on them, since contacting him is off the table, you'd think they'd focus more heavily on trying to get him back. but they...didn't.

I agree with your assessment of her priorities as well. i don't fault her for trying to figure out who her bio parents are or for wanting to explore matchmaking, i'm judging her for her timing. because she's consistently been very motivated by her friends and keeping them safe, it feels a little off that she prioritized matchmaking over Tam's physical safety. i know the love triangle and romantic drama has a lot of draw for some of the younger fandom base, but I feel as though it was prioritized too much and actually betrayed some of Sophie's key values for publicity.

and going back to the "he always draws the short end of the stick," thing, I think you're exactly right. i honestly can't think of any scenes off the top of my head with Tam where he's allowed to just be a teenager and take a break. There's always drama with him, which I think in part comes from the "sarcastic dark aesthetic friend" he's kinda gotten boxed into. he's there to be dry and pessimistic and further the conversation. note: he doesn't actually seem like a dry/dark outlook person as much as a lot of us (myself included sometimes) make him out to be. yes, he uses a lot of sarcasm, but that's not synonymous with dark and edgy.

to me he sounds like..,bitter? and resigned? and just generally annoyed to be there but doesn't want to show it. i don't think that makes sense so let me expand on it. he feels like when one friend of yours has invited you into a group of theirs friends (none of whom you know) and you're just kinda existing in the same space but are slightly uncomfortable and don't know what to do with yourself, but you don't want to let it show and risk offending anyone. you talk and fake your way through it but it feels off and you just don't like it and don't want to be uncomfortable anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually has a lot of anxiety that everyone around him just doesn't pick up on

his life changed drastically very quickly and he doesn't have a lot of friends. sure, there's the group, but they're not friends in that way. tell me, can you think of one person Tam would tell his worries or fears to? I can't. the most obvious might be linh, but I don't believe he'd tell her, because he'd want to protect her instead of burdening her with his worries. I think he's tied to her a lot and seen as a package deal in a lot of canon--and frequently in fanon--so it can be hard to separate them at times,

I might be jumping around a little, but back to the chains. those are incredibly fucked up, and I don't think they're given the appropriate emotional response they deserved. this is a teenager who has been physically chained for all hours of the day, for weeks. and he's just living with it, knowing he can't take them off. and when Sophie learns and tells Mr. Forkle, his response is that he's never heard of something like that before and would need to research it. Like?? excuse me?? one of the minors you let swear fealty to your organization is literally chained and you're 1. not trying to get him back 2. just saying you need to research it.

that's another thing! everything I remember (and I might be forgetting something) is the teenagers talking about Tam being missing and how they need a plan and want him back. But there are several adults in his life now who could step forward to take that responsibility. Tiergan. Mr. Forkle, Squall, the bodyguards, any dwarves working with the Black Swan, etc. You know, these adults with loads more resources and people at their disposal. they could do something, organize something, make an effort. A child was kidnapped and it feels like they went "wow that sucks. hope we get him back. anyways--" idk. that's just something that's bothered me.

he just keeps getting hurt again and again. it's like that's all we focus on with his character, him being sarcastic and dark in stressful situations and not him just existing. we see him fighting with his parents, fighting with the neverseen, being teased and singled out when he's around Keefe, like can he catch a break? can we just let him smile for once?

I, for one, think he deserves to be more than just a punching bag, nonsie

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rawmeanderson · 4 years ago

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pretty please ― friday.

ft. Kevin Hayes plot: with Kevin, Brady, and Jimmy all gone from New York and the new season about to start, everyone gets together for a long weekend. warnings: swearing, drinking, body issues, all sorts of sexy things but no penetrative sex. word count: 9.2k, making this the longest thing i’ve ever posted, holy shit. special thanks: a big thank you goes to @danglesnipecelly for proof reading for me, and also to @capobiancos for being such a wonderful hype person that validates my long winded chapters 🤗 notes: so, I basically lay out all of season two of Fleabag in this chapter in a way that would definitely fall under the realm of spoiling it, so I apologize if that upsets anyone! with that warning, I definitely encourage everyone to take the time to watch the series at some point because it lives rent free in my mind and will continue to do so for the rest of time. part of this takes place on a boat, and i’ve got to say, I don’t know a fucking thing about boats so i’m sorry if I got anything wrong 😂

THURSDAY

A knock on the door woke you up with a start the next morning, your body jolting for a brief second before you yawned, stretching out along the mattress. A second knock followed shortly after, and only then did you remember that someone had knocked to begin with, and that you weren’t even at home.

“Yeah?” you grumbled a second later, rolling onto your opposite side to face the door.

“Hey, it’s me,” Sophie said, opening the door enough to slip inside. She was still in her pjs, a sleepy smile on her face as she crossed the room.

You reached for your phone, checking the time and seeing that it was just a little after 10. There was a text from Kevin from 17 minutes ago, reading “Fleabag today?” You’d reply to it soon.

“Morning,” you yawned, stretching out along the mattress as she joined you in bed. She did this often at home on weekend mornings, usually to discuss what to do for breakfast or how to spend the day.

“Mm, good morning,” she responded, already wrapping her arms around you as she pressed her face into the back of your shoulder. Sophie had always been a physically affectionate person, and you knew that was one of the things you’d miss the most when she moved. “Are you having fun?”

You snorted softly, rolling your eyes. Of course she was checking up on you. “Yeah, Soph, I’m okay,” you assured her, putting your hand over hers were she was holding onto you. “It’s good to see everybody.”

“Yeah, it really is,” she said, exhaling a content sigh. “What did you and Kevin talk about last night?” The question was innocent enough, but you could tell that she’d been dying to ask since you and Kevin had rejoined the group last night.

“We just caught up, really,” you told her, turning your head to yawn into your pillow quietly. “He wants me to come visit him in Philly sometime.”

“Aww, he’s always been so sweet on you. He was super happy when I told him you were coming this weekend.” Her words surprised you, making your cheeks burn a little, but you didn’t respond otherwise. Sophie knew that you and Kevin had hooked up before, and had always encouraged you to pursue him more. “We’re going swimming off the boat later, you should come with us.”

You made a slightly noncommittal sound, shrugging. “Maybe. Kevin wants to watch season two of Fleabag today, so I guess it depends when you leave,” you said, which resulted in Sophie making kissy sounds in your ear. “Oh my god, stop!” You both laughed as you elbowed her in the ribs gently, which only made her hold you tighter.

A quiet sigh left you, and the two of you laid there for a few minutes longer, until Sophie started snoring softly. With a soft laugh, you nudged her awake gently, and she groaned, forcing herself to sit up. You promise to get out of bed and join her in the living room soon, sending Kevin a quick thumbs up emoji, tacking on “I’ll be functional in 10 minutes” as you finally got to your feet.

You changed out of your pjs into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, tying your hair up in a bun as you crossed the hall to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Kevin had texted to say they’d be back in a few, but you hadn’t even realized that he had left.

Still feeling relatively sleepy, you settle into the corner of the couch in the living room next to Sophie, learning from someone that Kevin and Nolan had gone on a coffee run. Just as they get back, you were wishing you’d known that so you could’ve asked Kevin to bring you back something. It surprised you then, when there was suddenly a cup being offered to you.

“Caramel iced coffee, biggest one they had,” he said, tilting his head as he looked down at you. A smile spread across your face, feeling a tug of affection in your chest over the fact that he had remembered your coffee order. You thanked him, and he looked rather proud of himself for getting it right.

“You ready for some Fleabag?” you asked, taking a sip as you looked at him with raised eyebrows. You wished you didn’t feel so giddy, that the idea of spending the next three hours with him didn’t have you damn near preening.

“Hell yeah,” he said, glancing over his shoulder toward the hallway. “My room’s got a TV in it, and I think I figured out how to stream to it.”

You hadn’t fully gotten around to thinking about where you’d be watching the show, so the mention of Kevin’s room, where you’d both surely be sitting on the bed, made you straighten up a little more. “Yeah, that sounds good,” you said, flashing a grin and taking another long sip of coffee.

As you get to your feet, Sophie caught your eye, wiggling her eyebrows at you. If you were closer, you’d swat at her playfully, but you settled for rolling your eyes at her instead.

Kevin had already showered, you realized, as you followed him to his room. His hair was still damp, and you could smell his body wash and cologne when you stepped past him into the room. Silently, you wish you’d taken the time to shower, knowing the smell of last night’s fire still clung to your hair.

You were eying the armchair closer to the TV when Kevin dropped onto the bed, sprawling out, but you knew it’d be weird to sit that far away. God, Kevin took up so much of the bed that it was a little absurd, his legs stretching out along the mattress, hand behind his head where he was propped up by the pillows. His attention was on the remote, and you cast a final look at the armchair before he patted the spot next to him on the bed without looking at you.

Your shoulders were tense as you walked around to the other side of the bed, sitting down and leaning back against the headboard. Kevin looked up at you, and you cursed the fact that with you sitting up, he could see one of your worst possible angles. He smiled either way and you willed yourself to relax.

Even after just one night at the cabin, the bed smelled like him. It was both calming and borderline panic inducing, making it impossible to stop yourself from thinking back to his bed and the way the sheets slid along your skin as he...fuck. This wasn’t what you needed to be thinking about when you were poised to be spending the next three hours on the (much smaller) bed next to him. What didn��t help at all was the hand Kevin put on your knee, squeezing lightly, almost looking like a giddy little kid as he pressed play on the first episode of the season.

“You ready to cry, Hayes?” you asked quietly, looking down at him. He looked so comfortable and relaxed, stretched out beside you.

“Man, I guess. Is it really that sad?” he questioned, eyes moving from the screen to you for a short moment. His voice was as soft as yours was, deep and gravely enough that you felt it practically vibrate through your body.

“Kind of, yeah,” you said with a laugh, sipping at your iced coffee. “Honestly, I cried like a baby through a good chunk of it. It felt really personal, especially the first time I watched it.” He nodded, eyes lingering on you before they went back to the screen just in time for Fleabag to say ‘this is a love story.’

You’re both pretty quiet through the first episode, with Kevin muttering about how much of a slime ball Martin was. True to your own nervous habits, you sucked down your iced coffee pretty quickly, as it gave you something to think about other than the 6’5” wall of muscle stretched out next to you.

“Is she gonna fuck the priest?” Kevin asked, looking up at you as the credits for the first episode rolled. Laughing softly, you leaned to put your now empty cup on the end table next to the bed.

“You’ll see,” you responded, eyes meeting his when you settle into the bed a little more. Your gaze dropped to his mouth for a brief second before you forced yourself to look back to the TV.

“Whenever you say that, it always means ‘yes,’” he teased, still watching you as the next episode started. He kept sneaking glances at you as it played but you kept your eyes trained forward.

It would be impossible to count how many times you’d watched Fleabag. Since it was only 12 half hour episodes in total, it was easy to rewatch in a single afternoon, making it an easy comfort watch when you were feeling down. Watching it with Kevin though, hearing him make quiet predictions and chuckling here and there, warmed you down to your soul. He had always seemed to enjoy the movies and shows you recommended to him, which had always left you feeling...valued by him. You tried not to let your mind dwell on the fact that he’d been waiting for this, to watch Fleabag with you for over a year and a half because it reminded you of the distance that would be between the two of you again in just a matter of days.

By the start of the third episode, you were sitting up more, your legs crossed and your elbows on your knees, like putting more space between you and Kevin would stop your chest from feeling like it was caving in. The iced coffee had made you a little jittery and restless, and just when your throat was starting to feel tight from thinking too hard about everything, you felt his hand rub over your back.

You glanced back at him and he smiled softly, his fingers tracing up your spine. His touch was warm and soothing, and the loud laugh he let out over the award debacle in the episode sounded so happy and genuine that you decided you never wanted to leave this bed. The curtains were closed, keeping the room relatively dark despite the early afternoon sun outside.

Hot Priest had shown up again, and just as sexual tension was building on the show, you swore you could feel it building between you and Kevin as well. You were still sitting up, his hand still on your back by the time you gave in, sliding down to lay beside him. He watched you as you moved, his arm slipping around your shoulders easily when you curled into his side. It had been more than a year and a half since you’d laid like this with him, your head on his shoulder, but the position was still so familiar that you sighed comfortably.

The two of you were quiet and still for a while as the fourth episode started, and Kevin was the first to move, turning his head enough to kiss the top of your head. His stubble brushed against your hair and his arm tightened around you. When he laughed, you could feel his body rumbling with it.

“Oh, she’s totally gonna fuck the priest,” he murmured to you, his mouth against the top of your head, speaking as the confessional scene started. The words were so low that it sent a jolt of desire through you that only made you lean into Kevin more.

The make out scene that followed seemed to have both of you holding your breath until the painting fell on screen, jolting both of you and the characters. Kevin exhaled a breath and you found yourself laughing softly, tilting your head up to look at him.

“You good?” you asked, grinning as you tried to stop yourself from thinking about just how close his face was to yours.

“Yeah,” he responded, holding your gaze as the credits rolled. Your hand on his chest curled into a fist as you remembered how good the prickle of his stubble always felt against your palm. His eyes dropped to your mouth as his fingers slid over the nape of your neck. You didn’t doubt that he felt you tense against him as a shiver ran through you from the contact.

You wanted to kiss him, wanted to press your body against his and never pull away, but instead you tucked your head against his shoulder. He didn’t seem to mind, rubbing his hand over your back again comfortably.

Kevin roared with laughter over Claire’s haircut, almost as much as you had when you first watched it. You couldn’t help but laugh with him, enjoying the way his body shook against yours. When he quieted down again, you could hear his heartbeat as you pressed your ear to his chest. If you closed your eyes, it would probably feel like everyone was back in New York, that you’d have all the time in the world to stay like this.

At the end of the episode, when the sexual tension exploded on screen, Kevin nudged you. “Called it,” he said, murmuring the words against your temple as he nosed at your messy hair. His voice vibrated through you in a way that made you feel warm all over. As badly as you wanted to, you didn’t look up at him, knowing that you wouldn’t have the self control not to cross that invisible line.

As the final episode started, you realized just how warm it had gotten in the room, and being curled up against Kevin like you were hardly helped. This episode always tore you apart then put you back together again, and you lifted your head to glance at him once when Hot Priest was giving his speech about how love is awful, then nuzzled right back into his shoulder for the time being.

You weren’t sure if it was Sophie’s impending move or the fact that Kevin was with you, but as soon as This Feeling started at the end of the episode, there were tears in your eyes. The song itself just felt like it was hitting harder, and you chewed on the inside of your cheek as you sniffled. Kevin’s arm tightened around you as the credits rolled, kissing your hair again as he sighed a moment later.

“When is season three coming out?” Kevin asked eventually, his cheek resting against the top of your head as his thumb rubbed firmly over your shoulder blade.

You lifted your head to look at him, knowing tears were still swimming in your eyes. “That’s it. There’s not gonna be a season three,” you told him with the same sad smile you always had when remembering what you’d just told him.

“What? Are you fucking kidding?” he questioned, sounding outrightly offended. You snorted softly, still looking at him as you laughed. Now that the show was over, you weren’t able to distract yourself from how badly you wanted to stay just like this for the rest of the weekend.

“Phoebe’s busy! She’s got Killing Eve to work on, plus she did the screenplay for the new James Bond movie,” you told him, shifting onto your stomach a little more so you didn’t have to crane your neck to look up at him. His arm resettled around your waist, keeping your body pressed close against his. “Besides, how could she ever create something else as perfect as that second season? It’s just impossible.”

Kevin hummed once, nodding. “Yeah, you’re right,” he murmured, eyes moving over your face. “I’m glad I waited to watch it with you.” His voice was softer, making your heart race as he brushed his knuckles over your cheekbone.

“So, it was worth the wait?” you responded quietly, tilting your face toward his a little more.

“Oh yeah, you always have been,” he told you, making you crack a wide smile as you scoffed.

“Damn, that was smooth,” you teased, licking your lips as he grinned. He shrugged it off, and you wondered if he realized how obvious he was being, staring at your mouth like he was.

“Always have been,” he repeated, making you snort. Before you could laugh, his hand slid along your jaw, drawing you close enough that he could kiss you.

It’s probably for the better that he kissed you, considering you wouldn’t have been nearly this slow about it. He was still cupping your jaw, keeping you close as you leaned into him more. You were trying to pace yourself as want coursed through you, and you realized that he’d never kissed you like this.

The pair of you had hooked up about half a dozen times, and each time was rough and hungry, but now, the leisurely pace of it had your toes curling. He was kissing you like he had all day to savor you, to wear you down and build you up again. Honestly, you didn’t know if you’d ever been kissed like this.

When he sucked at your bottom lip gently, you sighed against his mouth, unable to hide the way you arched into him. You felt him smile slightly, and it was like your world was on fire. If you had remembered how to move, you would’ve shifted to lean over him, to take it farther, but even kissing him this slowly was taking every ounce of your energy.

He pulled back just slightly, and you were grateful for the chance to breathe. Your body was still buzzing when you smiled, settling your head on his shoulder again. Kevin kissed your forehead then your hair again, exhaling a heavy sigh of his own.

“How long do you think we’d be able to stay here before Sophie comes banging on the door, looking for you?” he asked.

“Probably not long,” you responded, reaching for your phone that you’d left on the nightstand. Checking your notifications, you scoffed as you pressed your face into his shoulder. “I’ve got three texts from her. They’re going swimming off the boat, and were kind of waiting on me.”

Kevin nodded, reluctantly loosening his arm around you. You stayed where you were though, knowing Sophie would survive a few more minutes. Finally, you mustered the motivation to move more than an inch for the first time in over an hour, leaning over him to press a quick, firm kiss to his mouth.

His hand slid to the back of your neck easily, kissing you back harder than he had before, and to stop yourself from melting against him, you pulled back, already moving to the edge of the bed. Kevin made an irritable sound that did wonders for your confidence, and you looked over your shoulder at him with a grin.

“D’you think there’s room on the boat for me to join?” he asked as you got to your feet.

You shrugged quickly, lingering at the edge of the bed. “I’d assume so,” you said, knowing you needed to get back across the hall to change, but it was just too hard to take your eyes off of him right now. “Tell me to go get changed, or else I’m never going to leave.”

Kevin smiled and it was the kind that made you feel warm everywhere, like honey was running through your veins. “Go change, Y/N,” he told you, nodding toward the door. You looked at him for a moment longer before doing as he said, slipping out of his room to return to your own.

You texted Sophie to let her know you’d be ready in a few minutes before stripping out of your clothes. Pulling on your swimsuit was the first time all day that the self-consciousness crept into your mind. You’d been in desperate need of a new suit earlier in the season and, feeling good, you’d ordered one that showed more skin that you were used to. The cutouts at your sides especially had you itching to pull something on over it. The suit fit, but snugly enough that you found yourself trying to tug at it here and there, wanting to make it longer or bigger.

Pulling your shorts on as you grabbed a towel was a band-aid to the feeling, but it did the trick as you ventured out of your room to find Sophie. You made sure to grab sunglasses and a bottle of sunscreen, knowing Sophie always forgot to bring some when needed. She had texted to say they were already down at the dock, and as you headed down to meet them, Kevin was a few steps ahead of you.

He was already shirtless, therefore already distracting. His shoulders were a little pink from being in the sun yesterday, and all that you could think about was running your fingers over the bumps of his spine and dragging your nails over his skin.

Like he could tell you were checking him out, he glanced over his shoulder and smiled at you, stopping to let you catch up to him. “That color looks great on you,” he told you as you fought the urge to tug at your suit. His eyes were still on you, tracing the curves of your body, and the warm desire that rolled through you was louder than your insecurities.

“You should wear sunscreen,” you told him with a cheeky grin, tossing the bottle to him. He nearly fumbled it, looking like he was proud of himself that he hadn’t dropped it, and you were about to say something else when you heard Sophie yell up to you excitedly from the boat.

“Do you think she’s already drunk?” Kevin asked softly, eyebrow raised as you both stepped onto the dock.

“You know how much she loves day drinking,” you said, shrugging with a little a knowing grin. Sure enough, there was a lemonade Truly in her hand when she made grabby hands at you as you stepped onto the boat.

“I’m so glad you’re coming with us,” Sophie told you, hugging you tightly as if she hadn’t seen you less than four hours earlier. You laugh, hugging her tightly as her attention turns to Kevin. “Ooh, good thinking bringing sunscreen, Kev! Make sure to get Y/N’s shoulders, she always misses the same spot!” She flashed a grin at you, then in typical Sophie fashion, she went back to sit next to Jimmy.

You hated when she put you on the spot like this, but thankfully, Kevin was practically smirking as you stepped aside to give him room to step off the dock. “She never changes, does she?” he laughed, already dropping his towel into a seat. His voice was low and you shrugged because he was right.

“I’d be disappointed if she did,” you responded, tightening the bun in your hair idly. You glanced out at the water simply to keep yourself from looking at Kevin and the way his swimsuit was settled low on his hips.

“I honestly think she might kill me if she doesn’t see me put sunscreen on your shoulders,” he said, nodding toward Sophie who was pointedly watching the two of you while finishing off her drink. You snorted, nodding as he opened the bottle, squeezing some into his hands.

He motioned for you to turn around and with your back to him, your back tensed slightly. The sunscreen was cold against your skin, but Kevin’s hands made up for it, warm and strong as you willed yourself to think about anything but how you’d much rather have his hands elsewhere. He had to know exactly what he was doing with the way his thumb pressed against a spot on your neck that made you exhale a sigh as his hand moved lower down your back.

Across the boat, Sophie was making herself look busy by grabbing another drink from the cooler, and she seemed very pleased with herself.

“There, that should be up to Sophie’s standards,” Kevin said a moment later, dropping onto the cushioned seat behind him as he handed you the sunscreen. “You gonna get my shoulders now, or what?” There was a challenge to his tone, and as you were just about to respond, the boat started to move and you took the opportunity to sit down for the time being.

Kevin was clearly trying to be casual, taking up just as much space as always with his thigh against yours. He was leaning back, his arm stretched out along the back of the seat behind you. Technically, his arm was around you, but he was clearly trying play it cool.

Sophie was in the water the second the boat stopped a few minutes later, and Jimmy joined her after tossing some of the floats in that she’d piled on the deck earlier. You stayed in your seat to watch Sophie and Jimmy splash at each other a bit, laughing as he dunked her underwater. Brady followed them in a minute later, leaving you tucked under Kevin’s arm with the sunscreen still in your hand.

