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witchersmistress · 7 months ago

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Rescuing Ann

Hello my beautiful darlings! I've been slacking and letting Ann and August fight amongst themselves. But I got them to work together. I'm not 100% certain how I feel about this so don't be surprised if I

Trigger Warnings: blood, violence, assault, smart ass remarks, chasing, fighting, stolen movie quotes clearly labeled

Word count: 2K

August”s POV

The broken glass crunched under my feet as I walked back into the building. My phone started to vibrate, pulling it out of my pocket and I answered it quickly “ Yes?” “ Sir, we have confirmation that Julian is going to be attacked today, by a group of men called the De Santis brothers. My blood ran cold. Charles, Brandon and Levi. They were absolutely ruthless men, who played twisted games in order to compete with their father.

“Sir, are you still there?” my second in command, Jace asked me. Releasing the breath I was holding “ Yes I'm still here, get a team ready, I'm going after her.” disconnecting from the call, I left the party and climbed into the black sedan that was waiting for me. Shooting a text off to an old number that I prayed was still active, hoping I wasn't too late to save her.

Ann’s pov

His chilling threat still clung to my skin, “You will pay for making me look stupid” he was on his third glass of whiskey as the driver pulled into a long driveway. Taking in a deep breath as i observed the house, it looked warm and inviting but the man who lived here was anything but, i know i was expected to go home with him but i’ll be damned if that fool thinks that he will be able to touch me, i’ll die before i let that happen. Stepping out the car I followed Julian inside, the front door locking behind me and trapping me inside. “Second bedroom on the right, go upstairs now” he spat at me as he made his way towards his liquor cabinet. Taking off my heels I jogged up the stairs and into that bedroom shutting behind me. Leaning my head back I took in a few deep breaths before peeling myself off the door and out of this damn dress. Sliding my arms out of the straps, I began to tug the dress over my head. I'll be damned if I ask Julian to help me. Tossing the dress to the floor in a mess of cabernet tulle, I moved over to the full length mirror and stared at my reflection. My strappy lingerie clung to my curves, dark hair falling down my back, I looked and felt like a Goddess and the only man that I wanted worshiping at my altar was August. I wonder if I hold as much power over him as he does me. I let my glance linger for a few moments longer, before stripping out of those and climbing into a hot shower.

In comfy black pjs I was about to settle into bed for the evening when the door flung open to reveal Julian, standing my ground I waited for him to say something. “ You embarrassed me tonight, you know that, by letting the Walker hold on to you like a little lost puppy. It's pathetic really, but do you know how that made me look, that my wife-to-be is a wanton whore for an American CIA agent?!?!” he is practically foaming at the mouth. “I’d rather be his whore than your wife” Did i just quote the Titanic at him yes i did. I turned around to walk away from him, but he reached out and grabbed my still damp hair and pulled me back to him. Scream and clawing at the hand that held my hair, he spoke is a dark tone “ If you want to act like a whore that is how i am going to treat you do you understand me” the hand that was holding my hair lowered, i turned my head and bit him like a rabid dog “ You fucking bitch” he snarled as punched me in the gut and i stumbled back into the frame of the canopy bed, landing against it with a heavy and my head with a sickening crack. My vision was fuzzy for a few moments but I got my bearings and stood on shaky legs, ready to face him.

“ I could do this all day” I taunted him, yes I quoted Captain America, leave me alone. Wrapping a hand towel around the bite on his hand, he just smirked. “ You think you're funny?” I cocked my head “ I think I’m adorable” he sneered and lunged at me, skirting around him so he crashed into the bed, I tripped and landed on my ass, such a clumsy thing. This felt like a sick and twisted game of cat and mouse, but I'd be dead if this kitty cat caught me. Staggering into the hallway, I braced myself as Julian came charging out, and grabbed my waist. I whipped my head back crashing straight into his nose with a satisfying crunch and it began to gush like a fountain. With a sharp jab to his gut he stumbled back and towards the stairs, he grabbed my shirt and pulled me with him as we went down the stairs. Breathing hurt, moving hurt, everything fucking hurts. Shoving Julian off me, I struggled to my feet. When the patio doors burst open and three men dressed in black and came charging in with guns pointed. Julian sprung up from the floor and wrapped an arm around my throat “ Who the fuck are you?” he hissed at the men.

One of them laughed like an absolute lunatic. “ Wow I knew you were dumb but I didn't expect you to be that stupid. We are here for you dumbass” one of the other goonies moved at the speed of lightning and rushed at him. He threw me to the side to protect himself, stumbling on my feet. I bolted for the patio door when I was snatched by the third goon. “Easy poppet, we wouldn't want to hurt you know would we?” he sneered, his breath reeking of whiskey and cigarettes. I audibly gag as he continues to breathe on me as he secured my hands behind my back with zip ties.i could feel them biting into my skin, the big goon laughed as i attempted to rub my wrist together to relieve the pain “ What's wrong? Cant handle a little bondage?” he wiggled his eyebrows at me, disgusting pig. I spit in his face and he was pissed, he punched me in the stomach with full force, doubling over in pain he grabbed my head and slammed it off the counter. Fuck now i really was seeing stars, i could feel warm liquid pouring down my face “ Charles” one of the shadows snapped “ Leave her be, she has no part of this” i laughed out loud, i clearly was losing my mind as Charles pushed me into a chair “ Charles, you fucking name is Charles? Jesus, you must have been such a mama’s boy eh Charlie boy” i cackled and threw my head back with laughter. If I was going to die tonight might as well have the last laugh. Charles was seething “ You better watch your fucking mouth or i’ll make you sorry you ever opened it” he walked towards, his keeper and Julian. One day I am going to learn to shut my goddamn mouth but today is not the day.

Snorting loudly as my vision became blurry and my head began to spin. “ With an attitude like that, you must have to tie up all your girls to get attention. Even then you probably have a hard time satisfying them with that tic tac in your pants you call a penis. Oh sweet baby jesus, i did it, his control snapped “ Charles no” julians goon screamed as he spun around and came right for me, tackling me to the ground, my head met the ground with a snap and the chair broke under our combined weight as he reared back and clocked me in the face, spitting the blood at him, i smiled as my eyes crossed. Well I clearly was on death’s door as I heard more voices and I vaguely saw the blue eyes of my savior, August. He grabbed my face and talked to me. “Ann dont you dare, keep your eyes open. Look at me” he growled, I forced my eyes open for the last time. I smiled at him as blood dripped from my mouth “ Déjame ir” Let me go. Uttering my last goodbye as he drifted further and further away from my vision, his voice blending in with the white noise in my head, I closed my eyes for the last time.

Unknown POV

He called me and made me promise that she wouldn't get hurt. I was a fool to make a promise. I thought I could keep her safe. I raced back into the formal dining room but I was too late. Charles had her laid out flat on the floor and he was beating her. I whistled at my other guy who dropped Julian’s unconscious ass like a sack of potatoes and raced over to help me pull Charles off of her. “ Charles no, we need her alive” he was foaming at the mouth and he was struggling to get out of our hold. He was so desperate to get to her, to finish what we started as she was on her side choking on blood. Charles grunted and went limp in our arms, I looked over my shoulder and saw him. The person who begged me to protect her, someone I was equal parts terrified and proud to call my brother, August Walker. He ran to her and tried to get her to stay awake, but as she slipped away into the night, he looked back at me, his eyes full of murder. I may have been his brother but I was most certain that I wasn't going to survive the night.

August’s pov

pushing passed Levi and Brandon, knowing I'd deal with them later, I scooped you into my arms and took off.

*a few hours later*

Pretty sure I've worn a groove into the floor waiting to hear from the surgeon. They rushed you into immediate surgery upon our arrival and that was several hours ago. Sitting down, I hung my head. Already tormenting myself if you didn't make it. “Hey” a voice started me, looking up to see Levi holding out a cup of coffee to me. I smiled softly and took it from him. He sat besides, bouncing his leg impatiently. “August,” he began but I cut him off. “Don't,” I said, “ I will deal with him accordingly.” He nodded as he looked down at his cup of coffee.

“Mr. Walker?” A petite nurse called. Standing up I walked over to her. “ They just finished up the surgery, if you would follow me” I glanced back at Levi and he nodded as I walked with the nurse. She pointed to your room, and I thanked her. I expected to walk in and see you awake and talking but you weren't. You were still hooked up to machines. A tube was breathing for you. I wanted to scream, I wanted to rage. The surgeon rambled on about what they did and your prospective recovery. Walking over and grabbing your hand. Your hand was warm in mine, I squeezed it but there was no response. “ How long until she wakes up?” I asked him as I watched that machine breathe for you.

Clearing his throat “ I’m sorry Mr. Walker” he started i stared daggers at him waiting for him to continue “ She went through a long surgery and we almost lost her. Her brain has severely swollen so we placed her in a medically induced coma to help heal her brain '' I don't know if there was a disconnect in my brain but I wasn't clearly understanding. Levi stood in the doorway with a heavy sigh he just looked at you “ In plain terms Doc” he muttered and the dr turned towards him and nodded “ Mr. Walker, i'm not sure if she will ever wake up” my knees buckled from the weight, she may never wake up..

#henry cavill #henry cavill imagine #henry cavill characters #august walker #august walker imagines #august walker fanfic

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it-happened-one-fic · 1 year ago

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Play the Fool - Dottore (Part 3)

Author's Notes: I've finally figured out how many fics it's going to take for me to finish this unplanned series. Just like the previous parts, I listened to "Black Sea" by Natasha Blume while writing this. Reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Mer-Dottore/ Merman AU/ gender-neutral reader/ I'm not gonna label this as fluff since that doesn't feel quite right, but know that it's NOT angst, yandere, or anything like that

Word Count: 1468

Trigger Warning: Discussion of past crimes including murder (Dottore), Fatui are generally shady

{Part One} {Part Two} {Part Three: You're Here!} {Part Four} {Part Five}

EDIT: Entire series now available on AO3! (link deleted due to glitches)

My cover job of cleaning Dottore’s tank was slippery work, but I’d managed to get some of the Fatui employees to bring over yet another, curiously identical wheeled tank for me to dump the green gunk that the harbinger had concocted into.

I clambered out of the newly cleaned tank, glancing around and noting that there was no one left in the room save for myself. Which was exactly what I needed, but was also very suspicious.

I couldn’t help but feel that this was all going a little bit too smoothly. But I also didn’t really have a choice but to accept it, at least for now. So I went ahead and flipped a heavy black tarp over the tank’s open lid to help with both the scent and the generally revolting appearance of the green algae.

If I were lucky or if someone really was behind the scenes, then the rest of the headquarters would be equally barren while I wheeled Dottore out under the guise of the trash that I now pushed in front of me.

I stopped next to Dottore’s tank, tapping it lightly to let him know it was just me before I reached over to shift the tarp. In response a webbed hand appeared on the glass. Dottore himself remained lying sluggishly on the bottom of the tank. The twitching of his blue fins was the only sign of life.

I frowned at the sight of him, pausing in my motions to look worriedly into the tank. He barely moved, but somehow I could feel his gaze shift to me. He made no motions to communicate or rush me. Instead he only pulled his hand back into a more relaxed position and remained laying, the gills in his side fluttering tiredly.

He reminded me of some of the less-than-healthy fish I’d seen in pet stores before when I’d looked into possible ways to care for him when I’d first been given my job. Then, I’d been more fascinated by him, though I’d still maintained a careful distance that made my current actions laughable.

But I’d always been less afraid of him than the scientists and I’d always viewed him as more than just a fish, unlike some of the other Fatui that came and went.

After all, no mere fish could incur quite so much horror in people nor could it kill quite so easily. There was always a cleverness to the merman that was decidedly human in the most malevolent way possible.

I was torn between offering words of reassurance and staying silent. A cold part of me argued that he was a horrible man who’d killed numerous scientists solely in the name of revenge and seemed to take a certain degree of delight in it. While they had betrayed him, two wrongs didn’t make a right, and who knew what all horrors this man had committed in his past scientific tests.

The other, more sympathetic part of me argued that he was a captive, treated little better than a discarded pet or scientific oddity that was known to be dangerous but also viewed as less than human.

I pursed my lips, my hand remaining on the glass, and the words slipped from my mouth as the more sympathetic side of me won over, “ I know you’re uncomfortable, but hang on just a little bit longer. We’ll be out of here and back at my home soon, and then I’ll at least be able to get the lid off this thing. Maybe then you can recover from whatever that gunk you created has done to you.”

He shifted, almost like he was trying to roll over to better look at me when I spoke. But I didn’t linger to watch his reaction. He needed action more than kind words right now. So instead of continuing to comfort him awkwardly, I stood and hurriedly shifted the tarp over to where he was before moving the algae filled tank off to the side.

Now, at a mere glance, people would hopefully assume it was just his tank and not go near it for fear of his past behavior.

I grasped the handles that stuck off Dottore’s tank and inhaled deeply before taking off down the hallway. Moving at a brisk pace that made it look like I was busy, but not like I was rushing. I couldn’t afford to get stopped by any suspicious Fatui now.

Something told me pushing a tank holding the former second of the harbingers would be frowned upon and lead to a not so pleasant end for me.

The halls were worryingly but also blessedly empty, making me frown even as I continued on the path of our escape. I was certain now, there was someone else involved in this little escape plan.

By playing the fool with both Dottore and Pantalone I was no doubt playing exactly into someone’s hands. But I was far enough down this path that I certainly wasn’t going back.

Clever, Dottore had called me. More like stubborn.

And, unsurprisingly at this point, our escape was a success. No one even tried to stop me as I left the Fatui base and turned down the path that went to home. In fact, one of the final guards we’d passed, Makism I believed his name was, had even waved.

I hadn’t paused until I had reached my home which was provided and paid for by Fatui higher-ups and thereby incredibly, but uncomfortably close to their headquarters. Because if nothing else, the Fatui paid their employees well. Even if said employee just took care of the mysterious and revenge-driven merman who served as both a terror, curiosity, and maybe even a warning.

It was almost distressing to be bringing this man, who could kill me the very second I opened his tank’s lid, into my home. But I did so. Grimly opening my door and pushing the tank into the building and then directly over to the secondary bathroom that I never used.

I yanked the tarp off, letting it flop down to the cold floor in a most condemning fashion as I looked at the locks on the tank’s lid. It was not the first time I’d realized exactly how risky of a plan this entire ordeal was and on what uneven ground me and Dottore were on.

He was far more dangerous than I and, if he so wished, he could easily get rid of me. I was relying on the idea that I was necessary to his survival, but how true that was I didn’t know.

After all, if he did kill me then Fatui would no doubt take one look at the fact that he’d gone missing on the very same day that would coincide with my death and draw one, not entirely wrong conclusion.

That I’d stolen their merman.

After that it wouldn't be hard to manipulate those scientists, ever eager for some new, grandiose finding, that I’d stolen from him because he knew something. Dottore would ensure that they kept him alive for that much longer by simply killing me. An act that I knew he would have little to no difficulty with.

My hand rested on the first lock as I stared blankly down at the metal. A single shift of my wrist and the lid would open and I would be risking it all by doing exactly what had landed me in this mess in the first place.

But, despite all the risks, the locks clicked open and I pushed the lid off, letting it fall to the floor with thud as I looked down into the water.

Dottore’s tail slid along the bottom of the tank from where he looked up at me like he was ready to spring out at any moment. He still looked weak, but I had no doubt that he could do far more damage than he let on.

And that was exactly why I was surprised when he uncurled and stretched his way up to the top of the tank.

I stepped backwards, my eyes never leaving him as he easily cut through the water’s surface, his fins wrapping around him and before fanning back out as his long, webbed fingers curled over the glass edges of the tank.

“Clever and efficient,” The words slipped from his lips and I found myself going still. I wasn’t, as of yet, used to him talking yet and his sonorous voice still caught me off-guard. Calling to mind old folk stories of merpeople using only their voices to tempt their prey closer and thereby foolishly condemn themselves to a watery death.

“It seems I was right to choose you,” A smile spread across his face and I felt myself, foolishly and despite everything, relax.

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estro-gem · 10 months ago

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Zooble x Pomni (Platonic): Build the bridge to burn another.

Author's note:

Friends! Friends friends friendsfriendsfriendsfri-

Okay, now that that's out of my system, I present to you; probably the most unpopular pairing to exist in this fandom! In this AU, I've always seen them being very good friends that will insult each other to their hearts content. Neither backing down or holding back and definitely no false pretension.

I might be one of the few who supports this pairing. Zooble has no time for bulsh*t and Pomni is continuously losing her sh*t.

It's perfect, I tell you, PERFECT👌

And finally, Caine is mentioned in more than two sentences. I'm not going to go beyond what I'm about to say: It's a slow start. Interpret it any way you want. :)

That is all.

Warnings:

Not recommended for minors or readers that are sensitive about mental illness, psychotic episodes and existentialism. This story also contains ANGST:

Psychotic episodes

Dissociation

Depressive episodes

Suicidal thoughts

Triggers

Foul/suggestive language.

Fun fact: I almost sent myself down a very dark, familiar hole while writing about Pomni's mindset. I'm ok, though!

SUMMARY:

Pomni is having a hard time after an interesting and revealing conversation she had with Caine. To make matters worse, the jester is pushed to her limit by Zooble's shameless, apathetic mannerisms. She would never understand why they suddenly wouldn't leave her alone, after weeks of receiving the cold shoulder.

BUILD THE BRIDGE TO BURN ANOTHER

Pomni was frozen in place as she desperately tried to wrap her head around the situation that she found herself in.

It was a tough morning leading up to this point, having had little-to-no sleep the night before. It was odd; everyone kept telling her that she technically didn’t need sleep and sustenance, but she felt tired. She was exhausted to say the least. It came to a point where her new life was just floating by with each passing moment, as if she was a mere spectator.

At least, it made things easier to move along, only to start off with the next thing.

The night before, Caine, the ringmaster himself, pulled Pomni aside. She didn’t know if she’d ever get used to the fact that he looked like a pair of glass eyes that were accidentally misplaced in a set of dentures, but beyond that; he had thoughts and opinions, like a human had. It was hard to believe that he was one of the few individuals that she interacted with daily, that weren’t human, but advanced A.I.

While it was miracle, he was horrifying, like a monster from an episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog.

How did she recall a television show, but not her own name?

“Pomni! How is our newest member of The Amazing Digital Circus adjusting to her brand-new life in the Digital Plain?” He enthusiastically spoke, like the showman he was programmed to be.

“Uh…” poorly.

There was no question about it; she was adjusting poorly, but she didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, “I’m alive… I guess?”

“Why wouldn’t you know… you are right!” Caine triumphantly bellowed, before leaning in too close for the jester’s comfort, “At this rate, you just might beat the record of characters who held out the longest without dying when they first arrived.”

“Wait a minute!” the fool interrupted him just before he could say anything else, “We can die here? Like, pushing up daisies? Final breath and all?”

“Of course, you can! Once your health bar runs empty, you die.” Caine said with an inappropriate amount of chipper.

Pomni felt something foreign rise withing her chest. It felt like hope, with an overwhelming, bitter aftertaste of mind-numbing dread. She found her mind darting to a very dark place – a place she never thought to find herself in. If death was an outcome in this world… and others have died before her…

Did she find an escape, after all?

“Don’t look so disturbed, my dear.” Caine’s light pat on her shoulder ripped her back into reality, as his touch, although artificial, left her flinching into herself. He seemingly paid her reaction no mind. “It will only be a for a few moments! After that, you will respawn and stumble your way back into the position you were before you died – or well, sometimes you’ll respawn a few feet away from that position, but my point still stands!”

