#i’m not gonna tag riley i don’t even remember his last name and i’m not gonna waste my precious time on earth looking it up

[idkaguyorsomething]

buffy season four will give you whiplash any time they cut from one romantic subplot to another. ¿anya and xander? autistic loser4loser in the best way possible. they’re cute as hell. ¿willow and tara? amazing, magnificent, spectacular, literally groundbreaking witches experimenting with magic and being gay 10/10 no notes. ¿buffy and riley? rancid. worst ship ever. what does a queen like her see in such a cardboard cutout of a man who doesn’t even like that she can fight better than him

[nsharks]

bleeding blue | apocalypse au

part seven —other parts

pairing: Simon "Ghost" Riley x fem!reader words: 3.3k tags: death. blood. zombies of course. reader menstruates. single dad ghost. there will be sex but it isn't here yet. slow burn!!! enemies to lovers. summary: After losing your companions, you run into a skull-masked man and his daughter. They are your last hope for survival. a/n: some chill stuff before more angst ya know

The next morning, it is your turn to slip a treat into Blue’s hand.

You can tell by her expression that the Twix bar is like gold to her. Her teeth sink in. She stifles a moan. She hisses a swear you haven’t heard yet— Fucking noodles.

It reminds you of the time Paul found a Cadbury egg for Joseph. You smile as you watch, the kind where your teeth manage to poke through and your cheeks have to do some stretching. Ghost is chopping wood somewhere on the other side of camp, but still, you decided to close the shed’s door. 

Last night, you were too worn to stay in the cabin for long. You left just after Ghost shucked on some large helmet with two strange eyepieces attached to it. To see in the dark, Blue explained in a whisper. Of course he would have that. When you asked him where he was going, he’d mumbled under his breath, Gonna make sure you didn’t have any bloody followers. You hadn’t even thought of that. He must not have thought of it until you actually showed up, either. He expected you not to make it.

You don’t know how long he was out there, but by the fact that you’d woken up to his axe chopping wood instead of heads, you figured the territory was clear.

“Better than Nutella?” you ask Blue.

Grey light streaks through the shed and over her face. The smell of potential rain looms in the air.

“That’s a tough question,” she says, licking the residue from her lips. She’s eaten half. She folds the wrapper over to cover the rest and hands it to you. Sweets like these are rare. You told her you’d keep it in your bag until she wanted the rest.

“I think it’s a strong tie,” she decides and then groans, moving her chin to the dip of her folded knees. “I wish chocolate could be hunted.”

“Me, too.”

“Are you sure you don’t want the rest?” She sounds guilty. “It is your Twix.”

“No, really. It’s a thank you.” Your knee gives a nudge to hers. “As if you haven’t given me food that is yours before.”

The guilt turns into a smile.

“You know,” she then says, eyes flicking to your pillowcase bag of looted goods. “When I was looking at your clothes last night, I got an idea of how you could fix them. Can I—” she tilts her head, “Can I show you something?”

She leaves Grim with you as she departs to collect whatever it is she has to share. It turns out to be a magazine of all things. She clutches it to her chest, rolling her lips together before turning it around to show you. The bright ink is faded a little. The corners bent and worn. The date of the issue reads March 2018. There is a woman on the front - some model you can’t remember the name of - clad in a tight blue dress.

The sight is just as weird as the abandoned streets and homes. For a moment, you look down at the skin of your hands, abraded from your bowstring, and press your lips.

“Remember how I told you Ghost and I went to a military base once?” Looking back up, you nod. “Well, we were mainly there to get ammo but we also went through the barracks— that’s where they slept.”

She explains it as if you have no clue, which you don’t. Never in your life did you care about the military, except for that first day when you hoped they might come to find you in some big tanks or something. They didn't.

Blue giggles. “I found this in one of the men’s old dorms.”

When she sees your expression, she says, “It’s okay. I’m not stupid. Ghost told me his old teammates liked to look at pictures of pretty women sometimes when they got bored. Anyway, I’ve looked through it so many times. I like all the fancy clothes people used to wear.”

She begins to flip through the pages and points out a few things. Where before you sometimes zoned out, your mind distracted by survival, this time you listen fully. One page has an ad with lush grass in the background and she informs you that the shade of green is her favorite color.

“Not blue?”

“That is my name, not my favorite color." Her nose scrunches. "What is yours?”

Do you even have one? You think for a moment. What comes to mind are the flowers your mother used to grow at the house in Norbury.

“Violet,” you softly say. “Like the flowers.”

“Huh?”

“They are like… a bluish purple.”

“Oh! There are some flowers like that by the pond sometimes. Hopefully, they come back this year."

Another page she points to has people laying on a white beach with crystal-like water. Blue says she hopes to go there someday. Not to just any beach. That beach.

When she passes an ad with a young man’s face on it - someone about your own age - she pauses for a moment and looks up.

"Do you think he is cute?" she asks. A tender curiosity.

"Um," you can't remember the last time you saw a man's face besides Paul. Ghost is always covered. She holds the page up so you can see it better. A sharp jaw. Dark hair and a strong nose.

"Yeah, he is very cute. Do you think so?"

She nods and bites her lip. "Did you… have a husband before shit happened?"

"What?" You frown. "I'm not that old."

"A boyfriend, then?"

"I had," you search the memories. They feel unimportant. Buried. "I had a few people who I enjoyed spending time with in uni."

"Like sex?"

You almost choke. "What?"

"I am not stupid," she says again. "The rabbits. They do it all the time. Ghost told me that's how they have their babies, and that is how him and my mum had me."

Oh. This is the first time Blue has ever mentioned her mother and you don't know why, but it makes your stomach tight. But she doesn't add anything else about her, as if she'd just told you the sky is blue or Grim is her friend. Something so casual. Brushed aside. As if, she hadn't mentioned it at all.

You don't pry about it.

Not to a kid. Trauma, grief— you can only imagine what a young brain has decided to do with them. But for a moment, your brain tries to imagine what kind of woman it could have been, what kind of woman Ghost enjoyed spending his time with. The only thing you can picture is Blue's eyes. She clearly didn't get them from him.

Blue moves on from the picture of the man. The page she really meant to show you is of a woman wearing jeans with a belt around them. She points to it and explains you could try something like that for the jeans you found.

Right. Jeans. Along with the blouse you grabbed, you got an ugly pink sweater and some jeans that won’t fit you.

"That’s called a belt," you say. “I don’t have one.”

“I have an old shoelace,” Blue says. “How about that?”

“That could work.”

Blue tells you bluntly that you need to bathe first. You smell like those fucks, no offense. You take your new clothes and she finds you a rag. In the bathroom, you harshly scrub your skin to erase the smell of rot. You wash your hair which is slick with sweat.

On your wrist, you notice a light bruise growing where that Grey had grabbed you. Luckily, you were too tired last night for your brain to conjure up any nightmares, otherwise, you probably would've had one about it biting you. Even a bite to just your hand - to a finger - would be enough for the virus to enter the bloodstream. You don’t want to admit it, but with that revolver, Ghost saved your life again. 

After bathing, you slip on the blouse and a pair of too-big jeans. Blue gives you the shoelace. You feed it through the belt loops. It works well enough. The pantlegs fall past your ankles so you roll them. You tuck the large blouse so the excess fabric won’t get in the way while you hunt. The sweater… you don’t bother with it for now. It’s not warm enough. You will stick with Paul’s old coat when you go outside. 

You look in the mirror again.

You stroke your own cheek, looking yourself over. You smooth your hands over the clothes. Underneath, you feel the plush of your breasts. The muscles of your stomach. The curves of your ribs. You are almost back to your normal weight, but it is still evening out. Under your eyes, the skin remains grey. Floorboards and stress will do that to a person.

"Let me see," Blue says on the other side of the door before you open it. You can still hear Ghost chopping wood outside.

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.” She touches the sleeves. “These are pretty long. They will get in the way when you shoot arrows, right?”

You nod. “Can you bring me the scissors?”

After you cut the sleeves down to your wrists, Blue picks up the scraps of fabric. “Hey, you could tie your braids with these. Like ribbons.”

"I could," you shrug and give a smile. "But I think they would look nicer on you."

The shyness returns as she nods. Gently, you guide her in front of the mirror and begin working your fingers through her hair, just as you do most evenings.

You notice her staring in the mirror with studious eyes as if she is trying to understand exactly what she sees. You wonder if she ever compares herself to those girls in the magazine. An eleven-year-old you certainly used to.

"You look very pretty, Blue."

"It doesn't matter if I do," she shrugs. "It's not like anyone will ever actually get to see me."

"Well," you swallow, "I get to see you right now, and I think you are pretty."

"Thanks.” She accepts the compliment with a puckered expression, before it softens and she adds, "I think you are, too, Twix.”

Twix?

But before you can question it, you hear the front door shut and realize that the sound of chopping wood has been gone for at least a minute. It is clearly Ghost entering the cabin.

You drop your hands before you can finish the braids, stepping back. 

He calls out her name.

Recalling the rifle he pointed at you yesterday, you whisper to Blue, "Maybe you should go out before he—“

But of course, his heavy boots approach. The dark shadow of him materializes in the bathroom's doorway, consuming the space with his head dipped down to fit.

You turn around to face her father at the same time Blue does. His brows are drawn low and in one hand he carries the axe. You notice a sheen of sweat at the bridge of his nose where his mask begins.

The thing is, you try to avoid being spotted alone with Blue like this. She talks to you in your shed. You interact when he is busy with things.

Ghost reaches for Blue’s hand. He gently tugs her to him. He cups the back of her head and bends down to meet her level, though he is still much taller.

"Remember what we talked 'bout?”

What did they talk about?

"I remember," she mumbles. She tugs her arm away. "I was just helping her with her new clothes.” Smoothly, she changes the topic. “What do you think? The shoelace was my idea."

Blue. You almost groan, feeling his dark eyes slowly shift over to you. You think you would rather him press the axe to your throat than share his opinion about your clothes— they aren’t exactly like what the models in Blue’s magazine wore. His stare rarely does anything other than burn holes through your skin, so it is no surprise when you feel the heat through your blouse, up your neck, and all the way to your cheeks.

You look down at your feet.

Then, a bitter memory comes to mind.

You look like you're one 'em already.

That is what Ghost said once.

For a brief moment, you wonder if he still thinks it.

He doesn’t give an answer. All he does is clear his throat. Your strange curiosity fades as he stands and looks down at his daughter. 

"C'mon, kid. Start the fire with me."

"No, not yet. She needs to finish my hair, Ghost."

He allows it, but remains in the doorway, watching as you finish her braids, using the fabric as floral bows to tie them off. 

It looks nice.

It rains just like you thought it would.

Not too heavy, but enough to cut your hunt short for the day, earning you only one squirrel.

When you return to camp, you find Blue crouched over the wood planter as she covers the sodden soil with a layer of mulch. Apparently, Ghost had her plant some cabbage seeds before the rain. The mulch is to stop the seeds from washing away, she explains.

Spring will soon arrive. With it, some crops to add to their meals. Good for them. Maybe you can convince Ghost to lend you a seed or two to plant for yourself. 

After dinner, you sit by the fireplace with your boots off in order to warm your toes. The soft drum of rain against the cabin's walls lulls you into a trance as you listen to Ghost quietly read to Blue. Sometimes he points to words for her to try.

Tonight it is a book you recognize.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Your father read it to you once. A younger version of yourself told him it was too boring. But now you find yourself quite liking the story about a magic wardrobe where kids can escape to another world.

Blue falls asleep on the couch. Ghost carries her to bed like usual. It is your time to leave. The rain has died down some but you already know the water has probably leaked into your shed. Lovely. 

But again you are stopped by a hand around your arm. 

You turn to see Ghost. He clutches the map in the other hand.

“Um. What is it?”

You slip your arm away, his grip allowing it. Is he mad about you hanging out with Blue? Did he discover your secret exchanges? Is he going to finally kick you out since you didn't die like he probably hoped?

“Sit with me.”

You raise your eyebrows. He motions for you to follow him to the table so you sit down, hands in your lap, and pick at the skin of your knuckles. He spreads the map open. He also has a pencil in his hand. Between gloved fingers, he fiddles with it before sliding it over to you.

To your surprise, he demands, “Show me where you went.”

Although confused, you abide, making a small mark over the village. Ribchester. 

His eyes narrow. “Not jus’ that. Show me which way you went.”

“This way,” you say, annoyed by his tone. Faintly, you draw a line through the forest all the way to the highway. “Then I followed the road.”

He takes the pencil from you and slides the map back in front of him, sweeping his eyes over the marks you’ve made. Under the black fabric, you detect the contour of his lips pressed into a straight line.

“How many were there?”

“Not many, really,” you admit. “Do you… Are you wanting to go there?” 

You furrow your brows as you recall what Blue said. They don't make trips often. It is not like Ghost has much need to. 

“No.” Not looking at you, he draws a mark some kilometers south of the one you made. “I want to go here.”

“Why?”

“I need ammo.” 

His voice is clinical and gruff. You definitely prefer it over threatening. As he continues, it officially becomes the most words he has ever spoken to you. 

“Went to a base over here two years ago.” He points a gloved digit to a spot on the east side of the forest. That must be the trip that Blue was talking about. “Wasn’t much left. Took what I could.”

“You’re all out of ammo, then?” 

He gives you a flat look. “No. But I’m runnin’ low. I don’t want to wait until I am all out to go. Need some ammo to make it there, don’t I?”

“Why haven’t you gone sooner?” you pry slowly. “Why do you want to go now?”

“Got a bit more to lose than you do.” 

It is a harsh truth, inviting a sharp breath through your lungs. What he means is he has someone he loves, unlike you. Someone he can’t just leave behind on her own.

You realize that Ghost probably avoids leaving this haven he has set up for that very reason, and maybe it is also why he is particularly conservative about their supplies. Whenever they end up running low, he has to drag her along with him to get more. The threats out there can be hard to predict. You’d been lucky. 

Ghost continues.

“But if you could make it through here,” he gestures back to the marks you made. The route can act as a way to the military base, but he would still have to go further, maybe 10 kilometers past the village. “Then I can make it that way with her.”

You nod slowly as you begin to wonder why he is telling you this. But then, it sinks in, a pit settling in your stomach. If they leave, where are you supposed to go? 

Ghost must read the expression that takes over your face. You don't wear a mask.

“You’re comin’ with us.”

“What?” You stand up, shaking your head as you hiss through your teeth. “No. I don’t want to. I just fucking got back.”

“You’re not staying here on your own,” he growls quietly. “I’m not askin’ whether you want to go or not.”

You catch his eyes. Black glass reflects the dim glow of the fire.

Of course.

He doesn’t trust you enough to stay here.

You have no choice.

[dogmomwrites]

Heads Up Seven Up!

This tag came from @new-royston-cursebreakers, @cljordan-imperium, @talesofsorrowandofruin, @thetruearchmagos, and @iamwritehere, so thank you all for including me in this game! And for your patience lol

Gonna be passing this along with softs tags to @charlesjosephwrites, @zihus, @writewithfire, @aalinaaaaaa, @shay-creates, @i-can-even-burn-salad, and @ainahwrites, as well as keeping this an open tag!

Rules—share last seven lines of WIP and tag seven people. However, since I'm combining multiple tags, I'm gonna share more than seven lines. This excerpt went over pretty well in writing discord I'm in, so maybe everyone else will like it as well

apologies for it being longer than my usual excerpts

“I remember when you took your first steps. You were a year old. I guess that’s common for babies to start walking around, but you were so young. So small. You were holding onto Mom’s fingers as she helped you stand up. You let go and we thought you were gonna fall, but you didn’t. You took two steps. Then you fell. You didn’t cry. You pushed yourself back up, all on your own, and you walked the rest of the way to me. You only fell again when I was there to catch you. Like you knew I would.” 

Riley didn’t look at the camera as he spoke. He stared at something on the desk, barely even blinking. His gaze was blank. His voice stayed low and somewhat dull. 

“You always looked up to me. I never wanted you to stop. I wanted to be the person you looked up to—I wanted to be the person you saw when you looked at me. Do you still see me that way? Do you still see that person when you look at me? Or do you just see me now? Are you still proud of me? Can you still be proud of me? I want you to be.” 

“I remember when you would follow me everywhere. Couldn’t even take a girlfriend on a date without you wanting to tag along. I couldn’t ever make myself say no to you. I got teased for it, for having my baby sister be my third wheel, but I never really cared. You were always so excited to go with me. I liked when you would follow me around.” He shifted slightly, nothing more than a slight tilt of his head, as though confused. “When did you stop? Why did you stop? Did you lose some of your love for me? How do I get it back?” 

His voice dropped even lower and took on a softness that didn’t linger. “I don’t wanna see you get hurt again.” He moved his hands then, nothing more than turning them palmward up and stretching out his fingers while he stared at them. As though seeing them differently than they were. “I still see you as a little girl sometimes in my dreams. I know you’re not anymore. I know you’re an adult now...but...you’re still that little girl with dirt on her face and holes in her jeans. You’re still my little sister. My baby sister. But you’re not a baby anymore. You’re not a little girl.” 

“Mom says you’re majoring in something with computers. I thought you wanted to be a photographer. I guess I have been gone a while. I don’t really know you anymore. I used to know everything about you. All the drama with your friends. I used to know all their names. Where they lived. I used to know how every one of them liked their sandwiches made. Cuz I’d make them for them. But now I don’t know any of your friends’ names.” 

He looked up, back at the wall. “I remember when you wrecked your pink bike and fell off and skinned your knee. You cried. I carried you and the bike back home. We were two miles away. But I remember how you looked at me when we got home. Like I was a god. No. Better. Like I was your hero. When did that stop? You made me feel like I was a hero. Like I could do anything. Fix any problem. Make the world better. Make it safe for you. So you could be safe wherever you went. I’m not there to look after you anymore...I’m not there to keep you safe. But you can look after yourself now.” A small frown furrowed between his brows. “Can you? Can you keep yourself safe? In this world? I know you’re not a little girl anymore, but...but you are. To me, anyway. Maybe you always will be.” 

“I love you. I miss you. I miss the you that I actually knew.” Abruptly, he straightened up and reached out to the phone; the video ended.

[debbiechanclub]

"Homesick for Christmas," Part 2

A prequel one-shot to “Take My Hand, Wreck My Plans.” Find the entire series here.

Pairing: Jay White x OFC (Nellie Keegan) Warnings: Mentions of alcohol Word Count: 3.5k

Synopsis: Nellie is stuck in Tokyo for Christmas… but, thanks to Jay, she’s far from lonely.

Tag Squad: @galacticstat @hdbngsprnva @hotyeehawman @kingswitchblade @champhangman @bec0m @betsy-bradock @linziland13 @librathepheonix13 @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch @meteora-fc @kawaiikels @exe-babymox-exe @rocca09 @thatgirlforever5 @gabbynorth98 @brokenglassslippers @adriii-omega

A/n: Here I am posting a fic late AF on January 1 that was supposed to be posted on Christmas Eve as part of the 12 Days Challenge 🤡 I'm super annoyed with myself that this is so late, but anyway. Yes, it is Christmas-themed; but for those of you who read TMHWMP, it leads right into the start of the main fic... and the ending might take on a different tone when you think about what happened at Wrestle Kingdom 15 👀

Okay, I'm gonna shut up now. Enjoy and please give me notes I need validation.

Friday, December 25, 2020 Tokyo, Japan

It wasn’t often that Nellie was up before the sun—she was not a morning person. But a confluence of circumstances had led to her having to drag herself out of bed at 6:20 that morning—Christmas morning—to get on a Zoom call with her family back in Pennsylvania for the holiday. It was still Christmas Eve for them—Tokyo was fourteen hours ahead—and so Nellie’s sister had sipped on spiked eggnog while she’d nursed an extra strong cup of coffee. But as much as she missed and enjoyed the face time with them, now that the presents had all been opened and her parents had signed off to attend a prior engagement, Nellie just wanted to go back to sleep.

Her sister, however, still wanted to chat.

“So… I’ve been biting my tongue but now that mom and dad are gone. Are you still dating that hot Kiwi with the rat beard?”

“Jesus, Jess,” Nellie breathed as she maneuvered to sit sideways on her couch, her computer on her lap. Her sister Jessie was younger than her, but only by a year-and-a-half; and while they’d fought growing up just as much as any other pair of sisters, they’d always been close—even if pro wrestling had never been Jessie’s “thing.” “His name is Jay, and yes, we’re still dating.”

“Just dating, or…?” she pried.

Nellie laughed wryly to herself. “You sound like Torrance.”

“Well! I want to know!” she proclaimed. “At least ‘dating’ is a step up from whatever you had going with what’s-his-face.”

“Riley,” Nellie muttered. But her sister didn’t hear her.

“But still—if it gets to a point where you want to commit and he doesn’t, don’t wait around, Nell. You deserve better than that.”

Nellie picked up her coffee mug. “Well… I don’t think I have to worry about that with Jay.” She smirked over the rim at the laptop screen as she took a sip. Her sister’s face looked just as she’d expected it would.

“And? Elaborate, please.”

“And…” she went on. “We went on a date last night, and I don’t know… it just felt different. It might’ve been the most romantic night I’ve ever had with anyone.”

Jessie arched a skeptical brow. “More romantic than any of those nights you had with Zack at that beach resort in Guadalajara?”

Nellie paused; she’d pulled that out of nowhere. “Okay, why do you remember that? That was three years ago.”

“I remember because I was super jealous!” she proclaimed with a laugh. “I’m still waiting on Ben to surprise me with an exotic beach trip for my birthday.”

Nellie rolled her eyes in amusement. “Well, that trip was part business, so. And plus, that’s like comparing apples and oranges. Maybe Jay didn’t surprise me with a stay at a Mexican beach resort, but he got us a private table at my favorite steakhouse in Tokyo. Oh! And he gave me a little snow globe with the Philly LOVE statue inside because he knows how homesick I’ve been the last few weeks.” She smiled to herself. “It probably didn’t cost him more than twelve bucks, but… it was so sweet, Jess.”

She started to take another drink of coffee—but she stopped when she saw the grin on her sister’s face. “What?”

“He’s still there, isn’t he?”

Nellie’s face burned. She tried to hide it with her coffee mug, but her expression gave her away.

“He absolutely is!” Jessie exclaimed. “I thought you looked a little too happy for six-thirty in the morning.”

Nellie nearly choked. “Oh my God. We didn’t fuck right before I got on a Zoom call with my family for Christmas, if that’s what you’re implying,” she returned—just as Jay emerged from her bedroom and into the frame behind her. And he was wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs.

“Well, hey there,” Jessie smirked.

“Oh!” Jay quickly covered himself and ducked down next to the couch. Meanwhile, Nellie’s entire face had gone red. “Hi, um—”

“Jessie,” Nellie rescued him. “This is my sister, Jessie. Jess, this is Jay.”

“Nice to meet you, Jessie,” Jay returned. He was trying to play it cool, but Nellie could tell how caught off-guard he was to be suddenly and unexpectedly meeting her sister—and in his underwear, no less. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you two were still talking.”

“No, please; don’t apologize,” Jessie assured with a grin. She was clearly enjoying this. “It’s very nice to meet you, too.”

Nellie bit back an embarrassed grin and gave Jay an apologetic look. At least her parents had already gone; she would not have wanted that to be their first introduction.

“Well, um, I didn’t mean to intrude… I was actually just going to make some coffee, so…” he trailed off, obviously trying to make a tactful escape.

“Yeah, of course,” Jessie nodded. “Don’t let me stop you.”

He gave her a tight, awkward smile. “Did you want some, Nell?”

“Oh, no. I’m good,” Nellie returned.

Another awkward pause. “Well, it was nice meeting you again,” he said to Jessie. “Merry Christmas.”

“Yeah, Merry Christmas,” she echoed, and Nellie felt Jay affectionately scratch the back of her head before he stood and moved toward the kitchen. Jessie’s gaze followed him as he went. At least she had the tact to wait until he was out of ear shot before she said what Nellie knew she was thinking.

“Oh my GOD, Nell. If you didn’t fuck him this morning, I’m judging you.”

“Jess! Oh my God,” Nellie breathed; but she couldn’t stop from laughing at the entire situation. “I’m so glad mom and dad already left.”

“You would’ve died,” she laughed. “And as much as I’m dying to know more about this little situation, I’ll let you off the hook for now. Ben’s almost here and we’re gonna order Chinese and watch Die Hard.”

“How romantic,” Nellie smirked. Jessie rolled her eyes.

“You enjoy having ‘coffee’ with your new man,” she said, wiggling her fingers to make air quotes. “Merry Christmas, Nell. Hopefully next year you’ll be here.”

“I hope so. Merry Christmas, Jess,” she said, and they waved goodbye and ended the call.

Nellie’s face was still flushed as she closed her laptop and went into the kitchen. Jay stood at the counter, waiting on his coffee to finish brewing. She gave him a sympathetic pout.

“I am so sorry.”

“No,” he shook his head with a laugh. “It’s my fault for walking out there half-awake. I’m just glad your parents weren’t there, too. I’d want to make a better first impression than randomly walking out of your bedroom half-naked.”

Nellie grinned as she slid her arms around his waist. “Well, you seem to have made a good impression on my sister.”

Jay just laughed and pressed his lips to hers. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” she returned with another kiss. “What’re you doing up? I was gonna come back to bed.”

He sighed. “Well, I need to go call my family, too, and then I have some errands to run before Ishimori and Torrance’s party tonight. I figure it’d be better to just get them out of the way.”

Her brow furrowed in question. “Errands on Christmas?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he returned as he reached for his coffee. It was a suspicious answer, but she let it go.

“Well, do you want to take a shower before you go? I know you only have your clothes from last night, but…”

“I know. Maybe I should start leaving some stuff over here.”

“Maybe,” she returned with a grin. He mirrored it.

“But yeah, I was planning on it.” He sent her a look over the coffee mug as he raised it to his lips. “Are you gonna join me?”

She pulled away from him and started to leave the kitchen. “If you want,” she said with a coy look over her shoulder.

“It would help wake me up,” he reasoned, and she just smirked and disappeared around the corner.

* * * * * * * * * *

As stimulating as the shower had been, afterward Nellie had crawled back into bed and fallen into a blissful sleep for the next two hours. She woke a little after 10 a.m. to find a text from Torrance asking if she wanted to go for mani-pedis at their favorite nail salon and spa and grab lunch afterward. Taiji wants me out of the apartment until the party tonight… he’s up to something, she added. When she read that, Nellie immediately thought of the “errands” Jay said he had to run.

They’re BOTH up to something, she texted back.

So, they made plans for Torrance to come to her apartment with everything she needed to get ready for that night, and then headed out to the nail spa. It had taken the entirety of their seaweed scrubs for Nellie to finish downloading her on everything that had happened with Jay, from the time he’d picked her up last night to when he’d accidentally interrupted her Zoom call with her sister that morning, until they finally arrived at the topic at hand: what, exactly, he and Ishimori had up their sleeves for the Christmas party that night.

“He said he had errands to run?” Torrance asked as they sat side-by-side in the row of cushy pedicure message chairs at the back of the salon.

“Yeah,” Nellie said. “And then when I asked him about it, he was all, ‘don’t worry about it,’” she said, dropping her voice to mimic his tone. It was all the confirmation Torrance needed.

“They’re totally up to something.”

“Yeah, but what?”

Torrance took a thoughtful sip of her matcha tea. “All I can think is that Taiji’s been asking me a lot about Pittsburgh lately… like what I miss most about it. The other day he even asked me what my favorite pierogi fillings are.”

“Seriously?” Nellie shot; that was peculiar. “And Jay got me that snow globe… but I don’t really feel like he’s done any digging about back home.”

“Well, he’s probably a lot more familiar with Philly than Taiji is with Pittsburgh,” Torrance pointed out.

Nellie’s eyebrows arched. “Fair point.”

“Maybe they’re planning some sort of surprise at the party because they know how homesick we’ve been?” Torrance wondered.

Nellie pursed her lips; that would make sense. But before she could say as much, her phone chimed with a text.

“Is that Jay?” Torrance immediately asked.

Nellie picked up her phone—and her heart picked up a beat. No, it wasn’t Jay. It was Riley.

Merry Christmas, Nellie! Less than two weeks until I make my big return to Japan, FINALLY.

Her mouth went dry. He didn’t need to tell her that; it had been in the back of her brain for the last two weeks, from the moment she’d learned that he’d won his second back-to-back Super-J Cup and challenged Hiromu Takahashi to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 15. Three months ago, she would have been counting down the days until she got to see Riley again, touch him, kiss him, taste him.

But that had been before Jay.

“Is everything alright?” Torrance asked.

Nellie didn’t answer; she just showed her the screen. Torrance’s brow furrowed as she read the text—but she waved it off.

“Don’t overthink it. He knows you’ve been seeing Jay.”

Nellie pressed the button to restart the message on her chair. “That doesn’t make it better.”

“Well, it’s his loss,” she bluntly returned. “I know the pandemic screwed things up for you two right when it seemed like Riley was finally ready to take the next step, but… even stuck in Canada, he still could have done something about it instead of just leaving you in limbo. And as emotionally incompetent as he can be, I’m willing to bet he knows that.”

Again, Nellie didn’t respond. She didn’t doubt that Riley knew that, either. But it didn’t do much to lessen her anxieties about seeing him again.

“It’ll be fine, Nell,” Torrance gently added, as if she knew exactly what she was thinking. “Just focus on the present—that’s what you always tell me when I start to freak out about me and Taiji.”

Nellie gave a wry laugh; she wasn’t wrong. “Jeez, just throw my own advice in my face.”

Torrance smirked. “Well, they don’t call me Tough Love Torrance for nothing.”

“I’ve literally never heard anyone call you that,” she returned.

She shrugged a shoulder. “You gotta start somewhere.”

* * * * * * * * *

The rest of the day seemed to drag on until the party. They watched Christmas movies to wile away the hours and sipped on wine as they got ready in ugly Christmas sweaters made cute with the right styling and hair and makeup, until Ishimori finally texted Torrance that she could come back to their apartment. Jay texted Nellie, too—he’d meet her there. It was earlier than when Torrance had told everyone else to arrive at the party.

Now, the walk felt longer than usual from the elevator to Torrance and Ishimori’s apartment door. Nellie’s hands were clammy. She didn’t know what Jay had planned… and yet, somehow, she did. That shift she’d felt in their relationship last night… it was about to become real. Official.

“I feel like I’m gonna puke,” Torrance suddenly said.

“What?” Nellie shot her a look. “Why?”

“I don’t know, I’m just nervous for some reason.” She didn’t say anything more, just dug through her purse to retrieve her key and stuck it in the lock. She turned it open, and cautiously poked her head inside as she slowly pushed open the door. “We’re here,” she announced.

The lights in the apartment were dim, and the Christmas tree in the corner that Torrance had undoubtedly insisted on putting up twinkled with colored lights and glittery baubles. Nellie’s eyes met Jay’s as he stood from the couch. She smiled.

“Drinking already?” she said with a nod at the glass in his hand.

“Well yeah; it’s a party,” he returned. He wrapped his free arm around her waist and gave her a kiss, short and sweet, but full of feeling. It made her stomach flutter. “I’ve never seen an ugly Christmas sweater look so good.”

Nellie bit her lip as he looked her over in the oversized vintage Christmas cardigan she’d found online. “Well, it’s all in how you wear it.”

“Apparently,” he said.

“So, are you two gonna tell us what’s going on?” Torrance interjected with a glance between Jay and Ishimori. “We know you’re up to something.”

There was a palpable pause as Jay looked at Ishimori. “Should we just show them or make them sweat a little longer?”

Ishimori bobbled his head in thought, a grin on his face. “I guess we can just go ahead and show them, mostly because I’m getting hungry.”

“Fair enough,” Jay agreed. He held out his hand to Nellie with a nudge of his head. “Come to the kitchen.”

She gave him an intrigued look and slipped her hand into his. He grasped her fingers and lead her to the kitchen; and when they rounded the corner, she brought her other hand to her mouth in surprise.

“Are those pierogies?!” Torrance exclaimed.

They were pierogies, along with a whole spread of other edible items famous to Pennsylvania. Snyder’s pretzels, an array of Tastykake sweets and Hershey’s chocolates, even a pack of Yuengling. Nellie thought back to the snow globe again. It was a small gesture, but the thought behind it felt as big as the sky.

Torrance couldn’t help herself; she grabbed a pierogi and took a bite. A noise of satisfaction escaped her throat. “Potato—my favorite. Did you make these?”

“God, no,” Jay laughed.

“I found a place where I could put in a custom order,” Ishimori said. “I mean, they’re basically dumplings. Is it good?”

Torrance nodded as she took another bite. “Mhm. It almost tastes like home.”

