#i’ll defend myself to the GRAVE

[beware-of-you-98]

i think jj looks better in red and emily looks better in blue

[louvaine]

pairing: aaron hotchner x reader synopsis: sacred midnight moments spent with the love of your life, mulling over the doubts that are beginning to drive you insane.

“Are you awake?”

It’s whispered words in the dead of night while the rest of the world rests, the moon illuminating the dark skies above. A sliver of light creeps in through the condensation  on the window, dancing along the rumpled sheets strewn over a tangled mess of limbs. It’s in the slow breath of Aaron as he leans over you, forehead pressed down to rest against your bare shoulder, the warmth of his breath dancing flames across your skin.

“I used to think that nothing could break us.”

His hand finds yours, thumb brushing over your knuckles as he presses an open-mouthed kiss to your neck. It’s intimate, soft even, something sacred in the world of blood, murder, and undeniable tragedy. He presses another feather-light kiss against your skin, moving upwards slightly so that his hair is brushing against your jawline, his scent overwhelming you. His touch makes the room warmer somehow, and your future within its walls seems a little less bleak with every passing moment that you’re wrapped up in him.

“I was naive, Aaron.”

“Don’t──”

“How can this life not? How can it not break you?”

He sighs, closing his eyes. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Maybe,” you placate, then add, “for now.”

His gaze is piercing as he reaches across, pulling you into his chest. His arm wraps around your waist, and despite the heaviness in your stomach, it flutters at the sensation of his body pressed up against yours. Almost like the first time you saw him propped up against the back wall of the bar your friends had dragged you to, watching you move in time with the low, intoxicating music: a siren calling out to prey. He fell for you, hook, line and sinker just as much as you fell for him.

“I can take care of myself.”

A flash of jarring memories fuels your anxiety──

Aaron in the hospital, his skin gaunt and body lifeless under harsh, fluorescent lighting. Aaron, bloody and bruised, knuckles cut and sliced open as he tells tales of defending himself and his team. There’s so many moments that flicker through your mind, so many instances where it’s tortured your heart, seeing him hurt and broken, waiting for you to patch him up, softening his barbed edges.

“Not always,” you say, voice barely a whisper.

“I’ll always protect you and our family. Whatever it takes.”

It’s a promise he’ll keep until his last dying breath; a promise that’ll take him to the grave. But it’s also the promise that’s likely to get himself killed if it meant saving you. Aaron is the stoic Unit Chief, cold and heartless, keeping all his emotions close to his chest except for when it comes to his family. That’s the only time he’ll break every single rule to keep you safe, to protect you.

“Don’t you know that’s what I’m worried about?”

He smiles sadly, thumb brushing your lips. “Is that what’s keeping you up?”

“I always worry about you. It comes with the territory of loving you.”

Aaron hums in response, rolling over quickly so that he’s on top of you, his weight pressing you down further into the bed. He looks serious for a moment, the humour no longer visible against the darkness of his eyes as he leans down, pressing his lips against yours. It’s not a kiss that’s fuelled by intense desire or lust, it’s not filled with passion, it’s not rushed or messy, it’s just this: a kiss that barely lasts a minute, but is somehow enough for you to sink into. It overwhelms you: how soft he is when it’s just the two of you falling in love all over again with only the moon as a witness.

It feels a bit like coming home; comfortable; safe.

“I’ve got people watching my back,” he replies when he pulls back, his forehead resting gently against yours. “We’re a family. Nothing will change that.”

“Aaron──”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

It’s empty promises at best but you can tell Aaron doesn’t want to continue this conversation. He adjusts his body against you, running a hand through his unkempt hair. He glances up at the window, the light hitting his face in a way that only seems to emphasise his boyish features and it looks like the weight of the future has finally been lifted off his shoulders by the sheer strength of the moonlight. It’s a moment where you can see the warmth back in his eyes, his genuine smile erasing the sunken years he’d taken on in the last few months, and it’s as if he’s never been as happy as he is right now.

He looks content, almost.

It feels surreal.

Jack coughs, the sound echoing through the dark house, shattering the suspended moment where the world had dwindled down to just the two of you. He’s the wake-up call to reality, a constant reminder of the struggle that’s still ahead as Aaron tries to balance his commitment to the BAU and his commitment to his family. Sometimes his obligation to his job outweighs his responsibility to you, and the arguments in the aftermath leave you feeling hollow. But for every disagreement, every missed date night, every fight, it only serves to fuel your determination to fight harder because you’re not sure you can survive the fallout if this fragile thing between you breaks, and you don’t want to lose him.

“I love you.”

His lips twitch upwards. “I know.”

He leans over the side of the bed, grabbing some clothes to throw on before he goes to check on Jack, the crisp chill of the house ensuring that he doesn’t walk around half naked, much to your disappointment. He smiles fondly back at you, the sight of you wrapped up in his bed igniting a familiar warmth in his chest. He likes to think he’ll have you forever. He reminds himself that you’re not something he’ll ever give up without a fight, a promise he made to himself on the day you’d first said you loved him. 

He knows that you’d never let him leave without one either.

“Don’t be long,” you murmur, adding, “I’ve missed you.”

Between the endless cases, keeping his team in line, and his own demons that he’s still learning to live with, he rarely sees you anymore. This is the first time in a week that he’s spent longer than an hour in your presence. He watches you stretch your body out, rolling into the abandoned warmth of his side of the bed, like seeking him out has become one of your basic human instincts. He watches you for a moment, allowing his guard to drop long enough to treasure this singular moment with you.

It tugs at his aching heart; he knew you felt lonely.

But not to the extent where you’d willingly admit it to him.

“I’ve missed you too,” his voice is soft, gentle.

He thinks about the last week where you’d settled for salvaging a spare moment in the brief spaces in his busy schedule, sneaking around like teenagers, hiding in the shadows with Aaron’s lips on your neck. He’s kissed you a thousand times, pressing you up against the wall, stolen fragments in his office with the blinds drawn shut, away from prying eyes.

He’d wanted to apologise for it; to make up for it somehow. 

Except for you, there’s nothing to forgive him for.

He smiles to himself, saying, “I love you.”

A pause, and then, “I know.”

He stumbles at the open tenderness in your voice, back at your side within a second so he can lean down long enough to press a kiss against your temple. He only lingers for a moment, but there’s a faint curve to his lips as he’s leaving the room, knowing that he’ll be back in your arms before he knows it.

[asvterias]

𝖯𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗒 𝖡𝗈𝗒 (𝟥)

Part 1 | Part 2

Warnings: Just Heartfelt Fluff

Pairings: (FWB) Jaime Reyes x (FWB) Black!Fem!Reader, Bestfriend!Milagro x Bestfriend!Reader

Summary: Being friends with benefits with Jamie is hard to keep undercover, in hopes of Milagro never finding out. The number #1 rule is to be strictly sexual and not explore romantic feelings for the other. What happens when that rule is broken?

Word Count: 2.0k+

Tag List: @n7cje @drqcrys @websterss @pxachy-tea @moralesszz @odiesdayoff @allthingsvicf @tinkerbelle05 @alienstardust @lemonyboy97 @alastorhazbin @writing-fanics @gay-dorito-dust @presidentbarbieirl @veronicarose20 @conicoroahre @sodacatz @chaotic-reblogger @horrorluver20 @zipporahsstuff @yutasol @littlekidsteve @illicee @everybody-hates-mills @hoshi4k @violettathewriter @mymanjaimereyes @vampire-grrl @666kpopfan @nutella-directioner-vampeete @ushygushysimp @borhapparker @tessamoreno @stitched-mouth @obrienslove @raebo0421 @loki-is-low-key @tacoreib @staraifos @avitute @dumbperson6 @idyllcy @luvly-writer @june-pop @madnesspea @chaoticbi-cheesecake @daltonshotgf @unreasonablysapphic @planetvenusworld

Author’s Note: What’s this??; not me publishing two parts in one day! Kinda got carried away with the fluffy ending but who cares?! :)

Spanish Translations

“mi vida.” — “my life.”

“Cálllate, Milagro!” — “Shut up, Milagro!”

“Cálllate, hermano! No me ves teniendo sexo con tu mejor amigo, verdad?” — “You shut up, bro! You don’t see me having sex with your best friend, do you?”

“Uhh, muy grosera, hermana. Estoy parado aquí mismo.” — “Uhh, very rude, sis. I’m standing right here.”

“Bien, entonces no necesitas que me repita.” — “Good, then you don’t need me to repeat myself.”

“No te preocupes, cariño. Sabes que siempre serás mi chica número uno.” — “Don’t worry, babe. You know that you’ll always be my number one girl.”

Everything seems to be picture perfect as you and Jaime viewed, all hot and bothered in each other’s arms. That was…until shit hit the fan for the both of you.

“Jaime! What the actual fuck are you doing?! And with my best friend?” That voice made your heart stop, instantly breaking out of your bubble. Thoughts of Milagro arriving back and catching you two in the act didn’t cross your mind.

You and Jaime looked at each other like deers caught in headlights as you both stumbled to cover yourselves up with your duvet.

How were you two gonna explain this to Milagro now?

“I’m scarred! For life, I’m permanently scarred.” She covers her eyes despite closing her eyes and leaving the room. Guess she needed double reassurance of security to unsee what she just saw. “(Y/N), where’s the bleach? I need two gallons of it for my eyes.”

“You’ll be fine!” Jaime brushes his sister off.

“Says you; you were the one getting it! Lock the door next time! I’m not ready to be an aunt just yet!” She shouts from the kitchen.

“Shut up, Milagro!” Jaime yells, annoyed at his sister. You got dressed in one of Jaime’s oversized hoodies and slipped into a pair of panties, preparing to leave and talk to Milagro.

“Cállate, hermano! No, me ves teniendo sexo con tu mejor amigo, verdad?”

Her statement causes you to softly giggle at their classical sibling tactics. “We have to go out there and talk to her.”

“No, we don’t,” He brings you in by the waist, tightening his grip so you can’t escape from his loving embrace, “She’s twenty years old, not ten and she’ll get over it.”

“She’s used to seeing me naked, not her older brother.” You defend the situation, your finger wiggling onto his chest. Jaime swiftly got dressed after hearing your concluding sentence.

“Wait, what?” His eyebrows furrowed together in shock and confusion, “When did my sister see you naked?”

“That’s a secret that I’ll take to my grave.” You leave the room.

“What? Why not (Y/N)?” Jaime begrudgingly jumps off the bed and follows after you.

The whole discussion with Milagro was awkward. Why wouldn’t it be awkward? She caught her brother and best friend having sex behind her back. The three of you awkwardly surrounded the small kitchen island, all remaining silent.

“When did this sneaky scandal begin?” That was her first question.

You answered, quickly calculating the time frame. “About two months ago.”

“Are you happy?” She cringes, even at her own words.

“It just happened, Milagro. He was the right guy at the right place and time.” You held her hand, “Please don’t be mad, Millie.”

“I’m not mad. Why would I be mad?”

Your perisan white cat Mimi jumps on the kitchen counter, and walks over to you, her fluffy tail high in the air and meows in your arms when you pick her up.

“So, are we good, Mil?” You nudge her. “All water under the bridge and shit!”

“Of course, we’re good, (Y/N).” Milagro assures you before gesturing over to her brother, “But out of all people, why my idiotic brother? You could do so much better.”

“Uhh, muy grosera, hermana. Estoy parado aquí mismo.”

“Bien, entonces no necesitas que me repita.”

Jaime began to argue until you interrupted him. “Guys, we’re getting off track here.”

“Were you guys drunk….when you two first slept with each other,” Your best friend grimaces in horror, shaking her head as she struggles to her words out. “Never mind, don’t answer that. Is this friends with benefits thing going anywhere?”

“I don’t feel comfortable discussing my sex life with my sister.”

“Well, you’re sleeping with my best friend so I’m required to know where this relationship is going.”

“That’s none of your business, that’s between me and (Y/N).” He finalizes. Mimi gestures over to Jaime, wanting to escape from your hands and into his. You scoff at her sudden switch-up, knowing that she was often clingy with you, barely paying attention to Jaime when he came over.

Mimi curls up into Jaime’s arm and he pets her.

“You know for friends with benefits, you two sure act like a couple.”

“What? Where did you get that idea from?”

“Oh come on, even Nana knew before you two idiots.” Milagro rolled her eyes, “She said; ‘There’s nothing like love at first sight, and your best friend and brother are no different to that infamous saying.’ She mimics her grandmother’s words.

“Wait, Is that why mami and papi were acting so weird with me whenever (Y/N) came to visit?”

“Everyone else knew except the two of you.” You stared at Jaime, unable to decipher his thoughts behind his eyes.

Was it true? Were you and Jaime so oblivious that neither of you noticed when other people started to discover the tension between you two? Did Jaime have feelings for you? If so, you were anxiously waiting for his reaction, hoping that you might have the possibility of becoming a couple.

Milagro’s voice broke you from your train of thought. “Don’t make no babies!” Those were her last words before the door slammed shut.

Dreaded silence lingered around the whole apartment as you thought of what to say.

Luckily, Jaime beat you to it and spoke first. “It was true...what I said earlier.” He hesitates.

Mimi jumps out of Jaime’s hold, and scurries off into the living room on a couch, wanting to escape from this current love confession.

“When you said that it was always me, not any other girl. That you’ll always choose me over any girl.” You clarify, recalling his words from doing extracurricular activities with him earlier.

“Yes, all of that is true. I do have feelings for you, (Y/N). I know we made a pact to remain strictly sexual and nothing beyond that but…I’m breaking it because I’m in love with you.”

“I feel the same way,” You whisper, leaning your foreheads together as you caress his face gently stroking his cheek with your thumb. A smile overtook his face, overjoyed at the reciprocated feelings.

You giggled at him when he picked you up, lifting your feet off the ground as you held him tightly. He spun you around, hearing your marvelous laughter erupt from your mouth, and stopped to give you a wholesome kiss.

“You’re free to back out now because there’s no going back anymore once I have you.”

“Oh no, pretty boy, I have no second thoughts, and neither should you. I’m in it for the long haul, all of you.”

A smirk appears on his face, “All of me?”

You quirk an eyebrow, immediately catching on to your unintentional seductive innuendo.

“Don’t push it.” You peck his lips.

“And you better not be holding out on my well-deserved kisses.” He quips, caressing your face as you gaze into his eyes. The boy puckered his lips, “Now I know that you can do better than that.”

You chuckle in amusement at his humor, sending him a thoughtful intimate kiss, as if you were pouring all of your love and affection into it. This time his lips are soft, melting onto your plump brown ones.

When you pull away from him, he gives you a dumbfounded expression, hazy from the powerful kiss.

“Oh yeah, I could certainly get used to this.” He nods, beaming when you pull him in for another kiss.

“Red’s definitely your color.” He says referring to your shade of lipstick as he disconnected your lips. Little does he know that he’s sharing the same faint lipstick on his mouth…and certain parts of his body. “I don’t know why you don’t wear it more often.”

“Because I’m working most of the time, Reyes.”

“Yeah, but when you’re off work, it’s a different story. You should absolutely wear red lipstick occasionally, you look even sexier in red.” You narrowed your eyes at him, urging him to elaborate, noticing his shyness replacing confidence. “Not that you need makeup to look sexier. I was just— meant to say that you do whatever you want to do.”

“Well, I do know that I look sexy in red, Jaime.” You tease him. “But I think that you prefer me with nothing at all. Just all natural, isn’t that right?” Although he grew used to your confidence, you still rendered him clueless and flustered at times.

Mimi brushes against your legs, making her presence known again, causing you to pull away from Jaime. Picking her up gently, she meowed in affection.

“You also have a stepdaughter now.” You held up Mimi excitedly, waving your medium-sized cat in front of your boyfriend.

He laughs as Mimi reaches out for Jaime. Your cat cuddles into his embrace and lounges her body all over him.

“Kiss-ass,” You mutter folding your arms, avoiding eye contact with either of them, hating that your boyfriend’s attention is already being stolen away by your cat, “Just so you know, I’m not fighting with my daughter over my boyfriend.”

With Mimi comfortably adjusted on his left arm, he stretches his other arm across your shoulder, pulling you into his side. You have to crane your neck just to look up at him because he is almost nearly 6 feet tall.

“No te preocupes, cariño. Sabes que siempre serás mi chica número uno.” He places a kiss on your temple, content when you snuggle into his body, wrapping your arms around his waist.

The cat cuddling Jaime screeches in betrayal, seemingly understanding the different language.

“Apparently, Mimi understands Spanish as well.” He jokes, looking down at the cat, whose eyes narrow down in annoyance and disappointment. Attempting to bring up Mimi’s mood, he scratches her head and kisses her on the head as well. The persian cat purrs lovingly in response as she rests her head on his chest.

You swoon over the wholesome interaction between your boyfriend and your dear cat.

“I love you, mi vida.” He kisses your cheek.

“I love you too, my pretty boy.”

Perhaps some rules were made to be broken, exploring the boundaries and the depth of the type of relationship. Either way, you finally had Jaime and you were never letting go of him. Hopefully, your new healthy relationship will transpire into a long-term relationship, full of mutual respect, admiration, and most importantly, communication. He was determined to make him the best boyfriend that you dated.

likes, comments, and reblogs are highly appreciated!

© asvterias, 2023. please do not plagiarize any of my works.

[kaorisun]

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪 immortality is an abundant curse (3)

pairing : blade x reader

tags : hurt no comfort, angst, canon divergence

word count : 4.88k

chapters : one • two • three

crossposted to : AO3

Summary : “Everything changed the day Imbibitor Lunae committed a grave sin in the eyes of the Xianzhou. Upon Ren, he bestowed the most abundant curse known to man.

“Immortality.”

or

The full story.

Yanqing wears his heart on his sleeve.

Given this fact, you truly should’ve figured that Jing Yuan would know exactly who had taken his diary upon discovering it missing.

However, this thought doesn’t cross your mind, so when Jing Yuan arrives at the clinic that night to search for his young apprentice, you’re terribly startled.

Yanqing, who’d been carefully showing you the fruits of his training inside the clinic, drops his sword with a clatter, gasping upon seeing the General appear at the door.

“It wasn’t me!” he yelps indignantly. Jing Yuan gives the boy an amused look.

“Oh? I haven’t even mentioned what I’m here for. How did you know I’d accuse you?” the General questions. Yanqing deflates, having exposed himself and his guilt without the man having to do so much as lift a finger. You reach out towards Yanqing, wanting to defend the boy from any potential ire or anger.

All things considered, he’d done it for your sake. You wouldn’t let him take the blame for such a kindhearted action.

Bailu beats you to it first. Grabbing the journal from her desk, she tosses it to the General. The man catches it with one hand before looking at her curiously.

“Take it. I already read through all of it. I have a good memory. I’ll tell them the stories myself, whether you agree with it or not,” Bailu insists, turning away in annoyance. Unexpectedly, instead of disagreement or disdain, Jing Yuan chuckles and shakes his head.

“I think you’re mistaken. I didn’t come here to scold anyone or take this back. Actually, I commend Yanqing for taking a stand against me and remaining firm in his belief that you had the right to know,” Jing Yuan says with a small smile. Yanqing lets out a relieved sigh before picking up his sword, migrating to the edge of your bed to seat himself.

You tilt your head in confusion. “Why aren’t you upset?”

Jing Yuan suddenly looks sheepish, reaching back to rub his neck. “Actually, I went to the Divination Commission to inquire about this situation. Needless to say, the Master Diviner did not agree with how I handled everything.”

You hum softly, the thought bringing you some comfort. “Did she use the Matrix of Prescience to arrive at that answer?” you ask.

“Actually….” Jing Yuan trails off as he averts his gaze. Bailu pipes up with an amused huff.

“Fu Xuan scolded you, didn’t she?” she interrogates. The General sighs softly before confirming the healer’s suspicions with a small nod.

“Well, what she said, and I quote, ‘despite having the title Divine Foresight, you spend no time thinking about the consequences of your decisions. I don't even need a third eye to see why that’s wrong. Your apprentice has more of a head than you do,’ or something along those lines,” Jing Yuan recounts with a guilty expression.

“I’m glad someone got it through that thick skull of yours, General. The memories are a precious thing to the Vidyadhara race. I can hardly believe you hid so much myself,” Bailu chastises, crossing her arms.