The foreign feeling within Pomni instantly dissipated into a bland numbness. Of course, there was a respawn mechanic; how could she ever believe otherwise? In her excitement, she didn’t even consider the logistics of the other characters still being there. Caine’s statement about ‘’holding out for the longest’ suddenly made more sense, but she didn’t like that it did.

There truly was no escape from The Amazing Digital Circus.

Caine’s interrogative questions didn’t end there, but she couldn’t remember much anyway. She vaguely remembered that the ringmaster asked her if her room was to her liking and if she had made any friends so far. His questions were interluded with a monologue following each short answer she gave. She was sure to answer whatever it took to get away and hide in her room as soon as possible.

As it came to be, the jester soon realized that it was foolish for her to have thought that she would be able to keep up a normative façade for that long.

It was an effort to swim through the stale molasses that her mind had become in such a short time.

At one point, she didn’t bother responding, but for a moment, something had her believe that Caine’s tone eventually lost its enthusiasm and greatly decreased in volume. Maybe, at one point, he just stared at her with some unseen form of disdain, but she wouldn’t know – she was too far withing the depths of her mind’s molasses; drowning.

Drowning with the inability to die, forever preserved in the heavy sludge.

Unable to swim up for air. Unable to degrade into the depths.

And yet…

Caine somehow managed to pull her back for brief moments that were long enough for her to have a series of small, fleeting, but coherent thoughts. It was ironic that the showman managed to gain the most attention when growing silent and unenthused. If Pomni had known any better, she would believe that he was being empathetic; helplessly dragged down by the jester’s empty husk that simply chose to stare back at him.

But Pomni did know better.

The ringmaster was probably programmed with a series of reactions and animations in response to people not following the prompt that he gave. She didn’t care at the time, and she doesn’t care now. An A.I. couldn’t feel anything… and at that moment, Pomni hated the fact that she could empathize with Caine too.

She couldn’t feel anything.

SHE COULDN’T FEEL ANYTHING.

It took a moment for Pomni to realize, but Caine was suddenly gone. She couldn’t tell how much time had passed, but she found herself alone in the uncomfortably large common area. It should have been unnerving just how quiet it suddenly was, but the numbness clung to damper the little fool’s emotions.

She looked down at her hands and flexed her fingers before her mind could command them to do so. It was as if she was separated yet housed within her own body as a spectator. Her legs started moving, but she didn’t know or care where they were taking her. She just knew that she was moved by her body’s own tuition.

The hallway leading to their rooms slowly came into view. It was small, but a comforting feeling gently caressed Pomni’s otherwise distant heart. She was finally able to collapse in her room!

She walked down the hall with no thoughts beyond whatever came into view.

The sounds of struggling and inhuman screaming didn’t phase her too much, until her slow mind comprehended that Jax was fighting and thrashing in retaliation for being intimately intwined with the ribbons of Gangle.

The jester had never seen the smug rabbit act as he did then. He was beyond himself – as mindless as a brick – and desperate. It was unmistakable that he was desperate as he relentlessly fought and reached for the door in front of him. His pupils were blown, and his jaw was slack, causing only the tips of his teeth to gleam in a menacing taunt. The rabbit’s body was practically bulging as the limbs fought against the mighty restraints, but only able to occasionally have his claw nick the door before him.

The door was littered with deep gashes that left small trenches within the sold wood. There were splinters and wood shavings laying at the foot of the door, while long, spindling spirals sprouted from the flat surface. Additional to the craving into the wood, the profile hanging on the front of the character’s room was also assaulted.

Three ugly gashes ran down Ragatha’s face.

It was only a matter of moments before the fighting evolved into the quiet sound of panting and incomprehensible, murmured whispers.

Finally… FINALLY, the confusion sparked Pomni’s mind back into action and she was met with Gangle’s displeased reaction upon spotting her. She dragged Jax down the hall to disappear into her room, followed by Ragatha leaving her room to inspect the damage to her door as if nothing was wrong. The conversation the girls had, was only effective in highlighting two things that Pomni already knew.

Ragatha was delusional beyond help.

Pomni had enough for one day.

While sleep didn’t claim her that night, the little jester’s quiet, dark room was welcoming.

…

Morning came too soon for her liking, and while her mind was clearer than the night before, Pomni’s motivation to get up and leave the confines of her room was unfounded. She did eventually leave to find herself idly waiting in the main area, but she couldn’t understand why.

There was no aim – there was no goal.

There was no end and there was no point in anything. She never thought that she would long for the privilege to say that she would simply live until the day she died. There was no end. She would live this life day after day, for eternity, with no purpose.

It was an endless desert with no end to its borders. Only the merciless sun in the empty sky, with sand dunes that stretched into the ether of the unseen horizon. Growing taller and taller, the dunes loomed over Pomni, who was sinking into the golden sand.

It was then, when a soft voice shook her to her core, effectively ripping her out of her own mind. Pomni was left frozen in the situation she found herself in.

“You really opt to live on the edge, huh?” Zooble spoke with a bemused tone as she stood behind Pomni, with her weight shifted onto one leg.

The jester didn’t mean to, but she swung around so fast, that she lost balance and stumbled forward. She knocked into Zooble before they could react, and they both ended up sprawled out on the floor. Profusely apologizing, Pomni got to work. literally picking up the pieces of Zooble, who’s only complaint was an eyeroll. The little fool’s mind was rushed into a blind panic. She didn’t know how to comprehend the situation; if the abomination fell apart on a regular basis or if it was painful? Traumatic?

“I’m so, so sorry!” Pomni said, cringing as she held the arm and leg out to Zooble, hating how they still wriggled and resembled someone’s touch despite being severed from the body.

“Ugh, would you quit it?” the Zolo-being scoffed, “You totally ruined the vibes-”

“I know! I- I don’t know what came over me, I just lost balance and-”

“Ok, first of all…” Zooble cut off Pomni’s rambling as they stood up having been reassembled once again, “…you don’t interrupt me. You got that, pipsqueak?”

Pomni nodded, “I’m sorry, I-”

“I’m still not finished.” the colourful character interrupted again, with an annoyed, yet even tone. At that time, Pomni reluctantly kept silent as Zooble continued, “Second of all, I can’t be mad at you being a klutz when I literally fall apart every day. Forget about it. Lastly, the vibes I was referring to, was the depro schtick you got going on before. I was digging it, and you went and ruined it.”

There was a silence that stretched for a moment, as Pomni left enough room for Zooble to add whatever they wished without risking being interrupted again.

“Earth to Pomni?” The Zolo-being waved a hand in front of Pomni’s face, “You good?”

“May I speak now?” Pomni spoke without thinking – her tone a little too hostile for her own liking.

The creature huffed a laugh, “Yo, I like this! Do more of this.”

“More of what?”

“You! More of you!” Zooble shook their head while seemingly getting lost in thought, “You actually have a personality beyond ‘I’m sorry!’ and ‘Woe is me!’”

Something about what Zooble said flipped a switch in Pomni. It was an ugly switch.

Pomni felt the fright and frazzle melt into bitter distaste for Zooble’s implications. Before she could count her words, it just slipped out without warning. She noticed her surprising and unannounced sarcasm a bit too late after the words left her, “Oh geez, thank you! That’s such a thoughtful thing for a rejected arts-and-crafts project to say!”

“Wait, WHAT?” Zooble cried out like a kid in a candy store, before laughing with genuine glee, “Depressed AND sassy? Girl, where have you been?”

Pomni pushed away the urge to apologize for what she said before. Instead, she was dumbstruck with just how… happy Zooble seemed with the situation, “…What is wrong with you?”

This place was demented! These people – if she could even call them that at this point – were all insane. The jester had enough. She didn’t want to be there anymore. Things just HAD to continue in the Digital Ciircus, didn’t it? The show must go on, mustn’t it? Well, Pomni didn’t want a part in it! She just wanted to be somewhere else. She wanted to be something else.

She’s had enough.

She decisively turn on her heels and walked away to spare whatever sanity she had left. It felt good to be MAD. She had reason to be ANGRY and it felt GOOD.

“Wait, Pomni wait!” Zooble stopped her laughter to catch up on Pomni’s strides, “Where are you even going?”

“Anywhere that’s far away from all of you!”

“And you think I’m gonna pass up a chance to ditch?” Zooble walked beside Pomni, who refused to look up at her, “Why are you so triggered anyway?”

Pomni rolled her eyes when she left the tent and sighed in exasperation at the sound of Zooble hot on her tail, “Oh, am I supposed to thank you for calling my personality one dimensional?”

Pomni had no idea where she was going, but she was going somewhere.

“The ‘woe is me’ thing? You know I mentioned two things, right? So that would probably make you…” Zooble sounded much too pleased with herself for Pomni’s tolerance to stand, “…2-dimensional?”

Pomni stopped the throw Zooble a filthy look before eyeing them up and down, “You are unbelievable.”

“And you’re more chill than I thought.”

“What about me WALKING AWAY and wanting to BE ALONE, makes you think that ANY of this is ‘chill?’”

“Well, for one; you are finally done hiding behind that meek little mask of yours.” Zooble said almost accusingly, causing Pomni to stop, but not turn around to look back as Zooble continued, “You grew a pair to finally show just how DONE you are with this place.”

Pomni turned around, “What does it matter? Whether I try to be nice… whether I’m angry or sad – it doesn’t change anything! We are trapped here, and you people just go about your day singing kumbaya?”

“Who knew you’d be this spicy.” Zooble said with a taunting smirk, watching Pomni pour her heart out like it was a comedy show.

“You are insufferable!” Pomni accused, walking up to the Zolo-being and poking them harshly in the chest to emphasize her point. When Zooble didn’t react, she growled and walked off as she did before. She still didn’t know where she was going, but she was too overwhelmed to stop.

Stubborn, as always.

Much to her demise, the character walked after her, unbothered and silent, as if they were simply enjoying a stroll in the green, rolling hills. The jester didn’t bother looking back again. There was no way to leave this realm, anyway; and she highly doubted that Caine would leave her roaming as she pleased for an indefinite amount of time. She was sure he would just summon her at will.

Until then, she would allow herself to breathe.

In any other scenario, Pomni would have allowed her thoughts to drift along the rolling hills she was walking among, but she was too distracted by her outburst. She was climbing a hill, not knowing what she would find on the other side, but she also didn’t want to stop either. Her own resilience was like a puzzle with jagged pieces for her to put together. She was driven to push through obstacle after obstacle, even though she knew – she knew – it was pointless. She was standing with the weight of the world pulling her down.

Why?

The little fool didn’t receive and answer, but she did make it to the top of the hill she was climbing. Standing under the smiling sun, Pomni looked over the vast landscape beyond her vantage point. Her eyes were spoiled with the sight of a great, but quiet lake. She couldn’t remember what real lakes looked like, or most things related to nature, but sight before her felt like a blessing to her overstimulated eyes.

The jester felt her knees buckle, so she sat down in the grass that looked too green to be realistic, while her sights trailed along the silver lining that danced along the water surface. The small waves rustled onto the generous, sandy banks - Pomni’s ears were filled with the sounds of them trickling along the edge and she found the sights and sounds drowning the desperate screeching of her racing mind.

It wasn’t a moment of quiet, but it was a moment of peace that she desperately needed.

“So… you found the lake!”

…and the peace was ruined.

“Yup.” Pomni said with a hopeless sigh, “I said I wanted to be alone. This is a big area – did you HAVE to decide to be in MY space?”

“Is it really YOUR space?” Zooble countered apathetically, “If anything, it’s Caine’s space.”

Pomni regretted ever dreading any form of silence.

“I don’t think I’ll ever understand any of you.” Pomni shook her head in disbelief, “There is nothing for us here. Everything here is as endless as it is pointless.”

“Uh-huh.” Zooble stumbled beside Pomni, also fixating her eyes on the water surface.

“And yet you guys just keep… going… but you all aren’t even trying to make things tolerable for each other! You guys are a bunch of judgmental, two-faced jerks. On purpose!”

“Yeah.”

“Is that really all you have to say?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You seriously have no regard for your own self-respect?”

“No, everything you’ve said is true.”

Ponmi was struck by the statement Zooble threw to her head. Finally, there was silence, but the jester didn’t enjoy it this time. She turned to look at the abomination with shock. Zooble didn’t seem phased at all. They just kept sitting beside Pomni with a frustratingly difficult face (or lack thereof) to read.

“W- What?”

“You’re right.” Zooble simply says, “It’s torture. Not even abstraction is an out – you just get thrown into a black hole. There is no end to life here.”

The fool stayed silent as a morbid curiosity egged her on to listen. Zooble shifted meet Ponmi’s eyes as they spoke evenly.

“There is only an end to us.”

Time ticked away with the ripples of the water crashing onto the shore. The creature’s words blown into the fool, like a calm breeze. The words tumble and toss in Pomni’s mind, considering the seriousness and honesty Zooble used to deliver them. She finally understood what was meant with the statement.

While one person will live on, even after abstraction, the group will not. With someone already gone, the group that was situated had already been changed – it was no longer set. It no longer existed because someone irreplaceable was already gone.

It hurts to think like that.

“Okay.” Pomni said, glancing at the water once again, “But do you all have to act so demented? Hostile? Jax makes it his personal mission to make you guys into pin cushions. Gangle is either eerily quiet, obnoxiously giggling or crying her eyes out – no in-between. You don’t care about anyone except for Gangle, it seems? Kinger’s just… gone, until he’s not and Ragatha is so delusional about this place that she’s probably crazier than Kinger.”

“Fair enough to say that.” Zooble mused – her tone as dismissive as ever.

“Why?” Pomni pressed, eager to understand. Just a little bit of understanding would do her wonders.

“We all do what we have to do.”

Pomni sighed heavily, not at all understanding, “…Ragatha said that too. What’s with that?”

“Maybe she’s not as delusional as you thought.” Zooble jabbed back with more bite than Pomni expected. The jester reigned back a bit, while Zooble rolled their eyes at Pomni’s display.

“I doubt it,” she boldly disagreed, earning an interested look from Zooble, “…but she’s probably the only one who doesn’t hate me. It doesn’t even make sense that you would sit down to have a conversation with me while Gangle runs at the sight of me.”

“Why would Gangle’s opinion on you gatekeep whether I can hang out with you?”

“She’s your girlfriend!”

“Exactly.” Zooble states, as if hitting a nail into wood, “I’m not her parent, nor is she mine. She’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions, as am I. We are our own people with our own lives, we just want each other in them.”

Huh.

“So… what?” Pomni asked carefully, “Are we hanging out now, or what’s happening?”

“We chillin’, that’s it.”

They sat in a beat of silence before a wave of awkward tension built up within Pomni. It was supposed to be comfortable, she supposed, but it felt wrong to just leave the conversation as it was.

“So you don’t hate me?”

“I preferred it when you were pissed.” Zooble sighed, rolling their eyes for what felt like the thousandth time that day – and it was still morning, “No one hates you. We are just $%&($ terrified.”

Pomni furrowed her eyebrows, while the creature beside her reluctantly explained themself, “We lost one of our own and you just magically appeared on the same day. Can you blame someone for thinking that you seem like some type of replacement for someone who started asking too many questions? Do you know what Caine is capable of?”

Pomni shook her head as the words sunk in.

“Well…” Zooble huffed, leaning back on their palms that was planted behind them, “Welcome to the club, Harley Quin! Neither do we.”

The silence stretched longer this time. The air felt heavy, but Pomni began to see the strange method to her Circus members’ madness. She didn’t fully comprehend it all, but it felt comforting to have had the conversation – a real conversation, without hiding under false pretenses. Zooble saw her true colours – when she was at her worst.

The abomination didn’t even flinch, they went above and beyond to chase her down, delighted.

It was a relief.

Pomni huffed, leaning back onto her palms to match the posture of her new companion, “Harley Quin, huh? Was that the best you could come up with, Jumbo Blocks?”

Zooble sat up, leaning towards the jester with a mischievous sparkle in their eyes.

“Oh, it’s on, you %&@($ air balloon-cosplaying @$&@(!”

Unrestrained laughter chimed in the air as two freaks stared into the unforeseen horizon. For Pomni, the her ways of viewing her place in the circus, was ripped from beneath her feet in a single conversation. She was left on unstable ground.

Sand.

But for that small, precious moment, she was just happy to bicker with someone. They probably weren't enough to be considered friends, but they were together, sharing a space with no hidden intentions. She wasn't bothered with standing tall.

She was too short for that anyway.

Fanart kinda relevant to this story: (CLICK HERE TO SEE)

Oasis: TADC AU list

Masterlist

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sasha199 · 4 months ago

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Gale/ Wyll drama pt. 2

Y’all…this game hits different when your Tav is a stand in for yourself.

My sister and I are playing a multiplayer as ourselves, as sisters. I was romancing/flirting with both Gale and Wyll. I made a move on Lae’zel too but THAT ended in tears. Sister is pulling both Astarion and Shadowheart.

My sister finds me hiding behind Shadowheart’s tent, “Your boytoy wants to talk,” she says, squatting next to me.

I hadn't gone to breakfast this morning, and had overheard Gale pointedly remark about my absence. I wasn't in the mood to confront my feelings about, well anything, yet, so I decided to continue to make myself scarce. But it's hard to hide from a rouge.

“He’s not my boytoy.” I'm drawing with my fingers in the white sand, trying to make the frowny faces and squinty eyebrows of my stick figures evenly spaced. I hate how sullen I sound.

“Oh? Did someone else take that coveted title last night?”

I shrug, he hadn't used that term. Marlie looks at me a while longer, but when it's clear I have nothing more to say, she slips away.

Shadowheart peaks out from the back of her tent, "You know I have a perfectly good stool if you'd prefer to use that," her voice is as sweet and melodious as always, "I wouldn't mind the company."

"Thanks," I mutter, embarrassed, "but I'm, uh, drawing."

"Really?"

"Yes, look."

She doesn't. "Sasha, you're not that kind of bard."

I sigh, "I'll see you later." I scrub out my stick figures before I leave.

I half run, half crouch across the camp. Astarion might hide me...but he'd definitely mock me. I'm not in the mood to be mocked.

I dismiss Lae'zel immediately...we're not exactly on speaking terms after what happened at the creche. That leaves only one option.

“He won’t talk to me.” Marlie's voice is practically in my ear.

“What?” I ask breathlessly, I put my hand to my heart to quiet it's pounding, I'd just gotten settled behind Karlach’s tent. I can see fiery outline through the canvas.

“He only wants to talk to you.”

“I don't believe this.” A million butterflies take flight in my tummy.

She shrugs, “All he would tell me is that he’s been spoken for.”

“I didn’t speak for him.”

“What happened, Sasha?”

I hesitate. I'm not even sure. Gale had seemed to only want to talk about one thing since that terrible conversation with Elminster. I didn't want to hear him wax on about his "sacred duty" anymore, and I'd had enough conversations about Mystra to last me a life time. “I have to talk to Wyll.”

Marlie looks genuinely surprised, “Wyll? ‘Daddy’s boy’ Wyll? I didn’t know you needed a knight in shining armor, sis. Every time I see you you’re always drooling over the wizard’s monologues.”

“Well he won’t be monologuing much more when he triggers that orb.”

Her face goes soft, "You really think he’ll do it?"

"Everything always comes back to it." I feel hot tears prick in my eyes, "I don't know what to do anymore. I'm starting to think I just have to accept-"

“What are you two doing back here?” Karlach has discovered us, she's holding a singed teddy bear under one arm.

“Hiding,” Marlie answers unabashedly, “It’s my thing.”

“Well you’re usually a lot better at it. Sasha, Gale is looking for you.”

I blink until the tears dissipate. “I know.”