Nellie, however, nodded curiously at a dish next to the pierogis. “Egg rolls…?” she asked with a glance at Jay.

“Okay,” he jumped to explain. “They’re cheesesteak eggrolls. I know how much you love cheesesteak, but I didn’t want to just… go buy you a sandwich, so I went to the same place Ishimori went for the pierogies and had them make those. I know it’s not the same, but—”

Nellie cut him off with a kiss. “It’s absolutely perfect.”

The corners of Jay’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she nodded; and the way he looked at her, so warm and earnest… it all but proved her gut feeling right.

“Come with me for a minute.”

He took her hand again, and their fingers intertwined as he pulled her out of the kitchen and into the apartment’s spare bedroom. It was dark until he switched on a lamp that bathed the room in a soft, warm glow. He pulled her close again; she wondered if he could feel the thrumming of her heart.

“So, this is gonna sound weird…” he started. “But I don’t think you remember the first time we actually met.”

Nellie bit her lip again. “Actually… I do,” she revealed. It visibly surprised him.

“You do?”

She nodded. “Yeah. But I didn’t before this summer.” He gave her another quizzical look, so she explained. “I was looking through old photos on my Instagram and you were in the background of a picture I’d posted with Zack and a few other people backstage at an NJPW show in L.A.”

“The 2017 G1 Special in USA,” he said.

“Yeah.” She laughed to herself. “Most of your face was out of frame… but it was definitely you. I could tell by the hair and vest.”

He laughed, loud and singular. “Oh yeah, the vest I stole from Alex Shelley.”

“That’s the one,” she confirmed.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Nellie shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. I didn’t think you remembered, and the longer I went without saying anything the more I figured I just… shouldn’t.”

She fidgeted in his arms and looked away, suddenly sheepish. Truthfully, Riley was a big part of the reason she’d never said anything. It seemed so stupid now, looking back.

“I remembered from the second Torrance introduced us a year-and-a-half ago.”

She looked back up at him. “Really?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I never forgot you, because when we met at that G1 Special, even though it was only in passing… I just had this feeling that I wanted to get to know you. But you were with ZSJ, and I was barely more than a Young Lion, so I didn’t want to step out of line.”

She gave him a knowing smirk. “So, are you saying that if you had been the Jay White, NJPW Triple Crown Champion and leader of Bullet Club that you are today, you would have stepped out of line?”

“Probably, yeah,” he flatly admitted. It made her face flush hot. “But the point I’m trying to make is that when you showed up at that bar a year-and-a-half ago and Torrance introduced you as her new friend from Stardom, it felt like a second chance to get to know you.” He paused, a ghost of a wry smirk on his lips. “And then… I found out you were with ELP.”

Nellie breathed out, deflated. “I wasn’t with ELP.”

“Nell,” Jay returned. “Maybe there wasn’t a label on it, but you were with him.”

She fidgeted again under his discerning gaze. There wasn’t anything she could say to defend herself—he was right. She and Riley had never claimed to be in an exclusive relationship over the two years they’d been involved… but emotionally, even physically, she’d been his. There was no denying that.

“So,” Jay reached up and gently brushed her hair away from her face with his fingertips, and she looked back up at him. “When I got a third chance back in September, I didn’t want to take it for granted. And I found out that you were more than worth the wait to get to know… and call you mine.”

Butterflies exploded in Nellie’s stomach, in her soul. Her smile stretched so wide it made her cheeks hurt. “Oh, really?”

He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Yeah. If that’s something you want.”

Nellie didn’t answer—at least, not with words. Instead, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him, full and deep. And in that moment, it didn’t matter what the new year or Wrestle Kingdom would bring, because there was only one person she wanted to give her all, her everything to… and he’d been right in front of her all along.

[the-void-writes]

Find The Word

Thanks @theskeletonprior for the open tag! Sorry for the length of these, they needed context. I just tagged a bunch of people last time, so I’ll leave this one open, too, but I’ll mention @bloodlessheirbyjacques @muddshadow @magefaery just in case they want to. Your words are Care, Slow, Never, Tell, and Sleep.

BEFORE

As he dwelled on his actions, the door slid open, followed by slow footsteps. Jason straightened himself out and turned around.

“Is everything—”

He gasped as Will staggered into the room. Blood trickled down his neck and shoulders, slightly dying the tips of his hair. Jason rushed over and held him by the shoulders.

“Will?”

“I’m sorry.” Will’s voice was painfully weak. “I didn’t know where else to—”

He stumbled again, and Jason caught him before he could collapse. Without a moment’s hesitation, he paged for the doctors and followed them to the infirmary. Time seemed to freeze as he waited outside the Emergency Ward. All he could think about was how broken Will looked. Someone had hurt him again, and badly, if he felt that Ves Corp was the safest place to go to.

ALWAYS

It was a nice headstone, all smooth and polished, though Will was still upset about the name. He and Henry had fought so hard to make it “Jason Prescott,” but the engravers insisted on using his legal name, regardless of the fact that he was disowned by his parents. For people who wanted nothing to do with him, they refused to let anyone else have the final say in his funeral arrangements. They wouldn’t even believe he was a godfather, at first, until Mary straightened them out. Their compromise was to let Will choose the epitaph, the one part that his parents didn’t care about. Always and forever… It seemed like a joke now, but he valued those words deeply.

COARSE

He kissed him again, careful of where he placed his hands now. Jason noticed how coarse they were, no doubt from all the training and lifting required for soldiers. It was different, yes, but also exciting. Feeling a little brave, he kissed Rio’s neck, and to his amusement, the soldier gasped in surprise. Jason’s bravery was short-lived, though, as a huge smirk spread across Rio’s face.

“Alright, sly,” he said. “Two can play that game.”

QUESTION

Thomas stood behind Riley, watching everyone in eerie silence. Their head was buried in their spiky jacket like a turtle. Riley smiled and pulled them closer.

“It’s okay, hon. You remember Will, right? He’s Jason’s kid.”

They looked nervous, something Will could definitely understand. He had hurt a bunch of guards last time. As gently as he could, he extended his hand. 

“Hello, Thomas. I like your jacket.”

Thomas relaxed and shook his hand. “Thanks. You can just call me Tom, if you’d like.”

Will smiled. “Good to know. Anything else?”

They thought about his question for a bit. “Don’t call me a guy or girl, ‘cause I’m neither… no matter what some of the doctors say.”

Great, Will thought, more assholes to set straight. He held his hand to his chest.

“Hey, I understand. Thanks for trusting me, Tom.”

Thomas smiled. “Thank you. I was so afraid that Riley was gonna break your nose.”

Riley laughed. “That was one time, and that fucker deserved it for misgendering both of us on purpose.”

“Oh, I’m not complaining, I’d love to see you break some more noses.”

Riley chuckled and kissed their forehead. “Good to hear, hon.”

RESPONSE

“The doctors will have you fixed up in no time,” he said, “but I won’t have you start work until you’ve had time to rest.”

Jason stared at him blankly. “Thank you for your kindness. I don’t know why you would go through so much trouble for me.”

Vesely frowned and set the clipboard down. “I have experienced a loss similar to yours. My daughter, Paisley, my sweet little angel. She inherited her powers from me and her mother. Our town was no better than Preston when it came to people like us. The townsfolk were scared, as most Humans tend to be. They believed she would become a monster.”

Vesely turned away, blinking back some tears.

“I tried to save her, but I was too late. They burned my daughter like a witch.”

Jason felt sick. Freaks like him were all too familiar with the harassment that came with their powers, but this… Nothing on Earth could justify killing a child for the way they were born. Jason’s heart pounded at the thought of it. He prayed, deep down, that Will was just an unlucky victim, rather than a target.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, “That’s horrific.”

Vesely smiled slightly. “Thank you, Jason, but I’ve had my time to mourn. I used my pain to help this company thrive, and now our children have a place to call home. It can be your home, too. Take your feelings, put them into your work, and you can make the world that your friend would have wanted to see.”

Jason cringed. He would have wanted to be with his family, he thought, he would have wanted to live. He glanced up at Vesely, who eyed him like a teacher awaiting the response of his student.

“… I‘ll do my best, sir. Thank you for everything.”

“Of course. Try to get some rest, Jason. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Vesely turned and left the room, the door sliding behind him with a muffled thud. There was no other sound but the hum of a large fan. It was soft, slow, and empty. Tears welled up in Jason’s eyes as he clutched Will’s old necklace, the last remaining piece of his godson.

[emkay512]

Just For Tonight

What if it had been Liam’s idea to have house Beaumont sponsor Riley in his social season? And what was Liam’s night like after he dropped off Riley in the very first chapter?

A/N: I watch a lot of rom-coms and chick flicks and couldn’t stop thinking about Liam and came up with this 🙃 This exists in my OUAT universe, so I’m using those tags, I hope that’s ok and you enjoy!

Thank you at @sfb123 and @queenrileyrose for pre-reading and giving me that extra confident boost! I think I was marinating on this too long! Lol 😅

Warnings: Some language, but that’s about it.

Tags: @burnsoslow @bbrandy2002 @ao719 @kat-tia801 @sincerelyella @charlotteg234 @neotericthemis @queenrileyrose @kingliam2019 @iaminlovewithtrr @amandablink @iluaaa @jared2612 @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @secretaryunpaid @ladyangel70 @gkittylove99 @texaskitten30 @shanzay44 @ofpixelsandscribbles

Word count: 1,676

Liam’s head was swimming. He and Riley just piled into a cab to escort her back to her apartment after their midnight rendezvous with the Statue of Liberty. That kiss she gave him on the ferry had him dizzy, he was losing his inner fight to remember his duty bound responsibilities and wanted to embrace her again, but he also didn’t want to lead Riley on.

As if Riley was reading his mind, she broke the silence and asked, “hey, Liam?” Liam focused his gaze on her in reply, “what if just for tonight, we indulge in ourselves a little?” Liam lifted his brow in confusion.

“How do you mean?”

Riley was feeling quiet vulnerable with her idea, but in keeping with her own suggestion, she explained, “I have a feeling about you. That you’re used to putting your priorities and desires dead last in life. I’m even a little afraid that you may come to regret this night with me because you will convince yourself you had over indulged by allowing a little personal pleasure in your life. I’m saying, don’t do that. And I won’t either. I’m not sorry for opening up to a prince I know I’ll never see again. So… so how about you do the same?” Riley felt her cheeks blush and she looked up at him to see his eyes soften, knowing he was moved and would agree.

“Ok.” Liam smiled genuinely, she was completely right, and now thanks to her, he wouldn’t allow himself to feel any shame for enjoying this night. “Ok, Ms. Riley Brooks, I’ll do the same. Just for tonight, I will feel no shame for enjoying myself, for letting my heart call the shots for once.”

“Good.” Riley almost felt her eyes well up with tears from both the most sincere happiness she was feeling mixed with sadness of the night ending. Just then, the cab slowed to a stop right in front of her stoop. “Well, this is me. Good night, Liam. Thank you for the unforgettable evening.”

“Riley,” was all he could whisper before they both leaned in, closed their eyes, and surrendered into their goodnight kiss. Liam had relaxed completely, and it was Riley that deepened the kiss. She had parted her lips for him and he allowed himself to touch his tongue to hers, reveling in her sweet taste. He took one hand to cup her cheek and his other hand around her waist, both hands pressing her body as close to his as possible.

At the sound of the cabbie clearing his throat, they parted, both a little out of breathe. With smiles on both their faces, they said at the same time, “well, good night.”

They awkwardly laughed, and Riley touched her hand to his 5 o’clock shadow and said, “I think you are amazing, and thank you again for tonight.” She offered him the sweetest smile and then moved to exit the cab.

Liam replied as she was making her move out, “goodnight, Ms. Riley, and just so you know, I will never regret this night.” It was the right thing to say, as he saw nothing but elation on her face as she gently shut the car door and turned to walk into her apartment.

After giving the cabbie the name of his hotel, Liam leaned back in the backseat of the cab with nothing but stars in his eyes. He couldn’t believe the night he just had, and he was too far gone in his euphoria that he wouldn’t allow himself to think back to the reality that awaits him. Just for tonight. Just like they had said. He would allow himself to close out this night on his love sick high.

Upon his arrival back to the suite he was sharing with his friends, Maxwell was the only one still up. Liam could swear that his good, cheery, friend, Maxwell Beaumont, operated on constant energizer bunny batteries and actually didn’t sleep.

“Well, well, well… couldn’t quiet pull off the next-morning-walk-of-shame, my prince?” Maxwell knew Liam hated the formalities among his friends so he knew right away that Maxwell was in a full ball-busting mood. But Liam didn’t care. And to his dismay, Maxwell noticed. “Whoa. What the hell is that dopey look on your face!? You did get laid??” Maxwell was sincerely perplexed because he knew that a one night quickie was unlike Liam, but he could think of no other explanation.

Liam chuckled and shrugged, knowing he was unable to shake the grin off his face. No, he didn’t get laid. But he did get kissed. Twice. By a woman he knew he wouldn’t shake from his thoughts, for probably the rest of his life. Just for tonight. He continued the mantra in his mind. He’d let his mind wander to the idea of seeing her again. “Calm down, Max. She just showed me a very lovely evening. She pulled off a trip to the Statue of Liberty. Just for me.” Maxwell was not missing the stars in Liam’s eyes and couldn’t resist in fucking with him a little more.

“Huh, so your tryst involved another lady? Ya know, Lady Liberty? Kinky.” Liam rolled his eyes, that’s not even creative or funny, he thought to himself. “Wait, so how in the hell did you pull that off? I know you get shit done, but a last minute late night boat ride in a foreign country to impress a girl? How did you do it?”

“I didn’t. It was all the other way around. She called in a favor to impress me, and as you can see, I was quiet taken.”

“Well damn, sister’s got some moves! I mean, look at you, I’ve never seen you so smitten!” Maxwell was still muttering some mockeries at Liam, something about Liam being a smitten kitten. But it was something else he said that stuck out to Liam. Sister. Maxwell had call her a sister. After a second, a wild idea popped into Liam’s mind.

“That’s it! That’s it, Maxwell you genius!” Maxwell blinked up at Liam, very unsure what part of his rambles got Liam so excited. “House Beaumont still needs a sponsor for the social season, right?”

“Uh, yeah. That’s right.” Maxwell was clearly not putting two and two together.

“Catch up, Beaumont! Her! Riley! What do you think? We could catch up with her in the morning and ask her to join the season under your house. Well?”

Maxwell was grinning from ear to ear. He thought it was such a good idea that he was disappointed he didn’t think of it. “You’re on. You and I can find her in the morning before your early flight back and if she says yes, I’ll bring her back here to get the guys caught up and she’ll fly back with us.”

“Genius! Ah, I could kiss you right now Maxwell! I’m gonna try to catch some sleep before the morning.” Liam said while pumping his fist in excitement and he half jogged into a separate room to fall asleep.

The next morning, Liam and Maxwell caught sight of Riley walking up to her bar. Maxwell still had a curious amount of energy in him and next thing Liam knew, he was jogging ahead to Riley with his hand in the air to get her attention. “Hey! Hey, Riley!” Liam kept his pace as Maxwell rushed ahead.

Riley whipped around to see Maxwell charging at her. “Oh, hey. It’s you. One of Liam’s friends, Maxwell, right?”

“Yep! Good memory! Anyway I’m glad I caught you. I’m here because I want to formally invite you to Cordonia to participate in all the festivities for Liam. Normally you wouldn’t be allowed to join, but I want to sponsor you!” Maxwell could see the shock and confusion on her face as he continued to explain. “I’m from a noble house, but I don’t have any sisters so we don’t have anyone in contention to marry the prince. Instead we get to pick any girl to sponsor, and I pick you!”

“Wh-why me?”

“I’m not doing it just for you.” Just then Liam caught up and strode into the scene.

“Good morning, Ms. Riley Brooks.” Liam used his most husky and calm voice possible. He knew he was about to be asking a lot out of her.

Riley instantly picked up Liam’s voice as he walked up and greeted her, “Liam? What are you doing here?”

Liam approached and grabbed her hand, bringing it up to his lips for a quick kiss. He met her eyes as he explained, “I’m here to do the same thing my good friend, Maxwell, is here doing. I want to convince you to come to Cordonia. Everything he said is true. You can participate as his sponsor.” Riley moved her eyes from Liam and looked just over his shoulder at Maxwell, she was trying to decide if he was someone she could trust and someone whose house she wanted to join. She saw a very promising and honest smile on his face, and she felt comfortable. She then looked back to Liam, who was still holding her hand.

“I… I don’t know.. that’s a big commitment..”

“Look,” Liam said quickly not wanting to lose his momentum. “I’ll level with you, Cordonia won’t be like New York, but there’s something about you. About us, that I trust. There’s something here Riley, why not give it a shot. Come on, I know you feel it too.”

She most certainly felt it too and she thought about last night and the opportunity that could be ahead of her, versus her current shitty bartending life in New York, and she came to her decision. “Ok,” she smiled and looked him in the eye, “I’m in.”

“Yes!” Maxwell shouted from behind them, “go pack your bags, this is going to be the adventure of a lifetime!”

Riley looked at Liam and said, “I guess we’re shooting for more than just for tonight, huh?”

Liam replied, “heh, yeah I guess you’re right.”

[sams-sass]

The Others pt 7

Here is the next part to The Others. Hope you guys like it, thanks for all the love, and as always: stay sassy.

*sorry if I tagged you already, I accidentally deleted the original post. 

Read Parts One through Six here:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Pairings: Sam x Psychic!Reader

Warnings: Discussions of death, discussions of past and self doubt, angst, fluff

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

You were laying across the backseat of the impala, Jenny laying on top of you. You felt her hot tears hitting your shirt and soaking through to your skin. You were taking her home. There was no need for her to suffer anymore than she already had. She had seen and dealt enough with the demons. Her family had been worried sick since she was reported missing at the school and it was time she went home. It was time she had the chance to recuperate in peace with people she loved and who loved her right back.

“I’m so sorry.” She said against your chest, her voice was small.

“Don’t be sorry. You have been so brave throughout this whole thing. You deserve some rest.” You ran your fingers through her hair and wrapped your arms around her.

“Y/N is right, Jenny. You have done more than enough, you should be with your family now. We’ll get the sons of bitches.” Dean said, looking at the two of you in the rearview mirror. Jenny sniffled and nodded, closing her eyes tight in fear.

“What am I going to tell them?” She asked, sitting up and looking out the window.

“As much of the truth as you want. If you want to make up a complete lie, I will back you up. If you want to tell them everything, I will back you up. Tell them whatever you feel comfortable with.” You found her eyes, sending her a reassuring smile and grabbing her hand. She tried to smile back, but you could still see the worry in her eyes.

Dean pulled up to her house about an hour later, all the lights were on and you could see movement inside. Jenny’s lips parted and all the air in her lungs felt trapped. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. The door flung open and her mom ran out onto the driveway. You saw Jenny’s face twist in both pain and relief as she opened the door and ran into her mothers waiting arms. They cried together, holding each other tightly in the cool evening air. You touched your cheek and felt the wetness on your skin, realizing you were crying as well. You got out of the car and walked over to them, touched Jenny on the shoulder. They pulled apart and her mother quickly gathered you in her arms as well.

“Thank you. Thank you so much for bringing my baby home.” She whispered in your ear. Jenny pulled you to her after her mom let you go. You inhaled her scent and let it stay in your lungs for a moment. She pulled back slightly, still holding you in her arms. She looked you deep in the eyes.

“You can do this, Y/N. You go back there and you kick ass. You are so strong, I am so proud of you. You kill those bastards for what they did to me.” Her eyes were filled with tears, her face red and swollen. You nodded, holding back your emotions. She let you go and fell against her mom again, they walked inside holding each other as you climbed back in the car.

“Ready?” Sam asked, turning around to look at you. You paused for a moment and let the question settle inside you. You were ready. Ready to take the fight to them, ready to use whatever strength you had to get the job done. You were ready to end this.

“Ready.” You answered, your voice was even and calm.

 --------------------

Jenny didn’t live far from campus, you pulled in about an hour and a half later. The three of you went into your apartment to make a plan and for a place to crash. You moved everything off the dining room table so the boys could lay out maps of campus, books bobby gave you, and a journal. Sam left to get you guys food, leaving you and Dean alone.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea if you come with us.” Dean didn’t even wait for the door to fully close.

“Sam already gave me the ‘I don’t want you to get hurt’ speech.” You answered, looking up at him.

“That’s exactly why I don’t want you to come, Y/N. I was with him when Jess died. It almost broke him. He had nightmares about her death for months afterward. He couldn’t mention her without almost breaking down, I still see him struggle with it. I also see that he cares for you deeply and I can’t watch him get hurt again, not like that. Especially because it’s this demon.” Dean had come around the table and took your shoulders in his hands. Looking directly into your eyes.

“Dean, I can’t imagine what you and Sam have gone through because of this demon. Your mom and then Sam’s girlfriend, it’s horrible and I am so sorry. I have to do this, Dean, I have to fight them for Jenny. She is like a sister to me, and what they did to her…and that I had to watch it. I want them gone. For good. For Jenny, for Jess, for your mom, and for you two. I completely understand that you don’t want me to get hurt. If I was in your shoes, I would be saying the same thing. I’m going with you. I have to do this.” Now it was your turn to look into Dean’s eyes.

“Well, you’re stubborn. You and Sam have that in common.” Dean laughed, taking his hands off your shoulders. You giggled too, playing with a strand of hair. Sam walked in with food and beer, handing one to his brother and then you. You ate in relative silence, most of the food untouched. Then you made your plan.

“I say, we just give them what they want. Me on a platter.” Sam said, taking a sip of beer.

“No, Sam, that’s just stupid and too risky.” Dean argued back. “Somehow we need to get in there so we can make devils traps in the house.” He leaned back in his chair.

“What if we go first thing in the morning and watch? We know how many of them are in there and they can’t all be missing class.” You suggested, placing your elbows on the table.

“Best idea I have heard all night.” Dean replied, standing and stretching his arms out. “I’m exhausted, night you two.” He then walked away and into Jenny’s room to get some rest, not giving Sam anytime to argue back. Sam let out a long sigh next to you and sunk a little in his chair, defeated.

“I’m gonna shower, why don’t you find something for us to watch.” You stood and ran your fingers through his hair, cupping his jaw with your hand before walking away.

After your shower, you joined Sam on the couch with your beer. He was still flipping through channels, his eyes clearly not seeing the screen. You reached over and placed your hand over his, taking the remote and turning off the TV.

“Wanna talk about it?” You asked, pulling your legs up onto the couch.

“Talk about what?” He asked back. There was a smidge of anger in his voice.

“Whatever is bothering you.” You answered, leaning closer to him.

“This demon. It killed my mom. It killed Jess. Dean and I, we think it killed our dad too. Y/N, if it does anything to you…I don’t think I could handle it. I don’t think I could go on. I have already lost three people and my childhood to this demon. I can’t-I can’t lose anyone else I care about. I really wish you would just stay here tomorrow.” He tried again to tell you how he felt. You could see the unshed tears and raw emotion in his eyes as he spoke. You licked your lips and looked down at the couch, taking a deep breath into your lungs.

“When I was 10 I had a crush on this boy down the street. His name was Riley. He was a year older than me so I thought he was really cool and mature.” You smiled at the memory, Sam smiled with you. “One day, we were playing outside. It was a nice sunny day out. I remember the smell of his moms flower garden. He touched my shoulder, nothing weird, but I saw it. I saw how he died. I watched him get hit by a car while he was on his bike. I saw his bike, the metal mangled and twisted in the road. I felt his last breath leave his lungs. I heard his head hit the pavement so hard it cracked. And do you know what I did?” You looked directly at Sam then, he was hanging on every word you were speaking. He shook his head and waited for the answer. “Nothing. I didn’t do a damn thing. I went home and never spoke of it to anyone. I was petrified. What would happen if I told someone? Would they yell at me? Would I get in trouble? Then, the most amazing thing happened. Nothing. Nothing happened to Riley, he went and lived his life. For two more years. On a warm summers night in the middle of July, fate took him. The crickets were so loud that night, and the moon was full and heavy in the sky. When he was 13 years old he was riding his bike home from a friends, it wasn’t too late but it was already dark out. The car didn’t see him. He died and it was all my fault because I kept this horrible secret to myself. I didn’t tell anyone because I was scared what would happen to me, and Riley died because of it.” You were crying now, the tears rolling down your cheeks.

“Y/N, it wasn’t your fault, you probably couldn’t have stopped it.” Sam leaned towards you, his hand running over yours.

“I felt it as soon as it happened. I was in my room, enjoying my Friday night and my heart stopped. I heard his breath in my ear. He never came to visit me, but I couldn’t get his face out of my mind. On summer nights when I am laying alone in bed, the wind outside will sound like his last breath. When the moon is full and high in the sky, I see the way the moonlight reflected off his bike in the street. When the nights are warm and the crickets are singing their endless song, I can still see his honey brown eyes and his curly black hair. Ever since the day he died I have lived in fear of closing my eyes, for what I might see when I do. I am always afraid of the cold and lonely nights when the air changes and I see my breath against the pitch black of night. Who will come into my room? Who will touch me with their boney, cold and grey skin. Who will whisper in my ear with their rotting breath?” You looked up at him. Your eyes wide. “Then you came. I touched you and I felt warm again, you kissed me and I saw colors again. I have to do this, Sam. I have to fight them, because if I don’t it will haunt me for the rest of my days. I will see those girls every time I close my eyes, just like Riley. I got pulled into this, and I intend to see it through.” You swallowed down your emotions, your throat raw from crying.

“I know what you mean. When I touch you, I feel warm too. I feel excited and calm all at once. When we kissed, I swear I could feel myself being filled from head to toe. I’m not sure what spell is over us, but I don’t want it to ever be broken.” He reached up, running his fingers over your cheek. “We’ll do this together.” He nodded once, looking you in the eye. You smiled and jumped on top of him. Your arms flying around his neck and holding him impossibly close to you. Your legs on either side of his trim waist, heat rolling through you. Your lips molded against his, bring all sorts of feelings up. The way his hands twisted into your hair, pulling ever so slightly. The way he listened to your every breath and sound, following your exact instructions. It was like the two of you were reading each other, never ending chapters written with heartbeats and breaths across skin.

The next morning you were in the impala outside the frat house. It was early. You yawned in the cold and staleness of morning, blinking your eyes. You held the coffee cup in both of your hands, keeping them warm. Movement. All of you turned and looked through whatever windows you could see into. Two boys left the house. They didn’t say a word the entire time, just walking with vacant expressions. About fifteen minuets later three more left, wearing the same vacant expressions. The three of you exchanged looks. Another twenty minuets went by and then two more walked out, one of them being Brandon. After they were out of eyesight you went in, Dean first with you and Sam behind. Sam kept you closely behind him. Sam had his gun raised in front of him. He was in a crouching stance as he silently walked around the house, clearing each room.  

“Hold onto my jacket.” He whispered, turning his head slightly. You reached up and grabbed a fistful of his jacket, stepping with him throughout the house. There was no one in the house, you were all alone.

“Well, once again, that was weirdly easy.” Dean said, lowering his gun slightly. Sam nodded in agreement. Even for you, it did seem too easy. The boys lifted rugs, moved beds, and rearranged furniture to paint devils traps on the floor. They stood on chairs and counters to paint them on the ceiling as well. You looked around the house, touching things as you went. Something was bothering you that you couldn’t quite put your finger on. There was a strange buzzing happening inside you, it seemed like it was leading you somewhere. You closed your eyes and opened your mind. Listening to the energy around you. It was pulling you towards the basement. You opened the door and turned the light on. The moldy and stale air hit you in the face instantly. You gingerly walked down the stairs and into the disgusting and grimy basement. Dirt and dust covered every inch. Insects and rodents, dead and alive, were everywhere. You moved through the basement, keeping your arms close to your side. There was a doorway, when you walked through you saw the room from your vision. This is where they hurt Jenny. This is where the yellow eyed demon spoke to you. This is where they would sacrifice you. The buzzing was back and stronger than before. You held up one hand as you walked, letting it guide you. Off to the side was a door. You touched the doorknob and took a sharp inhale.

A girl laid on the table. She was bloody and old looking. Her eyes were wide, but unseeing. She was dead. You saw that she had the same brand on her chest that Jenny had. Brandon lifted her from the table and opened the door. He tossed her body in with the others before he wiped his hands on his jeans, his face a scowl.

You blinked back into the now, your breath coming in ragged. You raced back up the stairs and ran directly into Sam, wrapping your arms around him. He held you against him, his fingers tracing your neck.

“They are in the basement.” You mumbled against his shirt. “All of them, the girls. They are down there.” You felt him lift his chin off the top of your head. You leaned back to look at him, his face was one of worry.

“Sam, take her back to her apartment.” Dean walked over to the two of you.

“Dean, what if they come back?” Sam asked, letting you go.

“I’ve got an arsenal.” Dean replied, flicking his head towards his duffel bag.

“I’ll drop her off and then come right back.” Sam said, walking towards the door. You in tow. You wanted to help, but something told you there was something that needed to be done. Something that you didn’t want or need to see. You and Sam climbed into the impala and headed back to your apartment. It was two o’clock in the afternoon, most of the day spent at the house. You and Sam walked into the apartment, something didn’t feel right. A chill ran through you and you stopped dead in your tracks. You heard the sound of a hard object against a skull. Heard Sam fall to the floor. Then you felt the sharp pain yourself, you fell to the floor. Blackness took you.

You woke with a throbbing and heavy pain in your head. You blinked a few times, your vision blurry. You lifted your head feeling your body screaming at you. You groaned and tried to move your hands, only to realize they were tied behind your back. You panicked and began to wiggle, jolting your arms against the ropes.

“Hello, Y/N.” Your eyes widened and your head shot up towards the voice. Brandon. “I see you brought me a Winchester as well.” He was leaning against the doorframe into your living room.

“I’ll kill you.” Sam spoke, he was tied up too. His back against yours in the middle of your kitchen. There was suddenly banging on the door.

“Sam! Y/N!” Deans voice was panicked as he pounded on the door.

“Can’t let big bro get to you.” Brandon pushed himself off the wall and placed his hands on you and Sam’s shoulders. There was a whooshing sound and then you were in the basement. The filthy and disgusting basement. All the frat boys were standing around the table in the basement. Their bodies were covered in bruises and their eyes were a deep onyx. There was another man there that you didn’t recognize. He was older than the others and you didn’t understand why he was there in the basement. He had a large smile on his face that looked ghastly against the darkness of the situation. He turned his head slightly and you caught a glimpse of his eyes, a pale and spotted yellow. He looked directly at you. Directly into your eyes.

“Hello, Y/N, I have waited so so long.” His voice was grossly cheery in the dank basement.

Tags: @watermelonlipstick​ @virtualheaderssupernaturalnerd​ @aeo10fan​ @hecatemacbeth7​ @doctorlilo​ @wnchetrs​ @lukawats​ @defenderrosetyler​

[argylemnwrites]

Fight or Flight - Chapter 6: Next

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Riley Liu)

Book: The Royal Heir (canon divergent from the end of book 2)

Word Count: ~5500

Rating: PG-13 (rare language)

Summary: Eighteen hours since The Walker Absconding

Author’s Note: Sorry again for the delay on this one! I know PB has basically turned the laws of Cordonia into whatever they need them to be for plot reasons, but that’s not sufficient for me, so I am trying to construct some sort of framework based on what we know from TRM, ROE, and TRR/TRH. We’ll see how it goes...

This series follows the Walkers, their friends, and Cordonia as a whole after they flee the country with their daughter during Barthelemy Beaumont’s attempted coup. To catch up on this series, check out it’s masterlist. (link can be found via my bio - sorry, Tumblr is once again not putting my posts with links in tag searches)

“Riley… Hey, Riley.”

Riley’s eyes fluttered open as she felt a hand on her shoulder and heard Drake whispering her name, tugging her awake. It took her a few seconds to place herself as she glanced around the room. She reached for the nightstand with a fumbling hand before she remembered she didn’t have her glasses. She squinted at Drake. Thankfully, he’d crouched down in front of her, so he was at least in focus, even if the rest of the hotel room was a giant blur. 

“Is everything okay?”

Drake nodded, running a hand over his chin. He was already showered, shaved, and dressed in a grey t-shirt and a pair of jeans. “I am going to go to the bakery across the street and see if any of the locals can point me towards a cheap, used car dealership.”

“Okay. I don’t think I’m going to be much help.” She’d always meant to learn Greek since moving to Cordonia, but she’d only ever gotten around to learning a handful of words. After all, official court business was always conducted in English, and most of the citizens of Valtoria were bilingual, so there had never really been a need. Until now apparently. It’s not that no one in Ioannina spoke English, but it wasn’t as common as she was used to. Even last night, she’d been utterly dependent on Drake to discuss what they needed in a hotel room with the man at the front desk.