“I know, I know. I realize my mistake,” he starts, walking over to you and sitting beside Yanqing on the edge of the bed. “I'm glad my nosy apprentice told you everything. I thought I was protecting you by keeping everything a secret, but I only caused you more stress in the end.”

You offer a gentle smile. “I went along with it without a fuss because I trusted you. It hurt, but I figured you wouldn’t hide things without reason.”

“And even knowing that I’ve been shielding you from something painful, you still want the truth?” the man asks, the worry clear in his expression. You meet his gaze and nod.

“Yes. Learning the truth is allowing me to feel more and more complete. Even if it’s upsetting, I need to know,” you insist. Jing Yuan chuckles.

“Even without your memories, you’re just as headstrong as you were back then,” he muses. “In that case, I’ll take responsibility, and I’ll be the one to deliver the truth to you.”

“At a later date,” Bailu interjects before Jing Yuan can flip open his diary to the relevant pages. “Save any new stories for tomorrow. I don’t want to strain them further.”

“Strain..?” the General mumbles. You quickly pipe in to clarify.

“Ren… I remembered my first meeting with him. I remembered loving him. But… everything else is still foggy,” you explain.

“But that was enough to make you faint! Lady Bailu is right. We should wait,” Yanqing adds. Jing Yuan looks at you and ruffles your hair affectionately.

“In that case, tomorrow. After our duties, I’ll sit down with you and tell you more. Every single day that Bailu allows it, I’ll tell you something new,” he promises. You feel your heart warm, a weight lifted off your chest.

“I’ll hold you to it. I’m sure Yanqing will, as well. Every day…” you murmur, a small grin making its way onto your face at the thought of finally securing a way to retrieve all of what you’d lost.

Soon, you’ll have all of the pieces of your past life. Once you do, you’ll finally know everything that transpired that led you to where you are now.

As excited as you are, you can’t help but feel a sense of dread.

There’s bound to be many joyous tales from your past, but the story of heartache and loss looms over you. It reminds you that, as happy as things may be, you have to prepare yourself to accept the pain and suffering of your previous life.

You can only hope that it’s something you’ll be able to handle when the time comes.

Dusk turns to dawn, and the sun rises on a new day.

True to his word, Jing Yuan begins visiting you in the evenings at the clinic to tell you new anecdotes from your past. Filling your head with stories that feel familiar— nostalgic, he tells tales each night until your head aches, a sign that you’ve taken in enough for the day.

The General helps you recall your first meeting with him— introduced as mutual friends of Imbibitor Lunae. You slowly remember the way you would watch the two spar, happy to clean up any wounds that came as a result.

Beyond that, Jing Yuan even shares how he’d been the one to push Lunae to introduce Ren to you, having always thought that you’d be a good influence on the man. Lunae agreed, and the General had considered it a personal victory.

However, he speaks of the way you fought alongside him in battle. This fact has you curious, having always assumed you were nothing but a healer.

Jing Yuan clarifies that you were a healer, and you once took up a sword to fight against the Denizens of Abundance precisely because of that reason. Each battle he recounts has your hands ghosting over areas where you swear you feel a slight pin prick of pain.

The General mentions that each place you touch is a place where your skin had once scarred over with wounds from each fight. It makes you smile— it seems the body truly never forgets.

Days continue to pass, and with time, your mind becomes less and less fractured. With each new tale, you grow more and more sure of who you are now and who you once were. Skills you once forgot become second nature once more. Memories return to you sometimes with the assistance of Jing Yuan and Bailu. Others enter your mind naturally, a byproduct of the newfound exposure to your past life.

Bailu notes your increased skill and confidence in healing, recognizing the way you improve as you remember the techniques of your profession. Your heart fills with warmth. You start to feel like yourself again— no longer a wanderer with nothing but shards of the past to their name.

Yet, as elated as you are to make such progress, it’s bittersweet.

You know they’re still deliberately avoiding how it all ended— how your Ren became Blade, the nature of your relationship, anything to do with him. Given that they’ve yet to broach the topic, all of those memories remain locked behind a wall. Unlike other moments, you’re unable to recollect it on your own— likely too heavy a topic to be triggered without help.

A frown appears on your face. You haven’t felt more sound of yourself in ages. Are you still unprepared? Is everyone coddling you once more?

How tragic a topic is the reality of your disappearance to cause them to hold off for this long?

Either way, it fills you with uncertainty and unease. You resolve to ask about it that evening, but it seems you don’t have to, for fate aligns itself at the perfect time.

As the sun begins to fall beneath the horizon, Jing Yuan, Yanqing, and Bailu all approach you, seating you on the bed as they surround you. Their expressions are all terse— hesitant.

You’re about to ask about what’s occurred— unsettled by the tension, but Jing Yuan is the first to speak up, interrupting any thoughts you have.

“You’ve made significant progress with your memory recovery. Bailu has deemed you mentally sound enough to learn of the truth. I’ll tell you everything. Who he was in regards to you, what happened to him… and how it all ended,” the General explains. Your heart flutters in nervousness and anticipation alike.

“Everything…?” you echo. Bailu nods.

“You’ve retained everything else well. I can’t promise that this won’t cause some sort of physical reaction. Much like the first time, it’s likely you’ll experience some pain, but… if we’re right, this should be the last time,” the healer promises with a determined gaze. You smile, feeling comfort in the resolve of those around you.

“Alright. I trust you,” you say. Bailu nods to Jing Yuan, who seats himself beside you as he begins to recount his experience from his memories.

He starts. “There’s one thing I’m certain about. The way you could never tell how Ren felt towards you seems to have stuck. You were the same back then, but I knew— everyone knew that Ren loved you more than anything in this world.”

“For a while, you didn’t realize just how hard Ren had fallen for you. It was incredibly obvious to the rest of us, though. Perhaps… it was because you were always looking away. When he regarded you with nothing but pure adoration, you were inevitably turned in the other direction.”

Ren lets out an affectionate sigh as he looks at you, head propped on his hand as he watches you stare down at your work table in pure concentration. The soft grind of pestle against mortar resounds through the building. Jing Yuan chuckles softly, looking at Ren with a smirk.

“Do you plan on saying anything to them? Or are you determined to long in secrecy for the rest of your life?” he questions, teases slipping off his tongue. Ren narrows his eyes at the man.

“Watch yourself, General,” he retorts. Jing Yuan lets the empty threat slide off him with ease, refusing to back down.

“All you do is sigh and stare in every moment you spend in their presence. Why are you so hesitant?” he asks. Ren glances away towards the herbs and medicines lining the walls— all fruits of your labor.

“They’re dedicated to their craft. They wouldn’t have the time for such frivolity,” he laments. Jing Yuan hums and gives a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Nonsense. They have plenty of time to spare. I often hear them complaining that they have too much time to Lunae,” Jing Yuan counters. Ren tenses, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“I doubt they feel the same affection for me as I do for them,” he mumbles. The General has to hold back from barking out a laugh.

“Please! That’s absolutely absurd. All I hear from you are excuses,” he insists. Before Ren has a chance to retaliate, another voice speaks up.

“The General is right about this, as boastful as he’s acting currently,” Imbibitor Lunae adds in, seating himself at the table with the two. “Both of you have a limited amount of time, Ren. It’d be unwise to waste it wondering if they feel the same.”

“Exactly. Besides, if you hold back on making a move, maybe I will,” Jing Yuan jests with a smirk. Ren shoots up in his seat.

“You will not!” he seethes before rolling his eyes, practically stomping off to retreat to your side. Jing Yuan watches in amusement.

“Do you think he’ll say anything or just sulk as per usual?” he asks. The dragon beside him hums.

“Have more faith in him. You pushed him right where he needed to be pushed. Just observe for now,” Lunae says, and Jing Yuan does so.

“I guess Ren really was at his wits end at that point, and Lunae was able to pick up on it. We watched, and you leapt into his arms after he professed his love. All of us knew it was a matter of time before you ended up together, but seeing it… it was a weight lifted for all of us.

“You two were finally happy.

“For a while after that, things were calm and comforting. Ren came to terms with his short life since you’d be there to spend it with him. I’d never seen anything make him happier than the day you became his, and he, yours.

“Truthfully, I think, that day, he found something worth living for in his relationship with you. Of course, he had the rest of us, but we were all long-life species. In you, he came to understand why life was so precious— why he had to treasure his existence, no matter the length of it.

“Alas, he was still… reckless, but just in the normal, stubborn, and headfast way that he always was. You were always there to scold him for it, but we all could tell it was different. Ren was fighting for his beliefs— no longer careless about his life. He was, in lack of better terms, himself.

“As I’m sure you’re aware by now, such tranquility couldn’t last forever.

“Everything changed the day Imbibitor Lunae committed a grave sin in the eyes of the Xianzhou. Upon Ren, he bestowed the most abundant curse known to man.

“Immortality.

“It was supposed to be another battle, but the two of them had been taking far longer than usual. Both of us were worried— aware that something was amiss, but afraid to speak it aloud lest we manifest it into reality…”

Jing Yuan watches you pace nervously outside of the hall. From where he leans against the wall, he can see the frenzied fear in your eyes as you look out in the distance every few minutes, hoping to see Lunae and Ren in the horizon.

The General is equally as concerned, but he knows that he must remain grounded to keep you sane.

“Imbibitor Lunae and Ren are both capable warriors. I’m sure that they’re fine. They’re probably just falling behind,” Jing Yuan reasons. You shake your head in disagreement.

“It’s been weeks. That’s not normal. The last time it took this long, someone—” you cut yourself off, flinching. The man’s expression becomes grim. He knows you’re right— that your worry is not unwarranted.

Neither of you wanted to be “too late” again.

Walking up beside you, Jing Yuan nudges you gently.

“Let’s head out. We’ll find them ourselves,” the General assures. You offer a wry smile and nod, but before either of you can make a move, another voice interjects.

“No need. We’ve returned,” Lunae says as he approaches with Ren by his side. Jing Yuan can see your excitement, but then watches as you freeze, expression falling as you look at Ren. The General notices what you do, too.

It isn’t uncommon to return from prolonged battles covered in blood, tattered with memories of the ongoing war. However, Ren seems far too pristine to have just returned from a battlefield. He’s glowing in a way that seems… unnatural.

Your eyes shift to Imbibitor Lunae, and suddenly your eyes are cold— distant.

“I think you caught something in his mannerisms that I couldn’t. You saw something that I couldn’t see, quickly catching on that something was inherently wrong— that they were hiding something.”

“What happened?” you ask, a seriousness in your tone that felt incredibly off-putting, given that you were referring to your lover and close friend. Instead of a response, Ren reaches towards you, pulling you into a tight embrace as if his life depended on it.

You pause, carefully wrapping your arms around Ren, running fingers through his hair as you repeat your earlier question.

“What happened?” you inquire, almost pleading now. Ren stills in your arms, silently burying his face in your neck. You frown, looking to Lunae once more for answers. Jing Yuan doesn’t move from his spot, either, trying to make sense of what it is you’re picking up on.

Eventually, beneath your persistent gaze, Lunae cracks.

“Ren nearly died on the battlefield,” he admits. You tighten your grip on your lover, eyes wide with a shock that Jing Yuan mirrors.

“He looks perfectly fine… he’s walking on his own two feet, and there isn’t a trace of blood on him…” you note in disbelief. Imbibitor Lunae looks away, seeming guilty in the way his eyes fall.

“I know. That’s because I…” Imbibitor Lunae goes quiet, unable to bring himself to finish his thought. Jing Yuan narrows his eyes, arms crossing over his chest as he looks at the other.

��You what?” the General interrogates. However, the dragon doesn’t spare him a glance, instead looking to you with something that makes your eyes fill with fury. Before he can raise questions, you’re quick to clarify.

“You made him immortal? Why would you do such a grievous thing?!” you snap, forcefully separating yourself from your lover. Ren reaches for you desperately, but you take a step back. Jing Yuan easily recognizes the look of betrayal on your face.

“I can explain—” Ren starts, but you cut him off harshly.

“What is there to explain here?! I’ve treated the Mara-Struck— victims of the Sanctus Medicus, and you want to explain? I’m a healer and even I’m aware that immortality isn’t a remedy of any sort! It’s a venom! A curse!” you yell, eyes brimming with tears. Jing Yuan remains mute, unable to understand why anyone would resort to such a taboo method for any reason, especially given all that they’d witnessed together.

“Please, calm yourself and allow us to talk this o—” Before Lunae can finish his thought, you interrupt.

“Calm myself? Imbibitor Lunae, have you forgotten that I’m dying? In a few decades, I’ll be gone! Ren no longer has the mercy of dying by my side! He’ll have to witness everything!” you cry out, voice cracking as tears slip down your cheeks.

“He’ll endure so much suffering, and he’ll never be able to die…” you whisper, finally gathering enough strength to meet Ren’s gaze. “You promised.”

Ren is quick to scoop you into his arms, wiping your tears away with his thumb.

“I also promised to return to you. We’re both here now. That must count for something. Without immortality, I wouldn’t have returned to greet you again— to hold you again. And immortality doesn’t change a thing. I still plan to remain by your side for eternity,” he promises softly. You look up at him, an unfathomable sadness in your eyes.

Briefly, Jing Yuan catches you glancing at Lunae. There’s a wordless exchange in the expression you share with the Vidyadhara. The General has no idea what it is that you both say, but it’s enough because soon you’re releasing a defeated sigh.

“I’m glad you’re alright, Ren,” you say softly. Ren smiles, leaning down to kiss you gently. You reciprocate for a moment before pulling away, allowing yourself to enjoy the warmth of his presence.

Despite everything, Jing Yuan can tell that it isn’t something you’d ever move on from.

“You never brought up Ren’s immortality of your own accord ever again after that day. If it came up in conversation, you always excused yourself to be alone for a while.

“There was a time that I confronted you about it, though. I knew it was forbidden, but I needed to know what was going through your head. Honestly, I don’t think I could ever forget what you said to me that day.”

“Why wouldn’t I be upset, Jing Yuan?” you start, head in hands as you shut your eyes tight.

“There will come a time where Ren suffers unimaginable pain, and I won’t be there to help him. There will come a day where myself, Imbibitor Lunae, and even you aren’t there to support him through his suffering,” you explain. The General pauses, not having thought that far into the future.

You continue in his silence. “My death is just the start. I don’t think Ren understands how much of a tragedy that is. Soon, we will all leave him, and he’ll come to understand that death is far more merciful than being the last person left alive of all those you’ve grown to love.”

You frown and walk off, your words weighing heavily in Jing Yuan’s heart.

“I grew to understand exactly how right you were in your assumption as the years passed. When you faded away and crumbled— I witnessed firsthand how cruel his affliction was.

“Ren knew he couldn’t live without seeing you once more, I don’t think he ever thought about the inevitable day where he’d have to learn to live without you entirely.

“The day you disappeared… I could tell everything weighed heavily on your mind. In the face of your inevitable demise, you still worried for Ren.”

Jing Yuan lets out a soft sigh, watching Lunae and Ren leave for their duties. Glancing back to you on the bed, he tilts his head.

“You looked like you had more to say back then. Something else on your mind?” he asks as he seats himself on the edge of your bed. You look at him, a serious look in your eyes.

“I promise that, one day, I will find my way back to you all. One day, I’ll return, so Ren won’t have to suffer on his own,” you swear. Jing Yuan offers a sympathetic smile.

“Unless you’re a Vidyadhara, reincarnation is just a legend,” he mentions. You don’t respond, instead humming in acknowledgement to the General’s statement.

“Of course, I didn’t know you were one back then, but what I did know is that you were incredibly firm in your desire. Either way, I’d brushed it off.

“I left the room to make your medicine, but you had disappeared when I returned. Only then did I realize… that promise was your last wish— your final resolve.”

Jing Yuan continues his explanation, telling you the results of your disappearance.

Ren was never the same. He spent countless hours looking for you— searching for a body, but you’d vanished completely, much like the Mara-Struck who faded into nothingness. From that day forth, Ren’s mind fractured and he grew resentful of his curse.

As you predicted, the rest of your group slowly began to die out, your lover forced to suffer through each and every one knowing he’d never be granted the same reprieve.

Then came time for Imbibitor Lunae to pass and reincarnate.

“After Lunae died, Ren disappeared entirely, his mind shattered beyond repair— a shell of who he once was. Losing his bosom friend was the final straw.

“I tried to search for him, but he’d vanished from the Xianzhou Alliance entirely. I figured he didn’t want to be found, so I was forced to move on lest I suffered the same fate:

“Lost in our past without direction or will to live.”

Jing Yuan sighs as he finishes the story, shaking his head. “I thought it all a distant memory, then I saw you again on the Luofu as Bailu’s assistant. You looked the same way you did back then.”

“At first, I thought you just looked similar, but then I saw the horns and tail and I knew— you’d found your way back as promised, and you were a Vidyadhara. I’m sure I acted strange when we first met, but I was trying to confirm that it was really you,” he admits.

The memory of that day rushes to the forefront of your mind. The Arbitor-General had followed you and Bailu back to the clinic. His eyes were trained on your tail, watching the way it swayed as you worked before his gaze settled on your horns.

Jing Yuan had carefully observed you as you made medicine at Bailu’s work table, humming a tune that you’d heard from earlier in the day. It startled you how attentive he was being, but now it made sense.

“I confirmed it through your mannerisms and habits. I saw the way you carefully healed others. Then, you expressed familiarity towards me and that sealed it. Unfortunately, I knew you were without your memories.

“I had been keeping tabs on Blade since he appeared on the IPC’s most wanted list, and I vowed to protect you from him. If he saw you and you didn’t remember him, I had a feeling it wouldn’t go well,” Jing Yuan says, frowning.

“I thought protecting you meant guarding you from the truth so you never had to learn of the tragedy that became of your past lover, but I know now that you have to make this choice yourself. By deliberately concealing this, I’ve already hurt you enough,” he finishes softly, resting a comforting hand on your shoulder.

You remain silent and still, staring blankly ahead. From the corner of your eye, Bailu frowns.

“Are you alright?” she asks, preparing for any sort of pain that might occur as a result of everything.

Instead, tears begin to slip down your cheeks, dripping down onto your hands as you grip your robes tightly in your lap. Smiling sadly, you blink rapidly in an attempt to clear your vision of the glistening drops.

Jing Yuan is the first to react, cupping your face in his hands and wiping away your tears gently as you sniffle softly.

“What’s the matter?” the General questions, concern etched into his features. You shake your head, words caught in your throat.

Everything in your mind is clicking into place, pieces falling and fitting together.

Ah, of course. I promised this so long ago, your mind echoes. I said that I’d return— that I’d remember— so I could make it back to you and protect you from the curse you fell into.

Your shoulders shake as you begin to sob. The General pulls you into a tight embrace, Yanqing leaning against your side in an attempt to provide comfort as well.

You usually never remember any last reincarnations as a Vidyadhara. Memory is a spectrum for your kind, and you always ebbed on the side of starting with an entirely clean slate. It’s why you were so certain you’d die when you left to be born again.

You wouldn’t take any memories of your past with you, and you wouldn’t recall them.

Except, this time you did.

Dying and rebirthing with such a strong resolve meant that, since you awoke in this new life, you’ve always felt that something was missing.

Now, you know what it is.

But it’s too late, isn’t it?

You bury your face in Jing Yuan’s shoulder as you cry, mourning the past you lost, and the lover you abandoned in this world.

If Blade’s mind fractured so long ago, do you even hold a place in his memories anymore?

Is there anything you could do in your current state to help him?

Or was all of this remembrance for naught?

For this, you had no answer.

Hidden away somewhere in the Luofu, a woman observes a man from afar.

Kafka recognizes the distant expression Blade wears as he stares out at the scenery and passing Starskriffs. It’s vulnerable— longing— one that he only wears when he thinks no one is watching.

However, her attention is diverted elsewhere when her phone vibrates with an incoming text. Glancing down at the device, she smirks as she reads the message.

Kafka. Plans have changed. Blade’s initial wish will be granted.

The woman raises a brow in amusement, typing and replying to his message with a teasing response.

Even we aren’t capable of necromancy, Elio.

Instead of commenting on her witty remarks, he merely sends back a simple text which serves as enough of an explanation for Kafka.

The Vidyadhara has remembered themself, thus returning to who they once were.

Await new instructions.

The woman looks back up at Blade, smirking as she pockets her phone.