Kevin looked at you expectantly and you scoffed, getting to your feet as you squeezed sunscreen into your hand. He stayed seated with his head tilted up to watch you, a smile spreading across his face.

“What are you smiling about?” you asked as you leaned closer to start rubbing sunscreen onto his shoulders.

“Your tits look awesome in this swimsuit,” he told you, voice low enough that Brady wouldn’t hear him. You hadn’t expected that to be his answer and you scoff, shaking your head as you felt yourself flush. You pinched his neck teasingly, his hand shooting up to catch your wrist, grinning all the while.

“Have I ever told you that you’re annoying?” Your tone is even as you go back to sunscreen duty, his gaze clearly dropping to the neckline of your suit again.

“Pretty often, yeah.” He shrugged nonchalantly and you rolled your eyes as your hand rubbed over the back of his neck. “Can I have a kiss?” Kevin had already tilted his head up to look at you, and fuck, how were you supposed to say no to that.

You leaned in to quickly press your mouth to his, keeping it chaste, but he looked pleased when you pulled back. You don’t stop him when he moved back toward you, stealing another before smacking your ass teasingly. It surprised you and your gasp faded into laughter as he got to his feet to start talking you into actually getting in the water.

The sun was hot, and the five of you stayed out on the water for a few hours, mostly floating around, talking about nothing, really. Kevin seemed to be keeping close to you, and you hardly minded. You made sure Sophie had sunscreen on and she took the chance to wiggle her eyebrows at you suggestively before jerking her head toward Kevin.

Evening had just hit by the time you got back to the cabin and you had desperately needed a shower. You felt like a new person after you re-emerged from the bathroom and joined the group again, just as dinner was nearly ready. Kevin damn near pouted at you when you sat next to Sophie, out of his reach.

You did, however, sit with Kevin and Nolan during dinner, carrying out a casual conversation about Netflix originals versus Hulu originals. Kevin made heart eyes at you the whole time, and it was more than a little distracting. You nudged him under the table with your foot at one point and he took that as encouragement, doing the same back to you.

Pairing up with Sophie, the two of you managed to beat Kevin and Jimmy at pong twice. Music was playing as the others hung around, chatting amongst themselves. Nolan and Brady had pulled up seats next to the pong table, seemingly cheering for you and Sophie. Someone got another fire going as dusk fell, which you all gravitated towards when Jimmy and Kevin decided they didn’t want to lose to you and Sophie a third time.

Brady was drunk in no time, with Jimmy not far behind him. They each decided to try to roast marshmallows, which failed miserably. The night was a little chilly, so you were grateful to be around the fire. You turned your head to glance out at the lake, then looked up at the stars, relaxing back into your chair. When you look back to the fire again, Kevin was watching you, winking at you when you made eye contact. He made you feel like a goddamn teenager with the way the wink had made your stomach flip.

It was nearly 10:30 when you finished the only drink you’d brought down to the fire, and you sighed as you got to your feet. Walking past Kevin, his hand slid around your wrist to stop you. “You going up to grab another drink?” he asked casually, as if his thumb brushing over your skin wasn’t making it difficult for you to think straight.

“That was my plan, yeah,” you responded, looking at him expectantly. Behind you, Sophie was laughing at something, and you could hear the fire crackling.

“Cool, I’ll come with you,” he said, his hand still wrapped around your wrist. When he got to his feet though, his fingers laced with yours as the two of you started up toward the cabin. You almost scoffed teasingly, surprised by the sudden influx of PDA throughout the day as he walked you away from the rest of the group.

Halfway there, walking along the group of trees that separate the cabin from the property next door, you saw Kevin glance over his shoulder briefly. He squeezed your hand, nodding his head toward the trees with a grin.

“What are you doing?” you asked, laughing as you stepped into the thicket. You looked back quickly, and no one seemed to notice the two of you disappearing into the trees.

“Nothing,” Kevin responded in an innocent enough tone that you laughed in response.

“You know there’s a whole cabin up there that we can go to, rather than be in the trees with all of the bugs and sap or whatever, right?” you teased, realizing you were deep enough into the trees that you could barely hear the murmur of the group talking around the fire.

“Too far away,” he said, letting go of your hand to put his arm around your waist.

“So what, we’re gonna make out in the woods for a while?” You were laughing a little as you said it, head tilted up to look at him. The smile on his face made your knees wobble a little as you leaned back slightly into the tree behind you, enjoying the quiet sound of the crickets that surrounded you.

Kevin shrugged, his hand sliding over your waist and along your back. He’d always made you feel so small in comparison to him and now was no exception as he watched your face, like he was enjoying making you wait for more contact. Your hand moved along his chest idly, the fabric of his shirt soft beneath your hand before it settled on the back of his neck to pull him down to you.

All the restraint of the kiss earlier had gone out the window, that much was obvious. It was slow, at least to start, your body buzzing as his teeth caught on your bottom lip already. Your arm tightened around his shoulders, keeping him close as he crowded you against the tree. The bark was digging into your back, scratching you a bit through the fabric of your shirt, but you hardly cared.

His tongue slid over yours and you moaned, not even trying to stop yourself. The sound obviously encouraged him, his hands sliding down to squeeze your ass as he pressed against you more. Urgency seeped into each of you, making you kiss him harder as your hand slid along his jaw. The scratch of stubble against your palm was better than you even remembered, and the desire to feel the same scratch against the inside of your thighs jolted through you.

After palming at your ass again, his hands moved up to the curve of your waist slowly like he was savoring it. He was pressed flush against you by then, overwhelming your senses as you gripped the fabric of his shirt. You sneaked a breathe where you could, your hand sliding up the thick muscle of his arm and over his shoulder.

Your clit was throbbing between your thighs as you arched toward him, enjoying the soft sound he made feeling your breasts press against his chest. An eager tension was curling up your spine, an impatient, needy sound leaving you as he tugged at your bottom lip teasingly. His mouth left yours to kiss your jaw, coaxing you to tilt your head to the side for him.

Of course, you gave in, your hand sliding into his hair as his kissed along the column of your throat. “You’ve been driving me fucking crazy all day,” he murmured, his mouth against your ear while gripping your hips tightly. “That swimsuit, these fucking shorts.” The sentence is punctuated by him grabbing your ass again, pulling your hips forward into his.

“Fuck, Kevin,” you exhaled, your hand finding his cheek to guide his mouth back to yours. Even with his body pressed against yours like it was, you still needed more.

His hands were everywhere, sliding up to cup your breast over your shirt, the other on your hip. Squeezing your thighs together, you licked into his mouth as your body rocked against his hungrily. You wanted to hate just how easy it was for him to get you wound up like this, but you’d always absolutely melted under his touch.

Impatience was threatening to boil over as your core absolutely ached for him, desperate to feel more of him. The kiss had become a little sloppy, and by the time your hand found his wrist to guide his fingers to the waist of your shorts, your lungs were burning.

He pulled back, his forehead resting against your temple as you both took a few breaths. “You want me to touch you, baby?” he asked, voice low as he kissed your jaw. His fingers toyed with the button of your shorts, making your breathing hitch as you nodded eagerly.

The button came undone, then the zipper, and his hand slipped into your panties, clearly feeling just as impatient as you were. Your arm settled around his neck to keep him close, turning your head to brush your mouth over his again. He happily swallowed the moan you let out as his fingers slid through your folds with ease, exhaling a curse a second later.

“Shit, sweetheart,” he murmured against your mouth, letting the tip of his finger just barely tease at your clit.

“Don’t be a tease,” you pled, half whining for him already as your hips pressed toward his hand. You swore he was smirking even as he kissed you, his other hand coming up to hold your jaw, keeping your mouth against to his.

Kevin had started to rub firm circles against your clit, enough to make you squirm as you pant into his mouth. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d been this turned on, and you were so hungry for him that you’d completely forgotten that you were pressed against a tree with your friends 30 feet away.

“You’re so fucking wet,” he murmured, fingers rubbing firm strokes from your entrance to your clit and back. You could only nod, still trying to kiss him desperately despite the fact that you had barely caught your breath. He was still pressed close against you and you could feel the hard outline of his cock through his shorts which sent another wave of need through you.

A slew of curses left you when he sank two fingers into you, letting the heel of his hand grind against your clit. Your hips pressed toward him urgently, feeling yourself tighten around his fingers, and part of you still could hardly believe this was even happening. His mouth left yours before you were ready, trailing down your neck again to suck at your pulse point. You squeezed his shoulder as your hand curled in the fabric of his shirt, doing your best to catch your breath.

“More, Kev, fuck.” Your words were rushed as you whimpered loudly, feeling his fingers curl against your g-spot. If you had been able to keep them open, your eyes would’ve crossed, exhaling a pleased groan your head fell back against the trunk of the tree behind you.

Your toes curled as heat curled in your stomach, barely able to believe he had you this close to an orgasm already. His fingers were buried deep inside you, fucking into you in shallow motions and giving you the friction that you so desperately needed.

“C’mon, beautiful, I know you can cum for me,” Kevin said, nipping at your jaw then kissing the hollow of your throat. You nodded quickly, opening your mouth to say who knows what, but a moan came out instead.

He cursed into your skin when your hips jerked, and you tumbled over the edge, somehow managing to groan his name as you came. You were practically clinging to him, whimpering and grateful that you were still upright even as your knees shook. Heat wove through you, leaving your mind blank and buzzing by the time you came down, your hips rocking against his hand until you slowed to a stop.

Your eyes were still closed, because you weren’t sure if you remembered how to open them, more concerned about getting air into your lungs. Kevin’s mouth pressed light and gentle kisses up the side of your neck to your cheek, doing nothing to help slow your heart rate down again. When he kissed you on the mouth, it was sweet, but with a hungry edge that made you clench around his fingers again.

“Damn, I forgot how fucking sexy you are when you cum,” he told you, letting his palm grind against your clit again. Your folds were sensitive and the feeling made you gasp, arching away from him with a whine.

When he pulled back, his fingers leaving you, he was smirking and you couldn’t stop yourself from giving him a pleased grin. Your cheeks were flushed and when you licked your lips, you could tell they were swollen. Everything was buzzing still, and like you finally remembered that the two of you were only slightly hidden by the trees, you glanced around quickly.

“Do you think you can keep your dick in check long enough for us to get to your room?” you asked, a teasing tone to your voice as you let your knuckles brush over the hard line of his cock.

“Not if you keep doing that,” he responded, leaning to press a quick, open mouthed kiss to your lips before taking your hand and starting toward the cabin.

You nearly had to jog to keep up with Kevin, and you laughed as you told him to slow down. Glancing over your shoulder, it doesn’t seem that anyone around the fire seemed to notice the two of you slip inside the cabin, only pausing to kick off your shoes.

As soon as the door to his room was closed behind you, his hands were on you again, pulling your body against his. Your head tilted back to meet his kiss, a satisfied hum leaving you at the contact. His hand found your waist, squeezing you there before starting to tug at the fabric of your shirt. He leaned back to pull it off over your head, and you swallowed, grateful that the room was still dark.

You unfastened his shorts, and when your hand slipped inside to stroke him through his underwear, he groaned your name. His mouth crashed into yours again, bringing his hands up to hold your face gently despite the hunger you were both displaying. He kissed you for a moment longer, one hand sliding to the back of your neck, then to your shoulder as you nudged his shorts down.

It was easy to figure out what he wanted when he pressed down on your shoulder lightly. You chuckled, kissing him again before sinking to your knees in front of him. His breathing hitched at the sight of you, and you smirked, already leaning in drag your tongue along the hard line of his cock through the fabric of his boxer-briefs. It would have been impossible for you to forget how much he had loved you going down on him, so why not take the time to tease him a little.

When you looked up at him through your eyelashes, he cursed under his breath as you tugged his underwear down. His eyes were locked on you as his hand moved to push your hair out of your face, keeping his fingers threaded through the strands. With his cock free, you leaned closer to swirl your tongue around the head of it and you could tell that his hands were already shaking slightly.

The grunt that left him when your hand stroked along his length a few times sent heat prickling down your spine as you started to take more of him between your lips. He started panting in response to you dragging your thumb along the underside of his dick, and his hips rocked toward you lazily. His responsiveness to every touch made you all the more eager, letting your hand fall away from him as you took him deeper in your mouth.

You took a breath before letting him start to slide down your throat when his fist tightened in your hair. You arched your back to press your breasts against his legs, nearly gagging around his length as he swore under his breath.

“Fuck, I missed your mouth,” he told you, breathing heavily as you started to bob your head. Alternating between sucking and sliding your tongue over him, you looked up at him again as your clit throbbed between your legs. His brow was creased, eyes squeezed shut as he groaned, and he was tense with restraint, his hips twitching toward you.

Your lungs were burning, but the heady taste of him and the sound of his voice when he praised you softly had need burning through your veins. Speeding up slightly, your hand squeezed his thigh, letting your nails dig into his skin and he swore loudly. You let yourself get a little sloppy and your jaw relaxed when he hit the back of your throat. It surprised you a little when he briefly held you in place, but him taking that little bit of control made you moan around him.

As soon as he released you, you pulled off to catch your breath, bringing your hand up to stroke him slowly. His eyes were still locked on you, and you grinned up at him, knowing your lips were slick and swollen. Taking another deep breath, you leaned in again, dragging your tongue along the length. It was getting difficult to ignore the way your folds were throbbing, and you were so wet that the inside of your thighs were slick.

“Shit, Y/N, I’m gonna cum,” Kevin warned, his voice tight as his hand in your hair tightened as he guided you back to where he wanted you. You rolled your eyes at him, smirking quickly before opening your mouth to soothe your tongue over the slit at the head of his cock.

Sliding your mouth along his length, sucking eagerly as your nails dragged down his thigh was all it took to make his hips snap forward when he came. He cursed, fucking into your mouth lazily as he spilled hot down your throat. You could feel his knees shaking slightly and you swallowed, starting to bob your head again as you exhaled a content sigh through your nose.

His hand relaxed in your hair and you pulled off, licking your lips as you looked up again. He had a blissed out look in his eye, breathing heavily as he grinned down at you. Sitting back on your heels, you licked your lips as he took another deep breath.

“I think you actually sucked my soul out,” he said a moment later, a chuckle to his voice as he dragged a hand down his face.

You snorted, grinning as you got to your feet. “Glad I could be of service,” you responded, earning a laugh out of him as his hands settled on your waist. He was smiling as he leaned to kiss you, and the second his mouth was on yours again, that intensity was back.

His hands moved to unfasten your bra with ease, tugging the fabric away from your body as he started walking you backwards toward the bed. You followed his lead, gasping when his hand came up to cup your breast, rolling your pebbled nipple between his thumb and forefinger with a greedy hum. The back of your thighs hit the edge of mattress, but you stayed on your feet, unwilling to stop kissing him just yet.

Kevin licked into your mouth, kissing you deeply as his hands slid down to squeeze your ass firmly with a groan. “Lay back for me,” he told you, mouth barely leaving yours. You nodded, tugging at his bottom lip with your teeth when you finally pulled back, settling yourself on the mattress.

Before you could pull him down to you, he was reaching to turn on the lamp on the bedside table. Warm light flooded the room and a protest caught in your throat, self-consciousness sweeping through you. Looking up at him, you managed to fight the urge to cover yourself as a flush colored your cheeks.

He was silent, looking over you with greedy eyes as he pulled his shirt off over his head. After tucking his dick back in his boxer-briefs, he kicked his shorts off as well before he stepped between your parted knees. Leaning over you with a hand at your side, he kissed between your breasts and down along your stomach to make your breathing hitch. You didn’t expect him to nuzzle against you like he did, exhaling a breath.

“I missed you so much,” he told you, the words quiet as he glanced up at you. There was a softness in his eyes that you hadn’t expected, making your stomach jump as you squirmed on the bed impatiently.

He didn’t give you much of a chance to respond, his hands coming up to tug your shirt and panties down your hips. As soon as he managed to get them untangled from your legs, the fabric joined everything else on the floor, and he pulled you closer to the edge of the mattress as he sank to his knees in front of you.

Kevin didn’t waste anymore time, guiding your legs over his shoulders as his mouth trailed up the inside of your thigh. His breath was hot against your skin and you did your best to relax despite the fact that your hips was already tense with anticipation. You swore loudly when he parted your folds with two fingers, almost immediately leaning in to drag his tongue from your entrance up to your clit, punctuating the motion by sucking the swollen bundle of nerves into his mouth.

“Oh my god, Kevin,” you breathed, already rolling your hips against his mouth greedily. He hummed in acknowledgement, and you swore you felt the vibration run through every inch of you.

“I love how fucking wet you get from sucking me off,” he murmured, eyes sliding up your body as his tongue fucked into you. It was your turn to let your fist curl in his hair, pulling at the short strands as he lapped at your wetness. His nose nudged at your clit and his hand slid along the back of your thigh, pushing it up toward your chest. You loved how he was maneuvering you as he saw fit, positioning you exactly how he wanted you.

One of his hands was under your ass, keeping you propped up for him while the other hand slid up your body to your breast. His tongue continued to slide through your folds, sucking here and there as he toyed with your nipple. He was a little rougher than you had anticipated, and the motion makes you groan, arching off the mattress. You could already feel your orgasm building from being so wound up already, making your toes curl as tension bubbled in your stomach.

“More, Kev, please,” you whined, biting you lip to try and hold back the desperate sounds that rose in the back of your throat. He gave you what he wanted, like he always did, and your clit absolutely throbbed as he sucked it into his mouth again.

With his mouth occupied, he brought two fingers up to tease at your entrance, and you swore loudly as your hips rocked slightly, seeking him out. “You gonna fuck yourself on my fingers, baby?” he asked, the words vibrating through you considering he could barely bring himself to pull away from you.

Immediately, you nodded, then you forgot how to breath all together as he sank two fingers into you, tugging at your nipple at the same time. His tongue was sliding over your clit insistently, drawing figure eights against it as his fingers curled against your g-spot. You saw stars and the sound that left you was nothing short of a sob as your hips rolled against his hand, trying to getting him deeper. Your heel pressed between his shoulder blades, grateful for the extra leverage to help you meet his hand.

Your toes were curled so tightly that your foot threatened to cramp, and when he started to pump his fingers into you to meet the motion of your body, he moaned. The rough stubble covering his jaw had left the inside of your thighs sensitive, bordering on raw, but the irritation only made you that much more desperate. You swore, feeling yourself bow off the bed as he practically devoured you, hitting all of the right spots to send you barreling over the edge and into an orgasm.

He didn’t let up, fingers still fucking into you as his mouth toyed with your clit mercilessly. It was impossible to catch your breath, pleading for him as you tugged at his hair roughly in an effort to keep him close. By the time you stopped squeezing around his fingers, you had relaxed into the mattress and your body felt heavy as your leg stayed draped over his shoulder.

Looking down at him, you realized that his eyes were already on you, his fingers still buried inside you but not moving as he lapped at your folds firmly. He always felt so good, bringing you down easy like this, until all of a sudden it was too much. A gasp ripped through you as you pushed at his head, the reaction met with a laugh as he pulled away from you.

“Sensitive?” he murmured, eyebrow raised as he smirked slightly. You nodded, a lazy smile on your face as you untangled yourself from him. He pressed a kiss to your hip as he withdrew his fingers from you, looking awfully pleased with himself.

Your heart rate had finally started to slow by the time he dropped onto the mattress next to you, pressing a kiss to your jaw, then your cheek. There was a hazy look in your eye when you looked at him, still unable to figure out how to piece together a sentence.

The two of you laid there for a while, close together and just breathing as your fingers traced shapes along his shoulder. Really, you should’ve moved because your bottom half was still hanging off the edge of the bed.

“You think anyone realized we never came back with drinks?” he asked eventually, his voice a sleepy grumble. You laughed softly, shrugging before you sighed, turning your head to look at him. Leaning forward, you kissed him softly before sitting up. He watched you for a moment longer before he reached for his phone. “Damn, it’s after 11 already.”

“No point in going back out now, if you ask me,” you responded, moving over the mattress to lay your head against a pillow.

You smiled when he moved to follow, already curling up against you. He kissed along your shoulder, nuzzling into the back of your neck after pulled the sheets up to cover you. The cautious voice in the back of your head was telling you that you needed to get up, that you needed to get dressed and go back to your own room, but the bed smelled like him and he was so warm when his leg tangled with yours.

He only pulled back quickly to turn off the lamp before settling against you again even closer, his face pressed into your hair. You were content, even a little sleepy, and getting up wasn’t much of a priority right then. His fingers slid along you waist as the two of you stayed curled up in the dark, slipping into easy conversation.

Kevin had always been pretty quick to fall asleep after a good orgasm, and now seemed to be no exception. The talking tapered off after a while, and his face was pressed into your neck when you heard him start to snore softly. You stayed in place a while longer, nearly squirming with the effort to stay place as the voice in your head got louder and louder.

Your hand slid along his forearm before you untangled yourself from him, finding that your knees are still wobbly when you got to your feet. It was easy enough to find your shorts and your shirt in the dark and you got dressed before going across the hall. The rest of the cabin was quiet and you went straight to your room, stripping out of the clothes again as you pulled your pjs on with shaking hands.

In bed, you laid on your back, staring at the ceiling in the dark. Your feelings for him certainly hadn’t changed, so why would the fact that you never slept in bed with him. Every time you’d hooked up in New York, you pulled yourself out of his bed to go to the guest room. You didn’t know why, but Kevin had never mentioned it. Now though, you felt dirty about it, anxiety prickling at your scalp as you laid there. You could probably slip back in without him realizing it, but you were cemented into the mattress, your mind running a million miles an hours until you finally fell asleep.

SATURDAY

#khayes #nhl imagine #kevin hayes fic #kevin hayes imagine #kevin hayes #flyers imagine

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an-absolute-travesty · 4 years ago

Text

Royal Screw-Ups Side Stories 1: Backup Plans

It’s here!!!!