“Everything alright with you two?” Karlach puts a hand on my shoulder, I cover her hand with mine. “I know things are fraught right now, but he does care for you. I’ll never forget that “stimulation” speech he gave mid battle-“

“I’ve been trying,” Marlie says smirking, “who was it that told him to just ‘put it out there’ Karlach? ‘See what happens?’ “

“It’s good advice,” Karlach looks a bit redder than usual, “time is not on our side. Be brave, go get em, soldier.” She smacks me on the back.

I sigh and walk out from behind the tent. Marlie is right behind me, I don't see her when I look around, but I know she’s there.

I feel like I'm on display as I cross the camp. Shadowheart is kneeling at her tent entrance, head bowed in prayer, but I'm not fooled. As I cross the small rock bridge Gale looks up expectantly. I see him hitch in breath to speak…but I keep on walking…right next door and duck into Wyll’s tent…

#bg3 #gale romance #baldurs gate gale #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 tav #gale dekarios x reader #gale of waterdeep #baldur's gate 3 #baldurs gate smut #bg3 gale #wyll with a y #wyll ravengard #wyll romance #bg3 wyll

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fandomanimatic-tournament · 1 year ago

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Fandom song animatic tournament: Bracket 1 Side B

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

"Hung pictures of patron saints up on my wall To remind me that I am a fool Tell me where I came from, what I will always be Just a spoiled little kid who went to Catholic school"

Line Without a Hook - Ricky Montgomery

"Baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you I need you here to stay I broke all my bones that day I found you Crying at the lake Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden, oh And if I could take it all back I swear that I would pull you from the tide"

Remember that we're voting on how Iconic they are for ANIMATICS, not for the song itself. In order to make things fair, the tone and mood of the song should not affect how iconic it is (for example, a serious song should not be considered more iconic than a joke song just because it's serious)

Propaganda and animatic links of the songs under the cut:

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

Propaganda:

Its got that sick clapping for smooth frame changes, and it's got all the applications babeyy. Low self esteem hero? Sure! Sympathetic villain? You got it! Morally grey character? Come on in. "Make me love myself so that i might love you" can be about god, friends, a partner, a found family, you name it. "Dont make me a liar cause i swear to god when i said it i thought it was true" can be about anything. Your best friend is evil now? A betrayal?? A disillusioned hero??? "Neither of us will be missed" girlies i am peeing from how good this song is for angst.

"the st. bernard sits at the TOP OF THE DRIVE WAY" makes for a very cool and sexy shot transition. you seen the beau lionett animatic set to this?

tik tok picked up the audio a bit cause the drop into distortion is great, but also the vocals and imagery as they stand are excellent. there's at least four ace attorney ones alone and they all focus on different characters (Blackquill/Sahdmadhi, Klavier, van Zieks, and Edgeworth) and the van Zieks one was posted shortly before the official localization was released. also idk if it's on youtube but there's also one for bass.exe on tumblr which is also excellent

Animatics with the song:

Omori

Five Nights at Freddy's Michael Afton Animatic

3rd Life Impulse Animatic

DSMP Revivebur Animatic

The Owl House

Line Without a Hook - Ricky Montgomery

Propaganda:

This is song genuinely feels me with such raw and powerful emotion; I know it's kind of annoying to say a song "makes you feral", but. this song genuinely makes me feel feral. Pairing up a song that already makes me pretty emotional with ships/blorbos that already make me emotional is such a good mix that leaves me crying on my bedroom floor

Animatics with the song:

Ace Attorney

BNHA Kiribaku Animatic

Omori Hero x Mari Animatic

Adventure Time Bubbline Animatic

The Owl House Lumity

Please be cautious and read the title, description and warning cards on the animatic videos if you decide to watch them. If you've got specific triggers I'd recommend even more caution when watching animatics of fandoms you don't know, since sometimes canon-typical themes don't get warnings.

Please keep in mind that I don't know all the media and fandoms of the animatics provided as examples and I don't have the time (nor the will) to research them all. Don't come into my notes or my ask box complaining about them being included, I will simply block you. If a ship animatic included is about an adult and a minor, do tell me and I'll take it out of the post

ALSO keep in mind that I don't know all the artists submitted; in fact, even if I do know them I do not know absolutely nothing about them as people (I do not have twitter nor tiktok) and I could not POSSIBLY have the time to research ALL of the artists' controversies and what came of them so PLEASE don't flood my inbox with the artists' entire crime list.

#fandom animatic tournament #tumblr poll #tumblr tournament #tumblr tourney

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kiss-my-freckle · 4 months ago

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Full Episode Commentary

2x5: Kill or Be Killed

Gif posts relevant to this re-watch:

Stelena's argument 1x4 parallels

They open this episode with a flashback of Mason. Katherine pushed him to trigger his werewolf gene, and she did this similar to the way Damon set up Tyler's fight in 2x2. The important thing to know about this flashback of Mason and the truth of what Katherine did to him… is Damon's realization that he's no different than Mason. He ruined himself for her when he was just another toy. He's no different than Mason and Trevor. That's why Damon is done with Katherine. 2x1 was the full-blown scale of this realization, that's why he broke wide open and killed Jeremy. He didn't need Katherine to tell him that she faked her death for him to know that he died for nothing. Katherine levelled his ass. He became a vampire for nothing just as Mason became a werewolf for nothing. It was all for Katherine and whatever use she found in them. Damon's entire existence was a lie. So this is where things start to get interesting for Damon.

"He kept coming at me. He got in his head that I was sleeping with his girlfriend." Mason has absolutely no idea Katherine spearheaded his kill, but he is describing vampire compulsion while telling Tyler this story. Katherine not only got him to trigger his werewolf gene, she used his friend to do it. She had Mason killing his own friend in self-defense to trigger his gene. Like wow. She sent 26 of her friends to their deaths for the sake of faking her own, and she admits to doing it without blinking. She gets Mason to kill his friend in self-defense to trigger his werewolf gene. This woman is no joke. She doesn't care who they care about, she only cares about herself.

"On every full moon, I lose control. If I don't sedate myself and chain myself down, I'll kill anything in my path. You have to be careful. All it takes is an accident, a car wreck. Any death at your hands, and you'll have a lifetime of this. You don't want it Tyler, trust me."

So yeah, it's painful to watch Mason because you're getting Damon's truth at the same time. That's what makes this gorgeous. Damon has already reached this realization. Mason hasn't. Tyler continues to hide the moonstone because Mason lies like Stefan does. He's lying about why he wants the moonstone, so yeah… Tyler's keeping it for now. They cut to Jeremy and Elena. He's gonna be the reason Mason loses his moonstone because Tyler's gonna run his mouth to Jeremy. Jeremy and Elena are talking about Tyler being a possible werewolf. They don't know much about werewolves, so they're not sure what to think about him right now. Jeremy tells Elena it shouldn't be hard to figure out.

"There is no us. I said that I wouldn't keep things from you anymore. That doesn't mean that I want you involved in it. This is dangerous, Jeremy. You have to stay out of it, okay?"

What Elena wants and what Jeremy wants are two different things. This is "do as I say, not as I do" hypocrisy. That's why I love it when Jeremy leaves Elena's room just so Stefan can enter it. It's do as I say, not as I do hypocrisy. What Stefan and Elena are doing is dangerous. And if they think Katherine won't find out, they're nuts because she puts Stefan's stalking abilities to shame. She basically infiltrates Elena's house the way Damon infiltrated the council.

Stefan: Okay, how about this? Today, when we're fighting, if I say "I can't do this anymore, Elena", what I'll really mean is that I love you. Elena: And when I say, "Fine Stefan, whatever", well that means I love you too.

This scene of Stefan and Elena basically shows how most of their argument is real. Because yeah… the easiest way to fake an argument is to have a real argument. It feels less scripted that way. Look at me telling ya'll how to lie lol. They're basically pulling a Damon repeat through Katherine. When Jenna stabs herself, it parallels Damon force-feeding Elena his blood. "Fool me once, shame on you." Since I'm on the subject of lying, this is now the second season Stefan and Elena spend lying to someone. First season Damon, second season Katherine. So yes, Elena gets very good at lying. "You're gonna pretend to be a mother?" Caroline is such a bitch to her mother, but these are my favorite storylines for her… the ones with her parents. "You know, there's pretending to be a mother and then there's reality. Let's not push our luck, okay?" I can't believe this came out of her mouth. Like damn.

Whenever I consider Damon in his human life with Elena, I consider all of these Mystic Falls events. "I think you're the one that needs to watch his back." This scene Stefan has with Mason is similar to his scene with Logan. In threatening Damon, Mason threatened Stefan because they're brothers lol. Mason basically does to Stefan what Damon did to him. He shakes Stefan's hand, then prepares the attack… only Mason is intent on taking down both brothers. If he takes down Damon alone, he knows Stefan will kill him. That's why he involves Liz. Suddenly, the guy that doesn't involve himself in council business involves himself in council business to get rid of the Salvatores. Mason is actually risking himself in the process. All either of them have to do is open their mouths to Liz about him being a werewolf. Damon doesn't because he plans to kill Mason himself. The one thing you don't wanna do… is try to kill Damon's brother a second time and have him actually be there for it.

"Stefan, please tell me you don't seriously think a hand shake just solved our problem."

Stefan is pissed that he can't see Elena out in the open as he has been, that Katherine is affecting his relationship so much that he has to see Elena in secret. That's why he acts as if Katherine is Damon's problem when she isn't. Katherine forcing them to see each other in secret isn't Damon's problem. "So thank you, because we don't have enough problems." That's why I consider this comment from Stefan self-serving. Katherine isn't Damon's problem, and he's putting his issue with Katherine over Damon's issue with Mason. He doesn't care that Mason could kill them with a single bite so long as he can see his girlfriend out in the open, that's how ridiculous he is.

Katherine isn't Damon's problem. Not yet anyway. Stefan is just pissed that he can't see Elena out in the open. He's gotta be secretive about it. So what's gonna happen is Stefan is gonna help Damon with Mason and Damon is gonna help Stefan with Katherine. Then yeah… they're gonna combine for Jules to save Caroline. Damon doesn't consider Katherine his problem until she has Jenna stab herself. Then he's gonna be like… yeah, we gotta deal with her. Damon likes Jenna. I think it's her equal part responsible parent and equal part fun that he likes. Anyway, they're gonna switch. Damon will help Stefan with Katherine and Stefan will help Damon with the werewolves.

"Stefan, please tell me you don't seriously think a hand shake just solved our problem." I can't stop laughing at Damon. He knows.

They cut to Jeremy at the Grill. He's about to push the werewolf issue with Tyler. It's insane to me that Aimee considers Jeremy damaged goods. This girl knew Matt had a girlfriend and still chose to hit on him. And when Caroline showed up, she decided to make out with Tyler because she couldn't hook up with Matt. So no, I consider Jeremy too good for her. As I was saying about Mason… he treated Jeremy like a dick at the mayor's wake. He and Tyler were bonding over their dead fathers, and Mason totally interrupted. Now that Tyler is on the outs with Mason lying to him, Jeremy is about to get some intel. True as it should be, people prefer honesty. I feel that's ultimately why Mason blames himself for Tyler when he returns in Ghost World. He lies to Tyler the way Stefan lies to Elena. You don't get to pick and choose what truths to tell. You're either honest or you're not. Tyler hosts a four person party. Him, Jeremy, Aimee, and Sarah. Sarah is totally hitting on Jeremy.

I find it odd that neither brother thought to make a move with Mason despite knowing he'd try to kill them. They actually gave him time to make his own move. So because he's dealing with two vampires and it's not a full moon, he's involving Liz. "I just thought that we were stronger than that." Elena is hilariously lying, and I'm like... is your love strong enough that you're willing to lose your Aunt Jenna? If so, carry on. As much as I love Katherine in season 2, this entire storyline is too much teen drama for me. Fake fighting just so Mama Katherine can have her man all to herself? Come on, you're 500 years old. Just wait til Elena dies in the ritual, then you can have Stefan all to yourself. I have a seriously problem with teens acting this teenish because this 500 yo acts teenish.

Damon buys Liz's problem with Caroline, so he has no idea about her problem with him being a possible vampire. But it's a good way to separate the truth from the lies. This show gets pretty tricky in that department because Elena is carrying on two separate relationships with two brothers. Just as Stelena keeps secrets from Damon, Delena keeps secrets from Stefan. Different in the fact that Damon knows most of what's going on because he's not stupid. It's hard to keep anything from him. Yes, her and Caroline had a moment, but she's lying without lying because it's easier that way. She's basically hiding her moment with Mason behind her moment with Caroline. So you get this fake Stelena argument where most of it is real. It's the best way to lie as Liz just did to Damon. Because Damon had his own moment with Elena that Stefan doesn't know about, he picks up on it and lies to Stefan about how he knows. It's a bit hard to explain, but it's the reason Damon pulls two separate responses. I've included my Stelena argument gif post for this scene. Every scene in this episode has an opposite scene. Damon and Caroline are beautiful in this episode. They basically rehash their carnival moment.

Caroline tells Elena that talking to Stefan is a bad idea. It's a bad idea because of Katherine, but in choosing that moment to argue with Stefan, Elena outs herself to Damon. She literally just confessed her undying love for Stefan to Damon in 2x1. Now she's, "Fine, Stefan, whatever." She should've known Damon wouldn't buy that. He also knows Katherine is the root of their fake drama because she was outside the Grill for their first fight. Damon drops it because he wants nothing to do with Katherine and he's not gonna admit to Stefan that he tried to kiss Elena. Stelena's lies have to push so far that Jenna stabs herself. Then Damon will get involved. It's not like Damon is gonna lose sleep over Stefan and Elena having to see each other in secret. They're the ones choosing to be stupid. Jenna isn't about the knowing, she's about the consequence. Elena's issue with being a doppelganger reignites. She wants to know if Stefan is using her to replace Katherine. He just got done spending the day with Katherine, and he never once called Elena to tell her, so yeah... it's an issue for her. "How could you hate her and be in love with me?" Knowing why he hates Katherine will allow Elena to see if he's using her to replace Katherine… for the things he hates about her. "You're reaching." Elena isn't reaching… just like Damon wasn't reaching when he told Stefan that Mason is supernatural. It's important to look at terminology to understand where all of this leads. Know what it means to reach because Elena knows exactly what she's asking. "I'm not… I'm not Damon." A contradiction because Stefan is the only one that hated Katherine. They both know Damon loved her very much. But like always, Stefan tries to use Damon to deflect. I'd rather just skip over this argument because I already did a gif post for it. Damon slams Stelena because they suck at communication.

They cut to this four person party. Jeremy is trying to figure out if Tyler is a werewolf. Jeremy is good at drawing, but he's not Klaus. Klaus is really good. Tyler is so startled by the werewolf drawings that he lures Jeremy into another room. He considers it a personal assault, so he assaults Jeremy. Their scene is written like his carnival scene with Damon. This is exactly how Damon would react to someone learning his truth. Damon and Mason are hilarious. Wow… Mason really screwed himself with this one. Had Damon not been distracted by the argument Stelena just had, he would've known that Mason roofied the drinks. Yeah, Damon is pissed. Liz realizes that a member of her vampire-killing council is a vampire lol. Like yeah, he totally killed vampires to sell himself as a human lol. I love Caroline's moment with Elena here, admitting she's not a good friend at all. She then notices something's up with her mother. Damon is pissed more than before because of the vervain, and so pissed that he's not thinking straight. He's acting impulively, which is what Mason wanted. He wanted Damon and Stefan storming him at once because he's the bait. It's like the easiest thing to do to an impulsive person. Get them to not think, to just follow you. Liz and two deputies. They inject Damon and Stefan with vervain. Because Damon has yet to build a tolerance, it's enough.

So the difference between Mason and Damon is clear. While Mason would stab Damon in the front rather than the back, he's not strong enough to take on Damon because it's not a full moon. So yes, he has Liz getting her hands dirty for him. It's really a cheap shot if you ask me. He literally has a woman doing his dirty work. Tyler tells Jeremy that Mason is a werewolf, but he's not… yet. He basically explains the process on how to trigger his gene. Tyler views Mason the same way Stefan views Katherine. He's not here for him, he's here for the stone. He doesn't consider two birds, one stone. Like duh.

Insane that Mason has Liz and her deputies taking Damon and Stefan into the Lockwood cellar where he turns into a werewolf… and she has no idea he's a werewolf. If she did, he'd be down there with them. "Old slave quarters from the original Lockwood house." The reason I was disgusted with Tyler when he took Aimee down there to make out with her. Mason tries to stay because he wants to make sure they die. He made a big mistake walking away lol. "Well, I'm guessing that he only has to worry about that during a full moon. Otherwise you're not as strong, am I right? Or you would have killed Damon by now." When Stefan confronted Mason, I knew what was gonna happen. It only takes one vampire to take him down. What I like about this episode is how Mason is written opposite Jules. The only way to drag it out painfully, is by hitting Damon's humanity. That's the only way to truly torture him. What makes this extremely uncomfortable for Damon, is knowing that Liz could have tortured him by threatening to stake Stefan to get her answers.

It's sorta like this… John and Anna repeat, only it's Liz and Stefan. I love what this does to Damon. He's not just gonna kill Mason, he's gonna enjoy it. Damon could use Caroline to connect with Liz, but he refuses to. That's another thing I love about this scene. He won't tell her that her daughter is a vampire. That's Caroline's truth to tell. Poor Caroline. She doesn't want her mom to find out about her, and Elena's like… I'm going in there to save them by myself then. Yeah, Damon is refusing to use Caroline to connect with Liz. He's hoping their friendship is strong enough. It's not… Liz hates vampires. She's literally getting ready to stake them when Elena comes in. "Mom." This is why I love Caroline's storylines with her parents. They're so insane. She just killed Liz's deputies right in front of her to save her friends. "Damon's right, you know. If there's ever time to break your diet…" I love how Caroline contradicts herself in her hate for Delena. In 4x7, she tells Elena that Damon is never right. Damon is right most of the time. The animal diet makes it take longer for Stefan to heal. It weakens every aspect… compulsion, healing, strength, even speed. That's why I'm so frustrated with season 4 Stefan. He's gonna go on the human diet to handle Katherine, but expect Elena to defend herself against Connor on the animal diet.

Mason tainted what Damon had. The ability to at least imagine Liz accepting him as a vampire. Because of Liz and Caroline, Elena now knows how Stefan can hate Katherine but be in love with her. He can't love vampires. She's watching Caroline out herself to Liz the way Katherine outed herself to Stefan. Liz's compulsion will follow, so that's included along with Katherine's compulsion on Stefan. Yes, Elena sees the full scope of things through Liz and Caroline. "I can't take this. Kill me now." Liz hates Caroline so much that she begs Damon to kill her. "Relax guys. No one is killing anybody." lol…

Jeremy: Why didn't you give it to him? Tyler: Because he wants it. I'm a dick that way. It's important to him for some reason but I don't trust the guy so I'm not just gonna hand it to him.

Tyler talks to Jeremy about this moonstone. I'm pointing out this part of their conversation because Tyler and Damon have a great deal in common. That's why Damon wanted the Gilbert device. He wanted it because John wanted it and he couldn't trust him. Sarah is the kind of girl I wouldn't party with. Tyler and Jeremy almost lose their shit because she falls down the stairs and plays dead. Some girls are cool to hang out with, but they get too stupid when they're drinking.