What new side of him will she be able to witness? What sort of expression will he have when Elio surprises him with this?

Kafka can’t wait to see how this story plays out.

tag rqs : @ceylestia - @thetwinkims - @astralsity - @kaminari-no-ritsusha - @jotaro-souped

[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman-Part 17

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternative Universe : Military School

Words: 5k

TW: Alcohol , mention of drugs

Masterlist

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Saturday, November 14; 1:25 PM - Home

I helped Sam and Sofia clear the plates. They were so surprised by my initiative that they didn’t dare say anything. I guess my punishments in the cafeteria paid off. I’ve handled hundreds of plates, so four won’t kill me. I sent Joan upstairs to get ready for three o’clock. It was a bit of a struggle because he didn’t want to let go of me, but I eventually managed. After all, we don’t need to rush. I wanted to enjoy my stay by spending some time alone in the garden. I put on my shoes and my military jacket before heading out. I walked to the back, away from prying eyes, and sat on the perfectly trimmed grass, even though it was wet from the humidity. I smiled as I let my fingers trail over the plaque in front of me.

“Hey, Dad. It’s been a while, huh?”

It had been a long time since I’d been here. The last time was a month and a half ago, the day before I left. Nothing has changed. They didn’t even remove the flowers I’d left. Proof that no one has been here since. I pulled my knees close and wrapped my arms around them. I stared at the photo on the plaque. I remembered it like it was yesterday, the fuss I made to my mom to set up a memorial place. He’s not really here. His grave is in Portugal. I needed an accessible place, and for once, she understood.

“Sorry I didn’t come sooner,” I murmured. “Let’s just say Mom outdid herself this time,” I chuckled nervously. “I regret that you’re not here to throw a wrench in her plans.”

It might seem strange to some, but I’ve gotten used to coming here to confide. My dad was always my confidant, and I didn’t want to lose that habit, even if he’s no longer here in flesh and blood. This place allows me to clear my mind when I need to. I think it’s the right time to do that today.

“I’m in Manchester now, at a private school, kind of like a military school. Can you believe it? Me, in there?” I giggled. “Hard to believe, right? Yet, I’m still alive after a month and a half. It’s not that bad, actually. It’s just the idea that’s scary.”

I paused to gather my thoughts. If he were still here, he would never have let Mom put me in a place like that. He would have supported me and defended me to the end, knowing I didn’t want to go.

“It was really tough at first. You would’ve had a good laugh. I thought I could get myself expelled, but I met someone stronger than me. I have a personal instructor, and believe me, she makes my life impossible. She reminds me a lot of you,” I murmured.

I let my head fall on my knees and closed my eyes. The cool breeze hit my face. I took a deep breath. I needed to tell him. I needed to talk to someone about what I really think, and I knew this was the perfect place to do it.

“She’s fair in her choices and punishments. I had a hard time adjusting, but I adapted. It’s been a long time since I had someone authoritative like her on my back. She takes care of me and does everything to show me that I can succeed. She gives me confidence, like you did when you were still here. You always had the right words to lift my spirits.”

I sighed deeply. I missed him way too much. Tears formed at the corners of my eyes. I wiped them away with the back of my hand.

“I’ve also made a lot of friends. New friends. They’re very nice to me. One even accepted me for who I am. Her name is Alexia. She knows I’m gay. She encouraged me to tell the others, and I did. They all took it very well. I feel at home and I trust them… But the one I trust the most is Lucy, my instructor. I really wish you could meet her, you would have loved her.”

I stopped talking and lifted my head when I heard someone call me. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. I sighed, dreading the next few minutes. I got up, not forgetting to place a kiss on my hand before putting it back on the plaque.

“I have to go, but I’ll try to come back tomorrow before I leave. I love you, Dad.”

I sensed my mother’s impatience as she called me in a less pleasant manner. I sighed and walked back to the house. As soon as I stepped through the patio door into the living room, I ran into her. She was sitting in a chair with her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. It seemed the three weeks without seeing me hadn’t calmed her down. She invited me to sit on the couch across from her. I sat down and waited for it to happen. I was about to get an earful… I looked up to see her analyzing me in detail. She stared into my eyes before finally speaking.

“I don’t understand you,” she began. “I really don’t understand how a girl like you, with so much potential, manages to ruin everything. I sent you to that school to give you a chance to start over! Why do you always feel the need to mess everything up!?”

“Stop,” I murmured.

“No, I won’t stop this time! Stop acting like a child, Ona! You never wanted my help, so I thought this school would be beneficial, but even being there, I realize you’ll never change! Will there never be a way to get my little girl back? You went to Manchester having used drugs, for heaven’s sake! Do you realize your immaturity?! Did you think about your loved ones for a single second? About how worried they are about you?!”

I clenched my fists. It’s the pot calling the kettle black! She didn’t give me time to respond and kept accusing me of worrying everyone. Mapi would have come here to check on me. I wasn’t really in a state to give her any news. Maybe I should have asked Bronze to do it for me, but I had other things on my mind. I let her get angry, taking in the hurtful words she hurled at me. Eventually, she stopped, and I took advantage of the moment to spill my own thoughts.

“It’s your fault I’m like this!” I raised my voice. “Stop blaming everything on me when you have your share of responsibility!”

“I don’t see why it should be my fault!” she snapped.

And there it was. The tone already escalated. We’d never manage to have a normal conversation together. We couldn’t stand each other. Our views were different, and there was clearly a lack of communication.

“You’re the one who decided to start your little life with your new family without caring about me once!”

“Stop always blaming me for the same things, Ona! You’re not the center of the world!”“

- I always blame you for the same things because you don’t understand! You don’t even realize that you’re pushing me aside!

- And you? You’ve never given me a place in your life! No matter how much I try to help you, you never accept me! I’ve tried to understand you, but you’re completely closed off! The girl I knew was full of life! She laughed and smiled all the time. She’s certainly not this teenager who constantly throws tantrums and makes mistakes!

- Here we go again. Do you even hear yourself? Have you ever once tried to find out the reasons behind my behavior?!

She looked at me, bewildered. She didn’t even know how to respond. Her silence spoke volumes. She never tried to understand. For once, she let me speak, so I took the opportunity to get everything off my chest.

- No, of course not! You never look beyond your own nose. You accuse me every time without thinking further. You don’t even ask if I’m really guilty!

- Oh Ona! Stop always exaggerating!

- Do you remember the time you were called in because I hit a girl at school? Well, that girl spent her time humiliating me in the playground. One day I’d had enough and I snapped. For you, there was no doubt who was at fault that day! You believed that poor little girl over your own child! And it’s still the same now! You never listen to me! I’m always the one at fault no matter what!

Just recounting it brought back memories from years ago. My mother was unable to respond. I didn’t plan to stop there. She deserved to know what I really thought.

- You talk as if you’re a victim, but you don’t know what it’s like to have no trust from your own mother! Do you want to know what happened that weekend? Well, I drank! I drank a lot because I needed it after being locked up for three weeks because of you! I even ran into Feli at the party, but you wouldn’t know that because you never take an interest in my life!

I calmed down when I saw Joan watching us from the stairs with a terrified look. I realized at that moment that I had stood up in anger. I clenched my fists and closed my eyes to calm down and take a deep breath after shouting. My mother still didn’t dare respond. When I looked at her again, I saw that she was stunned.

- Do you know what saddens me the most? It’s that at least in this camp, I made new friends who completely trust me. For the first time in my life, I was allowed to justify my actions. She not only gave me the benefit of the doubt, but she even convinced me it wasn’t my fault when I started to have doubts.

She didn’t seem to understand my words, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to explain the whole story to her; she wasn’t worth it. She should have asked me when the time was right.

- So now, before you try to change me, you should reassess your principles and be a good mother. Meanwhile, I’m going to do my big sister duty and take Joan to the ice rink.

I didn’t give her time to recover from her emotions as I walked toward Joan, who hadn’t taken his eyes off me. His terrified look had turned to sadness. I knew he didn’t like it when I argued with our mother. He had already heard so much from our exchanges that I understood. I held out my arms to him, and he didn’t hesitate to come to me.

- I promised we’d go this afternoon, didn’t I?

- I don’t like it when you fight with Mom.

- I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry you have to see this, but I intend to make it up to you. Are you ready?

He nodded, and I smiled at him. I carried him to the coat rack in the entryway to get her jacket and shoes. I left the house without looking back at the living room where my mother hadn’t moved. Hector was taking us. I felt bad for bothering him for such a small thing every time, but I didn’t have a car. My mother never wanted to get me one, even though I’ve had my license for a long time. I could understand her. There were few times I was in a state to drive. I could have caused countless serious accidents. The ride was silent. I enjoyed the landscape, which was completely different from Manchester. It was much more familiar, having lived here for several years. When we arrived at the ice rink, I asked Hector to pick us up in two hours. Joan held my hand as we walked into the building. I had managed to calm down. I promised myself to enjoy it. Joan helped by spreading his good mood around. He was so excited that she pulled me toward the entrance. I was happy to see that he wasn’t angry with me anymore. He managed to bring out my first smile since the argument with my mother. There weren’t too many people at the counter, so I quickly got our tickets and then moved to the next counter to get our skates. I listened to him tell me little stories about his life. I found him so adorable. He had such a perfect life compared to mine. He had fun and didn’t worry about anything. I wished I could regain that carefree attitude. I just hoped he would turn out better than me.

- Hey, Ona?

- Hmm?

- Why do you always fight with Mom?

- Let’s just say Mom and I don’t see eye to eye, you understand? She doesn’t understand, and neither do I. Have you ever argued with a friend?

- Uh-huh.

- Well, it’s the same between Mom and me.

- Except I always forgive after a fight.

- I’d like that too, Jo, but it’s more complicated than that.

- Why? You just have to talk to solve the problem.

- Exactly, except Mom never lets me defend myself.

- That’s not fair!

It’s easier to give examples to a child so he can understand. I knew he was right, but I could never forgive my mother for everything she had done. Or rather, not done. She never tried to understand me.”

- I don’t love Mom anymore.

- What? No, no, no! You need to stay out of this.

- But she hurts you and even sent you far away from me.

I sighed, running my hand over my face. His words reminded me that I hadn’t been able to discuss his little misdeeds with him. I began to understand why he was acting out. He wanted to get back at our mother. Seeing that we wouldn’t find a free bench soon, I decided to crouch down.

- Joan, you shouldn’t get involved in this. It’s grown-up stuff.

- I am grown-up! he pouted.

- That’s not what I meant, I rolled my eyes. It’s just that it concerns Mom and me. Just because I’m having issues with her doesn’t mean you should too. You don’t need to give her a hard time just because she sent me to a school far away from you.

- But you do it when something displeases you!

I frowned. He really had an answer for everything. Why was he so clever? I was just like him at that age. I reacted quickly and asked all the questions that came to mind.

- It’s not the same. Mom takes care of you and you’ve always loved her. You don’t need to take my role at home. Understand?

- I guess, he mumbled.

- It’s not right to bother everyone and cause trouble, I continued. Mom and your dad can’t be proud of you acting this way. They love you a lot, you know, and it hurts them to see what you’re doing. So, I’m asking you to stop. Can you do that for me?

He frowned, then nodded. I think he understood now. I stood up when I finally saw a free spot. I managed to take it before someone else could.

- Will I be able to come see you once in Manchester? Because you know, waiting all the time is long!

- It will be complicated, I chuckled. If I stay there, I’m not allowed to leave the school. But if you want to come when I can go out, you’ll have to talk to Mom so she can bring you for a weekend.

- I’m big enough to go alone!

I laughed at the thought. I would pay to see Mom’s face when Joan told him that. I put our things in the locker, then helped Joan who was struggling to put on his skates. When we were ready, I didn’t need to hold Joan to move forward. He managed perfectly on his own. He had grown a lot since the last time I brought him here. He must have come without me because he seemed much more skilled than I remembered. I followed him as best as I could, he was moving everywhere. It made me happy to finally take care of him. She deserved it after all I put him through. I had two hours to make it up to him and enjoy it. We laughed a lot together. He managed to make me fall many times, which amused him greatly. Then we met a girl from his class. It seems flirting starts early these days! She was with her brother. I ended up talking with him since the two kids didn’t want to part. We spent the rest of the afternoon with them, much to my little brother’s delight. I couldn’t refuse him request even though I would have preferred to stay just the two of us.

Saturday, November 14; 6:20 PM - Ona’s Room.

I played with my phone in my hands. I had been hesitating for fifteen minutes to send a message to Bronze. I needed to talk and she was the only person who came to mind for the subject I wanted to discuss. I sighed, falling back onto my pillow. I had invited Mapi over for dinner tonight. She should be arriving soon, considering how long I had been thinking for nothing. I replayed my entire day in my mind, now that Joan was giving me a break. It was only because he was in the shower, otherwise, he would certainly be by my side. I opened my eyes when I heard noise downstairs. The sounds continued up the stairs. I sat up cross-legged just as my bedroom door flew open. She quickly spotted me, giving me a wide smile. She looked me up and down.

- Oh my God Ona! It’s so good to see you… looking normal.

- Happy to see you too, Leon, I giggled as I stood up.

She continued to examine me with a worried look. She sighed and finally hugged me. I eagerly accepted her embrace. I had missed her. Missed her so much.

- I’m fine, Maps… I’ve been through a lot, but I’m okay. I’m sorry I didn’t give you any news. I wasn’t able to, but I should have asked someone to do it for me.

- Don’t worry, it’s enough to see you in good shape.

- They took good care of me.

- You avoided rehab?

- Yeah, thanks to Bronze. She supported me against all odds.

We exchanged a smile. I could see she was holding back a comment. I knew her too well. I rolled my eyes in amusement and encouraged her to speak.

- I was wondering if… well um… you see… if that school is helping you? Sorry, she hurried. I know you don’t like talking about it, but I feel like it’s changing you a lot, you know and-

- Stop, I laughed, cutting her off. No one can stop you when you’re nervous. I don’t mind talking about it. I think you’re right, I sighed. The school is helping… at least the people there are…

- That’s good, she smiled. I was starting to lose hope of seeing the Ona I knew again.”

I smiled at her sincerely. I was losing hope too, if only she knew. I’ve been questioning a lot of things since that moment I cried in Bronze’s arms. That behavior triggered something deep inside me. It was the first time I managed to open up to someone. Not by talking about my past, but by talking about myself, about my fears. Since then, I’ve felt like I might be able to climb out of this, but the road is still very long.

- Anyway, I hope you’re ready because we’re going out tonight! she announced.

Oh no... For some reason, I haven’t liked hearing that phrase since last time. I’m really afraid of crossing my limits. She seems to see that I’m hesitant.

- Please! I promise I’ll watch over you. Ana is hosting the party. She suggested I bring you so you could meet her...

- I don’t know if it’s a good idea.

- Oh come on, it would be good for you to go out a bit. It’ll help you forget about school for a while. I won’t let you fall again.

- You’d better not. If Bronze has to get me sober again, she promised to keep me in school until I graduate.

- All the more reason for me to take care of you. No way she’s separating us!

- You’ll ditch me for your girlfriend at the first chance you get.

- I won’t take my eyes off you... Please! I’ve already told her you’re coming!

Saturday, November 14; 9:45 PM - Party at Ana’s House

Watch over me, my ass! It’s already been fifteen minutes since I started looking for Mapi, with no luck. I’m stuck in a house, far from home, where I don’t know anyone. The music is loud, and there’s alcohol and any kind of illegal substance. If Bronze knew I was in a place like this, she’d kill me. I had to say yes. I promised Mapi I’d meet her girlfriend, and here I am in her house, all alone. I already regret it. I drank a few glasses to please my best friend, but that’s all. She introduced me to Ana. She’s super nice, just like Mapi said. I felt like she didn’t like me much at first, but it seemed to improve as we talked. I know she’s not aware of our relationship with Mapi, and luckily, because she seems quite jealous already. I made my way to the kitchen. I finally saw some familiar faces. They were Ana’s friends that she introduced earlier. I was about to go to them when someone grabbed my arm. Please... Not again...

- Hey! Ona, right?

- Alex? What are you doing here?

If we had planned this, we couldn’t have managed it. He’s the brother of the little girl we met at the ice rink this afternoon. He already looks pretty wasted.

- I could ask you the same. I’ve never seen you here before! I’m here with my best friend.

- Same. The owner of the house is my best friend’s girlfriend.

- Oh, I didn’t know! Want some?

He offered me a joint. Great... Just what I needed. I had made an effort to avoid this kind of thing all evening, and now it’s right in front of me. I understood why he was in such a state.

- Sorry, I don’t do that anymore, I declined.

- Oh come on, it’s nothing serious.

- I said no, I’d rather get a drink.

- As you wish, he smiled. I’ll come with you, and we can go outside.

- If you want, sure.

It’s probably better than being alone, even though I’m not sure he’s great company. I made myself a drink and followed him outside. He introduced me to his friends. The good news is I found Mapi and Ana. The bad news is that the table we’re at is covered in drugs. There’s as much weed as there is cocaine on the table. It’s insane. Mapi noticed my concern and placed her arm around my shoulders to reassure me.

- Relax... I said I’d watch over you.

- Why aren’t you taking anything? Alex asked from my other side.

- I quit, and I don’t want to fall back into it.

- Here, drink a bit since you’re already here, it’ll do you good, Mapi said. There’s a room upstairs if you want to stay.

- No way. I promised Joan I’d come home to sleep with him.

- Just one drink then.

I accepted the drink, albeit reluctantly. I already knew I wouldn’t stop at just one. Especially since they were all eager for us to play drinking games. Again. I intended to leave the table, but my pride got the better of me when someone called me a chicken. Three in the morning came quickly. I was no longer in control of my movements. Somehow, I managed to get up from the table after refusing to kiss Alex in a game of spin the bottle. No more alcohol for tonight. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened last weekend here. I moved toward the garden. I needed to isolate myself to regain my composure. I went just far enough to hear only the laughter. I laughed as I remembered a guy’s joke. At the same time, I dialed a number on my phone.

- Ona? I heard on the other end.

- Heeey, Lucia ! How are you?

- Where are you?

I couldn’t help but laugh, thinking about what would happen when I got back. Her voice was stern, and she sounded angry. I was definitely not in control of my body or my mind.

- Everything’s fine! I’m not walking straight, but I’m okay!

- Don’t make me repeat myself. Where are you?

- At a party with Mapi! Oh dear, my head is spinning!

I burst out laughing as I leaned against a tree. I heard her sigh on the other end.

- Damn it, Ona, you’re so immature! Have you done anything other than drink?

- No, I said proudly. I listened to you for once.

- Go home. Now, she ordered.

- Or what?

- Ona... Don’t take advantage of the distance. I could make you run the miles you owe me for tonight to sober up first thing Monday morning, she threatened.

- Oh dear, I’m so scared!

- Don’t-

I hung up on her. I giggled, realizing the mess I had gotten myself into. What was I thinking calling her? I smiled when Mapi joined me. She had also had quite a few drinks, but she seemed more clear-headed than me. She laughed seeing my state.

- You okay, Onita ?

- Hummmm.

- Did you get a call from Commander? Who’s that?

- Bronze, I snickered. She’s going to kill me. I just hung up on her.

- You have her number?! she exclaimed, surprised.

- She gave it to me before she left. In case I had a problem, I explained. She knows I’m drunk, I’m screwed, I giggled.

Mapi teased me. I leaned my head against the tree behind me and closed my eyes for a moment. Not too long, because my head was really spinning.

- You should pick up, it’s her third call.

I realized she was right when I looked at my phone. I giggled again and finally answered on her fourth call. I didn’t even have time to put the phone to my ear before I had to pull it back.

- Damn it, Ona, don’t ever do that again, she yelled. Go home, now.

- Relax, baby, I laughed. It’s just a party.

- Baby? Mapi choked, spitting out her drink.

I laughed even harder, realizing the nickname I had just given her.

- Oops, shit! That’s not what you think, Maps, I giggled. Oh man, I’m really messed up.

- Are you with someone? I heard through my phone.

I let my phone slip accidentally. I laughed when I bumped into the tree. Before I could react, Mapi had picked up my phone and put it on speaker.

- Hey, this is Bronze, right?

- And who are you?

- Mapi, the best friend.

- Hmm. I know who you are. Has Ona taken any drugs?

- Thanks for the trust, I giggled. I said no!