Important note: If you haven’t read RSU you really won’t know what’s going on. Its the very first thing linked in my masterlist :)

Warnings: Arranged marriage, light descriptions of violence/destruction/fire, swearing, talks of death

About: Sophiana royalty au, arranged marriage au

Pairings: sophiana, background keefex, slight background marelinh

Word Count: 10.8k

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or removed): @catboyruy @percabetn @sewersewersewercouch @everyonehasthoughts @imaramennoodle @enbies-and-felonies @blxckh0les42 @rainbowtay-11 @callas-starkflower-stew @impostertamsong @appalyneinstitute1 @stars-and-splendor @anna-without-an-e @mistythegenderqueermess @we-have-no-bananas-today @we-wont-dissapear @jadenightthewriter@cadence-talle @ruewen-and-rising @lemontarto @a-lonely-tatertot

Sophie was completely silent on the carriage ride to the capital. Actually, she had been completely silent to everyone but her parents for the last few days. ‘Practice’ she would write down for those who asked ‘for my imminent future of being forced into silence forever,’

Needless to say, she wasn’t taking this whole arranged marriage thing too well.

As she stared out the window, her dad spoke up.

“Kiddo, I’m really sorry about this whole thing. I promise we’ll try to reason with him, but I don’t know what we can do.”

“I know, it’s not your fault I’m a freak.”

“Sophie!” Her mother chided. “I know you’re upset, and you have every right to sulk as much as you want, but don’t call yourself that.”

“All I’m saying is that it’s the only reason I’m getting chosen for this.”

“Maybe so, but you still aren’t a freak. You’re extraordinary and no matter what they say you have to remember that. Ok?”

“Ok, Mom.”

She went back to staring out the window, ignoring her parent’s concerned faces.

~*~

A member of the royal guard led them into the king’s throne room. They lowered themselves to their knees to show respect, but Sophie would rather spit in his face.

“You may rise.”

They did.

“The prince will be here shortly.”

Edaline did what most people wouldn’t, talk back to a king.

“And then we may negotiate the marriage?”

“What is there to negotiate?” He wore a smile, tight and awkward, it sat unnaturally on his face.

“Much,” Edaline wore no smile.

Just then, a blonde boy who looked like he wanted to be there about as much as Sophie did walked in.

“Keefe, this is Lord and Lady Ruewen and their daughter Sophie.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” The boy bowed, but it felt half-hearted somehow. “My apologies, but I was of the belief that you would not be visiting for nearly another week and a half?” He seemed to cringe at his own words.

“Yes,” Grady said, “That was the original plan, but unfortunately things came up.”

“More important things than your daughter meeting her future husband?” King Cassius’ smile wavered a bit, like he wanted to sneer but wouldn’t let himself. Sophie did it for him.

Edaline jumped in to explain. “Well you see, we’re getting a new griffin very soon. It’s vital that we stay with it for the next few weeks until it is properly integrated into the shelter.”

Cassius seemed upset that her parents valued an animal over his schedule. He sighed before restoring his awkwardly tight smile.

“Well, how about the children go to the lawn and talk while the adults discuss the marriage?”

Grady didn’t return the smile.

“Yes, let’s do.”

The king waved them out of the room, Keefe went first and Sophie followed. A servant shut the door behind them.

“So…”

“Please don’t talk to me,” Sophie walked to the outer doors as fast as she could, the prince followed.

“Wait!”

She got outside before Keefe caught up and positioned himself in front of her.

“Look, Sophie right?”

She nodded.

“I don’t want to do this either. Can we just...talk? For a little bit?”

She thought for a second.

“I’m listening.”

He waved her to walk alongside with him, and she did.

They were silent for a while until they got a good bit away from everyone else.

“So, how’d you get looped into this mess?”

“You should really be asking your father that question. All I know is that we got a letter from the king saying I would marry you. You don’t say no to a king,” She was angry, but throwing any kind of tantrum wasn’t an option. A rock sat in her path, she attempted to kick in away, but it was apparently much more stuck in place than she thought. Her toe made a sickening crunch sound.

“OW!” Her eyes started to water in pain.

“Oh gosh are you ok? Do you need to go to the infirmary?”

“No, no, I’m fine, don’t worry,” She managed to squeak out.

“You...you sure?”

“Mhm,” she mumbled, despite her very painful, definitely broken, toe.

“Okay,” He seemed unsure.

In an attempt to change the subject and hopefully distract herself from her aching foot, she decided to try to carry on the conversation.

“So, what do you like to do?”

“Well, art mostly, I guess. I like to paint and stuff. You?”

“Ugh, I train too much to have hobbies.”

“Train? For what?”

She only then realized her slip. Maybe coming right up front with ‘I’m genetically modified by an organization that’s been trying to take you guys down and also fight the other organization going against both of us,’ wasn’t the best idea.

“N-nothing. I’ve said too much.”

They both went silent, Sophie awkwardly trying to keep up with the taller boy’s gait while limping.

“If you tell me whatever your dark secret is then I won’t take you to the infirmary, pinky promise.”

She thought for a second, she really didn’t want to go to the doctor, but she definitely didn’t want to tell him about her whole trunk full of issues.

“No. Just take me to the infirmary then.”

“That serious, huh? Alrighty then, it’s right this way.”

~*~

Sophie awkwardly hobbled into the hospital wing. At a desk stood a man dressed in eccentric clothing with what looked like some form of glasses on his head, although they were much more complex looking, kinda like something her cousin would make.

At least there was someone familiar in the castle, she wondered if she would see Dex anytime soon. They were bound to run in to each other at some point, after all she’d be spending the rest of her nearly infinite life in this place.

“Go ahead and sit on one of the beds over there, I’ll get to you in just a second,” The man turned around and flashed a smile, it was much more natural on his wide-set face than it was on the King’s.

After a moment he walked over and did all the basic examinations before getting to her injury.

“Ah, nothing to worry about Miss. Just a simple broken toe. We can’t really do much about it, just go easy and let it heal.”

Going easy wasn’t exactly her style, she tried not to let her disappointment show.

He stepped away from the bed, removing his strange glasses.

“My assistant will be with you in just a moment. She’ll get you the elixirs you need to promote the healing process.”

“Thank you, Elwin,” Keefe said while Sophie was still lost in thought.

“No problemo.”

Then, Elwin walked out of the infirmary, leaving Sophie with Keefe.

“So…” he said, perching on the bed frame. “Why’re you so intense? Like...all the time.”

“Intense?”

“Yeah, your emotions. I can feel them from here. My father said something about you having a complicated past, and he really wasn’t kidding, apparently.”

If one empath could feel her emotions, chances were another could.

...which meant the king probably felt everything.

Shit.

Keefe was still looking at her, she had to say something.

“It’s...hard to explain.”

Telling him was risky but, well, he seemed trustworthy enough? She wouldn’t have to go into details, just a quick explanation.

“If...if I tell you, do you promise to not tell anyone? At all.”

“I won’t tell anyone, I promise,” His face was steeled.

“You sure?”

His face promptly un-steeled.

“I’m sure I’m sure that I’m sure I’m sure,” His smile was goofy, definitely not one that a prince should have. It made her more comfortable. She giggled.

“Okay, fine.”

Her face fell, remembering what she was going to have to tell him about.

“It uh...well it has to do with my mom, and my dad I guess, but I don’t know him.”

Keefe motioned her to keep going.

“You know the Black Swan?”

“No shit. I can’t say I’m a fan after they’re attempted take over of the government.”

Goddammit.

“Yeah,” Sophie said, looking down. She felt embarrassed. “I have the pleasure of being one of their experiments. I can’t disclose much else.”

And she didn’t want to. She learned in her short 16 years on this planet that spilling your tons and tons of baggage to someone on the first day you meet them isn’t a good method to make friends. She had made that mistake a few too many times. It was a wonder her parents went through with her adoption.

Suddenly, a voice came from seemingly no where.

“Did someone say elixir delivery?”

Keefe didn’t seem startled at all.

“They did not.”

“Eh, I tried.”

A dark skinned girl with lightening-like scars across her face appeared in front of them. Sophie very nearly jumped out of her skin, but Keefe seemed totally fine with a random girl popping up out of nowhere.

“Biana, you shouldn’t sneak up on people like that...unless it’s Fitz, because then it’s hilarious.”

Biana threw up her hands, well the one that wasn’t holding a tray of elixirs anyway.

“Ok, ok, I won’t.”

She held out the tray to Sophie, a kind smile on her face. She was quite close and Sophie’s face flushed.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, nearly forgot. Take the blue one with food…”

She kept explaining but Sophie barely heard it. Part of it was anxiety, part of it was her still throbbing foot, and part of it was that there was a very pretty girl very close to her face.

Then, a servant burst into the room.

“The king as requested to see both Prince Keefe and Lady Sophie immediately. They have settled your wedding date.”

Keefe seemed to deflate at this news, his easy smile turning into a grimace.

Sophie got up, her gait still uneasy. Biana quickly assembled the elixirs into a bag with a handwritten note of instructions.

Biana smiled and waved as they walked away. Sophie waved back, tripping a little on an uneven tile. Biana covered her laugh and Sophie’s blush just got deeper.

~*~

Sophie fell back on what was apparently going to be her bed.

Well, for the next 3 months, anyway. Until she had to get married.

Ugh.

She wanted to cry, scream, throw up, and jump out the nearest window all at the same time.

Maybe she could escape. She was just on the second floor, she could survive the fall. Run away to Atlantis, leave a note for her parents, get a new identity so the royal guard wouldn’t find her. The brown eyes would be an issue but enough elixirs could fix just about anything.

A knock at the door distracted her from her prison break plans.

She was hesitant, it was the middle of the night after all. What if she was met with some creepy dude? Nonetheless, she opened it.

In front of her was Biana, no longer in a physician’s uniform but in a simple night dress.

“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you so late but um, I just wanted to make sure you’re taking your elixirs.”

“Oh, yeah, come in.”

Biana strolled over to the bed and sat on the edge, picking up the bag of medicine sat on the nightstand. Sophie sat next to her.

As she unpacked the bottles, she started talking.

“I know it’s none of my business, but, how are you feeling about this whole wedding thing?”

“To be perfectly honest, absolutely horrendous. I never wanted this.”

“I get it. That’s why I became a physician’s assistant, my father kept threatening to send me away to get married off, so we all got out of there.”

“Wish I could do that.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, that was probably insensitive of me.” Biana’s face seemed to flush, barely showing up on her face.

“No worries.”

They went silent and Sophie immediately became aware of how close together they were sitting.

“Oh um, medicine, sorry.”

They were both quiet for a while as Sophie downed her elixirs.

“Um...well certainly it’s not all awful, right?”

“Yeah,” Sophie sighed. “The food is good, and so is the healthcare.”

Biana smiled. Wow, her smile was pretty.

“Thank you, we try.”

“Yeah, and I mean Keefe doesn’t seem too excited about everything either. So at the very least it’s not a ‘wife is forced into the place of a submissive woman by husband’ sort of deal.”

Biana made a noise of agreement as she packed up the empty bottles.

“Tell me if you need anything, anything at all. I’m a floor up, first door on the right at the left end of the hall.”

Sophie just nodded as Biana got up and walked to the door. She turned back for a moment while she held her hand on the knob.

“Oh, and Sophie?”

“Hm?”

“If you get hungry, the kitchens are on the ground floor near the throne room. They usually have some extra cakes. If a guard sees you, just say you were sleepwalking, works for my brother.”

Sophie smiled.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

And with that, she opened the door and literally vanished as it shut. The sound of her shoes clacking on the stone the only tell that she had left the room.

~*~

Over the next few days, Sophie didn’t see Keefe.

At all.

Honestly she expected her betrothed to be a bit more persistent, but she wasn't exactly complaining. He seemed...nice. But at the end of the day, Sophie would really rather hang out with most other people.

Most other people included Biana, who she’d seen quite a bit over the last few days.

She saw her every night for 3 nights, to deliver Sophie her meds for her broken toe. She was suddenly very thankful for her own clumsiness. Every night she was there longer and longer, they talked about just about everything.

Biana had two brothers, but the oldest one ran away, if rumors were to be believed it was to join the Neverseen. Her family lived in the Eternalia, they were prominent apparently, dad worked as an emissary for the council. Her dad was already bad, he sent both of her brothers off when they were way too young to search for some random mysterious girl, (apparently working for an organization “going against the council”), for his “work”. (Gee, wonder who.) But then her dad started getting worse (she didn’t elaborate, just “worse’”) and walked out on them. He came back for a short time, threatened to send her off to get married, and then her, her brother Fitz, and her mom Della ran away in the night and got jobs in the castle.

Sophie was much quieter about her past in their nightly visits.

She revealed that she had been adopted, twice, and never knew her real parents.

(Technically, she knew who her mom was, but that seemed too hard to explain at the moment. She also didn’t reveal that she was basically a genetically modified weapon, and she held a lot of angst towards her biologically mother for LETTING HER BE FUCKING GENETICALLY MODIFIED!)

She revealed she had a little sister she still talked to, even though she wasn’t supposed to.

(Unfortunately she had to lie about the reason. She said it was because of their class difference, that her old family were peasants and that now she was a noble. In actuality, her creators had whisked her away and put her in a more protected home because the Neverseen may want to abduct her, and they couldn’t talk for their own safety.)

She talked at length about the Ruewen’s animal reserve. About wrestling the dinosaurs and getting bright green feathers all over her clothes and about riding the alicorns and accidentally teleporting with them to the top of a mountain that on time. About her pet imp, Iggy, she had at home and how badly she missed him. Even his awful burps.

On the fourth night, Sophie’s toe was healed completely and she was worried Biana wouldn’t come again.

But she did.

“I um... I just wanted to make sure you were healing properly,” She said, looking down.

“Come on in.”

She blinked in and out of view as she clacked her way over to her normal spot on Sophie’s bed.

“So, any horrendous pain shooting through your foot?”

“Nope, all my pain is right up here.”

She tapped her head as she fell backwards onto the bed. Biana laughed her lovely laugh.

“Soph, did you sleep at all last night?”

“Nope, that damn clock at the end of the hall ticks so loudly I can’t stand it.”

“Hm...one second.”

She disappeared out the door, a moment later the constant ticking and tocking stopped and she walked back into the room.

“That shouldn't bother you anymore.”

“What did you do?”

“Nothing illegal.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing too illegal,” Biana said, looking away.

“Don’t elaborate, you’re my friend but I am not going to be an accomplice.”

Biana laughed, then went silent for a moment as she sat down.

“I’m your friend?”

“I mean...yeah. I think so. If that’s okay with you.”

“Yeah, more than okay. I haven’t had a lot of friends before.”

“Me neither.”

Biana continued looking down, twiddling her thumbs and unconsciously blinking in and out of sight, as usual.

Sophie desperately searched for something to fill the silence.

“So, how was your day?”

“Eh, normal. Two more new trainees for the royal guard got hurt somehow today. One had a broken leg and one had cuts from a real sword all over them. Someone has got to tell Fitz how not ok it is to give a 15-year-old boy a sword and go ‘have at it!’”

Sophie laughed.

“How was yours?” Biana asked, turning towards her.

“Also normal. I had a dress fitting, it was miserable. They tried to put me in this giant cage skirt thing, it looked absolutely ridiculous and it had these pearls and lace all over it, ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. And I don’t even have a free day until the end of the week.”

“That’s sucky. Do you know who’s doing your makeup yet? I heard there’s this mega old lady who always does the makeup for the royal weddings and let’s just say she’s stuck in the 200’s.”

Sophie almost shivered at the thought of the eyes of the old paintings that lined the halls of the castle feeling like they were following her. She had passed those paintings of historic royal ladies with blue paint all over their eyelids, thin black eyebrows (no matter the hair color), the pinkest lipstick you’ve ever seen, and the brightest red orange rouge all over their cheeks. In fact, she saw those paintings almost every day, they haunted her nightmares. Thousands of years old woman screaming at her about her unavoidable marriage with their horrid makeup and high-collard gowns covered in pearls. Needless to say, she really didn’t want to look like that on her wedding day.

“Oh jeez, anything but that.”

Biana gasped excitedly at a sudden realization.

“I could do your makeup for you!”

“Wait, really? You’d do that?”

“Yes of course! It’d be my honor. I could practice on your free day if you’d like?”

“Yeah, that sounds great.”

“Awesome. I should probably go, I’m sure I’ll have to repair more sword wounds tomorrow. You get some sleep, you have no excuse now.”

“Thanks, Biana. For everything.”

She smiled. Bright and beautiful, as usual.

“No problem.”

She made her way out, disappearing as the door closed.

~*~

Sophie got sleep that night. She dreamed of being free, riding the alicorns of Havenfield over mountains and rivers. She wished she had ridden Silveny one last time before she had to leave. Her dreams would have to suffice.

When she walked out of her room that morning, she saw a bunch of people (presumably technopaths) surrounding the grandfather clock at the end of the hall. She heard some mumbling about “It’s missing all of its gears.” “What the hell? Why?”.

Sophie just smiled to herself as she walked down to go to breakfast. Light destruction of government property was a very sweet gesture, in her opinion.

~*~

Biana walked towards Sophie’s room, her (currently invisible) hands wringing her (also invisible) skirts.

All she could think about was how close she would have to be to Sophie to do her makeup. Just the thought of it made her heart flutter in a way she wasn’t used to.

As she walked (slowly to procrastinate), she saw Keefe running down the hall. She swerved left as the prince slid to a stop, nearly running into a wall, before turning a corner and regaining his speed.

Weird to outsiders perhaps, but that was just Keefe. She considered asking where he had been the last week, but decided against it as he was obviously in a hurry.

At last, she reached Sophie’s door. Heart absolutely pounding now, she knocked on the door.

She reappeared as Sophie opened it. Biana avoided eye contact, she was scared that once she started looking at Sophie’s beautiful eyes she wouldn’t be able to pull herself away. She had never seen eyes that shade before. Almost dark as night, but when they caught the light they got these little gold flakes in them.

“Sorry I’m late,” She said, still looking down. “You know, I never knew that someone could chip a tooth while picking apples but here we are.”

Sophie giggled. Biana couldn’t take her eyes off of her.

“Makeup!” Sophie said, clapping her hands together.

“Yes of course,” Biana glided over to the vanity. “I mean, you won’t need much, so this should be pretty easy.”

“Thank goodness, once my mom tried to put makeup on me for a party and it was so cakey it gave me a panic attack.”

Biana giggled lightly. “No need for cake, your skin is pretty perfect anyway so I don’t even think we’ll need foundation unless you want it.”

If Biana had turned around in that moment, she would’ve seen Sophie’s face go as red as her dress, however she was preoccupied with raiding the vanity drawers of all its products to see what she could use.

Biana made a motion for Sophie to come and sit on the chair in front of the mirror and she did. She stood behind Sophie and laid her hands on her shoulders, thinking as to how in the world she could make such a naturally beautiful girl feel any prettier.

“So,” Biana started, “what are we thinking?”

“Literally anything that doesn’t look like I’m some grumpy 5,000-year-old woman stuck with the last name ‘Sencen’.”

“Incredibly valid,” Biana said with a tilt of her head. Inspiration suddenly struck and she grabbed a pigment compact from the table and got to work.

She tried to focus on doing the makeup, she really did, but it was hard when she kept noticing little things about Sophie. Like how she had a light spattering of freckles across her nose that you couldn’t see from far away. Or the way the gold flecks emerged from her nearly black eyes when they caught the light. Or the rosy tint to her cheeks, she convinced herself that she was only imagining that it got deeper when Biana leaned in closer to do details.

“Ok, last bit here, what color for the lips?”

“Is blue an option? I think that’d make the in-laws squirm.”

“Unfortunately no,” Biana said through a laugh, “but there is a very bright red.” She pointed towards the red pot of wax.

“Perfect.”

Biana let Sophie apply it herself. Biana had nearly burst into flames when applying the kohl around her eyes and decided not to risk it again.

“And you’re done!”

“Wow,” Sophie muttered softly as she leaned in to get a closer look. “You made me as pretty as you.”

“You’re already pretty.”

“You think?”

Suddenly they were cut off by a knock at the door. Sophie ran to open it.

“Oh, lovely, you’re both here,” Keefe stated. He looked quite red in the face, like he had been running ever since Biana saw him in the hall. “We have to talk. Meet me up in the library in about an hour. Sophie, Biana can lead you there.”

“I’d be delighted,” Biana said, glancing towards Sophie.

And with that, Keefe was on the run again.

“Hm,” Sophie said, closing the door. “A week of him going missing and then that.”

“Yeah, you tend to get used to it. He and my brother are best friends, so I have to put up with him more than the average castle worker. He also gets hurt a lot, once Elwin suggested we should relocate his royal portrait to the infirmary wing.”

Sophie laughed. Biana loved it when she did that.

“Well, with my record so far I suppose I should be right up there with him.”

Biana genuinely considered it, being able to look at Sophie every day at work would be very nice, she had to admit.

She glanced at the clock on the wall.

“Crap. I’m sorry, I have to go, I promised my mom I’d eat lunch with her. Be back here in an hour though, to go to whatever Keefe is dragging us to.”

“Okie dokie, see you then.”

After Biana vanished, she glanced behind her to get one last look at Sophie before walking out the door.

~*~

Sophie looked blankly at Keefe as he rattled on, only occasionally sharing a “what the fuck?” look with all the others. Even Dex was here, for some reason, as all the other people seemed to be nobles. She had only gotten to wave at him as the moment they were all in the library Keefe began his rant.

“…and THEN if we all just stay really, really secure in our objections then we legally can’t get married!”

“So what you’re saying is...we’re crashing your wedding,” Said a man she didn’t know the name of, perhaps she would if Keefe had let them make their introductions.

“In so few words, yes.” Keefe said, finally sitting down on the floor after his presentation. “Any questions?”

“Quite a few, but I’m still trying to decide which one to ask first,” Biana said from the corner.

“Look, it’s really simple-”

“What about this plan is simple?” Said a girl Sophie didn’t know.

“Well you see-”

“It’s never going to work,” A different girl said. “All it will do is anger the king, we’re all dead if we even try.”

Sophie was already thinking. The plan was...faulty at best. They were dealing with a king here, a king known to just hang his problems to make them go away. They needed something stronger than relying on the legal system to get them out of this.

“If everything goes perfectly well then just maybe-”

“Keefe!” a boy said, standing up from his chair. He seemed to be Biana’s brother, Fitz, the family resemblance was strong. “It’s not going to work. This is a waste of time and possibly incriminating. I love you, Keefe. You’re my best friend. But this...this just isn’t going to work, Fee.”

There was a long silence.

Keefe seemed like he was about to walk out, but Sophie decided to speak up.

“I... I can make it work.”

All the eyes in the room went to her. The stares made her anxious and she started talking so fast the words were simply stumbling out of her mouth.