Damon is so sweet to Liz. The cellar may not be the Ritz, but she's getting star treatment. He's as particular about his sheets as he is about his clothes. "You have no idea how wrong you are about that." Two birds with one statement. What's beautiful about these scenes is that they're written opposite the carnival. Damon basically admits he was wrong for saying what he did when he tried to kill Caroline. A moment of technicality on Damon's part. Even though she is already dead, she's not gone. Damon is more than honest about vampirism, and he makes sure people know it. Now he regrets it with Caroline. It's kinda like his comment to Jeremy in Denver. Jeremy calls Rose a dead vampire, and Damon tells him that's redundant because vampires are dead lol.

"He can hear us wherever we are because he drinks this." Just so you undertand where I'm going with this... Damon can hear Stelena argue because he's on human blood, but Stefan can't hear Delena talk because he's on the animal diet. It's because of this, Damon is left with another secret to hold onto. It's because Stefan can't hear Damon and Elena that he's blind to the truth of her feeding him.

"Hey, Stefan didn't drink the people blood, if you were curious. But he needs to, and deep down you know that." I'm just gonna say it right now... everything you saw of Stefan feeding in season 1 matters in season 2 lol. As romantic as Stefan might think this moment is, she's basically feeding him because Damon just told her to. Imagine Damon telling Elena to feed Stefan her blood to survive Frederick. That's basically what I'm telling you, but you have to view it scene for scene as compared to the first season. That's why they argue at the fridge that Stefan still has stocked full of blood bags. And yes, they do repeat the Miss Mystic pageant. That's why Elena ends up at the stairwell in 2x8.

So yes, picture Damon telling Elena to feed Stefan as she did here. And yes, Damon knows that in order for Stefan to maintain, Elena will have to feed him. He can't moderate his blood intake drinking from blood bags, and they both know it. Elena is pissed, but she has to accept this truth.

Fans aren't gonna like what I'm about to say, but... this is every reason why Damon and Elena end up together. Damon doesn't need to sink his teeth into Elena to drain her, and people are consumed in different ways. Damon is pushing Elena darker just by pushing her into that room to feed Stefan. He's basically bleeding Elena of her humanity, slowly and gradually until she becomes a vampire. He is her death and her life, the problem and the solution. She argues with Stefan but listens to Damon because they have that connection. They simply build from friendship to romance. And yes, they've always been like this. He persuaded her to Atlanta, persuaded her to bait Noah, persuaded her into the tomb with him... because they have that connection. Their trust and understanding is at such a level that not even Stefan can understand it. Damon is simply able to get through to her in ways that Stefan can't.

I love this conversation Elena has with Caroline. She can't even go home, that's how scared she is of Katherine. Mason tries to contact Liz, but gets her voicemail. He's gonna find out soon enough. Tyler walks in to give him the moonstone because in order to let go of it, he has to let go of all of it. He's done letting it consume him. "I heard." This is Damon's way of telling Elena that he heard because he's on human blood. He wants her to know that he overheard her argument with Stefan.

It's important to know that Stefan's diet isn't the only important part of their argument where Damon is concerned. "Katherine took a little vervain every day and built up a tolerance to it. I could do the same with blood." Damon overheard this and started building his tolerance to vervain. That's why Jules' friend has a hard time dropping him. He got hit with vervain by Stefan in 1x4, hit with vervain by John in 1x22, and just got hit with vervain by Liz. He's done getting hit, put it that way.

So you get this loop back to 2x1. "It's you and me, Stefan. Always." Suppose I should point this out now. Damon and Elena are written in 2x1 and 3x1. Stefan and Elena are written in 2x5 and 3x5. Stefan stops being her always when he rips into her. That's why "always" comes into this scene when she feeds him. Elena's love for Damon is written opposite her hate, so she falls for Damon on her birthday.

Mason has no idea he's giving Katherine the werewolf sacrifice and the moonstone for Klaus' ritual. Something he won't realize until he watches from the other side. "What was that stunt today that you pulled with Damon and Stefan Salvatore? I told you to stay away from them." Katherine knows everything, and she's not happy about it.

The open and close of an episode. They hold off on Katherine until the end, until they're ready to reveal her connection to Mason.

I think it's funny, some of their full circle stuff in this episode. How is Stefan gonna vervain Damon and try to desiccate him for 50 years when the sheriff wants to kill them both lol

#Bite Me

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starynightcreator · 10 months ago

Text

It's Not All Bad

Chapters: 6-8

Characters included: Eddie Munson, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harington

Word Count: 4,352

No use of Y/N

18+! May be triggering to some!

Contains: Fluff, Angst, Kissing, Shy/ Anxious Reader, Sweet/Protective Eddie, Jealousy, Cursing, Alcohol use, Yelling, Heartbreak, Betrayal, & Friends To Lovers.

Summary: After a betrayal from your best friend and boyfriend, you find comfort in the arms of eddie.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. This is my first story and I'm a little nervous.

!Must give credit when re-sharing/ sharing. Don't take credit please and thank you!

PART SIX:

As you hear them rambling in the background you just keep looking forward and walk out.

You know they are just trying to earn your forgiveness to feel better about themselves and that hurts more in some ways. You’ve done so much for them and you’ve given them your heart, support, trust and more just for them to do this. You couldn’t breath, you couldn’t think, you just couldn’t. You had to do everything you could not to look back or you’d cry more. But where was Edds? Eddie couldn’t do much not right now at least he wanted to go make sure to be there for you but not without saying something first. “You both had this coming and you both are awful people. That feeling you feel right now I hope everytime you kiss you feel that way and ask was this worth losing someone so important.” Steve tried to reason with Eddie but Eddie wasn’t stupid. “Come on Eddie you know I make her happy-” “Save it man because guess what you don’t. But I will give you both some advice. Stay away from my Star. Don’t ever bother her with your bullshit again.” What Eddie didn’t know was that you had come back. You didn’t want to but you did and you did to get him even if you had to see Steve and Nancy. But when you got to the door you heard a commotion so you looked through the window. You always loved how he cared for you and it’s not anything new to you but as soon as he said “My Star” time seemed to stop until you felt cold rings grab one of your hands. “Let’s go home Star.” And with no hesitation “Okay Edds.” You finally get home and ask Eddie to wait in the living room. You were so quick Eddie didn’t even get the chance to sit. You finally return to the living room and you were no longer in that dress or any of the things you had on before you had switched into a T-shirt, shorts, and you had pulled your hair up. Normally you’d not do that till the guest left but you were sad and you felt comfortable around Eddie even if he decided to laugh you were okay with that. You finally looked at him and caught that he had already been looking at you but so warmly. So you decide to tease him a little. “Edds?”“Hmm?”“What are you looking at hmm?”“Umm nothing.” You then start walking in his direction “Oh didn’t know I was nothing.” Eddie’s face just starts to burn red “Hey wait Star you ar-” You then walk past him and sit on the sofa “No it’s okay I get it Edd’s.” “Stop that.”“Stop what?”“Teasing…” “Ha, you're cute. But…NO” “Ugh.” You then held up your phone then shook it as a way to change the subject. “Music?”“Star?”“Yes?”“Are you ok?” You play the music anyways before answering “Edds honestly no i’m not. This past month they have been treating me like trash making me feel like I did something wrong. Every Time you tried to cheer me up Steve got mad and fought with you and knocked me back down. Then Nancy would either just stand there or make things worse by adding fuel to the fire as if she enjoyed the fighting. And then tonight I just wanted to forget about them completely and enjoy myself and I was until that. I hate parties and this is just another reason to hate them honestly. Then I made a fool of myself ugh. Why couldn’t they just be honest. Like why couldn’t Steve be like look I'm sorry I still care about you but Nancy and I seem to still have strong feelings for each other and we’d hate to hurt you. But noooo they did the whole sneaking around thing.”“They never deserved someone like you in their lives and karma will kick them in the ass so hard they won't be able to sit for years. I’m sorry they did this to you, they are awful people. Wait, if you hate parties then why’d you invite me to this one?”

#eddie munson #steve harrington #stranger things #nancy wheeler #eddie munson angst #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x reader #eddie x reader #angst #fluff #friends to lovers

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elexuscal · 1 year ago

Note

Protective prompt: “He(/she/they) said what to you?!” Murderbot & Pin-Lee. Who’s being protective? Up to you!

When movement triggered outside the door to Pin-Lee's apartment at 3am, local time, a full five days before she was due to return from a planet-side trip, I assumed the worse: i.e. GrayCris or other potentially hostile agent attempting a break-in.

0.2 seconds later-- long enough for me to be on my feet and formulating a response plan-- I registered the figure I was seeing as Pin-Lee herself, and settled back down.

Unexpected, but preferable.

Stil, once she was inside, I asked a message to confirm if she was okay. Pin-Lee waited a worrying long period of time (over five minutes), to respond with a curt 'fine'.

That rung my bullshit meter, but it wasn't any of my business, and also I didn't care. So I wasn't going to ask about it.

And I didn't ask her the next cycle, either, even when she gave my drone this really weird look.

And no. I didn't even ask her three cycles after that, when she ran into me unexpectedly within the halls of the Preservation Alliance government building, and she visibly flinched.

Flinching was fine. I could handle flinching. Flinching was just a thing people did, around SecUnits.

I wasn't going to say anything about it, and I didn't expect her to either.

Three hours later, she sent me a message: [I noticed you turned your drone off.]

I hadn't turned it off. It was in low-power mode. It would fully activate if/when certain key phrases/sounds were detected.

I didn't say anything about that.

Pin-Lee said, [I'm getting the sense I better apologise.]

[For what?] I said, before I could stop myself.

[For flinching like that, when I saw you in the hallway earlier,] she said, and then there was a 7 second pause before her next message. [It's not because I'm scared of you, or anything. I promise.]

[No one said you were.]

My drone was in hibernation, so I couldn't tell if she sighed or not. [I'm just in a weird head-space right now and you surprised me. I flinched and fucked up. Sorry.]

[Okay,] I said.

There was a long enough pause that I thought this conversation was over, and I had gotten back into my book. Then Pin-Lee said, [I got into a fight with my parents.]

[A fight?]

[Well, they called it an 'intervention'.]

[An intervention for what?]

[They said I was bot-drunk.]

They said what? [They said WHAT to you?]

[You heard me.] Pin-Lee stood up and started pacing around her office, which I could see, because I'd turned her drone back on.

Bot-Drunk was a Preservation-specific bit of slang, but most CR languages and cultures had their own equivilents, ranging from 'whales' to 'silicon sluts'. (Gross.) It referred to anyone who got sucked into an obsession with a chat bot, ComfortUnit, or other artificially-constructed personality, coming to view it-- and the supposed relationship attached to it-- as real.

[Wow.]

"They said," Pin-Lee ground out, "that I was working too hard. That I needed a break. Which, okay, fair, maybe I was! But that was why I came down to visit them, like they asked! And then they wait until I'm settled in, and all my childhood friends are there, to say hi, or so I assume. But then I come home one day and they're all gathered in the living room and…" She spluttered in a sort of wordless rage, which man, I kind of wish I could pull off. It looked cathartic.

"And THEN they sit me all down, and they remind me of the AI boyfriend I had when I was twelve, TWELVE. And they say that I'm falling into old traps again. And that they know that 'chat programs can be very convincing', but that 'a layer of fake skin might make you seem more realistic, you still need to keep some perspective on what really matters'…"

[My skin is fake? Could of fooled me.]

"Your emotions, too, apparently," she said, bitterly.

"Huh. Guess I can stop feeling so fucked up about them, then."

She laughed. Then she stopped, abruptly. "I'm sorry. I'm making this all about me."

I shrugged, remembered she couldn't see me, and said, [It's okay.]

"It's not. It's fucked up. It's fucked up that they'd treat you that way, that they'd talk like that to my face."

It was fucked up. But they weren't my family, so I didn't really care.

Except for the way they had very clearly fucked Pin-Lee up, I did. She didn't just look mad; I had seen Pin-Lee mad. Pin-Lee wore anger like armour, or a cape. It made her look distinguished and powerful.

This made her look… bad. It made her skin look blotchy and her eyes look red and her body look shaky.

Okay, yeah. Now I was pissed, actually.

[Want me to go down there? Then they can for themselves just how made-up I am.]

She laughed. It was a long, ugly, bitter laugh. "Don't tempt me, SecUnit. Do not fucking tempt me."

#murderbot diaries #flash fiction #fanfic

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phantompoguefangirl · 11 months ago

Text

WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER

CHAPTER FIVE: FINDING OUT

I admit I'm a bit of a fool for playing by the rules. But I've found my sweet escape when I'm alone with you -Disconnected by 5 Seconds Of Summer

A/N: I messed up Mikey's hair color timeline so I picked a random color for this chapter. Also I own none of these songs or the movie mentioned. Just using them for the fanfic. And because it's fanfic we're gonna pretend this song is by Mia and not Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Also TRIGGER WARNING:MORE ABUSE MENTIONED

*Flashback*

MIA P.O.V.

Michael and I seemed to just click from the moment we met and in the span of a few shorts weeks we became the best of friends. When I was with him or even thought about him, I felt a sense of joy and warmth that I had never felt before in my life.

When we started spending time at his house with Ashton, Calum and Luke the joy and warmth intensified. They were simultaneously the goofiest and sweetest boys in the world. Ashton and I clicked almost as much as Michael and I did and sometimes if Michael was busy or Calum and Luke had wrangled him into a fifa tournament I hung out with Ash. I found out Luke secretly loved shopping so sometimes if I was able to go, I'd text Luke and ask him to go with me. This became our thing very quickly. Calum and I mostly played videogames or watched movies together. All in all, it wasn't long before the band house, and the boys themselves, began to feel like home to me.

Of course, I only hung out with them when Jesse was at work or out with his buddies and made sure to always be home before he got home. He didn't really allow me to have friends unless they were also his friends so I had to hide it from him. I hated sneaking around because I did love Jesse and I was terrified of him finding out but I savored those few hours away from everything.

He almost figured it out when my song was released. It kind of sounded like it was about falling for someone but it was really just about Michael pulling me in and making me want to get to know him better as a person. However, I'd accidentally mentioned his green eyes and stuff like that and that was what set Jesse off. We were at home when the song was released and he hadn't heard it till then because he was always too busy. Myself and the studio execs told him it was a really good song and he said to release it as soon as possible. But when he heard it, he lost his shit and started beating the crap out of me, demanding to know who it was about and why I was cheating on him. I ended up having to play it off like the song was about Jesse and how I felt when we first met, which was believable because his eyes were hazel like mine but looked more green a lot of the time. He accepted that after a bit but he stormed out saying he needed a drink and he might be back late or maybe in the morning.

I tried to hold it together but failed as I called Michael as soon as I knew Jesse was gone.

"Hey! I just listened to your song and-" Michael started babbling excitedly, answering on the first ring.

"Michael can I come over? I don't want to be alone right now," I managed to choke out through my sobs.

He turned serious immediately. "Mia, are you okay? What happened?"

I couldn't tell him what really happened so I went with a loose version of the truth.

"No, I'm not okay. Jesse and I got into a f-fight and it was bad," I explained, sniffling as I spoke."He stormed out, probably to go to a bar and get drunk."

I heard him mumble something under his breath that sounded angry but a seconf later he spoke in a soft voice. "Do you want me to come get you or do you want to meet in our usual place?"

"Um, can you actually come get me this time? I just really wanna see you," I said. It wasn't a lie, I did desperately want to see him. But I also was feeling very weak and sore and I didn't think I would be able to walk to our place in this state.

"Text me your address. I'll be right there." He said as I heard his car starting in the background.

"Thank you," I said.

"Of course. Any time," He said before hanging up.

I texted him my address, then slowly got up and made my way to the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was in a tank top and my usual skinny jeans and I was covered in bruises. Mostly only in places that clothes covered, like my arms, wrists, legs, stomach, back, etc. He was careful about that. Though sometimes he hit me in the face and he had to get me special makeup to cover it so nobody noticed because of course we can't stain his image or reputation. Today was one of those days, so I got out the special make up and applied it to my face. I'd long since learned how to make it look like a basic foundation, eyeliner and mascara look so nobody suspected. Once I was done with that, I threw on an extra large Rolling Stones pullover sweatshirt. It was Jesse's and he was tall and very broad so it was huge on me and covered everything nicely. I put on my converse, grabbed my phone, keys and bag, and waited for Michael to arrive.

He got there in record time and I winced as I pushed through the pain to hurry out to his car. His hair was now a couple different shades of purple and he wore his usual band tee and black jeans with a denim jacket. He looked perfect as always.

"Hey," He greeted me with a gentle hug. I leaned into his chest and let out a shaky sigh. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I just shook my head against him, holding onto his jacket for dear life.

"That's okay. You don't have to," He said, rubbing my back. "Why don't we just go back to my house and watch a movie?"

I nodded and he let go of me so he could drive. He turned on the radio and A Daydream Away by All Time Low began playing. I quietly sang along as I leaned on his shoulder while he drove home.

MICHAEL P.O.V

I had been antsy all day waiting for Mia's song to drop so I could hear it and once I finally got to, I was speechless with emotions.

"All I knew

This morning when I woke

Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before

And all I've seen

Since eighteen hours ago

Is green eyes and freckles and your smile

In the back of my mind making me feel like

I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now

I just wanna know you, know you, know you

'Cause all I know is we said hello

And your eyes look like coming home

All I know is a simple name

And everything has changed

All I know is, you held the door

You'll be mine and I'll be yours

All I know since yesterday, yeah

Is everything has changed"

Mia's beautiful voice rang out from my speakers and I sat there in disbelief as I continued to listen.

"And all my walls

Stood tall painted blue

But I'll take 'em down, take 'em down and open up the door for you

And all I feel

In my stomach, is butterflies

The beautiful kind, making up for lost time

Taking flight, making me feel like

I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now

I just wanna know you, know you, know you

'Cause all I know is we said hello

And your eyes look like coming home

All I know is a simple name

And everything has changed

All I know is you held the door

And you'll be mine and I'll be yours

All I know since yesterday, yeah

Is everything has changed

Come back and tell me why

I'm feelin' like I've missed you all this time

(Uh-uh-uh)

And meet me there tonight

And let me know that it's not all in my mind

I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now

I just wanna know you, know you, know you

All I know is we said hello

Your eyes look like coming home

All I know is a simple name

And everything has changed

All I know is you held the door

You'll be mine and I'll be yours

All I know since yesterday, yeah

Is everything has changed

All I know is we said hello

So dust off your highest hopes

All I know is pouring rain

And everything has changed

All I know is a new found grace

All my days, I'll know your face

All I know since yesterday, yeah

Is everything has changed"

Mia wrote that about me? She'd told me I inspired this song but I had no idea how much till now. She probably didn't know this, but honestly every word was exactly how I felt from the second I met her too. I was smiling like an idiot and I couldn't stop. I yelled at the guys to come listen and they adored the song as much as I did.

"Look at your face!" Calum suddenly said, pointing at me."I reckon our little Mikey is in LOVE!"

I must have still been grinning, even though the music stopped playing.

"Ooohhh really?" Luke and Ash said together in a teasing tone.

"Very funny Cal," I said rolling my eyes. "She has a boyfriend, remember?"

"That doesn't mean you're not in love with her." He said, smirking.

"Yeah but I'm not, so why don't you do me favor and fuck off." I said the last part sarcastically, flipping him off.

"Yeah you keep telling yourself that, mate," Calum chuckled as he walked out of my room. Ash and Luke laughed as they followed him.

I rolled my eyes again as I turned back to my computer. I saved the song to my computer and my phone. I was about to call Mia but her ringtone, which was Don't Stop Believing by Journey(one of her favorite songs), started blaring from my phone before I could.

Her broken voice on the other end of the phone told me that something really bad had happened and I wanted to kick Jesse's ass for making her cry. I pushed my feelings aside and I was in my car before I even asked if she wanted me to pick her up or meet.