- Shut up, Ona. I wasn't talking to you, and I don't want to hear from you anymore.

- No, she hasn’t taken anything, Mapi replied, laughing. She was adamant about it, and I stayed sober just to watch over her.

- See! You can trust me!

- I told you to be quiet, Ona! We’ll deal with this when you get back.

I groaned at her words. What did I say? I’m in trouble. I’m going to have a rough time. I rolled my eyes, knowing she couldn’t see me anyway.

- I can’t drive her back with all the alcohol I’ve had, my best friend said. But I can call her driver to pick her up.

- You can't be serious, Maps! You said I could stay here!

- And you said you wanted to sleep with Joan! she retorted.

- You made me drink like crazy, saying I needed to have fun!

- I never forced you to drink!

I was about to argue back, but Bronze’s voice interrupted our debate that could have gone on for hours. I laughed as she scolded me, calling me reckless. When I finally calmed down, I heard her sigh.

- Call her driver and tell him I want a message when she's in bed.

- You can't make me go home from a party across the country!

- Watch me!

- You've never forbidden me from going to parties!

- Have you seen your state? Do you want me to remind you how it ended last time? You’re going home, period! And believe me, we’ll have a serious talk when you get back, she repeated.

I groaned in frustration at her words. She talked a bit more with Mapi before the latter hung up. She continued to tap on my phone, probably calling Hector as planned. She stood up and helped me do the same. She held me up as we walked to the exit and through the outer gate.

- Come on, beautiful, it's time to go home.

- I don’t want to go home, I mumbled.

- But your girlfriend wants you to.

- She’s not my girlfriend, I grumbled more.

- You can tell me, you know? she laughed. You called her baby!

- It slipped out.

- Sure it did, she teased.

- It's true! She's going to kill me on Monday, damn it.

We waited five minutes in front of the house before Hector's service car appeared. He helped Mapi get me into the car. I was really in bad shape. Maybe Bronze wasn’t wrong. He closed the door after settling me in. I could still hear them talking, but I was too drunk to understand what they were saying. Hector joined the driver's side after their conversation. Mapi opened the door one last time to give me a kiss on the forehead.

- See you tomorrow. Sleep well, Ona.

I groaned slightly in response. She closed the door, and Hector drove off. It didn’t even take two minutes for me to fall asleep, my head resting against the car window.

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

A little danger, pt. 16

A little danger - Series Masterlist

Pairing: Sky of Eraklyon x mind!fairy

Warnings: angst, fluff, swearing, violence, sexual innuendos, descriptions of blood/wounds/death

———— PART 16 ————

Laying on the bed, Y/N is silently staring at the ceiling as Sky sleeps. She spent hours trying to retrieve his memories, to bring them forth from darkness but it only caused them both pain and nosebleeds. After the fifth try, Sky insisted it was best to stop. Y/N agreed. 

For now, at least.

Stella texted her in the morning, letting her know Queen Luna had arrived. Surprisingly, she informed her that the students don’t remember Bloom’s role in Rosalind’s death, but the Queen does. She succeeded to some degree, after all. Not as useless as she believed she was. 

The girls will try to convince the Queen to release Bloom later in the day, Stella acting as a layer of defense. The others will find where Farah was buried. 

That should go over well.

Part of her wishes she could seek her grave as well, to get some much needed closure, but Sky is here. He’s alive and Farah isn’t and the person who did her harm is already dead, so what is the point. Revenge is off the table, all that remains is sadness and Y/N has plenty of sadness in her life. 

Glancing at Sky, she envied how peaceful he seemed. Not even an inkling of worry or heart-wrenching sorrow as he’s asleep. It’s ridiculous, but it angers her. How is it she’s the one saddled with all the rage, sadness, and worries? Somehow, Y/N is meant to take the brunt of this horrible thing that’s happened to them and she will. As long as there’s a chance to bring Sky back, the actual Sky she knows and loves, she’ll take anything life has to offer. 

“I feel you staring,” Sky murmurs and she sighs.

“Here we go again.”

“I don’t mind,” he smirks, eyes still closed. “I know I’m easy on the eyes.”

“Is there an off switch for the cockiness?”

Chuckling, he raises his brows and glances at her before his gaze falls to his hardened member. “There might be.”

Rolling her eyes, she gets up. Head in her hands, she groans. “I can’t believe the dick is back.” It felt like they made some progress after their talk last night, but this made her believe it was all an act. 

“It’s a natural process,” Sky defends.

“How do you even know that? You remember pizza and morning wood, but I’m not even a footnote?”

Shrugging playfully, he smirks, “Food and their dicks, kind of the most important part of any man’s life.”

Turning away, she pinches the bridge of her nose. “Guess I’m the idiot thinking I was an important part of your life too.”

Heading into the bathroom, she slams the door behind her. 

Licking his lips, Sky sits up. “Guess I’ll just…handle it myself.”

Yanking the door open, Y/N glares at him. “If you jerk off anywhere near my bed I will lobotomize you!”

Rolling his eyes, Sky scoffs. “You’re all bark and no bite.”

Filled with anger, Y/N’s eyes glow with a soft, violet light. Sky cocks his head at her determined expression, raising his eyebrows as she extends her hand toward him. As if caught in a gentle breeze, he feels himself lifted from the ground, his body floating weightlessly in the air. Holding his breath, he looks down, marveling at the realization.

“I’m flying!”

Clicking her tongue, she scowls before pushing him against a wall. “Actually, I’m biting.” Adding light pressure to his neck, she smirks. “I’m not one to be played with.”

Instead of fear, a sense of wonder fills Sky’s heart as he gazes at Y/N. The way she commands the room, the tempered way she speaks even in anger, and the gentleness of her power despite his arrogance is mesmerizing. He’s captivated by the purple hue surrounding her, wishing she’d release him and allow a single touch just so he knows he’s not imagining things and this is real. That she is real.

When she finally lowers him to the floor, he lands with a soft thud, his eyes never leaving hers. Without any words, he closes the distance between them, cupping her face with a tenderness she missed greatly.

“I’m not playing with you, I promise.” Licking his lips, Sky’s eyes flicker to hers for mere seconds before focusing on the remnants of purple in her gaze. It’s dear to his heart despite reason, as if it speaks to some part of his soul he’s lost.

Swallowing thickly, she closes her eyes. “It hurts.” Returning his gaze, she sighs. “You have no idea…the weight of what we lost last night is suffocating me. And you’re here, but not really. Sky, you’re a stranger with a fascination, not the man who loves me.”

“You can reverse it,” he shrugs meekly as her hands pull his away from her face. “You’ll bring me back to who I was and it will be fine.”

Looking away, she covers her mouth and he realizes she’s holding back tears. “Would you want that?”

“What do you mean?”

Letting out a heavy breath in response, she sits on her bed. “A lot has happened to you Sky. A lot that I know you’d rather not have to deal with. Maybe that would be the best thing for you?”

Frowning deeply, he shakes his head lightly. “That can’t be true.”

“It is,” she responds instantly. “I’ve never seen you this carefree before, not since we were kids!”

Getting on his knees, he rests his hands on her thighs carefully, as if awaiting her reaction. “You say I loved you.”

Nodding, her lips quiver. He’s right before her, he’s touching her and his eyes are filled with confusion. Somehow, she’s managed to break him in less than 24 hours…he was a clean slate, happy! If he went with Stella, he’d still be content instead of lost like a child.

“If I loved you as much as you say, I don’t think any amount of heavy shit that would come with loving you would matter.”

“You only say that because you can’t remember what it was. It broke you. I broke you.”

Before Sky can say anything, his phone rings, startling them both.

“What the fuck is that?”

Taking the phone from his jacket, Y/N answers, putting it on speaker.

“You’re calling a guy who has no memories. That’s a new level of stupid even for you.”

“Figured you’d fix him by now with your fairy shit,” Riven remarks. “Saul’s calling all the specialists. The Solarians found Sebastian’s hideout. It’s not far from here.”

“And he clearly left Sky out for obvious reasons.”

“His memory might be wiped, but his muscles remember the training,” he clarifies. “We have to take these guys out. End this war before it begins. If he’s capable of fighting, he should come.”

“How do I know if I can fight?” Sky asks, ignoring the disgruntled look on her face.

“Have Miss Sunshine bring you down and we can check it real fast.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea. Saul won’t let him come anyway,” Y/N insists. “Even if he can fight, he has no idea what he’s fighting.”

“Blood witches are evil, control people like puppets whilst enjoying killing us and the fairies. There, now he knows.”

Grimacing, Y/N shakes her head. “It’s too dangerous. If he’s coming, I’m coming too.”

“No!” 

“No!”

Raising her brows, she sets her lips in a thin line. “Since when do either of you think you have any choice in the matter?”

“Since they nearly took your magic last time, which would have given them all the power they need to kill us all!”

“Listen,” Y/N licks her lips, “I’ll bring Sky, but if he goes with you, I’m not staying behind. So, it’s really your choice.”

Once they got to the grounds, Y/N was hoping Sky wouldn’t show any physical capabilities. If he was just an ordinary man, he’d stay with her away from the fight. This would make her life so much easier, she’d be able to breathe again and maybe find a way to have him fall in love with her all over again – without the memories of their past that so deeply affected their lives. She’d force herself to let it all go and just enjoy him as he is, to truly live this time around. 

But that didn’t happen.

Sky successfully blocked every attack Riven utilized against him, having Riven pinned to the ground so effortlessly that it seemed as if he was better at this than before.

“He’s coming with us,” Saul states. “He’s perfectly capable of fighting, and you can do the same here.”

“What?”

“Bloom is gone, Y/N. Her sentence is harsh and she’s out of the picture for now.” Staring at Sky throwing Riven over his shoulder, Saul shrugs. “Unless you save her.”

“But Sky –“

“Will be with me. I will keep him safe as I’ve always done in the past.”

Wrapping a protective arm around Y/N, Saul kisses her temple. “Queen Luna is a powerful fairy, but your power is ancient. She can’t fight you and Bloom openly, so she’s manipulating events to take you out of the game one by one.” Giving her a pointed look, Saul raises his brows. “Do not let her.”

Glancing at Sky, Y/N nods. “I have to talk to him first.” 

“I understand.”

“And if something happens to him, Saul, I swear to you I will burn The Otherworld to the ground.”

Despite the severity of her threat, Saul smiles. “I’d help you.”

Shielding her eyes from the sun, she draws in a shuddered breath as catches Sky’s gaze on her. It wasn’t an accidental glance or a shy glimpse, he was staring at her unapologetically as if he knew she was undeniably his. 

Yours truly.

Sky frowns in confusion, rubbing his forehead. His eyes widen slightly before putting his shirt on, hastily walking toward her.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Saul taps her shoulder, reassuring her he will protect Sky.

With his shortened breathing, Sky places his hands on his hips. Towering over her, he quirks an eyebrow. “You know, I could have sworn I heard you just now.” There’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, a glimmer of bewilderment dancing in the blue-green depths. “But your lips weren’t moving,” he manages a wry smile. “More like…your voice echoed in my head? Does that make any sense?”

A pang of guilt tugs at her heartstrings, her lips parting slightly. “Yes,” she sighs. Biting her lower lip, she struggles to find the right words to express her remorse because she’s done it again – Sky hated intrusions of this sort, so how does she explain she messed up without him running from her.

“I’m sorry,” she decides an apology would be most sincere. “It’s not a conscious thing most times. Seems like it happens with you often though, I still don’t know why.” Pinching the bridge of her nose, she turns away from him. 

Curling his fingers around her wrist, Sky turns her to face him. There’s a subtle, but undeniable intimacy in the gesture, one that sends a shiver of warmth coursing through her veins. “Don’t turn away from me like that. Okay? I don’t like it. In fact, I really don’t like when you decide how I perceive things. I don’t know how I reacted to stuff before, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to be the same. You said it yourself, I’m a stranger right now, so don’t assume I’ll go off the rails about things I don’t even remember.”

In response, she moves her hand, mirroring his gesture, holding onto his wrist, their position resembling the solemnity of making an unbreakable vow.

“I’ll stop assuming,” she promises. “I’m sorry I keep projecting all my problems and insecurities onto you. I think I’ve always done that and it’s exactly why we broke up.”

“See, some things are best left forgotten. I don’t really want to remember that. Sound painful as fuck.”

Pursing her lips, she tugs at the zipper of his jacket with her free hand. “Yeah. It is.”

Narrowing his eyes at her, he cocks his head ever so slightly. “What is it?”

“Hm?”

“You’re trying to say something. Just say it.”

Exhaling as she smiles, Y/N drags her palm into his hand, holding it tightly. “Saul wants you to go with them. He’s the closest thing both of us have to a father. I trust his judgment.”

Raising his eyebrows, he chews his lips. “Alright. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

Nodding, she forces a smile. She has to be strong and project confidence and assurance for Sky’s sake, but there’s nothing other than anxiety in her heart.

Her lips curve upwards, but the smile doesn't reach her eyes. It's a facade, a mask she wears to hide her true emotions. She can feel the tension radiating off Sky, his sharp gaze probing her facade, searching for the truth hidden beneath her carefully constructed facade.

“I won’t be coming with you.” 

“Oh.” Inhaling sharply, he nods. “Well, that’s understandable. You’re a fairy, I’m the specialist. Riven made it pretty clear my role is to protect fairies.”

Summoning all her strength, she steadies her trembling breath and nods in affirmation. “That’s the bare basis of it. But there are layers to it. Plenty of layers, especially for us.”

“Peel a few for me before I leave?”

Cupping his cheek tenderly, she holds her breath as he leans into her palm. “I’m your fairy, Sky. It’s not just a random pairing they made in class, we are connected in a deeper way. When we have to defend each other, we are deadly.”

“Do others have their fairy?”

“Some do,” she shrugs. “It’s a rare thing.”

“Are other fairies joining this fight?” Sky tightens his hold on her as she shakes her head.

“Mind fairies are the only ones effective against Blood witches, but we don’t have many at this school. One of my friends lost her magic the last time we faced them…I nearly lost mine and we cannot afford mine to be taken away, no matter how much I wish it.”

As the words sink in, Sky's eyes widen in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of what Y/N has just revealed. For a moment, he is frozen in stunned silence, his heart clenching with a mixture of shock and anguish. 

“You wish for that?” He can't fathom the idea of Y/N willingly giving up her magic, the very essence of who she is. It's as if she's offering to sacrifice a part of herself, a fundamental aspect of her identity, and the thought fills him with a profound sense of sorrow.

“Why would you –“ With a heavy heart, Sky reaches out to Y/N, his fingers trembling as they brush against her cheek. He searches her eyes, silently pleading for her to reconsider, to see the beauty and wonder of her magic in the way he does. He’s barely seen a fraction of it and he’s already hooked. 

Riven’s voice interrupts the exchange. “Get your ass going! We are leaving!”

“We’re not done talking about this,” Sky states firmly, but there is a glimmer of understanding, a flicker of empathy for the pain that must be driving Y/N to such drastic measures. He can see the weariness etched into her features, and in that moment he realizes that wish stems from a place of profound desperation - a longing to be at peace. If he’s part of the reason, then he can’t imagine what a dick he truly is to have her questioning this beautiful part of her soul he’s inexplicably drawn to. 

“NOW”, Riven shouts.

Huffing, Sky frowns as she pulls away from him. “Stay safe,” she smiles. 

Come back to me.

Glancing over his shoulder, he drags a hand across his face before accepting the sword Riven holds out for him. “We’re coming back in one piece, right?”

Riven scoffs, “I sure hope so.”

Watching them drive off, only catching a small wave from Sky, Y/N feels as if her heart might give up. They’re not good apart, especially not in a fight. Together they survive, but apart? It’s never a good thing.

“Now that they’ve gone, could you spare a few minutes for me?”

Y/N's breath catches in her throat as she lays eyes on Farah, her mind struggling to process the impossible standing before her. A ghost of her past in the flesh, returning to haunt her.

“This isn’t real.” Shock and disbelief wash over Y/N in waves, leaving her trembling and disoriented. She blinks rapidly as if trying to dispel the illusion before her eyes, but Farah remains steadfast and real, a reassuring smile playing on her lips.

“I’m here.”

Unable to find the words to express the emotions raging within her, Y/N simply reaches out to Farah, her hand trembling as it brushes against her arm. It's a gesture of disbelief, a wordless acknowledgment of the miracle that stands before her. Embracing her, she lets the tears flow freely.

Holding her tightly, Farah runs a soothing hand over her back. “I’m sorry darling, but we don’t have much time.”

Pulling away, sniffling, she frowns. “What does that mean? I just got you back!”

“You didn’t. Not truly.” Brushing away her tears, Farah smiles sweetly. “I did not survive the attack. When I realized what Rosalind was going to do, I drew on as much magic as I could, and called on the natural world to preserve me.”

With trembling lips, Y/N shakes her head. “I don’t have long, but I do have time for one final lesson. For both you and your friends.” Farah turns around, waving her hand lightly. The girls followed shortly after, forming a tight circle. Bloom’s with them, much to Y/N’s confusion. Didn’t Saul say she was gone? Isn’t that the reason she was told to stay behind?

“When I was your headmistress, I shielded you from the harsh truths of the world. I believed that positive emotions were the cornerstone of powerful magic. Rosalind felt the opposite. That strength was only forged in those harsh truths. We were both wrong. To unlock true magic, you must make peace with all your emotions. The reckless joy of the positive and the despair of the negative. There is beauty and power in both. I'm so proud of each of you. And of the women you're becoming.” 

Tucking her hair behind her ears, Y/N folds her arms. “Using my emotions in my magic has only ever caused others to get hurt. It’s not that simple.”

“Y/N, shall we take a walk?”

Walking toward the woods, Y/N grumbles. “Are you sure it’s not Bloom you meant to invite?”

Farah chuckles. “Bloom has gotten all the wisdom she needed from me. You still need a little more.”

“It’s always been this way,” Y/N remarks. “She’s the star pupil, even when she sets someone on fire. I’m the one needing extra lessons and work no matter what I do.”

“Darling, you’ve got it all wrong.” Farah stops. “The reason you needed extra care is because you’ve locked yourself in a shell out of fear. You’ve been so afraid of your powers, hating it, running from its potential, but this kind of power can’t be locked away. The shell cracks eventually and you have extremely powerful magic escaping it in terribly, uncontrolled ways. Y/N, what happens when a dam begins to break?”

“The water trickles through the cracks, slowly at first…but then there are all these pressure leaks that increase the speed damage to the structure of the dam…and when it breaks and the water comes out all at once, it’s certain to take out everything in its vicinity.”

Tilting Y/N’s chin with her index finger, Farah smiles. “Don’t you understand? You’ve created a dam that’s breaking and instead of letting the river run free, in its natural state, you’ve created a dam and pressure leaks, and when it breaks entirely, it will annihilate everything.”

Clenching her jaw, Y/N trains her gaze on her feet. “So I’ll explode one day...like I always thought?”

“It’s never too late to detonate,” Farah wraps an arm around her, moving her forward as they continue the walk. “Embrace your emotions, even the ugly ones. The fear, the anger, the grief, all of it is a part of you and you are in control. Those emotions do not control you or your magic, not if you don’t let them.”

Biting her lower lip mercilessly, Y/N looks up at Farah. “I’ve been so angry at you. So, so angry.”

“You couldn’t have known –“

“I’m a mind fairy, I should have seen it! If I was in control, I’d have known…maybe I could have even stopped it.”

Grabbing her by the shoulders, Farah frowns. “Stop! You are very powerful, darling, but you’re not all-powerful. There are things we can’t see coming, no matter how hard we try. You can’t save everybody. It doesn’t work like that. Don’t ever blame yourself for what happened to me…I don’t.” Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Farah sighs. “You are my favorite student. I know you’re afraid of your power, but you have to use it. One way or another, those you love will need you to fight.” Offering a smile, she takes a step back. “I believe in you. You have the power to protect this realm, to save it from those who wish chaos upon it.”

“Rosalind said something similar to Bloom once,” Y/N presses her lips in a thin line.

“How about this, then? Don’t think about saving the world. Focus on saving your world. When you have that in your heart, you can’t go wrong.”

Sniffling, she nods. “You waited until they were gone. He would have loved to see you.”

“Saul would understand. Our friendship was dear to me, you can tell him that.”