“Well, you proposed they all object and then just let the legal system handle it, which is good, but what if we made it bigger? We can start with the objections, and then make some chaos. Like...inflicting on everyone-”

“The only inflictor is Councillor Bronte,” Fitz pointed out. Sophie gave him a dirty look.

“No he’s not. And then Dex could make something to destroy the venue, he’s great at that kind of thing.”

Keefe threw a questioning look at Dex.

“Cousins,” He muttered.

Keefe nodded.

“And then after that if we hide someone that made an objection, they can’t clear it. In theory, all the parties have to be present. But if they’re not” -Sophie waved her hand to the side- “no marriage.”

“Foster you evil genius,” Keefe said with a giddy look on his face.

“I’m sorry can we go back to the inflicting thing?” Fitz said.

“It’s a very long story for another day.”

The only one in this room who knew about Sophie’s full weirdness was Dex, and she intended to keep it that way for a while.

Keefe got up again and clapped his hands.

“Same time next week?”

The group nodded and went their separate ways, Sophie briefly stopped to hug Dex and make plans to join the Dizznees for dinner that night before walking to her room and flopping down on her bed.

Adrenaline ran through her.

In three months she would either be a free woman...or perhaps dead.

Either way, she would not be getting married.

The thought made her want to dance.

~*~

“Wow Soph you’re gonna be a real princess?” Lex asked as he ate Juline’s celebratory pudding with his fingers.

“Yep,” she replied, sharing a look with Dex across the fire pit.

“Well, Sophie I think you’ll be an amazing queen,” Uncle Kesler said as he stirred some kind of elixir over the fire. “You’ve always been a great leader, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“He’s right, dear, there’s nothing to worry about,” Juline said as she braided Sophie’s hair. “We’ve kind of almost met Keefe a few times and he seems like a great kid, he and Dex are friends!”

“Oh?” Sophie said, arching a brow at Dex.

“Yep!” Bex exclaimed excitedly through the pudding in her mouth. “We almost tackled him and he didn’t seem like he hated us!”

The family laughed. Sophie stared at the dancing flames as she felt her aunt brush through her hair. Just the feeling made her want to cry a bit, it reminded her of her mom, well both of her moms, and how they would comfort her until she fell asleep on bad nights.

When she was little, with the Fosters, it was normally because of storms. But her mom would always hand her Ella and hug her until she fell asleep.

More recently with the Ruewens it was because of the stress of well...everything. Eda would hug her and trace shapes on her back until she could rest.

Now, she was stuck without either of her moms. Sure, there was Juline, but Sophie wasn’t supposed to leave the castle unsupervised, she couldn’t make seeing her family a habit.

The tears started coming now, but she wouldn’t let them spill over. They stayed welling in her eyes as she tried to avoid having to wipe them.

“Sophie, what’s wrong?” Kesler said, looking up from his elixir.

“Oh it’s uh nothing, don’t worry. Just uh something in my eye.”

No one seemed to believe it, Sophie was a horrible liar, but they didn’t ask any more questions.

~*~

“Don’t you think all of this is overkill?”

“Foster, I’m just working with my resources here. Which I have a lot of. And I intend to use them all.”

It was another way too late night of discussing the Awesome Wedding Destruction Amazingness Neato Greatness plan (a working title naturally made by Keefe, the A.W. D.A.N.G. plan for short).

“Okay, but come on, first I inflict on everyone then Dex blows up everything, and on top of that we basically blind everyone and start a fire? And all that after the only part that’s super necessary, hiding the objector so it can’t go through.”

“Now, now,” Keefe tsked, “there is always a method to my madness. My method in this case is to make as much chaos as possible, which I am very good at.”

Sophie rolled her eyes.

“Oh c’mon Foster. Just imagine the look on my dad’s face when everything goes so badly that none of the guests ever want to set foot in the castle again. I mean, even if everything goes wrong you’ll never have to deal with my Auntie Gene’s cheek pinching. And Cassius will be humiliated.”

“Hm. Upon reflection, I think this is actually the exact right amount of killing.”

All the other half-asleep teens scattered across the room chuckled.

“Now that the unhappy couple has stopped bickering,” Marella called from her place draped across a love seat, “can we go to bed? I may not need my beauty sleep but you all sure do.”

“Hey!” Linh called from her place on the floor.

“Except for you, darling.”

“Yes, yes, you all can go,” Keefe said, making a waving motion towards the door.

And they did, except for Dex, who Sophie noticed stayed in the library with Keefe. She supposed he probably just had to finish up his work on the device for the day. After all, the wedding was in just a month, and making a bomb small enough to fit in a pocket but powerful enough to blow up the ceiling without raining glass on everyone couldn’t be easy.

She had faith in him though, Dex was the smartest person she knew.

...at least mechanically. There was that one time he tried to ride Verdi and ended up with a broken ankle and a face full of dinosaur fluff. But otherwise, very smart.

The sight of Biana broke her train of thought.

“Hey, I think I left something down at the infirmary and the castle is kind of freaky late at night, wanna come with me?”

“Yeah, of course, no problem.”

“Awesome,” Biana said, grabbing Sophie’s wrist and leading her towards the stairs.

As they walked Sophie noticed she didn’t let go of her wrist, Sophie thanked whatever was out there that the castle was so dimly lit at night no one would see her burning face.

The halls were eerily silent, walkways normally bustling with servants were empty and cold. Sophie had avoided going out at night practically at all costs for the last 2 months, but she would do most things for her friend.

There didn’t seem to be any guards in the halls, at least not down the way to the infirmary through the hall with all the royal chambers, which seemed quite unsafe if Sophie was honest.

A sudden creak made them both jump and Biana pulled Sophie against the wall as a door was pushed open and candlelite spilled out.

King Cassius walked out from his chambers, he looked anxious, not the overly cocky and annoyingly calm man she had met prior. He paced back and forth the few yards in front of his door, muttering to himself, not seeing the girls in the shadows.

“Yes, yes, yes, it will all the perfect,” he said to himself, “then I can leave... I can leave, finally…”

Biana leaned in close to Sophie’s ear.

“Do you think he’s sleep walking?” she said quietly.

“WHO WAS THAT?” the king turned around frantically, staring at the shadows but still apparently seeing nothing. He stared for another few moments more before wordlessly slinking back into his chambers and closing the door behind him.

“No, I don’t think so,” Sophie finally whispered back.

They both emerged from the shadow and hurried down into the infirmary wing, nearly running until at last they reached Elwin’s office. They quickly shut the door behind them and Biana began lighting the candles.

“So,” Sophie said as she sat down on one of the beds, “do we tell Keefe that his dad is crazier than we thought?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Biana replied, putting out her match. “I mean...he’s stressed enough. I think we just keep it to ourselves and tell him after everything goes perfect at the wedding-” here she sat down next to Sophie on the bed “-which it will.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Then I call first to the gallows. I have a few choice words to share with my father and I doubt he’ll be patient enough to stay too long.”

Sophie just shook her head, recognizing the joke but not having the heart to laugh.

“Oh, c’mon,” Biana said, bumping Sophie’s arm with her own, “everything’s gonna be fine. The plan is practically perfect.”

“Yeah but…” Sophie didn’t know how to put her feelings into words so she just shook her head again.

Biana grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently, Sophie squeezed back.

They sat there in silence for a while, Sophie contemplated.

2 months ago she was willing to do anything to get her freedom, and if that included taking a few strangers that offered to help to the gallows with her, she wouldn’t particularly mind.

But now these people were her friends. She spent hours and hours with them, yes they planned, but they also gorged themselves on sweets stolen from the kitchen and talked about their lives and bonded over their powers.

Granted, they still didn’t know exactly Sophie’s deal, just that she was an inflictor that had some involvement with the Black Swan, but still.

She wouldn’t let these people, these kids, die for her sake.

She had a backup plan.

If everything failed, as it seemed likely to do, she would be the first to run to the king. She would stand in front of him and tell him that she planned everything, that she threatened to hurt everyone involved if they didn’t comply and claim she was with the Neverseen. If anyone tried to say otherwise she would say she brainwashed them or something, whatever it took.

And if he didn’t believe a 16-year-old could do such a thing, she might as well inflict on him too, for good measure.

She was brought out of her thoughts by Biana suddenly standing up.

“Oh! My thing...that I lost,” her voice got quieter as she began to mumble as she searched blindly around the room.

“Oh yeah,” Sophie started, following her in getting up, “What is it? I could help look.”

“It is um...a- a bracelet.”

Biana continued to blindly open and close drawers.

“Ok, what does it look it like?”

“Well it um,” Biana turned around from the drawers to look at Sophie, “well it’s fine I-I’ll just find it tomorrow. I um I wanted to bring you down here to say-”

The door opened suddenly, making Sophie jump.

She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Elwin, rather than the expected royal guard.

“Hey girls,” he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes, “what’re you doing down here?”

“Oh,” Biana said, “well I forgot something and Sophie was going to help me look.”

“Alright, well you two go on to bed now unless it’s real important. Bullhorn hid his favorite blanket somewhere around here and I’ll have to tear the place apart to find it. He won’t sleep without it, I’ll tell ya’ if I find anything of yours.”

“Ah, thank you, Elwin,” Biana said walking towards the door.

“No problem. Goodnight kiddos.”

They both said their goodnights before returning into the dark hall and walking to their rooms with no further issues. Sophie absently noticed Biana was very quiet on their return, but didn’t think much of it as she laid down with the intention of sleeping. She soon discovered that was out of the question, and settled for reading instead.

~*~

Sophie was pacing. She did that a lot nowadays.

It was the last meeting before the wedding day and, if she was being honest with herself, she was having a bit of a breakdown.

After deciding the pacing wasn’t helping, she sat down crisscross on the floor. Soon after that, Keefe joined her.

“Alright, what’s up Foster? Have you acquired a stomach bug?”

Sophie laughed.

“No it’s just…” she sighed, “it feels wrong y’know? I mean... I don’t want to hurt anybody.”

“You’re really doing the opposite of hurting people though, I mean you’re making them happy.”

That was technically true. They had decided on inflicting positive emotions rather than negative ones but...it still didn’t feel quite right.

“Not happy, hysterical. Yeah, it can be happy, but not in the way we’re doing it. Trust me, it’s not fun to watch.”

Keefe went quiet for a minute.

“Hey...your parents have that griffin, right?”

~*~

“MOM! DAD!”

Sophie ran across the castle lawn as fast as she could. The Ruewen’s carriage was just approaching as they finally arrived for the wedding.

She had ditched her lady’s maids that had been stalking her all day with a little bit of guilt-tripping. (“Oh, Marie, my parents are coming today and I just haven’t seen them in so long! Three months and I just-” Here she let her tears well up in her eyes, “I just miss them so.” She had grown a talent for acting.) So, she got to talk to them all alone.

The horses came to a stop and her mother and father immediately got out and ran to her, ignoring the footman that had come to assist them out, and taking up Sophie in their arms.

Before they could break away or someone else could come close enough to hear, she grabbed them in closer and leaned in to whisper in their ears.

“I need you to do something, I’ll explain when we’re alone.”

She quickly pushed away and looked at them, putting on a fond expression.

“Mom! Dad! I missed you guys so much!”

Their expressions betrayed their confusion, only for a moment though, before putting on similar smiles.

“Don’t worry kiddo, we wouldn’t miss this for anything,” Grady said. He had an air of nonchalance about him, but Sophie noticed his hand laid protectively on her back as they walked to the castle together.

“How about I show you all to your rooms? I practically know this place like the back of my hand!” Sophie’s fake smile felt increasing tight on her face. She had to fight not to turn around, collapse in her parents arms, and beg to be taken back home.

Still, she walked straight on to the doors of the palace, up the stairs, and through the hall where the guests would be staying for the wedding and to her parents’ reserved room.

The moment the doors closed behind them, she collapsed into Edaline and Grady joined the hug immediately after.

It was a while before they finally broke apart. Real tears were welling in Sophie’s eyes by the end of it, but she collected herself enough to be able to explain the A.W. D.A.N.G. plan.

Her parents looked at her like she was insane for a moment before Eda grabbed her back into her arms.

“Oh my goodness that’s my girl! Always a fighter.”

Sophie laughed.

“So, you’re in?”

Grady and Edaline shared a look before nodding.

Her dad looked less thrilled and more worried than her mother, but for once he didn’t put up a fight about her dangerous activities.

“Ok! Awesome! I- I have to go now but... I’ll see you there.”

They joined for one final hug before the big day.

“Good luck kiddo, fight like hell.”

Sophie nodded before rushing out the door and to her room before any of the maids got suspicious.

~*~

Later that night, the night before the wedding, and hopefully one of the last nights Sophie would ever have to spend in this damn castle, there was a knock at the door.

She opened it to see Biana standing there, just like always.

“Couldn’t sleep,” she said with a shrug.

She always had some excuse, they were normally half assed in a way that Sophie could tell she had just come to see her.

Sophie let her in and she plopped down on her spot of the bed.

“You look a little sick,” she observed.

“Just anxious,” Sophie brushed off.

“You know, we’ve got this in the bag.”

Sophie shrugged before looking away.

Biana leaned forward and caught Sophie’s eye.

“Seriously, Soph, it’s gonna be fine.”

“I know but...the plans just changed, and it’s...it’s scary.”

Biana went silent for a minute.

“It’s been scarier. A lot scarier, actually.”

Sophie looked up, confused.

“Wanna know a secret? Not really secret, but kind of.” Sophie noticed that Biana’s leg was bouncing.

“Sure?”

She paused for a minute, fingers tracing the lightning like scars on her arms.

“When I first came to the castle, I was a part of the guard. Obviously as a tween girl I didn’t exactly fit in, but I was good, so they let me stay. Then, there was a Neverseen attack and well... I suppose you can guess from there,” she stared down at her arm for a moment more, Sophie wondered for a moment whether she was done talking, but she continued.

“After she- Vespera- got away, and I healed, I wanted to keep fighting. But, there was a 2 to 1 majority family vote not to let the child go to war, and so I started healing others,” she shrugged, “Anyway, my point is that compared to that situation, this is like, nothing. And I know you’ve been through worse than my stuff, so you can definitely get through this.”

“You hadn’t told me that before.”

“I haven’t told you a lot of things,” she winked. Sophie didn’t do anything. “Oh, c’mon, I can’t even get a laugh out of you?”

Sophie just looked away again and Biana became more solemn.

“You know, I’d say when one person shares a secret, it’s customary to share one of your own, and truly you have many, I’m sure.”

“I haven’t the faintest clue what you are talking about,” Sophie said, turning up her nose.

Biana snorted, “Eh, I’m pretty sure there’s a reason Keefe calls you Mysterious Miss F behind your back.”

“He does?”

Biana nodded.

Sophie paused, the inkling of a smile broke through her angst.

“Well, I do have a few, I suppose.”

“I knew it! Spill.”

Hmm...what was low enough that the Black Swan wouldn’t kill her and high enough that she didn’t look lame?

“... I’m not just an inflictor. They wanted me to be powerful, I guess, so... I have 5.”

Once Biana’s eyes went the size of dinner plates, she realized she went too far.

“5 abilities?”

Sophie nodded.

“Telepathy, polyglot, inflicting, enhancing, and teleporting- but that ones hard to when I don’t have enough momentum.”

“Sounds like you could get out of here all by yourself.”

Her tone was joking and Sophie tried to laugh, but she just couldn’t.

“Yeah, I could, but I think me and anyone related to me would have to flee the country.”

They were both silent for a while, Sophie tried not to pull out an eyelash but the density she felt in the room was just too much.

It was almost 10 minutes when Sophie decided to break the silence, she knew because she counted.

“You can’t tell me you aren’t even a little scared.”

Biana’s brow cocked as she turned to respond.

“I’ll trade you the truth for another secret.”

“Deal.”

“I am,” she admitted. “I’m a lot scared, actually. But it’s gonna be worth it, we’re gonna get you out of here.”

“This is a hell of a lot to put on the line for someone else.”

“You’re my friend. I know you’d do it for me too.”

Sophie nodded.

She would.

She would do anything she had to to get Biana out of a situation like hers, but it was still astounding someone would be willing to do it for her.

There was a beat of silence before Sophie talked again.

“I still feel like everything is gonna go wrong.”

When Biana said nothing, she continued.

“I mean, it’s a wonder we’ve gotten this far. What if a servant had walked in during one of our planning sessions? What if we had a mole in our group? What if we still do, and the king knows about everything and is just waiting for the plan to start before the guard bursts in and arrests us all?”

Biana went silent for a minute.

“I have a crazy idea, but you have to promise you won’t think I’m insane after I say this, okay?”

“I promise.”

“We can run away together.”

Sophie looked for any indication of a joke in her expression but found none.

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not.”

Sophie was tongue-tied.

“Look if...if everything does go wrong, I couldn’t handle it. I-” she took a second, Sophie could tell she was getting choked up, “I’m not going to let some shitty king steal your life from you like this.”

She then looked down, eyes trained on her lap.

“I know, this is forward, but I’m just gonna say it now. I really, really like you Sophie. If you’re unhappy, then I’ll be unhappy. I won’t be able to sit idly by and watch you…” her shoulders drooped, “watch you get taken from me forever.”

Sophie was shocked, but managed to push out a sentence.

“Biana, you have a life here, and we... I mean, we haven’t known each other for that long, and don’t get me wrong I really like you too but-”

Biana cut her off by grabbing both of Sophie’s hands and meeting her eyes.

“Then what the hell else matters?”

Sophie went completely silent. Her face was so warm she must’ve been the color of a tomato.

“You know we shouldn’t,” her words were so quiet they were nearly a whisper.

“Maybe not. But we could. It can be our backup.”

Sophie noticed then just how close their faces were.

“Yeah, our backup,” she mumbled half-heartedly.

As if her body was moving on autopilot, Sophie closed her eyes and leaned it, meeting Biana in the middle.

Her lips were soft, and slicked with a bit of balm that tasted like honey.

Sophie didn’t want to pull away, but eventually had to.

The first thing Biana said after coming up was, “You know, I never got that secret.”

Sophie laughed.

“How serious of one do you want? They range from slightly embarrassing to will ruin my own and several other peoples lives if they get out.”

“Frankly, I like the way the latter sounds. I am very good at keeping secrets.”

“Alright then. My biological mother is Councillor Oralie.”

“Honestly, I don’t know if you’re being serious. If you are, then I can see the family resemblance, if you aren’t then hardy-har-har.”

Sophie really didn’t see the resemblance, Oralie was practically renowned for her beauty and she was just... Sophie.

She just shrugged. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”

“Guess so. I guess that applies for a lot of things with you?”

“Yep.”

“Hm. Well, I like a mystery.”

With that, Biana pecked her on the cheek and walked out the room.

~*~

Sophie sat in silence as a maid brushed out her hair.

It was the big day, at last.

Her nerves had settled to extreme calmness, determination.

There was a knock at the door and the maid went to answer it. Sophie watched the reflection of the door in the mirror as an all too familiar blonde woman pulled the maid aside and whispered a few words to her, apparently convincing her to leave as a moment later the door shut once again, and she was left in a room with Oralie.

Sophie refused to greet her.

“Miss Foster?”

Sophie still said nothing.

“Sophie, please.”

Sophie sighed internally and gave up on being stubborn for the moment being.

“Councillor Oralie. What brings you here?”

“You can just call me Oralie. And I wanted to come talk to you.”

“Well, you have the floor.”

Oralie sighed before moving closer to Sophie. She seemed about to speak before getting distracted by something.

“Oh, dear, your hair. They can’t expect to get it done for the ceremony at this rate.”

She picked up the brush and Sophie pulled away on instinct.

Oralie’s voice went whisper soft as she said, “Please, Sophie.”

She saw in the mirror that her normal constantly regal and serene demeanor had cracked to reveal concern and desperation.

Something about the woman she saw in the mirror persuaded Sophie to give in and let her brush her hair.

Sophie watched as she quickly and masterfully braided one side, then the other, before preparing her ribbon on a blunt needle to secure them on her head.

“Hold this braid while I sew the other, dear.”

Sophie obliged.

When they were done, her hair was wrapped along on the top of her head. It didn’t seem like the typical wedding style, but she supposed it wasn’t the typical wedding either.

“You know, I suppose some selfish part of me came down here because I wanted to see my daughter on her wedding day. You look lovely, and you’ll do fantastic ruling. But...more importantly I wanted to tell you that...that I tried.”

Sophie gave her a confused look in the mirror.

“Tried to convince Cassius, that is. That this wasn’t a good idea. He...he didn’t listen. Threatened me with treason, in fact.”

Oralie seemed to get choked up.

“Thank you,” Sophie mumbled.

“No, no don’t thank me. I failed.”

“But you tried.”

Oralie nodded, patting away some more tears.

“Well, I suppose I should go now,” she said, “but I’ll be there, and I’m never too far from the castle if you should need me.”

Sophie nodded and Oralie walked out without another word.

To be perfectly honest, she was still mad at her. But it was nice to know she cared, Sophie supposed.

~*~

“You ready kiddo?” Grady said to Sophie, who held on to his arm.

“As I’ll ever be.”

The traditional wedding march rang through the glass dome as they started their walk down the isle. Not long after Oralie had come to do her hair that morning, Biana had come to do her makeup. They spoke nothing of the previous night and kept a lighthearted air, but Sophie had kissed her cheek as a thanks.

As they walked, Sophie fixated her gaze on the altar. Looking at Biana specifically in the place of her maid of honor, with her crown of brown ringlet curls she looked as if she should be the bride today. Sophie let her mind wander for a moment, imagining Biana in the place of the bride, herself standing in the grooms place. She wondered what she would wear if she had the choice. Definitely not this annoying puffy dress, maybe a nice suit, a red one. She always heard she looked nice in-

Before she realized it, she was at the altar.

Her father seemed hesitant to walk away and “hand” her to Keefe, but after a moment of procrastination he did so.

Sophie looked out into the crowd, noticing all the people involved in their plan, as well as some familiar faces. A few of which included the portraits of ladies she saw lined up on the halls, the only difference between those pictures and their current forms were the addition of high and pointy ears, everything else was the same, down to the orange blush.

She shared a brief look with Keefe, he looked more nervous than she felt, but the slight nod she tipped at him seemed to help.

The officiator began to speak, his voice so loud and booming it hurt Sophie’s ears.

“Lords and Ladies, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joyous union of our young Prince Keefe Sencen and the lovely Miss Sophie Foster-Ruewen.”

Ha, joyous was certainly a word to call it. Not the first thing she’d choose through, maybe something more like ‘nauseating’.