“Yeah, that’s why I thought you might want to just stay here with Bridget.” At his statement, they both instinctively looked down at their daughter, still sleeping soundly along Riley’s side. Riley knew it wasn’t ideal that they decided to let her sleep in the same bed with them last night, but they didn’t really have any other options when the hotel employee told Drake there were no cribs available. And truth be told, Riley hadn’t wanted to let Bridget leave her side. Things were still too raw, too fresh.

“You don’t want me to come along?” 

Drake shook his head slowly as he gently placed a hand on Bridget’s head. “I just figured it might be nice for her to be able to crawl and play and all that. Try and make things a little more normal for her, I guess.”

He did have a point. Normally, Bridget was able to crawl around and explore while they were taking meetings at Valtoria. Even on days where they had to go to the palace, one of them usually stuck with Bridget in her room there while the other handled all the official business. And Bridget was definitely at an age where she wanted to move about her environment. She didn’t like being restrained for too long.

“Okay. So you’re just going to get us a car then?”

He paused for a moment. “I think we need more than a car, Riley. I’m gonna try and find somewhere that sells outdoor supplies and camping gear. Plus a travel crib and a car seat for her. Maybe some toys, too.”

“You think we’re going to have to camp out to stay safe?”

“I don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “I would rather have a tent and some sleeping bags and not need them than have to panic and hide out with nothing.”

She swallowed roughly before she responded, staring down at their daughter, still passed out and oblivious to everything that had transpired in the past day. “How bad do you think things are going to get for us, Drake?”

He didn’t answer her right away, so after a few seconds she looked up and found him staring at her intently. “I have no idea. This will probably all just be a wild story if Liam keeps his title, but if Barthelemy succeeds… fuck, Riley. Every law enforcement agent in the EU will have the right to arrest us for kidnapping and send us back.”

“This is insanity. She’s our kid. Why would other countries recognize us traveling with her as a kidnapping?”

There was another pause as Drake glanced down, staring at the floor. “Because she’s Cordonia’s kid before she’s our kid. And kidnapping is one of the crimes that doesn’t require criminality verification in the arresting country under a European Arrest Warrant.” She just stared at him, wondering why this was yet another piece of random trivia he knew. As if he could read her thoughts, he glanced up and continued, “I did some research when I couldn’t sleep last night.” 

“So another country would really just send us back for taking her out of Cordonia?”

“She’s legally Cordonia’s child.”

Riley sighed, trying to keep tears of frustration from forming. She’d cried enough yesterday, she didn’t need Drake thinking she wasn’t up to this again. But it just was a shitty situation. One they never should have been in at all.

“It’s not right, Drake.”

“No, it’s not. But it’s a little late to change that fact now.”

A wave of guilt washed over Riley as his words hung in the air. She could have put a stop to this bullshit long ago. She should have put a stop to it. And now everything was teetering on the edge of disaster. But she had to get a grip. She was not going to be an emotional mess today. So she took one last deep breath before responding to Drake.

“I think your plan makes sense. Can you stay with her while I get cleaned up before you go?”

Drake frowned just slightly, clearly wondering about the slight redirection of their conversation, but he nodded slowly, scooping up Bridget laying her across his chest as he settled down on top of the covers while Riley dug through the bag of clothing, trying to find something to wear.

As she showered, the lukewarm-at-best water pelting over her hair and skin, she tried to keep her thoughts from spiraling. Things were bad, but they could have been worse. They were together. They were able to withdraw money yesterday, so their accounts weren’t frozen yet. And they had some of their basic needs covered, thanks to Ray.

Ray had bought them several changes of clothing, some basic toiletries, more diapers and formula, and a few days of food before returning to Cordonia. He hadn’t let them pay for any of it, which was far too kind considering they’d lied to him and possibly made him an accessory to kidnapping. But he’d remained helpful and unfazed when they’d confessed that Lythikos was supposed to be their destination, not Greece. And he’d gotten them fairly well set up before he got back in the town car to return to Cordonia, a much appreciated kindness.

She wondered how things had gone when he spoke to Olivia, how pissed off she was about it all. Olivia hadn’t called them since they told her they were committed to staying away from Cordonia, so Riley had no idea how she was handling everything or how the hearing went. Hana had called again last night. She was alone at their home, trying to pack up a few of their personal belongings in hopes of getting them to them at some point if needed. She’d been kind and gentle, asking if there were certain items of clothing or specific toys that should be a priority. Riley didn’t know how Hana intended to get those belongings to them, but it was a sweet gesture. Even though she knew Hana wished they’d stayed in Cordonia, she felt grateful that her friend was trying to help them, even if she disagreed with Riley’s actions.

So there were some silver linings. But overall, things felt overwhelming and out of control. Riley had known somewhere in her mind that things were going to be horrible and stressful and mad difficult when she’d decided to get Bridget out of Cordonia as quickly as possible yesterday. But after a little sleep - admittedly very little given how upset she was about everything - things felt like they could quickly become insurmountable. 

But she just couldn’t bring herself to head back for Cordonia. No matter how many worries she had about how the three of them were going to get through things going forward, there was a better chance of them being together through it all outside that country, and she just felt safer, knowing there would at least be more difficulties for Barthelemy and any of his posse to get their hands on her daughter. Nothing about Cordonia was safe. And while she wished she’d been able to recognize that earlier, she couldn’t go back now. Not when it finally felt like her eyes were open. 

Stepping out of the shower, she quickly dressed and ran a comb through her hair, brushing her teeth and popping in her contacts before leaving the bathroom. She heard Bridget’s giggles and babbles right away. Turning into the main part of the small hotel room, she saw Drake sitting on the edge of the bed, bouncing Bridget on his knees as he held her in a standing position. She loved being stood upright like that, and it seemed like she’d be pulling up to stand on her own any day now.

When Drake saw Riley, he scooped Bridget into his arms and scooted off the bed. “She only woke up about 10 minutes ago. I can feed her before I head out if you want.”

“No, I’ve got it,” Riley said with a little shake of her head, taking Bridget as she got out a bottle, the formula, and a bottle of water. She was a bit surprised to see Drake digging through the diaper bag, pulling out all the money they’d managed to withdraw from their accounts yesterday. They’d both hemmed and hawed about pulling funds from the accounts tied to Valtoria, but eventually decided on doing it. After all, compared to kidnapping and treason, embezzlement charges were really just a drop in the ocean.

“You’re taking all the cash?”

“We haven’t heard from Olivia or Hana since last evening. Either things are still in progress, or they can’t safely get in touch with us. If it’s the latter, our accounts might be frozen now. I need to be prepared.”

Riley didn’t like the thought of being left without any money, even if she knew Drake was right. It left her feeling vulnerable, or rather even more vulnerable. She couldn’t help it, and a small, shaky little sigh escaped.

Drake pivoted to look at her, his eyes intense. “I’m trusting you not to take off with my kid while I’m gone. It seems like the least you could do is trust me not to take off with the money.”

There was just a hint of bitterness in his voice, but mostly he just sounded tired. Riley knew she was being callous with him. It was just hard to not let all her fears and worries spill over into everything she did and said at this point.

“You’re right; I’m sorry,” she said as she shook up the bottle of formula.

Drake let out a sigh, tucked the money in his wallet, and dropped a kiss on both her and Bridget’s foreheads. “Hopefully, I’ll be back in a few hours. Call if you need me, okay?”

She nodded and gave him a small little smile, but then he was off, hopefully to pull more cash and to get them some transportation. It was just her and Bridget, and even though that was her initial plan yesterday, it felt very lonely at the moment.

“Oh, Peanut. Mama has turned Daddy into a fugitive,” she cooed, giving Bridget the bottle. Figuring she should probably put this time to good use, she grabbed her phone quickly while Bridget actually had a good grasp on the bottle and sat down on the end of the bed, pulling up “How to run from law enforcement” as a search. At this point, they were going to be able to trace their ATM withdrawals anyway. If they somehow got ahold of her digital records from this phone, well, this search wouldn’t tell them anything they didn’t already know. Better to be at least a little prepared when Drake got back and they had to plan their next steps.

After reading for a few minutes, Riley swiped open her contacts list and tapped Drake’s name at the top of her favorites list. He answered almost instantly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, we’re fine. I just have something else you should buy.”

“What?”

“Burner phones.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was almost like deja vu, sitting in the same seat in the same courtroom as once again everyone rose to their feet except Barthelemy and himself. This time, Liam knew that staying seated would probably not be an option when the justice left the courtroom. He probably should have risen now, to be honest. The no-confidence vote that happened this morning was almost certainly going to stand. But Liam wasn’t ready to look defeated. He would wait until this hearing concluded before deferring and recognizing that anyone else might hold the power of the crown. 

The parties present today were almost identical to last night, with the addition of Hakim and Kiara on Barthelemy’s side and Hana on his. Normally, a different High Court justice would have been assigned since High Justice Questa had literally just ruled on an emergency hearing, but given that the same parties were named, she had volunteered to see this through. The usher waited until she sat down before once again announcing that all parties had been sworn in. As soon as he was finished, the justice looked from desk to desk, annoyance clearly written all over her face. It wasn’t surprising, but it didn’t bode well for either legal team. 

“Not even 24 hours later, gentlemen? You really are determined to not let me have my weekend, aren’t you?” High Justice Questa said with a sigh and a shake of her head. “Did we manage to actually legally call the Conventus Nobilis today? It looks like it was all in order based on this documentation from both parties,” she said as she flipped through stacks of paper, “a no-confidence vote that passed with a margin of three to two and installed the patriarch of House Beaumont as king-regent, so I’m not sure what your case is, Mr. Rys.”

Liam fought to keep his face steady. He’d been expecting it, mentally preparing for it, but hearing his surname used instead of his title, a surname that he almost never had needed in his life still burned inside him, a deep pain and sense of failure, both on a personal and public level.

“Your Honor, my client is not challenging the loss of his power. He is now acting as a concerned citizen who believes that the transfer of power to the defendant was illegally performed,” Diana stated calmly as she rose and leaned in to the microphone.

“A concerned citizen? Right, I’m sure that’s his only motivation. Regardless, the brief you submitted is compelling. There obviously isn’t a large amount of precedent for me to base my decision on, so I am going to carefully listen to oral arguments to supplement and clarify the briefs both parties submitted. Additionally, depending on the intricacies of how different historical and modern laws intersect with this… unusual combination of circumstances, I may just offer a provisional ruling with a formal hearing scheduled in front of the full High Court as soon as possible if I feel this is too complex and unprecedented to be decided by just myself. Do both parties understand?”

Both Diana and Charles acknowledged her statement, then Diana delved into her arguments.

“Your Honor, if a reigning monarch is removed from the throne, the law clearly states that next in line for the throne should assume a role of king- or queen-regent until a Conclave can be held, at which time the major noble houses will determine the new royal line. Additionally, Cordonian law states that any direct heirs to the throne who have not come of age should have at least two regents recorded in case of their ascension to the throne before they reach adulthood. Given that these two laws are clear, I do not believe that the results of the Conventus Nobilis vote can legally do any more than remove my client from power. The major houses do not have the power to name anyone they’d like as regent.

“Bridget Walker is the clear queen-regent at this point, Your Honor, and the documentation submitted with her anointing named the Duchess and Duke of Valtoria as her regents. Therefore, it is our contention that one of them should serve as regent until a Conclave can legally occur. It seems like the most logical conclusion from the laws on file.”

“The issue, Diana, is that both the Duchess and Duke of Valtoria were named in the no-confidence vote as well. At least, that’s what I assume you are going to tell me, Charles,” High Justice Questa said as she turned slightly in her chair to face the defense desk.

“Indeed, Your Honor. The results of that vote clearly indicate that the majority of the major noble houses fear for our country’s well-being and prosperity if either of the Walkers are allowed to serve this country as regent. My client has graciously offered to step into that role, seeing as the Duchess of Valtoria was sponsored by House Beaumont and is therefore an honorary member.”

“Your issue, Charles, is that your client can’t legally do that,” High Justice Questa added, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows. The fact that she was tearing through Barthelemy’s team’s arguments just as quickly as she had their own was a small reassurance. 

“He may have offered his services, but the majority of the noble houses support his regency as well.”

“Yes, but they don’t have that power either. They only get to name a new monarch, acting or otherwise, during a Conclave. And the vote today was not a Conclave, was it Charles?”

“No, Your Honor. A Conclave has to occur at the end of a Social Season.”

“Exactly. The regents for an heir who is too young to rule are decided by the reigning monarch at the time of the heir’s anointment, not by anyone else. In this case, since our new Queen-Regent was not born into the royal bloodline, but established in her position via Royal Decree, it is a noted precedent to allow the child’s parents to have a say in who is named as his or her regents. Why your client has decided he can just sidestep all of that is concerning. He’s claimed the power of the law for himself while being ignorant of our country’s laws at best, or with a willful disregard for them at worst. And quite frankly, the fact that the actual head of House Beaumont, his elder son, voted against him is not exactly a ringing endorsement.”

“Your Honor, someone needs to act as Queen-Regent Bridget’s regent!”

“Indeed, but not your client. The High Court does not recognize Lord Beaumont as acting regent at this time. Now, Diana,” High Justice Questa continued, not missing a beat, “your client was the reigning monarch at the time of Queen-Regent Bridget’s anointing. I see in your briefs that he has offered up two alternative regents for Queen-Regent Bridget - Lady Hana Lee or Lord Maxwell Beaumont.”

This had been part of their strategy, devised wearily sometime after 2 am and numerous cups of coffee. Since it was unlikely that the no-confidence vote was going to go their way, Diana had suggested naming alternate regents for Bridget, ones that would both be more sympathetic to his cause and that would be believable as alternate choices from Drake and Riley. Picking Hana and Maxwell had been the obvious choice.

“Your Honor!” Charles called out upon hearing those names, but he immediately quieted and sat back down when High Justice Questa raised her hand. She nodded at Diana, indicating she should continue in spite of the outburst from the opposing legal team.

“Yes, Your Honor. They are Queen-Regent Bridget’s godparents, indicating that the Duchess and Duke of Valtoria would have approved of either of them for this role, and my client is in total agreement.”

The justice didn’t respond immediately, but started flipping through a briefing, skimming a section when she arrived at the part she clearly wanted to discuss. Liam knew this was going to be their largest issue. They’d attempted to word the briefing carefully, not making it immediately apparent that Drake and Riley hadn’t actually been involved with the decision to name Hana and Maxwell up as alternative regents. But Questa was quick, and she had a great mind for details. The fact that this was the point in the hearing that she was explicitly referencing the text did not bode well for them.

“Diana, I’m looking at your wording here, where you mention your client’s reasoning for naming those two as possibilities for this role. Neither in your statement just now nor in this document do you ever quote the Walkers to indicate their approval. Is there a reason for this?”

Diana tried to be subtle, but Liam noticed her taking a deep breath before she responded, “Your Honor, we didn’t have a chance to speak to them directly. However, their-”

“I’m going to stop you right there. You didn’t have a chance to talk to them? Really?” Whatever scorn Questa held for Barthelemy, Liam felt it directed his way now, but at least doubled or tripled. She’d seen right through their little bluff.

“Everything has been so rushed, Your Honor,” Diana tried to justify, but Liam knew there was no salvaging this situation at this point.

“It seems like talking to the Duchess and Duke of Valtoria should have been high on your priority list to me. Common sense would indicate that if your argument was that those two individuals, in addition to your client, are responsible for naming a regent, actually getting them to name a regent would be pretty important to your case. So tell me, why haven’t you spoken to them regarding this matter? In fact, why aren’t they here in person? Last night I figured they had already put their daughter to sleep and were reluctant to leave her, but it’s-” she glanced quickly at her watch “-not even 5 pm. This seems like an important hearing for their family.”

“I haven’t been able to get in touch with them, Your Honor.”

High Justice Questa’s shoulders sagged slightly before she asked the question Liam was dreading. “Does your client even know their location at this time?”

Diana leaned over to him and whispered, “How do you want to play this, sir?”

He’d pulled Diana aside last night and informed her that Drake, Riley, and Bridget had likely fled the country, and that he had been choosing to stay ignorant of any information that would confirm that fact. She’d encouraged him to report his suspicions officially right then, insisting that he was her client, not them, but Liam didn’t feel throwing them to the wolves was the correct call.  He was frustrated and personally hurt, but he knew there was no malice behind their actions. Besides, it wasn’t likely to improve his situation. So, he’d insisted on sticking to his technical ignorance then, and he had no intention of deviating from that plan now.

“As we discussed, Diana”

With a little nod, she returned to her microphone. “He believes that they headed to Lythikos at the invitation of Duchess Nevrakis for some privacy, but he hasn’t spoken to them since they were on the road.”

Questa’s reaction was immediate, her eyes closing and a hand rubbing roughly over them. She looked completely done with the actions of everyone in the room. Liam honestly couldn’t blame her. He was well aware that from an outside perspective, both he and Barthelemy looked like bumbling fools at the moment. On the other side of the courtroom, Liam noticed significant whispering and chatter. Clearly, Barthelemy’s camp was speculating on what that statement meant. 

“Well, you all have decided to make this as messy as possible, haven’t you?” High Justice Questa mused to the room, interrupting all the side conversations. “Alright, this is what we’re going to do. I’m calling a recess until tomorrow at 9 am to allow the prosecution time to produce the Walkers. No statements, no hearsay, no speculation, they will be here in my court. If they are not present, sanctions will be issued, and the standing of their house and titles will be subject to review.

“As for the matter of Queen-Regent Bridget’s regent, that will be decided with or without their input at that time. If they are not produced, Mr. Rys will make the determination on his own. However, I would urge Mr. Rys to reconsider his choices for that role, because based on the reaction to the names you provided from the defense desk, I envision yet another summoning of the Conventus Nobilis if either of them get installed as regent. And if you think I’m impatient now, you do not want to see me if I am forced to preside over another emergency hearing.”

She paused for a moment, giving both desks intense, meaningful stares before continuing to issue her decision. 

“Now, as we are currently left with no clear agent to act as monarch, I will defer to several old Cordonian statutes. First, a king or queen who is too young to rule will be overseen by a regent who is the next in line for the throne over the age of majority, unless otherwise specified. Given that the Walkers are not eligible anymore due to the vote of no confidence, we will proceed through succession. Seeing as Mr. Rys is the last in his family line and our new queen-regent obviously has no heirs, based on the foundational statutes, Cordonia would revert to Nevrakis rule. Good news is the head of House Nevrakis is here and now knows she’s Queen-Regent for the next handful of hours. This is a provisional appointment only, as it is customary to allow a few days to establish a regency, and a new regent is set to be named tomorrow, so the powers of the monarch will only be enacted in emergency situations. Is that clear?” she asked, staring past Liam to where Oliva was seated.

“Yes, Your Honor.” Liam heard Olivia say from behind him, loud and clear even without a microphone. Olivia gaining power was an obvious victory today, but only a temporary one. If they attempted to leave her in power, Barthelmey would undoubtedly call for another vote from the Conventus Nobilis.

Upon hearing her response, Questa turned slightly towards the defense desk. Barthelemy was clearly fuming, but she continued speaking before that legal team could get a word out. “And before you get all outraged, Charles, I would encourage you to use this as motivation to urge your client to strongly consider letting the regent presented tomorrow stand instead of challenging yet another leader. Because the longer it takes for these two parties to reach an agreement, the longer she-” High Justice Questa said as she gestured to Olivia “-retains provisional powers of the monarch, something I’m guessing your client does not desire. Is everyone clear of my expectations?”

Murmurs of assent came from both desks, following which Questa gave a curt nod and tapped her gavel, bringing the hearing to a close for the day. Liam rose to watch her leave. He had now officially lost the right to stay seated. Oddly, he felt almost numb about that fact. There were so many other things happening that required his attention. 

He was expected to bring Drake and Riley to court tomorrow, and he was fairly certain that would not be a task that was possible for him to complete. This meant he needed to find another possible regent, one that Barthelemy and his allies would not attempt to remove from the throne but who would also be unlikely to bend to Barthelemy’s whims and schemes. Realistically, he needed to figure out Barthelemy’s endgame here. It would help him better plan for his next steps, including a bid to retake the throne at the Conclave, and if he was lucky, in the short term, it might even help him determine someone to suggest as regent who would be willing to show leniency to Drake and Riley. Allow him the chance to convince them to return to Cordonia, although the fact that Bridget was now the queen-regent did complicate matters more.

He saw Barthelemy approaching him, but Diana stopped him. “I’m sorry, but since this hearing is still pending, I’ve advised my client to not speak to you directly at this time.”

He let out a little huff, but went to rejoin his lawyers, allowing Liam to turn to Olivia, Hana, Maxwell, and Bertrand, all huddled in a little cluster behind him. 

“How are you, Liam?” Hana asked, patting his shoulder gently with her hand, her eyes full of concern and worry.

“It is all a lot to process at the moment, but today could have gone worse, I suppose,” Liam responded, trying to keep his voice calm. Any emotional response on his part needed to wait until they were someplace private. “I guess we need to find a place to reconvene now that the palace is no longer an option.”

Olivia frowned, “Who says it’s not an option? If I’m the provisional regent, I think we can easily return for tonight.”

“Are the optics of that wise? I wouldn’t want it to look like you were abusing the temporary powers Questa granted you.”

She just shrugged. “I honestly don’t care. They can’t touch me in any way that matters, and it’s not like I’ll be making a bid during the Conclave since I’ll be sponsoring you.”

Her nonchalant statement gave Liam pause. Although the Rys lineage could be traced back for hundreds of years, House Rys wasn’t one of the five major houses and therefore could not put up a candidate. He hoped she was comfortable with that offer and didn’t resent him for taking away her chance to be queen. The tone of her voice was just so matter-of-fact and resigned, and it made Liam wonder. But for now, he needed to focus on the short term, not the long term.

“I suppose it might be nice to clean out my office,” he said, soft enough that he was sure no one but the people right next to him could hear. The last thing he needed was Barthelemy to somehow get his hands on all sorts of official documents and start combing through them.

Olivia gave him a crisp nod of agreement before spinning to face Maxwell and Bertrand. “Alright you two - Ramsford first. Bertrand, repeat after me, ‘Documents detailing my father’s incompetence are more important than heirloom cutlery.’”

“Lady Olivia, I hardly-”

“It’s now ‘Your Regency, Bertrand,” she said, throwing in a little wink and chuckle as Bertrand started to sputter out apologies. “Seriously though. Maxwell, you need to keep him focused. Preventing your father from gaining control of House Beaumont is imperative.

“After you’re done at Ramsford, head to Lythikos. Now, Maxwell, repeat after me. ‘Literally anything I want to touch will probably maim or kill me, so I will touch nothing but my pillow.’ Bertrand, I’m counting on you from stopping him from causing serious bodily harm to himself or others.”

After the brothers expressed their agreement and left the courtroom, Liam noticed Olivia and Hana shooting glances towards each other. There was no one left in the room but Diana and the junior attorney with her today, Nicolas, so whatever they were silently communicating must be something that they wanted to keep from the legal team.

“Diana, Nicolas, we are meeting back at the palace. We can probably use the monarch’s office for tonight. But starting tomorrow, we will likely be relocating-” he glanced at Olivia, who nodded deeply “-to Lythikos. If you two wouldn’t mind heading back to the palace and determining who on the team is still willing to serve as my legal counsel now that I am no longer king, that would be a helpful next step. Say we meet up again in one hour?”

The lawyers agreed to the plan, leaving Liam alone with Olivia and Hana. “Alright, what couldn’t you bring up until they left?”

Hana passed him a sheet of paper. On it were two phone numbers, written in perfect cursive.

“What’s this?”

“Since you no longer are king, we thought maybe you would not want to be left in the dark anymore.”

It only took him a second to realize what Hana was saying and what the phone numbers implied.

“They got burner phones?”

Olivia let out a little sigh. “Yup. And if you want to talk to them, our next step should be getting you one, too.”

Permatag:  @walkerswhiskeygirl​   @riley--walker​  @bebepac​ @ravenpuff02​ @oofchoices​ @octobereighth​ @drakewalker04​ @kimmiedoo5​  @mfackenthal​  @thequeenofcronuts​  

The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir: @ao719​ @mskaneko​ @katedrakeohd​ @jovialyouthmusic​ @marshmallowsandfire​ @axwalker​ @kingliam2019​ @sirbeepsalot​ @texaskitten30​ @princessleac1​ @ladyangel70​ @dcbbw​ @yaushie​

Drake x MC: @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria​  @iplaydrake​ @gibbles82​ @drakewalkerisreal​ @notoriouscs​  @drakesensworld​ @drake-colt-lover-99​

Fight or Flight: @masterofbluff​ @burnsoslow​ @bobasheebaby​ @shz256​ @iaminlovewithtrr​​

[cruecifymesixx]

Love and Leather /part seventy nine/

Word Count: 5.4k

A/N: enjoy! any feedback is appreciated!

Warnings: language, angst, nikki getting caught in his lies, domestic violence

Taglist:  @brideofdraculana , @aryssav , @miserablecunt , @dangerous-like-a-loaded-pistol, @fandomshit6000, @anntheboneless,  @justjodeye, @supernaturalvikingwhore, @hi-my-name-is-riley, @extremesadnerding, @thatbandchick39, @awkwrdcait, @countrygirlswonderland, @awesomealmostdopestudent, @romanticvengeance , @tashy-bear, @krazykatkay456, @terror-triplet, @shouttatthedevill @beachystars, @rodriguez025, @kickstart-myheart-sixx, @s-outhie, @anxious-diabetic, @awkwardblackgirls, @rockersbox, @brooklyn-antiques, @shamelessobsessions, @jerseytaint, @lilytalebi, @criminalyetminimal, @motley-queen, @trapt-in-a-dream, @lunamadhatter99, @broke-n-bitchy @thanks2pete,  @lovesick-heart0, @keepcalm-and-beyou, @miriampraez, @teenwolflover28, @lilyhw1, @motherloovebone, @random-internet-user-4471, @falcon-arrows, @talranocchia2001,  @waywardprincess666, @malibubarbievince, @iluvmesomemarvelndc, @zoenicoles, @vamprlestat, @supersoldierballerina, @primal-screamer @electradestiny, @marshbev, @n0-sh0rtage-0f-faults, @cruebaby, @ggorehorror, @valentines-in-london, @miss2001babe, @nassauartist  @cmft-jr-winchester, @bokkie92, @notworthyofyou1120 @xrosegoldwolfx, @lauravic, @mgkobsessed, @chaoticvybe,  @kellysimagines @thoughtsoftheantagonist @marvelismylifffe, @sleepyjunhong  @meetthesixxter @sparxx27 @gingerspicetalks @kaitieskidmore1 @unknownoblivion @nevergoodenuffbutokaaayyy @sublimeprincesswasteland @kylieinwonderland @haileynicoleseavey17 @lavendersoundbarrier @youretheonlyonewhomakesme, @xxisxxisxxis, @dogmom2014, @cruesixxlover1991, @xpoisonousrosesx, @cranberrirolls, @m0rnlngstar, @love-struck-aries, @findingmyths, @patheticgay69​, @i-want-to-shoot-myself, @arianareirg, @fentitrbl, @sinningsixx, @motleycrueprincess​, @redlipscrystalskies14, @samanthadegaro​, @makaelahdelvalle​

~January 1st, 1996~

I opened the hotel door, staring at a woman with a food cart, "Good morning Miss Blackwood, I have your breakfast." I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and moved so she could come in.

"I-I didn't order any breakfast..." I mumbled as I watched her put silver trays on the table, taking off the lids before pouring two cups of coffee.

"Well, you were quite adamant about getting french toast when you checked in, however our kitchen was closed at one in the morning." She explained as she also set down the newspaper.

"Oh god. I am so sorry if I said anything out of line to anyone that works here I was really drunk last night. Thank you for bringing this to us....Rebecca." I looked down at her name tag for a split second and smiled.

"Oh no, you were quite the entertainment last night. My coworkers were telling me all about it. You also booked a massage and facial today at three. Our spa room is on the 4th floor. Enjoy the rest of your stay." 

I sat down and started eating, looking up when Clementine came out of the bathroom dressed in her clothes from last night, "Tommy's on his way to pick me up. We have plans with his parents this afternoon."

I glanced over at the clock and saw that it was eleven thirty, "Oh...well thanks for staying with me..." I avoided her glare and continued eating my breakfast, wincing when my stomach started churning.

"Are you gonna call Nikki?" She questioned as I closed my eyes and sat back in the chair, bits and pieces of our fight last night flooding my brain.

"Oh, uh. Yeah I'll call him after while." I took a sip of coffee, "Sorry for last night."

Clementine glanced at me through the mirror as she combed her fingers through her hair, "For what? I had fun last night." She chuckles, "It was just a dumb drunk argument. It happens to everyone. Yours are just a bit over the top, but that's also you as a person."

I chuckled a bit and took another bite, "Thanks for that Clemmy. But again I'm sorry, I know mine and Nikki's fights get out of hand quickly." I shook my head as I pushed the plate of food away from me.

"You know, when we were in New York and you'd tell me about the fights you had with him, I truly thought you were being dramatic. Clearly, I was wrong. That isn't healthy, Van."

I closed my eyes and nodded, "I know, I know." I grabbed my cup of coffee and dug through my purse for a cigarette.

"I gotta go. Tommy said he'd be downstairs at noon. I'll see you back at home later." Clementine came over and gave me a quick hug before she walked out the door.

I took a breath and went onto the balcony, traffic and people yelling coming from below. I lit the cigarette and exhaled, staring at the puffy clouds amongst the smog of the LA skyline. I know the way me and Nikki fight isn't healthy for me or him. It's just like how it's always been, we take three steps forward only to take five steps back. We haven't discussed anything since New York. Us being together, or what the future holds. It's just been pushed to the back burner.

*A few hours later*

"Yeah, keep the change." I spoke kindly to the cab driver as I pulled out a hundred dollar bill and gave it to him. I turned to face the front doors of the house when he drove away.

Okay. Just take a deep breath. He's probably calmed down by now. I've given him space.

I held my heels in one hand and my purse in the other. I opened the door quietly and popped my head inside before Anarchy came running towards me and nudged her head between my knees and went running around the front yard and drive way.

"Mommy!!" Arianna was next to run up to me, I quickly bent down to scoop her up.

"Hi baby! We're you good for Jessie last night?" I kissed her cheeks as she nodded at my words.

"Yes I was! And daddy got me a happy meal for lunch!" I put her down on the floor and she ran to the living room and grabbed a toy.

"Oh daddy remembered to get your toy this time." I pointed at the pink beanie baby dog she had, "It goes with your purple kitty!"

"Mom, can we watch Goofy?" She asked, staring at me with doe like eyes.

"Of course baby. You go get it it from the shelf and I'll go upstairs and get dressed in my jammies okay? Where's daddy?"

She pointed upstairs, "Daddy said he didn't feel good. He needs to go to the doctor."

"I'm sure daddy's fine babe." I bent down and kissed the top of her head. I walked up the stairs tip toeing as I went down the hallway.

"Arianna! What are you doing!" Nikki yelled, I stood by his door frame seeing him dressed in sweats and a black shirt but he was laying face down on the bed.

"She's downstairs. It's just me." I announced my presence as he deeply sighed. I stood up a bit taller when he sat on the edge of his bed and looked at me.

"You know, I had a real funny phone call this morning." Nikki spoke bitterly, my eyes watching every movement as he walked over to me, rubbing his face and pushing hair away.

"Oh? Who was it?" I questioned staring at everything but him as I could see and feel the rage that was spewing out of him.

"Yeah, my accountant called and asked if my credit cards were stolen because someone racked up a fifteen hundred dollar hotel bill plus, three hundred for room service, and a one hundred and fifty dollar bill for a nice little spa day....isn't that just hilarious, Vanity?" Nikkis voice was rough, my eyes kept closed until he put his hand under my chin and made me look at him.

"Nikki, I am sorry. I couldn't find my wallet. I'll pay you back, it's not a problem."

"Sorry? You're sorry? What exactly are you sorry for Van? Because I know you ain't sorry for spending my money, you've done it before so I'm not that surprised." Nikki rolled his eyes before stepping away from me, grabbing my wallet off the dresser, "It fell out of your purse, I'm guessing after you kicked me in the ribs."

I reached for it when he handed it out for me to take, "I'm sorry for kicking you, I was just mad and-"

"Yeah just mad and needed to throw a temper tantrum like always. You embarrassed me, don't you understand that? You had no reason to act like that at all." Nikki cut me off as I stared down at the carpet.

"Sixx, I'm sorry. I was just-" I rolled my eyes in frustration, "I was upset."