Lifting her head to the sky, Y/N wipes the tears slowly forming their path on her cheeks. “I hate saying goodbye.”

“I’m glad we have the chance to do it properly,” Farah wraps her arms around her, letting her cry while the sun goes down. As the last ray of light dies down, Y/N’s arms wrap around herself, realizing Farah is gone…this time for good.

FINALE

[the-authoress-writes]

Safe and Sound Chapter One

Or: It’s the Great Karmic Bitchslap, Jake Seresin!

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Seresin OC

Safe and Sound Masterlist

Synopsis: After leaving her violent and abusive husband, Anastasia Seresin has known nothing but fear for months.

Always looking over her shoulder, wondering if he’s found her and their son, Luke, again.

With nowhere left to go, she turns to her younger twin brother, Jake, hoping that finally, she’ll have fled far enough.

But when she meets Bradley Bradshaw, her world is turned upside down, and she’s left wondering…

Will she have the courage to love again, and to let herself be loved?

Series Warnings: Mentions and descriptions of domestic violence and abuse, mentions and descriptions of sexual abuse, stalking, PTSD, character(s) of faith (Catholicism), warnings will be updated as the series progresses.

This is a story dealing with very serious and sensitive topics.

Please be careful, and protect your own peace.

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of triggers, mentions of past domestic violence and abuse, mentions of Catholicism, mention of gaslighting, brief mention of assault, discussion of eating habits, stalking, and of course, military and legal inaccuracies.

Author’s Note: This story is one that is special to me; this was one of the first Top Gun stories I came up with, soon after I watched TG:M.

I’ve been keeping this to myself, because this is going to be intense and hard, but I know that if I don’t put this out there, I’ll never finish it.

So here we go.

Title is from the Taylor Swift/Joy Williams & John Paul White song of the same name.

Not breaking my habit of naming my stories after songs, it seems!

How had her life come to this?

Constantly on her guard.

Watching the way the shadows shifted.

Breaking into a cold sweat whenever she smelled anything that reminded her of his cologne, and when she saw or smelled red roses.

Living out of motels with her son.

How had she been so deceived?

How had she given her heart, mind, and body to the maniac she called her—thankfully—ex-husband?

All the things she gave up for him…

All the things he did to her…

All the things she let him do to her…

She shuddered just thinking about it.

All these thoughts swam through Anastasia’s head as she stared up at the ceiling, listening to her son, Luke, breathe.

Luke.

The only thing she didn’t regret about her marriage.

The only truly good thing Derek ever gave her.

Her beautiful, brave boy.

How she wished she could give him a better life than this.

A better life, the life he deserved, where he could just be the happy eight-year-old he was, instead of quiet, grave, and much-too responsible.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she pressed her hand to her mouth, not wanting to wake Luke and burden him even more than he himself was taking on.

She should have listened all those years ago when her twin brother Jake told her Derek was bad news, but Derek had fooled her so well, and she’d been so in love with him, or maybe she was just in love with love.

She would never know, now.

Regret burned in her heart as she remembered her last argument with Jake.

“Stash, I don’t like him.”

“God’s sake, not this again; you haven’t liked anyone I’ve been with, Jake.”

He rolled his eyes, “Not like this.

I have a bad feeling, Stash, he—something’s just plain wrong.”

“He loves me, Jake,” she defended.

“He says he does, but I don’t think he does; I don’t like the way he looks at you, why can’t you see it?” he said, voice rising.

“You know, I think you’re just jealous that I’m in a committed relationship, and you’re not!” she pointed.

“This isn’t about that!”

“Then what the hell is it about, Jakub?!”

Her younger brother inhaled and exhaled evenly. “I am concerned about you, Stacia.

You have to break up with Derek.”

Frustration flared in her chest. “See?!

You can’t even give me a straight answer about why I should!

And for another thing, why should I listen to relationship advice from you, when you have such a fantastic track record in your relationships?

You couldn’t keep one in high school to save your life, so why would you know the meaning of the word commitment?

Oh—sorry, not sorry, you wouldn’t know it, even if it hit you over the head!!”

Jake clenched his jaw. “I don’t want to get into an argument with you before I go back to Annapolis, Stash, but if you know what’s good for you, you’ll end it with him,” he said, voice shaking.

She scoffed, “You don’t want to get into an argument with me?

Well, too fucking late; I’m not going to break up with him, I love him, and he loves me, end of story.”

He threw his hands up, “You’re so fucking stubborn, you know that?!”

“Pot, meet Goddamn kettle!

I’m not breaking up with Derek, and that’s final, so you can go back to Annapolis, and while you’re at it, get the fuck out of my life, Jake!” At the shock in his eyes, spite sparked, hot and furious, in her heart. “And you know what?

If you hate Derek so much, I don’t have a brother anymore.”

Jake’s face fell. “Stacia—”

“No, I love him, and you’re wrong about him, so do me a favor and stay the hell out of my life, Jacob, because clearly, you can’t be happy for me, so you’re dead to me.”

That was the last thing she’d said to her brother almost ten years ago.

One year after her and Jake’s argument, she walked down the aisle without her brother on her side of the church, trading Anastasia Seresin for Anastasia Malloy.

And still, despite everything she’d said, Jake sent her a letter, that she read despite herself. “Dear Stacia,

I pray that you had a great day.

I pray that you have a happy marriage.

I’m currently in Pensacola for the next two years for flight training, and while I will respect your decision to cut me from your life, I just want you to know that you will always be my sister and I will always love you, Stacia.

With all my love,

Kuba”

She kept that letter, even though she initially wanted nothing more than to throw it away, eventually moving it to her Bible, between the cover and the paper lining, once Derek became abusive.

Over the next ten years, Jake sent her cards every time his duty station changed, something she only discovered while taking out the trash five years ago, finding his card detailing his assignment to VFA-151 in Lemoore, which mentioned the other cards he’d sent.

When Derek found it hidden in her dresser, he threw the card again, and she got a sprained wrist and slammed against the bedroom doorframe for it.

Unable to escape her memories and regrets, she lay restless in bed until it was time to get up.

The routine was just that; after washing up, she woke Luke, so the two of them could eat breakfast before she looked for jobs in the area—since it’d been four months since Derek last found them, she felt it was safe to start looking for at least a part-time job—and because it was a Sunday, they would go to church for Mass at noon.

The church was nice, and the homily was decent, but it just made her miss her old parish church.

She especially missed Father Janusz.

The grandfatherly priest was the one who encouraged and exhorted her to leave Derek; he and his sister, Bożena, his housekeeper, were the only ones who believed her when she first said she was being abused.

Because Derek hadn’t just fooled her, he’d managed to fool the whole community into thinking she was crazy and a cheater, and that he was a salt-of-the-earth Sheriff’s Deputy, suffering an unhappy marriage for the sake of his son.

Father Janusz and Bożena kept her anchored to the world, even through Derek’s relentless gaslighting.

She remembered the night she left.

“Go, my daughter,” Father urged, pulling her into a warm embrace.

“I’m scared, Father.”

“Be not afraid, Stacia.

Just drive; get away from here.

We’ll handle the rest, and cross the bridges when we get there.

Here, take this.”

Father drew back, and pressed a cellphone and a credit card into her hand. “The cellphone is one of the administrative phones paid for by the parish; don’t worry about the charges—and this is the card to a savings account in Bożena’s name.

I placed some money there for you from my personal savings.”

Tears welled in her eyes, “Father, I can’t take all this, you’ve already done so much for me and Luke,” she gestured at the ‘97 Toyota Camry Father had given her.

“You will—you must.

Do it for your boy, hmm?”

She nodded wordlessly.

“Now go, Stacia—I’ll file the annulment with the Diocese, as well as the divorce papers, request for custody of Łukasz, and restraining order, in the city tomorrow, first thing in the morning.”

“Okay—thank you so much for everything, Father—I can’t thank you enough.”

“No thanks needed, child.

Niech Bóg będzie z tobą, Anastasja.”

The divorce and annulment went smoother than she thought it would, but somehow, even with the testimonies of Father Janusz and Bożena, she still managed to come out the bad person, with the request for a restraining order denied, and Derek cleared on his charges of domestic and child abuse.

She comforted herself with the fact that at least she somehow got sole custody of Luke, and together, they ran to the other side of Texas.

She and Luke were beginning to settle down three months after the whole thing, when she got a call at half past midnight from Bożena.

“Hello?”

“Stacia, it’s Bożena.

You have to run.”

“What?” she frowned, sitting up.

“Janusz was attacked in the rectory.

He couldn’t identify who it was, but we both believe it was Derek.”

“Is Father alright?” Anastasia gasped.

“He’s as alright as he can be.

But he’s in surgery right now for a broken arm and leg.”

“Did they arrest Derek?”

“No.

There’s no proof it was him, and you know what they think of you and him in that stupid town, córka,” the elderly woman bitterly muttered.

How Sheriff Lackman and the other deputies could be so blind was truly astounding. “But they have to investigate!

Father was badly hurt!”

“And they will, but I have no doubt that “whoever” did it will never be caught and prosecuted for it.

Which is why you have to run.

I’ll put more money in the account Janusz gave you tomorrow.

Take Luke and go, fast,” Bożena urged.

And that conversation was what triggered her packing her life into bags and taking Luke, praying that Derek wouldn’t come after them.

But he had, and he’d found them nearly half a dozen times, to her terror.

“Mama, can we get waffles again for lunch?” Luke’s voice broke her from her thoughts as she stood in front of the door to the church’s parking lot, can of Mace in the hand which wasn’t holding Luke’s.

“Sure, sweetheart,” she absently said, intently scanning the parking lot and checking the corners before she opened the door and they stepped onto the sidewalk.

After checking the backseat and trunk of the car, she buckled Luke into his booster seat, and drove them to the local diner, where she barely ate, wanting to save as much of the money Father Janusz and Bożena gave them, keeping her head on a swivel, ironically using a saying her ex-husband was fond of throwing around with his fellow deputies.

“Mama, I can’t finish, can you help me?”

She looked down to see Luke looking up at her pleadingly. “You barely ate, Kaszek, and you finished the plate last time.”

“‘m not that hungry,” he muttered, tapping his thumb on his opposite palm, his tell that he was lying.

“Lucas Tymoteusz Seresin Malloy, we just came from church.”

He sighed, “Please just help me, Mama?

We can both eat.”

A dagger plunged into her heart; of course he’d noticed that she wasn’t eating much of anything—she’d finished her plate of fries ten minutes ago. “I’m okay, honey, you can finish it.”

The rumbling of her stomach gave a different answer.

“Please, Mama, let’s both eat, please,” Luke pled.

Tears welled in her eyes; her beautiful boy was so loving and considerate, despite all the abuse he’d been raised around. “I don’t want you to be hungry, Luke.”

“I don’t want you to be hungry either, Mama.”

With a sob, she pulled Luke into her arms, running her hand through his dark golden blond hair, the exact same shade as her own. “I don’t deserve you, sweetheart.”

“I love you, Mama.”

“Are you sure, you’ll get hungry later?”

“Mm-hmm.

You’ll be even hungrier than me later if you don’t eat.

Please, Mama.”

“Okay, I’ll eat a little.”

Luke’s smile lit up the room, and it reminded her of Jake’s smile, twisting an old knife in her heart.

She ate less than Luke probably would have liked, but her stomach was glad for the little extra food, and they even managed to enjoy the day, going to the library and the dollar store, where she let him pick out three things, the two of them later deciding to splurge on McDonald’s for dinner, where Luke managed to get the toy he’d wanted in his Happy Meal.

She had an almost optimistic outlook on things when they arrived back at the motel for the night, and she was maybe, just maybe, beginning to hope that she could finally start over.

“Okay, honey, get your clothes for tomorrow,” she said, doing the same and rummaging through her own bag, making use of the system she’d come up with months ago: they kept their clothes and important belongings in the car, just in case they had to make a quick getaway, that way, they would leave as little as possible behind if Derek found them again.

“You good, Kaszek?” Anastasia asked, shoving her clothes in her tote bag.

“Yes, Mama.”

“Okay, let’s go!”

She held Luke’s hand in her left, her can of mace in her other hand, carefully sweeping the parking lot and the motel building with her gaze.

She was just about to step up onto the sidewalk running along the motel building, when her eyes landed on the ground just before their room door.

She stopped in her tracks as fear shuddered down her back.

Because just there, lying innocently in front of their room door, was a single red rose petal.

Red roses.

Those were the flowers he’d always give her after he hurt her, as an apology, to show that he was a “loving and caring” husband.

“Mama.” Luke’s voice was heavy with warning, having obviously also seen the rose petal.

“Look behind us, Luke.

Is he there?” she breathed, trying to keep her voice from shaking, as she gripped her Mace tighter.

“No.

There’s no one, Mama.”

“Good.

We’re going back to the car,” she whispered, glad she’d already paid for the night yesterday, and they wouldn’t have to worry about local police coming after them for the motel room fee.

“Run, Mama?”

“Yes—go.”

They ran back to the car, Luke buckling himself into his booster seat, and she mentally cursed as her trembling hands dropped the key, the sound as it hit the car floor ringing like a death knell, but she managed to pick it up and insert it into the ignition.

To her horror, the car didn’t start, and it could be a figment of her imagination, but she could swear the shadows at the corner of the building were beginning to coalesce into an all-too-familiar figure.

The ignition cranked and cranked, but the car still refused to start.

“Oh God, please,” she cried, turning the key yet again.

The sound of the engine starting was like the most heavenly music, and she threw the car into reverse, speeding towards the highway—she had to stay off the back roads, especially now.

Once they made it to the highway, she felt the tension in her shoulders ease minutely, glancing back to see Luke’s frightened eyes on her.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Mama.

Daddy found us again,” he despairingly breathed.

“I know, I know.

I’m so sorry, Luke, you shouldn’t have to live like this.”

“I’d rather run with you than live with Daddy, Mama.”

Anastasia bit her lip to keep her sob from escaping. “Ja cię kocham, Luke.”

“Ja też cię kocham, Mama.”

“Try to get some rest, okay, sweetheart?”

“I’ll try, Mama.”

An hour later, he was finally asleep, and she allowed the tears she’d been keeping down, to come.

Was this what she’d be doing for the rest of her life?

Always running, always looking over her shoulder, wondering if Derek had found them again?

All she wanted was to be able to breathe, to live, to raise Luke in peace, but where would she be able to do that?

Because Derek had found them, every single time.

Suddenly, as she drove, a wild hope seized her, her thoughts turning to the card in her bag, which she received after Father Janusz was able to convince the mailman to deliver any letters addressed to her to the rectory.

“Dear Stacia,

I don’t know if you even get these, at this point, but since none of them ever get sent back to me, I’m going to keep sending them.

I’ve been assigned to NAS North Island in San Diego for the foreseeable future; I’m part of a new special, elite STRIKFITRON, VFA-223, called the Black Cloaks.

(You’ll never guess what our squadron callsign is)

God, I wish we were on speaking terms, Stash, I want to tell you all about my new squadron.

Without disclosing classified information of how we came to be, we’re the best of the best’s best, forged as a team through one of the toughest missions I think will ever have to be flown, under the command of the best officer I’ve ever met.

And I’d dare to say that we’re a real team… maybe even a family.

I wish I could introduce you to everyone.

I even have a real wingman again.

He was a bit of an acquired taste; we first met in Pensacola for flight training, but he’s not a bad guy, I’m actually happy to fly his wing.

You’d love Phoenix—and Mav, my CO, he’s the second-most charming bastard I know, after yours truly, and the best naval aviator I’ve ever seen.

He handed me my ass all through training for that mission I talked about, and he’s even better than the legendary reputation that precedes him.

He’s taught me so much, and he actually cares about us, not just because we’re valuable to the navy for our skills.

He cares about us as people, and I’m honored to serve under him.

Fuck, there’s so much I want to tell you, all the paper in the world wouldn’t be enough to write it all out.

I pray you’re happy, that I was wrong about everything—there’s nothing more that I want for you, Stacia.

You’ll always be my sister, and I’ll always be your brother, no matter what, even if we never speak again.

Ja cię kocham, Stacia.

All my love forever,

Kuba”

She could go to Jake.

There was no possible way that Derek could bullshit his way onto a Navy base without a military ID.

They could be safe there.

But her mind flashed back to the argument she had with Jake all those years ago, to the horrible things she told him.

Could he forgive her for what she said, for the years of silence, first voluntary, then forced by Derek—could he forgive her for all of it?

Anastasia suddenly shook her head; that was her pride talking—from all the letters he’d written, there was clearly nothing that he wanted more than for them to speak again, so why would he turn her away?

At any rate, she thought, looking at Luke’s peaceful face in the rearview mirror, even if Jake did turn her away, maybe California would finally be far enough away from Derek, and she pulled over to look up the address for NAS North Island.

It felt like it took forever, but finally, after hours and hours of driving, she pulled up to the gate of NAS North Island.

The guard peered into the car before looking expectantly at her. “Good evening—ID?”

She handed over her driver’s license, and the guard took one look at it, before saying, “I need your USID, ma’am.”

Anastasia mentally facepalmed.

The very requirement which would keep her and Luke safe from Derek, would be the same thing which kept them out.

“I… I don’t have one.”

“Then I’m afraid you can’t enter.”

Her heart sank. “Please, sir, my brother is assigned here, I need to get in—”

“Ma’am, without a USID, I can’t allow—”

“I need to see my brother,” she pled. “Please, sir, we haven’t spoken in years, so I don’t know his number, but I know he’s stationed here and living on base, and I need to see him.”

“Ma’am—”

“If you call him—surely his number is in some sort of database—he’ll tell you I’m his sister.

Please, I have nowhere else to go, sir,” she breathed, tears welling up against her will.

The guard stared at her for a long moment, and then turned to face the computer in his station. “Alright, I’ll call him, but if he says you can’t come in, or he doesn’t know you, you have to leave, ma’am.

Does your son have any ID?”

“No, sir.”

He ambivalently hummed, before typing something into his computer. “What’s your brother’s name?”

“Jacob Seresin.

He’s a pilot.”

He typed some more, then picked up a phone, the sound of the buttons seeming so loud in the night air, before the longest silence she’d ever heard deafened her, and she prayed that Jake would answer the call.

Blessedly, finally, the guard perked up. “I’m very sorry to wake you, Lieutenant, but I have a kid and woman here at the gate asking me to let them in, she says they need to get to your house,” the guard replied.

A short silence.

“The young man has no ID on him, but the woman’s driver’s license says Anastasia Malloy.”

This silence felt like an eternity, and Anastasia held her breath, praying that Jake wouldn’t turn his back on her, that her hope in him wasn’t unfounded.

“Alright, sir.

I’ll escort them to your housing.”

She sobbed in relief, leaning her forehead against the steering wheel.

“Alright, ma’am, your story checks out.

I’ll be escorting you to your brother’s housing, just wait here.”

Once the guard came back with someone else to man the gate, he drove up in a black Charger, instructing her to follow.

“Mama, we’re going to see Uncle Jake?” Luke asked.

“Yeah, we are, baby, hopefully, he’ll let us stay with him, at least for a little while,” she replied, trying to keep her voice even as the emotions were coursing through her.

“Do you think he’ll like me?”

“Of course he will, Kaszek, he’ll love you.”

Her brother had a soft heart under all the bravado he liked to show the world, and if he was still the Jake she remembered, he would love Luke, even if only because he was her son.

“I hope so, Mama.”

They drove past score after score of cookie cutter houses before stopping, and her breath caught in her throat.

Shadowed by the exterior lighting of his house, Jake stood on the path leading up to his house.

From what she could see, he looked much the same as a decade ago, but maybe with a slightly more muscular build, like he’d finally grown into the figure given to him by their father, his hair was disheveled as if he’d run his hands through it repeatedly, and there was a taut line of tension in his body, which she instinctually prayed was not going to lead to anger directed at her.

“Wait here, okay, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Mama.”

She stepped out of the car on shaking legs, walking to her little brother.

He looked her up and down, the tension seeming to pull tighter throughout his body, a furrow carving its way between his brow as he took her state in, and she fearfully looked into his eyes, their mother’s eyes, as tears she could no longer contain, traced down her cheeks.

The fear practically drained from her as she registered the look of warmth, love, and concern in those green eyes, and she murmured, voice trembling and breaking, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Oh, Stacia.”