When I got to Mia's house, I was surprised to see that it was a fancy mansion near Sunset Boulevard. She wasn't famous enough to afford that quite yet, though I knew she would be soon. Her boyfriend must be rich or something. She ran out to my car and I could see the pain in her eyes so I just hugged her for a moment. She didn't want to talk about it so I just took her to my house.

She looked tired so I carried her inside to the movie room. She mumbled something about loving my hair which made me chuckle. I'd forgotten I dyed it again last night, but I was glad she liked it. I set her down on the reclining couch and told her I'd be right back. I ran up to my room, discarded my jacket, grabbed pillows and blankets and brought them to the movie room. I set everything up and put on The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride, which is one of her favorite disney movies. I snuggled with her and wrapped my black comforter around us. She rested her head on my chest and I brushed my fingers through her hair while we watched the movie. We both started dozing off around 3/4 of the way through the movie when Kiara and Kovu were having their moment while Love Will Find A Way started playing.

I was abruptly awoken by Mia jumping up from the couch and groaning in pain as her foot got caught in the blankets and she fell to the floor.

"Mia?! Are you okay?" I exclaimed as I went to help her up.

"I'm fine. It's just late and I have to-" But I was not paying attention to her words because standing up shifted her oversized sweatshirt off of her shoulder and revealed a dark purple and blue hand print shaped bruise on her shoulder/upper arm.

"Oh my god, your shoulder," I said as I grabbed her wrist to bring her in for a closer look but she made a pained sound so I quickly loosened my grip. Confused, I pushed her sleeve up and found more bruises on her wrist and arm.

"What the fuck is-" I started to say, but she yanked her hand away and pulled her sleeve down.

"It's nothing," she said, moving the top part of her sweatshirt back into place as well.

"That's not nothing. Did Jesse do this to you?" I asked, worriedly.

"I-um...just...don't worry about it, Michael. It's none of your business," she insisted, backing toward the door.

"None of my-...Mia, you're my best friend and I care about you. Of course it's my business!" I exclaimed as I looked at her with wide eyes.

"Well, I don't want to talk about it. I have to go before he gets home," She said, turning to open the door.

"No wait!" I said, bringing her back to face me. I noticed a very faint darkness around her eye under her makeup that could pass as sleep deprivation but I knew better. Motherfucker had given her a black eye. I was torn between rage and and worry. But I purposely kept my voice calm for her. "Don't go back there. Just stay here and we'll keep you safe. You know we will."

"Michael, stop. You don't understand." She said, pulling away from me and looking down. The broken voice had returned and I could see tears dropping onto her sleeves.

I lifted her face so I could look into her eyes. "So help me to understand."

She gazed up at me for a moment and her eyes flooded over as she spoke.

"It's not just about my safety. Jesse's a big executive in the music world and holds all my contracts. He controls my career. He controls my money. He controls EVERYTHING. He could probably even ruin your career if he finds out about you and I won't let that happen. I have to go back to him or I'll lose everything and you could too."

I stood there in shock for a minute, absorbing this information. That explained the mansion and her eyes darting around and the rushing to leave and everything. Her boyfriend was an absolute piece of shit who used his power to control and abuse her.

I pulled her into my arms and held her close. "Hey, shhh, it's gonna be okay. We'll figure it out."

I doubted this asshole could do anything to my career or the band. We got lucky and had a pretty powerful management and legal team. Actually, maybe they could help with this situation.

"Hold on, I have an idea," I said, explaining it to her and then taking her with me to find the boys. Turned out they were in the downstairs studio messing around with their instruments. Feldy was there too.

I had Mia sit with the guys while I talked to Feldy alone. He agreed to help and got on the phone immediately. It was actually not as late as we thought so he was able to contact the appropriate people fairly easily. When he was done we went back to the others and I let Mia know that the plan would work.

"What plan? What's going on?" Ashton asked.

"It's up to you if you want to tell them or not," I told Mia.

She debated for a moment before standing up and removing her sweatshirt. She wore a basic grey tank top underneath and her arms, chest and back were all discolored by different levels of bruises. There were yellowing ones under the fresh purple ones. she lifted her tank top a little to reveal more layers of violet, blue, green and yellow on her stomach.

"OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED? WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!" Ashton shouted, running over to her.

Calum and Luke flipped out too and started badgering her with questions.

Feldy remained calm but I could tell he was trying very hard to hold it together.

I just gaped at her in horror. It was painful to see her like this, like I felt each blow along with her. I worked to control my emotions while she explained everything to them. I helped her put her sweatshirt back on while I told them my idea and the boys were obviously on board.

We sat there planning for a long time, all the while reassuring Mia that everything would be okay...

@jetblackbritt13

#5sos #michael clifford #5 seconds of summer #michael 5sos #calum hood #luke hemmings #ashton irwin #michael clifford x reader #michael clifford fanfic #michael clifford hq #5 seconds of summer fanfiction

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observeowl · 1 year ago

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Right By Your Side | Chapter 2 - I'll See You Later

Summary: In the world where wearing glasses makes you a different person. You were forced to swallow a pill that turned you into seven years old. Now, you're living with your crush in a small form, what would you do? Who were the ones who brought this to you? And, can you change back?

Chapter summary: Separating from Natasha to investigate a suspicious activity, you found yourself in a precarious situation

Series Masterlist

I was slightly scared about the roller coaster, but nothing I couldn't take, it's just like jumping off a building right? The intense beating of my heart was increasing as the roller coaster slowly crept its way to the peak before dropping us down.

I looked at Nat as I felt her hands on mine. My mind momentarily forgets that we were on a roller coaster but the next moment the roller coaster dived and I squeezed her hands by reflex.

"I would think you are okay with roller coasters when you're the one who brought me here." Natasha said as she helped me out of the seat.

"I am! I'm fine! I just lost some strength." I said as I tripped on my own foot, disproving my point there.

"Right... some strength." Nat reached out her hand and I took it, pulling me up to my feet. I dusted myself off before finding another ride to join the queue.

I didn't buy the fast pass because I wanted to spend time talking with her. There isn't always a chance to be speaking to her without any distraction, excuses that she has work to do, mission or other agent needing her help. She's just too popular, everyone wants a piece of her.

We continued on for a couple more rides until it was dark. It was just unfortunate that the first ride we took knocked it out of me because I was fine the rest of the day.

"We should probably head out, the theme park is closing." Natasha suggested after getting out from the last ride.

"Yeah okay, I'm starving." The sun had already gone down and there were only a handful of people walking around or headed towards the exit. I pressed my lips together trying to suppress a smile on my face. I had actually managed to spend time with Nat without any disturbance.

"Should we head back to the compound first?" Nat asked as she took out the keys to her car. However, I was looking at something else that caught my attention. "Hey Y/N, what are you looking at?" She looked at the direction I was facing but found nothing.

"Huh? Nothing much. Why don't you head back to the compound first? I'll see you later!" I ran off without giving her a chance to stop me. Well, she was on the other side of her car.

"Hey! How are you going to get back?" I heard her shout.

"Don't worry, I can manage!" I replied. Waving my hand at Nat and running across the road.

What I saw was someone dragging a man into an alley. I couldn't tell if they were friends or in trouble. It could be big, it could be small but I didn't want to make a fool out of myself when it turns out to be nothing.

My hands went to my back where my gun would be placed, except it wasn't there. I remembered taking it before coming because we were supposed to be spending a relaxing time and they wouldn't allow loose items on rides.

"Shit." I mumbled under my breath. I should have taken a gun from Nat's car.

I crept quietly, making sure not to step on pieces of glass and rubbish on the floor. I tried to find traces of the duo, which wasn't hard as it was the only sound coming from the alley. I rounded the corner to see a tall long silver hair man pulling out a gun from his jacket and pulling the trigger on the defenseless man. Blood splattered out and before I could react, I was knocked out from the back of my head.

My eyes threatened to close as I laid on the floor. I didn't see his partner sneaking up behind me.

"Gin, what are we supposed to do? She saw us!" The guy was slightly shorter than the silver haired man said.

"Vodka, relax. The organisation just gave us a new drug, this is the perfect time to test them." He calmly took out a silver container from his pocket to reveal a red and white pill. "This is supposed to kill him and the autopsy result won't show anything."

He turned me around so I was facing him. I tried to resist but my limbs have no strength. I could only watch as they placed the pill in my mouth before pouring water and closing my mouth shut, forcing me to swallow the pill.

"Let's go, they should be found in the morning." Gin ordered Vodka to get away.

Second POV Natasha had been waiting in the compound for hours but you were still not back. While having dinner with the team, her mind was elsewhere. It was not like you to not report where you were if you were running late. She was getting more worried as the time passed, no longer having the appetite to eat as she pushed the food around.

"I'm sure she's okay Nat." Steve spoke up, not liking to see his friend feeling down.

"I can't sit here and do nothing. I'm going to find her." Nat stood up and took her jacket before running off.

While driving, she tried to call your phone but you weren't answering. The first place she went was where you left her. She went in the direction she saw you running, going into the alley, making left and right turns before stumbling upon the dead body.

Immediately she rushed towards the corpse and saw the state of it, a bullet hole straight through the middle of the head. Initially, Nat thought it was because you killed a man so you went into hiding, but she clearly remembered seeing you keep your gun in your room.

She called the cops anonymously before going back to find clues about you again. She was almost certain the crime scene was what caused you to disappear. She searched high and low in the vicinity for any clues before the police arrived but she was unable to find anything other than your phone on the ground. She decided to take it with her because she didn't want you to be one of the suspects. But without your phone it would be harder to track you.

Feeling like she hit a dead end, she tried to find your friend. No one else knows about him other than Natasha. Just like how only you knew about Natasha's sister, Yelena.

She went back to her car and made her way to your friend's house. You didn't have many friends because you were busy with your work and it's hard to decipher one's intention of making friends when you're Avenger. You never know if they were taking advantage of you or planning to hurt you.

He however, has been by your side for as long as you can remember. He was your father's friend.

Series Masterlist

#natasha x reader #natasha x you #natasha romanoff #black widow 2021 #mcu #Right By Your Side #my writing

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lovegodmurderexplosiondynamite · 4 months ago

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Hi!! I wrote this for a writing contest. I am posting it here to see if anyone would read it.

prompt's:

"it's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on."

And photo #2 from all the photo options.

Oh yes, also, trigger warnings!

death, harsh(ish?) words, just things like that. So be warned.

enjoy my story!

'Cause it's true love,

High school sweetheart,

She's an angel from above,

She's a shooting star,

It's true,

Here's to the prom queen."

"Has anyone ever told you, miss Layla, that you're eyes look just like the sun?"

"no? What a mighty shame. Its the truth. From now on, you're the sun in my life. If you'll agree, of course."

Meeting.

Me and her were friends from a young age. Actually, I think I was one of her first.

At least I think so. I'd be honored if she did too.

Layla bentonite.

she was just as beautiful as the sun, and just as warm as it too. You could look into her eyes, and see the sparks of it itself shine brightly, just like flames. You could almost feel it radiate off of her.

Ever since the day I had met her, I truly admired her. Her outspoken personality, her smile, her laugh, everything about her seemed to charm me.

We met one day, due to our fathers knowing each other from work. Our lives clearly weren't easy, and yet as I laid my eyes upon someone so perfect and just absolutely graceful, I couldn't deny, my life grew some sort of purpose.

I felt some sort of spark flow through my body. It's something that went right to my soul.

it filled my lungs with a burning fire, and it absolutely left me speechless. It's like I couldn't even say a word, nothing would ever be good enough for the girl before me, and somehow fate fell in my favor that day.

"Well, you must be the bakers son, am I correct? My name is Layla, Layla bentonite. It's a mighty fine pleasure to meet you." She had said, smiling at me all worth the while, lifting the hem of her dress just slightly, going into a curtsy bow before me.

It intrigued me, yes. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel at a loss for words. She was so polite, and absolutely gorgeous. How could someone like that bow for someone like me?

I mean, my father worked for hers, so she was above me. Why was she being so polite to a person below her? It was like I couldn't breathe, and yet at the same time I felt myself boggling together words for her.

"Ah— yes. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Bentonite. My name is alastor baker. But no need for formalities, especially coming from you." I tell her, holding out my hand, reaching for her own to help her steady herself.

She takes it.

I pull her up, making sure not to hurt her, as it would be far too much for me if I ever did.

"Oh, again, same with me. No need for formalities. Just call me Layla, and I'll call you alastor." She says as she gently squeezes my hand just a bit. It sends a sweet shiver down my spine. How could someone be so kind?

As I watch her take her hand back, I can't help but look into her eyes, they look beautiful. They are golden yellow, and I can't differ if they remind me of hay, or the sun. But, as the light shines over her, I can definitely tell now.

"Has anyone ever told you, miss Layla, that you're eyes look just like the sun?" I can't help myself, my words flow through my mouth just like a fool. It's a little childish, isn't it? I feel like I'm in my younger years again, even if I'm only sixteen.

"Ah— do you really think so, alastor? Your words are highly appreciated. I must say myself, you have a wondrous mind. But alas, even so, you are the first to say. Feel honored, especially since I like the compliment so much." I watch as she raises her hand to her mouth, covering it just slightly as she laughs a bit. God, I'll never get tired of hearing it. Seeing her with so much joy on her face. She truly is wonderful.

"no? What a mighty shame. Its the truth. From now on, you're the sun in my life. If you'll agree, of course." I can't help but say, mostly lost in a trance as I study the features of her face, just delighted I had even made her smile.

"Oh? Well sure. Of course. I'd be just delighted to be you're sun. As long as you will be my moon."

I'd be anything, just for her. My Layla bentonite.

Midnight swim?

"Layla? What are you doing here?" I say, a little dazed since it was so late at night. I was coming to my usual spot, my mind had been racing earlier today. I just needed some time to myself.

And yet I had found Layla here?

"What are you doing at the pond? Isn't it too late for a girl like yourself to be out. Do you're parents know?" I ask her, bending down to the edge of the pond, facing her.

I won't deny it, she looked beautiful though. Even if I had worries at this time, she looked gorgeous. The moonlight was shining on her face as she turned to face me. I must have caught her off guard due to her expression. I mean, it was the middle of the night of course. And she was the only one in the pond. Of course I had shocked her.

"Ah— alastor? What are you doing here though?" She says, swimming over to the edge of the pond to look up at me. But, she was clearly avoiding all of my questioning, and I wasn't going to let it go so easily.

Call me stubborn, but I worry for her safety. I'm a fool, I suppose.

Her fool.

"Ms. Layla, please just tell me what you're doing here. My concern is much more then my curiosity at the moment. So, tell me." I say, not wanting to let this go. I didn't want to seem like such a burden to her, and yet I wanted her to reply to my comments earlier. And yet, my mind wouldn't stop the haze surrounding it, focusing on her beauty. Her smile. Her eyes.

"What did I tell you, drop the formalities. Just because my father is a prune, it doesn't mean you have to obey him when not in his presence. But alas, I can't say no to you, darling alastor." She laughs at her own comment. She would always love to tease me with her words, and I could never seem to tell her how much it had actually meant to me.

"My dear alastor, don't focus too much on such worries. Sure, my parents do not know I am here as I speak, but you shall not worry. A daring prince has come to my rescue. He shall protect me till I'm home. And do you know who that is, my dear?" I watch her speak those words. A mischievous grin spreads across her face. One in which I am not too pleased to see. I can already tell she's plotted something.

"And who is this prince, Layla? He must be quite a charmer, and strong of some sorts if you have put all you're faith into one man." I roll my eyes at her words. It was clear that she was being sarcastic, and yet I wish she wasn't at the same time.

I wanted to be that man for her. Someone she could lean onto, and put her strength into my hands. Ones that loved her so dearly, and would hold her with such care.

And yet I'm just a mere' boy. I'm not a man yet. I'm not ready for her love. I'm clearly foolish, and lost on daydreams. But it gets so hard to not see them as I look into her eyes.

"Well, it should be obvious, of course. But I must think, not everyone is as quick as me, don't you think dear?" Before I could even retort her shameless remark, I felt a hand touch my arm. It had surprised me quite much.

And then, all I felt was the cold water soak into my clothes, and surround my body. I was completely under water.

And yet her touch had grounded me. She was still holding onto my arm, it was firm and yet there was so much ease and love into it. It surely took me for a surprise though.

It got even worse when she looked at me, and for a second I could have sworn, she had the look of love on her face. It felt like my body had completely froze as I looked into her eyes, watching her smile.

She had brought her hand up to my face, and pressed it against my cheek so gently, tenderly, just setting it there before her thumb had begun to run across it. And boy, it sent my daydreams for a rush. I would never, not remember this memory. The touch of her hand, it sent a warmth throughout my body, even as we were surrounded by the cold waters of the night.

But just as I had felt her touch, it felt like mere' seconds, she had retrieved her hand, and grabbed mine, pulling us to the surface of the water. We both gasp for air as we make it up.

I'm not sure how long we had been under for, but the amount of air I was forcing into my lungs clearly said something. The air filling my lungs, it was like a burning sensation. And even then, as I felt her hand squeeze mine underneath the water, it burned there too. The squeeze so gentle, and yet it had reassured every single bone in my body.

"S-so— you wont.. berate me for ruining you're clothes, will you, my dear alastor?" She had said, gasping for air herself. Of course she was joking, and yet it seemed like there was a hint of worry scampering across the glint in her eyes. Did she truly feel bad for what she had done?

"Layla.. no, I shall not. I suppose I'm a fool, even as my clothes are wet, I can not feel anything other then pure joy.. if it's you're hand against mine, or the fact you are soaked too, I don't not know which one." I say, laughing just a little bit. This truly did seem like a perfect moment. I loved it so dearly. I'll probably cherish it, just like my dear Layla.

"Wow, someone is feeling emotional tonight, aren't they?" She says, pulling her hand away, and covering her mouth, just laughing.

I hated it when she would cover her face. I truly did wish to see her laugh. To see her pure enjoyment fully. I didn't want to be a crude, and yet I couldn't help myself. Gosh, aren't I selfish?

I grab her wrist, softly pulling it away from her mouth. She's clear taken back by what I had done, and so am I. But sometimes, it must be okay to be selfish, isn't it?

"I'm sorry.. I just, wanted to see you're smile. Excuse my selfishness. My dear Layla." I had said, pulling my hand away from her wrist. All I have to offer is a sheepish smile, I feel far too nervous, more than I'd like to admit.

"Oh—.. well, my dear alastor. Do not freight, I understand.. I guess, being selfish is good for you sometimes. You're a good boy, and you deserve it. Even if it's my mere' laugh, I suppose that's the least I could do for you." For a second, it looked like I could see a sort of blush form on her face, but I must be seeing things.

Someone with her grace could never like someone like me.

"Mm, thank you, Layla. Truly."

Happy birthday.

July 12th. It was my dear layla's birthday. She was turning 16 this year, so it truly was a special one, all of us thought so. She is such a sweet and kind girl, nobody would ever hesitate to make her day a special one, to show her how she had weaved her way into our hearts.

She especially did mine. It felt like our two hearts were intertwined. Day by day, they would beat for each other.

Or perhaps I was just a little foolish, and I was the only one beating.

Either way, today, I had to give Layla a good day. I had agonized over this for days, wondering what I should have gotten her.

I tried every book, every pastry, every single thing she had enjoyed. I always mentioned it to her, going, "My darling Layla. Your birthday is coming up, isn't it? What would you like to have?" And even with my remark, out playful little names for each other, I truly was serious behind it all. I wanted to make this day for her perfect.