Nikki scoffed, "Upset? Upset over what? You had nothing to be upset over, nothing that would cause us to loose control like that."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know. I was just drunk I guess." I took a step back from him when he stepped to me. I looked down as he gently took my hand in his.

"Why were you upset Van? We were having a good time." I shook my head but he gave my hand a squeeze, "Vanity, look at me."

A sigh parted through my lips as my eyes met his, "I saw you with that blonde and I got jealous." 

"Jealous?" Nikki laughed, "Princess, come on." He continued laughing at me as I rolled my eyes and tried pulling my hand away from his.

"Shut up. It's stupid." I mumbled as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. I rested my cheek against his chest, closing my eyes and feeling him press a kiss to the top of my head.

"Vanity, you have no reason to be jealous at all. You've never had one. I'm all about you, there's no reason to worry. I love you too much to ever fuck it up again. I wouldn't even know what to do with her number, alright?" Nikki explained to me as I nodded in his embrace.

"I'm sorry for kissing that other guy." I told him as I felt his chest inhale with a deep breath before he exhaled.

"It's....fine. It's a new year and we'll leave everything that's happened in the last few months in the past, deal?" I looked at Nikki and smiled.

"Deal." I reached up to give him a kiss but he turned his cheek.

"However, can we please talk about Clementine moving out? It's been long enough and she's never here anymore. She's always at Tommy's." Nikki questioned as he rubbed my lowered back.

I let out a groan and laid my forehead against his sternum, "I'll talk to her about it, okay?"

*a few weeks later*

"Arianna! Put on the damn helmet!" I reprimanded her for the fifth time as she rode around the backyard on her scooter, "I hate that thing. She's fallen three times in the past week. That's how she got that scratch on her chin." I told Clementine, shaking my head as Ari came over to me so I could buckle it.

"You need to wear this baby. I know you hate it, but it's the rule." I told her as I adjusted the straps too.

"It's a 'tupid rule." She grumbled.

"You don't have to ride it at all if you're going to be like that." I told her as she then glared at me before dragging the scooter away and riding it again, "Brat." I rolled my eyes as I got back to my lunch, "Anyways, that art gig?"

"Yes! It's this art exhibit that's downtown and it's next month. I found a clipping for it at this thrift store I went too and got in touch with the person that runs it and she loved my work. And I'll be able to sell some pieces too." Clementine explained cheerfully before taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Oh Clemmy! That's amazing! Let me know when it is and I'll be sure to come. I'm sure Tommy's excited to have an artist in the house." I said cheerfully, not thinking twice of it as I saw her tilt her head and look at me, "What?"

"What's that suppose to mean?" Clementine question as she leaned back in the chair and stared, her could gaze leaving me burned.

"Huh?" A confused expression riddled my face, "What do you mean? I meant like a girlfriend whose an artist since I know he's been trying to explore other creative outlets."

Clementine shook her head and took a sip of the sweet sun tea I made earlier, "But why'd you say it like that?"

"What the fuck are you talking about Clementine?" I laughed, "I'm not following you."

"You said in the house, as if I'm living there." She clarified for me.

"Okay? I didn't mean anything by that. But aren't you kinda living there anyways?" I smiled harmlessly at her, "You're hardly here anymore."

"I'm here all the time Vanity. All my stuff is here. Why? Do you want me to move out?" She asked as I stared at her.

"What? No no. Clementine, I truly am not trying to offend you. It was just a stupid comment." I shook my head and took a bite of my lunch.

"..then what's with that eye roll." She got defensive as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"That wasn't...oh my god. I didn't roll my eyes Clem, can you relax?" I shook my head and glanced over at Arianna playing in the playhouse Nikki had got for her.

"I know Nikki wants me to move out. He doesn't have a quiet voice when he tells you." My eyes darted to her.

"Clem, he's just...he thinks you've been here long enough and that being at Tommy's would be good for your relationship." I explained as she rolled her eyes this time.

"Bullshit. He just wants me gone. He doesn't give a fuck about my relationship with Tommy. He's always wanted me out of the way." Clem expressed, "He's always treated me like the dirt under his boot."

Here we go, "Clementine, no he hasn't. Maybe yes in the beginning when you two first met but he's thankful you've been here to help with Ari."

"Yes he has Vanity!" I stared as she raised her voice, "He puts on a damn good facade for you and treats me nicely to please you. He's a fucking asshole to me when you turn your back."

"And I've told him too cool it and he has." I glared, "He doesn't say that mean comments nor does he give you the dirty looks since coming to live here, why can't you just let it go?"

She shook her head, "Because he still does it when you aren't looking! Jesus Christ, Vanity! He tried paying me off to keep me in New York! I have the check!"

"Wow." I scoffed, "I know you don't like him but you don't need to lie about him. Nikki would never do that. Yeah he's a dick sometimes but he wouldn't go that low."

Clementine laughed as she adjusted in the chair, "..That low? Vanity, the dude has hurt you and fucked you over countless times and-"

"...And that's mine and Nikki's business. So don't bring it up." I warned her, "Just because he's not here to defend himself doesn't mean I won't do it for him, so quit fucking lying about Nikki. He didn't try to pay you off."

"I'm not lying to you, Van! When have I ever lied to you? Or given you a reason not to believe me?"  I looked away from Clementine, seeing the hurt expression in her eyes.

"I know he's rude but he would never. And if he did, he was probably just joking. You know Nikki has a weird sense of humor."

"You never believe when he treats me like garbage, Vanity! You never do! You just let him walk all over me and shut me out unless it involves Arianna! It's like I'm fighting to be your friend!"

I rolled my eyes, "Oh my god, I take your side all the time so don't say that! You're being so dramatic right now Clem! I let you know everything that's going on regardless if it involves Arianna or not! So drop it, I don't get what your fucking issue is with Nikki. He flew you out here, let you move into the house, cleared out a room for you to live in and paint in! He's been trying to make sure you're comfortable here!"

"He didn't want me to come in the first place, Vanity! Stop being stubborn and putting Nikki on a pedestal and listen to me!" Clementine shouted loudly as her cheeks turned a shade of pink.

"Good god, what's with all the yelling?" Nikki came in from the side gate, Arianna running from across the yard to him, "Could hear the both of you from the front. Tell mommy and auntie to put the claws away, angel." He picked her up and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.

"Then go get me the damn check if it's real." I spoke in a hush tone as Arianna walked over to me and pulled herself up on my lap, but best believe she felt the harshness of it. Clementine stormed past Nikki before heading inside.

I closed my eyes and kissed the back of her head as she reached for a piece of fruit off my plate before my glare met Nikki, "What? What did I do?" He asked confused.

"Baby, go play fetch with Anarchy. Daddy and I have to talk about boring stuff." I spoke softly in her ear and tickled her sides, making her squirm and giggle as she got off.

"Can we play mermaids in the pool again?" She asked, pulling on my hand a bit.

I smiled at her, "Yes Ari of course."

Nikki cleared his throat and pulled up a chair next to me, "Wha-what do we have to talk about?"

I ignored his question, eyes narrowing as Clementine came down with a piece of paper between her fingers. My heartbeat was in my ears, matching every step she took until she stood at the table and tossed the paper in front of me, "There's your fucking proof."

I didn't have to take a second look at it, seeing the zeroes and Nikki's signature. I watched as ringed and tattooed fingers carefully reached across and grabbed it, taking a glance before I heard muttered curse words fly out of his mouth.

"Vanity, just let me explain.."

"Why didn't you saying anything, Clementine?! Why did you wait months to tell me!" I raised my voice, standing up from the lawn chair and pushing it back.

Clementine stared, "I-I didn't think you'd believe me and would think I was being dramatic like always."

I shook my head, "I do not think that! Jesus-" I closed my eyes and counted to five, "I wouldn't have let fucking New York if you told me." I said through gritted teeth.

"Van..come on." Nikki spoke quietly as he reached for my wrist only for his hand to be slapped away from me.

"You needed to get out of New York. That's why I didn't say anything Van. Arianna needed her father and you love him and you needed him too..."

I laughed in her face, "I went five fucking years without him! And maybe I'll do it again!" I shouted, my gaze finally landing on Nikki, "We were fine! I'm not made of glass!" I shook my head, growing frustrated with the both of them.

"Vanity, please just let me explain. Please?" Nikki begged as he reached for my hand but I again pushed his hand away from me.

"Explain what?! You tried paying her off to get her away from me! There's nothing to explain!" I shouted at him as he sat in the chair like a scolded puppy, "I'm leaving." I muttered to the both of them before turning my heels and heading inside, both of them following me.

"Vanity, just think for a moment. You can't just leave." Clementine said to me, "You can't just run away-"

I immediately stopped and turned around to look at the both of them, "Run away?!? I am going to calm down before I loose my fucking mind!" I screamed in her face, stepping up to her as Nikki got in the middle, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me back.

"Do not fucking touch me, Nikki!" I shoved his chest, pointing a finger in his face, "I. Am. Leaving." Every word was announced with a shove to his torso until he was out of my face.

I turned my back to him as I walked through the house out a fast paced, listening to them bicker behind me. My hand reached out for my keys in the bowl at the front door until Nikki blocked the door, "Move!" I shouted, attempting to push him out of the way.

"You want to calm down? Fine, but you do it in the house. Just let me explain, okay?" Nikki pleaded with me.

I threw my car keys on the floor, tears of anger and confusion bubbling over as I stared at him, "Explain what Nik?! Why can't you just be good?!" I sobbed to him, voice cracking, "Why can't we just be normal! Why does everything have to be so difficult with us?! How can you justify attempting to pay one of my friends to stay out of my life?"

"Okay...we have little ears listening..." Clementine whispered to me, pressing her hand to my shoulder.

"Why Nikki?" I begged quietly for an answer, staring as he looked at the floor. I licked salty tears from the  corner of my lips as he shook his head, refusing to give me an answer. I wiped my face a few times, eyes now stinging as I turned around and bent down to Arianna.

"I'll be back, okay? I promise. I just have to go run some errands." I told her, trying to keep it together as she gazed at me.

"But mermaids..."

I nodded, "I know baby, I know. We'll play as soon as I get back." I reached for my car keys, "I pinky promise." I forced a smile, holding up my pinky as she locked it with hers.

I kissed her forehead before standing up and turning back to the door, Nikki surprisingly opening it up for me before following and closing the door.

"Vanity, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have-"

His sentence was brought to a screeching halt as my opened palm connected with the his cheek. Our eyes met as he rubbed his face, anger matching anger. His mossy eyes darkening by the second, the jaw muscle twitching under his skin as he burned holes into me. I waited for his fist to come, instead of hitting the wall above me as we argued in my bedroom at the condo I shared with Lucia and Tonya, it was going to be me this time.

"Will you come back home?" It would almost sound loving if his wrath wasn't wrapped around his words.

I ignored his curiosity, turning my side to him as I opened up the car door only for it to be slammed shut and my arm to be held in a vise grip, "I asked you a fucking question, Vanity."

I attempted to yank my arm from him, but Nikki only squeezed it harder, pulling me to him, "Obviously, idiot. Now let go of me." I quickly got in my car, locking the doors before driving away.

*Nikki's POV*

I breathed out, hearing the tires screech as she drove down the street, "God damnit.." I mumbled, rubbing my jaw as it felt hot and beginning to swell under my touch.

I headed back inside, slamming the front door, "Clementine!?"

I looked up the stairs when she came walking down them, "Pack your shit and get the fuck out of my house."  I barked as she stared at me, a chuckle arising out of her, "Do you really find this hilarious?"

She shook her head, "No, but I find that handprint on the side of your face funny." Clementine smirked, "Vanity was going to find out sooner or later."

"Or not at fucking all! Fuck, just mind your own god damn business." I shook my head, walking to the kitchen and grabbing a bag of frozen fruit to put on the side of my face.

"And base your relationship with her on lies? Sounds like a good idea to me." She rolled her eyes.

"What fucking relationship?! We don't have one because of all this shit!" I shouted, throwing the bag across the kitchen and at the wall, "You don't know anything about us! Nothing! We've been trying and now that you go and pull this shit out, it fucking ruins it!"

"Me? Take a look in the damn mirror, Nikki. Whose name is on that check? You decided to do that. You went out of your way to get me out of her life and it still didn't work! You know, she talks up a good game when it comes to you. But she's so god damn naive and stubborn she refuses to think anything else. You take advantage of how much she cares-"

"I do not take advantage of her!"

"Oh yes you do! You keep saying I don't know your relationship with her? Nikki, I listened to her cry over you for a very long time. Everything you got away with! The name calling, the egotistical behavior, oh Vans nice and handy because she'll spread her legs for me whenever I want, she'll get on her knees for me whenever I snap my fingers. For fucks sake, you cheated on her right up those stairs and she still has you so high on that fucking pedestal, it's disgusting and down right abusive."

My eyes darted to hers, "I am not abusive! Don't throw that word around."

"Why because it's true?" Clementine scoffed in disgust as she turned her back to me and started walking down the hall, "The whole dynamic of your relationship with her is toxic."

I knew it was starting to get back into that viscous cycle like how it was when we were younger. I was trying my hardest to keep it from getting there but it's always been a full steamed locomotive between us and we were crashing.

"I'll pack what I can and have Tommy come help me with the rest."

I put my hands on the counter, leaning my body weight into them as I stared at the white marble. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

My ears raised when I heard the little sound of a whimper, "Shit..." I muttered as I saw Arianna peaking from behind the wall, cheeks pink and tears running down them, "Baby.." I took a breath and walked over to her, a loud cry escaping her as she held her arms up. I picked Ari up, her arms wrapping around my shoulders, "Sh, sh, sh, I'm sorry. Daddy didn't know you were listening." I spoke softly, rubbing her back and gently rocking her from side to side as she clung to me.

"I'm sorry, Ari. I didn't mean to yell in front of you." I frowned, feeling her shake and tremble as she cried in my ear.

"I-I want...I want mommy!!" She yelled, making me wince as I walked us over to the couch and sat down.

"Me too angel. But she'll be back in a little bit. Just relax for me." I kissed the side of her cheek, holding her close to my chest, "It's going to be alright, okay? Everything's going to be okay."

I don't know if I was telling her that to make her feel better, or if it was for me.

*Vanity's POV*

I sighed deeply, staring out of the window of a coffee shop on the beach in Venice. I took a sip of my French press before taking a bite of a turkey and Swiss sandwich. I picked up a pack of smokes and chain smoked as I drove around the city before ending up here. I haven't done that in a long time. I tapped my nails against the wooden table, glaring as I thought about Clementine and Nikki. What the hell was I suppose to say to either of them?

I felt like shit after I realized Clementine was telling the truth about the check. And I felt bad about leaving like that after hitting Nikki. Well, kinda. I shouldn't have hit him, but I think it was justified. I breathed out heavily and took another sip of my coffee.

"Rough day?"

I rolled my eyes at the male voice behind me. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing a sharp jaw and shoulder length dirty blonde hair. I did a double take, a light gasp falling past my lips.

"Uh...yeah, you can say that." I told him, watching as he took the spot in front of me and sat down with his own coffee.

"Work? Or someone in your life? You have a mighty mean mug on your face." He smiled brightly as an accent I couldn't figure out rolled off his tongue.

I chuckled a bit, "Yeah, just people in my life that like to stress me out over such stupid crap." I pushed my sunglasses up to the top of my head, "Are you having a good day?"

I watched his eyes wander over me a bit, "I'm having a great day. Even better when I see a pretty girl."

"Do you always talk to sad and upset girls?" I asked him as he nodded.

"If I can make them feel better with just a simple conversation, then yes I do. What's your name, sweetheart?"

"I'm Vanity. It's nice to meet you...Mr. Bon Jovi."

He laughed, "Please, just call me Jon. It's nice to meet you." He studied me for a second, "Now that we know each other, why are you so mad?"

I shook my head, "Is it really that noticeable?"

He nods, "Yes ma'am. Shoulders are tense, eyebrows are tight, so is that jaw of yours and by the way you have ripped that napkin to shreds seems to me like someone really ticked you off."

I breathed out and slumped back in the chair, attempting to relax, "I had to go on a drive to calm down, but that was an hour ago. I'm still really mad, but I have to go home soon and I'm not ready."

"So don't." He grinned, "It's still a beautiful day, and maybe you just need the right company."

His eyebrow arched in a playful manner as I glanced at him for a split second, "Maybe a few years ago I would've said yes, but I have a daughter and I can't be out running around the city with some guy I just met."

His eyes widened a bit, "A mom? Wow, I wouldn't have guessed at all. You're absolutely breathtaking, Vanity."

My cheeks grew warm as I pulled out my wallet and handed over a school picture, "Her names Arianna."

Jon squinted a bit, "Shes cute, looks like trouble too."

"You wouldn't believe it. She gives me and her dad a run for our money." I put the picture away, seeing him bring his cup of coffee to his lips.

"Oh? Are you uh, with the dad? I guess I should've asked if you were seeing anyone first before I started flirting."

I smiled at his nervousness, "No, no I'm not with her father, or anyone for that matter. He's actually one of the people I'm mad at today."

"Do you have a pen?" He asked me and I nodded, digging through my purse and grabbing one. I watched as he ripped a piece of napkin and wrote down his number.

"If you ever have a free moment away from your daughter, give me a call. I wouldn't mind to talk to you again." He smiled kindly, handing it over as I took it, "And if that guy ever needs his ass kicked, I'll be there."

I laughed, "I'm sure you probably could kick his ass. I'll call you sometime Jon."

After while I was back at the house, something was in the oven baking and the house was a tad bit cleaner. I tossed my car keys into the bowl, before I could even take a step, Nikki was in my face with a dish towel in his hand.

"Yeah, I know you're sorry." I brushed him off, noticing red marks on his cheek, I hope that didn't leave a bad bruise.

"I vacuumed the living room and I did the dishes. And I have lasagna in the oven. And Arianna is taking a little nap." He said, wringing the towel in his hands.

"Where's Clementine?" I questioned

"She left. Tommy came and got her, she packed a few bags and said she'll get the rest of her stuff soon."

I nodded, "Great. You got what you wanted." I tried walking past him but he stopped me.

"This isn't what I wanted, Vanity." He spoke softly, "I didn't want it to be a huge fight like this, you gotta believe me."

I chuckled, "What did you expect to happen Nikki? Just that I never find out? Just-what the fuck? I was going to come back to Los Angeles regardless."

He frowned, "How was I suppose to know that? You have a thing for running away." I stared at him as he groaned, "Fuck, that isn't what I mean. I'm sorry. I fucking regret ever offering her all that money."

"You're the worlds biggest bullshitter, Nikki." I tried pulling away from him but just like earlier, he wouldn't let go. "I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm tired of arguing with you. We're just going in a never ending circle, and I am tired Nikki.  I am exhausted."

[supernaturalteenwolf14]

Cora’s Brother Part 2

Okay since my last one got some likes I’ll go ahead and do another part!!! Fair warning it will be a little bit of a slow burn.

In this part Derek is seeking help from Riley about him learning to shift into a full wolf without difficulty. In my little world here him and Braeden weren’t a thing, it would just complicate things. 

Words: 2862

Thank you for reading!!!!!

Part One

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

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

“All you have to do is breath Mitch” I told one of the beta’s who was getting ready to go through their first full moon. When a werewolf hits puberty the full moon after is when they go through their first full shift.

“Obviously I’m breathing” He said angrily

“Okay why don’t you calm down then? Think of something that makes you happy like your family or friends. Focus on that thought and only that and while doing so slow your breathing” I told him. He nodded his head and did as I told soon I saw his claws turn back to his human ones. 

“Thank you” He told me relieved 

“It’s all about finding an anchor Mitch, now go back to class remember I’m here if you need me. Don’t try to kill anymore teachers” I joked.  

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

The full moon was tonight and the compound is as it always is on a full moon. Slightly panicked. We had multiple wolves coming of age and some omegas who still need to learn control.

“Is everything handled for tonight?” My grandma asked me.  

“Should be” I stated. “Mom is getting everyone chained up now who absolutely needs in and I”ll be with the ones who think they can control it and if they can I’ll talk them through it” 

“Good” She stated walking away.

“What are you going to do?” I asked her. 

“I’m going to take a nap, you guys got it handled” She said.  

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

She was right we got it handled. Everyone I was with was in control and my mother even got a couple of the out of control ones to gain it back. Overall it was a pretty good full moon. Right now it was the morning after and I could already feel my bones aching for not fully shifting last night.

“You okay?” Cora asked me from the doorway.

“I’m fine, I’ll just need to shift tonight since I couldn’t last night” I told her. 

“Derek is coming back” Cora told me I looked up at her and smiled. It’s been a couple months since we both last seen Derek. Of course Cora had been keeping in touch with him. “He’s gonna need your help”

I furrowed my eyebrows at her in confusion “With what?” 

“He evolved” She said proudly. When a wolf evolves it means they can now change into a full wolf, which is rare. Talia Hale could do it so it runs in the family. I remember when I evolved, it’s a scary thing thinking you’re loosing your power only to gain it pack more powerful than ever. I remember Cora asked us about the lose of power Derek was experiencing, we all thought it was a by product of what Kate Argent did to him, we were wrong. 

“Cora that’s great! Yeah I’ll help him.”

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

I looked down from the balcony and watched as Derek entered and gave his sister a hug. I made my way downstairs and greeted him with a smile. “Congratulations” I told him. 

He nodded at me. “I was hoping I could get your help”

“Of course, we’ll start tomorrow, tonight we eat” I stated with a smile. 

“Here?” Cora asked. 

“Nah we’re going out” I said. 

All three of us walked into the restaurant on the other side of town otherwise known as the ‘human’ side of town. The humans aren’t aware of our existence but people have their superstitions. We all got our table and ordered our food. 

“How’s Scott?” Cora asked her brother. 

“He’s good, he’s got Beacon Hills covered” He answered. 

“So you’re staying?” Cora asked hopeful. 

“Yeah I’m staying” He said his eyes shifting to me. “And I kinda need a pack” 

“Well then tonight isn’t just dinner; it’s a celebration. Welcome to the pack Derek.” I told him. 

“Here you go” The familiar waiter said as he gave Cora and Derek their food “And for you” He said once he got to me and set my plate down in front of me. 

“That’s real funny Connor, why don’t you go back and actually cook my hamburger” I told him noticing my completely raw food. 

“Why don’t you go back to your side of town” He told me matching my tone. 

“It was once your side of town too” I informed him.

“Not anymore it isn’t” He said before another female waitress intervened with a nasty look at Connor and taking my plate apologizing to me.

“I hate him” I said. 

“Who was that?” Derek asked. 

“Connor Sparks, my brother. He’s like us, he just doesn’t want to be so once he learned control he bailed. I didn’t think he was working today” I said. 

“What he just doesn’t have nothing to do with you guys?” He asked. The surge of anger I got basically sent my body into over drive. I needed to shift.

“Yep, and on that note, you two enjoy dinner, there’s something I need to do” I told them putting enough money on the table that would pay for their dinner plus a tip.

“Riley wha-” Cora started. 

“I’m good I just need to run” I said and left before anything else could be said. Truth is I didn’t want to be in the same place as Connor especially after the way he had just treated me. How could someone be born into one of the most powerful werewolf families and not want to be a part of any of it, instead chooses to start his own family. He has a wife and three kids that have no idea about me and he won’t let any of us around them. Even goes as far as to not take them to the school I work at. Going out into the woods I took my clothes off and shifted into a wolf. Then I just ran.

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

“Okay so this whole process is going to hurt like hell” I warned Derek. I was getting ready to teach him how to fully shift. “You aren’t going to be able to fully shift until the next full moon but you can get there part of the way so that it won’t hurt so bad” 

“The first one wasn’t too bad” He stated. 

“It’s always the easiest. It’s the ones after that hurt like hell. Your body and your mind now knows whats going to happen. You feel it don’t you?” I asked him. 

“Yeah, like my whole body is sore” He said rubbing his shoulder. 

“All 206 of our bones break and morph into completely different shapes and sizes to form our wolf. Most of the time your sore like that after a shift but it goes away. It becomes painful before a full moon, that’s why I usually like to shift during the full moon when I can” I told him. 

“Because of the pain?” He asked me. 

“Because the more you hold back a full shift the more pain your in until eventually your body decides to do it for you” I told him. “It would be like your out of control basically the smallest amount of anger is enough to get you to shift, but once you are shifted all you feel is relief.”

“Like last night?” He asked me referring to my sudden exit last night. 

“Like last night” I confirmed. “The woods are ours so we can run in them anytime without worrying about humans seeing us or hunters” 

“Sounds nice” He stated. 

“It is” I smiled. 

“So how do I start the shift?” He asked. 

“You concentrate. Imagine yourself becoming the wolf focus on your body. I usually start with my neck but it can be something else.” I said watching as Derek concentrated as hard as he could until a crack was heard in the room and Derek grunted in pain.

“You’re right” He said breathing deeply “It hurts”

“The first couple times yeah, but you get used to it” I told him. “What broke?”

“My shoulder” He said rubbing it. 

“Next time it happens don’t let the pain take you out, let it guide you. What ever hurts focus on it more what ever you do just don’t fight it” I told him as his grunts of pain filled the air as more and more of his bones broke. 

“I think that’s enough for today” I told him “You did good”

“It didn’t feel good” He told me. 

“Ice baths help” I told him

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

It’s been a couple months since Derek’s been a part of the pack. He’s been a good help tagging along when he could when we had to meet with some of the surrounding packs. He’s been doing well on his shifting although he hasn’t fully shifted he’s gotten close, this next moon coming up I’m sure he will fully shift. We’ve become good friends. He’s learned how we work and he’s gotten to know a lot of the other pack members. Even though he has a room here if he wanted him and Cora decided to move into a loft close to here. It’s kinda like if they aren’t here they are there and vice versa. 

Right now my mother and grandmother are discussing about what to do about one of the surrounding packs beta. Their alpha is a hot head named Marcus. One of his betas hunted down a young hunter and killed him. When it comes to this sort of thing we let the hunters decide what to do. Marcus’s beta who I learned was named Karl was in his right mind and knew what he was doing. He chose to take an innocent life and there was nothing we could do about that. The good thing with our hunters here is that they make death a very last option. 

“I wanna speak with your alpha!” A large man said storming into the compound. Marcus. 

“You can speak to me” I told him.

“Last time I checked you weren’t the alpha little wolf” He said a little too close to my face for comfort. 

“You can speak to the alpha through me” My mother said coming up next to me. 

“They aren’t taking my beta” He said to her. My eyes shifted to Derek and Cora entering the compound their attention focused on Marcus. Everyone’s attention was focused on him.

“Your beta killed one of them, he was a child and he was innocent Marcus. Our deal with the hunters is that they take over when an innocent life is lost, especially when in control.” My mother said. 

“No hunter is innocent Mary” He stated. 

“The color of his eyes speak a different story” She said. “The decision has been made Marcus” 

All my senses kicked in when he stepped closer to my mother. I stepped forward and let a low growl be heard. “Maybe it’s time for another alpha to take over” He said.

“You better think carefully about what you’re getting ready to do Marcus” Mom told him. 

“My pack against yours and if I win I’m the next alpha. Not your whole pack either my pack will fight just the Sparks.” He stated. 

“And if we win your stripped of your alpha title and your betas belong to us are we clear?” Mom told him.

“Crystal” He said turning around to leave “Saturday night in the clearing of the woods” 

Once he left I looked at my mother in shock “Mom what the hell. Just the sparks means you, me, and grandma and she can’t fight so it will just be you and I against an alpha and his pack” 

“Marcus only has three betas” She stated as if that made any difference.

“It will still be you and I against three betas and an alpha, we’re going to loose” I told her. 

“We might have a chance if we get your brother” She said. 

“Mom he wants nothing to do with us” 

“I’m hoping he will if he knows what it means if we loose. Marcus won’t fight until we give up he will fight until we are dead. So either he helps or he’s fine with his family being dead. Find him and talk to him while I talk to your grandmother” She said turning around to leave. 

I rolled my eyes and started to walk away until I felt Derek’s hand wrap around my upper arm to stop me. “What happened?” He asked concerned. I gestured for him to follow me as I explained everything. 

“He can’t do that though can he? Just limit it to the family” Derek asked. 

“He shouldn’t be able too, it should be pack against pack but my mother agreed to it so there’s no changing it now” I said walking up to my room so I can get my jacket. 

“Why would she do that?” Cora asked. 

“I guess because she thinks we can win if we somehow convince Connor to join in, which I highly doubt he will” I said putting my jacket on. 

“This whole situation is a complete shit show” I stated more to myself then to either Derek or Cora. Walking out the door I noticed Derek kept following me and not Cora as she started talking with other pack members. “I don’t need your help Derek”

“I think you do” He stated. “Maybe I can try to talk to your brother if he won’t listen to you” 

“You can try. Connor hates everything werewolf, I’m sure if he had the chance he would cure himself of it” I stated as he followed me out to my car, even getting in the passenger seat. 

“There has to be a reason why though, he can’t just hate what he is out of no where” He said. I let out a breath. 

“When he was first learning control he lashed out on his girlfriend. Left three scars along her face. She’s fine, in fact she’s still with him, but he never forgave himself.” I said. 

“Yeah but to cut himself off from you, his mother and grandma?” Derek said. 

“I think some of it is her too. I’ve never actually spoken to her but there is one emotion I smell every single time any of us are in her line of sight.” I said .

“What is that?” He asked. 

“Disgust” I said. 

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

Trying to talk to Connor was the single and worst thing I have ever tried to do in my life. Like what I expected he didn’t care. “Connor mom and I don’t stand a chance against a whole pack” I told him. 

“Then maybe you should surrender” He said nonchalantly.

“Connor if we do that the town will go to crap, and it won’t be safe for your wife and your kids” I told him hoping that would change his mind. 

“That won’t be a problem much longer because we are moving far far away from here, all you’re telling me is that I should do it before Saturday” He stated and walked away from me. 

I shook my head and walked over to Derek who’s been listening in sitting at a table. “I’m gonna kidnap him” I told him. 

“That’s not going to work” Derek told me. “He has to want to help” 

“You got any better ideas?” I asked him. 

“I’m gonna talk to him” He said getting up before I could even respond. I watched as Connor reluctantly agreed to speak. I focused my hearing to listen in. 

“I’m not helping them” Connor told Derek. “I’m done with that part of my life” 

“Are you really?” Derek asked “Because your heart beat is stating otherwise, and I can smell the worry” 

“Listen dude, if I do this I loose everything” He said. 

“Why because your wife doesn’t accept who you really are?” Derek asked him. “Listen I don’t know you but I know your family and coming from someone who doesn’t have that much family left, you should do everything you can to protect them. I’m not going to give you relationship advice, but somethings can be kept from her” 

“When’s the match?” Connor asked. 

“Saturday” Derek replied. 

“I might be there, and I might not. Better tell my sister to train hard, mom’s never been much of a fighter” Connor said. I watched as Derek walked back up to me and I didn’t really know what I was doing until I did it. I got up and wrapped my arms around his neck. 

“I don’t know how you did it but you did. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you” I told him as he hugged me back. 

“All I got was a maybe” He stated. 

“That’s a lot more than what I got” I said letting him go. “Can I ask you one more favor?” 

“What is it?” He asked. 

“I’ve trained with my pack mates but you’ve actually done real fighting with the alpha pack and other things-”

“I didn’t exactly win those fights” He stated. 

“You still have experience though. Think you could help me train?” I asked him. 

“Of course” He said softly. Throughout our conversation I didn’t even realize how close we still were from the hug I had given him, and the fact that his hand was still placed on my waist. “We start tonight” 

[katdvs]

When Riley Matthews was in high school her life changed, now as a professional dancer she’s got a new challenge when she’s paired with professional football player Lucas Friar on the latest season. Can they win the season, or will their past get in the way?

Cross Posted to FFN & AO3

Chapter One | 

Author Note: Hi, how is everyone? I’m glad to be back. I’m writing this as I go, I know where I want it to go, but let’s hope that’s where we end up. Thanks for all the reviews on the first chapter. XOXO

Chapter Two:

“Eyes on me.” Riley reminded Lucas as she paused the music that they would dance to on live television tomorrow night. This season the network had decided to keep everything secret, except with Pros were returning They figured it would keep people guessing and have them tune in to see who made it.

Lucas nodded, “Okay.” He got into the hold he needed to be in for the dance, following her lead, the cues she had taught him over the last couple of weeks.

Riley felt Lucas lead her around the dance floor, feeling like they were as ready as they could be for the live show. Whatever happened out on the dance floor tomorrow night, live in front of all of America, was what was meant to be.

“We’ve got this Riley.” Lucas told her with a smile as he broke away to grab his water bottle.