And as he opened his arms to her, she launched herself forward into his embrace, sobbing, feeling safe for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.

To be continued…

Previous Part Next Part

There is actually a sizable Polish community in Texas, and in fact, one of the oldest churches in the state is a Polish Catholic Church.

Which is just perfect, because here, the Texas-born Seresin twins have Polish ancestry and nicknames, since I headcanon that Jake has Polish ancestry, like his actor, Glen Powell’s supposed ancestry, so—

Polish Glossary

Disclaimer: this is all taken from Google—please don’t hesitate to correct me if I’m wrong, which, odds are, I am.

Jakub (pronounced YAH-coohb): Polish version of Jacob

Stacia (pronounced StAH-shuh): Polish nickname for Anastasia (the Polish version is Anastasja, pronounced AHNA-stAH-sheeya)

Kuba (pronounced COO-buh): Polish nickname for Jakub

Janusz (pronounced YAH-nuush)

Bożena (pronounced Boh-zhEHna)

Łukasz (pronounced WOO-kahsh): Polish version of Lucas

Niech Bóg będzie z tobą, Anastasja: May God be with you, Anastasia

Córka (pronounced TSOO-rkAH): Daughter

Kaszek (pronounced KAH-zheck): Polish nickname for Łukasz

Tymoteusz (pronounced TEA-moh-tAY-uush): Polish version of Timothy

Ja cię kocham: I love you

Ja też cię kocham, Mama: I love you too, Mommy

(Yes, Mama is Polish for Mommy)

NAS Pensacola is “The Cradle of Naval Aviation”, where all Naval Aviators and WSOs go for their flight training, and training can go from eighteen months to as long as two years.

I played it safe with two years.

VFA-151, the “Vigilantes”, based out of NAS Lemoore, is Jake’s squadron in TG:M, according to his flight suit patch.

STRIKFITRON stands for Strike Fighter Squadron.

Gee, I wonder what VFA-223’s squadron callsign is… 😉

USID: Uniformed Service Identification

It is highly unlikely someone could pull an Anastasia and get on base the way she did, but it’s all for the ahhhht, dahhhling.

My subtitle for this story was the working title this story was under until I came up with “Safe and Sound” as the actual title.

It’s derived from the classic Peanuts television special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.

I thought about not putting it, but giving Jake the biggest karmic bitchslap was the entire reason I came up with the plot, so I’m putting it.

Taglist

@ohtobemare

@callsign-skydancer

@permanentlyexhaustedpigeon88

@tadomikiku

@malindacath

@aviatorobsessed

@lynnevanss

@djs8891

@httyd-marauders

@penguin876

@jbetches

@squidy-things350

@og-baby-ob14

If you’d like to join my taglist, just send me an ask!

[korememeprompts]

UNDER THE CUT ARE ROLEPLAY PROMPTS FROM EPISODES 12-15 OF MAGNIFICENT CENTURY, change pronouns as desired / preferred.

“ understood ? or I shall need be more cruel. “

“ did those women upset you ? “

“ you haven’t shown interest in your parcels.”

“ even that angel of a woman was mad at you. “

“ ‘ be nice’, you said, ‘ act friendly. give them gifts. ‘ “

“ his word is law. “

“ I couldn’t stay in my chamber. I couldn’t sleep. “

“ don’t turn your back on me, you are my only confidante.”

“ please leave. it’s alright. “

“ of course he is a young and promising man but experience is an important quality. and that position requires a great deal of it. “

“ he has been educated in matters of statement for some time now. don’t be unfair.”

“ I have been patient. I have been very patient. “

“ it is his majesty’s will, let us hope it is for the best. “

“ maybe you should join the council too.”

“ I accept everything you have said about me. the insults, too. it is true, I am a servant. “

“ who do you think you are ? I will exile you. I will say anything I want.”

“ be prepared, they won’t let us remain in this palace. “

“ he is even more powerful, we will not find peace again. “

“ you haven’t asked for anything for yourself for ten years. “

“ I will never find peace in this palace. “

“ my darling son, look at me. I am with you, you will be alright. “

“ has something happened, mother ? “

“ mother, why am I so unlucky ? “

“ there is death in my fate again. “

“ I wait at your door just to see your face.”

“ the children should see their brother. “

“ we can have dinner together, I will make the preparations.”

“ I will die of curiosity, I am going. “

“ I have waited and prayed for so long for this happiness. “

“ I will accept no mistakes, as you know.”

“ his majesty’s family and his prince must be defended from all harm. “

“ you will fall so suddenly from that high perch — I will topple you. “

“ no can come between his majesty and me. “

“ I will love you until my last breath. “

“ the other night I waited for you until the morning. “

“ you are always so sad. I wonder if there is another cause for your sadness ? “

“ will you defend yourself when you should be only ashamed ? disgraceful!”

“ it made me realize my heart had no value. i’ve disgraced my family. “

“ for grief rots the heart.”

“ are you going to play it, or have you forgotten how to do it ? “

“ I’ve spent my entire life grieving for my family.

“ being unfair is the worst sin. “

“ how many people have died because of his wrong decision ? you have shed tears for our losses. you have forgotten, but I have not. “

“ it was time, I did what was necessary. “

“ I decide who deserves what.”

“ I have listened to you and mother my whole life. “

“ I’ve taken everything you said as an order. I was content with the fate you had chosen for me. I would rather die than embarrass you. I will make your wish a reality, do not doubt it. “

“the news we were waiting for has come.”

“ we are going to be together, even if we have to die for it. “

“ you are the mother of my children. you are my joy, peace, and blessing. “

“ the man I love looks at me and doesn’t trust me. “

“ I’ve come to you leaving my rank and office behind. “

“ if I don’t get out alive, don’t let my grave be here. “

“ he wishes to appear before you, your majesty. “

“ very well, you stay. I’ll go by myself. “

“ let me see their faces, let me hug them. “

“ your mother is here, I will never leave you. “

“ so they’ve finally understood I’m innocent. have they forgiven me ? “

“ this stubbornness will only harm you. “

“ do I not hold love in reverence ? “

“ queen mother, I’ve heard something. but I did not know if it was true. “

“ does my opinion carry any weight ? “

“ I have heard some whispers about that matter, and I haven’t taken them seriously, as they’re probably false….”

“ if you don’t chose your friends wisely, you’ll likely end up disappointed.”

“ he is wise, and experienced, but his ambition takes precedence over his reason.”

“ it’s not with you whom I’m displeased, it is my heart. “

“ you’re troubled, I can see it. “

“ those who love expect respect for their love too, she hasn’t committed a crime. “

“ it is very hurtful that my existence and my opinions have no value in the eyes of my children.”

“ is too much to expect respect for my decisions ? “

“ has she ever disobeyed you ? “

“ I dedicated my life to your service _ years ago, I’ll serve you for another _ years if I live long enough. “

“ my worry is that you’re being unfair to yourself. “

“ my purpose, my life, is you. “

“ forgive me if I’ve overstepped. “

“ personally I would not even wish to consider it. “

“ I will do everything in my power to rid you of this misery, your majesty. “

“ I have spoken to his majesty countless times on your behalf, I want you to be very happy. “

“ I’ll do everything I can, don’t worry. “

“ see who cries to see you leave, see who rejoices. no one likes you. everyone is happy that you are going. “

“our home will be at peace again. “

“ as far as I am concerned, you are the same. “

“ don’t fall for her tears, she is a snake!”

“ does my opinion on my daughter’s happiness count for nothing ? “

“ have them prepare my horse, I wish to go. “

“ don’t blame anyone, you’ve brought this on yourself. “

“ i want to buy some fabric, silk fabric.”

“ tell him that his mother would give her life for him. “

“ I won’t leave you, we share the same fate. “

“___, my beautiful girl, your fate won’t be like your mother’s, I promise you. I promise. “

“ she is your sister, don’t make her suffer. “

“ I’m sorry. I am in pain. please forgive me. “

“ write it down. write whatever is in your heart. “

“ play it sometime and soothe our souls. “

“ what am I to do with a palace without you in it ? “

“ master of my heart, body and soul. “

“ what was spoken in this room is not to leave this room. “

“ I will see to this matter personally. “

“ I’ve had beautiful dreams. “

“ I am not expecting good news from that council. “

“ I am grateful that I still have my life. “

“ I have fought my way up to this position tooth and nail. “

“ your majesty, I am aware of your concerns, but…. “

“ I found sanctuary with you. “

“ you are my family, and my love. “

“ what if he is angry when he reads it ? “

“ she leaves my heart and conscience to be the judge. “

“ you draw well, you are skilled. “

“ leave us alone. “

“ I have been separated from my child. “

“ if you do what I say, everything will be alright. “

“ you will obey, you will abide, you will submit. you will do as you are told and there will be no more fights. “

“ aren’t you the one who was most glad that I am gone ? “

“ I take your silence as a yes. “

“ I won’t kneel before that woman, I would rather die. “

“ it has been a while since we last had a talk. how are you ? “

“ you have never upset me, never hurt me. “

“ I have always wanted you to be happy. “

“ I believe that our fate will keep us together. “

“ I don’t know what happens, or what you live through behind these great doors, but I know of your heart. “

“ have they given you the one thing you’ve always wanted ? happiness and peace ? “

“ nobody is as wise as you, you have a big heart. “

“ are you jealous ? “

“ I want it to be beautiful, it has to be perfect. “

“ his majesty wanted to have a conversation, I am grateful. “

“ the whole family is going to be at the private garden tomorrow. “

“ he has been restless since his mother left. “

“ it would be a pleasure, your majesty. “

“ I can feel you are upset, if you like we can postpone the entertainment. “

“ I would envy anyone who is close with you, your majesty. “

“ I would only entrust you with yourself. “

“ my only friend, welcome. “

“ I won’t forget what you did for me. “

“ please don’t insist, it will put me in a difficult situation. “

“ forgive me, I shouldn’t have done that. “

“ shhh! I could barely put him to sleep. “

“ be patient, ask for forgiveness, beg for it if you need to. “

“ she is a mother, like you. “

“ he has been crying all day, only seeing his mother made him stop. “

“ I will be staying out of everything from now on; soon I will be leaving this palace too. “

“ I am not going to cause anymore trouble. “

[elise-51-blog]

WIP snip "Now and Then"

(in which Damian visits Kansas...where TWO Superboys live)

Jon spits out the window. He seems to have really leaned into the midwestern male thing for some reason. Damian wonders if this change could threaten their friendship in some kind of indirect way. Their respective fathers still seem close in a way Damian’s never understood. He’s always taken comfort in the difference between the two generations. However, he may have miscalculated. He hopes not. 

“Look, I need you to be nice today.”

Jon’s looking at him in that way. Hoping not to be disappointed. That hasn’t changed at all.

“I’ll be nice as long as he is,” Damian hates his own tone, so juvenile. It doesn’t happen around too many people. But really, they’ve talked about this already. 

“I just--”

“I don’t think I’ve been here five minutes, and I’m defending myself against crimes I’ve yet to commit.”

Jon stares ahead, taps his fingers against the steering wheel. He’s never still a moment. To his credit, he does look a little sorry, a little anxious.

Damian lets him off. “What’s that thing your father used to say when we came to town?”

Jon’s shoulders drop, he huffs out a laugh. “It always pays to be prepared with you Waynes. And then Bruce would go,”

Damian lowers his timbre just a bit, “That’s real cute, Clark.” 

They both laugh, trading gravely impressions: 

“Fastest man alive, and yet--”

“And yet always slowest on the uptake.”

Jon rolls his eyes, but there’s a smile there too. “Your dad’s got some good ones.”

“He’s always enjoyed a good ribbing. Especially with bumbling Kryptonians.”

Jon tilts his head like he’s listening to the sun. He might be. 

“You know he can hear you right now.”

“Of course he can. But is he listening?”

“I don’t know, Dami, is there a Wayne in town?”

“Please. He’s too busy flirting with Lex Luthor.”

“Careful, Detective,” Jon taps the side of his nose. “You might be onto something.”

Damian tilts his chin up. “I shall use the distraction to plot the downfall of all mankind.”

“And here I thought you preferred mankind. Men-kind.”

“Careful, Detective.” Damian taps the side of his nose.

Jon laughs, big and full, just like his father. Just like all the Kents. 

[artyandink]

Could o request an Anthony Lockwood x fem reader where they have a love hate relationship where they both always risk their lives for eachother but then it always ends up in fights with one another and one day it leads to a very heated confession.

YOU'RE HEAVEN AND HELL

"Yeah, and what plan did you have, Mr Know-It-All?!"

"Oh shut it, you could have avoided standing in front of a charging ghost!"

"But I knew that plan would work!"

"Or was it a small experiment that could've gotten us both killed?" Lucy and George watched as the two came back from yet another case with yells and insults.

"Is that the fifth argument this week?" George tutted. "We're only two days in."

"And five days away from Armageddon." Lucy predicted. "I swear, these two will destroy all of humanity if they remain at loggerheads."

"Who destroys the other first? I say that Zuri will finish him first." George betted.

"We don't even need to bet some quid, cause I agree."

"I can take care of myself!" Lockwood shouted, making a gesture as if he was karate chopping his other hand.

"Oh, but you clearly can't!" I retorted, stepping forward and mimicking his own gesture.

"Neither can you, to be frank, I had to save you from being locked just yesterday. And now the tables have turned you really think you're the equal of Marissa Fittes and Sir John Fairfax, absolute saviour, aren't you?!"

I drew my rapier quickly, Lockwood matching it quickly.

“Let me show you how much of a bloody saviour I can be.”

“Ok! That’s enough!” Artemis (A/N: My OC, kinda like my signature) clapped her hands, using her own golden rapier to set down ours. “We don’t want a duel in the thinking space, do we?” She turned to George and Lucy, “I sort out something at SP3CTR for a few hours and this is what I’m coming back to. I should be used to it, but I’m not. Please tell me there’s tea or coffee, at least something.”

“We get it, you own a multi-trillion pounds worth company. But doesn’t that we can’t get into arguments.” Lockwood snapped.

“Oh, Tony, that’s your fifth argument this week and it’s only Tuesday. Two days in, five away from Armageddon.” Lucy gestured to Artemis to signal her agreement.

“Lockwood and I won’t cause Armageddon.” I scoffed, flicking my brown hair over my shoulder. “How can you be so sure of that?”

DAY THREE:

Lockwood, Artemis and I went on a case where they were dealing with a particularly difficult Type 2 called Harrison Prescott, who had spent the last few minutes trying to get Lockwood, but when he deemed that useless, he turned to me, and I was unprepared and didn’t notice him coming. I turned around, meeting the ghost’s eyes and falling to the ground, unable to move. This was the end of Zuri Miller. Someone better dance the Macarena at my grave or I’ll rise back from the dead to make someone do it.

“Get away from her!” Lockwood threw a flare, diverting the attention of the ghost. He threw his rapier to me, and I caught it, confused. I had my own bloody rapier with me!

“Lockwood, what the hell?!” I yelled, running forward and slashing wildly at the ghost, but he disappeared before the blade could touch the plasma. Artemis ran out of the other room, dusting off her hands.

“That’s how it’s done, ladies and ladies, let’s go.” She winked, leading us both downstairs.

“I had my own rapier with me, Lockwood, why’d you chuck yours? You couldn’t defended yourself!” I criticised angrily. He jeopardised everything!

“I didn’t see your rapier, and I had a plan!” “What was the brilliant plan, pray tell?”

“I’d give the rapier to you, you attack from behind and we switch between blade and no blade until Artemis dealt with the source!”

“I think that’s an idiotic plan! We’d go better with weapons anyway! Artemis, do you agree with me?”

“I think I’d better do the fighting with one of you from now on. Next case, Lockwood and I will deal with the ghost, Zuri, you deal with the source. Does that make everyone happy?” Artemis bargained, so we both nodded.

DAY FOUR:

I was rifling through the drawers, and found the source, but what I didn’t notice was that the ghost was behind me, snarling.

“I’ve got you, Zuri!” Lockwood was behind the ghost, slashing it expertly, giving me time to pull out the silver net and throw it on just as it went for Lockwood.

“You didn’t have to save me, I had it covered.”

“Oh no, you didn’t! You didn’t notice it was there!”

“You know what?!” Artemis snapped, stopping us all in our tracks. “I’ve had enough of babysitting you two! You’re like Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, you just keep going at each other. So I’ve come up with a solution. You two just aren’t going to speak to each other until this Sunday.”

“Why specifically Sunday? Can’t you extend the bracket?” Lockwood asked, folding his arms.

“Because there’s a job that requires your skill set and my skill set but I can’t make it, I have a conference with the world leaders then. The next best person to fill my position is you, Zuri, so do me a favour and complete the job without any arguments in the afterparty.” She pinched the bridge between her eyebrows, resigning herself for the opposite of her wishes. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Artemis.” We both chorused, a little intimidated under the tech giant’s presence. Her complete worked in protection, so obviously it did well. Plus, she could be intimidating when she wanted to.

“Good. Now, I’m going to get some coffee with my brother. Don’t tear the house apart while you’re at it, yeah?” She sighed, turning on her heel and muttering incessantly as she left.

“Did she say world leaders?!”

DAY SEVEN:

“George! Are you geared up?” Lucy barked, padded with pillows and armed with a cardboard shield and her rapier. George walked out of his room with the same, except he wore a baseball helmet over the top. “Good.”

“Today is Armageddon.” He dramatically announced. “The first day that Lockwood and Zuri will talk to each other after Artemis’ fateful condemning on day 3. They said that Armageddon doesn’t exist. What will scientists say now?”

“Armageddon does exist. See you on the other side, soldier.” Lucy prepared herself, saluting at the same time as George.

“Lockwood and Zuri are due back at 1400 hours.” Artemis announced, coming in through the front door. “Remain prepared, soldiers, for this might be a day we will not survive.”

“You’re playing along?” George gasped in delight.

“Course not. I’m a businesswoman, I state the facts. I’m not worried about those two, and, oh, look at the time.” She checked her watch, “It’s 13:59.”

“HIDE!” George and Lucy dived for cover just as the clock said 2pm, and just then Lockwood and I burst through the door, arguing like hell was breaking loose.

“YOU ABSOLUTELY IDIOTIC NARCISSIST! NOT EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD’S ABOUT YOU!”

“I’M GONNA STOP BEING YOUR HUMAN SHIELD THEN!”

“FINE! I DIDN’T NEED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE ANYWAY! MY LIFE WAS PERFECT UNTIL YOU CAME ALONG!”

“OH YEAH? MINE WAS BRILLIANT UNTIL YOU BARGED INTO IT AND RUINED IT COMPLETELY! SOMETIMES I WISH I COULD JUST KISS YOU!”

“THEN WHY DON’T YOU?! I’VE BEEN WAITING A HELLA LONG TIME FOR IT!”It took us both a few seconds to register what we just said, breathing heavily. Artemis counted on her fingers from three to one, taking out her phone. On 1, Lockwood crossed the room, cupping my face in his hands and smashing his lips on mine roughly, making George and Lucy gape and Artemis smirk. My hand reached up to tangle in his brown locks, deepening the kiss. It felt… amazing. Like all that tension I had with him was gone just like that. When we detached, Artemis had finished finding the number, laughing.

“Good job, all that built up tension finally did it.” She rang the number, holding the phone to her ear. “Yeah, Barnes? They did it. You owe me 50 quid, thank you very much.”

“This was all a convoluted plan of yours? To win a bet against Barnes?!” Lockwood panted.

“Yeah, precisely. Gotta put my talents somewhere, don’t I?” She shrugged.

“You bloody-“

[lifebyinez]

Tiny Fires - Emily Prentiss x Reader

Chapter 1- The Big Move

-Emily's POV-

"Absolutely Not." I was met with a disapproving groan from the rest of the team. I crossed my arms and shook my head at them. "It is not happening. I am more than capable of defending myself. I am not leaving my house, and I certainly am not leaving the team." They must be crazy, thinking I would leave my house, my job, and my life behind. Especially to live with her. JJ places her hand on my knee. "Emily, we're not asking you to leave. We are asking you to take a break for your own safety. Not to mention the safety of the team." I scoffed at her. This whole situation was pissing me off more than you can imagine.