"Ah, my dear alastor, please do not freight with such issues as those. For now, focus on matters of the heart, cause all I really want is truly you!" She had placed her forearm infront of her eyes, sighing even more then dramatically. She had always done this.

at this point, it felt like it was my turn to sigh.

"Layla— I'm being serious here!" I follow after her as she had walked away. My luck, she was being her so called funny self again. Running from issues I truly wanted to discuss!

welp. That's how I had got stuck, trying to figure out her birthday gift myself. What could I ever give her? Nothing will ever truly be good enough for her. She was beauty in a lost world, nothing could ever be enough for this girl, not by me seeing so.

But I shouldn't worry for now, I have to go and see Layla now anyways.

Layla's father always disliked me since me and his daughter were so close. I couldn't blame him though, a boy of my sorts should have never been able to hang around a girl like her. Her grace was truly admirable, and she was just adored for everything she did.

So, that's how I found myself sneaking out at dawn, grabbing the gift I had bought for Layla, and running down to the old diner we would hang out at after school.

It wasn't much, but this was the best I could do. I had also grabbed my allowance mother and father had given me. I had hoped this would be enough to cover everything.

I got to the diner earlier then Layla had, that was my plan. I had ordered something, to make it seem like I wasn't just going to sit there like a scoundrel. And that's when Layla came inside.

She looked absolutely beautiful. Her hair was neatly thrown back into a ponytail, and she wore this dashing yellow dress with a white sweater. She looked absolutely gorgeous.

But who was I kidding? She was always so beautiful, no doubt about it.

"Ah— there you are alastor! Sorry it took me so long, I had to make sure I didn't wake mother nor father before I left. Heaven forbid I would have, they would have been out of their minds!" She tells me, making her way to the booth I was sitting at. She sat down infront of me, and lord above, it took me all of my strength not to reach out and grasp her hand.

"Oh, no worries Layla. I get how Mr. Bentonite can be. And plus, Mrs. Bentonite is always so worrisome, yes such a kind lady. I would never want to worry her, bless her soul." We both let out a chuckle at that fact, it was true. But no matter how worrisome Mrs. Bentonite could be, I saw her like a second mother, I would never wish to worry her.

"Haha, I know!— especially father. That right there would be worrisome. But, now lets move on to lighter topics! What'd you get me alastor? Tell me, tell me!" She says, a glorious smile painting her face. She was so beautiful like this.

"Ah— you have to wait, Layla. You haven't even—" Before I could speak, a waitress had showed up to the table, setting down a plate in-front of Layla.

"Hm, I guess it's not a surprise anymore. But you haven't even had you're cake yet. I ordered you red velvet." I tell her, smiling, hopefully she knows how much I care. I had gotten her favorite afterall.

"Oh.. alastor, thank you so much, but you didn't have to do all this! I know— I know times are tough for your family. I dont want to be a burden—" I stop her right there.

"Layla, dear, you could never be a burden. You are always such a delight, I promise. I wanted to do something special for you're birthday, especially since you and Mr. and Mrs. Bentonite have done so much for my family. But even then, thats not why I'm doing this. I'm doing this because I appreciate you, Layla. You are absolutely stunning. The way you rant about books, I know about every author under the sun because of you. The way you are so polite and always reach out a loving hand. You deserve a good birthday, Layla. And I'm glad it's me who wishes you it first. Happy birthday, my darling Layla."

I tell her, before I grab something out of my pocket, and slide it infront of her. I had saved up all my money for this, so I truly hope she would love it.

I watched as she grasped it into her hands, being so careful and yet gentle as she had done it. She had opened it, and as she had, a shocked gasp had escaped her lips.

"A-alastor! You— I can't have this! It's.. its so much! This money should go to you're family! Not.. not to me!" She speaks frantically to me her eyes wide as she sits there, processing what I had given her.

This time, I reach out and grasp her hand, calming her down.

"Layla, my dear. please, take this. I want you to have it. It's my eternal gift to you. Truly showing how dearly I appreciate you. I need you to take it, please darling."

I tell her, my thumb gently stroking her hand. I really want her to take this. I had picked out this necklace especially for her.

It was a beautiful ruby red necklace, and it shone, just like her eyes. It was truly beautiful. But never, oh God, never more beautiful then her. She will always be the most beautiful gem, stone, rock, anything there is to offer. She will always be the most beautiful.

"Oh— my dear alastor. Okay, I will take it. Just for you. I just.. thank you, truly. This has already been the best birthday I could ever ask for. You are an amazing friend, and I cherish you and you're soul. Now, if you wouldn't mind, will you help me put it on?" She says, laughing just a little bit. I could tell she was nervous, and yet she was excited too. She had that certain gleam in her eyes. It always excited me.

"Ah, yes. Of course layla."

I help her put the necklace on, and as I sit back down, I cant help but take in the sight. She was truly stunning. It complimented her perfectly. I truly loved it for her. I..

I still can't admit it to myself, can I?

Despite my thinking, we have a perfect early morning. Just enjoying the glorious day. Just enjoying layla. That was mostly my part, but still. Layla eats her cake, and we laugh and talk until sunrise.

This will be a moment I remeber for the rest of my life. The gleam in her eyes, the smile on her face. And I know it's all because of me.

Happy birthday, my lovely Layla.

Roses.

"Layla? Layla? Where have you gone? Jeez, you always seem to scamper off whenever I actually seem to need you—.." I had practically muttered to myself. Me and Layla were just walking around her estate, until she had disappeared off somewhere. It would always bug me when she did. I couldn't have her in my eyesight, it worried me.

But, it didn't take me that long to spot her again.

"Layla?.." I had whispered out. My eyes wide as I walk into this foreign part of her estate. I had never been around here before, so it was surprising to see such beauty myself.

"Ah— alastor? I would have assumed it would have taken you longer to find me. But, I guessed wrong." She chuckles to no one but herself. She knew alastor had not found this funny, and yet it amused her in a way she didn't know could be.

"Yeah. It took me pretty long, at least I think so. I've never been in this part of the estate, so." I say, as I take in the world around me. This truly was a beautiful spot to be in.

Looking at Layla though, this place would never even shine close enough to her beauty. Her beautiful blonde hair, her sun like eyes. All of it. It would always shine much more beautiful than any other artwork, or any other flower. She was the word perfection itself.

"Shocking, isn't it? It's been around 1 year since I planted these, I'm pretty sure. I had just met you around that time, so I could never forget, my dear alastor." She says, as she picks a rose from the garden surrounding her. She had all kinds of flowers. Tulips, roses, all sorts of things.

"These truly are my favorite. They are so beautiful, and yet prick anyone that deems to come near. As long as you are gentle and careful enough though, you can.. get through to them. It's truly amazing, isn't it alastor? How nature can show us the grace of it's fruits. Give us lessons of life." She says, smiling down at the rose. And I couldn't help it, I has begun to form a smile myself.

"it truly is magnificent, layla." I say and take in the sight around me. She truly is so beautiful, just like a rose itself.

But, I sadly couldn't watch the sight for as long as I had wished. Layla let out a shocked gasp, and I rushed to her side. She had gotten pricked by the rose.

"ah— Layla, are you okay?" I say as I pull out my handkerchief, and softly dab away the blood that had pooled on her hand. Jeez, she seemed to always be getting into trouble. My layla.

"It's.. it's fine, alastor. It's my fault for not being careful enough, so you should not worry for me." She tells me, trying to calm me and put me at ease. I could tell. She always tended to others even when in distress herself.

"No no, it's not you're fault. It'd never be, my Layla." I say, and pull her hand into mine, bringing it up to my lips, and kissing it oh so gently. I'd never want to hurt her, that's a promise I'd always make to myself. "Nothing is ever you're fault. You always care for others, even when hurt yourself. I admire you for that, and yet you should take care of yourself. I want to watch you prosper, my Layla."

I tell her, as I look up into her eyes. Her beautiful eyes that I could never, ever, get tired of. She would never bore me, as long as I'd live. She'd be the movie I would watch on repeat. I wish she knew that. And yet, she didn't deserve a poor boy like me, I was not worthy of her love.

And yet, I craved her. Every inch of her being. My actions always went before my words. I could never control myself when matters came to Layla.

"Oh.. my dear alastor. I'm flattered by your words. Truly.."

She says to me. And for a moment, I could swear I saw her face flush. My perfect Layla.

Please, Mr. Bentonite.

Honestly, I would have rather not done this.

But I had to. I had no other choice, I had to come to terms with my feelings, and sadly enough, Layla's father.

He was a respected man all across town, and to my own father especially. Layla's father had given mine a job when he was out of luck, and I'll always thank him for that. We were on the brink of bankruptcy, when he had brought my father in. Honestly, we owe everything we have now to Mr. Bentonite.

And so, I had fallen into a whirlpool of feelings that consumed my mind. I felt selfish. I mean, I was asking even more of him, so how would this even go?

I knew he didn't like me that much. Sure, he had helped my family before, but only because of his dear wife. She was the heart of their relationship I suppose. She was the one that had truly cared to extend my family a helping hand in our dreaded time of need. She truly was a Saint, just like Layla.

So, with my heart in my hands, I had left my house and took my old Ford up to layla's estate. She was not home, of course, I would not dare to face her with my heart in my hands like this. I shall do that for another day, if her father sees so.

My my nerves on the fence, I had walked up to the door and knocked on it. My hands were sweaty, and my stomach was thrown for a loop. I was so nervous, this would decide the fate of basically everything.

Layla was my everything.

I was sharply shaken from my thoughts though, as someone had opened the door.

"Ah uhm yes— oh! Well it's the bakers little boy! Come in come in, how's you're father? Mother?" Mrs. Bentonite had said, moving away from the entrance to let me inside. I could never get tired of her enthusiasm, she was a ray of sunshine. My nerves had somehow calmed, and I could walk again.

I stepped inside. I followed Mrs. Bentonite to the kitchen, she was busy as always.

"Yes, hello Mrs. Bentonite. I'm sorry to intrude on such a fine evening." I told her as I sat on one of the kitchen chairs, watching her scurry around her kitchen, just baking and mixing things for her family. She was a great mother, I'll give her that.

"Oh it's no worries dear! No worries at all. But I must tell you, I'm surely sorry, Layla isn't at home right now. If you'd like, you could wait for her—" She had told me, as she was stirring some sort of brown mixture. Was she making brownies? I loved her brownies.

jeez, now is not a time to think of brownies.

"Oh, no no, I am not here for Layla, ma'am. I'm here for her father." As soon as I had said that, she looked at me wide eyed, and I couldn't blame her, I'd be like that too if I was her. Her husband was feared and respected, so why was a boy like me asking for him?

"Ah.. my Johnny? What do you need from him? Is it something for you're father?" She says, putting the bowl down and walking over towards the chair I was sitting in.

"No, it's not for my father ma'am. I'm here about Layla." My nerves were growing again, and I couldn't seem to halt them in their path. How I wish they would just settle down.

But they only seemed to get worse.

"And what do you want, with my dear Layla?" Mr. Bentonite had stepped into the kitchen, smoking his pipe as he always did. It was just like him. Even if he was a busy man, a respected man, he still always reeked of smoke. That's how you knew he was near. Surprisingly enough, I had not caught him this time.

"Oh— Johhny, what are you doing out of bed? You are supposed to be resting for now, you had a long day and such—" And as quick as that, Mr. Bentonite had snapped his fingers, and the Mrs. had quieted down. It was sad to see, and yet we all knew she was love struck on Johnny, her high-school sweetheart.

"Now I'll ask again, what do you want with my daughter? Better make it quick too. I have no time for such foolishness such as this. I'm a busy man, you're father knows that, as should you." He had said, sitting down in the chair in-front of me. Jeez he was always an intimidating man. So full of power it had practically seethed through him.

"Oh— uh, yes sir. I know you are a very busy man, so I promise I shall be quick. Now, with you're daughter.." I had begun to speak, my mind racing. I was actually going to be truthful, and set my intentions. That was rare of me, of course. I had always been unspoken around Mr. Bentonite.

"Sir, I am in love with you're daughter. I know I'm a mere' boy. And yet, I can't help but love her. I love her eyes, such things remind me of the sun. Her hair, her smile, her laugh. Everything captivates me. I know I only have so little to offer, but please, let me take her to prom. I want to ask her, and show her the same love she had offered me when I was just a child. She has been my best friend since forever, and I plan to marry her. I know, I only offer my heart on my sleeve, but you must understand, my heart beats for her. My lungs fill with breath, all for her. My body, soul, and mind is devoted to her. Please, I beg. Let me take her to prom."

And as I said such things, Mrs. Bentonite had such an expression. I couldn't tell very much, but her face was filled with fear and worry. That was not a good sign, and yet her eyes had a glint of love in them. Maybe she truly believed I would take care of her daughter, and I was just willing to put her faith to the test. I would give my life for sweet Layla, I was sure of that.

"Son.. listen here, you ain't gonna take Layla to the prom. And you know why? I'm gonna tell ya'. Even if you say such things, there isn't a promise you can hold, if it's only said by words. How can you promise all of that for my Layla? I want her to be taken care of when I'm gone, and I won't let her fall into the hands of some boy who has nothing to offer other then a truck. So I advise, get outta here, and start a life. You won't get Layla, and you won't get to take her to prom." Mr. Bentonite had said, grabbing his cane to stand up once again. He must have figured the conversation was over as soon as that.

"But— but please. Mr. Bentonite, try and understand. I love you're daughter. I would give my life for hers. I want to give her a good life, by any means. I'd take any job, any risk, just for her. Please, I beg you sir. Just let me take her to prom. She has given my life purpose since the day I met her. I truly love her with my whole heart. Her body, mind, and soul. I have fallen for it all. Just please, give me one chance." I had said, standing up from my chair. My heart was beating fast, and teats threatened to escape my eyes.

Just one chance. That's all I need.

"And what did I tell ya? It's a no. Now leave my property at once, fore' I call you're daddy on ya." Mr. Bentonite had said. I could tell he was angry, and yet I just, my heart sunk. It truly hurt.

But I could not attest. My father worked for his, and I didn't want to get in the way of the job my father had worked so hard to attain and make his own. And plus, the look on Mrs. Bentonite's face just screamed pain. She had to stand by, and watch her Johnny turn into a bitter old man. I could not make her face even more than she had today. She was a kind woman, she didn't deserve any of this at all.

"Please. Excuse me, Mr. Bentonite, Mrs. Bentonite. I hope you both have a good rest of you're evening. Hopefully I did not ruin it for either of you. Excuse my actions, I did not mean to upset either of you. Truly." I had barely managed to mutter, before I left their house.

My heart was broken as I got in my old truck, and drove away. I searched out into the fields as I had went home, looking for any spots of sunlight. Any ray of hope. And yet, it was dark, the sky filled with clouds. Just as my heart was.

Different.

"Layla, what's been up with you? You seem.. different. More than the usual. What's wrong, my dear?" I say, trailing behind her. Lately she's been more quiet, and I have surely taken notice. Before, she would talk about anything. My days were always void of boredom when she was around.

But now, it was not the case.

It's like she had basically shut down, and I don't know why. For now, I was just trailing behind her, following her to the favorite tree she had. We would always lay underneath it when the days were hot. Our time would simply cease, at least that's how I would always feel like when with her.

It bugged me on how much she had changed. It'd only been almost a week since I had went to talk to Mr. Bentonite, my heart was still in the gutters too, I must admit. So this was just making me frustrated.

"It's nothing, alastor. Just— just don't worry about it. I'm fine." She had told me. And yet, the fact was she was clearly not. I hated when she would lie to me like this.

Me and her finally make it to the tree, just standing around underneath the shade of it. It truly was a beautiful old oak tree. She surely did find the most beautiful places, even if the mood would always be dark. So I didn't get what was going on now.

"No, Layla, you are clearly not. Now I don't mean to pry, but if you would please just tell me what's wrong, then I could try and soothe your worries." I tell her, as I reach for her hand, just to hold it, and nothing more. I grasp it against my own.

And yet she pulls away.

I look up at her face, and into her eyes. I can see a sense of hurt and pain in them. Why? Why was she upset? So frustrated? I could see tears clear as day try and escape her eyes, and yet I knew I couldn't reach for her face, and wipe them away. She would most definitely just push me away again. She was always stubborn when it came to crying and being upset.

"You wanna know so badly then? Fine. Alastor, some guy from high-school asked me to prom. Daddy made me say yes. But.." She tells me, her voice cracking as she brings her hand up shakily to wipe away her own tears. "But I wanted to say no. Don't you.. think I should have said no?"

She says, looking into my eyes, her lips quivering, the tears nonstop. Why was she crying over such a thing?

"..I think you made the right decision. As long as the guy is right for you, my dear." I tell her, trying to stifle down my own emotions. The own tears that threaten to escape my own eyes. It felt like a knife had stabbed me in the chest, and I just. I couldn't. And yet, I had to lie.

I had to.

"alastor, what are you saying?! Was.. was all of this just nothing to you?" A broken out sob escapes her lips, and my heart just shatters. "Do you not understand? Or do you just not seem to care.. I thought, just. I guess you don't care anymore." She says, turning away from me, sobs and gasps escape from her lips. And yet, my heart hurts, but how dare she accuse me of not caring?

i care for her. Every single second, every single minute. My whole life I have always adored her. It frustrated me to hear such words come from her mouth, the one I had loved the most.

"Care? Care? Layla, do you just not get it? Layla I obviously care. Every minute of my life, I care about you. I care about you're future. Sure, if it means that you find a nice guy and go out with him, then I'm fine with it. I just care about you're well-being. What do you mean, I don't care? I care." I tell her, the words slipping out of my mouth before I can even begin to understand them myself. I was infuriated, and hurt. All of this was so much, and yet I couldn't help but feel sorrow for her. She looked so distraught.

"No, no! I don't want to hear it, baker. Because you are too foolish enough to understand. How could I care about a foolish boy like you so much. You don't understand. I thought that since you are my closest friend.. we could have gone together. I wanted to go together. We would have had fun, and yet i find myself now, expressing my feelings, and understanding how foolish of a girl a really am. I.. I don't want to see you anymore, baker. You are just a farm boy. And I was foolish to think otherwise. Goodbye, baker."

And that was that. Years of friendship, and the love I had adored for her, she just, didn't want it anymore. She wanted to go with me? Then why didn't she just say that? Well.. I would have had to turn her down anyway. Maybe this was for the best.

I'll never be able to love her.

And she can find a good man to love her.

After-all, I was just a foolish farm-boy in her eyes.

that's all I shall ever be, isn't it?

Just a farm boy?

It's the day of prom.

Me and Layla have not talked since we had the fight underneath her oak tree.

what am I supposed to do? She's the light of my life, and yet we are separated now. I've been down since then, and it's started to affect my home life too.

"Ah, alastor? what are you still doing home? Isn't prom tonight? Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Mom had told me, as she starts cleaning up the kitchen from earlier today. She was a hard-working woman, and I loved her a lot.

But sometimes I just didn't want to talk. And yet, I have to, don't I? Maybe it'd be better to just get it off my chest.

Tell her about the fight.

Tell her about how much I love Layla. It's painful.

"Yeah. I was supposed to go.. but, mom. I love.. I'm in love with Layla. I always have been. I've loved her since the moment I met her, and I truly wanted to marry her." I begin to speak, my voice shaking a little bit as I do. I know I seemed weak, and yet my heart hurt without her. Without her smile, without her words, without everything that I've become accustomed to.