“We are honored to be joined by so many friends and family. The Groom and Bride are overjoyed you all could be here to participate in this most important occasion.

“There are few greater joys in life than finding someone we truly connect with. Creatives have many names for this, a spark, clicking, but let us say today what it truly is: love.”

Sophie glanced at Biana, to which she smiled slightly back.

“Love is what these two young souls have found in each other. In love, our truest selves are revealed. We open ourselves up and break down our walls. The veil we present to the public is lifted, so we can be loved for who we are, not who we pretend to be.”

She fought not to snort at all the fluffy lovey-dovey wording they gave to try to seem like something so awful was A-okay and totally morally fine. Oh well, they wouldn’t have to hear it for much longer.

“Over these months, our Bride and Groom have developed a strong bond. This bond will only get stronger throughout the course of their marriage. Let us revel in the joy and love displayed in front of us today. May we treasure these memories as Prince Keefe and Miss Sophie get set to begin their new life together.

“If anyone has cause to object to the forming of this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

3, 2, 1.

“I object!” Stina called from the crowd, standing up. “This marriage was meant to be mine! She’s just a dirty commoner!”

A small part of Sophie wondered if she really meant that last part, Stina had never wanted the marriage, but she certainly wasn’t very fond of Sophie at their first few meetings.

“How dare you!” I object because I love her!” It had taken an absurd amount of reasoning to get Fitz to say that line, eventually some light blackmail from Biana had worked. Sophie had no idea what she dangled over his head that was embarrassing enough to get him to say that, but from what she could gather it had something to do with a chandelier. “Sophie is meant to be with me. Maruca has admitted her love to Keefe, let her marry him!”

Biana gasped, somewhat over dramatically. “Maruca you snake! You knew I loved him.”

“You only loved his title!” She screamed, standing up to match the rest. “And Fitz, if you’re so concerned with what Stina has to say about Sophie, you should hear what Wylie has to say.”

Fitz walked in Wylie’s direction and he stood. “Why you little-”

Then, Dex threw out his mini-bomb and the beeping started.

Beep. Beep. Beep. BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP.

BOOM.

An explosion rang out, leaving a griffin-sized hole in the glass ceiling. Sophie did what was now her only part, letting out a loud whistle to call it in.

The beast immediately complied, flying through the roof and causing the guests to let out horrified screams. It crashed into chairs and wrecked the alter as it found a place to land, before becoming stressed at the closed environment, and flying back through the ceiling, leaving a second hole in its wake.

The screams continued as the room was filled with immense amounts of light, followed by suffocating darkness.

The gang collected at the exit, with the exception of Biana and Marella, standing by at the wooden reception tables.

The darkness lifted and the guests ran out frantically. Soon after, a red glow started in the back of the dome, seemingly from nowhere. No one could be seen walking out of the dome just then, but two sets of footprints forming and unforming in the grass trailed from the door.

Linh ran up to the dome.

“Everyone back up!”

A large wave formed, putting out the fires, and crushing the dome completely.

~*~

Sophie sat in the ballroom that was meant to be used later that night. It now sat full of guests, many wrapped in blankets or slurping soup the kitchens had served.

She spotted Dex and walked over.

“Heya.”

“Hi,” he said, looking down towards his lap.

She sat next to him.

“I can’t believe that worked.”

“Me neither.”

He didn’t seem particularly excited, 3 hours later and Sophie was still full of adrenaline.

“What’s up? You seem down.”

“Eh, it’s lame. And probably a little petty.”

“What is family for if not to tell about lame and petty things?”

Dex snorted.

“Fine. I have a crush on someone and I don’t think they like me back.”

“That sucks dude. Who is it? I won’t tell, you know I’m great at secrets.”

“I am NOT telling you.”

“Aw, you’re so boring. Can I guess?”

“Go for it.” Dex said, rolling his eyes.

“Is it... Fitz?”

“No.”

“Tam?”

“No.”

“Keefe?”

He didn’t reply.

“Aw, that should’ve been my first guess.”

“Hush, ok? I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”

“Alright, I won’t tell him. But seriously, go shoot your shot, I bet you won’t regret it.”

“I’m sorry, this coming from the ‘if a girl looks at me, I’ll go jump into a river’ girl?”

“Look you make a joke one time and it hau-”

She was cut off by the attack of the triplets.

Aunt Juline and Uncle Kesler were rushing after them, naturally, but that didn’t stop them from tackling her.

“That was AWESOME!” Bex screamed.

“It was all like BOOM,” said Lex, acting out an explosion with their hands, “and then it was all like WHOOSH,” he mimicked the wave crashing into the building.

“I’m so sorry,” Juline said, pulling the kids back by their ears. “That must’ve been pretty scary in there.”

“It was fine,” Sophie said, “no one got hurt, I think. It’ll be okay.”

Juline nodded.

“Well, we should get these kids home. That includes you, Dex. We came to get you.”

“Fiiine. I’ll meet you at the door, I have something to drop off.”

He fiddled with something in his pocket, Sophie knew it to be a note to inform Keefe about the meeting tonight.

Fitz had made his rounds earlier, informing them all of the planned meeting, and Dex was to be the one to deliver the news to Keefe. They couldn’t meet all together in public, it would look too suspicious, and Keefe seemed nowhere to be found at the moment.

Still she was...happy.

She was stressed, like fuck her friends were scattered throughout the castle of a murderer. They still didn’t know if they had actually succeeded.

But…

Goddammit she was so close to being free.

After tonight?

She was going home.

It didn’t feel real, after all this hell she’d gone through.

But she was going home.

~*~

A month later Sophie stood in the crowd of bodies at the foot of the castle, just in front of a makeshift stage. People cheered and hooted as Keefe walked on it, including Sophie.

They went silent as Oralie (ugh) began to speak.

“Friends and subjects of the Kingdom of Eternalia. Today, we crown a new ruler. A ruler to put the people first. A ruler who will not sleep until every one of his people is fed. A ruler to unite us.

Prince Keefe has shown a care for his people deeper than any king before him. In the time I have had the honor of teaching him in my lessons, he has shown a willingness to learn. An ability to adapt. And a knowledge of the system as well as its successes and failures deeper than anyone else of his age.

And yes, it is truly a shame that a king must be crowned this young, but I have no doubt that in time he will do right by our great kingdom.”

She trailed across the stage to Keefe in his oversized red ceremonial robe that looked horribly heavy. She picked up the crown that a servant held on a pillow.

“Prince Keefe of Eternalia, do you promise to uphold the law and do what is right for your people to the best of your abilities?”

“I do.”

“And do you promise to preserve the honor of our nation?”

“I do.”

Marella’s voice came from next to her ear.

“AND DO YOU PROMISE TO NOT LET CASSI-ASS BACK INTO THE THRONE ROOM?”

He cracked a smile. “I do.”

Oralie chuckled too.

“In that case, Keefe Sencen of Eternalia, with this crown I deem you King of Eternalia. May you have a long and peaceful reign.”

Everyone laughed and cheered and yelled and clapped for their friend.

Biana was heaved onto Fitz’s shoulders and Sophie and her locked eyes, smiling, knowing they were in good hands now.

~*~

“Verdi! Down girl!” Sophie attempted to calm the huge dinosaur, she could hear her wife laughing behind her.

“Hey, I’d like to see you try to feed her fruit!”

Biana laughed.

“If we don’t learn how to feed her, Grady and Eda will never let us take over here. Seriously, they need a retirement.’

“I know, I know. I’ll figure it out after lunch. Last to the kitchen is a pile of gulon dung!”

“Oh, you’re on!”

#sophiana #kotlc #keeper of the lost cities #kotlc fic #sophie foster #biana vacker

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marvelousell · 5 years ago

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The Agreement (Part 7.)

Pairing(s): frat boy!fwb!Tom x reader, frat boy!Harrison x reader

Summary: Tom is a typical frat boy, his love for partying, drinks and girls are bigger than his ego. Y/N is a whole different dimension, she keeps her circle small, and even though she knows her best friend Tom is a total douche, she can’t say no to the little deal that was sealed between the two of them.

Word count: 3.2k

A/N: okay well I loved this part so much and I can’t wait for more Tom and Harrison 😭, I hope you like this one and I would appreciate it if you leave a comment, reblog or send a feedback!❤️

My tag list is open for this series!

Warnings: mentions of smut, swearing, mentions of alcohol, angst if you squint

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6.

Masterlist

“Why can’t I say no to you? You need to stop that.”

“Stop what babe?” He asked, acting like he didn’t know what you meant.

“You’re so unbearable sometimes, but I still love you.” You responded with a giggle, standing up to go get your pyjamas.

It was a normal thing. You two always said to each other ‘I love you’, however at that moment, after those words it was that unfamiliar feeling in the pit of his stomach that bothered Tom.

Maybe it’s just the alcohol running through his veins?

Or is it maybe because he is horny and you’re looking extremely arresting tonight?

He didn’t know, but it was for sure something that didn’t occur often.

Tom tried to suppress the tingle that he felt, it was probably a stupid moment of his.

But was that it? Was he confident in what he thought?

You interrupted the monologue in his head, wondering what got him so distracted.

“What’s on your mind that made my ceiling so interesting all of a sudden?” You chuckled, making yourself comfortable next to him.

Tom’s eyes landed back on you and your body in the oversized shirt.

“Nothing. Nothing..” He repeated, tapping your knee.

“Going to tell me about tonight? How was my man?”

“From where do I start?” You asked yourself, smiling as the date crossed your mind.

“It would be nice if you start from the beginning.” He replied, receiving a look from you.

“He is really nice Tom.” You began, stopping to look at him that had his gaze focused on you.

“We went to this place that was so out of this world honestly, it was just me and him there, Harrison really threw himself into this and I really loved the time we had spent together.” You continued, playing with your fingers nervously.

It was the same feeling that came back to him, making him now worried.

What was that? He wasn’t that drunk to feel sick or anything?

“I told you he liked you that day at Harry’s, you just panicked.” He put his hand on your thigh that was resting on his legs.

“Yeah, Ann said the same. You know I really had a great night, I wasn’t enjoying a boy’s company like this in a long time.”

“I’m happy to hear that Y/N, both you and him would make a great couple.” Tom replied, watching you get all shy and beatific when he mentioned him and the possibility of you two becoming a couple.

“And I’m happy to finally see him content around someone after what happened with his last one.” He added, the words slipping from his mouth accidentally.

Last one?

I mean yes, he certainly had a girlfriend but why was she so important?

“Last one?” You asked curiously, wanting to know more about what he said.

“Mhm, Emily. But that’s not my thing to tell you.”

“Why? We’re best friends you know we can talk about everything.” You tried to get something out of him, but that was just impossible.

“Sorry sweetheart, your boyfriend is going to tell you. If he feels the need to actually.” He answered,

“He is not my boyfriend.”

“Yet.” He added, raising his eyebrows.

“We don’t know.” You didn’t want to admit it.

“Oh we sure damn know he is going to ask you to be on the second or whatever date. Harrison is a big romantic, he believes in love, future and all that sweet shit and he assuredly doesn’t take girls out if he doesn’t see something with them.” Tom began, the annoyance audible in his voice.

“Well I hope he likes me in that way because that would be really nice and all.”

“Because I really like him too.” You added, mumbling quietly but it was like a loud roar in Tom’s ears.

Why did he even come here in the first place?

And why is everything annoying the shit out of him?

Tom didn’t want to answer. He just apologized because of his behaviour, and after all you and his best friend had a great night and what kind of person would he be if he didn’t at least pretend to be happy.

“So..Want to tell me about Sophie? What happened and all?” You coughed, breaking the silence, not wanting the conversation to end.

He looked tired yet still good-looking. He had that something that you couldn’t resist. Even though he didn’t let you dream alone about your incredible date, and he was here half drunk, you wanted him to stay with you. Here on the couch, him and you having a conversation in the middle of the night with his hand on top of your thigh.

If only this was all real. With him coming because he couldn’t go a minute without you and not because he wanted something from you.

You couldn’t help but think about his reason why he came to you tonight.

Was he just in the mood?

Or he just wanted to talk about his night and he was so drunk he couldn’t go back to his place?

Was that really what’s going to bother you tonight?

Tom is just a friend, and he will never feel the same so you just needed to focus on a boy who showed you not just how much he liked you, but how someone should be treated.

“Sophie…Nothing to tell here. We went to the coffee shop, and holy fuck how can she be that annoying.” He started, letting out a loud huff.

“She began to kiss me, thanking me for the sweet date and the coffee shop I chose. I just went straight to the point because a normal talk was unworkable, told her she needs to stop the stupid fantasy inside of her head because me and her would never happen. I mean c’mon me and a long term relationship?” He laughed, but you didn’t find it comical.

Yeah Tom and anything more than sex would be a true phenomenon.

If he didn’t want Sophie that looked like a model from a magazine why would someone like you strike something inside of him to change his mind.

“So she was furious and said I would regret what I said and that I didn’t know what a great opportunity I lost. Sounds like bullshit to me if you ask me.”

“I don’t get it Tom, why wouldn’t you date her? Okay I know Sophie is super annoying and full of herself, but then someone else? There were many girls that were pretty good.” You asked, wanting to know the cause that made him think relationships were a nonsense.

You were feeling a little bit uneasy, not sure if you wanted to hear his answer.

“Why are you asking me that?” He turned his head to look at you, a little thrown off by your question.

Was he prepared to say everything? Not really.

“Because I think we’re best friends since we were in diapers and we always told each other everything.”

“But still I feel like I don’t know you that well. Don’t get me wrong I just can’t figure it out why does a relationship scare you that much?” Your brows knitted, waiting for him to speak.

“I just don’t do that okay?” Tom replied, his voice stern.

“No shit? Didn’t know that. I’m serious why? Did something happen?”

You looked at his clenching jaw, his mouth shut. The theme clearly woke up some old feelings of his.

“Why does it matter Y/N? It’s not like I’m going to change what I think and do.”

“Fine, I’m sorry that I wanted to know more about my friend.” You uttered, voice flat, you didn’t want to push it.

The memories rushed to Tom’s head. He didn’t think about that for a long time, and you bringing it up now made him dumbstruck.

“You really want to know why?” He finally found the words, turning his figure to yours.

Tom’s face had a sombre expression, but he still tried to look as tranquil as he could.

You were used to a flirty, euphoric Tom, not a serious and possibly a hurt one. Although you were silent, not answering his question, Tom knew you wanted him to continue.

He wanted to tell you a million times but he wasn’t a type to have talks like that. At least not now.

Tom hated to see people around feeling sorry for him and giving him sympathetic looks.

He was a guy that had a reputation, a cold-hearted frat boy that only sleeps with girls, nothing more. Feeling all soft and miserable for a girl wasn’t fitting into his description.

Deep down there was a guy that would love to have someone by his side, to enjoy a date night with his girl, to feel something.

However he didn’t believe in that, or at least he convinced himself that he didn’t believe in love.

“Well we should go back to high school yeah?”

“I was so fucking crazy about this beautiful girl with those irresistible green eyes, and you know I was a shy guy but still owned a little confidence.” He laughed as he remembered.

“She was in my arts class, I found her really captivating and seems like she found me as well because we would share glances during every class and it was enough for me to ask her out.”

A girl in high school? How didn’t you see or suspect anything? You two were inseparable.

“The date went amazing, we really liked each other and we were so similar. I could so see myself being with her, but she obviously didn’t see herself with me.” Tom talked, feeling himself getting tetchy.

“She wanted the relationship to be a secret, because she didn’t like people to talk and watch or whatever shit she said. It was fine with me I liked her or at least I thought so. The two of us worked just fine and I was okay with the whole secret thing because I could enjoy my time with her without anybody being nosy about it.”

That explains a lot now Tom.

Still you were hurt that your best friend didn’t tell you a thing.

“Everything went well until she began to talk shit about me to others and to me also out of the blue. She said I was a dick, that I didn’t show how much I cared and that it’s visible how much I fancy an another girl.”

You were silent during the whole story, your eyes glued on his lips.

“She just broke up with me, told me I was an idiot and that’s all. The next day she was all happy and content with this guy from the football team, so I suppose she was dating him or something while she was with me.”

Oh dear Lord.

“And that’s the poor story of mine and why I don’t believe in love nor relationships. Look at me living my best life without a worry if someone will make a fool out of me again.” He finished, lifting his arms in the air.

You were still quiet, shocked.

Tom was a nice guy you knew it, but still the things he does weren’t right just because of a girl that didn’t see the beautiful and caring person that he was and still is.

“I’m so sorry about that girl Tom. I know that the last thing you want is me saying sorry, but I truly am. I’m sorry you felt that way, like you were the one that wasn’t good enough. She let you believe that love is a stupid thing not something everyone should be happy about, and that was a shitty move.” You stated while his eyes were still fixed on yours.

Your hand moved to his, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Just because you met a person that doesn’t know the true value of love, doesn’t mean you need to lose hope in it. Don’t be so afraid to let love into your heart, you’re a lovely person Tom.” You finished, giving him a small smile.

Tom’s heart stuttered, the same feeling from before made an appearance again. You two would always talk, but tonight the words that were coming from your heart were something else.

They were something he did never hear, but always wanted to. They were making sense, but would he risk it all and start again with his love life? He wasn’t sure.

But he was sure that he wanted to kiss you at that exact moment.

Tom just needed to feel your soft lips against his.

And he did it, without hesitation.

His lips crashed with yours, his hands holding your face deepening the kiss. You kissed him back, feeling a bit lost.

Was he horny or just confused?

Your body relaxed in his hands, both of you hungry for more.

You shifted to his lap, his hands travelling to your hips.

Tom’s heart was beating rapidly, your lips that were moving against his were making him question everything.

He could feel your hand going down to his pants, but for the first time he just couldn’t and didn’t want to feel you in that way.

“Hey..” He broke the kiss, breathing slowly, staring at you now.

“Hey.” You whispered, laughing along with him.

“I just, we don’t need to do this tonight.” Tom began, his hands heading to your cheek.

“Why? Isn’t that what you wanted?” You asked confusingly, still having a smile on your face.

“Y-yeah I know, but I just want to watch some movie with you and have a chill night, is that okay with you?” He questioned, still not sure how he turned you down, looking like that in his lap.

“Sure Tom, no problem.” You pressed your hands on his chest, ready to get off of his lap.

He stopped you before you could go back to your seat next to him, kissing you once more slowly.

“Thank you love.”

You were taken aback with this, it was something you didn’t expect from Tom.

It was just in the heat of the moment, he opened up to you so he just needs some time now.

A silly kiss, nothing more, nothing will change between the two of you.

“Can you please not tell anyone about the high school thing and girl. You know..” Tom asked, before making himself comfortable with you underneath the blanket.

“You know that all your secrets and our conversations are safe with me, don’t worry.” You leaned your head on his shoulder, eyes on the television trying to find something for you two to watch.

“I know. You are the best love.”

A smile crept across your face, unaware that Tom’s eyes were focused on you and not on the television.

You two spent nights like this frequently, but this night felt different and he couldn’t comprehend why.

The only thing that mattered was how good it made him feel.

Tom was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the movie starting. If he was totally frank, he didn’t even want to watch it, it was an excuse just to be with you here.

You were distracted as well, clearly not interested in the movie. Tom and Harrison were running through your mind making you occupied.

Both your and Tom’s thoughts were interrupted by your phone.

You hesitated, not wanting to look at your messages in front of him, you just wanted this moment to last longer with no one making it weird.

“Harrison?” Tom asked, trying his best not to look at your phone.

“Harrison it is.” You replied, looking at your screen that lightened your face.

Hey, just wanted to say good night, hope you sleep tight beautiful. x

The wide smile forming on your face was something that Tom couldn’t unsee, and the message too.

It was stupid from him, but he was too curious.

He remained quiet, letting you text him back. After all who was he to say anything?

He was just drunk and the memories messed with his mind. Tomorrow everything will go back to normal.

“Hey wake up.”

“Tom you need to wake up, it’s seven thirty I’m going to be late and you too if you don’t get up!” The faint voice of yours woke him up.

“Shit, what did you say?” He asked, stretching himself before standing up.

“It’s seven thirty Tom, go to the bathroom freshen yourself and whatever you need to do.” You rushed through your living room and kitchen grabbing everything what you needed.

“Slow down babe, it won’t be the end of the world if you don’t come on time once.” He ran his hands underneath his shirt, making his way to the bathroom.

“Y/N, are you ready? Open up!” Anna’s voice behind the front door made you froze in place.

Shit.

“Y/N?!” She knocked on the door, waiting for you to answer.

“Just a minute Ann, I need to dress myself! Just a minute!” You panicked, sprinting to the bathroom. Luckily Tom was just entering it.

“Anna is in front of my apartment!” You whisper yelled.

“So? Let her in.” He answered calmly, not knowing why were you panicking.

“Let her in? You’re here!”

“And? It’s not like she doesn’t know I come here often.”

“It’s not that! It’s the fact you came here after my date, and that would be weird. I don’t know, just stay here in the bathroom and don’t make any noise we’re going to leave in a second, okay?” You felt horrible after you said that, not wanting to hide him.

“Yeah, yeah. See you later.” He said, slamming the door.

“Asshole.”

“Oh you’re alive!” Anna exclaimed, wrapping her hands around you.

“Sorry, I was so worn out after yesterday that I just drifted off to sleep.”

“No worries, gonna tell me everything during the ride c’mon let’s go.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” You exhaled.

“Not gonna lock the door?” She asked, chuckling at how lost you looked.

“Oh no need to, he..” You stopped talking, cursing to yourself how stupid you were.

“Oh the door? Sorry I-I didn’t listen, silly me.” You stuttered, locking it.

“Wow, Harrison really made you go all crazy. You’re so in love.” She continued to laugh, making her way to the car.

“God thank you.” You whispered, glancing at your door hoping Tom won’t unlock it right now.

“I’m listening miss.”

“Yes right. Well I don’t know Ann, I’m tongue-tied, he really impressed me.” You spoke softly.

“We went to a place where we could be alone, it had a beautiful view on everything. We drank some wine, laughed shared a few kisses and God Anna he is a dream come true.” You giggled at how excited you sounded.

“What did I tell you? I knew it he was so into you! Harrison is a real treasure Y/N, he deserves a beautiful person like you.” She almost jumped from her seat, happy to hear you had a great evening.

“I know Ann, the things he said to me? Honestly he is a lovely one, everyone should have someone like him in his life.”