Years ago, there was a case in Cincinnati that ended in a shootout. There had been 2 unsubs, a husband and wife. Rachel, the wife, had her gun on JJ, and I took the shot that ended her life. James had escaped. We tried for weeks to catch him, but he might as well have disappeared. He was... gone. Well, 8 years later he is back and he wants revenge. I killed his wife, and he wants to kill me. Which is why the team is trying to force me into hiding with my least favorite person on the planet.

Rossi spoke up, "Prentiss, you don't have a choice in this. It's for your own safety." Excuse me? "Im sorry, did you forget that I am your boss?" It was Reid's turn to speak now. "No, we haven't forgotten. But he knows you, in and out. He's been watching you for years, and he's preparing to kill you. Which means he knows that you don't particularly enjoy Y/N, which is why her home is the perfect place to lay low." He had a point. Their plan made perfect sense. Buy a plane ticket in my name, turn in my resignation, and have me disappear to another country. He would follow 'me'  there. There would be an apartment in my name in whatever country they choose. He would drive himself crazy trying to find me, with the fake tracks we would lay. In a way, it was my only option. If I actually fled the country, he would find me. If I faked my death, he would dig up my grave to make sure I was actually dead. If I stayed in a hotel, he would see the card transactions, the name it was in, and he would figure it out. Honestly, I know staying. with Y/N is the only safe option, but I do not want to accept it.

Y/N was a pain in my ass. Every time we were on a case, it was like she was trying to get herself killed. She just brushed it off when I yelled at her. I  honestly don't understand how she got here, let alone how she is still alive. I would have fired her a long time ago, but she is fantastic at her job, I'll give her that, But that's all she has going for her. It almost cancels out her amazing profiling skills. Almost. I wouldn't say I hate her, but her carelessness with her life absolutely infuriates me.

"Even if  I  agree to this, what makes you think she will?" I asked. Penelope spoke, "Maybe because she is absolutely desperate for your approval. That and I already asked her, she said yes." I groaned. Of course, she would, another stupid and dangerous thing for her to do. Of course, she's all for it. "And what if he figures it out? He'll target her, you know." I said. JJ sighed, "We have it figured out, Emily. You and her just can't know those details, but he won't know. You just have to trust us. Please." I thought about it for a moment. They're not going to let this go, and my options are limited. "What about Sergio?" I desperately tried to find any reason to not go through with it, but it was becoming more apparent that I didn't have another choice. "Oh please," Garcia responded, " you think I didn't think about that? You know Y/N loves cats. She said you're both welcome as long as you need."

"Fine."

I wasn't allowed to pack anything. The movers had to do it all, for fear of him following me. And right now, I looked completely ridiculous. Blonde wig, a lot of makeup, sunglasses, bright clothes. I looked nothing like myself. I was riding in the back of the SUV, completely hidden by the tinted windows. This get-up was completely unnecessary, but they insisted. Derek was driving, and trying to make small talk. I was too pissed off to give more than a 3-word reply.  45 minutes later, I was in front of Y/N's house. I have to admit, it was impressive. It's beautiful here, the house was completely secluded. Surrounded by woodlands,  with a small creek running alongside the house. The house looked like an oversized cottage, it was lovely, and totally Y/N. I'm surprised she was able to afford this, she was much younger than the rest of the team, and as far as I know, she didn't come from money. Either way, I could think of worse places to go into hiding. Even if it was with someone as intolerable as Y/N.

Y/N was standing on the porch with Sergio in her arms. What the hell? Sergio doesn't let anyone pick him up. Especially strangers. She smiled at me and took Sergio's paw and waved it. Derek looked back at me. "Go into the house, and go fast." I nodded. " And Emily? Try and release all of that tension you have with that poor girl. And when you do, feel free to send me the video." Oh my god, he will never let up with that, and it's ridiculous. When Y/n first started, the team liked to joke that she was exactly my type. To be fair, they weren't wrong. Her  y/h/c, y/e/c, and that body... But none of that mattered the minute she opened her mouth. "In your dreams, Derek." I said as I got out of the car. I speed walked up the porch, and she held the door open for me.

"Hi! Welcome home. I know you're probably tired, but I figured we could get the tour over as soon as possible, so you'll have time to relax?" I just nodded at her, already finding myself getting irritated. I saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes, but she turned around before I could study it. She turned to her left. "That's the living room, TV remote is on the coffee table. I don't watch much TV,  so it's pretty much always available, and if you want to watch something and I'm using it, just let me know. I'll find something else to do." She spoke quickly and with an excited tone in her voice. "You do not have to do that, this is your house." "I insist! if you're going to be cooped up here for a long time, you at least have to be entertained." Before I could argue with her, she turned to her right and started walking. "This is the family room. This is where I normally hang out when I'm not downstairs. But if you want to be in here and I'm annoying you feel free to kick me out." Geez, now I'm starting to feel bad. I was about to say something but she continued on. She pointed at the piano "I can teach you how to use that if you want." She didn't give me time to respond before walking through the French doors into the kitchen/dining room. The kitchen was adorable, filled with little nicknacks and foliage that just screamed Y/N. It was very much her home. "I went grocery shopping before you came, but I wasn't sure what you liked. I put a little notebook in your room for you to make lists of what you would like me to pick up when I go shopping. I can go tomorrow if you'd like." I didn't answer her question, instead, I asked my own. " Why do you have a table that big if you live alone." She stopped in her tracks. I couldn't read the expression on her face. She stumbled over her words. "oh, uh... That's probably a story for a different time." She started walking towards the stairs. "Downstairs is a bar, bathroom, and laundry room. Drink whatever you would like." She started walking up the stairs. There was a cute little loft area. There were lots of candles, plants, and cute decorations that matched y/n perfectly. She lead me to a door and held it open for me. I walked into what I presume to be her office. There's a small couch, a desk with her computer, and a lifetime supply of books. Every room had touches of y/n's personality. "Read anything you want, and let me know what kind of books you like. I get a really good discount at this little family bookstore 20 minutes away. I guess you can say I'm a very loyal customer." She smiled at me, I didn't smile back. "The password on the computer is in that drawer, use it whenever you'd like." She turned and walked out of the room. We continued on with the tour, showing me the main bathroom. She opened another door, "This is my room." The room isn't what you'd expect from a 26-year-old girl. There were a lot of older art pieces, another bookshelf that was stocked to the brim. A soft orange color painted the walls, and just like the rest of the house, so many plants. I started to wonder how she managed to keep all of them alive.

It was all so Y/N. The paintings, the old-timey decor, the plants. It was all her, and it was actually quite endearing. If only she wasn't insufferable. She looked up and me, but I didn't meet her eyes. "Okay, are you ready to see your room?" I nodded at her. She lead me across the loft and opened what I assumed to be my door. "I'm sorry it's so plain, I didn't have much time to prepare." I don't know what she's talking about, the room isn't plain at all. Little touches of her sprinkled throughout. I nodded in her direction again. I was about to say something but she spoke first. She looked like she was trying not to cry. "Look, I know you would rather be anywhere else in the world right now, and I'm sorry you got stuck with me here. I'll try and stay out of your way." I wanted to say something, to apologize, but nothing came out. She waited a moment to see if I had anything to say, and when I didn't, she walked out.

I'm an idiot. That was so incredibly rude of me. I need to apologize.

But I should probably let her have space. I'm sure she's not happy having me here. It's certainly going to be an adjustment for both of us.

I looked around the room. She had obviously prepared for this. The bed was made perfectly, but there was a basket of extra blankets, sheets, and pillows on top of the dresser. And on the nightstand, a basket of snacks. All of my favorites... how did she know what kind of snacks I like? Taped to the basket was a note reading 'Welcome home'. Oh my god, I am a jerk.

I could feel the exhaustion taking over my body. I didn't bother changing my clothes, I just laid down and drifted into a deep sleep. So deep, that I didn't hear the knocking on my door, or y/n entering.

When I woke up, it was dark outside. I rolled over to check my phone to see what time it was, but my hand landed on something soft and warm. She made dinner. And it smelled absolutely amazing. I took a closer look and could immediately tell it was all homemade. Chicken and gnocchi soup next to a plate of chicken marsala. Oh my god, it tasted even better than it looked!

Then it dawned on me, I still hadn't apologized.

I knocked on her door, and I heard no response. Okay, she must be downstairs. But she wasn't in the living room, or the family room, or the kitchen. Now I'm getting worried. Where the hell would she go this late? "Y/n!" I called out, not caring that my voice was shaky and panicked. No answer. I called again, but still no answer. I rushed downstairs. She wasn't in the bar, the laundry room, or the bathroom. I tried to check another room, but it was locked. I yelled for her again, but still no answer. I called her phone again and again. Each time it rang and rang until it went to voicemail. I checked every room in the house again, and I still didn't see her. I felt like I could throw up. I checked the living room, and just like the other 3 times I looked, she wasn't there. I was about to call Garcia to trace her phone when lightning flashed outside. I instantly calmed down. She was outside. Who the hell goes outside during a thunderstorm at 1 in the morning? I opened the door but she didn't hear me. I took a second to admire her like this. No mask to cover her feelings. Just content to be outside. Truth be told, she looked gorgeous. her hair fell over her shoulders. She didn't notice as I moved closer to her, content to just stare at the rain. I put my hand on her shoulder and she yelped and jumped back. She looked up at me, her eyes wide with fear before softening upon seeing me. "Oh, it's just you. You scared me!" I took a good long look at her before speaking, "You scared me more." She looked confused but didn't question it. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you liked to sit outside during storms either, I'll go and give you some alone time. Does she really think that I hate her that much? I didn't respond as I sat down next to her.

"No, you don't need to go."

[icey--stars]

Stories To Be Told: PART 12

Series Index

A shadowsinger, a warrior, an Illyrian, that's what she was. Trained by one of the most formidable female warriors. Escaped the Illyrian camps and her clipping when she was barely sixteen and is now the holder of 6 siphons. What happens when she tries to sneak into the City of Starlight? And starts down a whole new road of chaos?

a/n: so many souls did i rip out with the last part? i need a headcount lol

↢ 『 ☾ 』 ↣

When I came to, there were voices and steps I could hear above the rushing waterfall. I was so impossibly sore. I was in pain, so much fucking pain. I looked across the cave, seeing blood staining the rocks and my siphon collar that landed just short of Rainne’s resting place.

“What are we going to do if we don’t find her?” A voice said.

“We keep searching until we do,” said another determinedly. “I’m not-”

“What if she’s dead?”

“She’s not. I can feel it.”

I didn’t have enough energy to move. I couldn’t even lift my aching head. There was dried blood all across my skin. I hated it. I used every minuscule of energy to draw a dagger. I had to defend myself if they came into the cave, I told myself.

How the hell was I going to do that? I thought distantly. I was laying on one of my wings, the other stretched out, crumpled against the wall. 

“She might’ve run away.”

“Whatever, just give me the damn faelight, I’ll search this one myself.”

I held the dagger as tight as I could manage, lifting my head to face the person coming into the cave. If I was going to die, I’d die fighting.

A light came into the cave. It was dark outside, so the light amongst the dark hurt my already sore eyes.

It was an Illyrian. I held my breath.

The light illuminated the grave.

There was a sudden intake of breath. The light turned outside the cave. “There’s a grave in here!”

More trudging. Another second Illyrian male.

The light went back to the grave, lowering as if they’d leaned down to see something and I tried to now breathe too loudly.

“That’s-” one gasped.

“Her siphons.”

Then the light went higher and farther into the cave, shining into my eyes.

I whined, closing my eyes against the brightness.

“Y/N.” I put my dagger hand over my eyes, pain flitting all over my body.

Then there was the rush of footsteps and someone kneeled beside me. “Y/N, Y/N, it’s Azriel,” the male said. “Y/N?”

I whined, hurting. “Azriel?” I said, my throat dry.

I was suddenly picked up and pulled into his chest. I whimpered in pain, but hid my face in his chest pathetically. Azriel had found me, I thought. He’d found me. Tears came to my eyes and I couldn’t help the sob that came out.

“We found you, we found you. You’re safe,” Azriel murmured, holding onto my tightly. “Safe. I’ve got you.” He tucked my head under his chin.

I felt safe. For once I felt safe. I didn’t know why, but being in Azriel’s arms felt right.

“There’s blood,” the other voice, now familiar to me, said. Cassian.

Azriel turned his head slightly. “Are you hurt?” He asked me.

I nodded, letting out another relieved sob.

“Rhys is on his way,” Cassian informed. “Nesta is coming too.”

“Don’t-” I begged. “Don’t let them see me.”

Azriel tightened his hold. “They won’t care,” he assured. “They won’t care, baby, they’ll just be relieved you’re safe. We’ve been looking for you for two whole days. Nesta has been tearing her hair out and using me like a punching bag for letting you get away.”

I sniffled, my hand with the dagger dropping as I went to wrap my arms around Azriel as well, needing this grounding force.

“What hurts baby?” He asked, rubbing circles on my upper shoulders.

I didn’t reply, just burrowed my face more into his chest with a whimper.

Then there were more footsteps rushing into the cave.

Cassian moved to meet them. “Az has her,” he quickly explained. “She’s injured.”

“Y/N?” Nesta’s voice cut through my thoughts. Lighter footsteps, and then Nesta was putting a hand on my shoulder next to Azriel’s.

Everything was so overwhelming. I didn’t know how to deal with this. I’d never had such an intense reaction.

“Az, you’ve got to let her go, we’ve got to get her to Madja,” Rhysand’s voice cut through.

Azriel regretfully let go, and I felt more hands grappling at my body. My legs were weak, so someone carried me. I took one last regretful look at Rainne’s grave before I was carried out from behind the waterfall into the open air. It was dark outside and the moon was high.

“Give her to me, I’ll winnow her to Madja,” Rhysand said.

Cassian, who was apparently holding me, handed me off gently. My wings were limp behind me and everything in me hurt to no end.

We winnowed. It was weird and made me feel sick and dizzy compared to the winnowing I was used to, but I held back the bile in my throat.

I was set on a bed and then a female’s voice cut through the dizziness. “You tell me what hurts right now. What hurts most?” She asked.

“My head and thigh,” I replied, choking on my breath.

I suddenly felt a sweet, cooling sensation at my thigh around the location of the wound.

“Stabbed, were you?” The female chuckled. She must’ve noticed my tears, because she said, “Whatever happened, it's over with. You’re in my care now and you're safe. Take deep breaths if you can. I can’t ease your headache if you keep causing it yourself. Is there anywhere else you were injured?”

“My- my wing,” I said, trying to keep my voice clear.

The female turned. “Spread them out, will you? I won’t touch them unless I warn you.”

I arched off the bed slightly and spread my wings to hang limply off the bed I was laid on.

A textured hand came to grip my hand. I looked over, seeing Azriel with a pained expression.

“This is… you got beyond lucky,” the healer sighed. “That cut on your wing almost went to the tendon. Clipped. You’re a lucky soul.”

I felt that cooling sensation on my wing and I turned my head to look over. The scab on my wing healed over. I took a shaky breath.

The healer turned to me. “Anywhere else?”

I shook my head. “Just- just sore.”

“As is to be expected. Be gentle on your leg for a little, and don’t fly for a day or two, take a break. Rest up, wash, and heal your mind. If you start feeling pain that feels off, you come to me, understand?” she ordered, giving me a serious stare. I nodded, wiping my eyes with my dirty sleeve.

Azriel squeezed my hand and I lolled my head to the side to look over. “You’re safe, I won’t let anyone get you,” He assured.

I hummed, closing my eyes as my head pounded again. The healer came over with a pitcher and glass of water.

“Drink,” she ordered, then walked off.

I grimaced, my muscles aching at the thought of moving. I felt like I was heavy. Like I just couldn’t lift anything anymore.

“You need help sitting up?” Azriel asked.

I nodded, ashamed. Azriel just smiled and then moved to help me sit up, being careful to not touch my wings, only my back. Then he poured a glass of water and handed it to me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, closing my eyes as I drank the water. I realized how thirsty I was at the first gulp and eagerly downed the rest. “Sorry… sorry for worrying you guys.”

Azriel’s gaze softened even more, if that was even possible. “Don’t apologize. Not for anything. You’re alive and we found you, that’s all that matters.”

I nodded. Azriel refilled my glass, smiling faintly at me. He made sure I’d drunk my fill before looking over towards the other end of the healing room. That’s when I saw my High Lord, High Lady, Cassian and Nesta all watching. I grimaced. I looked like shit, probably with blood all over me and mud and with a tear stained face.

Cassian wandered over first. “You’re staying the hell away from training for at least a week.” A moment later. “I’m glad you’re okay Y/N.”

Rhysand spoke up in agreement. “We all are glad.”

Feyre and Nesta nodded, solidifying that fact. Nesta came over to my other side, putting a hand on my arm. “You better not try to die again. I like having you around.”

I chuckled a little. “I like having you around too.”

Nesta smiled. Then she whispered in my ear. “Az isn’t like this for many, take that however you wish.”

She squeezed my arm once more before walking off.

“You’re safe,” Az said, just loud enough for me to hear. I didn’t move, but I felt my heart ache for some reason.

“We’ll talk when you’re ready,” Rhysand spoke up. “Focus on getting better.”

He turned to Feyre, before they both disappeared.

I felt my eyes slipping, exhaustion hitting me like a wave.

“Am I allowed out of here?” I asked.

Cassian nodded. “Get better,” he ordered before walking out with Nesta.

“Want me to fly you back to the House?” Azriel asked beside me.

I nodded. “I’d appreciate it.”

He smiled, standing up and then moving his hands under my shoulders and knees before lifting me up. I folded my wings slightly, trying to not be too annoying to carry.

Azriel seemed calmer with me against his chest again. “Hold onto my neck,” he ordered gently. As soon as I’d wrapped my arms around his neck, he launched into the air. 

I felt my eyes slipping closed. He carried me all the way to my bathroom.

“I assume you want to bathe?” He asked, making sure.

I nodded, eyes half-lidded. “Thank you.”

Azriel smiled. “Just ask the House for anything, or to get me. I’m more than willing to help.”

I smiled and nodded. Azriel had changed since the last time I had talked to him. It was a good change, and something within me told me he was safe. Being in his arms with my head on his chest was safe. I didn’t know how to feel about that.

“Thank you,” I said, moving to turn the bath on to the hottest possible setting.

Azriel dipped his head and then walked out, closing the bathroom door and then the bedroom door.

I felt like shit, but I was able to undress to lower myself into the bath. Then clean my body.

On my bed, I saw my bag, two shined daggers and my siphon collar.

I just moved it to the floor, sitting down to clean my siphon first while I was thinking of it. After it was clean, I strapped it on, that weight more reassuring than constricting now.

Then I collapsed on the bed, pulling the sheets over me before passing out.

-----

My dreams were silent, probably due to my exhaustion. I awoke a few times, feeling too hot or too cold, and then feeling sore, but I managed to fall back asleep, even through the morning until I woke up finally, feeling a lot more rested.

I still felt sore, unbelievably so, but it was better than before. I didn’t want to get up. I didn’t want to face the truth.

I raised my head first, looking around my room. Then lifted my torso off the bed, stretching out my wings. I winced at a small spike of pain from the healed cut. I ignored it, it was probably just phantom pain.

I stood up, lethargically making it to my window and opening it, breathing in the air.

A plate of food appeared on the window seal. I smiled.

“Thank you,” I whispered, and ate what I could stomach at that moment. It didn’t turn out to be a lot, and certainly not enough for my exhausted body, but I just… couldn’t.

I wandered out of my room after, grimacing as my thigh’s muscles protested. “Hey Y/N,” Azriel’s voice cut through the fog of my mind like a lighthouse.

I turned to face him.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I’m okay,” I lied. He eyed me closer.

“You’re still shaking,” he observed. “And your shadows are flitting around like little birds. Characteristic of worrying.”

I sighed, twisting my hands against each other. “I’m trying to be okay,” I said, fixing my previous statement. “I will be okay.”

Azriel’s gaze softened. “Anything I can do to help?”

He was confusing me, being so kind. Last I checked we were arguing and now he’d called me baby (yes, I did remember that) and was being like a worried mother hen. 

“My mind wanders where it wishes to, nobody can control it,” I sighed. “It’s just a lot, let’s stick with that.”

Az nodded. “You’re safe. Nobody can get you.” And I believed him. I truly did believe him. I was safe.

“What happened to… him?” I couldn’t even bear to say his name.

Azriel tensed, but replied carefully. “He rots in a prison cell until we’re ready to deal with him. Rhysand isn’t going to be kind.”