"I still do, I suppose. I truly believe she's the love of my life. I went to the bentonite's the other evening. I asked for layla's hand. Mr. Bentonite had said no. I left that house, my heart crushed as where he had stomped on it. And it all makes me think, do I truly deserve Layla? Me.. and her had fought, and she cried. So now, I'm thinking not so much. Maybe I don't deserve her, maybe I'm destined to be alone, caught in an unrequited love. Ma, am I just a foolish farm-boy? That's what everyone says I am. Even my dear Layla. I don't deserve her." I finish, and close my eyes. I'm sure mother would attest, saying I need to get my head out of the clouds.

I'm just a farm-boy.

I will never become someone as great as Layla. I'm sure of it. I'm just a boy, I do not deserve her love.

"My my, son, where did you get such ideas from?" Mother laughs as she comes down to the dining table, sitting in the chair next to mine, resting her hand over mine.

"You are not just some farm-boy. You are much more. I've seen it with my own two eyes. Hunny, you're going to be so much more then what you see now. You're growing into a wonderful man, and I'm sure Layla will agree. She.. you can't give up on her just yet, son. Go, you must see her. Go ask again, and this time, do it with you're heart and soul. If you do, you're darling Layla will feel it. Will wait for you." She tells me, laughing gently as she does. mother was always so gentle, and I loved her so much.

"Thank you, ma." I say, getting up from the table, heading back to my room. But I stop, turning to face her.

"I love you, mother."

I say, and walk back to my room to get ready.

I will always love my mother.

Johhny.

I close my truck door, and run up onto the bentonite's porch, and I knock on their door. My heart was way more than just on my sleeve this time. I couldn't care less though, I needed this to work.

"Mrs. Bentonite, please. Let me in, I need to talk to Mr. Bentonite!" I say in a matter of a rush. I guess my voice had caught her attention as she came running to the door, opening it for me. Her and Mr. Bentonite step out onto the porch, walking into the evening air that surrounded them and myself.

"What do you want, baker?" Mr. Bentonite steps out in-front of his wife. The same pipe in his mouth as always. He never did truly change, didn't he?

"Sir, please. I need Layla. I love her. Please just give me one chance— one. That's all I'm asking for." I ask him, completely desperate at this point. I wont be able to handle a no. I wont take it for an answer.

"Boy— I already told ya. You are not getting my Layla. how many times do i have to tell you? And even then, it's already near sunset. Prom has already started, and she's with the man I see fit for her." He says, grabbing the pipe out of his mouth, and looking down at me with glares of a million souls. Honestly, terrifying. Not as terrifying as not getting to love my Layla. My dear layla.

"Sir, please. I can't take no for an answer. I love her, and I will love her till the day I die. I would stand up to the gods for her, give my soul so that way she would never have to see the life I have had myself. I'd fight anything I had to, crawl and scrape, just to get my way home. She is my home. I'd fight hell and heaven just to be by her side, and I'm prepared to go against you. I love her. I always have, and I always will. Her existence must be crafted by the gods themselves. And even then, I know her better than anyone else. Her birthday is July 12th, she loves red velvet cake, not chocolate. She can tell the difference, and would say it even if she was in a room full of people. She loves roses, especially the ones from the corner near our high-school. She loves that big ol' oak tree down in you're field. It's her favorite spot. It's mine now too, I can never go there without feeling her presence. I crave her and the memories that we have had, that we have shared together. I would fight just to keep them for myself, even if I seem so selfish. But that does not matter, I'd be a greedy and selfish man before I would ever let Layla go. I beg of you. Please. Johhny. Let me love Layla. That's all I ask of you."

I tell him, finally finishing as my breathing is heavy. But I couldn't stop myself. I would speak until my lungs gave out if I truly had to. Its like my love for her is intertwined with my soul, and I can't help but love her. I have to speak it, I have to tell him. I have to tell everyone. I love this girl, and would fight the gods to death, just to keep my memories. She's my other half. My eternal flame. I can't deny it anymore. I was a fool for ever letting these dreaded thoughts get the best of me.

Even if Johnny has such a scowl on his face, I could not care less. I know I'm way out of my bounds, saying such things to him, and yet I couldn't take it anymore. My love for her has wrapped itself around my heart, squeezing it until it flows out into my blood and into my lungs. I breathe out the love I feel for her. I live to love her. To serve her. To give her the best life, to give her my whole heart and soul and anything in between. I am layla's.

Let heaven forsake me.

Let hell deny me.

I shall always belong to Layla, and her alone.

She is my one saving grace.

"Now boy, what in the hell has gotten into you? If I must say so myself—" Before he could say anything, Mrs. Bentonite had stepped in, in-front of him, and sent me a warm smile.

"Of course, you may love Layla. Go to her, and tell her." She tells me, and I can't believe it. I finally had somewhat of an acceptance. I stood there shocked.

"Now Caroline. Who said—" She cut him off as he started to speak.

"Johhny, I have had enough! Alastor loves Layla, and you can see how true he feels about her. Just leave him alone." She says, and shoots him a glare. I would have never believed it, in any of my days, Mrs. Bentonite had actually stood up to mean old Johhny. It was truly amazing.

"Go, alastor. Good luck."

And with that, I high-tailed it back to my truck, and slammed on the gas as it started.

I needed to see Layla.

Prom queen.

"Now now, folks, just calm down. It's time for prom queen and king. Are you ready?"

The announcer had spoken, and the whole dance had screamed. They were way more then ready to find out who had won. It was the highlight of the night.

"Alrighty then. I'll be happy to announce.. Mrs. Layla bentonite, and Mr. Zyon Pritchett. And what a lovely couple they are, huh? They've come together tonight, what love birds. Come on up, Layla and zyon!"

My heart was beating rapidly as the announcer said my name. Zyon had looked at me, taking my hand, leading me up to the stage. None of this was going how I had imagined.

Sure, zyon was sweet, but he just..

He wasnt alastor. I didn't feel for him, what I had felt for alastor. Even if alastor didn't see me that way, I just couldn't do this. I couldn't hold this man's hand, be called lovebirds, when I didn't even love him. None of this felt right.

As we got closer to the stage, he had looked back at me, and smiled. I couldn't even return the smile. Before I knew it, I had let go of his hand.

I can't do this without alastor. My dear alastor.

I had turned around, and ran as far as my feet could take me in these stupid heels. My feet hurt so badly, and yet I couldnt stay there. I ran and I ran, as far as my feet could take me. I couldn't breathe, it hurt, it burned.

I had run so much, tears steaming down my face, I didn't even know where I was.

In the rain.

just hold on Layla. I'm almost there. Please just wait for me.

I say, as I turn on the radio. I wanted to see if the high-school was announcing the prom king and queen like they did every year, and yet all that was on the channel, was (Here's to the) Prom Queen. It was layla's favorite song. She would listen to it with me at the oak tree with the hand held radio she had newly gotten. She would always joke about me being king, and her being queen at prom.

how ironic.

as I pulled up to the stoplight infront of the school, I looked into the pouring rain.

Layla? What was she doing out there in the rain? My God, she was soaked.

Me and her locked eyes. I hit the pedal as soon as the stoplight had turned green. I needed to get to her.

And yet, I didn't.

My dear alastor.

"ALASTOR!!"

I had screamed out. My own throat in a sudden harsh pain as I did. I didn't care though, that was the last thing that had even crossed my mind.

I couldn't believe what had just happened. In the matter of seconds, daddy's car had come out of nowhere, and it had smashed into the side of alastors car, flipping him over. My eyes widened as I watch it all, and my heart sunk to my stomach.

I watched as alastor's car had rolled, leaving it grounded on the roof.

Who was I supposed to go to?

and yet, my feet went running before my mind.

I soon found myself at the side of alastors truck, crying and screaming, begging for him to be alright. That's all that I would ever want. Please, just this one thing.

High-school sweethearts.

I felt my body growing cold. Glass had went right through my chest, a big chunk of it. Who knew my prized possession would be the death of me?

Warm blood had rolled down my body, dripping onto my face as I was hanging upside-down. And yet, the cold rain had made my body shiver.

Was it the rain? Or was I dying?

I couldn't tell. I started shivering, and yet my breathing was slowing down. All I could see, was Layla.

When I first saw her, and she bowed to show me gratitude. To someone like me.

Thank you, Layla.

When I saw her at the pond in the middle of the night, the moon shining on her face.

beautiful, that's what you are.

her birthday. The smile she had. The gleam in her eyes. How she was truly so gentle.

so gentle. Just like a flower. My flower.

When I saw her in the rose garden, and she had pricked her finger. And yet, she still saw the beauty of the rose.

My angel, aren't you? So kind. So sweet.

And even as she cried under the oak tree as we fought, I could tell she still cared.

My dearest Layla. I wish I could take such cruel things back.

And even now, as I saw her bend down onto the road, in her prom dress. I could hear her screaming my name. But all I saw was the necklace around her neck.

I love you, Layla. You are so gorgeous.

I guess you're life really does flash before you're eyes before you go. My life was layla's. Thats all I saw. All I would ever see.

"Layla. I.. I wish I could have taken you to prom. Layla I love you. I love you so much. I'm sorry I had never told you until now. As you have to watch me go. I'm sorry. You deserve better. And still, my soul is your's. Eternally."

My vision had quickly faded after that. But, I saw her with the flowers that had scattered across the road. The roses from her favorite flower shop. I'm glad, even if they are damaged, I'm glad she still got them. Even if she got them as she was crying. Grieving for me. My death. She shouldn't cry for somebody like me. She should be happy. I hope she finds that without me. Even if I wanted it to be with me so much.

Even if this is goodbye, Layla, do not cry so much for me. I'll watch over you, so please don't be scared. Alas, even so, at least I can hear you're favorite song as I go.

'Cause it's true love,

High school sweetheart,

She's an angel from above,

She's a shooting star,

It's true,

Here's to the prom queen."

To the prom queen. My dear Layla. Goodbye, for now.

Her song.

"it's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on."

I was listening to my sweethearts song.

sorry if that's confusing, I've gotten that my endings to my stories are confusing before. If you would like me to explain or anything, then feel free to ask, just don't sit there confused, that's the least I would want to happen!

Anyway, I'm new to tumbler. Like, idk what I'm doing. I just want someone to enjoy my writings, so I'm posting my stories to new places to see if anyone would like them, so yeah. I don't even know if im posting this right lmao. If there's any tips, they would highly be appreciated. Thank you!

Also, sorry the format is a little wonkey. I just copied and pasted it.

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pt-disconnected · 2 years ago

Text

With the Dark World seeming to crumble around them, the Player was honestly terrified- as were their allies. Everything seemed out of place- the Card Castle was falling apart as parts of it were replaced with rooms that were from the school, collapsing in on itself. And the Knight was there, laughing. "You fools... so focused on a pawn that you forgot to block the checkmate! And now the game is over!" he said, grinning madly.

The Player looked around, trying to find something- anything- that would get them somewhere. And as they saw a path into the Light World, they grabbed hold of one of the Ralsei variants. "Hold on, guys!" they said, triggering a split-second reaction for the six to grab each other, and Lancer of course. Lancer, trailing at the end, also gave a warning. "G- guys?! That guy is chasing us! What'd you do to make him this mad..?! What's happening to the castle?!" the prince said, confused. But the Player didn't look back. "No time! We'll try and explain soon!" they said, before pulling the six out of the Dark World and into the Light World- without them turning into their respective objects.

This terrified the Ralsei group. Lairse, for one, was enraged. "This... this isn't supposed to be possible! The darkness is merged with the light- no fountain, light or dark, should be able to do that!" he shouted, albeit still in the line led by the Player.

The Player, however, had a focus on their goal. "We need to find Kris. Odds are, they might be able to put a few pieces together. And with what we learned from that guy- I'm not even gonna bother with his name- we might have a shot at figuring out what we need to do."

The group nodded, including Lancer- though he was a bit exhausted. "H- hey, lemon-lime..? C- could I just tag along in your pocket..? I'm not really... the running type..." he said, panting some. The Player sighed. "Yeah, that's fine. I can't be losing you in this mess- Susie would kill me." they say, to which Lancer ran over (conveniently regaining enough energy to do so) and hopped in. Seems the inventory logic of the Dark World had blended through as well.

With Lancer tucked away, safe in the Player's pockets, the group of seven made their way to Kris' house via the Player's lead. Around them, monsters and Darkners of all kinds were panicking, with humans emerging from the rifts connecting the Dark World to the Light World. But these seven were focused on the task at hand.

As they approached the house in question, three figures emerged. Kris, Toriel, and then one more who looked surprisingly like the Ralseis- to his complete confusion. Kris and Toriel were also a bit shocked- especially Kris, as Ralsei was currently in the Light World, something that shouldn't have been possible.

The first one to speak was Kris. "P- Player, what are you doing here?! And what's with Ralsei and the others?! You all should still be in the Dark World- especially them!" they said, referring to the Ralsei group at the end. But the Player shook their head. "This is a massive emergency situation, Kris. Things have gone haywire on both ends. We need to get Susie and Noelle... and probably Berdly as well. I'm not sure what's going on myself, but this is a very bad situation, and that's best case. Worst case... this could be the end of your worlds. And, possibly mine if things go really south."

Asriel spoke up. "Um, sorry to interrupt, but who are you..? And why are there... uh, six more of me?!" he said, completely baffled. Toriel sighed. "Azzy, there's a lot to explain. I'm lucky to have been filled in on the situation myself, especially when things weren't so sudden. We should find Susie, Noelle, and Berdly first, then we can try and sort things out..."

Ralsei nodded, as did the rest of the Asriels- including, well, Asriel himself. Asriel, for one, was surprised at the synchronicity he had with them, but shrugged it off. "Okay. We'll need to split up to find them- but I think we can handle this." he said. "But we also need to ensure everyone's safety."

Kris looked to their adopted mother. "Mom, you know Mayor Holliday, and she trusts you. You'd be best to get Noelle." The Player, in turn, looked to Kris. "Okay, Kris, you might be able to get Susie. I don't know for sure how well it'd go- but you should be able to find her best. Here- take Lancer. That should be enough to prove the intensity of the situation." they say, pulling Lancer out of their pocket (to the shock of both Toriel and Asriel). Lancer just looked around a bit, and chuckled. "Wow, nice castle you got, Kris! Maybe someday I can see what kinds of holes it's got!" he said, before Kris just smiled a little, putting Lancer right into their own pocket.

Looking to Asriel, along with his six other selves, Player sighed. "Asriel, we'll need you to ensure this place is safe. These six should be able to help with that- just make sure this place is safe for when we get back." they say, to which Asriel just looks toward them. "...How do I know I can trust you, though..?" Both Kris and Toriel, however, nodded some, with Toriel speaking. "You can trust them, Azzy. It might be crazy- but there's something different about them. And they've proved themselves. So just work with them."

Asriel sighed, and nodded. "Okay. I'll do my best." Though, Kris spoke next. "Wait, what about Berdly? Who'll find him?" they asked. The Player sighed. "I'm gonna have to try and find them. I'm not sure, but they might be in the library- I just hope that they're all safe. But we need to move, and we'll need to move fast. There's no telling what might happen."

The group all nodded, and began working on their respective tasks. Kris began making their way towards the general apartment complex in the town- and odds were, Susie would be out and about with the chaos going on. Toriel made her way towards the Holliday residence. The seven Asriel variants began work on a sort of base, trying to make the Dreemurr house into a decent place for them to keep themselves safe. And, the Player was making their way towards the library of the town- where Berdly would hopefully be.

But on the way, they wound up plowing face-first into a large, admittedly fluffy monster. They fell backwards, and upon looking up, found themselves staring straight at a startled, albeit armed, Asgore. They immediately put their arms up. "Wait! I don't mean any harm!" they said, knowing how the Light World residents saw the humans. Asgore, however, was just confused. "Wait, what..? Human, what's going on? Tell me now!" he said, starting out confused but quickly getting his weapon, a gardening rake, readied. The Player nodded some. "Okay, I can try to tell you... it's gonna be a bit unbelievable but I think with what's going on you might be willing to believe it... heck if you want I can get you to a safe place, but I need to get to someone- it's a long story, but please, PLEASE believe me. I'm not trying to hurt anyone..."

Asgore glared into eyes of the Player for a few moments, before sighing and allowing them up. "Okay. I believe you. Tell me where to go, and I will meet you there..." he said. The Player got up, slower than they would have normally. "Go back to Kris' place... they should be able to explain when they get back. It'll be a crazy story but this is already crazy as it is. I'll be back soon..." they said, and Asgore's only reply was a nod, before he started to run towards the house. Out of the corner of their eye, the Player also noticed Kris with Susie, as well as Lancer piggybacking on Susie's shoulders. That was good timing.

So they continued on their way to the library- but what they saw honestly terrified them. It wasn't entirely a library anymore- a tree that looked straight out of a pop-up book had grown through the roof, with Berdly on one of the branches. Upon seeing the Player, he called down to them. "Player! Help! I'm not used to this! I don't want to be a normal bird right now!" he said, admittedly getting a small chuckle out of the Player, before they refocused on the situation.

They quickly tried to find something that would break the fall- before noticing a nearby Darkner that was conveniently just an oversized pillow. As such, they quickly approached. "Hey, I need your help really quick. I know it's strange, but you need to break my friend's fall- are you able to do that safely?" they asked. Shockingly, they nodded- turns out they had been doing that for other Darkners too. As such, they went over to the spot where Berdly would probably land.

Unfortunately, it wasn't just that easy. Berdly was still clinging to the branch, not wanting to let go. "I can't fall that far down! I'd PERISH! This isn't the Dark World, where a single pillow would nullify all the fall damage!" he said, clearly afraid of heights. The Player just sighed. "Berdly, there's no distinction between the two right now! Whatever it is that's going on has messed up the rules of reality! Think of it as a glitch- fall damage isn't working right because of it!" they said. So Berdly gulped, closed his eyes, and dropped right onto the pillow-Darkner. Getting up, he looked at himself, and let out a sigh of relief and did a fist pump- before the Darkner asked for him to get off of them, which he did.

With Berdly back in the group, the Player now chose to make their way back to the Dreemurr house- Berdly not far behind. As they approached, the two could see Asgore and Toriel, actually talking. It was strange, but it seemed that the dire circumstances were allowing them to interact... somewhat normally. And with Toriel back, that meant Noelle had arrived as well. But to the Player's surprise, there was a second one there with her- another reindeer monster who seemed to be just a bit older than Noelle, and dressed in an outfit much like that of Noelle's Dark World outfit, except it was a light blue instead of white. She seemed to be talking with Noelle, as well as Susie and Kris, and when Susie saw the Player approaching, she pointed them out. Kris quickly went over, with Noelle and the other reindeer monster staying back for the time being.

Kris looked to Berdly. "Berdly, you got any idea what's going on?" The bluebird shook his head. "Not in the slightest, aside from the obvious. Why? You don't know either?" Kris shook their head. "Just checking to see if we needed to explain. Regardless, now that everyone's together, we need to get a sort of plan. Dad was worried for Mom, and Dess wound up finding out about things because her outfit changed, so they're getting an explanation of things from before."

The Player sighed. "Okay, once those explanations are done, I think me, Ralsei, and the rest of Asriel's alternate selves have some stuff to explain too. Turns out that the Knight had us all fooled. I don't know how we could have stopped him in the first place anymore."

Kris groaned, concerned but clearly not wanting to think on it too much. "Okay. Tell us later. Right now, we've got a lot to work on. At least we have another two in our team for now. I don't know where we'll go from here, but... I think once Azzy and the Ralseis finish getting the house fortified more, we can get things hashed out more calmly. For now, we should just get you introduced to Dad and Dess. That way, they don't mistake you for one of the other humans who seem to be... not as happy about what's going on."

The Player simply nodded. "Got it. Let's get that done."