“Even though he was screwed over, he still has a heart of gold and I’m happy he finally found someone who won’t break his heart all over again.” She gave you a short smile.

I hope that won’t happen Ann, I hope.

Tag List

@averyfosterthoughts @i-cant-hangout-im-drumming @timey-wimey-lovi @rachaeldonnaspiteri1 @peterparker-rickybowen-mybabies @sweetestscape @quacksonhq @stuckyyrogers @kaylinfayezink @tomhollandthing @stardustom @hannahholland1811 @yoinkyourheart @magicwithaknife @thurstyforholland @quaksonhehe @fanficscuziranout @runway-to-my-aid @definitely-not-black-cat @got-to-get-away @littlebookbengal @primadonnasdream @readheadwriter @ifntelyinspirit @juliebean247 @hes-amarillo @danicarosaline @lukesbabylon @lulueliott24 @tomshufflepuff @sandtopearl @peteysbaby @lukeys-giggle @supernaturalwriter24 @synonymforlame @goodnight-n-dayglow

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youngerdrgrey · 3 years ago

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a choice for the choiceless // a Batwoman, post-2x15 fic

about: Post 2x15, the ladies of the Bat Team try to help their friend, who seems almost resentful to be alive. How do you help someone when they’re in a place like this? + read on ao3

Notes: there was a lot in 2x15 (“Armed and Dangerous”), and this is partially me processing my own feelings, as well as everyone else’s. Spoilers below for that episode, as it picks up close after. Features the whole of our Bat Team; some Hamilfox and hints of Wildmoore feels here as well

Content Warnings: brief talk of suicidal ideology, hopelessness, and systemic violence against Black people

Luke stares out the window at The Hold Up. His shoulders cave inwards, and his neck strains to make up for the fact that he hasn’t totally turned towards the light. He watches it though. Tracks the people on the street while Sophie crosses back over to him with their coffees.

It’s been three days since Luke woke up from his coma. Sophie hasn’t spent a lot of time with him since then. Mostly, she talks with Jacob about what a new version of the Crows would require. She texts with Mary and Ryan, who swear that Luke will be back to his old self any day now. But Sophie wants to see for herself how he’s doing.

She sets his hot cup in front of him. The steam slips from the top of it. He glances over and nods his thanks in her direction.

Sophie starts light. “I’ve been meaning to congratulate you. You and Ryan really had me going when I ‘introduced’ you that day.” They’d pretended not to know each other, which gave Ryan a chance to poke fun at Luke. “I should’ve known you were joking. You don’t seem like a sweet drinks kind of guy.”

Luke picks up his cup. “I’m not.”

“Not the talkative kind of guy either?” she asks. Luke sighs into the top of his cup. Sophie offers a smile. “Hey, totally fine. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

“Probably about as good as you,” he says. His nostrils flare before he swipes under his nose. “Kate’s gone. Your mom won’t talk to you. The Crows are completely dismantled. In a few short months, you’ve essentially lost everything that you’ve spent your whole life working towards. How are you, Soph?”

On edge, with that list.

Sophie shifts back in her seat to get away from the cold facade that’s taken over Luke. She sips her own drink to buy a moment to process. He doesn’t mean to be blunt. He’s deflecting rather than talking about himself, but if Sophie can say the right thing, then maybe her words can help him out too.

“I’m… managing. I would much rather see all of this as a chance to start over.” At least that’s how she’s trying to see things. “Jacob’s getting clean. Ryan and I aren’t constantly fighting. She actually sat next to me on the couch yesterday without comment, so��. There's good stuff happening too. It’s not just a loss.”

Luke meets her eyes for a moment, but the warmth and curiosity that’s normally there is gone. Snuffed out. He takes another swig of his coffee, then sets the empty cup back onto the table.

“Glad to hear it,” he deadpans. “I’ll see you at the office.”

He pushes his chair back, and Sophie can’t find the words to tell him to stop. He walks off without another look at her. Sophie grabs her phone from her bag and calls Ryan.

Ryan speaks immediately. “Hey, how is he?”

Sophie sighs. “He’s still off.”

A walk sign beeps on Ryan’s end of the call. She says, “He came back from the dead. It can take a lot out of someone.”

“You bounced back pretty quick.” If Sophie remembers correctly, Ryan was back on the streets immediately. Sophie mourned Kate, and Ryan as Batwoman tore through the streets to try and take down the False Face Society. She didn’t shut down like this.

“I don’t think we can compare these. I said my goodbyes on that island, but Luke experienced one of the worst fears that we could have. Not to mention the constant think pieces and hashtags and infographics with him at the center. Give him some time. He’ll be fine.”

Luke has been a trending topic since the day of his shooting. Maybe he does only need time. Maybe he’ll snap out of it. But when Alice kidnapped Sophie nearly a year ago, Sophie would wake up from nightmares of being on that beam again. Nightmares where Batwoman didn’t swoop in, or the bomb went off, or Alice simply killed her. Sophie doesn’t have those nightmares much anymore. But sometimes, when she’s really stressed, or feeling extra alone, she can feel the winds whipping around her still.

Sophie clears her throat and clutches her phone a little tighter to her face. “Just keep an eye on him, okay?”

“I’m walking into the Tower right now. We’ve got him. Don’t worry.”

“Says the girl who cried in my arms last week.”

Ryan inhales sharply. “We’re not talking about that.”

Sure thing. They can just gloss over the fact that Ryan sank into Sophie’s arms like it was natural, or that they’d spent nearly ten minutes like that, just holding on and hoping that he would be okay. They’re still holding, even if they won’t admit it.

“Talk to him, Ryan. See if he talks back.”

“I will.”

Ryan puts off having a heart to heart with Luke for a few days. He’s clearly not in the mood. Every time she even tries to talk to him, he shuts her down like it’s her first week in the Bat Team all over again. So, she waits until he’s busy and tries to meet him where he’s at — beating the shit out of the punching bag in the Batcave.

The lights are barely on, so the Cave’s half in shadow. From the moment the elevator descends, all Ryan hears is the thick thud of the punching bag. The quick, hard hits of his bare fists. Luke hops from foot to foot in his fighting stance.

Ryan keeps her voice playful. “Try picking on someone your own size.” She sets him up with that. He’s got quite a few inches on her. He’d called her pocket size a few months back when she tried to show how threatening she could be outside of the suit.

But this version of Luke doesn’t even look at her. His whole body’s glistening with sweat at this point, and he grunts out, “I’m good,” before launching into a quick combo on the bag.

Ryan breezes down the catwalk to get to the training area. Closer now, he looks smaller than he used to. Like he’s not eating and instead spends all his time putting on tank tops and joggers and hiding out from the people who care about him.

She pops into her own fighting stance a few steps out of the danger zone.

“Well, I’m really good. I don’t mean to brag, but I am teaching multiple martial arts classes.”

He does a spin kick that sends the bag moving a lot further than it used to. How much time has he been spending down here? What’s he preparing for?

Luke steadies the bag. “I don’t want to fight you, Ryan.”

She takes the pause in his practice to grab the other side of the bag.

“Don’t worry, I can go easy on you. Since you’re still healing and all.” She offers him a teasing smile. His cue to joke back. It might’ve taken them a while to get there, but Ryan and Luke normally play like siblings. She’s never had a brother before him. She doesn’t want to fight either.

He sighs. “Desert rose healed me all up. It’s like it—” He readjusts the wraps on his hands. Finally, he meets her eyes, and the rage in them contradicts how forcibly still his voice sounds. “It’s like it never happened.”

Ryan says, “That’s a good thing, right? You don’t have to worry about scars come summertime.”

Luke jerks his head to the side to tell her to move. Ryan reluctantly lets the bag go, and he gets back to punching. His breath comes out short, but the way he’s hitting feels emotional. Sporadic and pained.

She takes a shaky breath. “Okay, not a good thing. You seem angry. I get anger. You said yourself that I charge into fights that I know I can’t win, and maybe that’s what I’m doing with you.” She has to talk louder over his increased punching speed. “If you want to fight, then we’ll fight. If you want to scream, then we can scream. But this silent brooding thing isn’t you, Luke.”

His head whips around to face her. The bag nearly hits him back as he scoffs at her. “You’ve known me less than a year. You have no idea who I am. Or what I want.”

She reaches her hands out to him. “Then tell me,” she pleads. “Because I want my friend back.”

The fire in his eyes gives way to something hollow. Something aching. He gulps. “Well, you got him.”

“Don’t sound so sad about it,” she says. His jaw twitches, and his nostrils flare. “Wait…. Are you sad about being back?”

Luke starts unwrapping his hands. “I’m fine, Ryan.”

She crosses over to get directly in his face. “But are you happy? Are you upset? Are you—”

“I’m fine!” he yells. His voice echoes through the Batcave, and Ryan flinches. He takes a second to drop his eyes before storming straight for the elevator. He calls over his shoulder. “You can tell Sophie that too.”

Ryan waits until he’s inside the elevator to reply. “What about Mary? You want me to lie to her too?”

Luke’s face crumbles. Then he steadies it back to stone. “Tell her whatever you want. I can’t stop you.” He flips the switch to leave.

Ryan screams because she knows he’ll hear it. Throws her weight behind a punch that sends the bag rattling on its chain.

“See,” Sophie holds her glass up for Ryan to refill, “I told you.” She frowns as she says it, which does make her normal righteousness less pronounced. The fact that she’s curled into herself on Ryan and Mary’s couch also helps lessen the blow.

Ryan dumps the last of their shared wine bottle into Sophie’s glass before plopping the bottle onto the coffee table. She settles back into her half of the couch.

Mary speaks up from her seat in the comfy chair. “What else can we do? If he’s not talking to any of us, or a therapist, then how are we supposed to get Luke back?”

Sophie shrugs.

Ryan suggests, “We could reach out to Stephanie. Maybe a nerd date will help Luke feel better.”

Mary says, “Just because you started dating Imani immediately after—”

Ryan cuts in, “I didn’t date her immediately after—”

Mary gets louder. “Yeah, you kind of did. Angelique left on the 3:15 train out of Gotham, and Imani came in at 3:30.” She rubs the tense spot between her eyebrows. “No judgment, but maybe that’s not the answer.”

Ryan glances to Sophie for a little support, but the ex-Crow finds her wine real interesting around then. Ryan should defend herself. She dated Imani to get out of her head. Angelique was her first love, but she and Ang weren’t meant to be each other’s only relationship. Waiting around wouldn’t have changed the fact that Ang was starting a new life. Ryan had to start one too.

She shifts on the couch, so her knees can tuck under her body better. Her leg bumps into Sophie’s, and neither of them make a move to shift away. Sophie stares down at their point of contact.

“Maybe he just needs to know we’re here for him. We keep showing up, and eventually, he’ll have to talk to us.”

Ryan nods. “In that case, you’re up, Mary.”

Mary sighs into her wine. “No pressure, right?”

Mary and Luke don’t hang out a ton in the real world. Usually, they’re in the Batcave when they spend time together. Or he helps her at the clinic. So, she figures that she shouldn’t exactly rock the boat too far.

Luke sits down on one of the exam chairs in the clinic. The whole space is empty, with the closed sign on the front door. He shrugs out of his jacket. She tries not to look as nervous as she feels.

“Thanks for coming down.” She wrings her hands before stopping herself and planting them firmly against her sides. “I wanted to see how the desert rose in your blood compares to mine, or Ryan’s. So, uh, it shouldn’t take too long to do the draw.”

Luke nods. “Sure thing.” He rolls the sleeve of his left arm up. “I’m all yours.”

“Right.” She chuckles, but it’s a breathless kind. The kind that she needs to clear her throat to cover.

The tray’s already prepped beside him with the needle and test tubes. She rolls her own chair to stop beside him. It’s honestly the closest they’ve been since he’s gotten out of the hospital. He probably doesn’t even remember her being there. Or what she said about needing him just before he came back. That’s probably too intense of a topic to start with.

She ties a band on his arm to make his veins pop. She wouldn’t need it normally. Luke’s got great veins. Great skin in general. Softer than she’d expect for a guy who spends all his time in the same suit. She actually hasn’t seem him in casual clothes that often, come to think of it. Does he own casual clothes?

Luke chuckles. “You’re thinking pretty hard there. First time?”

Mary springs for the needle. “Ha ha. I just… started thinking about… my dad. Because of veins! And Snakebite. He’s, um… doing better?”

He smiles at her, like actually gives a short glimpse of connection. “That’s really good to hear.”

Mary runs with it. “Yeah, and he’s talking about his feelings. And Alice even warned me that somebody might try to hurt me. It’s weird, and I don’t want Alice as my family, but it’s also nice to not feel super alone….” She pricks him then. His face scrunches for a second, and she watches the vial fill up rather than watching his face. “It’s why I’m so grateful to you and Ryan and Sophie. You’ve been my family through all of this. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Luke’s left arm twitches, but it doesn’t feel like a blood thing. More like he wants to reach out with it. She keeps her eyes low and unlatches the first vial. Grabs the second and lets that one fill too.

Luke says, “I guess it’s different for me. I have my mom, but…. Did you know she calls me every single day for check-ins?” He sounds tired but amused. “She sent me an Amazon link for a bulletproof vest yesterday. Never mind the fact that I run Wayne Tech and have literally made a better one in my sleep.” His jaw trembles. “But I get it. She almost lost me in the same exact way that we lost my dad. I-I almost did that to her.”

Mary scrambles to say, “You didn’t do anything.”

“I would have. If… if the choice were up to me, I would not have come back.” He turns to face Mary again. “A-and I love my mom. And I love our team. But I am so tired of being a part of a world like this.”

Her heart crumbles in her chest. The vial nearly overflows, and she has to grab the third one. Her hands shake as she goes for it. Her voice shakes too. “You sound kind of… schmuicidal when you say stuff like that.”

“I’m not going to kill myself,” he says. He sounds sure of that.

“But you want to die?” she asks.

“I don’t want….” He sighs and rephrases. “I just want to be somewhere else sometimes. And this whole thing has made anywhere else seem better. I mean, I was in a coma, Mary, and they were photoshopping a gun into my hand. Why would I want to be here?”

She stops the blood drawing to hold his hand. “I’m here. And Batwoman is here.”

He balls his fist beneath her grip. “And no one’s checking to see if me or Ryan are a part of the team. I’ve spent my whole life doing things the right way, and I am exhausted.”

Mary lifts her other hand to open his fist. She turns his hand so they can be palm to palm, so she can thread her fingers through his and let him feel where she’s at too. Because she might be exhausted for different reasons, but she’s tired too.

“I think it’s okay to be exhausted. And to want a break. But you can’t let all of this break you. And if it feels like it is, then I’d really like to help hold you together.” She smiles at him, and he glances away to blink some of the tears out of his eyes. She lifts her voice to add on, “Preferably with the help of a licensed psychological professional.”

“You’re not licensed, and you save lives.” He squeezes the hand in hers. “You saved me.”

Mary nods. “True, but an actual therapist could help you talk through this stuff without you feeling like you’re going to be judged, or a burden — which you’re not.” She practically scoots out of her seat to be closer to him. Her knees knock into the side of his chair, and she would totally feel ridiculous if not for the fact that he angles his body towards her too. “God, Luke, I am so glad that you’re talking to me. I want to know how you feel and what you’re going through. But I also know that a therapist can put this in a perspective that I can’t. So please consider talking to one?”

He holds her stare for a moment. “On one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Next time you want to talk, you just take me to dinner instead of taking my blood.”

Mary laughs, and Luke laughs too. “Deal.”

Luke’s in the bathroom when Mary texts the girl group chat.

Mary to 🦇 LADIES DO IT BATTER GC 🦇 He sounds better. We’re getting dinner and hopefully he’s getting a therapist.

Sophie to 🦇 LADIES DO IT BATTER GC 🦇 Great job, Mary.

Ryan to 🦇 LADIES DO IT BATTER GC 🦇 That’s my girl! Or Luke’s girl? 👀

Sophie to 🦇 LADIES DO IT BATTER GC 🦇 Ryan, they’re just getting dinner

Ryan to 🦇 LADIES DO IT BATTER GC 🦇 For now ;)

Mary leaves them on read and stuffs her phone back into her purse. Luke comes back out of the bathroom, drying his hands on a paper towel. “Ready to go?”

Mary nods. “Yeah, we’ll find our way back.” It’s the only choice they have.

a/n: The hopelessness that Luke feels in this episode and the near constant mix of emotions feel so true to my experiences over the last few years. one thing that they have gotten very right are different aspects of these Black experiences. There’s a lot to work through, and I’ve found that therapy and leaning on friends has been real helpful. Hope that Luke gets that too. Hope that you all have that as well.

Let me know how you’re feeling, re: this, or this season. Talk to me, Gotham. I’ll talk back.

#Batwoman #Luke fox #Mary Hamilton #hamilfox #batwoman fic #Ryan wilder #Sophie Moore #bat team #bat team of color #mine #Batwoman: s2 #Batwoman: 215

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glorious-spoon · 4 years ago

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When the Seasons Stop [Leverage/The Old Guard]

Title: When the Seasons Stop Fandom: Leverage; The Old Guard Pairings: Gen-ish or pre-relationship Eliot/Hardison/Parker Warnings: Temporary character death, canon-typical violence Other tags: Hurt/comfort, immortality Summary: Eliot Spencer damn well knew better than to get this close to a couple of mortals. But he never expected this.

There’s nothing new about the bullet punching through Eliot’s lung, nicking an artery and shattering a rib on its way out. He can feel the world start to squeeze and fold in a familiar way, but that’s not what worries him. What worries him is the gasping quality of Parker’s voice over the comms, the shaky way she said he’s all smashed up inside and the trail of blood zig-zagging out to the van.

Sophie’s hands grasp at him, pulling him in. Her eyes are huge and dark with tears, and Eliot can’t get the lung capacity to reassure her. Isn’t sure there’s anything worth reassuring at all when blood is soaking into the floor (Hardison will be so mad, he thinks stupidly, but it’s Hardison’s blood, his and Parker’s, and they’re sprawled there like broken toys as the van peels away into the street. There are sirens. Nate is swearing fluently and foully in the front as Sophie heaves herself through to drop into the seat beside him).

None of it fucking matters. Eliot’s vision is starting to tunnel, but he can still see Hardison gasping with blood on his lips.

“Did Eliot make it out?”

“Age of the geek, brother,” Eliot rasps, grasping for him, fumbling, fingers slick with blood. Hardison’s long fingers twitch weakly when he grips them. On his other side, Parker’s cold hand slips into his. She’s tilted back against the wall, her shirt stained with dark blood, soaking through to pool beneath her, and she’s already so cold.

She’s bleeding out, Eliot thinks vaguely, but his body is too leaden and heavy to do anything about it. His thoughts fragment into the thickening darkness, and the last thing he remembers is hoping against desperate hope that this time, this time, he won’t wake up to see the aftermath.

He comes to choking in silty water, flailing, splashing. Sinks into the dark and maybe drowns a second time before he finally surfaces. His head hits metal, and he gasps in the small pocket of air beneath it, his mind becoming aware bit by horrible bit. He’s died in a lot of bad ways since he took a bullet to the heart in the winter of 1861 and woke hours later face-down and stripped of his guns and boots in the cold Nebraska mud. But this one might just be the worst of them.

It’s too dark to see, but he fumbles until his hands close over a bony wrist, cloth and cold skin. Hardison’s, by the size. And there’s Parker floating to his left, her hair spreading out in the water and tangling around his wrist when he pulls her to him, puts a hand under her nose like he really thinks he’ll feel breathing.

Like there’s more than half a dozen people in the world who could wake up from this.

“Parker,” he rasps. His throat feels raw, and he tells himself that it’s the leftovers from breathing in river water. “Parker. Hardison. Come on. Come on.”

There’s no response. They’re cold and limp, floating lifelessly in the icy water, and Eliot can’t pretend that the heat welling up in his eyes is anything other than tears.

“Come on,” he rasps again. “Come on, Parker. Damn it, Hardison, wake up.”

There’s nothing. Just bodies, just Parker’s hair tangled around his fingers and Hardison’s expressive hands gone terribly still. Eliot drives his fist into the side of the van and feels his knuckles break and heal in an instant, and then he ducks beneath the water to check for the front of the van.

It’s empty, and he hopes with a dull, flickering sort of hope that Nate and Sophie at least got out alive. Then he goes back to pull the floating corpses of his dearest friends out through the shattered window, one after another. He loops his arms around them like this is a rescue instead of a recovery and kicks until his head breaks the swift surface of the river.

The water is deep and fast here, and it’s not easy to keep his head above it without letting go of either of his burdens, which he damn well is not going to do. He manages, at the very least, not to drown again before his feet finally find the soft mud in the shallows.

He pulls them both to the shore, scrabbling in the silty mud until they’re above the water line, and then he sinks to the ground and puts his head in his hands. Tries to breathe. Tries not to breathe, maybe, since that’s never been his problem. It doesn’t work, either way. His chest hurts like he can still feel the lingering ache of that bullet from a hundred and fifty-some years ago, but he knows it’s not that. Knows that it’s nothing more than simple grief.

He knows better, is the thing. He knows better than to get too attached. He always knew that his life would encompass both Parker’s and Hardison’s by years, centuries (millennia, if Andy is to be believed, and Eliot believes her because he’s never met another person so fucking tired of it all), but he just. He thought he’d have more time. He thought he’d get to dance at their wedding. He thought he’d get to watch Parker take over the reins from Nate and make Leverage into something lasting and real; he thought he’d get to watch Hardison going on about new computer shit for decades to come, going gray and bent and still leaning over his screens with that brilliant joy. He thought he’d get to welcome their children and watch them grow.

He thought that maybe, someday, he’d trust them both with his secret.

He thought he had more fucking time.

Something shifts to his left. Eliot lifts his head listlessly. If it’s cops, he’ll go into custody quietly. If it’s someone looking for trouble, maybe he’ll just let them kill him. Either way, he doesn’t have it in him right now to fight.

It’s neither of those things, though. Instead, Hardison’s body seizes, jerks, and then heaves upright like it’s spring-loaded. He’s hacking and coughing, vomiting murky water, his eyes so wide and wild that Eliot can see the whites all the way around. His hands dig into the mud, then lift to claw at his grimy, bloody shirt.

Cloth parts. Beneath it is bare skin, smooth and completely undamaged. No sign of the shattered bone and pulpy bruising that should be there. Hardison pats at himself frantically and finally lifts his head to meet Eliot’s eyes.