“I certainly hope so.” She couldn’t recall the last time she was this nervous before the dress rehearsal. She was just thankful she hadn’t had to do most of the pre-show press that they normally had,

Lucas watched her, amazed he could notice something so subtle, “You’re nervous, aren’t you?”

“Yeah I am.” She confessed, feeling the cameras zooming in on her. Never in all her years on the show had she admitted it, no one had called her out on it.

He took a few steps towards her, “We’re going to be fine.” He saw the shadow of something cross her eyes, and he realized what she was more nervous about, once the world knew that he was on the show, that they’re partners, it would take them from the bubble of this studio.

“I’m glad you have confidence.” She went to grab her water bottle.

Lucas stopped her, “I do have confidence because you have confidence. Don’t let it fade. We’re gonna win this.”

Riley cocked an eyebrow at him, “You realize this is more then one night right, we hopefully have weeks of this.”

“I know, and I know that next week we’ll crush it and we will each week, because you’re my teacher, my partner, and I believe in you.”

Damn they made great TV, Riley knew right now the executives watching the feeds and later the dailies would love this stuff. “Grab your stuff, we’ve got to get to the studio for the final dress rehearsal.”

“Whatever you say, you’re the boss.” He smirked.

***

Riley hated the costumes that had been picked for them this week. The song choice had been bad enough, but she was literally here in a cheerleader shirt and top, with fringe. Lucas was in a sparkly varsity jacket, and to make it even worse it just happened to be their high school colors.

She was on the stage right now, the lights out as they crew set up during what would’ve been a commercial break. She could hear the banter between the hosts and then the start of the package. She glanced at the monitor, their was for the whole world to see, her falling into his arms. Then of course clips of them dancing over the last few weeks, teaching him the moves, and what had to be a last-minute edit, the two of them just a few hours ago.

She shook it off as the music swelled and she made her moves towards Lucas as everything started to fall into place on the stage. He kept his eyes on her during the entire dance, though he lost his footing on the final move, and stumbled a little bit.

“It’s only a rehearsal, you got it out of the way.” Riley told him afterwards, as they pretended to get scores from Judges that weren’t present.

As they moved off stage Lucas leaned in close, “Did you suggest these costumes in these colors?”

“Nope, I don’t know why they decided on these, but I’m just going along with it until the waltz next week.” She stood tall as she stopped at the monitor to watch Zay and his partner dance. “That’s what we need to be worried about.”

Lucas watched as Zay danced with Connie Patrick, a sitcom star that Lucas had run into occasionally at charity events. She also came with a major social media following.

“They’re good.” Lucas admitted.

“Yeah, Zay has won several times, he could win again.”

“Not this season, we’re going to win.” He told her and he moved towards the dressing trailers.

“Riley, Lucas!” Sheryl was rushing towards them, “Tomorrow night you’re going on last.”

Riley froze, “What?”

“Yeah, you’ll be our final dancers of the night.” She smiled, “America is going to fall in love with the two of you tomorrow night.”

“Is that good or bad?” Lucas wondered.

Riley looked at her first love, “Well, you won’t be able to go off the grid until after the show ends.”

***

Riley sat on her bed, replaying everything that happened today. She knew the storyline that the show was going for. They saw the chemistry between Riley and Lucas. They would be fools not to play into it.

She would just have to get through the next night, and then at least the first week would be behind them. They would move on to the next dance, the next song. Another week of grueling rehearsals during the day, at night she was plotting the choreography for the next network musical, she had one more number to do and in a few weeks, rehearsals would start for that. When they did, she would be beyond busy if Lucas didn’t get eliminated.

Picking up her phone she began scrolling through social media. A lot of guesses about who her dance partner would be this season, none of them correct. A few of the names were on the show this season, but no one she saw was mentioning Lucas. Probably a good thing.

As she moved through her feed on Instagram she stopped when she saw a picture of Maya, her former best friend. She was showing off a ring. She realized it was a picture that Farkle had posted, and tagged Lucas in.

She felt her stomach sink as she read the caption, “#SheSaidYes to my good buddy @LucasFriar. She’s so excited for their journey together, she insisted I buy her champagne.”

If Lucas were involved with Maya, when did he propose, he’d been here in LA for the last few weeks in the bedroom next to hers.

“My only comment is that I am not engaged to Maya Hart.” Lucas’ voice carried from his balcony, “I’m not dating her. I didn’t propose. What picture are you talking about?”

Riley opened her door and saw him pacing as he spoke on the phone.

“Jerry, you know I’m in LA. The show is tomorrow night. I don’t know what game Maya is playing this time, maybe her sales are slow again, I don’t know.”

Riley attempted to wave to get his attention when he turned around in his pacing, she waved her cell phone at him and he leaned as close as the edge of the balcony would allow.

“I’m calling Farkle and finding out why this is happening, okay. I have no idea where she got that ring, but I didn’t give it to her. I have never dated Maya Hart. I will never date Maya Hart, she can keep trying to make it happen, but it hasn’t worked since middle school, it’s time for a new game.” Lucas growled before ending the call.

“I take it you’re not actually engaged to Maya.” Riley enlarged the photo, something about the ring was familiar, but how different were gaudy giant diamonds from one another?

“I would rather get trampled by a bull.” He sighed as he scrolled through his phone, “She keeps doing this, anytime she can she uses my name to get hers out there. Farkle keeps going along with her on this, I don’t know why, I’m not sure I want to know why.”

Riley pretended to understand, she wasn’t sure she understood the dynamic of her former friends. “I was confused when I saw the post, it’s the kind of thing you probably would’ve mentioned.”

“Yeah, if it were true.” He sighed looking out to the ocean, the moonlight reflecting on the waves. “You two were best friends at one point, but once you and Zay went on tour, she changed. It was like whatever anchored her was gone. But at the same time, no one could ever expect you to spend your entire life being the good angel on her shoulder.”

Riley hadn’t realized just how much she needed to hear that; years of guilt washed away from her. “I’ve always felt like I abandoned her, but Zay and me, we had to do this.” She smiled, “Do I wish somethings had worked out a little differently, maybe, but I love my life, I love my job, I could never really be Riley if I spent my life keeping Maya out of trouble. I lost part of myself doing that once, I couldn’t imagine still doing that now.”

“I’m glad you found something that makes you happy.” Lucas confessed, catching the moonlight reflecting off her messy bun as he looked over to her.

“Are you happy, playing football? I always thought you would be a baseball star.”

Lucas sighed, “Football paid for college, and then I got drafted. I’ve made good money; I get to do stuff for the community. Is it the path I expected to take, not at all? Did I ever expect to be dancing with my first love on national TV, no.”

“Goes for me as well.” She chuckled, “You know once it’s revealed that we’re partners, how long do you think before our past is revealed?”

“Depends on who tweets during the show. If someone who remembers us as together from high school, maybe ten minutes. If not, maybe a day, if we’re lucky.”

“Well hopefully we’re lucky.” Riley breathed in the ocean air one last time, “You, bed.”

“Oh Riley, I thought you’d never ask.” He teased, watching her roll her eyes, “I get it, I need to sleep. I should call Farkle and get the picture taken down.”

“Let it stay up. Maya is probably selling a story about how you proposed right, the date, the restaurant, all of that, when you and I dance together tomorrow night, she’ll be scrambling, and you can get the truth out.”

“You think?”

“Yeah.” Riley told him as she clutched her cell phone in her hand. “Good night Lucas. We’ve got a big day tomorrow. America is either going to love us or hate us.”

“How could America not love you Riley?”

She shrugged as she went back into her room, “sweet dreams.” She called out before looking at the picture again. She pinched it open to enlarge the ring, exactly as she suspected. She looked back to make sure her door was closed before she dialed the number, she’d saved for years but hadn’t used since high school.

“The number you’re calling using a screening service, please say who you are and why you’re calling.”

“Riley Matthews for Farkle Minkus, I was just wondering why Maya was wearing his mothers ring in the photo announcing her engagement to Lucas.” She felt her stomach knot as she waited to see if the call connected, it didn’t.

She turned her ringer off, putting her phone on the charger before she went to take a shower.

***

Farkle Minkus often wondered why he went along with Maya’s schemes, her little teasers to the press. Lucas rarely spoke to him anymore because of them, and he had a feeling he wouldn’t speak to him anytime soon after the latest one.

How had Maya even figured out his Instagram login? Farkle hadn’t used it for anything more then charity promotions in ages. For a genius, he sure could be a dum-dum at times.

He was sitting on the balcony of his New York penthouse, the city alive below him while an odd sense of serenity surrounded him. No stars visible in the night sky, but he knew exactly where certain constellations were at any moment.

He was waiting for Lucas to call, asking for him to take the picture down. At least then he could explain he hadn’t willingly posted it. This was Maya looking for attention.

Lucas had stopped giving into these whims in college, perhaps being across the country had mad it easier. Maybe Farkle gave in because Maya was the only friend, he really had left. Riley and Zay had long gone so many years ago, Lucas became a big football star, Maya held on to him, while Smackle found her way to a new Biodome project in the south west.

When his phone rang from an unknown number, he tapped the screen call option. As the message came in, he couldn’t believe it. He sat in shock, holding his bourbon close to his lips but not drinking it, frozen and missing a chance to take the call.

His eyes scanned the transcription. Riley called him. She reached out because she knew Maya was lying.

Maybe it was possible these games would end. If Riley could tell from an Instagram picture, then the world had to know that Maya and Lucas weren’t a couple. Perhaps there was a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

He finally took a sip of his drink, starting to feel that perhaps a weight was being lifted off his shoulders he never intended to carry.

***

Lucas was oddly energized as he’d spent the last half an hour pacing in his trailer, waiting to be called to set to be ready to dance live on television. He’d ignored his phone all day after his morning call with his mother, it was the only way he could focus.

He stood backstage now, waiting for the cue, watching Zay dance on the monitor. His friend was amazing, he’d always known that. He had always had an idea that this might just be where Zay ended up, and he’d been right. Lucas had never anticipated Riley would be with him, not until the night he watched them dance at the talent show.

He shook away the memory as he watched Zay and Connie get their scores a six, seven, and another six. Not bad at all for the first night from what Zay had explained to him the other day. Lucas could only hope he and Riley did that well, but he believed they could.

The introduction package played as he and Riley took the stage, the lights down as the video showed their “first meeting” and the pep-talk he’d given her the day before.

“Lucas Friar and Riley!” The announcer declared before the music filled the soundstage, the lights went up and Lucas did every step Riley had taught him as best he could as they moved to the music. Each step she had drilled into him, his eyes on her as they danced to a song about love, while dressed in ridiculous high school themed costumes.

As the dance ended, he didn’t stumble this time, they twirled together before ending with a dip.

The audience applauded, at the very least they had impressed them. That was a good start. His heart was racing as they got feedback from the judges. Riley had told him to expect exactly what they were saying. She knew what his weakness was, and already zeroing in on it.

The scores came in, seven, seven, seven, the highest score of the night. Riley was hugging him as the hosts asked for viewers to cast their votes online.

“You did amazing Lucas, I’m proud of you. Tomorrow, we waltz!” She told him as they made their way off stage.

“Riley Matthews.” Sheryl was right behind them, her tone let Riley knew she had to stop.

“Yes, boss?”

“Why didn’t you tell me the two of you went to high school together?”

“We didn’t think it mattered to the show. We haven’t seen each other since Riley and Zay started touring.” Lucas answered.

“Besides, aren’t surprises more fun?” Riley chewed her lower lip.

Sheryl looked at the two of them, “And you didn’t want me to exploit that you were high school sweethearts, huh?”

“No comment.” Riley told her as they walked towards the dressing trailers, “Hey Sheryl, hope we’ve got good music next week.”

“I make no promises.” Sherly laughed as she watched them walk away, setting her eyes on Zay. If anyone knew the story, it would be him.

[dcbbw]

After our conversation last night/early this morning? I just randomly thought of this, and had to ask. Is there any sock that SGL absolutely refuses to wear? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Thanks for the ask, @bebepac! This is just a quick SGL x Penelope drabble, that answers your ask and gives us some insight into SGL’s thoughts towards his relationship with the one who is not Riley B.

All characters belong to Pixelberry.

Thanks so much to pre-readers @ao719 and @burnsoslow! And a special shout out to Burnsy for knowing/remembering future plots and storylines better than me!

Song Inspiration: Open Your Eyes, Snow Patrol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30buQ1jEDas&list=PL4gAMikm-cPhkzvcBNPo0bV7l3YrwgyJR

Liam gently pulled his bedroom door closed behind him before heading into his kitchen. He wore a wife beater, his boxer briefs, and his socks adorned with dancing Care Bears and the phrase: “heart full of dumb.”  He called them his Penelope socks.

It was Saturday night; early-ish on a Saturday night: 9:30pm. It was warm and humid outside, cool and comfortable inside. Liam was pulling a tuna and pasta salad out of the refrigerator when his eyes landed on the reason he was indoors eating dinner alone, instead of sharing Thai food and sushi with his girlfriend at Regent Thai: a pair of Indianapolis Colts socks, still on their hook.

The abomination.

Liam kissed Penelope lightly on her lips as she entered his apartment. She wore a semi-sheer blue maxi dress that matched the color of her eyes. Her dark brunette hair was brushed away from her face, falling in soft waves about her shoulders. She and Liam were spending the weekend together: Saturday night dinner, followed by a play and brunch on Sunday.

“I still don’t know why you never want to spend the weekend at my place,” Penelope complained as she walked past Liam, enveloping him in a cloud of Flower Bomb perfume.

“Because you live in a sorority house,” Liam explained as he went back to mixing the tuna and pasta salad together.

Penelope shared a three-bedroom, two-bathroom row house with two other ladies, Annabelle and Katie. Annabelle was dating a guy named Ernest Sinclaire, and Katie’s boyfriend was named Rashad Domvallier. Liam had met them all on several occasions, usually when the men were waiting in the living room for their girlfriends to finish getting ready for their respective dates.

Between shrieks and giggles from the women as they ran up and down stairs wearing slips and hair curlers, Liam discovered that Ernest was a property manager for several commercial buildings in downtown DC, and Rashad was co-founder of a technical security start-up. The men had exchanged business cards and phone numbers and met up monthly for drinks and dinner.

Penelope dug in her oversized tote and pulled out a plain brown bag. She held it out to Liam. “I brought you something!” she said brightly.

Liam raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend. “A present? For me?” Penelope was not known for her gift giving ability.

He held out the mixing spoon and let her taste the tuna. Her eyes widened. “It tastes …. delicious! And different!”

Liam smiled proudly. “I added avocado lime ranch dressing and crushed red pepper flakes to it!”

Penelope reached for a fork to scoop more tuna and pasta while Liam took the bag from her, opening it eagerly. His expression fell when he pulled out the pair of cobalt blue socks decorated with white horseshoes.

Penelope had brought him the socks of his sworn NFL rival team. What the hell was wrong with her?

“I’m.Not.Wearing.These,” he gritted out between clenched teeth.

Aside from obviously feminine hosiery, and children themed socks (except Sesame Street characters … one was never too old for Sesame Street), Liam would be hard pressed to name a sock he wouldn’t wear.

Leave it to Penelope to find the ones.

Penelope looked at him with surprised eyes. “What? Whyyyy?” She whined.

“Because if you knew me AT ALL, you would have known to buy me Patriots socks! Or ANY other NFL team except the Colts! I CANNOT STAND the Colts. They are the sworn enemy of the Patriots, and I refuse to support that team in any capacity!”

Penelope’s hand slammed on the counter. “It’s SOCKS, Liam! A fucking pair of socks! I saw them; I know you well enough to know you love football and socks! I THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE THEM! Instead, you are biting my head off because you don’t like the team!”

She wiped away angry tears that were beginning to fall. “You’re an ass. And I wasted my time and money even thinking you would appreciate ANYTHING I do for you!”

Penelope picked up her bag which was sitting on the counter and tossed her fork into the sink. The clattering of the utensil against the stainless steel seemed especially loud. Liam had his hands splayed against the kitchen island, his head down.

“Pen, don’t go. I’m sorry. Please stay.” He looked up at her, his dark eyes remorseful.

Penelope stood at the edge of the kitchen, her blue eyes filled with anger and hurt.

“I’m trying, Liam. I thought you would like them.”

“I know you are. Come here.” He held his arms out.

He spent a few minutes reassuring Penelope that she was a good girlfriend as he kissed her hair. He gave her soft kisses on her lips which quickly deepened; he willingly followed her into his bedroom where his lips, tongue, and manhood apologized in ways words couldn’t. Afterwards, there was cuddling, and before Penelope drifted off to sleep, she told Liam she loved him.

Liam didn’t respond.

Now he was sitting in his living room, eating a solitary dinner as a thousand thoughts went through his mind: Penelope didn’t know him, not the way he knew her. She didn’t know Liam’s favorite color, book, holiday, or movie. She didn’t know his favorite drink, or favorite meal. Obviously, she had no idea about his favorite football team. She barely knew when his birthday was.

She was not good girlfriend material; at least for him she wasn’t. She was clingy, needy, and always had a crisis going on, usually financial or emotional. She was jealous and insecure. She had no skill set and no job stability. She was not supportive of his professional goals and not understanding of his ambition.

Liam exhaled a long breath as he watched the Housewives of Atlanta spill tea; he reached for his phone and dialed Riley B. The phone rang four times; Liam was about to hang up when she answered with a breathless hello.

“Hey, Riley B. Were you busy?”

She responded with a loud shriek, followed by giggles.

“Are you okay?”  Worry laced Liam’s tone.

“Drake is kicking my ass in a water gun fight!” Riley explained.

Liam’s expression was a myriad of happiness, sadness, and jealousy. That could be him having a water gun fight with her, but she didn’t see him that way. Hell, it could be him and Penelope having one, but she was so anal about her appearance.

“Sounds like fun.”

“Whatever!” Liam could hear the eyeroll in her response and chuckled lightly. “Did you miss the part where I said I was getting my ass kicked?”

Another shriek, and then her berating Drake for almost getting her phone wet. “Are you good?” she asked Liam.

Liam nodded, even though Riley couldn’t see him. “I am. Just wanted to check on you.”

“Hey, let’s get together Monday after work, okay? I can tell you where I buried Drake’s body.”

“Monday. You got it!” Liam hung up while Riley was yelling at Drake that he was gonna get it!

He finished his dinner, and washed dishes. His eyes kept glancing at the socks. Penelope’s I love you reverberated throughout his brain. When he placed the last dish in the rack, he rinsed the sink and then wiped his hands. After a moment’s hesitation, he grabbed the socks and carried them with him back into the living room.

He cut off the television before removing the Care Bear socks. He wiggled his toes as he stared at the Colts socks. The material felt nice against his hand. He closed his eyes and tensed his jaw as he pulled one sock over his foot and pulled it up his calf.

Forgive me, Tom Brady.

He pulled the other sock on swiftly, drawing in a deep breath as he stared at his outstretched legs. The socks fit well and felt good against his skin. His thoughts turned back to Penelope.

Penelope was trying. She was cute enough, and she made a mean drink; topless, at that. They had some things in common. They had good sex. She liked his cooking. She brought him a present. Aside from Riley B., no woman had ever brought him present. His mother didn’t count.

Riley B. and Drake were happy and having fun. Riley B. and Drake were in a relationship that was still going strong after two years.

Liam wanted a relationship. Liam wanted love.

Penelope loved him.

He turned out lights as he made his way back to the bedroom. Penelope stirred when she felt Liam press up against her back.

“Where’d you go?” she asked sleepily.

“To put on my new socks.”

Penelope snuggled closer to him. “Do you like them?”

Liam bit his lip and swallowed over the lump in his throat. “I love them. And you.”

Tagging: @sirbeepsalot @wannabemc2 @jared2612 @katedrakeohd @hopefulmoonobject @custaroonie @jovialyouthmusic @thequeenofcronuts @amomentofsinclairity @bobasheebaby @ao719 @sashatrr @marietrinmimi @ladyangel70 @gardeningourmet @umccall71 @angi15h @romanticatheart-posts @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria @blznbaby @tabithacarlisle @emceesynonymroll @bbrandy2002 @ab1901 @janezillow @debramcg1106 @radlovedreamer @jessiembruno @lodberg @thecordoniandiaries @ramseyandrys @caroldxnvxrs @princess-geek @burnsoslow @annekebbphotography @merridithsmiscellany-blog @queenjilian @emichelle @indiacater @loveellamae @forthebrokenheartedthings @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @glaimtruelovealways @zaffrenotes @bebepac @liyanin @dibberdipper @choiceslife @ac27dj @yungnayque

[flowerpowell]

Unexpected (Drake x MC)

PART TWELVE

A/N: Characters belong to PB (except for my OC). Feedback gives me a lot of motivation and I’d be very grateful if you leave me some ♥ 

Rating: PG (WARNINGS: Madeleine, also, if you like Kiara you won’t like her here)

Word count: 2713

Tagging: @gardeningourmet @delightfullypinkglitter @hopefulmoonobject @desireepow-1986 @dcbbw @kingliam2019 @the-soot-sprite @mskaneko @thequeenofcronuts @badchoicesposts @burnsoslow @annekebbphotography @alesana45 @addictedtodrakefanfic @walkerduchess @ao719 @texaskitten30 @lodberg @cordonianroyalty @emichelle @siriusxxvideos @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @samihatuli @choices-lurker @i-miss-trr​ @drxkewalker​ @nikkis1983​ @innerpostmentality​ @msjr0119​ @bascmve01​ @mind-reader1​ @edgiestwinter​ @drakesensworld​ @queenjilian​ @princessleac1​ @saivilo​ @yukinagato2012​ ♥

“Oh, wonderful, you’re here!” Liam smiled as Dani entered his office.

“It’s only seven, why did you want me to come here so early?” she asked trying to stifle a yawn.

“Because... today is your lucky day,” and mine too, he thought to himself.

“My lucky day wouldn’t start before ten,” she smirked and he let out a laugh.

“My apologies. I just wanted to have a whole day.”

“For what?”

“I was thinking about what you said last night, about your parents and childhood and... I thought we could this day to do all these things we wanted to but couldn’t because of our parents. Just one day pretending nothing is limiting us.”

“Your Majesty...” Dani started.

“Liam,” he corrected her.

“... Liam,” she smiled, “I appreciate the offer but how exactly are we going to do that?”

“I think you’re forgetting that I am a King.” He heard a sigh in response and he went on, “Just tell me what your parents forbade you doing and we’ll do that. For me, I was forbidden to eat too much baklava. Or missing important meetings. Too bad I’m going to miss one today.”

“Oh, you’re bad,” she laughed. “Okay, I’m in. My list is much longer though. I can’t eat in bed, walk into the water fully clothed,” she shrugged when she sad Liam’s confused look, “talk to strangers, eat too much sweets so I don’t get too fat, have a dog, ride a motorcycle, the list goes on.”

“Well,” Liam took her hand leading her out of the office and then out of the palace. The first thing she saw was a motorcycle, as if ready for them. She looked at Liam and he smiled. “As I said, today’s your lucky day.”

~~~~

Riley opened her eyes feeling a warm ray of sunshine on her face. She stretched a little as she remembered the events of last night. Drake wasn’t in bed anymore and her clothes were folded neatly on the chair nearby.

Drake, she thought to herself, smiling at the thought. It was surprising to her how a mere mention of Drake’s name made her smile. They’d come a long way and after yesterday there was no turning back. At least she hoped so.

She stretched her legs and arms and she felt her body aching a little. But she liked that, it was a nice ache. She felt warm inside at the thought what she and Drake did last night, of how vulnerable and gentle Drake was with her. How assuring and caring he was.

She closed her eyes in hopes to relive what happened. The sunshine was warming her naked body from the outside but the memories made her feeling warm inside as well.

Finally, she decided it was time to get up and find her husband. She wasn’t sure where exactly they stood now and she knew she needed answers. But breakfast first.

The first thing that hit her when she entered the kitchen was the smell. Riley was aware Drake wasn’t the worst cook but whatever it was that Drake was making smelled delicious. So delicious that even her stomach decided to loudly express its approval, causing Drake to turn.

“Good morning, I’m making breakfast,” he said while mixing something in the bowl. As Riley tried to peek inside, Drake kissed her quickly and looked at her, as if not sure if it was okay. She smiled at him as she leaned in and kissed him back.

“No one’s gonna believe us when we say it was a fake marriage,” he laughed when they finally parted.

“Is it though?”

“No... at least not for me. I think,” he said and looked at Riley. She nodded.

“Not for me either. Not anymore. I think,” she smiled. “What are you making?”

“Oh, well, it’s not as good as your pasta but it’s the omelet my Dad used to make on Sundays. He called them rich omelets because there’s so much stuff in them.”

“Intriguing. Maybe I should put them in the menu when I open my restaurant?”

“I’m afraid it’s too basic for your amazing cuisine,” he laughed as he kissed her nose.

“There’s nothing bad with basics. Not everything has to be elaborate,” she explained and Drake felt she wasn’t just talking about food. And somehow it made him fall for her a little bit more.

~~~~

“Oh my goose, this place is beautiful!” Dani exclaimed when they reached their destination. She was still a little bit dizzy after the motorbike which Liam claimed to have borrowed from his brother.

“It’s one of my favorite places,” he admitted realizing he never brought anyone there with him. “Forgotten Falls is so beautiful this time of the year.”

“It is! Wait, why are we here? It’s not so I could swim in my clothes, is it?” she asked but his smile left no doubts. “Is it?!”

“It’ll be fun!”

“I’ll be wet and cold! And this dress was pretty expensive and--”

“Danielle,” he said softly and she took notice of how nice it felt when he was using her full name. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, but only if you don’t want to. Not your parents or anyone else.”

She looked at him confused, as if he just tried to explain some physics laws to her. She wasn’t used to doing things she wanted.

“I’m really sorry if it was a stupid idea, Danielle,” she turned to Liam who had a concerned look on his face. She glanced at the water and she walked towards it.

“It’s really okay if you don’t--” Liam started but heard a loud splash before he finished. He turned around surprised to see Dani laughing in the water. He walked closer to her and noticed how happy and beautiful she looked. So carefree, so--

“Hey!” he exclaimed when Dani splashed him with water, “Getting my suit wet was not a part of my list!”

“And what are you going to do with it, your Majesty?” she raised an eyebrow. He narrowed his eyes before jumping in right beside her, splashing her even more. She looked stunned for a second, before she finally bursted into laughter.

“So, we’ve covered the motorcycle and clothes in water. I also brought lots of baklava for later so we both can cross that out of our lists. What else did your parents forbide you to do, miss Brooks?”

“Failing an exam. Sleeping with random guys and getting pregnant before I’m thirty,” she shrugged, “he wanted to make sure I have a career first. Having my own company because he thinks I’d need a man to be my boss, not answering my phone when he calls, date whoever I want. Disappearing for a day without telling him where I’m going,” she looked at Liam knowingly and he laughed.

“What would he say about jumping off the waterfall?”

“He actually never mentioned that but I can call him and ask if you want to,” she teased. “I think he’d hate it.”

“Let’s go then. It’s safe, I promise,” he added when he saw her terrified face.

Liam took her hand as he led her. He didn’t want to tell her about the legend and the meaning behind it, thinking it wasn’t true if he brought her there only as a friend. Besides, he didn’t want to scare her off. She was leaving in a few weeks anyway.

“Ready?”

“Umm, no?” Dani looked down and felt that she was going to be sick.

“It’ll be fine. I promise. I’ll hold your hand this whole time,” he said and she nodded.

“3...2....1 jump!” he jumped, taking Dani with him and a few seconds later, they both were safe and sound in the water.

“Okay, it wasn’t that bad and my father would certainly not approve of that,” she laughed nervously as she realized how close Liam was. He watched her curiously and she swallowed hard. She was pretty sure her father would hate that too.

“You know,” she started, her voice so quiet that Liam had to guess what she was saying. “My father also told me to never ever kiss Kings, especially after jumping off the waterfall with him.”

Liam chuckled and Dani felt his breath on her face.

“That’s a very specific rule.”

“Yeah, you know, he’s just very strict. And imaginative. And--” she didn’t finish as Liam kissed her hard. She retured the kiss with just as much passion as if that kiss was the answer to all her desires, if that kiss was a means of breaking free. His hands were all over her body, her blazer dress sticking to her skin, and the water from his hair was dropping on her neck. When they pulled away, both were panting as if they were underwater for several minutes.

Liam looked at her trying to catch her breath and mentally scolded himself for kissing her. That was not what friends would do. He lost his chance at love long time ago and it was time to start controlling his feelings. Wordlessly, Liam helped her out of the water and back on the motorcycle. If they were to carry on with their plans for the day, he needed to contain himself.

~~~~

Riley and Drake were walking in the woods near his cabin to get some fresh air. Every once in a while, they would stop for a quick kiss and throughout the whole walk they would steal glances at each other. They probably looked like silly teenagers falling in love for the first time but it didn’t matter. Besides they were in the woods, the chances of someone seeing them were very--

“Drake?”

Drake closed his eyes recognizing the voice and it took everything in him not to take Riley’s hand and run off. Instead, he turned around and plastered a smile.

“Kiara. How nice to see you... in my neighborhood.”

“Ah, oui. I was in need of some fresh air and I remember when you told me about this place,” she smiled sweetly at him and he rolled his eyes.

“It must have been ages ago. Anyway, Kiara, meet my beautiful wife Riley,” he looked at Riley with admiration in his eyes. “Riley, this is Kiara, one of Liam’s suitors.”

“Nice to meet you, Kiara,” Riley smiled but didn’t extend her hand for Kiara to shake it, neither did Kiara.

“Enchantée.” Kiara’s smile faded a little, “Liam’s never been for me anyway,” she looked knowingly at Drake before turning to Riley. “It was nice meeting you two. Congratulations on votre mariage.”

Riley nodded in reponse as Kiara walked away. She turned to Drake, her eyebrows furrowed.

“Have you two ever...?” she asked and Drake shook his head.

“She had a crush on me at some point, or so I’ve been told. I never really paid too much attention to her.”

“Hmpf,” Riley nodded as she resumed their walk.

“I promise nothing ever happened between us,” he took her hand and kissed it. “Do I need to prove it to you?” he asked and from the mischevious smile she had on her face he guessed that the answer was ‘yes’.

~~~~

“Oh my goose, how come I never had that?” Dani asked with her mouth full of baklava. Her stomach would hurt tomorrow but who cared.

“Told you,” Liam answered in between bites.

“It’s all over my dress, my father would hate that,” she laughed cheerfully. It was pretty adorable how she was so happy breaking the rules her father set, Liam thought to himself.

Contain yourself.

“So what’s your craziest dream?” he asked taking another portion of baklava. When he order the treat from the local bakery, the lady working there thought he was having a party.

“Honestly?” she asked as he nodded. “Having a family. Good husband, kids, home. It doesn’t sound crazy, I know but it is crazy for me. Because my father pushes me to focus on work till I’m at least thirty something and only then can I think of having children. Or rather a child, he says there’s too many problems with more than one child. And also because he said he didn’t want to have too many grandchildren. Did I mention he said he wanted to choose a husband for me?”

“What?” Liam almost choked on his baklava.

“I told you it was a crazy dream. But it’s my biggest one. I just... I really want that,” she saddened for a moment and Liam’s heart broke a little. Maybe he was a King but there was nothing he could do about her dream.

At least that only proves you can’t be with her. You can’t give her children. You’d only ruin her dream.

Liam swallowed hard realizing that it was true. That despite everything he still had hope but now... it was gone completely. He didn’t want to ruin her dream.

“I’m sure... this dream will come true... if you really want that,” he tried to sound supportive but he felt empty. Which was weird considering he ate so much baklava.

“Are you ready to move to a different place?” he asked after a moment. It was already getting late and he wanted to take her out for dinner before they had to part. And despite everything, he really didn’t want to part.

“Sure.”

The ride back was rather quick and quiet. When they parked in front of the palace, Liam run his hand through his hair nervously.

“There’s something else, one more thing from your list. But we, ah, need to go to my room,” he blushed slightly.

“Color me intrigued,” she tried to sound normal but in fact she was internally freaking out. She was just about to go inside the King’s bedroom. She never was in a King’s bedroom. Did he have a throne in his room? Was the whole room painted gold? She was positively surprised when she noticed that the room despite looking regal wasn’t too ostentatious. It looked even cozy. Except for the paintings of different people, they looked creepy.

“So... you said you couldn’t have a dog and I obviously can’t give you a dog because your father wouldn’t let you keep it but I thought... Maxwell has a dog, a Corgi, and he actually gave me and Drake a little Corgi plushies for Christmas. And I thought I’d give it to you. As a symbolic dog and a something you can remember this day by.”