Whoa, what's this? Part 20?! And I hadn't even done a Anon Asks yet!! Seems that things really have gone into chaos. And this is a nice, larger part too. I personally am unsure of the quality of it but if you guys all enjoy it then that's what matters to me. I certainly want to aim for quality as well in the end. So now we've had two parts in the span of one week (not in terms of a calendar, I mean two parts in seven days), and honestly I'm happy about that. I have a few ideas for where to go from here, and those vary wildly in all honesty. Depending on how I can work with Azzy being part of the story, as well as the new additions (hehe!) we might be seeing a variety of things. Could be new stuff, could be rewritten old stuff, could be stuff happening in the background of old stuff. There's even another option that you might be able to figure out if you hunt it down. Pgp lkwbak isow mqgba abj wep, xxnr zme isrbpn waabec penrxnm ezp isr zga. Qkz bbnpaan lka nzptpe fg lka dtqu uip rexmo abj bouznn royew nu mp. Md do ritnazzm vwzm pgc yafigapne pso htwe, tobp pso lmeeyo abj opzcg mqbpnjp. Hopefully you all enjoy this additional part of the story, and whatever else is soon to be! I'll see you all in whatever comes next, be it the next Anon Asks, or another part should I manage to pull more motivation out of thin air! Previous Part | First Part | Next Part LynxGriffin's Paper Trail Comic (Whoa, a completely original segment! Shocking! Check out the comic anyways though, you might find something that might be intriguing- there's all sorts of stuff in there that inspires these story segments!)

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too-much-tma-stuff · 2 years ago

Note

If you are doing tma requests then I wanna see nikola, michael (or Helen) and jane being besties and having fun together (bonus if they make Jon suffer)

This has all the trigger warnings you would expect with these characters.

If you like my writing please consider leaving a tip :) https://ko-fi.com/tea_stuff

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Jon was kidnapped again, how often this was happening was genuinely distressing. This time it was by the circus, after they'd Said they weren't going to kidnap him. So there he was tied to a chair, naked much to his shame because that made it easier to moisturize him. He couldn't help but wonder in Nikola enjoyed Silence of the Lambs.

He had been left alone for now, but not for long it seemed because he could hear the clack of plastic feet skipping down the hall and into his prison. "Hello Archivist!" Nikola sang excitedly. "I hope you don't mind! I invited a couple of friends over for a girls night~ They're very excited to see you," She crooned with malicious delight. Just when Jon thought he couldn't be any more afraid.

He pulled on his bindings and gave a wordless objection since he couldn't get any words out around the gag. He hated how helpless that made him, not that his ability to compel people had ever really helped much. Sometimes it bought him a couple minutes but after that his assailant was usually even more angry then before.

"Now now don't get impatient! They should be here soon!" Nikola crooned, willfully misinterpretation Jon's squirming as excitement. One might have thought that as the stranger she just had no idea how people worked, but Jon knew better.

The air in the room changed in an indescribable but familiar and he's not surprised when he hears the creek of a door opening ominously behind him.

"Well hello Archivist, Nikola," It greeted in that headache inducing voice, sounding inordinately pleased. Jon knows that Michael is dangerous but his initial emotion is irritation anyway, he doesn't feel true terror until he hears a wet laugh behind him.

No, NO! That was impossible! Jane was dead, he had talked to the man who had burned her, he had a jar of her ashes on his desk! And yet it was clearly Jane who came shuffling around in front of him, the worms crawling in and out of her skin made him want to throw up and the way she was leering at him didn't help.

"Don't worry! Since I invited them they they promised not to do anything to damage your skin!" Nikola chirped enthusiastically, resting a hand on his shoulder freezing him in place because straining away from Jane the way he had been would send him closer to Nikola.

"Of course that won't stop us from hurting you Archivist," Micheal laughed and grabbed the back of John's neck. He Knew that he wasn't actually being hurt, but this is now that it is, a specialist in fooling one's senses, so Knowing did nothing to sooth the feeling that his neck was on fire! He screamed into the blindfold, barely muffled at all.

Nikola and Jane were laughing, it made him sick! Nikola clapped wooden hands, a clack of plastic muted by stitched together skin, Jane's laugh expelled whatever worms were squirming through her throat, they curled back around into holes in her cheek. Jon's head pounded as Michael laughed and let go of Jon's throat, his scream petering off into a reedy whine.

Nikola slung an arm around Michael's waist since she was entirely unable to each it's shoulder and it grinned to wide for its face and rested its elbow on top of her head. Jon cringed back in his chair as Jane leaned closer. "I'm told you won, but of course that's not going to stop me from trying," his stomach turned at her voice, how wet and ruined it sounded, a little blood bubbled at the corners of her lips.

"I'll take a little revenge for myself now just in case the distortion isn't lying." She opened her mouth and worms poured out, they wouldn't burrow in this time, but his scars ached with the memory and the feeling of them squirming over his bear skin was horrifying! He screamed and thrashed, struggling so hard he knocked the chair over, knocking all the air out of his lungs leaving him wheezing and shuddering on the floor as all three laughed at him.

Michael and Nikola egged Jane and her worms on as they all drank in his fear. What a perfect night for three Avatars, dinner and a show~

#jane prentiss #michael distortion #nikola orsinov #jonathan sims #the magnus schives #mental torture #sort of petered out in the end because I didn't really know how to end it #oops #fanfiction requests

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bluteatavern · 10 months ago

Text

Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Chapter 2: Waking up

TRIGGER WARNING

Contains thoughts and actions concerning depression and suicide

The first thing I noticed was that I wasn't in my room.

For as long as I can remember, there has always been a small hole in the sheets I'm used to sleep on. When I wake up, in the morning or in the middle of the night, it's always the first thing I feel, and it's been like that for 10 years. I've never fixed it or replaced the sheets for another one. It's comforting, waking up and knowing where you are just by touch.

I run my hands over the bed I'm lying on, but all I feel is some smoother fabric, a little thicker than the blanket wrapped around me.

I open my eyes slowly. The light of a gray day comes through a window, but other than that, not even the lamp on the nightstand next to the bed is on. There is another bed a little further away from mine, and next to it are those devices the doctors put saline to insert them in the patient's veins.

It's the only clue of where I am. But how did I get to a hospital?

A little bird flies across the sky outside. I prop up on one elbow to pull myself up.

I remember.

I wasn't alone in that building. There was a boy...with wings. He dived after me. He must have been the one who brought me here as well.

Maybe at some other time, if I were someone else, I would have cried of happiness for surviving, because someone was there at that time. But I don't feel like crying, getting angry, or doing anything but collapsing on the bed again.

"I thought you were going to take longer to wake up. Dang it, I lost a bet"

I almost break my neck as I turn towards the voice.

A brown-skinned, blue-haired child with a dog plushie in their hands is sitting in a blue armchair by the door, looking at me curiously.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Sho" He says while moving the plushie's soft little arms, but never taking his eyes off me.

He's too young.

"Are you alone here?" I ask, turning my full body towards him.

"I'm waiting for my brother. He went home to get the car, otherwise he would have to carry me all the way back to our house"

Right. So it really is a hospital, and not other kind of facility.

"Are you hurt?" I ask. He nods and lifts the hem of his pants a little, revealing a bandage around his ankle. "Did they bring you here too? Like, to rest?"

He shakes his head and starts speaking more quietly.

"No. I'm hiding, but don't tell them! They wanted to give me some green goo to eat, but my cousin said you turn into a zombie if you eat it" He says, as if he just told me the biggest conspiracy in the world "And you? Why are you here?"

The question hangs in the air for a while before I answer.

"I fell..." I say almost in a whisper.

"Smell?" He tilts his head, brow furrowed.

"...yeah, I smell...like..." I look down at his plushie "...dog food"

"Dog food? But why?!" His eyes grow bigger.

"I fell...into a pot, and now I can't take the smell out of my skin. So they put me here"

He seemed to buy the whole story on the spot. He even smiled a few times, not caring that he didn't got a realistic answer. Finding something like this funny should be considered a privilege.

"Seriously though, why are you here?"

I feel a rock falling on top of my head. I can't even fool a child that's less than 8. Though he does have the dog-like ears and a tail hanging from the chair, so this story of the smell dog food certainly hasn't convinced him from the start.

And these questions won't be this easy to answer later. I know someone will make them soon, because if that boy told them how he found me, I'm going to have to stay here longer than I want to.

The door finally opens, and Sho limps towards my bed, trying in vain to hide, but he trips and crawls the rest of the way, with his tail being the last thing the person who just entered surely saw. The woman is holding a tray in her and smiling at the scene, looking at me as if we share a secret.

"Pretty smart hiding in here, but you'll have to be quicker next time, boy" She shrugs her shoulders.

Sho grunts in frustration and walks out of his hiding place pouting.

"I heard your brother has already arrived. You can go back and talk to the nurse on the desk outside" she says.

"Yes!" He starts to run towards the door as best as he can, but stops midway and takes a good look at the tray the woman is holding. He runs back to the side of the bed and presses the mattress to lift himself up until his mouth is at the same level as my ear.

"See? That's the goo over there. Don't eat it or you'll turn into a zombie!" And with that he limps across the room, leaving the door open.

"And be careful with that foot or the nurses will have to bandage it all over again" The woman closes the door and turns to me again, grinning.

"I can assure you, this does not turns you into a brain-eater" She chuckles, but I simply smile back.

She's not dressed like a doctor or a nurse. She's wearing a knee-length gray coat with a blue shirt under it, and heels that fill the room with clop-clop-clop sounds as she walks towards me, placing the trail on my lap. There are some crackers and the 'green goo', that is actually just an ordinary jelly. I make no move to reach for them. It feels like my stomach started dropping again.

"So, how are you feeling?" She sits at the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine" I say with no intention of putting more emotion in my voice than necessary.

She watches me for a few more minutes. There's a card on her blouse...

Dr. Okamoto

"What's your name?" She finally asks.

"Bessho"

"How old are you, Bessho?"

"Nineteen"

"Well Bessho, are you sure you're not feeling any pain, or maybe nauseous?"

"Nothing at all"

"Alright" She clasps her hands "First of all, I need you to know that we have examined you, and physicaly you seem fine, but if you feel any sort of pain or headache, you can talk to any of the nurses. But overall, I believe you're going to be fine on this aspect."

I nod.

"Okay. Second. You entered with a wallet and your phone. I know you just woke up, but do you remember having them with you before?" I nod again "So, we didn't want to do it in the beginning, but we had to check your wallet to see if you had the number of anyone we could contact. Since we didn't find it, and your phone is out of battery, do you mind telling me if you know someone we can call to come here?"

There used to be an answer at the tip of my tongue. But now...

"I have no one..." I say while looking at my hands.

"Are you sure? It doesn't have to be a family member. A friend is also an option"

It hits me as soon as she says the word "friend". He used to call Shouko that, even though she's my boss.

She taps the number I give on her phone and sends it to someone.

"Alright. The secretary will call her and tell her where you are and that you are safe. And that's the third thing I need you to be aware of. You are safe here, and you can trust me, okay?"

I don't raise my eyes, but I feel hers on me, trying to be gentle but making the atmosphere heavier as the silence goes on.

"So..." she clasp her hands again "...do you remember the reason you had to come to the hospital, Bessho?"

I need to save myself. I need to cooperate here.

"All I remember is that I was walking down a street, and then I think I fainted..."

"Fainted?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Yes. And then I woke up here"

"Why do you think you fainted?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe I just...I haven't eaten much yesterday, maybe it was that"

"Has it happened before?" She tilts her head forward.

I nod, biting my lower lip while I fight the urge to throw up, and I think my reaction is already telling all I want to hide.

She has seen this act before. You could tell by the way her mouth and her eyes formed the face people make when they want to be gentle with someone. And she does it so effortlessly.

"Do you know who brought you here?"

When I don't answer, she continues.

"His name is Hawks. He's one of the newest heroes in Fukuoka. Have you heard about him?"

I shake my head. I haven't turned the TV on lately.

"You must be asking yourself why am I telling you this..." actually I'm not "it's because it's important to know who brings you here. It's an act of kindness that not a lot of people find the time to give these days, when there's so much rush. People tend to forget things like this still happen with all the hope the heroes give. Not that it is a bad thing, but our reality is still full of people that need help and can not be just dragged to a safe place and left there. I know I can't predict when things like this happen, but we can prevent them by helping each other. This is what I'm trying to do here..."

I know where this is going.

Everything around me seems to grow slower, even my blood isn't circulating at normal speed in my veins anymore. Everything's taking longer to happen.

When was the last time I had a psychologist talking to me?

I only notice she's still talking when the sound of her voice emerges from somewhere and reaches my ears. I have to stop looking people in the eyes for too long. Shouko already said it's clear when I'm listening or not, no matter for how long I'm staring.

"...does as well. What I'm trying to say is that even in our moments of despair, when everything seems too confusing, there's always a reason for the problem, and a reason to search for the solution..." She places a hand on her chest "That's why I want to help you. If you wish to, we can start and search for it. And you won't feel alone on the way"

Every word sounds the same at this point, no matter who speaks them. It's a waste of time in the end.

"I'm really thankful for everything you did while I was passed out...but I think there has been a mistake. I wasn't planning on doing anything...maybe the hero got confused and that's why he said what he think he saw...but it wasn't anything serious"

She presses her lips together.

"Then what were you doing on the top of that building last night?"

So the boy...that asshole really said it.

"I just...thought I needed to go up there for a second"

"Why?"

"I...I used to talk to my uncle about what the view from there would be like...and...it felt like yesterday was a good day to find out" This is actually true.

She looks down on her hands, I can only imagine what she's making up from what I just said.

I never understood this part. Why do they always ask what I think I was doing as if the answer isn't clear enough already? It's not like I was doing it for the sensation it gives me, I'm not that into adrenaline. And posing as someone who does haven't done much for me until now.

"I'm sorry Bessho, but we can't let you go until we talk to the person we are calling, and until we know you are completely okay to leave. This might take a while"

Of course I can't leave. I've been here before, why did I ever think it would be different this time?

"Have you ever done this before?" She asks.

"Done what?"

Is she cutting the conversation short now? She's also giving me those eyes again. I keep trying to avert my gaze, but it always drifts back to her gentle and yet judgmental face.

"No" I finally say, but she doesn't seem to believe me.

"Why did you think you had to do it now? Has something happened to you?"

I turn my head to the window, hoping she will go back to her kind talk or something.

"You don't feel comfortable enough to talk right now"

I shake my head slowly.

"I'm sorry" It doesn't feel like I can control my voice anymore, so as it cracks midsentence, it surprises me less.

"No, don't be" her voice gets even softer as she puts one of her hands over my entwined ones "We'll have more time to talk about it later...and...I'll have to talk to your friend as well"

That makes the blood stop in my veins.

"No!"

She jumps in surprise when I speak loudly.

"I'm sorry...I just... please don't tell her"

She leans her head towards me.

"Bessho, I'm sorry, but you need someone to be aware of what you're going through. Is for the sake of your wellbeing."

"Yes...yes I know but...she doesn't need to worry about it...please, she already has a lot to deal with" She sighs with an empathic look, making it clear that she won't budge "Look, she...my uncle died yesterday. She's already sad about it"

"I'm really sorry to hear that" She falls silent, which gives me some hope. But it quickly fades when she starts speaking again "Listen, it's part of my duty to make sure you stay calm and safe while you're here, but it's not right to do it while hiding the truth from people who play a big part in your recovery. So here's what's going to happen. I'm going to tell your friend..." She raises her hand when I open my mouth to protest "I have to tell her about what happened, but only after we examine you one more time, and after I talk to you some more. And then, I'll talk to both of you, together this time. And in the end, we'll see if you need to stay in observation, or with a specialist, or if you need to go somewhere else to receive the help you need"

My shoulders slump, as if the weight has moved its focus from my head to the rest of my body.

"Do you really need to tell her?" My voice begins to fade.

"Yes, I do"

I slide my hands away from her grasp and keep my eyes on the floor on the other side of the bed with brows furrowed. She takes a deep breath.

"I'll leave you to rest now okay? Eat a little, it will do you good. Your wallet and phone are in this drawer, alright? I'll come back soon" She walks towards the door clop-clop-cloping again, but then she stops and turns to me one last time "Listen, if you collaborate, you'll get to go home sooner. And what's better, you'll start to get better from things that by now you believe are okay. But they are not. You deserve the help we're trying to give you. So please, don't let this chance slip away"

And then she closes the door, leaving me with the green goo for company.

I lean back and feel like there are rocks under me. But isn't it always like this?

What amazes me the most is how anyone is able to always know what's best, to always know what is going to be of me. Always know how it feels. People always understand too much. But if it's that easy to get me, why haven't I figured it out as well? Making them work with assumptions instead of material I can't give is a waste of time.

I look down at the trail and take the one cracker. It's not like I'm hungry, but if I don't do something I might go insane. Also, I have to show them I can be fine on my own. And judging by the flicking light I saw in the corner of the room while she was talking, I'm pretty sure there are cameras hidden in here. Why else would she leave me here unsupervised?

The rest of this day, the day after the funeral, did not go like it should.

Shouko should have gone home, but after she arrived, she just exchanged a few words with that woman with the heels and the nurse and doctor that checked me.

"How are you feeling?" "Did you eat anything?" "Who talked to you?"

She never asked anything beyond that. Later on, Dr. Okamoto talked about why and how I came to the hospital, and explained how we must proceed in this 'situation'. The word did nothing but to get me squirming in my chair and sweating a lot. I could barely look both of them in the eye.

Just one day after losing her boyfriend, and now she has to sleep in the hospital because I...

I open my eyes again, still in that room. It's dark outside. Shouko left to sleep in a chair out there for a bit, whether because she's upset or not, I would never know. That was her language that only he would understand.

I never thought I would miss him this much. The idea of waking up knowing he would be home always comforted me, but it seems that reality is only becoming clear now.

That was the reason they took as my motivation. The information, or better, the lack of it, led them to believe I went to the top of the building because of the grief I felt. It's not uncommon, and loss can make people do things in the heat of the moment without thinking.

And I can't lie, that really does makes sense.

Memories of everything I said to him. Everything I did or gave up on doing with him kept flashing through my brain all the way to the top. I turned his life upside down and forced him to deal with whatever came along with me since we arrived at the city.

I mistreated him. I judged him way too often. I was rude, and selfish, a brat. I could have done better.

Why...why even after everything I did...why did you kept smiling and caring about me?

Why did you kept saying I was beautiful?

You can't judge anything in the dark. You need to find your flashlight to see things for what they really are.

I stare at the blackness of the hospital room. It isn't the first time this happens. I wake up at any given time of the night, and think. I think too much. About my uncle, my job, myself, the building...

To think I couldn't do something that simple almost makes me laugh, but the minor smile on my lips fades completely when it finally hits me.

I couldn't do it because he was there.

Hawks.

The hero that caught me while I was falling because he had wings.

I only saw a silhouette of them, but they seemed so pretty.

Right under the covers, I feel them tickling my back. Atrophied quirks are also not uncommon. Still, I wish they haven't asked about this hunchback that I tried so hard to hide under the nylon coat. But it doesn't help when you don't know what size they'll be the next day.

The Storm starts to get heavy again as they start to softly brush against the back of my thighs.

Tomorrow is the day. Why wouldn't it be?

I squirm a little, and the softness seems to trail further in my leg, making my breath hitch and shake. Why do I have to be awake when it happens? Is it to remind me that they're still there?

As if I would ever forget it.

In case you prefer Ao3

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#mha #bnha #mha fanfic #oc #bnha hawks #hawks x reader

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