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lilacandladybugs · 4 years ago

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hey since youre talking about christianity, i was wondering if you could answer a question ive been curious about. if god cares about people and if jesus died for our sins, then why does hell exist? and if god cares about us then why did he let so much bad stuff happened in his name, and even cause it, like with the noah’s arch story?

sorry if any of this is wrong ive never read the bible, but ive had bad experiences with christianity in the past and the way you talk about it seems much nicer than the way i know it

I don’t think I can answer this question in a way that doesn’t come across as pretentious or like I’m asking for an argument or just being straight up unsatisfying. But I just am going to try anyway because i'm hoping that maybe this will be comforting or helpful to someone. I’m sorry if this is offensive I am really trying my best, please take this all in the best possible way and be gracious with me

The thing about this ask is that it’s actually a bunch of different questions, and since each of them individually is really hard to answer so I’m going to narrow it down to just one ( im sorry ;-; ) . The one I’ve thought about the most is “Why does God let bad things happen if he loves us?”

When this question first really occurred to me, I was already a believer. So I was already pretty convinced that God exists logically, from the perspective of history, philosophy, science, and my personal experience. I believed in the /existence/ of the God who is represented in the scriptures. (I doubt anyone wants it but I can give you a list of resources if you want to look into any of that.) The struggle for me was whether or not all that evidence held true in the face of this moral dilemma; the problem of evil in the presence of a loving God.

But I just couldn’t turn my back on the concept of a moral grounding in God. I had a philosophy professor tell me that people are mortal and so we shouldn’t grieve them like they’re immortal, that grief is a choice, and that trauma is a choice. I respected her so much, but I just couldn’t accept that. There’s nothing more unsettling to me than suggesting that cruelty and death and suffering are only wrong because you think they are, and not because they’re violating sacred ancient laws. My friends dying, people hurting me, that isn’t just in my head. It’s /real/. They’re really dead, and it really matters. People really did something wrong when they hurt me, and it isn’t my fault for being hurt. It’s their fault for being cruel. And their cruelty is objectively morally wrong.

I realized that if I became an atheist I would have to accept the fact that there isn’t /objectively/ any difference between right and wrong. There isn’t any theoretical “right way” that the world should be. But to me, there is a right way it should be. There is a right way and it was lost because of sin.

It was I guess comforting that Christianity provided the premises I needed to ask a question like this. Evil exists. And love exists. So how can God exist? What a comforting question, in a way. To get to grieve, to be angry, to wonder what’s going on, to want things to be different. It was validating i guess

Don’t get me wrong i was FURIOUS i was so angry. I was so angry and so conflicted I kind of thought I might just like rip apart at my seams but I just felt caught between a rock and a hard place to be either abandoned by God or to not even be able to think about my experiences in a way that felt coherent.

He showed up though. I remember swearing at him, and laying up at night thinking he wasn’t there, I told him I wouldn’t have to have trauma if he would’ve stepped in, that my friends wouldn’t be dead, that he let it happen to me, that he just /witnessed/ it. And man idk he just showed up. He showed up every time. I almost walked away like five times that summer. And every time he sent someone, there was always someone that showed up and talked to me like out of nowhere. Or music, or scripture, or something someone said in passing.

The night that it was really bad was when I realized that the only person who could save me was God and I cried out to him, and I just idk I’ve never been so desperate. I went to church the next day against my will and the sermon felt like it was written for me specifically. I cried through the whole thing.

If God is goodness, then how can I say he isn’t with me and around me constantly? In the sunrise and sunset, in the stars, in flowers, and in kind words. In sermons. In friends and family. In all the coincidences that stopped me from becoming an atheist, all of the answered prayers and the impossibilities. That’s why my side blog is called @in-the-whisper. Because I felt him there, even though it hurt, he was with me in the quiet and in the silence, in his whisper in a thousand different ways.