“Liam...” Dani looked at the toy with tears in her eyes. “This is the nicest thing someone ever did for me. Thank you, I love it so much.” She squeezed the dog. Then she quickly pressed her lips to Liam’s, catching him off guard. When she pulled away he smiled at her nervously.

“Don’t understand me wrong but... Would you like to eat something in my bed?”

~~~~

Madeleine was pacing back and forth in the living room. She didn’t like not being in control and that exactly what was happening right now.

“I’m telling you. I thought it was a fake marriage as well but apparently it’s not,” Kiara said, which only made Madeleine more angry. She didn’t believe that Drake married Riley for love and she wanted to use that fact in court. But when Kiara filled her with what she saw, which was a very-in-love Riley and Drake taking a stroll in the woods, she knew she had to come up with something else.

“Then we need to make them want to divorce,” she finally said.

“Mais... Madeleine, I don’t think Drake will want to divorce her... Especially now that he has a chance at winning the custody.”

“No...” Madeleine smiled as she opened the drawer and took out something. She took Kiara’s hand and put the content of her hand onto her palm. Kiara’s eyes widened and she met Madeleine’s eyes. “He won’t. But she will.”

[waywardnewcomer]

Reunited Finale

A/N: So it’s been a while. I edited this myself so all mistakes are my own. This is the final part, I hope you enjoy the ending! Thank you for sticking through this with me, sorry the updates haven’t been regular. Please go back and re-read, there are a lot of precursors to this ending!

Summary: Y/N’s happy ending is threatened by a car crash yet again, will it ruin their family or reunite them once and for all?

Warnings: Car accident, memory loss, a whole lot of fluff

Pairings: Jared x Stepdaughter!Reader, Genevieve x Goddaughter!Reader, Jensen x Niece!Reader, Misha x Niece!Reader, Danneel x Niece!Reader, Vicki x Niece!Reader

Word Count: 1.4K

Previous Part Series Masterpost Masterlist

Jared took a long look at Gen and kissed her pale temple. He looked up at Jensen and nodded.

“I need to see Y/N.” He smiled sadly, “Will you stay with her please?” He looked to Danneel.

“Of course, I’ll call the minute something changes,” She smiled at him nodding her head. 

Jared nodded and followed Jensen out of the room, sighing softly. Jensen patted his hand on his back and lead him towards Y/N’s room.

Jared could hear you thrashing and shouting from the end of the corridor. His eyes widened and he quickened his pace to see you. 

“Woah, Woah Y/N, Y/N.” Jared grabbed your flailing arms and looked into your eyes and whispered your name softly seeing you visibly calm down. 

“Jared?” You looked at him softly, glad you recognised a familiar face. You collapsed into his chest, breathing heavily.

“I’m here, I’m here.” He gave Misha and Jensen a worried look over your head. Why were you so unsettled?

“I didn’t know where I was, I was so confused. Wait. Where’s Mom?” You asked frantically.

“She’s fine she’s in another room sleeping.” Jared sighed, deciding not to go into the gory details.

“What happened? Who are these men standing in my room?” You asked with a puzzled look on your face.

Jared looked between you, Jensen and Misha confused. Then it clicked.

“You called me Jared,” He sighed making you look at him weirdly. “Y/N what’s the last thing you remember?” 

“Me and Mom going to pick you up from the airport.” You spoke as if it was obvious, getting scared at the concern etched onto his face. “What? What is it?” You looked around at the men in the room, all of them with the same sad look on their faces. 

“Y/N your Mom died 6 years ago in a car crash. You’ve lived with Gen since then and with me and Gen for the past 2 years,” Jared sighed. “This is your Uncle Jensen and Uncle Misha, my co-stars.” He gestured to the men beside him.

“What?” You asked tears forming in your eyes. “NO, you’re wrong! You’re wrong!” You shouted.

“Y/N,” Jensen tried, speaking softly. 

“Get out. All of you. GET OUT!” You shouted letting your tears roll down your cheeks.

The men ushered out of your room and looked to Jared softly. 

“You okay man? That was a lot.” Jensen patted his hand on his back.

“Yeah, it was just hard to relive it all.” Jared sighed, “Look I’ve got to go find her doctor. Can you go sit with Gen? Just so I know she has people.”

They both nodded and gave him a solemn hug before walking down the corridor. 

Once Jared had spoken to your doctor and allowed him to do a few tests he walked back into your room hoping you had calmed down. 

“You can sit down,” You smiled sadly. Jared obliged and took your hand looking to the doctor for answers. 

“Y/N has suffered from trauma from the car accident and is suffering from localised dissociative amnesia. She has forgotten the most painful part of her life and has lost all the memory from then to now. However, this should come back within the next few days. Just be patient.” The doctor smiled. 

“Thanks, doc.” Jared smiled and shook his hand. He looked back towards your sad face.

“Okay, fill me in.” You sighed softly, knowing you had a whole 6 years to catch up on, making Jared smile softly. 

Just as Jared was recounting the engagement one of the men from before, who you had now come to know as Jensen, popped in looked at Jared urgently and just said, “It’s Gen.”

You’ve never seen him jump out of his chair so fast. You looked up at him worried.

“Can I come? Please, if I lost you for 4 years I don’t want to be away from you another moment in case it happens again.” You begged him, making him nod indecisively. 

Jensen got you a wheelchair and wheeled you down behind Jared’s long strides to Gen’s room. He hadn’t uttered a word about whether it was good or bad news since he’d barged in on your reminiscing but the tug at the corner of his mouth suggested it was good news. 

“Gen!” Jared exclaimed as he saw her eyes open and her talking softly to Daneel, sat up slightly in bed.

“Jare, how are we all? Oh Y/N look at you.” Gen exclaimed reaching out for your hands. Jensen wheeled you closer so you could grab on.

“I have memory loss.” You stated sadly, looking into Gen’s pained eyes.

“We’ll get through it, like a proper family,” Jared smiled putting his arms around his girls.

*2 months later*

Recovery had been tough on all of you, your memory came flooding back a few weeks after the accident causing your heart to break all over again, Gen had a lot of rehabilitation and Jared was rushing himself about silly looking after you both. As a family, you had decided to set something to look forwards to as a recovery goal. Your adoption.

The day had come and Jared had gone to the courts to sign the forms, you and Gen were waiting in the foyer, arm in arm. Your life as a family was about to begin. As Jared came out waving the papers and smiling you shrieked in delight and ran and jumped to hug him, him spinning you around.

“I am now officially your Dad.” He sighed clapping his hands on yours and Gen’s backs. “To commemorate this occasion I have come up with an amazing Dad joke so brace yourselves.” His voice rose with anticipation.

“Oh god, Dad please don’t.” You begged laughing.

“You’re gonna love it. What do you call someone with no body and no nose? Huh?” He laughed at himself.

“Go on before you die with excitement,” Gen sighed jokingly.

“Nobody knows!” He laughed at himself, looking at the two of you waiting for you to join in. 

“That was terrible.” You laughed, your Mom nodding in agreement. 

“Right let’s go we have a wedding to get to.” Jared winked making you look at him in surprise.

“What?” You asked confused.

“Surprise! You’re the maid of honour so we gotta go get ready quick!” Gen squealed, grabbing your hand and taking you across the courtroom foyer to the changing rooms where Danneel and Vicki were waiting with makeup and tongs. 

“You were all in on this?” You asked laughing. 

“Of course, now chop chop get in the chair so I can work my magic.” Danneel laughed, ushering you into the chair in front of her.

Walking down the aisle with Jensen and Misha by your side was surreal, your family dream was finally becoming a reality. You stood to the side looking at your Dad and grinning. You turned to see your Mom walking down the small aisle in the courthouse, in a simple gown and watched your Dad physically go weak at the knees. 

You looked around the room seeing your Mom and Dad’s closest friends and family and sighed, you were finally part of something special. You spent the whole ceremony feeling grateful and teary listening to the absolute adoration they shared for each other. Your parents made this happen, even though they weren’t around they gave you the best life you could have asked for. 

“Time for the honeymoon,” Jensen grinned once you had all gone out for a celebratory meal. 

“Honeymoon?” You asked inquisitively, this day had already been overwhelming enough. “You’re leaving me so soon?”

“You’re coming with stupid!” Jared laughed softly, “We’re going to the summer cabin, and everyone is invited.” 

“Really?” You squealed making the adults laugh.

“Of course, Honey’s coming too.” Gen laughed and gave you a kiss on the forehead. 

That night you started the long road trip to Malibu from Texas, taking a full day it made you exhausted. You slept most of the next day and woke up to the smell of BBQ wafting through the house. 

You quickly got dressed and grabbed your denim jacket heading out to your favourite spot, greeting your family as you went by. You sat on the dock and looked out onto the lake, just as you did 6 years ago and sighed. You were finally a family again, this time with different people and a whole lot more love. Honey came bounding over to your side licking your face making you giggle, followed by your Dad behind.

“You okay sweetie?” 

“Just reminiscing, I sat in this spot 6 years ago, so much has changed but I still feel so loved.”

“You always will be, we’re a family now.” Your Mom came over and wrapped a blanket around your shoulders.

“We’re never getting split up ever again,” Jared muttered to himself, smiling at the scene of his family all together once more.

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[nazariolahela]

Something Domestic: Chapter 14

A/N: Hey y'all! This story is told in first-person narrative, from Riley’s (MC) POV. There will likely be smidges of canon in this, but not too much. Thanks for reading, and please leave feedback, and/or if you would like to be tagged.

This week’s chapter is a bonus from Liam’s POV. I was really excited to write his side of the story. I hope you enjoy it too.

Catch up here

Series Tags: @burnsoslow @aworldoffandoms @dcbbw @ladyangel70 @texaskitten30 @sunandlemons @jlynn12273 @indiacater @jared2612 @rainbowsinthestorm @drakesensworld @badchoicesposts @msjr0119 @katurrade @blackcoffee85 @cynicalworlds-blog @hopefulmoonobject @beardedoafdonutwagon @cmestrella @sugarandspice-milkandhoney @superharrietsuper @custaroonie @lady-calypso @ritachacha @olympianpantsuit @desiree-0816 @the-soot-sprite @kate-mckenzie @narrytheworld @octobereighth @lynne1993 @queen-anastasia-universe​

Synopsis: When Riley Brooks takes a new job as a nanny for the affluent Rhys family in New York’s Upper East Side, she assumes she’s just going to care for the children of the couple who hired her. But instead of just school pick-ups and afternoon snacks, she also finds herself spending time with Liam, the handsome divorced dad. Can Riley control her feelings for Liam while still performing the job she was hired for? 

All characters are the property of Pixelberry Studios. Thanks for allowing me to borrow them.

Chapter Summary: Liam and Leo try to get to the bottom of the tabloid scandal and Liam tries to win Riley back. 

Almost a month had passed since the tabloid incident. In that time, the press found plenty of other scandals to latch on to. Not hard to do in this city. Lucky for me, my divorce has all but been forgotten about. I still get the occasional paparazzo bombarding me with questions of if I’m “banging the new nanny,” but for the most part, they’ve moved on. 

The last month has been hard on the kids as well. After Madeleine fired Riley, she replaced her almost immediately. Seems kind of suspicious to me, but whatever. The new nanny — a woman named Belinda — is a lovely woman, but the kids haven’t quite warmed up to her like they did Riley. They keep asking me when she’s coming back. I don’t have the heart to tell them that she probably won’t. They were visibly upset when I told them she would no longer be their nanny. Charlotte cried. Philip asked me if she didn’t like us anymore. They still talk about how much they miss her. To be honest, I do too. 

If we’re being honest here, I never once thought she did it. And not because we were involved. I saw how she was with my kids and I could tell she genuinely cared for them. She treated them like they were her own. Many nights I would come home from work and hear Philip talk about all the fun things he and Riley did, or hear Charlotte gush about how pretty and nice Riley was to her and how she let her wear whatever she wanted to school. I also remember all the times she told me that she didn’t care about my money, so there’s no way she would sell us out for a payday. 

It’s Monday morning and I’m sitting in my office at Cordonia Enterprises looking over the numbers for this quarter when my brother Leo strolls in, looking like he had just woken up from a week-long sex and booze bender. He moves over to the bar cart, pours himself three fingers of scotch, and plops down in the seat across from me. 

“You look like shit, little bro,” he smiles behind the rim of his glass. 

“You would know. You smell like a brothel.” 

He laughs loudly and takes a sip of his scotch, then sets it on the desk. “Well, you’re ex-nanny needed someone to comfort her after you tossed her out on the street, so I offered her my services. Did you know she makes the cutest noises when she cums?” He makes a show of adjusting himself. “My balls are getting tight just thinking about it.” 

I clench the pen in my hand with enough force that my knuckles turn white. I know he’s trying to fuck with me, so I take a deep breath, controlling my rage. “What the fuck do you want, Leo?” 

He chuckles and kicks his feet up on my desk. I love my brother, but he can be a real dickhead at times. When Madeleine and I started dating, he gave me shit for months about me picking up his ‘sloppy seconds.’ Once, he asked me if she ever called out his name in bed. Fucker. After we were married, he warned me that she was just using me to get back at him. I probably should have listened to him. When I announced to my family that she and I were splitting up, he revealed that she had tried to seduce him on more than one occasion. Thankfully, he had no interest in getting involved with her again. My brother may be a total asshole, but he wouldn’t deliberately hurt me. 

“So, I think I know how to help you with your little predicament.” 

“My predicament?” 

“The tabloid leak. I think I know who was behind it. Or at least had something to do with it.”  

“It’s been a month, man. Everyone's forgotten about it,” I say, setting my pen down. 

“Really? Because your ex-wife called me last week.”  

I raise my brows and give him my full attention. This should be good. 

“Yeah, she called me crying, telling me how much she misses me. Not like I haven’t heard that over and over the last seven years. I warned you about her, Li. That chick is crazy. I’m pretty sure she was drunk. So anyway, she asks me if I knew about you and your nanny. Told her I had heard some things. Then she gives me some pathetic sob story about how you made her do what she did. ‘I had to do it, Leo. Who knows how long this has been going on?’” I nod and wait for him to continue.  

“I ask her to elaborate. She sputters out some lame-ass excuse about how you fucking the nanny behind her back pushed her into the arms of another man. The timing clearly didn’t line up since we all know you filed before you hired Riley, but I didn’t tell her that. I just let her dig her hole. She goes on about how she took matters into her own hands. Now that Riley’s out of the picture, things can go back to normal.” He laughs and finishes off his drink. 

“What does Riley have to do with all this?” I ask.  

“I asked her the same thing. She said that she knew Riley was no good from the beginning, but that you had convinced her to hire her because of her background. She suspected something was up after the paparazzi incident at the park, but that you had talked her out of doing something rash. That’s when she convinced you to hire Mara to keep tabs on Riley. I guess Mara had been giving her updates. She also rambled on about how Mara always bought Riley those tabloid magazines. That’s when she said she knew Riley had something to do with it. She didn’t come outright and say it, but the signs are all there.” 

I struggle to process the info that was just dumped in my lap. Would Madeleine really stoop that low? I know she wasn’t happy about me filing for divorce, but would she be vindictive enough to put our children in harm’s way just to get back at me? Why was the nanny collateral damage? And why would she wait a month to say anything? Guilt, perhaps? None of this makes sense.  

“Do you have proof of this, Leo?” 

“Dude. Why the fuck would I lie about it? You know damn well she still wants me. Even with her new man in the picture. Seven years she’s tried to get me to take her back. I wish I would have recorded it so you could listen to how desperate she sounded.” 

“Not that, you dick. About the leak.” 

“Oh yeah, that. No, I don’t have proof. But I have a hunch. And I’m usually 90% right about these things.”  

I drop my head in my hands. Yep, the signs are all there. Now, I just have to find a way to prove what I’ve suspected all along. I pull out my phone and shoot a group text to Max, Drake, and Liv, asking them to meet up tonight. If I’m going to nail my ex-wife to the wall, I need my most trusted friends to help me. 

***

Drake, Maxwell, Olivia, my brother, and I meet at The Double Tappe after work. The place is empty — not unusual for a Monday — giving us the whole bar to ourselves. We all congregate in one of the booths in the back and Leo repeats what he told me this morning. Drake and Max are completely shocked by the revelation. Olivia, however, sits there stone-faced. 

“I knew there was a reason I didn’t like her,” she says.  

“You don’t like anyone,” Maxwell retorts, then flinches when Olivia punches him in the arm. He rubs the spot where she made contact and turns to me. “Whatcha gonna do about this, Li?” 

“I don’t know. It’s been a month, so it’s going to be hard to prove at this point. I need solid evidence that Madeleine was involved because she’ll never admit to it. The first person I need to talk to is Mara. Hopefully, she can give us some answers.”  

“What about a wire-tap? I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy,” Drake shrugs in between sips of whiskey. 

“Pretty sure that’s illegal in this state,” Olivia says. 

Leo snaps his fingers. “That’s true, but New York is a one-party consent state. So, if one of us gets Madeleine to confess and records it, we technically wouldn’t be breaking the law.” 

“Okay, so who could we get to coerce that kind of information out of her?” I ask. 

Leo leans back and grins, crossing his arms behind his head. We all look at each other, knowing exactly who will handle this task. If anyone can persuade Madeleine to spill the beans, it’s definitely him. 

“How are we going to do this?” Max asks. 

“Well, I say loverboy here tries to seduce her. She’ll tell you anything you want to hear if she thinks she can get you back,” Olivia says. 

“Well then, it’s settled. Work your magic, Leo,” Drake replies. The five of us clink our glasses in celebration, although it feels premature since we don’t have actual evidence against her yet. We spend the rest of the evening sharing drinks, memories, and laughter. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time. No kids, no work, no responsibilities. I haven’t done anything like this since college. As we gather up our things to leave, Drake pulls me aside. 

“Hey man, have you talked to Riley, lately?” 

“I’ve been trying to call and text her for weeks, but it’s been radio silence since Madeleine fired her. I even dropped by her apartment a few times, but no one was home. She must think I blame her for all this.” 

He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. “She does. We tried to tell her that you don’t, but it’s understandable why she would think that. I guess she and Hana had a falling out as well. Last I heard, Hana moved out, so she’s living there by herself. I don’t know where she's working now. She doesn’t come around much anymore. You should try to talk to her again. Maybe explain your side of the story.” 

“Yeah. It’s just… I fucked up, Drake. I don’t blame her for anything. I should have told her that.” I rub the back of my neck. “Truth is, I think I’m in love with her.” 

“You need to tell her, man.” 

I nod, clapping him on the shoulder, then head for my car. The drive back to my penthouse is long, but it gives me time to think. I think back to what Drake told me. About her and Hana’s falling out. I know they’ve been best friends for a long time. Now, she’s alone. To think that if she never met me, none of this would have happened. It’s hard not to blame myself for all of this.

I think back on how different things are with Riley then they were with Madeleine. When I met Madeleine, I was more in love with the idea of her. I married her to please my father, and although I’ll always care for her as the mother of my children, the love was never really there. When I found out she cheated, I was almost relieved.  

The night Riley left, I sat in my study and went over everything that had happened over those few weeks. I feel my chest start to tighten. What is this? Emotion? I had learned to turn them off after Madeleine, but somehow, Riley made them come back. And suddenly, I want to fight for what we have. I never fought for Madeleine, but I feel the urge to for her. She’s the only woman I’ve ever felt that desire for. Making a decision, I take the next U-Turn and make the trip to her apartment.  

I arrive outside her building a few minutes later. Her bedroom window faces the street, and when I peer up at it, I notice the light is on. That’s a good sign. It means she’s home. I exit the car and make my way up to her floor. I pause outside her door, unsure of what to say to her. Come on, Li. Quit stalling and tell her how you feel. I knock on her door a few times and wait patiently for her to answer. I hear shuffling on the other side of the door, and when it swings open, the face on the other side is not the one I’m expecting. 

“Can I help you?” A young man answers the door, wearing only a pair of low-hanging joggers. He eyes me confusingly.  

“Uh…” I stumble, double-checking to see if I have the right apartment. “Is Riley here?” 

“Maybe. Who’s asking?” 

Must resist the urge not to knock this kid on his ass. “Tell her Liam needs to see her.” 

He rolls his eyes and holds a finger up, signaling me to wait, before closing the door in my face. I hear him call out to her on the other side, “Hey, Riley. There’s some suit here to see you. Says his name is Liam.” More shuffling and muffled voices, then the door swings open, and there stands my girl. Her brown locks are piled atop her head in a messy bun. She’s wearing a pair of short shorts, showing off her long legs, and a Steinhardt t-shirt. She stares at me for a few seconds before snapping out of her daze. 

“What are you doing here?” 

“You haven’t been returning my calls.” 

She huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. “There’s a reason for that.”  

I sigh, dragging my hand down my face. “Riley, please. Just listen to me.” 

“Why should I? You wouldn’t listen to me when I tried to explain myself.” 

Her words feel like a slap to my face. She’s absolutely right and I can’t argue otherwise. “I know I messed up, but if you give me a chance to explain myself, I’ll be on my way.” 

She turns and looks to the guy in her apartment, then back to me, then again at him. “Give me a sec, Josh,” she says, before stepping out into the hallway and pulling the door closed behind her. “You have two minutes.” 

I exhale. “I’m sorry. I want you to know I’m so sorry. For what I did. Or rather, what I didn’t do. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I never meant to hurt you, Riley. I get why you’re hurt. And if I was in your shoes, I’d feel the same way. When I saw the magazine, I didn’t believe you had anything to do with it, but in that moment, all I could think about was my kids.” 

She nods. “I know. Drake told me. But you could have said something to Madeleine instead of just letting her berate me. I would never do that to Philip and Charlotte. I love them like they were my own.” She looks down at her feet and her voice trembles. “I can’t believe you didn’t trust me when I’ve never given you a reason not to.” A tear rolls down her cheek. “All I’ve ever done is try to make you and those kids happy. Just because your ex-wife hurt you, doesn’t mean I would. You know that. I waited for you, Liam. I knew your circumstances with the divorce, and I still waited. And at the first sign of trouble, you jumped to conclusions. You didn’t give us a chance.” 

I reach out and tip her chin up to look at me. I gently rub her cheek with the pad of my thumb, brushing the tear away. “You’re right. I’m a fucking idiot. I know that now. I owe you so much more than a simple apology. You deserve better than that. I’m hoping it’s not too late to try and fix what I broke. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back.” 

She fidgets with the hem of her t-shirt. “I don’t know, Liam. I want to believe you. I really do. But I’m still hurt. I wish things had been different with us. I wish we had met under different circumstances. But, you have your children to think about. And I know they are your priority.” 

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Of course they are. But I want to make you my priority too. Tell me what I can do.” 

“Did you figure out who leaked the story?” 

I shake my head. 

She sighs. “I need time.” 

“Not too much time, I hope.” She doesn’t say anything for a long time. The silence between us saying more than our words do. I reach out and grab her hand, squeezing it. “I don’t know what else to say, Riley. Just think about it. I’ll be here, waiting.” I pull her hand up to my lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of it. Then, I turn and head down the hall. The ache in my chest, deep. Knowing that I hurt her is almost too much to bear. The issue with the story is awful, but not taking her side was worse.��

The only thing I can do now is try to make it up to her. 

[saiilorstars]

The Girl in the Forest

Chapter 11: A Battle of the Dead

// Story Masterlist //

Fandom: The Originals

Pairings: Klaus Mikaelson x Original Female Character

Pronunciation of OC’s name: Ma-leh-nee

No real warnings for now!

Requested tag: @queenmj10​

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chapter Summary: The Quarter is submerged into a battle between the Originals and witches. And just as it comes to an end, so does Maleny...

Riley wasn't in the best moods when Cami entered the room he was forcefully trapped to. There were shackles around his wrists that prevented the use of magic from being used. One moment he was talking with Cami out in the street and the next thing he knew he was outcold. Cami had slipped in some of his own herbs to knock him out enough time for Elijah to chain him with shackles from Cami's newfound arsenal of dark objects. Cami had thought of Maleny's information on Kieran's secret apartment to be a streak of luck. The shackles were exactly what they needed to make Riley defenseless.

All that had happened three days ago.

Riley was furious with his newfound situation.

"Good morning," Cami greeted casually as she entered the room, acting as if they were sitting down for coffee. She set her laptop on the table between them along with her trusty notepad and pen.

Riley stared at her blankly, "It wouldn't be so good if you were being forced against your will," he muttered to her, "But then again, you really don't have much on your plate anymore ever since..." he swayed his head around, unable to hold the teasing smirk on his face.

Cami unintentionally gripped the edge of the table while her teeth gritted at Riley's comment, "The more you make comments like that, the less I'm inclined to defend you," she flashed a smirk of her own, though not as strong as Riley's.

"Well if we talked rationally..." Riley jingled the shackles around his wrists.

It was at that moment that Elijah came into the room, "Well if you decided to speak with honesty all of this could have been avoided," he countered the human's remark, letting the door shut behind him with a loud thud.

He'd secured a small room in the heart of the Quarter, the quote 'hidden in plain sight' never serving so true. While Maleny remained at the compound with Klaus, Elijah and Cami took it upon them selves to question Riley as much as they needed to know the truth. And, since Riley refused to do so, Elijah found it necessary to keep the man captive until he decided to cooperate.

"I don't get it," Cami said, staring at her computer screen with furrowed brows. The screen held a photograph of Riley's grandmother, "If this is your grandmother-"

"She is not my grandmother," argued Riley for the umpteenth time.

"See, it's this kind of behavior that has kept you here," Cami shot him a look.

"And it's your uncle's death that's kept you here," Riley snapped back, succeeding in silencing the blonde, "You've got nothing better to do now, right?"

"That is enough," Elijah spoke up, setting a hand on Cami's shoulder, "I wonder, how did I fall for your 'sincere' behavior around Maleny? Do you think she would appreciate you using her uncle's death as an advantage against her cousin?"

"First of all, he's not her uncle," Riley looked to the side, "And Cami is nothing of hers."

"Maleny is family," Cami clarified, slowly recomposing herself from his remark, "Just like you and this woman..." she turned around her laptop for him to see the young Emily Cordera on the screen, "...are family."

"I already told you," Riley began but Elijah intervened.

"And as we told you, we believe otherwise," a clean smirk began spreading its way over his lips, "And do you know what is the best part about keeping you here for days?"

"Oh, I know this one," Cami looked up at him with a bright smile. She cleared her throat and turned her head back to Riley, "Riley ingested vervain, meaning we couldn't force him to tell us the truth, buuuut..." she rested both her arms on the table and leaned forwards, "...since it's been days, the vervain's all gone..."

Riley seemed to have forgotten that small detail by the way he was now frantically looking around the room for a means of escape. That alone told Cami and Elijah there was something to discover.

"And since my patience is terrible nowadays," Elijah moved over to the human and compelled him, "You will answer any and all questions asked to you in pure honesty."

Cami's smile widened after that. Her hand reached for her notepad and flipped to the first page, "Your grandmother is Emily Cordera, correct?"

"Correct," Riley answered instantly.

"She killed Maya Sterling, correct?"

"Correct."

"Why?" it was Elijah who asked that time, unable to remain calm after hearing that confession. Maya had been with them for several years and Elijah recognized the woman had managed to control his brother in ways he hadn't seen for quite a while.

A sinister smile took over Riley, "Why is there always bloodshed?" he began, "For power, Elijah. People always want power. And that's exactly what my bloodline's been getting for centuries from her."

"So I was right then, the reason for the mysterious disappearances of several of Maleny's past bodies have been because of sacrifices," Cami felt her blood go cold. She knew witches did weird, sacrificial magic (like the Harvest) but somehow she still felt stunned by what measures they could reach just for...magic.

"How long has this been going without our knowledge?" Elijah demanded from Riley.

"The story goes our ancestor performed the spell when Maleny was human," Riley answered fast under the compulsion.

"The day she disappeared," Elijah realized in a whisper. He could remember that day fairly easy for it was one of the moments in which Klaus had completely lost it. He ransacked every part of the village and even the woods...but he never found Maleny. She had vanished into thin air.

"She's been jumping bodies since you were human?" Cami was staring at Elijah with shock, already making the mental calculations, "But that's like...thousands of years ago..."

Elijah shot her an unamused look but nonetheless agreed. He faced Riley who remained silent until the next question was asked, "You listen to me and listen well, you are going to tell us how to break the curse, now."

Riley languidly looked at him, "Even if you wanted to, I can't. I don't know the way - don't even know if there is a way."

And because Riley was under his compulsion, Elijah had no choice but to believe the human. Still, for Riley's sake, he better come up with something because when Klaus found out...Elijah was sure there would be no stopping his brother from cruel revenge.

~ 0 ~

Inside the compound, things were more tensed than ever - especially with one looming labor getting closer and closer. Still, Maleny thought distracting Hayley from what was approaching was a good idea.

"Check mate," the brunette happily cheered as she took Hayley's piece off the chess board. Hayley made a face and swiped all the pieces off the table, leaving Maleny to blink rapidly, startled, "You win..."

"Sorry," Hayley said after a minute, looking down at the pieces on the floor. She knew her emotions were getting the best of her and she was taking it out on anyone near her.

"It's okay," Maleny got up to pick the pieces off the floor, "You're about to pop out an actual human being - you can throw whatever you want."

"I get the feeling it would be easier if she was actually a human being," Hayley mumbled, rubbing her stomach.

Maleny chuckled and looked up, "Right - mortal, vampire, witch, wolf. Is there anything else I'm missing?"

"Shut up," Hayley nearly begged. Maleny chuckled again and put all the pieces back on their table.

"I suppose our chess game is over, then," she gave a small sigh. She should've figured a chess game wouldn't do much for them. Elijah had taught her how to play in one her past lives and she thought perhaps Hayley would like to learn.

"I'm tired," Hayley admitted and rose from her chair.

"Maybe get some rest and you'll feel better later on," Maleny suggested. She also knew part of Hayley's agitation was from the long wait they were all under. Jackson and Oliver were supposed to be coming in to hand over the stones that would enable wolves to be free of their moon curse.

"I think so," Hayley agreed and started for the threshold of the living room, "But please wake me up if anything new happens."

"Got it," Maleny gave a thumbs up as the woman left the room. She made a face afterwards and went too pick up the chess game and return it to its place. The last thing she needed was a scolding from Elijah for not putting away his game.

Once finished cleaning up, she made way for her room but before she even made it out of the living room she saw Genevieve walking by carrying a single page of what Maleny assumed was the moonlight spell. Without thinking, Maleny hurried out the living room, no idea of what she was doing when she called out, "Is that for the moonlight spell?"

Genevieve stopped at the sound of Maleny and slowly looked back, "Yes, it is. And I'll be staying around for the day so don't be too happy I'm going out for a moment."

Maleny frowned, "I don't care where you stay. I care that you're gonna perform a spell that'll help Hayley."

Genevieve let out a small laugh, "You think the spell is only for Hayley? Does Klaus tell you nothing? He has eyes on creating a whole army of wolves," Maleny blinked in shock at the news. Genevieve smirked, "Oh, he didn't tell you? I'm sure he would have...maybe..."

"Screw off," was Maleny's response, "You're just angry with me because I cut off any deal you offered. You're angry I double-crossed you."

"You made a mistake, Maleny," Genevieve shook her head, "I could've helped you. Now you'll be stuck in that body forever - well, until you're killed again, anyways."

Maleny stepped forwards, agitated the conversation had turned into that direction, "I will be free of this curse, you'll see."

"And tell me," Genevieve also took a step towards her, acting innocent, "in the meantime you're out searching for a solution, do you think Klaus is going to wait for you?" she laughed again, "Cos I think by now you've seen he hardly waits a day after you 'die' before he goes and finds himself someone new."

Maleny would not let Genevieve's taunts get to her, or she would at least try not to let it. She pursed her lips for a minute, debating how to respond, "Even if I'm dead he wouldn't go back to you."

Genevieve smirked and started backtracking, "He came to me when you were alive. Now imagine yourself dead," she gave a wave with a wiggle of her fingers and turned around, striding off triumphantly.

Unable to keep herself from feeling hurt, Maleny released a shaky breath and made way for her room in haste. She silently scolded herself when she slammed her bedroom door shut for being so...emotional. She shouldn't be feeling hurt at all. But then her mind wandered to last week when Klaus had bought her her favorite type of dessert and their moment at the park.

"I mean...do you still...feel anything?"

"That depends," Klaus perfectly evaded the question.

"On what?" Maleny whispered.

"If my answer would make any difference in your life..."