“Eliot,” he says, weak and rasping. “We—I thought—”

“Hardison,” Eliot breathes, and for a wild instant he has no idea what to think. Hardison was dead, he was dead, Eliot’s seen more dead bodies than he can count and he knows what they look like. What they feel like. Hardison was dead. Which means...

“Parker,” Hardison gasps, and then, “Parker, where’s Parker,” and before Eliot can even think to speak there’s gasping on the other side of him and Parker’s thready voice saying first Hardison’s name and then Eliot’s.

Eliot drops his head into his hands and laughs until he cries.

It takes a while to explain it. Or, to be more accurate: it takes a while to get to the closest safehouse that they can be reasonably sure isn’t compromised, which turns out to be one of Parker’s warehouses. She’s got A/C set up somehow, and clothes for both of them—Eliot recognizes the t-shirt she tosses him as one that went missing in the move to Portland all those months ago—and has even rigged up something that could generously be termed shower facilities.

“I thought you didn’t keep any of these anymore,” Hardison mumbles as she steers him to the sprayer that’s zip-tied to a pipe over a wide, shallow trough. The whole thing is brutally utilitarian in a very Parker kind of way.

“You never know when you might need to go to ground. Always be prepared.”

A ragged laugh escapes Hardison’s lips. “Boy Scouts. Cool, cool.”

Parker is busy unbuttoning his shirt; she pulls that off and starts on his pants. Hardison doesn’t squawk any objections about his modesty, which just goes to show how deeply shaken he is; Eliot turns away anyway as both their clothes hit the floor and the water sputters on. He can wait his turn. He once hiked thirty miles on the trail of horse thieves with the remnants of his own guts decorating his clothes; this isn’t even close to the most disgusting he’s ever been.

“Eliot,” Parker says firmly, and he lifts his head. They’re both naked, and he can’t quite stop himself from staring at all that smooth undamaged skin laid bare. Parker’s right shoulder is caked with blood that’s washed her entire side with red, but there’s no bullet-hole now. Beside her, Hardison is steady on his feet, standing easily on a leg that was shattered an hour ago.

They’re both alive.

Eliot blinks, then jerks his head to the side a moment too late. “Go ahead. I can wait.”

“Or you could just come here,” Hardison says, with a raw edge of humor. “You look like a drowned rat.”

“Thanks a lot,” Eliot huffs. He considers trying to argue, then finds abruptly that he doesn’t have the energy. He kicks off his boots and starts pulling his clothes off, leaving them in a stinking bloody heap on the floor. Parker and Hardison both watch him in a way that makes him feel weirdly exposed. It’s not prurient, not really. He has a feeling that they’re looking at his naked body the same way he was just looking at theirs. Cataloguing the injuries that should be there, and aren’t.

Drawing some conclusions, maybe, about all of the beatings that he’s walked away from without a limp in the time they’ve known each other.

“You got some explaining to do,” Hardison says, almost apologetically, as he draws Eliot into the tub with them. He keeps a firm grip on Eliot’s elbow like he’s expecting him to bolt, which to be fair isn’t completely outside the realm of possibility. Eliot has imagined stepping into a shower with the two of them more times than he can count, but this particular scenario never featured in his daydreams.

“Yeah,” Eliot admits, closing his eyes. The spray washes over him, rinsing away the blood and river mud, but the panic—that terrible bleak echo of grief—that lingers. “I will. I promise.”

While Parker and Hardison are getting dressed, he takes one of Parker’s burner phones and goes out behind the building to call Andy.

“I have the new ones,” he says without preamble when she picks up. He knows that she knows what he’s talking about. They’ll have dreamed this, the four of them.

There’s a long pause, and then Andy says, “Good. We’re in Afghanistan. Do you need us there?”

He can hear voices in the distance. It’s impossible to make out the words over the shitty international connection, but even so he recognizes Joe’s laughing cadence. He’s heckling someone; Booker, probably. Nicky has to be there too.

Eliot misses them all so much that it aches. He squeezes his eyes shut. “Nah. I can take care of it.”

“You know them,” Andy says. “Don’t you.”

It’s not really a question.

“Yeah,” Eliot says on a breath of laughter, all the same. “Yeah, you sure could say that.”

There’s a hell of a lot that Andy could say in response, especially after the way everything went down with Eliot and Moreau ten years back, but all she does say, after a slight pause, is, “Well, good. That’ll make it simpler. You can explain about the dreams, but we’ll be in the States by the end of the week.”

Eliot laughs again, more genuinely. “Yeah, okay. It’s— It’ll be good to see you all. I miss you.”

“We miss you too,” Andy says, very gently, and ends the call before Eliot has to find a way to do it.

When he gets back inside, Parker and Hardison are dressed and sitting at the folding table. Both of them lift their heads as he approaches.

“Where’d you go?” Hardison asks.

“Had to call a friend.” Eliot makes a face. The time for prevarication is over, but that doesn’t mean he has a damn clue how to explain this. Until right now, he’s been the baby of the gang. “Andy, her name is Andy. She’s another one. Like us.”

“Like us, like us, okay,” Hardison says. “What—what does that mean, exactly? We—you got shot. Parker got shot. I had a broken leg. We all—” He shakes his head. “What happened?”

Eliot takes a breath, opens his mouth, closes it again. Finally, bluntly, he says, “You died. We all did.”

“Cut the bullshit,” Hardison says. There’s an uncharacteristic snap to his voice. He sounds genuinely angry for the first time. Scared, too. He sounds scared. Eliot wishes like hell there was anything at all he could do to fix that, but all he has to offer is the truth.

He sighs and says, to Parker, “You got a knife?”

She reaches back without breaking her eerily intent gaze to scoop a switchblade off the table and toss it to him. Eliot plucks it out of the air and opens it, then takes a deep breath, spreads his left hand out, and drives the blade into it until the point emerges from his palm. Blood dribbles onto the floor; Hardison jolts forward with a horrified noise.

Parker is still just watching him, cool-eyed and assessing. He pulls the blade out and holds up his hand so that they can watch the hole he just made heal in seconds.

“Oh shit,” Hardison says faintly. “I think I’m gonna throw up.”

Parker stares at him a moment longer, then holds out her hand. “Can I do that?”

“It’ll still hurt,” Eliot warns her, but he hands the knife back. She cleans it carelessly on a shop rag, then tests the edge of it thoughtfully.

Hardison rubs a hand over his mouth, then says, carefully, “Babe, please don’t stab yourself. I can’t watch that twice in a row.”

“It would heal, though.” She looks up and fixes Eliot with a burning look. “Right?”

Eliot sighs. “Right.”

She nods slowly. “That wasn’t the first time you died. Was it.”

“Not by a long shot.”

Hardison looks up at that, eyes narrowed. “When was the first time?”

“1861,” Eliot sighs. “I was guarding a mail coach in the Nebraska Territory, and we were attacked, and...”

“Eighteen—eighteen sixty-one. Okay.”

“Sorry.”

“For being old as balls?”

It startles a laugh out of him. “Yeah, I guess.”

“And there’s more of you.” Hardison pauses. “Of us.”

“Yeah. Four—” He pauses, winces. Thinks of Quynh, drowning and drowning under the ocean. Her deaths have been in his dreams for well over a hundred years. She’s been a constant companion, even if he’s never met her and probably never will. “Five more.”

“Are they older than you, or younger?”

“Older. Lots older.”

“So what you’re saying, basically,” Hardison says, “is that we’re immortal.”

“Yeah,” Eliot says dryly, “that was the general gist of it.”

Parker is starting to smile, wild in a way that’s almost inhuman. “Oh, I’m going to jump off the Sears Tower without a harness.”

“Babe,” Hardison says again, but he sounds distracted as he pulls a tablet toward him.

“You’ll still die,” Eliot tells her.

“Yeah,” she says dismissively, “but I’ll come back. Right?”

“Please don’t jump off the Sears Tower,” Hardison says absently. He chews on his lower lip as he does something on the tablet, shifting lights on the screen reflecting in his eyes. “Okay. Good news, Nate and Sophie are okay. Bad news, Sophie is in the hospital and Nate’s been taken into custody in Highpoint Tower.” He looks up and meets Eliot’s eyes, expression challenging. “We need to get him out.”

Eliot nods, relieved. “Yeah. We do.”

Hardison nods too. He looks a little easier now—with a task at hand, with proof that the others are still alive, with the knowledge that he’s still him, Eliot doesn’t know. “Okay. That’s what we’ll do. And when we’re done we’re gonna come back here and you’re gonna answer all of our questions. Right?”

Eliot considers that moment on the river bank when he thought they both were dead. He considers the interrogation Hardison is going to subject him to, and the batshit insane stunts that Parker is going to pull, and he feels himself smiling, broad and helpless. “Anything you want.”

#leverage #the old guard #my fic #blood and gore #??#i guess

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thepandapopo · 4 years ago

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A Step Through Time Chapter 3: Wishes Do Come True

Synopsis: In which Sylvain comes to a horrible realization and Felix learns something new.

Mercedes and Annette learn that they should really give disclaimers whenever they tell kids about wishing wells.

Pairing: SylVix

Chapter Index 1 / 2 / 3

It only takes a week for Sylvain to decide that his newfound knowledge about Felix’s sexuality is a horrible, horrible curse.

The type of curse that is initially disguised as a blessing because Sylvain is ecstatic that he might actually have a chance, but is really a curse because now he can’t stop noticing how many men seem to linger around Felix.

Did Felix always have this many men around him?

Sylvain never noticed it before, but now he cannot help but note that whenever he’s not sparring with Felix, there never seems to be a shortage of male soldiers clambering to challenge the sword master. In fact, if Sylvain is being honest, they all seem a little too eager to test their blade against the Fraldarius heir. Of course, none of them ever manage to win, but that doesn’t stop them from approaching Felix even on his grumpiest of days.

Sylvain doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like it one bit.

And if anyone notices that Sylvain is now sharpening his lance with a tad more force than absolutely necessary in the shadows of the training grounds while glaring holes at anyone who approaches his best friend… well, no one says anything because they’ve all seen him skewer his enemies with negligible effort.

“Lord Fraldarius! Sir!”

A new recruit that Sylvain can’t bother to remember the name of jogs up to Felix with a sword in hand and a traitorous part of his brain notes that he’s well built and boyishly handsome.

“Would you be willing to spar against me again? The pointers you gave me last time really helped to improve my form and I’m hoping that you could do the same again.” The soldier stands with his shoulders back and spine straight in the perfect picture of respect, but Sylvain has done this song and dance enough times that he can spot the underlying flirtatious tilt of his head and innocently deceptive tone.

If this were the first time that he had approached Felix, Sylvain would have given him a pass. Hell, even a second or third time would be okay. But this is the fifth time this week that his recruit has approached Felix, and Sylvain cannot figure out for the life of him why Felix is giving him the time of day when he could so clearly go practice sword forms on his own.

So, in typical Sylvain fashion, he saunters over to interrupt their conversation.

“How about you spar against me instead?” To his smug delight, Felix doesn’t shrug off the arm that he throws casually around his shoulder. “I’d be happy to train with you. Plus, that gives Felix the opportunity to focus on critiquing you and giving you pointers.”

Sylvain picks up a training lance and gives it an expert twirl, muscle memory taking over as his feet slide into a ready stance that he could probably replicate in his sleep. There’s something fierce stirring in his gut and he can feel his body jittering restlessly; Sylvain has never been a fan of training (at least not as much as Felix), but his senses are on overdrive today and his mind is focused solely on winning.

“On my mark.” Felix puts away his own training sword and walks over towards a nearby pillar to watch the match. He crosses his arms across his chest and Sylvain can’t help but let his eyes distractedly trace the bulging lines of his biceps that drift down towards a tapered waist…

Damn it.

Now he’s turned on, frustrated and jealous.

A piercing whistle cuts through the air and Sylvain sends a silent half-hearted apology to the new recruit before lunging forward at full strength.

----

“You should have held back.”

“I did.”

His younger self snorts while cutting into his pheasant, “I’ve been your sparring partner for years. And I’ve fought by your side enough times to know what it looks like when you’re not holding back.”

A small smile creeps onto Felix’s face. He really shouldn’t be eavesdropping on his past self’s conversation with Sylvain, but watching the red headed flirt stumble over himself with this new information has been more than a little amusing.

In his timeline, Felix is the one who is always flustered – although admittedly less so now, so it’s nice seeing the tables turn for once even if it’s not with his Sylvain.

Felix doesn’t give any indication that he is eavesdropping – his gaze is still fixed on his own meal and on little Sophie beside him, who has her tongue adorably stuck out while carefully eating wobbling spoonfuls of Onion Gratin Soup.

“I’m surprised that you’ve been helping train the newer soldiers.” Felix can tell from the offhanded way Sylvain tosses the comment out that he’s fishing for information. There’s a subtle edge in his voice that Felix can only hear from years of learning how to avoid arguments with his husband.

“Why? It makes sense. Byleth said she wants more swordsmen to add to my battalion and if they’re going to be fighting with me, then I need to make sure they’re up to my standard.”

“Fe, no offense but your standard is a bit high.”

“Your standard is just low.”

Felix is eternally grateful for Sophie when she masks his snort of laughter with a request for another bread roll.

“That’s not true! Admit it Fe, you always have extremely high standards for everything.” There’s a nervous energy to Sylvain’s prattle, like he’s stalling time to build up courage. “Not that it’s a bad thing! But it is true that you have that expectation for all aspects of your life.”

“Really,” his younger self says dryly, “like what?”

“Like your taste in partners.”

Honestly, Felix is impressed that Sylvain held out as long as he did before caving and broaching the subject with his younger self, but that doesn’t make it any less awkward or mortifying for Young Felix. He’s only listening in on this conversation and he can practically feel the embarrassment that is flooding his counterpart, but that will be nothing compared to the absolute disaster this conversation is headed towards.

Is it considered masochism if Felix is kind of enjoying this?

“We are not talking about this.”

“Aw, come on, Fe! What did you think of that recruit? He was pretty cute.”

The violent coughing that follows is concerning enough that Sophie turns to look worriedly.

(“Papa, is he okay?”

“I’m sure he is, Sophie.” But not for long.)

“What?”

“The guy I was sparring! He was totally interested in you, by the way. Cute face, decent body, but kind of weak.”

“Goddess, kill me now - wait. You… since when were you interested in men?”

“Uh. Since forever? Fe, haven’t you ever heard Ingrid complain about me? I ‘flirt with anything that has a pulse’ – her words, not mine.”

As much as Felix is enjoying the explosive trash fire that is this conversation, he isn’t a fan of everyone in the dining hall knowing their business and judging by the steadily increasing volume of their conversation, there are at least a few others eavesdropping now as well, curious as to what has gotten the two nobles so riled up.

“What the actual fuck, Sylvain. Why have you never told me you were interested in men?”

“I thought you knew!”

“How was I supposed to know if you never told me?”

“I don’t know, I’m sorry!”

His younger self looks like he is on the verge of either combusting or stabbing Sylvain so Felix takes it upon himself to intervene. Sophie, who has since finished her dinner, tilts precariously to the side as her eyelids droop. With one hand, Felix ushers his daughter off the bench and towards the front of the dining hall while his other hand drips the tray laden with their dishes. When Sophie is finally far enough ahead that she will not hear him, Felix takes the opportunity to casually stroll by the two men.

His presence alone is enough to shut them both up and Felix can’t help but let the corners of his mouth twitch upwards.

As much as he would love to see the red head squirm some more, he does love the idiot and he cannot help but say something to him and ease his guilt. “To be completely honest, we already had a feeling.”

Once again, Felix finds himself on the receiving end of his infamous glare but he can’t find it within himself to care as long as he can end this conversation quickly. Consider it a mercy to his younger self, or to their privacy in general.

“Oh, and just so you’re aware,” Felix calls over his shoulder as he walks away, his calm voice at odds with the small shit eating smirk on his face, “Sylvain knows about us now too.”

Felix doesn’t stick around long enough to see the consequences of his words, instead quickly catching up to his daughter and scooping her up before depositing their dishes and heading back to his room.

----

Perhaps it is the consequence of eating cheese for dinner that catalyzes the stream of ridiculous night terrors combined with the fact that the Gautier cheese used in the soup was reminiscent of home, but when Sophie wakes up for the third time that night in tears and crying for her Daddy, Felix swears that he is never letting his daughter eat Onion Gratin soup before bed ever again.

A lone candle sends flames dancing in their assigned room, casting shadows across the walls that flicker hypnotizingly and threaten to drag Felix back down into the dredges of sleep if not for his crying daughter in his arms.

As much as it breaks his heart to see Sophie in tears, there is very little Felix can actually do to make her feel better. He isn’t the one she misses, and he doesn’t have the magical capabilities to perform the time travel spell by himself – not that he would even consider risking the safety of his daughter in an experimental spell to begin with (speaking of which, he’s going to have a chat with Linhardt about how Sophie managed to get herself sent to the past when he gets back).

It certainly doesn’t help the situation that he is due to leave on a two day mission in the morning, which is why he shows up exhausted at Annette and Mercedes’ doors at sunrise dropping off a still slumbering Sophie in their care for the next couple of days.

Sophie may not be either his nor Sylvain’s biological daughter, but she certainly inherited some traits from her fathers; and the one thing that her and Sylvain have in common is that they both like to indulge in sweets whenever they are feeling particularly sad.

And so, with a request to bake cookies with Sophie and a hasty reminder to not let her eat too many sweets lest she get a stomachache, Felix hurries off to join his battalion that is set to depart shortly after breakfast.

Which is exactly how Annette finds herself sitting on a stool watching Mercedes and Sophie cut out cute little shapes from their rolled-out cookie dough.

“Sorry Mercie, I promise I’ll help out next time when there’s less… risk of fire involved.”

Mercifully, the healer simply laughs and waves off the apology; after all, it is no secret that Annette has an uncanny ability to make things explode in the kitchen without meaning to.

“Oh that’s quite alright, Annie. After all, I have a wonderful little helper already – isn’t that right, Sophie?”

Sophie doesn’t reply but continues to meticulously push the Pegasus shaped cookie cutter into the dough.

“Sophie…?”

Peering over the counter, Annette tilts her head so that she can see past the curtain of crimson that reveals teary honey eyes and a bottom lip wobbling dangerously with barely held back sniffles.

“Oh dear, what’s wrong Sophie? Do you want a different shape?” Mercedes coos and gently turns her so that both her and Annette can fully see her expression.

One lone tear manages to drip past long brown lashes before the flood gates open.

“I…I m-miss…” Sophie chokes out before abruptly stopping, her face scrunching up in distress.

Sweeping her dress under her knees, Annette crouches down to Sophie’s eye level and smooths her hair back in a comforting gesture. “Who do you miss, sweetie?”

Once more, a flash of uncertainty and reluctance crosses her expression before Sophie finally breaks down and whispers, “I miss Daddy.”

There must be something else bothering the little Fraldarius, Mercedes and Annette conclude after an hour of fruitlessly trying to comfort Sophie that Felix will be back before you know it, because nothing they say seems to elicit any reaction other than Sophia stubbornly insisting that she misses her Daddy. Any attempts to cajole further elaboration merely ends in Sophia clamming up with more tears, looking guilty as if she has broken an unknown rule.

“Sophie, are you sure you don’t want to tell us more about what’s bothering you?” Mercedes frowns. “Is there something more than you missing Felix?”

Flour streaked hands grab the hem of her dress to wipe away the errant tear tracks on her cheeks. Shaking her head once more, Sophia invokes her Fraldarius stubbornness and repeats her mantra. “I miss Daddy.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Annette pauses for a moment as an idea strikes her. There really isn’t anything to lose considering nothing else they have done so far has helped – not even the freshly baked cookies. “Hey, Sophie? Have you ever heard of a wishing well?”

“Wishing…well?” Little eyebrows scrunch up in curiosity.

Annette beams. “Yeah! It’s where you go when you have something you are wishing for that you really, really want to come true. I like to go there whenever I am feeling sad so that I can make a wish. How about we take you there so you can make a wish for your Daddy to come home faster?”

“I can wish to see Daddy?”

The hope stirring in her eyes makes Annette’s chest clench guiltily, but she’s desperate to cheer up this little girl who has taken up resident in her heart with her radiant smiles and cheer.

“Yep! They say that if you wish really, really hard that the Goddess will hear you and grant whatever you ask for.”

“Really?” Sophie turns to Mercedes with wide eyes in search of confirmation.

Smiling back, Mercedes nods. “Yes, that’s true. But if you want your wish to reach the Goddess, you must bring an offering that is connected to your wish. Do you know anything that your Daddy likes? Maybe something we can get from the pantry?”

“Cookies.”

There’s a beat of silence as Annette and Mercedes stare at each other.

Felix doesn’t like cookies.

“Uhh… are you sure you wouldn’t rather just eat the cookies?” Annette asks; neither of them are willing to call out a child, much less a distraught one. “Maybe there’s something else we can find?”

Even though they’ve only known Sophia Fraldarius for a little while, it doesn’t take a genius to know by the set of her shoulders and pout that her mind is made up, leaving the older girls no choice but to follow along, bundling up mini Pegasus cookies in a Mercedes’ white handkerchief and setting off for the well just outside the Cathedral’s main hall.

Thankfully, it is a relatively warm day and the wind does little to bother them, despite their high altitude. When the well comes into view, Sophie’s excitement grows with each step and by the time they reach the stone structure, the knot holding the handkerchief together threatens to spill cookies across the floor, loosened by her excited skipping.

“Oookay,” Annette claps her hands together and grins. “Before we make our wish, we need to make sure we properly present our offering.”

Placing the wrapped goods on the ledge of the well, all three girls take a step back and clasp their hands with Mercedes leading their prayer.

“Dear Goddess, we are grateful for your kindness and compassion. We offer these items in hopes that you will hear our wish and grant us what we seek. May you always watch over us and protect those we hold dear.”

Taking a step forward, Mercedes makes the first wish. “I wish for all our friends and comrades to come home safe from their battles.”

From Sophie’s other side, Annette goes next. “I wish to see improvements in my faith magic so that I can protect my friends.”

When it comes to her turn, Sophie steps forward hesitantly with her hands clutched to her chest. “I…I wish that I could see Daddy.”

Stepping back, Sophia hastens to mimic the other two and claps her hands twice to finish the ritual.