I felt tears prick my eyes against my will again. 

“Y/N?” Az asked, daring a step closer. The tears came tumbling out of my eyes before I could stop them. “Hey, it’s alright,” Azriel tried. “He can’t get you. I won’t let him. I cut off his hand when he stabbed you. I wouldn’t hesitate to take off his head.” That assurance would startle anyone else, but it did ease some of my anxiety. Just barely a fingertip length.

“How is he my father?“ I whispered. “How is he the mysterious figure my mother always spoke of?”

Azriel put a hand on my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. I hid my face in his chest, unwilling to brave any more eye contact. “Whether he is your biological parent or not, it doesn’t matter. None of it matters. He doesn’t define you. Nobody does if you don’t let them.”

I nodded, sniffling. “Why is it so bad this time?” I whispered. “Even after that night I escaped, I wasn’t like this.”

He wrapped his arms around me, and just like before, a feeling of safety came with it, just like before. “I don’t know. But you’re strong, you know? Whatever is wrong, you can get through it.”

I took a shaky breath, trying to stop myself from breaking out in sobs again. “Sorry,” I whispered, feeling guilty for having to have someone deal with me like this.

Azriel gripped my chin, tilting my gaze up to meet his. “You don’t apologize for things like this. Okay?”

My eyes watered more. How was he so kind? I wondered. How did he know? How- how anything?

“You don’t burden anyone with your tears. Especially after this. If you need to cry, you cry, got it? I-“ he cut himself off, shaking his head, as if holding something back. “I don’t feel like I have to take care of you or anything. I want to make sure you’re okay, that you heal and that you never, ever have to deal with him again.”

I felt like sobbing just from these words. “Thank you,” I said quietly.

He just hugged me closer. I didn’t fight back. I don’t think that I even could, with my soreness, but Azriel also felt so incredibly safe, unlike anyone before. Like I knew he would protect me in some way. A string tugged in my chest, going taunt. I held back a gasp from the sudden jerk. It felt odd, but not entirely wrong, I evaluated. A little thread, tied in my chest.

We stood there for a little bit, and I basked in the feeling of right that was in my chest when Azriel had his arms around me.

I pulled away when I sensed someone coming down the hallway.

Azriel gave me one last reassuring smile before turning to find Cassian trudging down the hallway.

“Y/N!” He exclaimed happily. “How are you feeling?”

My tears had dried mostly, so hopefully it wasn’t noticeable. “I’m fine,” I replied. Despite what Azriel had said, I didn’t plan on showing weakness purposely. At least not any time soon.

“That’s good,” Cassian said. “Nesta was a bit worried in a way. She wanted me to let you know you’re invited to their Mind Stilling if you want to.”

I grimaced. Mind Stilling. It might be the bane of my existence now.

“I’ll go,” I said, tone quieter. “If even just to calm her and my own nerves.”

Cassian nodded. “They’re having lunch right now if you want to join them.”

“I already ate,” I said. A beat goes by. “I’ll go anyway.”

Cassian grinned. “Az, by the way, Rhys wants to talk to you.”

“I’ll be there in a bit,” Azriel replied. “I’ve got a couple things to do at my desk.”

I took my leave, trying to hold back my limp best I could as I wandered into the dining room. The other Valkyries were eating food. But they jumped to their feet when they saw me.

“Y/N!” Nesta said loudly. “How are you?”

“I’m alright Nesta,” I said, sliding into a chair with a wince. “Just sore.”

Nesta’s jaw tightened, but she sat down as well.

Gywn was hesitant, but she was brave enough to ask, “Can we ask what happened? Or at least why you were gone for 2 days?”

I took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you all when we’re somewhere a bit more private.”

“You don’t have to,” Emerie quickly said. “We don’t have to know. It’s your business.”

“I trust you guys,” I assured. “You were concerned, so you deserve at least a little explanation.”

Nesta smiled. “We trust you too,” she said after a quick glance to either of the other companions.

I grinned. I coughed a little, barely anything more than a scoff, and yet a cup of water appeared from nowhere anyway.

“Mother hen,” I growled to the House before taking a long sip of the water.

Nesta chuckled in amusement. “It truly is a mother hen,” she commented.

Emerie hummed in agreement.

“It’s like I cough, or I sneeze, and immediately, tissues or water or whatever the hell. The House must like us or something,” Gwyn replied.

“It does,” Nesta agreed.

↢ 『 ☾ 』 ↣

TAGLIST (see post for getting added)

@mis-lil-red, @bunnymallowo, @judig92, @biblophilefox82, @azzydaddy, @thegirlintheshadows101, @whatupmydudes01, @feyres-fireheart, @elizarikaallen, @xenlynn, @panzees-bizarre-adventures, @starswholistenanddreamsanswered, @baebeepeach, @nyctophiliiiiaaa, @brekkershadowsinger, @officiallyunofficialperson, @bookslut420, @margssstuff, @bluephoenix908

[crossroadsdimension]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Day 17

Prompt 17: Sally

(FFXIVWrite 2024 Masterpost)

(Start of Dawntrail spoilers because of a character mentioned)

A new adventure on the horizon. An entire continent that Cross had only heard of in history lessons given by the Scions, and what bits and pieces she’d picked up in her travels from others.

A new realm, and she wasn’t going there to save it. Was she still doing something? Certainly, absolutely. But she wasn’t expected to be at the forefront.

Compared to what she had been doing since the beginning of her membership with the Scions, this sounded like a vacation. No one expecting her Echo to trigger, or shield her from primals, or allow her to absorb life-threatening amounts of light aether.

It made her more than a little excited for the journey…but she had one last place she wanted to go before she sallied forth from Old Sharlayan with Wuk Lamat and the rest.

The others gave her the space she needed, and didn’t follow her. She appreciated that.

The two gravestones in the Silver Bazaar were placed a respectful distance away from the old samurai’s grave, to keep them away from the pilgrims who came to visit the site. Only one of the gravestones had a body beneath it, as the other had never been found after Bahamut’s rage had ransacked the realm with Carteneau at the epicenter.

You couldn’t bury a Warrior of Light who had vanished in that assault, after all.

Cross stopped in front of the two graves and knelt down in front of them. She took a moment to carefully remove a pair of wrapped bouquets of Nymia lillies from her bag and place them in front of the gravestones, then paid her respects.

That done, Cross looked at the two graves with a sad smile. “Hello Mama, Dad. Sorry I haven’t visited recently — I’ve been busy. You know how the adventuring life is.”

The graves, of course, didn’t answer. Cross didn’t expect them to.

“I haven’t had the chance to tell you about…well, about everything that happened after the Final Days ended,” Cross said. “I doubt I have the time to tell you everything — I’ve been involved in so much, and I am getting involved in so much more.” She paused again, considering her words in much in a way that an excited child would, when she’s about to tell her parents something exciting.

Cross didn’t keep the grin from crossing her face. “In three days, I will be boarding a ship that will cross the Indigo Deep. I will be going to the New World — Tural, is apparently its name. I’m going to see the land Ketenramm landed on decades ago, and one part of the world I haven’t been to yet. I don’t remember if you ever wanted to go there, Dad, but now I will get that chance. I’ll have to tell you about the lands I’ll see when I return.”

Again, no answer from the graves. Somehow despite that, Cross’ heart felt lighter, more excited.

“You don’t have to worry about me, either — I’m not going there to save the star, or to stop another war. I’m going there to help someone assume a position of leadership. I’m helping her, not taking her place. The challenges are hers to complete, not mine — and I’m incredibly relieved that no one will expect me to, either.” Cross almost jumped to her feet, smiling. “I know if you were here, Mama, you would be worried about me traveling to far despite how much I’ve done. I hope that, wherever you are in the aetherial sea, you can rest easy knowing I am capable of doing more than defending myself. And I have friends who will defend me and stand with me.”

She nodded to both of them. “M’eder, M’Neerah, rest well. I know you won’t want to see me in person for a long time, but…I hope you can still see me.”

Cross took a moment to pray again, then turned and walked away from the two graves with confidence in her step, her eyes shining with barely unshed-tears.

Behind her, a soft breeze curled around the graves briefly, ruffling the bouquets of lillies and partially revealing the words carved into the stones:

M’eder, father, beloved husband, Warrior of Light. May he ever walk in the light of the Crystal.

M’Neerah, mother, beloved wife, Defender of Hope. May she ever walk in the light of the Crystal.

[vivispec]

Hello & Happy Friday! From the 'platonic prompts' list and for Viera and Iloniyen: "I am this close away from strangling you." Happy writing!

With how much they bickered as kids, it was really hard to just choose one scene :') here's Viera and Iloniyn preparing for the ball at the Winter Palace, featuring that godawful Inquisition getup.

@dadrunkwriting Viera & Iloniyn words: 660

“Wipe that smug look off your damn face, before I wipe it off for you.”

Viera lifted her hand to hide the offending expression, but Iloniyn could still see the laughter in her eyes. “I think it suits you,” she managed, barely able to contain the giggle seeping into her voice. “It’s…bold. Very…intriguing.”

“By the Creators, I will strangle you.”

“If you value your own life, I wouldn’t,” she warned, crossing arms clad in white satin up to the elbow, and drawing near. “Vivienne’s attendants spent the better part of an hour on my neck alone, and you should know from the lethallen who wove our plaits as da’len that there’s no wrath like that of an artist scorned.”

His scowl was broken by a scoff. “They powdered your neck?”

“Yes. My neck, and just about every other bare piece of skin on my body. It feels terrible, like I walked through a dust cloud on a dry day, and didn’t bother wiping it off.” She lifted a hand, running it along the blue sash cutting across his chest, stark against the bright red fabric behind it. “At least your tunic looks comfortable. I can barely breathe through all these layers.”

“You’d rather look like some exotic bird?”

“And you’d rather be swarmed by bored shem on the hunt for a little entertainment, courtesy of the Inquisitor’s elusive Shadow?” His ears ran red as his tunic at the suggestion, blinking away with a sour set to his brow—no different from when they were children, and she got the best of him. “I didn’t think so. They’d be no match for your good looks, at their full power. For the sake of the world, I’d much rather spare the both of you.”

“How shall I ever repay you,” he griped through his teeth, and she gave his sash a firm tug. “I can’t even begin to understand why you dragged me here. Barely three months since I left the clan, and you bring me to a ball? Really?” 

“You’ll be able to stomach it for a single evening.”

“This isn’t because I pushed you into the river, is it? Or said you looked like a bogfisher?”

“I need you here, Ilo,” she pressed, white-knuckled against his chest. Then, her fingers relaxed, lifting to smooth the cowlick at his hairline. “You won’t have to speak with anyone, but I’ll be too busy appeasing the nobles to see what’s roiling under the surface—if appeasing them is even something I can hope to do. If you can keep your eyes and ears open, look out for anything amiss…”

“Does Nightingale not have agents for that sort of thing?”

“She does. I don’t.” Her eyes rimmed by severe black, her features framed in gold, she was a far cry from the sun-touched hunter he’d ran the trails with; and yet, her touch at his temple was familiar, the curling of her fingers as she coaxed his stray hairs back into place as recognizable to him as his own. “And they don’t see the same things we do. I trust you, more than myself. Just this once, and I won’t let them dress you in something so garish ever again.”

“Swear it. By the All-Mother.”

Tilting her chin, Viera straightened, her voice growing grave. “In the name of Mythal, the Protector, I do swear to defend Iloniyn Sarethon—the blood at my back, my eyes beyond me—from any and all offending garments.”

Stifling the smirk that thinned his eyes, he chewed on his answer before, eventually, heaving a sigh. “Alright,” he relented, “just make sure, in no uncertain terms, that the tailors know red really isn’t my color. It washes me out.”

“I’ll make it very clear,” she promised, before turning to retrieve her mask, and make for the door. “A burnt orange, maybe, or a nice, neutral black?” 

“Over this monstrosity? I’d take magenta, were it paired just right.”

She snickered, and slipped away. “Don’t give me any ideas.”

[magpigment]

ok genuinely i feel like of all the characters in prime defenders i had the most accurate soul read into williams character specifically of almost any character in my entire life. like from the first five episodes almost all of my vibes about him were spot on.

i had been working on a list of songs that remind me of certain characters for the riptide campaign and so i started one for the prime defenders campaign.

almost every song on the list for william has been there since i listened to the first five episodes and almost every single one has been SPOT ON. it’s at least been incredibly accurate regarding my read on his character but like. i’m actually blown away how accurate i’ve been for the most part, not to hype myself up too much. i’m very happy about it ^^

i’ll make a big post with everyone else at some point once it’s more comprehensive and full, but i’ll share the ones i’ve got for william here:

william wisp: dead now by forrest day momento mori by fish in a birdcage oh! starving by car seat headrest i hate living by car seat headrest the comfort of a laugh track by roar poor grammar by roar duck or ape by roar nights like these by pigeon pit saintly rows (oh oh) by dear and the headlights im not crying. youre not crying, are you? by dear and the headlights harness your hopes - b side by pavement i dont wanna die by the unicorns all the dying by mother mother figure in the background by snake pool friendly neighborhood poltergeist by rory webley villains pt1 by emma blackery youre not welcome by naethan apollo dead! by my chemical romance grave digger by matt maeson hand me my shovel, im going in by will wood and the tapeworms

might go more in depth as to why i feel these songs apply to him and what specifically from each song i feel fits him but for now here it is! if anyone wants to ask tho i’ll for sure answer ^^

[dujour13]

Owlcatober 6. Family

Kenabres, 19 Arodus 4715

Dear Mom & Dad, Zarin, Fati & Layla,

While I’m afraid this missive bears bad tidings, know first that I’m safe among the brave defenders of Kenabres and in the hands of able healers. I won’t pretend to be well & happy; mostly it’s my morale that has suffered a blow, as you’ll soon understand.

This will surely be the first news that reaches you of Mendev’s recent misfortunes. You know already it has weathered constant siege by the forces of the Abyss for over a century, but sadly the arrival of our delegation coincided with a rare, concerted assault by rather more high-ranking demons than usual.

Of what befell us I’ll spare you the details, as much because I recall little myself: on the road outside Kenabres our delegation was attacked by marauding demons and none survived but myself.

By this same post I’ve written to the families of my friends and colleagues. At the very moment you read this they should be receiving the terrible blow I have had the misfortune to deliver. I don’t need to tell you how heavy a burden this duty has been. The pain of my wound is no rival for that in my heart. On the reverse I’ve listed their names and addresses; most are in Almas and perhaps would appreciate a visit, but especially Romi, who will be devastated and need help sorting her and Gilford’s affairs. Please give her all my love.

I don’t understand why I of all of them was spared, gravely wounded but left alive to be collected by passing samaritans, who kindly carried me into the city for healing. The folk here have, for the most part at least, been most obliging and helpful. (One passing gentleman suggested I be tossed in a ditch, and the Inquisitors here are excessively and insistently paranoid. However the silver dragon protector of the city, Terendelev herself, came to my aid right there in the city square as I was brought in, and the kind prior of the temple of Desna has been to see me since.) (Yes, you may tell Kyrash I met an actual dragon.)

My wound is coming along; please don’t fret. Besides grief, what I’m mostly feeling now is overwhelming shame, as if had I any decency whatsoever I should have perished alongside them, yet irrational as the thought seems I can’t shake it off. By now many times over I should have died and somehow Pharasma has turned her face from me at the last moment on each occasion.

Not to worry you! I believe the worst has passed and the city defenders, the ranks of which I’ve joined, have things well in hand. When our forces are gathered we will make one final foray to rescue the Wardstone and its protective aura will make Kenabres safe once again, and all will be well.

Though I won’t set out for home quite so soon. I wrote to the Council and plan to stay on in Mendev while awaiting the appointment of a new ambassador. There may still be a few tasks I can carry out to mitigate the total disaster of this mission.

In the meantime, I’ve taken up with a handful of brave souls among the city defenders and we’ve formed ourselves a merry little band of misfits, striking out into the city to rescue all the orphans & cats & stray Desnans we happen across. They are truly my only ray of sunshine in this miserable place. Let me tell you a little about them.

First, because she was first to leap to my aid when I was brought bleeding through the gates of Kenabres: Seelah, a fearless paladin of Iomedae from Solku, a bulwark against the pointed bits of demons and already a fast friend. I know what you’re thinking: thank all the good gods he has a paladin around to keep him from doing something crazy. Well, have I got news for you.

Next: have you heard legends of savage, mutant cave-dwellers beneath Mendev, light-fearing descendants of cursed crusaders? So they’re real. One of them has taken up with us—half-half-elf, half-a number of other things, and entirely an impressive hunter. This is the guy who tries to keep me from doing something crazy, but all he does is sigh and crack dark jokes so that’s not likely to stop me. I’m already fond of him. He still needs to come up into the sunlight if you see what I mean, but I’m confident we’ll get him there.

I also have some hope for Camellia, a kindred half-elf we took up with in the caves. I thought at first she and I might connect, but it seems she’s a typical highborn snob with too delicate a nose for the likes of us plebian Andorens, half-elvenness notwithstanding. Still she’s a fine fighter and does seem keen to slay demons at least. One thing that intrigues me: she’s in touch with the restless spirits of old Sarkoris, and I think that could play to our advantage.

In the streets of Kenabres we also stumbled across an encyclopedist, and for some reason she decided we were smart enough to merit her company, or perhaps peculiar enough to merit her curiosity at least. Mom, you’d love Nenio: she knows all the most useless trivia, and a few useful spells as well. She’s an accident waiting to happen but she’s hilarious. (Dad's thinking "not unlike someone else we know" right now, I can hear you.) Just need to keep her pointed at the enemy.

This one I think you’ll enjoy. Yesterday we were summoned in extremis to rescue a certified degenerate aristocrat—a Count from the bluest of Mendevian blood—because, I’m not kidding, he was partying so hard he didn’t notice the demon invasion. He’s just as bad as you’re thinking and a lot worse. On the other hand he’s an aasimar with some talent for divine healing and he really does seem to detest demons, so we’re keeping him on hand for now. I have to admit, he’s democratic about dishing it out. (And actually kind of funny sometimes but if the occasion arises don’t ever, ever let him know I said that.)

I should also mention the elf orphan, Ember. By my best estimate she’s three times my age but a child by elf standards of course, and has suffered so cruelly at the hands of the Inquisitors I’m afraid her mind has come a little loose. But if it’s flapping in the wind, the wind is blowing the right direction. Her apparently boundless forgiveness may at first seem symptomatic, but I see in it the inspiration of genius. And I suspect I’m not the only one. She is blessed with divine protection and while mindless of her own scars is keen to heal those of others.

I’m not sure why I saved the tiefling, Woljif, for last. Perhaps because I have more to say, and more yet to puzzle out on his account. He is the face of what Mendev has become: part human, part demon, and those parts at constant war. (I can hear you Zarin: “But is that not true of all of us?” - Fair enough.) I had to pull some strings to get him out of jail. He’s proved to be very handy to have around since then but I keep catching him looking antsy as if he’s going to ditch us at the first chance. I don’t think crusading is exactly what he had planned in life, and I don’t blame him. You would be shocked at how they treat tieflings here. There's a whole lexicon of terms for them.

Indeed he seems to have taken the abuse to heart. All his life he’s been told he’s demonic vermin, and he seems determined to live up to it. Not that he’s actually a bad person—no, I’m hesitating as I write this because that’s what I’m still puzzling out. He is a bad person, and though he’ll have you believe it’s Society that made him this way it is also out of a heart made black by greed and spite. But if my first instinct was to tell you he’s not a bad person, it’s because there’s something underneath the cunning, something he thinks he’s hiding but that’s obvious to me—a heart that's fighting back against the blackness. He has the hopeful look you get from a stray cat before it bites you. Like if he’s just given a chance, and a little food, maybe he’ll let his guard down. Ok, I know what you’re thinking—yes, I have a project. I just hope he sticks around long enough.

There’s a good deal more to tell, but I should rest while the ta fortress we’ve taken refuge in is relatively quiet. By the time this letter reaches you I’m certain peace will have been restored, indeed because this letter will not have reached you if not—so take heart that if you’re reading it, we’re already celebrating our victory!

All my love & hugs to you and the jerboas. With luck I’ll be home to play our Crystalhue duet, Dad, and yes I have been practicing.

Sia 🦋