Slowly, Maleny walked away from the door and repeatedly took breaths. But no matter how much she tried to forget she could not stop thinking about that day, nor any other moment they had. It was difficult to believe what Genevieve said, as well as struggling so that it wouldn't hurt as much. There were memories of her past lives where Genevieve's words had proven to be right. Heck, there was even one moment where Klaus never even laid eyes on her in the way she would've wanted him to.

Maleny went for her window and looked out, now really wishing she could talk to someone. Hayley was probably fast asleep by now, Cami was off doing some task of her own and she hadn't really seen Riley for a couple days. Davina was way out of the question since the teen heavily disagreed with her potential love life. Maleny felt alone. Her hand slowly reached to her golden chain necklace on her neck, suddenly thinking that perhaps her mother would have been a fine person to talk to right around then. No matter how old she may really be, Maleny believed Abigail would advise her like no one else would. She wished she would at least have some place to talk to Abigail - even the Mikaelson's had a place for Esther.

On a whim of an idea, Maleny turned around and went for her bag laying near the bed. Just because her mother wasn't buried in New Orleans didn't mean she couldn't go talk to someone from the other side. The cemetery was free range by now and even she was allowed in. Besides, she was a witch in the end and not all ancestors hated her so she heard.

She had made it down the stairs and was about to finally leave the place when she heard the distinctive call, "And just where do you think you're going, Maleny?" Klaus stood upstairs leaning on the rails, curious of where Maleny had been so hasty to leave to.

Still crossed from what Genevieve had said to her earlier, Maleny was in no mood to speak to him, "Out," her cold tone rang through the courtyard, "Don't you see?"

"Oh, I see. Let me rephrase my question, then: do you not see leaving on your own can lead to your very death?"

Maleny turned around to see him, "Frankly, right now, I could care less."

"Mal, what's going on?" Klaus frowned, by now unused to hearing her so irritated with him when he was pretty sure he'd done nothing wrong so far.

"I don't know," Maleny sarcastically shrugged, "I saw Genevieve a while ago," she slowly made deeper into the courtyard, "She said some interesting things..."

"Did she do something to you?" Klaus asked, his eyes narrowing in thoughts against the ginger. He'd been very specific to stay away from Maleny in their earlier encounter.

"No, well not physically anyways," Maleny shook her head, "Now enlighten me a little bit because I'm lost, why would you tell that woman your plan when I have asked you millions of times myself and received a bare sentence?"

"Is that what this is about? You're annoyed because I told Genevieve what my plan entails?"

"She is the freaking enemy, Klaus!" Maleny exclaimed, "I think I have proven myself to be more of a friend than she has. Now I'm sorry that I don't follow your orders nor stay quiet but at least I'm not plotting revenge on you behind your back."

If Klaus didn't know it any better, he would've said he saw jealousy in the woman. Amused, he made way for the stairs to better explain himself, "Mal, believe me, if it wasn't her that was doing the spell she wouldn't know the plan either."

"Why won't you tell me, then?" Maleny frowned, further disappointed she was still no where near the people he would reveal his plan to, "It's a plan for your daughter and you know I would help if I could. Or...are you scared I'll do something against it?"

"Not in the faintest," Klaus replied as he finished down the stairs.

"Then?" Maleny released a big breath, openly displaying her pain, "Am I untrustworthy?"

"No," Klaus shook his head, "I didn't tell you because the plan also extends to you and your protection."

Maleny looked at him for a minute making a face of confusion, "Me? Why?"

"Because I don't intend on losing you again - I thought I'd made that clear long ago. The army is not only for my daughter but for you as well."

"Does Hayley know you're gonna use her pack for one of your ex's?"

"Hayley knows I'm going to use her pack to keep you safe," Klaus cleverly revised her words, "As well as Elijah and Jackson...and Oliver, even."

Still doubting, Maleny crossed her arms and shifted, "Are you telling me the truth? You're not just doing this so that I'll go on all happy on my way?"

"I'm telling you the truth," Klaus assured her, "So now, can I please know where you were headed off to?"

"I'm still crossed with you," Maleny informed him but never of the reason why, "And I was going to the cemetery to talk to someone."

"Riley?" Klaus immediately guessed and frowned.

Smirking, Maleny cheekily answered, "Well if you were talking to your wicked girlfriend why shouldn't I have some fun?"

Now Klaus knew there was nothing between Maleny and Riley but he wasn't going to risk the stupid warlock wooing Maleny. Without warning, he took hold of Maleny's hand, startling the brunette, "Can we change those plans and instead go to the park again?"

Maleny raised an eyebrow, "Um...honestly, I wasn't going to talk to Riley," she said beforehand, "In case that's the reason you wanted to accompany me."

"It's not, I assure you."

"...but what about Hayley? She's napping and-"

"Mal, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were making these excuses to get me away from you," Klaus flashed her a smirk.

"Well," Maleny crossed her arms, "I'm still crossed with you and Genevieve. Don't think I'll forget it all with some pretty words you have for me."

"Then what would you like me to do?" Klaus settled for her requests seeing her agitation was growing and without hint of why.

"Leave me alone for now," Maleny replied and went past him, making way for the street.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, love," Klaus turned and went after her. If she was going to leave the compound then he would leave with her, whether she wanted it or not.

Maleny knew he was following her down the street and groaned, "Yes, you can, actually. It's this thing where you turn around and walk back to the compound," she sped up her walking, "Quite simple if you really look at it!"

While amused, Klaus just continued to follow her until it drove her mad. That was usually how he would get her to talk in the old days.

~ 0 ~

Cami had the lovely - but not really - chance to stumble into Francesca Guerrera inside Rousseau's who was clearing out the customers with her 'brothers'. Once alone, Francesca turned directly to Cami just as the door was locked.

"Well...what's going on here?" Cami tried remaining calm and not to continuously glance back at the locked door.

"I am the new owner of this," Francesca gestured to the place, "gumbo shack. Ink's not dry on the contract, yet, but I can tell you I got it cheap. Business is not what it used to be since Sophie Deveraux kicked the bucket."

"I don't want any trouble," Cami moved over to the bar where she set down her purse and laptop.

"I don't really care what you want," Francesca snapped, "Let's talk about what I want."

"My uncle's key," Cami remembered the last time the woman had appeared to her for the same damn key. Now that she knew what that key contained she would never let anyone besides Maleny take it, "You said you were going to use it to protect the innocents of the city? Seems pretty ironic, considering your line of work."

While the statement was completely true, Francesca ignored it and walked towards Cami, "I'm a legitimate businesswoman who's never been convicted of a crime. And, as leader of the Human Faction, that key is mine. I gave you time to mourn. Now, time's up!"

"Right, the place that doesn't belong to you," Cami crossed her arms and looked to the side, still rather peeved, as Maleny, that the leadership hadn't been handed to her or Maleny since they were both O'Connell's.

"I've spoken to your cousin, and it was agreed that I would take the place-"

"No, no it wasn't," Cami corrected her, "Elijah made that decision without us. And you know what, since I'm more than capable to take over I think I'll have a word with him," and that was something Francesca did not like to hear.

The woman stepped closer to Cami intimidatingly, "My family's been in New Orleans a long time, Cami. Even longer than yours! And we've learned it's a very hard city to get by in if you don't have any friends - allies. I think you and your cousin want me to be in this position. Neither of you know what it could do to you-"

Cami raised an eyebrow, "Well, I think that's where you're wrong," it wasn't as if her uncle or twin brother had died because of the factions, not at all, "I'm done being pushed around by every damn faction. I don't have the key. And you better get ready because I will take over that position you seem to love so much."

Francesca backed away, clearly contempt, "You have until tomorrow or your 'pushing around' days are going to get a lot worse - for you and your cousin."

Cami released a breath after Francesca had left and turned to the bar to catch a break. Only a couple minutes later did Elijah come in, clearly having heard everything.

Cami glanced at him with heavy irritation, "You cannot trust that woman, and most certainly leave her in the position you gave her. I was serious, it's my rightful place."

"It would appear so," he agreed as he reached her, "And we will discuss the matters of you taking over if that is what you truly wish but for now, I think we have bigger problems. I finished talking to Riley and made him forget everything."

"Is there a way to break the curse?"

"Yes, we just have to find it."

Cami sighed, "Gee, because I hadn't thought of that one before. Is there anything useful you collected?"

Elijah excused her sarcasm for the tiredness of the day and of the death of her uncle, "There's some sort of loophole, Riley mentioned but apparently didn't know it."

"How could he not know the loophole?" Cami frowned, clearly doubting it.

"Elders are smart about these sorts of things. Riley's still young and only barely learning himself about this curse - he won't know much about its content."

"So we have to decipher the puzzle," Cami bit her lip and glanced at her shut laptop on the counter, "I have the time...do you?"

"For Maleny, I always have the time," Elijah smiled at the blonde.

"Good, just like me," content, Cami walked to retrieve her laptop to begin their work once more.

~ 0 ~

Maleny had made it just around the corner to where the cemetery was when she finally lost it as Klaus had expected and turned to him, "Are you seriously going to follow me?" she frowned at the hybrid who was slowly catching up with her.

"Well since you're going for the childish moves then I have to resort to this," Klaus gestured to their current spots.

"Maybe I just want some alone time? You know that thing where I'm...alone?" Maleny crossed her arms, "I just...want to be alone to think, okay?" her voice lowered as her eyes drifted to the near cemetery, "I came to talk to someone..."

Klaus followed her gaze to the cemetery and stared confusedly, "I don't recall you burying someone here. Perhaps Kieran..."

Maleny dropped her arms to her sides with a deep sigh, "My mother, Klaus. I came to talk to my mother. And before you say 'shes not here' I know that, okay? But this is the closest place I have and since the witches have dropped the boundary rules with me I can go in safely. I just wanted to talk."

"I'm...sorry," Klaus managed to say without one of his usual long pauses. He was never good at apologies after all, "But if you would have explained from the start then maybe none of this would have been necessary."

"You would have let me come on my own?" Maleny raised an eyebrow, doubtful of that being his point.

Her confirmation was the loud scoff given back, "Never," Klaus shook his head, "But we could have done something to help you feel closer to Abigail."

"There's not much one can do," Maleny admitted the difficulty, "My mother was buried centuries ago..."

"In the now town of Mystic Falls," Klaus finished with a smirk as Maleny processed his knowledge.

She blinked, frozen in her spot with shock, "You know where she is?" she whispered, coming back to him, "You know where her body would be now?"

"I don't know her precise location but I know our old village is the current town," Klaus clarified. He didn't want to get her hopes raised up then have to be the one to bring them down.

It still seemed to cheer Maleny up, "Is it...is it far from here?"

"A couple hours..."

"Do you think we could go? Not today I know, but...sometime?" Maleny asked, full of hope, "Or maybe you can tell me the directions and I can go or-"

Klaus raised a finger to her lips, "I can't give an exact day but maybe shortly after Hayley's given birth?" the sparkle in Maleny's eyes told him she agreed to his terms, "Now do you still want to visit the cemetery? I can wait for you out here."

"So we're still doing the 'following you' thing?" she asked in a disappointed tone.

"You're still in danger, love," he smiled at her, "You'll be within my hearing and seeing vision."

She rolled her eyes and glanced at cemetery, "I can handle the hearing thing but I'm going to have to ask for you to keep your ears out of my conversation. It's private."

Klaus could deal with that and so gave her his nod, "Fine. But don't try to escape or anything. My eyes will be glued on you."

"Whatever," she waved him off and headed for the cemetery. She didn't exactly know what she was going to do, much less who to even talk to. There was no one related to her anywhere...then she passed the O'Connell's area of plots. Out of anyone there she supposed they were the closest to what she could call a family. Quietly, she came towards the plots and sighed, "Hello," she whispered, giving a languid wave, unsure if this was really going to solve anything, "Gosh, I feel so...lost," and she gave a small, bitter laugh, "That's the understatement of the year. I've been lost for centuries now and even now I still can't find myself," she bent down in front of the plot, picking up a couple of flower pots that'd been tilted on their sides, "No matter what I do, what happens, I'm still...uncomfortable with myself. I'm lost - and confused. And I guess I'm troubling you all because I've got no where else to go. To the world, you're my family...and I could really use some advice. What do I do with him?" her voice turned into a secret for fear Klaus was breaking his promise of not eavesdropping, "I'm so confused, I'm...angry," she admitted shamefully, "And I shouldn't be because we're nothing right now. He can go to anyone who wants, do what ever he wants with them...because it's fair. But how do I make it so that it doesn't hurt? I've got no right to tell him anything and especially when I'm like..." she looked down at herself and sighed, "...this. What do I do? What can I do?"

"You shouldn't be here," a voice behind said and startled the brunette. She quickly rose to her feet and turned around to find Monique glowering at her from across.

"Genevieve has lifted the boundary rules," Maleny awkwardly said. She knew the girl was just as bad as Genevieve but the fact Monique was still just a girl made it hard to be rude, "Besides, I'm still technically a witch."

"With no power," Monique added with a smirk, "Don't forget that."

"I know," Maleny rubbed her arm, "I only came to talk, okay? I don't want any problems."

Monique raised her head as if to feel superior to the brunette, "You may be a witch but you are not one of us," she declared, "I don't care what the ancestor says you don't deserve to remain alive..." her eyes drifted past Maleny to where Klaus was coming up to them.

"What seems to be the problem?" Klaus asked the two with suspicious looks.

"Nothing," Maleny said fast before anything bad started. She'd only came in for some ventilation and that was all she intended on getting.

"Your girlfriend shouldn't be here," Monique informed in a sneer-like way, "I know she's just itching to die again but this is too much - even for our coven."

"I'm not trying to die," Maleny defensively replied.

"Hm," Monique scoffed, "And how are you doing that exactly? Oh, right, by staying with him?" she gave Klaus a once-over, "You don't get it, do you? By staying with him and his family you're signing your own death sentence."

Klaus was quick to lose his temper with the girl and made to charge for her when Maleny grabbed his arm, "Don't! That's exactly what she wants. You hurt her and Genevieve won't do the moonlight ring spell for us."

Monique smirked, half confirming Maleny's suspicions but adding the rest of the reality, "I mean what I say, regardless of what Genevieve is going to do. You're gonna die if you stay with him," she told Maleny, sounding so sure of herself it put Maleny on edge, "I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up doing it himself-"

That was the last straw for Klaus. He shook Maleny off and pinned Monique against a wall, his hand tightly clasping the girl's neck, "Watch your tongue before I tear it out," he hissed.

Monique budged under his hold but of course it was to no avail, "You can...act..." she kept gasping for air to speak, "...but...I can see it..." she smirked, "...you're afraid I'm...right..."

"Klaus, let her go!" Maleny exclaimed, panicked he'd commit a stupid act.

It was becoming difficult for Monique to keep struggling but even then she would not desist in her accusations, "Kill me, but...I'm right. She'll die...and you'll remember..."

"Klaus!" Maleny ran up to the two and tried prying the hybrid off the teen, "C'mon! It's not worth it! I don't believe her!"

Monique's eyes drifted to the brunette, "Mistake number one..."

"SHUT UP!" Maleny screamed at her in frustration while still trying to get Klaus away.

Eventually, he let the teen go and backed away with Maleny, "The only one that's going to die is you," he pointed at Monique, "If you make any other remark of yours in regards to my family."

Monique was coughing as she felt the air return to her lungs. She flashed another smirk to the pair nonetheless, "You'll remember me..."

"Let's go," Maleny nearly pleaded Klaus in the end. She just needed to get the hell out of there and forget everything said. Klaus finally listened to her and sped them out of the place.

~ 0 ~

"You're not actually going to believe what that girl said, right?" it was now Maleny who was trailing after Klaus on the streets. But with each silent response she got back she knew he already was considering the idea of it, "No, absolutely not!" she grabbed his arm and turned him around by force, "You are not gonna stand there and tell me you're actually believing what the stupid teenager is telling you?"

"It's a bit hard not to, love," Klaus admitted, his voice troubled as his mind was, "How many times have jumped bodies exactly?"

"The curse falls on me, Klaus," Maleny gestured to herself, "because I'm the one who chose this pathway. While I didn't know what exactly I was getting myself into Ichose it. No one else. Even Lilith didn't force me."

"But you cannot deny it was because of our argument that you even considered the woman's deal. I influenced you to take it without asking anyone else."

"I was angry," Maleny tried to explain coherently, "I wasn't thinking straight. I was just...sad...because you didn't want to turn me. Put yourself in my shoes. If roles were reversed and I didn't want to turn you wouldn't you try to do something yourself? Would you blame me then?"

"Of course not," Klaus mumbled under his breath, avoiding her looks at all costs.

"Then why are you doing it to yourself?" Maleny gestured to his frustrated self with a shake of her head, "We all make choices and we all have to own up to them. I'm owning up to them right now. What Monique says has no truth in it."

"Does it really, Mal?" Klaus asked, his voice turning soft, "The Mikaelsons' are cursed - anyone we happen to care for somehow always ends up...leaving."

Maleny smiled at him and stepped closer, "I'm not going anywhere. I happen to like the Quarter...and the people in it. And as long as they say I can stay, I will. Can I stay?"

It only took a minute for Klaus to cool off after seeing her honest face, "You can most definitely stay here," and surprising her, he took her head in his hands and kissed her forehead, unknowingly giving Maleny that same tingly sensation she'd felt before. For a minute she imagine what it would feel like if his kiss had been on her lips instead. And for that, she blushed red.

She smiled and looked a him with a nervous smile, only more nervous when she took notice of their closeness; her blush was truly inevitable, "Then I suppose there's no point in wasting another thought on that witch."

"Maybe just one," Klaus responded with, his common smirk plastered across his lips. He too was aware of their closeness and felt more than pleased with the situation. It was few moments like those that would remind him of their early days as humans. The only thing that would make it truly one of their moments of the past was if they shared a kiss - but of course that was out of the question...unfortunately.

Had he just thought about that?

"Who!?" Maleny nearly shouted before she realized what he meant and flushed, unknowingly bringing Klaus out of his thoughts, "Oh my God...I'm an idiot."

"Well..." Klaus began but Maleny shook a hand at him and made haste to get walking.

"Nope!"

Klaus laughed and hurried after her, easily grabbing her arm and pulling her right back to him. His arms remained around her waist to prevent her from fleeing again, "You're not going anywhere except with me back to the compound."

Maleny made no attempt to budge from her spot as she silently admitted to herself she liked it. Instead, she gave a small smile and calmly said, "Actually, I was hoping to go visit Cami instead."

"What for?"

"Haven't you noticed she's been acting a little strange lately? She's up to something and I want to know what. But don't worry, I won't need your bodyguard services there. I can make it on my own."

Klaus scoffed, "You're out of your mind if you think you're going there alone."

"Well you're not gonna eavesdrop on us either," Maleny countered, "So we can do this: you accompany me there and leave me at the house. I'm safe there."

"Mal-"

"Don't you 'Mal' me, it's either that or I stalk off on my own. Take your pick."

And on cue, Klaus' cellphone went off in his pocket. With a small sigh, he paused the conversation with Maleny to answer it. Maleny watched his facial expressions shift from irritated to mildly upset and she knew she wasn't the cause of it. After hanging up, she received a surprising agreement from Klaus.

"You stay with Cami for one hour and that's it - and you don't leave for any reason until I or Elijah come for you. Understand?"

Maleny raised her hands in agreement, "Got it. But what's wrong?"

"Jackson and Oliver are missing along with the stones for the moonlight rings."

"Oh," Maleny knew Hayley wouldn't like to hear that, "Well then go! We have to hurry!" she wouldn't have reached Cami's so quick if it hadn't been for Klaus speeding them over - he needed to know she would be out of the streets before he could focus on anything else.

~ 0 ~

Hayley was attending to a beaten Cami in the study room of the compound when Klaus returned, very much surprised to see the blonde woman in her state.

"What the hell is going on?" was his first brilliant question upon entering the room.

"Ask her," Hayley nodded to Cami as she brought over an antibacterial cloth for Cami's cuts, "She was like that when I woke up."

"Sorry," Cami apologized to her for abrupt entrance. But at that moment she didn't know what to do only to go find Elijah. Instead, she'd woken up Hayley from her nap.

"Cami?" Klaus turned to the blonde who in no mood for a questionnaire. Her head was still pounding from all the beating it received, "Mal is at your place, waiting for you I should add."

"Why?"

"She believes you've been acting strange for the past couple of days to which I agree. Of course now that I'm seeing you like this," Klaus gestured to her, "I can say she was right. What happened?"

Cami groaned and let her head rest back, her eyes closing momentarily as Hayley dabbed one of her cuts on her arms, "I pissed off Francesca Guerrera earlier so she sent one of her goons after me."

"Francesca did this?" Hayley looked at Klaus with concern.

"Well, I'm not 100% sure," Cami admitted and opened her eyes, drifting to Hayley beside her, "but I'm about 80% sure. She wants the stupid key to my family's dark objects' room, remember?"

"And who would be the other 20%?" Klaus asked.

"No idea, but I'm willing to bet it was Genevieve who also dislikes me and Maleny."

"Well regardless of what you think, I need you to be civil with Genevieve," Klaus informed, only irritating Cami more.

"What? Why?" the blonde scowled.

"She's doing the moonlight ring spell, remember?"

"Which we can't even do at the moment," Hayley reminded with a long sigh, "because said moonlight rings are gone."

"Gone?" Cami asked, remembering something about that earlier from what Elijah mentioned but her mind was too foggy to recall completely.

"Well they disappeared," Hayley sighed, "and we don't know where they could be."

"More or less," corrected Elijah as he entered the room, making all heads turn to him instantly, "I've spoken to Davina. Marcel's at the docks."

"How'd you manage that one?" asked Cami, knowing Davina's strong hatred towards the brothers.

"Charming, persuasive," Elijah dismissed as he came up to her and studied her wounds, "And you are…?"

"Better, thanks," she waved off and received a scolding from Hayley who'd been tending to a wound on the arm she chose to move.

"Don't move!"

Cami sighed and slowly sat up, "Klaus said Maleny is at my place so I should go and meet her there."

"Care to elaborate why Maleny even left the compound in the first place, brother?" Elijah turned to Klaus in genuine curiosity, "You were very adamant in keeping her locked up."

"Well I changed my mind," Klaus waved him off, preferring to leave the part out of where he followed Maleny all over the Quarter.

"Bad idea," Cami tried standing up only to feel whoozy and fell back to the couch.

"Cami, you can't go anywhere," Hayley scolded her for the abrupt movement.

"I will," Cami declared and moved to stand again when Elijah stopped her then, "Elijah, I'm going," she warned him.

Elijah merely motioned with a hand for her to wait as he went for a glass from the bar counter. Cami watched him bite his own wrist and let his blood spill into the glass. He returned for her with the glass of blood and held it out to her, "If you insist on leaving then you will only do so in a good health condition."

Cami half-smiled and took the glass from him, drinking down the entire contents. Immediately she began feeling the effects, "There," she handed back the empty glass.

"You and I will go to the docks," Klaus said to Elijah afterwards, "Cami to retrieve Maleny, Hayley will stay here-"

"And wait?" Hayley crossed her arms.

"There's not much you can do, love," Klaus reminded her of her current state, "It's agreed, then, so let's go. Time is of the essence."

~ 0 ~

Night fell but while the brothers managed to find Jackson - and learned of his friend's Olly's safety - they were incapable of retrieving their moonlight stones. Genevieve had arrived later in the day but received the news of the missing stones. Marcel had taken good prevention of that and stole them from the werewolves. His location was unknown and it would be unlikely if they learned of it before the full moon of that night. In the compound, Hayley was relieved to find Jackson safe, with minor injuries but safe. Her time alone with Genevieve had been no walk in the park and after conversing with Elijah over the phone and overhearing an explosion, her blood pressure skyrocketed. Both women had been waiting for Cami and Maleny to return since the moment Cami left the compound, but neither had returned yet.

Elijah and Klaus were not too pleased about hearing that detail either. It was simply another problem to attend to along with everything else. Fortunately, Klaus had a resolution for one problem: the moonlight rings. And luckily enough, Cami had been witness to the resolution being put to action. She had just come into the compound when she saw Francesca Guerrera and her workers having a little greeting with Klaus.

"What the hell is this woman doing here!?" she demanded of the hybrid, and everyone else with sane minds, "Did you forget there's a good chance she's the one that had me beaten up earlier?"

Francesca feigned offense at the accusation, "First of all, I did no such things," but Cami scoffed, "and second of all, you don't look that shaken up to me."

Cami angrily shook her head, "Unbelievable! What is she doing here?"

"She's my backup," Klaus announced and went up to Francesca, "Marcel stole our original moonlight rings so I asked Francesca."

"And you let her!?" Cami looked at the others.

"We didn't know," Hayley sighed, equally distraught as the blonde.

"I asked her to come," Klaus announced, "though I didn't think she'd bring company," he eyed the several men around them.

Francesca smiled fakily, "These are my brothers. I always include them in delicate business matters," she turned to her 'brothers', "Fellas, meet Mr. Mikaelson."

Klaus smirked, " Please, call me Klaus. All my friends do."

"I don't know if I'd call us friends," Francesca reached into a briefcase one of her brothers held, taking out a small black drawstring bag, "But, if you and Marcel are planning on having a little throw-down, I'd prefer my family to be on the same side as the inevitable victor."

"Then, you have what I asked for?"

Francesca turned to the hybrid holding the bag out, "Not enough for an army at such short notice, but it's a start."

"Strange, I wasn't aware that she was familiar with our plan," Elijah bitterly remarked to his brother.

"My price for doing business is full disclosure," informed Francesca, "Your brother complied"

"And what does the Human Faction stand to benefit from all of this?"

"I only want us to solidify our allegiance to the ruling class. It's good for business."

Klaus was busy studying the stones in his palm, "If only everyone shared your capacity for reason."

"Sadly, they don't. Marcel is being especially vindictive. I'm worried he might come after me, or my family, just for meeting with you. It might be in our best interests if we combine our efforts."

Klaus looked up with a wide grin, "So be it!" he declared, "The more bodies we have to defend the compound, the better. Let's get started, shall we?"

"I can't believe this," Cami declared with a shake of her head.

Klaus handed the moonstones to Genevieve and motioned for her to get a move on with the spell. Francesca and her brothers followed after the ginger without another word.

"Where is Maleny?" Klaus asked, having noticed they were short one brunette since Cami walked in.

Cami sighed and looked at them all with disappointment and concern, "I couldn't find her," she answered quietly.

"What?" Klaus frowned, "I left her at your house. I literally walked her inside and locked the door myself."

"Well it wasn't enough!" Cami exclaimed, now expressing her true panicked feelings, "I looked everywhere but she wasn't in the house. Did she leave or something?"

"No, she would've called," Klaus hook his head, "I told her she shouldn't leave the house until someone came for her. Of course I was counting on you being there."

"This is bad," Elijah recalled Riley's words from earlier, "Cami you should've called!"

"I know, but I just kept looking thinking I might find her at places we used to go to but…" Cami sighed, "...she's no where."

"We could use a locator spell," Hayley offered in hopes.

"We've already got Genevieve working and we pissed off Davina," Klaus reminded, growing frantic himself. He was now fully blaming himself for such a careless move on his part. He should've never allowed Maleny to stay on her own!

"I can go ask her," Cami offered herself up but was also shot down.

"No, it's best you all stay in here, one of us can go and convince Davina," Elijah looked at his brother for agreement.

"No, but you both need to stay here," Hayley scolded them for their lack of thoughts, "anything goes wrong and we're screwed. Genevieve only listens to Klaus and Francesca only to the leader of the head of the factions."

"We can't just sit here and do nothing," Cami sighed.

"I can do it," volunteered Jackson who'd remained quiet among the group, "This witch hasn't got any reason to hate me yet. I could go ask."

Cami soon got to considering the idea, "Well, he's not wrong. We can't call Davina over and he's the only one who can go."

"Jackson, are you sure?" Hayley seemed concern and wasn't afraid to voice it, "You literally just got back from an explosion and being kidnapped."

"So going to some witch's place to ask for a locator spell is nothing," Jackson smiled, "I can do it. Make myself useful."

Klaus wasn't going to shoot down the only opportunity to find Maleny, "You'll need something of Maleny's for the spell," and he went up to Maleny's room to retrieve an item.

As Hayley conversed with Jackson, Cami pulled Elijah to the side and quietly spoke to him, "Aren't we going to tell them what Riley said? I mean, this could be it, this could be their final move to kill her."

While Elijah knew that was very true he preferred to be optimistic, "Perhaps Mal is simply taking time for herself."

"Elijah-"

"Let's send Jackson to do the spell and if anything bad comes back then we'll tell them," Elijah suggested, "There's already many things to take care off. Why alarm them for nothing? Maleny's always escaping from Klaus' lockdown."

"Fine," Cami begrudgingly crossed her arms, "but the moment Jackson says something's up we tell them," she warned.

"Understood," Elijah agreed with a nod.

Klaus returned to the group holding one of Maleny's brushes in his hands. Jackson was given directions to Davina's and was sent off to get the locator spell done.

~ 0 ~

"Set her down there. And be careful."

Maleny felt a cold stone hit her back which served to stir her awake.

"She's awakening," someone else said.

"What do we do?" a third asked.

"Nothing, she can't leave," the first voice replied, "You, on the other hand, can. Go now."

It was then did Maleny open her eyes and see the dark crypt she was in.

"Evening, Miss Woods," spoke an elderly woman who stood beside Maleny, "I apologize for the roughness of my boys. However I doubt you'll remember your injury in this body by tomorrow."

"Where am I?" Maleny groggily asked and tried sitting up only to realize she was being tied down, "What the hell is going on?"

"What do you think is going on, my dear?" the woman lightly chuckled, "It's time to die again - for our coven."

Maleny's eyes widened and immediately starting wriggling within the ropes, "No! No! No more! I don't want to!"

"You made your choice a long time ago, says the story, so why put up a fight now?" the woman raised an eyebrow, "This is how it's been for centuries now."

Maleny saw she was on top of a ceremonial table, tied down by several ropes, "Shit," she mumbled and fiercely tried to escape, "I don't want to die! Not again! No!"

"Oh, the pleading will do you no such good," the elderly woman moved around to a small, circular table that held knives.

"Who the hell are you?" Maleny demanded, wanting to take note of who she was going to kill the moment she managed to escape, "How'd I even get here?" the last thing she remembered was being at Cami's house when someone knocked on the door, and thinking it was her cousin she'd foolishly went to go open it up.

"Cara," the woman glanced at Maleny with a crooked smile, "Cara Dawson. I presume you've met my nephew."

Maleny raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me? Nephew?" it was then that the name registered in her mind, "Hold on...Dawson?"

"She means me," Riley came into the room with a casual smile, "She's my auntie Cara, sister of my mother."

"Riley, what are you doing?" Maleny weakly asked, her eyes following the man as he went to his aunt, "She's going to kill me..."

"Hm? Oh yes, yes, I know about that," he nodded and feigned a pause, "I actually knew about this long before. Kind of my sole mission if you get what I mean. Also the reason why my family members subdued you at Cami's earlier in the day."

"No...no, this...this isn't right," Maleny shook her head slowly, "Cos you were helping me. You - you wanted to help me. They have you under a spell, Riley, fight it!"

But Riley laughed along with Cara, "Did you hear that, aunt Cara?"

"Spell?" Cara laughed again, "She's pretty but I thought she was a little more intelligent."

"Screw you!" called Maleny who continued to fight against the binds holding her down, "Riley, this isn't right! You were my friend. I trusted you - I even defended you against Klaus!"

"And I thank you for that," Riley turned to face Maleny, "I can only imagine the face he'd make if he knew he'd been right about me all along."

"Riley," Maleny whispered, completely heartbroken to see her friend...as her enemy, "All this time you've been trying to kill me? The poisoning? The knife? That was all you?"

"Oh dear, they were never attempts to kill you," Riley rolled his eyes, acting as if he were indignant of the accusations, "I'm no murderer - they were only meant to subdue you."

"Subdue me?" Maleny repeated in a shout, "YOU THREW A KNIFE AT ME!"

"It was a magical object," Riley explained calmly, "It would only leave you unconscious enough time for me and others to sneak you out of the place and bring you here. I can't kill you so simply, Maleny. There are rules. You cannot be killed unless properly sacrificed."

Maleny couldn't recognize the sinister man in front of her as the friend she thought she had in him, "I trusted you…"

"And that is what made it so much easier," Riley smirked, "I knew the day you bumped into me I'd have to worm my way into your life, earn your trust, so that we could be here today," he gestured to said room, "I should get an award because you're not an easy case to handle. I tell you, I give honest props to Klaus for having to deal with you for a lifetime."