Even when they turn to head back towards the dining hall for dinner, Sophia carries her wish in her heart and repeats the prayer through the rest of the day and into bed. By the time she finally manages to fall asleep, her heart is swollen with enough hope that it chases away the night terrors and leaves her with dreams of riding through fields with the person she misses the most.

----

On the next day, Sophie rises with the sun.

Though still bleary eyed and exhausted, excitement runs like electric through her body and propels her from bed in a rush to get dressed in a forest green dress that matches a shirt she has seen in her fathers’ wardrobe.

If her wish really does come true, then Sophie wants to look her best so that her Daddy knows she has been taking care of herself and not out romping in the bush, wrecking havoc for her caretakers like she does so often when she visits the capital.

Breakfast crawls by ever so slowly, time moving with the same speed that her gloopy porridge drips from her spoon, but eventually the dining hall clears out and Sophie is able to drag Mercedes and Annette to the entrance of the main hall where she plants herself on the stone wall atop the staircase leading down to the marketplace.

“To make sure I don’t miss Daddy!” She had declared proudly to her caretakers when asked why she had picked this spot to settle down at.

Burnt sienna eyes focus heavily on the portcullis that protects the entrance to Garreg Mach. Even as the sky climbs higher in the sky and the noon bell tolls, Sophie does not leave her post, instead opting to eat her lunch consisting of sandwiches outside on her perch.

But as the hours of the day begin to count down and the sun sinks lower and lower towards the horizon, Sophie cannot stop the gnawing darkness of doubt that coils in her gut and grows stronger with the fading daylight.

“Still waiting?” Sylvain asks as he joins the small group of friends that have gathered anxiously anticipating the tears that will inevitably come when Sophie realizes that sometimes wishes don’t come true.

“It… probably wasn’t the best idea to give her false hope.” Ingrid frowns. “How are we going to console her when Felix doesn’t come back? He’s not due to arrive for another day.”

Letting out a moan, Annette drags a hand down her face. “I know! I shouldn’t have mentioned anything. Now she’s going to be even more upset.”

“Why don’t you just tell her that Felix isn’t coming back tonight then?”

“Because Linhardt,” Leonie rolls her eyes. “We’re not monsters who go around killing children’s hopes and dreams.”

“All I’m saying is that the upfront disappointment might be the better alternative.”

“I’m sure we can just talk to her and explain that Felix will be back the day after tomorrow.” Mercedes reasons.

When the dinner bell tolls, it echoes throughout the courtyard and through the now-empty stalls. The sky glows with reds, pinks, and oranges that are slowly fading into the dark blue of the night sky, casting their last brilliant rays on the earth.

The sniffling that ensues shortly after the bell chime fades is expected, but no less painful.

“Is… is Daddy not coming?” It’s almost unfair how lethal Sophie’s teary face is as it cuts into their hearts.

“I’m sorry, Sophie.” Dorothea says, wrapping up the little Fraldarius in a tight hug. “I’m sure Felix is doing his best to come back soon. He’ll be here for sure in another day or so.”

Leonie flashes her best reassuring smile. “Yeah! I’m sure that Felix will be on his way home soon.”

“But I miss Daddy.”

More tears are coming now and the panic among the adults is steadily increasing.

Ashe and Annette do their best to offer small placating reasons as to why Felix hasn’t come back, however despite their best efforts, Sophie’s distress grows and grows until she is sobbing just as hard as when they first found her in the middle of the sealed forest.

“I want Daddy!”

“Hey, hey.” Dorothea coos. “It’s okay, no need for tears! Why don’t we get you inside first, hm? Sylvain can give you a piggy back ride, would that make you feel better?”

Ever on the same page as her girlfriend, Ingrid quickly drives her elbow into Sylvain’s ribs and pushes him forward.

“Ouch! Er. Yeah! Of course. How about it, Sophie? Want a ride back to the dining hall?” Sylvain beams and offers up his hands, but quickly retracts them when the wails increase in volume.

“Sylvain! What did you do?”

“What?! I didn’t do anything!”

Ingrid huffs. “Well, clearly you did. Listen to her! She’s crying even louder-“

“Rider at the gate!” The shout from the sentry breaks cuts through their argument and for one blessed moment, everything falls silent except for the sound of sniffling and hoofbeats on stone that grows ever louder as it approaches.

“Rider? Not a messenger?” Caspar frowns. It’s an odd announcement – there are very few people who are brave enough to travel solo during war – and the sentries know and recognize the Resistance army’s trusted messengers.

Which means that whoever is approaching is an ally, or someone they recognize… which is even more odd because everyone they know is either already accounted for inside the walls of Garreg Mach or are out on missions and not due back for a few days.

But when the portcullis finally raises and the oaken doors part, they too recognize the person astride the horse, now galloping through the marketplace with hair the colour of crimson flame and very familiar honey eyes trained only on the weeping child seated on the stone wall.

They all continue to gape silently in various states of shock even as the rider slows to a stop at the foot of the stairs.

“What the-“

It’s undeniable now.

If the Resistance Army thought it was weird that they now had two Felix’s, they were definitely not prepared for the arrival of an older looking Sylvain Jose Gautier decked out in noble regalia with another Lance of Ruin strapped to his back.

The lazy grin he flashes them is unmistakably Sylvain, but when his eyes finally return back to Sophie, his expression morphs into something so soft that it leaves the current Sylvain reeling.

“Hey sweetheart, did you miss me?”

Sophie wastes no time in scrambling to her feet and dashing down the stone banister to throw herself into the arms of the older looking Sylvain.

“Daddy!”

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

Author’s Note: This was so weird to write. Originally I wanted to do it in Sylvain's POV, but then it switched to Felix's POV, then I realized that I defaulted to active voice for Sylvain's part and told myself I would go back and change it to passive voice, but then the chapter just kept morphing and morphing and dear lord I don't know.

Imma just leave it in active voice for now. Because that's what feels right LOL. Maybe I'll have to scrap my whole passive voice practice; this chapter was hard enough to write as it is. English is hard. (Says the person with a major in English Literature).

Tag List: @pato-social

#A Step Through Time #Fire Emblem Three Houses #fire emblem 3 houses #fire emblem #Sylvix #sylvain jose gautier #felix x sylvain #sylvain x felix #felix hugo fraldarius #time travel AU #Popo writes #Original Character #sophia gabriella fraldarius gautier

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devourer--of--books · 4 years ago

Text

tagatha dating simulator au

- It’s sunday night and local college student, Agatha, hasn’t sleep in two days, practically glued to her chair at the library, trying to absorb the maximum of information she possibly could before finals on monday morning.

- Sitting across from her is her roommate and best friend, Sophie, who doesn’t seem nearly as concerned, playing a game on her phone. Mostly because she already failed half of her courses and is considering dropping out of college to pursue a modeling career, why try at this point-

- Agatha appreciates that Sophie is keeping her company, she really does, but even if her friend was using headphones, Agatha can still hear the background music and the voice actors very clearly. That on its own was distracting enough, but it was always the same lines, with the background music looping as Sophie restarted the game prologue over and over again.

- Around the fifth time she hears the app-staring-exclamation ‘milady!’ her eye starts twitching.

- By the twelfth she slams her book shut, earning herself a glare from all the remaining students in the library.

- “How terrible do you have to be at a game to not be able to get through the prologue?” she whisper-shouts, taking the sit beside Sophie, looking at the screen.

- “That’s not the problem,” her friend defends, proceeding to explain the game.

- Trial by Tale is a recently released dating simulator that has managed to gather a cult-like following. The game was praised for its diverse range of LIs, well-written routes, stellar voice acting, high-quality art style and a beautiful soundtrack. It was apparently highly addicting as well, as Agatha had never seen Sophie be that invested in... any game... like, ever.

- Basically, the main character was transported inside a fairytale-fantasy-like world, where they were introduced as a ‘reader’ to compete in the ‘trial by tale’, a inter-worldly tournament, set up by a mysterious entity (a magical pen known as ‘the storian’), in which the winner would be granted an unconditional wish.

- “Original,” Agatha snorts.

- “Can you just shut up and listen?”

- During the prologue, the main character meets most of the main LIs and according to the player’s decisions, the game would put them into a specific route, based on affection levels with each datatable character.

- There were about thirty bad endings for the casual route (where the player either made stupid choices or didn’t gather enough affection with any LI), ranging from mildly sad to terribly gory. Then, each route had five early bad endings, that could happen during the trial, resulting in the main character’s death.

- If the player managed to win the tournament with the LI, bargaining with the storian for the survival of two competitors, then two new endings would be unlocked: a normal ending, in which the reader would wish to go home and a happy ending, in which the reader wished to remain forever in the fairytale world living happily ever after with their partner.

- “And that’s where it gets weird,” Sophie pauses, opening up the Trial By Tale wiki page. “Every single LI has a walkthrough and seven possible endings.”

- She shows Agatha a bunch of characters, offering some commentary on their personalities and backstories. Then, she pauses at the last. "All but one." The character is the prettiest, if not a bit too perfect. ‘Tedros of Camelot’, it says on the top of his page, his basic info and biography listed to the side, but it’s full of gaps, blanks and ‘???’s. It was mentioned that he was a dateable character, yet no walkthrough was provided.

- “Why doesn’t it say anything? Has he not been released?”

- “No one has managed to get his route so far, but according to the game developers, it’s possible. We don’t even know what his voice sounds like.”

- “And you think you will because…?”

- “I’m me. I’m getting Tedros’ route even if it’s the last thing I’ll do.”

- Agatha decides to leave her be, going back to the books, while asking for her to at least lower the volume.

- An hour or so goes by until Sophie grows hungry and decides to leave the library, going back to the dorm. After that, Agatha finally manages to concentrate, and time goes by in a flash.

- In fact, it passes so quickly that she’s not even sure what time it was. When did everyone leave?

- Her phone is dead and the clock on the wall is frozen at midnight. Probably broken, Agatha decides. It couldn’t be midnight, the lights were still on, the library closed at 10:30pm sharp and no one came to kick her out. She was tired, but she wasn’t deaf. She calls for the librarian.

- All the lights turn off at once. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t freak her out a bit.

- Then, she notices a blue glow from under the table. Please don’t let it be a demon.

- It’s a smartphone, with a bedazzled case, a loading blue screen emitting the light. Trial By Tale’s soundtrack starts to play and soon enough the words appear. Touch anywhere to start. That was Sophie’s phone. Which would be fine and normal and okay if Agatha wasn’t pretty sure Sophie left with it.

- The music starts to loop, and Agatha uses the light to guide her to the entrance, only to find it locked. Every other exit was blocked as well. Ha. Funny.

- Eventually, she surrenders, clicking on the screen, trying to close the app. The last thing she hears is ‘milady!’ and everything turns black as she feels the floor disappear from under her feet, her consciousness fading as she fell into an abyss of darkness.

- She wakes up lying on grass, near a gate, the words Trial By Tale engraved on top of it.

- She pinches herself, feeling it sting as she stared at the gate, pinching harder and harder to the point she nearly screamed in pain. The gate was still there. Agatha focus on her senses. She’s never able to smell things on her dreams.

- This place smells like dirt, pines, dried blood and iron.

- It’s a dream, she tries to convince herself. Very vivid dream, but it’s a dream.

- A bunch of floating text appears in front of her: Welcome, competitors!

- The storian tells Agatha everything Sophie already told her: it’s a tournament, in which 40 teens from different fairytale kingdoms, including the reader world, must compete amongst themselves for survival during 24 hours. You could pair up with someone, forming an alliance, but there could only be one winner. Then, the world froze, turning black and white, three options appearing in thin air:

A: I’m a boy

B: I’m a girl

C: I’m neither/both/something else.

- Agatha experiments. The text didn’t respond to her voice or gestures; she had to touch it. B. They disappeared up in smoke, being replaced by a new choice:

A: climb over the gate early

B: go in as soon as the gong goes off

C: run into the woods

- All of those sound horrible, she’ll hang around here, thank you very much.

- Agatha decides to pick B, because it sounded the least likely to get her killed. Tapping the option, color returns and more texts appears, telling her the rest of the rules. Apparently, all forms of magic and weapons were allowed, as it was a tournament to the death.

- Well, she had neither a weapon nor any magic, geez, things were certainly looking up.

- A gong can be heard and Agatha waits for her legs to magically move according to her choice.

- They don’t.

- She debates on staying put for a few minutes, maybe way too many, but then she remembers: casual route endings vary from mildly sad to terribly gory. Agatha doesn’t wanna find out which one she’d get by sticking around.

- Her future now depends on her romancing one of these pieces of code. Thankfully, it was just a dream, right?

- Inside the arena (?), she gets some other choices, which Agatha uses to her advantage, trying to figure out which LI she was going for and how to win them over.

- Hort, according to her friend, was the easiest to please and the most boring of them all. Nicola was efficient and Sophie had managed to unlock her happy ending without a walkthrough. Aric was a psycho, and so was Japeth. Don’t pick Rhian, her friend had warned. Anadil was a hard one to guess without the walkthough, Hester was super hot and Agatha’s type but that could go very wrong (clearly her type wasn’t working out, as she was painfully single) and-

- Is that Japeth or Rhian? She can’t tell, but he’s coming her way.

A: introduce yourself

B: try to kill him

C: hide behind the rock

- She chooses C, but climbs a tree instead, because he surely would be able to see her behind the rock, was he blind or something?

- “You sure are taking your time choosing,” a voice whispers from the branch above her, nearly giving her a heart attack, “...first time player maybe? Or just dumb?”

- Tedros, the mysterious character, was looking down at her, resting on a higher branch.

- Agatha glares at him before blurting: “You’re shorter than you look on your CG.”

- He chokes. “You can hear me?”

- “Why are you british?” she notices the accent, given how different it sounded from all the other voice actors.

- “I’m bi,” he frowns at her in offended confusion.

- (The himbo energy in this bus is astronomical.)

- They bicker a bit and Japeth grows suspicious of the hushed conversation, nearing the tree. Tedros asks for her help taking him down. Agatha is like, sure, whatever at this point, just trying to forget that Tedros broke the fourth wall. It’s a dream, don’t overthink too much.

- She distracts Japeth, and Tedros tries to ambush him, but it backfires horribly, resulting in Tedros now being a few seconds away from dying a very very painful death.

A: run away

B: ally yourself with Japeth

- Agatha hesitates over option A, convincing herself that Tedros wasn’t a real person. He was a just a character in a game. But while the entire world is black and white waiting for her answer, she swears his eyes remain icy blue.

- Trick of the light?

- She presses A but throws herself towards Japeth, colliding with him. Agatha ends up being stabbed in the arm, but otherwise fine, which is more than Japeth can say, as he fell into a conveniently located black hole. That hurt like a bitch, how is this a dream?

- Tedros is shook.

- “What did you do? How did you even-” he eyes the blood in her arm. “You’re bleeding!” Tedros rips his shirt to wrap it around the wound, and Agatha does her best not to stare at him while he tends to the wound.

- A blue ribbon in the sky tells Agatha she is now on Tedros’ route. A ribbon they can both read.

- “That’s… troublesome.”

- “What, is your route cursed or something?”

- “...”

- “It’s totally cursed, isn’t it?”

- They argue a bunch and Agatha tries to ditch him but ends up almost dying twice. Tedros saves her, and insists that since he accidentally gave her his route, he’ll help her stay alive for as long as he can.

- Together they figure out that Agatha’s ability to disobey the game choices might be able to uncurse his route, hopefully sending her home by the end and resetting the game as it was meant to be, allowing people play his route.

- Agatha is pretty sure Tedros is not telling her something, but she kinda does owns him her life now (“2x1, sucks to suck, reader.”) and he offered to share some of his food and hiding spot with her. Doesn’t hurt that he clearly knew how to fight and had a big sword, while Agatha had.... free will and nothing else apparently???

- They end up talking over fruits and water (we love a healthy king) in a cave and Agatha finds out basically every other character’s backstory, learning a ton about the context of these trials as well as what the game felt like for the characters.

- According to Tedros, every other character was doomed to repeat the same route and actions following the reader’s choices, only to lose all memories by the end, as the game reseted. They were all blissfully ignorant of the fact that this was, in fact, a dating simulator. All of them but Tedros. When Agatha asks him why, he closes off:

- “Every single character has a core wish they want fulfilled. It can be the same wish every time, or it can change once your route resets. My original wish contradicted the memory reset, so no one has been able to play my route at all. And if no one plays, I can’t reset. If you go home and the game resets, I’ll make a different wish and my route should be fixed for good.”

- Agatha doesn’t ask what he wished for and he doesn’t tell her either; it feels like way too personal of a question for strangers eating berries in a cave.

- She does ask him what his new wish will be, though.

- “I’ll restore my kingdom back to its former glory,” he starts, a certain sadness in his eyes. “They deserve a prince who doesn’t waste time wishing for-” Tedros interrupts himself, telling her about his kingdom instead.

- Agatha knows he’s related to King Arthur due to his name on the Trial By Tale wiki, but she’s surprised that he actually gives her that info willingly. He is indeed the prince of Camelot, but his mother abandoned the palace when he was nine and then his father died a few years later, sending the kingdom into despair and disgrace.

- (“That’s rough, buddy.”)

- To lighten the mood, she decides to tell him about ‘the reader world’.

- “To exist in your world might be something then,” he smiles, “I mean, beats hanging around here. You said you have a machine that can play music anytime you want?”

- Tedros is fascinated with everything and asks her about all sorts of stuff, like about politics, lgbtqa+ rights, tik tok, food, the economy, school and fashion trends. Also, memes, lots of memes.

- They spend like 8 hours straight hidden in a cave, just talking, bickering and actually having a lot of fun. The lack of choices even makes her forget she was still in a game.

- Tedros notices how tired she looks and offers to keep watch while she sleeps.

A: say no as a joke

B: outright refuse

- Agatha taps A.

- “Sure, do you mind if I lean on you though?”

- Is this like a date or are we like doing my route and you’re sleeping on my arm platonically? Tedros is shook, part 2.

- Agatha tries not to fall asleep, but she does take a nap, leaning on his shoulder. Surprisingly enough, an hour later she’s still alive, but her head was now on his lap and he was petting her hair.

- “Hi.”

A: get up

B: kiss him

- She doesn’t wanna get up, but she doesn’t really feel like kissing him would be appropriate for the moment. She presses B, yet remains still for next few minutes. Tedros looks a bit disappointed, as if he was waiting for her.

- “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”

- “Do you want me to?”

- He doesn’t reply immediately, running his fingers through her hair. “Everyone wants to kiss me. I’m hot, I’m a prince and I’m rich.”

- “You’re gonna need to do better than that to get me to kiss you,” Agatha tells him. “If we survive this I’ll kiss you once, just before we unlock your normal ending and I go home. For a CG.”

- “But then I won’t remember it at all.”

- The comment makes her nervous. Once this is over and Tedros gets his route unlocked, he’s gonna be just another character. He’ll say things like that to everyone. Agatha has to chastise herself for growing attached to a video game character. He’s not real. He wasn’t yours to begin with, you’ve known him for less than a day. Get a grip.

- They stay in silence until another gong goes off, the storian’s text showing up in the air: “12 hours left. Only 10 competitors remain.”

A: stay in the cave

B: leave

- Agatha chooses B and they head out of the cave to see who else was alive, just in time to not be crushed under heavy rocks. Strangely they don’t bump into anyone. What they do run into, though, is a bunch of traps and creatures meant to randomly eliminate competitors. Great.

- Somehow, Agatha always chooses the right option and alters her actions just enough to save them at the last minute. Is she a pro-gamer? One can only marvel at how lucky she’s been getting in this game. No, but like, really, is she? Tedros is impressed.

- At the 6 hour mark, there’s 4 people left, including the two of them. He’s been eyeing Agatha weirdly and she doesn’t know what to think of it because she liked hanging out with him, but at the same time, he is a piece of code.

- There’s like, a dramatic confrontation with the other two competitors, which turn out to be Aric and Hester, not as a pair, but as individuals, and it ends up working out in Tedros and Agatha’s favor, as those two end up murdering each othe while Tedros and Agatha have the advantage of teamwork. It’s a great action sequence, but if you’ve read this far, I’m pretty sure you’re not here for the action.

- Anyway, the storian appears, but unlike the other routes, instead of giving Agatha the opportunity to bargain for them both to survive, her options are:

A: kill Tedros

B: kill Tedros

- Agatha doesn’t tap either. She stays still, glaring at the pen while the world remained black and white.

- Then, the entire arena starts to shake, the game glitching as Tedros moves, his colors fading in and out, his expression tortured, as if just smiling at her was painful, his eyes glowing unnaturally blue. “Let’s get you home,” he mouths, before stabbing himself with his own sword, falling to the floor as the colors returned for good.

- Agatha couldn’t breathe, kneeling beside him.

- “To meet someone who’d love me for me,” he admits, bleeding out into the ground, a single tear running down his face. “That was my original wish. And then I met you.”

- She kisses him on the lips, and as you know, true love’s kiss breaks every spell, heals every wound and transcends the limits of storytelling.

- Tedros’ chest is slowly healing, but just as he gets stronger, Agatha grows weaker, starting to disappear through his fingers in rays of lights, back to the reader’s world, leaving a lonely prince by himself in a bloody arena with a magical pen.

- “Unconditional wish for the winner, hm?”

- Back at the library, Agatha wakes up with a snap, falling off her chair.

- The clock on the wall reads 10pm and the few students left at the library glare at her. She hurries to gather her things in her arms, going back to her dorm trying to make sense of what just happened. It was all a dream. It had to be because her arm is intact. She has been running on too much caffeine, finals start the next morning, she was stressed, that’s all.

- Sophie is still playing the game once Agatha arrives at the dorm, and as soon as she walks in, her friend tells her the news:

- “See, darling, I told you I’d get Chaddick’s route eventually!”

- Chaddick’s route?

- Agatha doesn’t even reply, going straight to bed, still haunted. That night, she has no dreams of handsome boys in caves, neither does she dream of blue-eyed princes bleeding out.

- Monday afternoon, though, a distracted Agatha is walking back to her dorm after taking her exams, when she bumps into someone, nearly knocking her over. She is about to yell at the stranger when her voice gets caught on her throat.

- “To exist in your world might be something,” the familiar stranger smiles at her, “I mean, I’m Tedros Pendragon, nice to meet you.”

#school for good and evil #The School for Good and Evil #sge #agatha x tedros #Tagatha #tedros of camelot #Agatha of camelot #Agatha of Woods Beyond

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