Cara chuckled as if it were all amusing, "Oh please, your entire family's been at this for centuries now. We all deserve a damn award not just the crazy hybrid."

"Why are you doing this?" Maleny tried lifting her hands but the rope burned her skin and forced her to stay still.

"For power," Cara glanced back, "The ultimate sacrificial spell. We kill you, we harness power for our coven for the entire current generation. You jump into a new body in the future and thus begins the hunt for you again by the generation in that time."

"I'm like cattle to you people," Maleny scowled, "Something to increase your power supply, are you kidding me?"

"You signed up for this-"

"No, I didn't!" Maleny snapped, "Lilith tricked me! I thought I was going to help her and in return she'd help me but that wasn't the case at all. She found the loneliest of the village to use for her own evil purposes. She promised me eternal life so that I could spend it with-"

"With a man that can't even admit his own feelings?" Riley scoffed at the idea, "C'mon Maleny. You've been at this cycle for centuries and when exactly has Klaus Mikaelson ever declared his love for you? Hm?" he leaned forwards and put a hand behind his hear.

Maleny glared at him, gritting her teeth in frustration and anger, "You don't know anything about me nor him."

"I don't need to have known you for centuries. I learned plenty from what I saw in this short amount of time," Riley laughed to himself and straightened up, "He'll never love you again, Maleny. You will leave this place and he'll move on and find himself someone else, just like he always has in the past. Face it: you're a nuisance to him. You're the past and you should've stayed like that for him."

Maleny could feel the hot tears pricking her eyes with every word Riley uttered to her. She didn't want to believe in any of those things. If she was truly a nuisance for Klaus why would he spend so much time protecting her? Why would he offer his own home for her? She would not give Riley the satisfaction of seeing her broken down and in tears. That's exactly what he wanted.

"When Klaus realizes I'm gone and he knows it was because of you he is going to kill you," she warned in a low voice, "And I'm going to enjoy watching him do so."

Riley smirked, "Oh trust me, he'll have bigger problems to deal with than little ole you," he wondered if he should tell her as a parting gift what was about to happen to Klaus, Hayley and even poor Elijah if he got in the way.

"You're not getting away with this," Maleny repeated as she once again tried to fight the ropes.

"My dear," Cara turned around holding a very sharp, silver knife in a hand, "it's already in progress."

Maleny swallowed hard at the sight of the knife she knew was meant to plunge through her body.

~ 0 ~

Hours passed by in the compound and Genevieve seemed to be making progress on the spell. However, Francesca came rushing into the room looking panicked, "My people say Marcel is on the move, and he's bringing friends," she announced.

Klaus was still waiting to hear on Jackson so his mind barely had time to think, "Get Hayley and Cami to safety," he told Elijah before rushing off to tend to Marcel.

"Oh I am not going anywhere until I get word about my cousin," Cami raised a finger before Elijah could take a even a step towards her.

"And someone's got to watch Genevieve," Hayley moved beside Cami, both standing their ground against the Original.

"You should help Klaus," Francesca suggested to Elijah, "My brothers and their security detail won't be much against a vampire army. I'll stay with them."

"Just go," Cami sighed, "None of us are moving so don't waste time. Help your brother," Elijah had no choice but to leave them and go help Klaus. It wasn't long before they could all hear the fight going outside, "Is there reception in here?" Cami asked Hayley while frantically pacing back and forth.

"Yes," Hayley nodded, "and Jackson promised to call the moment they knew where Maleny was.

"Then why aren't they calling!?"

"Has your cousin gone missing?" Francesca asked, a hint of a smile on her face.

"Yes, got anything to do with that?" Cami turned on the woman.

"Absolutely not," Francesca shook her head, "I have no interest in that woman. She's a problem ready to happen."

"Why do you say that?" Hayley suspiciously asked.

"Because there's been several attempts of murders against her, clearly," Francesca shot her an irritated look.

Cami would've replied back if she wasn't too preoccupied thinking of Maleny's whereabouts. Hayley noticed it and moved to her side, "Cami, it's going to be okay - Maleny will come back."

But Cami had enough of just waiting around, "Riley," she spoke up, feeling her head get dizzy just at the thought of what the guy could do to her cousin. Riley had no memory of being detained by her and Elijah but it didn't mean Riley wasn't continuing with what ever plans they had.

"What is it?" Hayley raised an eyebrow.

"Riley's bad, he's very, very bad," Cami breathed rapidly, "He's going to kill her! We need to go!" but before she could make it to the door Francesca stopped her, "Let me go!"

"You go out there and you die," Francesca nodded to the ongoing fight on the other side, "or at the very least cost Elijah some injuries which will weaken him."

"I can't just stay in here when my cousin is in danger," Cami snatched her arm away from Francesca.

"But you don't know where she is either."

"The cemetery," Cami assumed and looked at Genevieve who was chanting the spell for the moonlight rings, "at a guess, anyways."

"A guess," Francesca repeated, "is not going to get your cousin back. You should wait for that call."

One of her guards entered the room, "Ms. Correa, we need to go. Your brothers are already headed out the back."

Just as Francesca turned to Genevieve, the ginger finished with the spell, "The stones are finished. I've done my part. Now, it's up to you."

Hayley took that as a go and went up to the table for the stones, "I'll get them to the Bayou."

"Actually," Francesca also moved up but with a hand held out for Genevieve, "she was talking to me."

"What's going on?" Cami knitted her brows together, "What are you-"

"Call it a side deal," Francesca shrugged as Genevieve gave her the stones,, "The point is, I'm taking the stones."

"You must be out of your mind if you think the humans will back you up against Klaus," Cami snapped.

"No," Francesca turned around and suddenly slit her guard's throat, "but I'm not human," she smirked before doubling over in pain.

Hayley recognized the symptoms and when Francesca looked up with yellow eyes and fangs, it wasn't hard to conclude, "Werewolf…"

"You've got to be kidding me," Cami blinked.

"I'm like you, Hayley. And now, I'm gonna take back my town!" Francesca laughed.

"Like hell you are!" Hayley charged for the woman but was knocked out by a spell from Genevieve's part.

"Oh my God!" Cami went up to Hayley and tried to help her but was caught by Francesca with a hand at the neck, "Let go-"

"No," Genevieve spoke up, "she's mine," she declared firmly, "Your cousin owes me and I know just how to take my revenge."

"All yours, then," Francesca dropped Cami carelessly and took the rest of the stones with her before she left.

"You've seriously lost it," Cami declared as she stood back up, angrily facing Genevieve.

However the comments didn't seem to harm Genevieve in any way, "It's a shame Maleny will never see what she caused," she slowly approached Cami.

"What do you mean?" Cami started backing away from the approaching ginger.

"I don't know anything, honest, but I'm pretty sure your cousin is either dead already or going to die," Genevieve extended a hand towards the blonde.

"Genevieve…" Cami began.

But Genevieve balled her hand into a fist and swung to the side, making Cami's neck snap and killing the blonde instantly.

~ 0 ~

Everything on the other side of the room had gone to hell. Elijah finally been overpowered by Francesca's newly triggered werewolves brothers. Klaus had inexplicably been taken down by a spell cast by Genevieve during a fight with Marcel, which then allowed for Marcel to return to the compound. All his guys who'd signed up to fight had been bitten down by Francesca and her group. He eventually found Elijah inside the side room placing down a lifeless Cami on the table.

"I would think before you step towards us," came the snarkish threat from Elijah, "Hayley is missing, care to elaborate?"

"It wasn't me," Marcel promised, "I only had interest in the moonlight stones and you know it. But Cami…" his eyes rested upon the blonde who seemed very dead, "...what...what happened?"

"I imagine it's the work of Francesca or Genevieve, doesn't matter which one because they'll both die for this."

"But she's…" Marcel finally came inside the room and stopped on the other side of the table.

"She'll be okay," Elijah whispered, "She had my blood in her system from earlier. It'll just take some time for her to wake up."

"So she'll be okay," Marcel managed or genuine smile for his innocent friend.

Elijah took a moment to study Marcel's appearance and frankly he became disappointed the man was still with a beating heart and walking, "Where is my brother?"

"I don't know, he started acting all hybrid crazy like he was in pain," Marcel shrugged, "Didn't look normal to me but I took my chance and ran."

"You will pay for this," Elijah warned as he headed out the room, "but first I must find Klaus and Hayley."

"And Cami?" Marcel came after him.

"Will wake up and realize what's going on," Elijah finished with the obvious, "I have missing family to find. You wouldn't happen to know about Maleny?"

"No, but I did hear about some sacrifice happening sometime at morning - although maybe that's for Klaus's kid."

"I've got to find them," Elijah muttered and hurried on his way.

~ 0 ~

Morning rose and the unfortunate had happened. Hayley had gone into labor and was quickly killed by Monique. All this Klaus had been forced to watch and yet unable to help neither Hayley nor his daughter. After the baby had taken, he was released from the spell keeping him away but was knocked out until Elijah found him and Hayley's corpse.

At the cemetery, sacrifices were being prepared.

"You evil bitch!" Maleny screamed as Cara dragged a knife down her arm, "I'm going to kill you!"

"It's only to begin the sacrifice," Cara was unaffected by the threats thrown at her and finished with the knife at the base of Maleny's palm, "Such a refined voice and such a foul language. Any person who knew Karina Sage would be able to tell she wasn't herself."

"Who's Karina?" Maleny raised an eyebrow, momentarily distracted from writhing pain.

"The actual owner of this body," Cara moved to the other side of the table and poked Maleny's forearm with the tip of the knife, "She's an actual - distant cousin - of the O'Connell's."

Maleny scowled at the revelation, "But I've seen the photos for myself and this body was not in any of them."

"Like I said, she was a distant cousin," Cara sighed, "Actually adopted, if you like the ironic's. But barely in touch with her family."

"And then I stole her body," Maleny said quietly, the guilt immensely rising.

"And then we found you," Cara said casually, "It's the cycle, sweetheart."

"How do you even find me?" Maleny looked around the awful room, "It's doubt some stupid spell can tell you a body's been infiltrated by another soul."

Cara lifted Maleny's golden chained necklace, "Hidden in plain sight and placed with a perception filter only our coven can detect at first glance. Every body you go into, this little thing follows. Call it a beacon if you'd like."

"So anywhere I end up, you'll find me," Maleny whispered, her eyes narrowing, "What would it take to stop it?"

Cara laughed and finally dug the knife down the surface skin of Maleny's wrist, careful not to hit any veins. Maleny screamed as the knife tore through her skin and the fouled the language escaped her lips once more.

~ 0 ~

The cemetery became center for the world of chaos and magic. The Mikaelson brothers found themselves stuck within an illusion spell making the tombs like a maze in which they would probably never get out. Their belief was the baby was the only thing left to save - Hayley was dead, and Maleny was still uncalled for. Frustration and anger were taking over when they repeatedly passed the same tombs and gravestones.

It skyrocketed when they heard the screams of Maleny echoing from the tomb room she was in.

Klaus got himself on top of a nearby tomb, overlooking the almost infinite number of tombs, "MALENY!?" he screamed in an equal volume, anxiously scanning the area.

~ 0 ~

Maleny finally stopped screaming when the knife left her shoulder, and just in time to hear Klaus's call. Cara also heard and immediately turned around to the entrance of the room.

Maleny tried fighting out of her restraints, shouting back, "Klaus! Klaus, I'm here!" she relentlessly called, "I'm here! Please, I'm here!"

Once Cara checked the immediate perimeters of the tomb, she returned with a clean smirk on her face, "He's nowhere to be seen. There's a spell in the air," she set her hands on the edges of the table and studied the oozing blood dripping from Maleny's arms, "I believe the sacrifice of Klaus Mikaelson's child is about to he begin."

"What?" Maleny frowned, "That's not possible, Hayley's not due yet."

"And yet here we are," Cara smiled wickedly, "There's a spell cast to keep unwanted visitors stuck in a maze, so the chances of being saved are very low," she had a good laugh, a sinister one at that, "Oh, if only they knew," she shook her head.

Maleny narrowed her eyes at the old woman, "Knew what?"

Cara came to a stop in front of her, "It wouldn't matter to you anymore, my darling. What I'd tell you would simply break your heart and for what? You wouldn't remember by tomorrow anyways."

Maleny let her head gently rest back on the table, no longer putting up a fight, "If the baby is here and in danger then I don't want to be saved. She's the priority."

"How heroic," Cara feigned a pout.

"Just because I probably won't be saved doesn't mean you'll get to live," Maleny informed with her own wicked smile, "because when Klaus eventually finds me, or my corpse, he'll know who to blame. And then you'll want to run. But running won't save you, none of you…" and she was 100% sure there would be revenge taken if she were to die again. She only wished she could be a part of it.

~ 0 ~

"Maleny! Mal! Maleny!" Klaus kept calling but the screams of said brunette had vanished minutes ago.

Elijah sighed, his patience barely a thin line anymore, "Klaus, stop, she obviously can't hear you."

"But she's here," Klaus dropped on his feet to the ground, "and we'll find her."

"Of course we will," came the assurance of a new voice, that of Davina, "because I know where she is," she strolled in confidently.

"How did you get in?" Elijah soon questioned the mystery and even glanced around her to see if there was a way around the maze that perhaps she'd left behind.

"I've paid my dues to the ancestors," Davina replied with hands on hips, "I can walk through the spell cast here."

"Can you undo it?"

"That is a problem I prefer not to get into, but no, I can't. But I can take care of Maleny on my own while you go to the baby," Davina assured.

"How do you plan taking down a coven bent on sacrifice?" Klaus demanded.

"I'm a Harvest Girl - with a plan," she smirked.

"Then get to it!" Klaus pointed for Davina to get a move on, "I can't possibly split myself into two and save my daughter and Maleny so I am choosing to trust you because I know your genuine care for Maleny," he also knew Maleny would never forgive him for choosing to go after her rather his own daughter. He was, unfortunately, going to follow Maleny's wishes and not put her above his daughter.

Davina gave a nod, for once on the same page with him, "Then let's split," she declared and started moving. She made it a couple steps ahead when she suddenly stopped and glanced back, "By the way, there is one loophole for this type of spell; a sire - as well as killing the witches."

"Davina this is no time to be cryptic," Elijah scolded her.

Davina just shrugged and gave a small point to something behind them. The two brothers looked back to find a very distraught and weary Hayley standing feet away from them.

"I want my daughter," she declared in a trembling voice, both of anger and tiredness. She remembered everything that happened during labor. She remembered the girls and Genevieve taking her daughter from her right before killing her without mercy. They needed to die, and they would.

"How are you here?" Elijah was baffled by the sight.

"I woke up in the church. I felt this hunger…" Hayley placed a hand over her flat stomach, "...I knew what I needed. I can feel her. She's here. I can feel my baby."

"You died with the baby's blood still in your system," Klaus began to piece the puzzle together, "She's in transition."

"Which means she has to drink the blood of the child if she is to survive," Elijah said, feeling uneasy about that idea.

"To be reborn a hybrid."

Hayley sighed, thinking all this as a waste of time, "I don't care about me. I'm gonna go find our daughter," and she went on her way before either brother could say something more.

~ 0 ~

In no time had Davina reached the Dawson's tomb property and was just in time to see the sacrifice begin, "STOP!" she yelled.

"Davina!" Maleny exclaimed, stunned to see her coming to the rescue.

The entire living Dawson bloodline stood inside the room and promptly turned their attention to the young witch interrupting their sacrifice. Riley, who stood by Cara, went around the table to greet their new visitor, "Welcome, Davina, come to see the show?"

Davina gritted her teeth angrily and balled her fists, "I knew there was something bad about you."

"You know what they say, it's always the quiet ones," Riley shrugged and flashed a brief smile.

"Davina, just go," came the pleads of Maleny from the table, "I know Klaus's baby is here too. Go help them instead. I don't want to be saved."

"Well tough," Davina straightened up, her voice firm, "because I'm here to save you whether you want to or not."

"You?" Riley lifted an eyebrow, "Against all of us?" he gestured with an arm to his entire family who stood with their hands towards Davina, prepared to battle.

"Me," Davina held her hands out towards them all, "against all of you," she declared.

"Davina," Maleny managed to get a word in before a fight sprung in the room.

~ 0 ~

As only a mother would, Hayley managed to find her newborn daughter within only minutes after arriving at the cemetery. And the moment she saw where her daughter was, her blood went cold - even if she was already technically dead, "NOO!" she screamed as Genevieve lifted a knife over the baby.

Elijah wasted no time in grabbing urn nearby which he then threw directly at Genevieve. Her hand was forced to drop the athame to the ground. The two young witches with her, Monique and Abigail, gathered together against the nearing intruders and brought in their ancestors to block the way.

"You fools!" Monique sneered, "To come against us in our place of power in our strongest hour? You don't face three, you face us all!"

The trio were able to see hundreds off the ancestors blocking their way, but it didn't discourage them from fighting against it. Klaus and Hayley took opposite directions to get near Genevieve at the altar while Elijah continued going straight against the ancestors. On her way, Hayley saw Genevieve picking up the athame again and rushed to stop her in a fist-sight. Hayley managed to win and knocked the knife out of Genevieve's hand.

On the other side, Klaus found himself cornered by the twins of Papa Tunde, the ones he himself killed so long ago. He was thrown into a tomb, shattering it to pieces, and landed on the ground.

Monique and Abigail weren't getting any weaker as they successfully blocked Klaus's and Elijah's way to the altar. Klaus had enough of the nonsense and broke off a spike from an iron fence. It was plunged through the ancestors and impaled Abigail against a tomb wall through the stomach. With the severed connection, Monique lost as well. She still attempted to get to the altar to finish the sacrifice herself when she was impaled next.

Genevieve was left.

And while she inflicted telepathic pain to Hayley, Klaus, and Elijah, she headed back for the altar to finish it once and for all.

"Nooo!" Hayley cried as Genevieve raised the athame with her free hand, ready to plunge it through the baby.

Then a gunshot was fired and Genevieve went down to the ground with a bullet through her head.

"I'm never one for revenge, but this was for my cousin," the newly transitioned Cami declared and lowered the gun she'd acquired on the streets, "and a little for myself too."

Hayley was then able to finally get to her daughter and take hold of her. Klaus went up himself to see if everything was alright with the baby, and when he was sure he was able to shift his attention to something else - someone else.

"Cami, how are you feeling?" Elijah was questioning the blonde with concern, the first thing he'd done was to check for the daylight ring she'd clearly needed to be outside.

"Well, to be frank, not very good," Cami looked around, "I woke up and none of you were there, which was to be expected since Hayley was going to be taken, but then I found Marcel and he gave me human blood...and he's pretty badly shaken, you know."

"He deserved it," Klaus declared as he joined them.

"I know, I know, but he helped me and he helped Davina get here. He also said he'd help Maleny, now that he really knows about her."

"I'm going to go find her," Klaus muttered and began his way down tombs.

"You don't even know where she is, brother," Elijah called and managed to stop Klaus, "Illusion or not, you don't know where the Dawsons reside."

"Then I will look through every damn tomb if I have to," Klaus declared and turned to start the task. Of course he would only focus in on where a fight was originating from through his hearing.

"I'll come with," Cami offered herself up fast, "I came here to help and if my cousin is still out there then I have to keep going," Klaus was in no mood to have disagreements so he simply nodded, "Be careful," Cami warned Elijah and Hayley, "Francesca is taking charge in the city and we're probably not on her good list. Plus, witches will be looking for your baby."

"We'll be fine," Elijah assured her and Klaus, "Go get Maleny."

And with that, they all split.

With the spell now broken, the cemetery was easier to navigate through. While Klaus wasn't able to tap into any loudness, he was able to pick up the scent of blood that easily led them to the correct crypt.

"Davina!" Cami called as she and Klaus went around the dead corpses on the ground of the entrance, "Maleny!"

"Maleny!" Klaus shouted and hurried down the entrance.

"Oh God," Cami saw Davina thrown on the ground, hopefully only unconscious, "Davina!" she rushed to the teenager.

"Maleny…" the name came out in a light breath from Klaus. His mouth went dry as he got view of the corpse laid over the table.

Maleny's chest was covered in dried blood, though fresh blood was still oozing out of her other cuts on her arms. It appeared a knife had gone through her chest which killed her. The rope that had once been around Maleny's body seemed to be ripped and dangled on the edges of the table.

"Davina, wake up," Cami shook Davina gently after knowing for sure the girl was still alive, "You have to tell us what happened here."

Klaus brushed a strand of hair from Maleny's face and for the first time in the day hr felt real tears welling inside his eyes. She'd come asking for his help and the one time he actually wanted to help someone...this happened. His daughter was saved, but Maleny was gone again.

"Davina, wake up, c'mon," Cami sighed as she relentlessly shook Davina.

"Forget it," snapped Klaus, taking one last look of Maleny before turning away from the table, "it's over."

"What?" Cami looked up from Davina, confused.

"Maleny's gone, the curse continued."

"No," Cami stood up and looked around, finding nearly everyone on the ground either dead or close to it, "She can't be gone. She isn't...Davina fought-"

"And she failed," Klaus interjected angrily, "I trusted the girl for once and look what she did?" he gestured to the catastrophic room, "Maleny was sacrificed and she's gone now."

"But she can't be..." Cami looked around the unconscious people on the floor, able to hear their heartbeats as proof of their life still being intact.

"Maleny was sacrificed, we lost!" Klaus shouted at her then also took a glance at the remainder of the living Dawsons, "and it's their fault..." he balled a fast.

Cami knew better than to keep arguing with Klaus when he was anger - and by now he was furious. For the first time he seemed heartbroken, and it was honestly a sight to see. In the silence, Klaus took his leave and never once looked back. But she knew what that eerie silence meant: revenge. He knew there were still people alive in the crypt and she was sure that a revenge plan was already forming in his mind. And it would be a cruel one. He would never let them die so easily.

Cami sighed and moved up to the table where her cousin laid dead. The more she looked at Maleny, the more tears pricked her eyes, "I'm so sorry, Mal," she sniffled, "I failed you," behind her, Davina began to stir awake, and overheard the words of Cami, "We should've done something more. I'm sorry. By now you're probably in the future, inhabiting some other body…"

"No…" Davina mumbled and fluttered her eyes open, "...Cami…" hearing her name, Cami turned around fast and returned to Davina, "...Cami," Davina slowly sat upright with Davina's head.

"Hey, it's alright, take it easy," Cami studied a small cut on the side of Davina's head, "What happened here?"

"I fought..." Davina let her eyes drift around the room as her memories rushed back to her mind, "...and I won."

"But Mal's dead," Cami helped her to her feet, "She was sacrificed again."

Davina went up to the table and studied the corpse of Maleny, however she didn't look sad like everyone else. Cami felt a bit indignant to see the girl smiling like nothing had happened.

"I did it," Davina proudly glanced at Cami, "I broke the curse."

"Okay, what are you talking about?" Cami demanded, "Maleny is dead. I'm looking at her right now!"

"No, you're looking at the body," Davina turned her attention back to the corpse, "Maleny Rowan, is very much alive," while Davina grinned Cami could only stare in confusion.

~ 0 ~

"You're sending her away?" Cami was in distraught watching Hayley pack clothes for her newborn daughter.

Cami brought Davina to the compound to explain what really happened. Unfortunately, Klaus was finishing up with some loose ends with Marcel and couldn't yet here the story. So, it was Elijah who was hearing what Davina had to say in the study room meanwhile Hayley took care of the baby.

"There's no other way," Hayley excused the idea everyone had agreed with earlier, "We infiltrated and we heard the remaining witches talk about the 'decree' of the sacrifice."

"So?" Cami raised an eyebrow, still not understand what possibly could take over Hayley to give up her own child.

"It was Esther," Hayley dropped a blanket to the ground as she turned to the surprised Cami, "Esther wants my baby dead and she'll have witches in the city on alert. My baby will become the prey for some ridiculous hunt game and I will not allow that!" by the time she finished there were tears in her eyes, "I grew up unloved and in a warzone. I'd rather die than let her go through the same things."

"Okay, I get it," Cami promised, "but about the 'dead' thing...did you…"

"A prick on the finger," Hayley mumbled and picked up the blanket from the ground, harshly folding it, "and a drop of blood, worst thing I had to do in my life."

"I know," Cami made a face as she thought of the first taste of human blood she had to take earlier, "not exactly the highlight of my day. But at least we're all okay now - in what fits."

"I'm sorry about Maleny," Hayley said after a moment of silence, "The little Klaus told us earlier was enough to...well…"

"Actually, there's something he really needs to know," Cami stepped forwards, "because we didn't lose."

Now it was Hayley's turn to be confused, "What? But he said she was sacrificed."

"I know, and that's what I believed in the beginning but Davina had a plan and she did it."

"Okay," Hayley sighed and placed the folded blanket on the bed, "you're going to need to explain everything."

"I think I can do a better job at it," Davina called from the doorway, still wearing her wide grin from the cemetery.

"And look who arrived," Elijah came up behind the girl with Klaus.

"I am in mood for such," Klaus declared and went on his way, "Marcel agreed to our terms, the stillborn was delivered and I healed him. Now we must give up our daughter for everyone to think she's dead-"

"You have to listen!" Davina came out of the room chasing the hybrid, "Listen!" she called but Klaus kept going, "I saved her!" she spilled there and then, "I saved Maleny, I swear I did. She's alive. I don't know where she is but she's alive."

Klaus stopped and turned around, his anger and pain still struggling to fade, "If I were you I'd watch your words because one wrong thing and I'll k-"

"And you'll kill me, yes I know," Davina let the comment pass without argument because she knew he was in actual pain, "but this is serious and I'm being honest. Maleny didn't die."

"Brother you should listen," Elijah urged from behind with the others, "I've heard what she had to say and believe me, Maleny lives."

Klaus wasn't one to listen to people a lot but if Elijah said Maleny was alive then he would trust his brother, "Talk," he told Davina.

Davina nodded, "Jackson got to me last night and told me about the disappearance. It took a while but I got the spell to work by morning. Still, I couldn't take the Dawsons without a plan so I had think - and then it was weird. It was an ancestor, she helped me. She helped me figure it all out."

"An ancestor helped you?" Klaus was beginning to lose that trust in Elijah.

"Look, I know what they did to your baby but for some reason one of them helped me figure it out. So Jackson and I got to work on it - and it worked. I went into the Dawson's tomb and went up against them all. It wasn't easy…"

"Take her down!" Riley ordered his remaining family with a scream.

Davina had managed to bring down numerous of the family members with mind pain but she knew eventually her own power would begin to fade against the entire family.

"No! No! Get away from me!" Maleny cried as she saw Cara nearing her with the knife in hand, "Get the hell away from me!" she wanted to be brave but in the end she was terrified for dear life.

Davina felt powerless against the cries of Maleny and just when someone managed to grab her arm a new sense of strength filled her surroundings. She felt an ancestor with her, not one of the Dawsons, but a very strong one - the same one who'd showed her the way. With it, Davina created a blow of powerful wind that slammed everyone against the walls - save for Cara and Riley.

"Davina!" Maleny couldn't help the cry she gave out when Cara raised the knife over her body.

"NO!" Davina screamed and thrust her hands forwards, slamming Cara had against the table which had consisted of the tools for the sacrifice. Cara's head was the first to make contact with the table making it difficult to survive the plunge.

Riley looked between his dead aunt and Davina, confused on his next moves. Davina, on the other hand, felt quite at home with her new ancestor buddy. Suddenly, Riley dashed for the fallen knife intending to finish the sacrifice himself.

"Get away!" Davina ordered and flung him to the ground, successfully knocking him out.

"Woah," Maleny studied Davina curiously, "what are you channeling?"

Davina felt the ancestor finally leave her and so hurried up to the table, ripping off the ropes with her bare hands, uncaring how many burns and pricks she received, "It's okay, I've got a plan."

"Davina what are you-"

"Davina, hey!" Jackson came running in with a young woman behind him, looking pretty lost, "I got one!"

"This is seriously not what I expected," a blonde woman gazed upon the room full of unconscious people on the floor with only mild surprise.

"Who's she?" Maleny frowned at the woman.

"We know how to break the curse," Davina declared with a wide grin, "It's more of a loophole but still a definite way to get out."

"You mean it?"

"Yes, you have to die in a human way at the hands of a human," Davina pointed at the young blonde, "and she's going to do it."

"Hi," the blonde gave a wave as she came up to the table, "You make one werewolf friend and you enter the world of magic."

"She's a good friend," Jackson assured as he ripped off the ropes binding Maleny, "and she's willing to do this for us."

"Thank you, Jackson," Davina said, "You can leave and go find your friends whom I'm sure need you a lot right now.  Hayley will be alright, I know it."

"Good luck," Jackson said to her and gave a nod to Maleny before leaving.

"Are you sure, Davina?" Maleny was sitting up facing the two women on either side of the table.

"Would you rather live in this body forever?" Davina countered with.

"No…"

"Then prepare to die," Davina motioned to the blonde to get the knife on the ground, "Now when you wake up, you'll be in your body. I have no idea where that may be but wherever you are, come home."

Maleny nodded, "Okay. And if it doesn't work-"

"It's going to-"

"But if it doesn't," Maleny raised a hand to stop Davina, "It's not your fault. It's no one's fault. It's mine for starting this stupid cycle."

"It's Klaus's fault for not turning you," Davina tried humoring through her sad smile and shiny eyes.

"I suppose, back then, he loved me too much," Maleny shook her head then paused, taking a deep sigh, "But if this doesn't work and I just...die, then when you see Klaus, tell him I...I'm glad he has his baby, because I know he'll get her back. Tell him that I'm happy for him. And..." she smiled to herself as she spoke her last words, "...I think I would've liked to have heard more of his pretty words for me..."

"But Mal-"

"One more thing," Maleny pointed at her warningly, "And this one's for you, Davina, if I do die, then consecrate this body here so that I can become an ancestor and look after Klaus' baby from beyond. She's not gonna have many ancestors on her side so I want her to have at least me."

"Mal," Davina sniffled as the woman continued to talk about such things.

"Promise me you'll tell Klaus all that I have said. Promise me."

"Okay," Davina finally agreed and nodded her head, taking a deep breath to begin their task. She looked over to Jackson's friend, "Okay, then, I'm going to chant the spell and you're going to, um, you're going to..."

"Kill me," Maleny sighed, "Yeah, get on with it."

The blonde finally picked up the knife from the ground and Maleny relaid herself back on the table. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, praying to everything she believed in that it would work. And it if it didn't, the only consolation she needed was that she would finally be free.

The blonde raised the knife while Davina fiercely chanted her Latin words, both ignoring the strong wind around them the spell caused.

The knife plunged down through the chest.

"You had some stranger murder her!?" Klaus nearly yelled at Davina, almost charging for her as well if Elijah had restrained him back.

"No!" Davina quickly interjected, "Well, yes, but...we didn't murder her, we...we broke the curse, didn't you hear? Maleny's alive."

"Don't ignore that," Cami quickly cut in, "Maleny is alive and we need to find her."

"But she could be anywhere," Hayley reminded, "How do we begin?"

"I volunteer to go," Cami quickly raised her hand, "Anywhere, I'm there."

"First we need to send the baby away," Klaus reminded, slowly recomposing himself from the story. He shook Elijah from him and started racking his mind for a perfect solution.

"Ooh, I can go," Cami blinked as if she'd just gotten an idea, "Ooh, yeah, this is good. Klaus, who were you going to call to take the baby?"

"...Rebekah," the hybrid admitted quietly, though received no complaints for the chosen.

"And I imagine she'll go somewhere far, like Europe?" Cami stepped towards him.

"I suppose so."

"Then I'll go too," Cami declared and looked back at the others who were staring at her waiting for an explanation, "Maleny can be anywhere and none of us have a way to get some spell to locate her. Rebekah will always need to be on the run which is perfect to find someone. I can go with her and look for Maleny there."

"And we can search here," Elijah was beginning to understand and agree with her.

"Here," Davina walked towards Klaus holding out Maleny's gold necklace, "I think, though I know I'm gonna regret it tomorrow, that you should hold onto this. She told me to tell you a lot of stuff in case she died but I guess now I don't need to because she'll be able to tell you herself when she comes back."

Klaus gently took the necklace into his hands and swallowed hard, "We need to get moving," he told the others and looked up, "Now," clearly he had no patience to wait for Maleny to show up and absolutely no one was going to call him out on it.

Maleny was somewhere out there and he intended to find her no matter what.

~ 0 ~

In a neatly-kept room with opened windows laid a dark brown coffin at the center. The top of the coffin was glass which allowed the viewer a clear look inside. It was there that Maleny opened her eyes in her original body. She was groggy but she saw the small, confined space she was crammed in.

She put her hands on the cover and tried pushing it up, "Hello?" she called, her voice cracked and almost a whisper from disuse. She realized the coffin was locked so she mustered enough strength to call again, "Hello!" she started hitting the glass to create noise and attention from whoever was nearby, "Someone get me out of here!" she managed to shout in a hoarse tone. She furiously hit the glass harder, "HELP ME!"