I was posed this question by someone who was there for me in one of those moments where I almost walked away from God, “Is sufficiency abundant?” I guess I thought it was. Where was God? In the peace that surpasses understanding. In the knowledge that everything is finished, that he died for us, that he didn’t abandon us. That whatever terrible things happen, he was willing to take all of the consequences for that onto himself in the person of Jesus. That one day he will set things right, even though it isn’t right right now.

It comes down to the Gospel (good news, core story of the Christian faith); humanity actively chose to walk away from God in an act of rebellion. We had free will because God created us tenderly to be in a loving relationship with him, and loving relationships must be based on free will and they must be two way. So he let us walk away from him, and away from the sustainer of life our bodies break, our world crumbles, and we die. In order to bridge that gap, he chose to die in our place, so that we could re enter that free will relationship with him if we so choose. He died on the cross, descended into hell, and then in three days he rose from the grave, defeating death. And one day he will return on a white horse to rescue us and to take the world back as his own. If I believed that to be true, then I believed in the greatest intervention in human history that has ever occurred. The God of the Bible isn’t a distant God, "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him." 1 John 4:9 He did the unthinkable for us.

Living in light of the gospel helped me to understand the way that God is present in my life, my present, past, and in my future. It gave me peace. When Horatio G. Spafford’s two daughters and wife died in a shipwreck, he wrote this,

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control: that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul.

“My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul!

“It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

I don’t have an answer for your question. What I know is that I am willing to rest in the knowledge of my personal experiences and my research that God exists, that he is loving, and that he is powerful, just, and wise. Even the winds and the seas obey him, the mountains are like pebbles to him, thunder rolls at the sound of his voice. He had thought before time began, he gave all knowledge and all wisdom to us.

Why do bad things happen also brings up the question, why do good things happen? Who do we have to thank when we get up in the morning and can see or hear or move or are alive in general? Why are we so blessed as to have two days and not just one? Where do mornings and complexity and beauty and wonder come from? They come from him. Not because we need it, but because he wants to give it to us. Enjoyment, existence, love, laughter, thought, beauty, heartbreak. The world is just as beautiful as it is terrible, and why should it be beautiful? Because he wants it to be that way.

God is so patient. He is so patient and kind and powerful, and he wants to hear your questions. Some of them, like this one, are in my opinion something that you have to talk to him about directly. He gives us thought and logic and reason and wisdom, and he asks for us to engage him. He will answer.

If any believers are reading this, I want you to know that it is enough to cry out to him in pain. It is enough to want to want to believe in him. He would so much rather hear from you in your anger than never hear from you at all. Seek him out, he will find you. He will chase after you.

I bet that he would chase after me, bet my life on it. I might not know the answer, but I am confident enough in what I do know that I’m willing to bet my existence that God will come true on his promises, that he will deliver me, that everything will be okay, that he is bigger than my trauma, and that he will hold me.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:8-13

And I’m holding him to that promise.

#christianity #religion #christianity tw #religion tw #god #grief #grief tw #ask to tag #anon #this is definitely insufficient and im sorry #this is all i have to offer right now #its a hard thing to articulate ig #not mcyt

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calpalsworld · 3 years ago

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Not "autistic anon," but also autistic, (being called maybe ableist made me want to put this out there before go to bed) i thought Zane was depicted that way purposefully by the writers. He has stereotypical traits like taking things literally, and has an actual humor switch. The writers have done things with Zane before like have him lose bodily autonomy (during that one Wu's teas short) and did something with his voice be it making him unable to be understood or talking too loud and the forced pirate voice by Jay. (what you're doing isn't too different from that, right?) I thought it was just a little iffy to distort his body and memory bc that could be interpreted as something not that I'm sure what exactly, it's some kind of disability. I dunno. I'm not good with putting this to words. I hope this makes sense.

Sorry I went to bed but now I’m awake 😭

Also I ended up totally spilling all my thoughts here rather than only specifically replying to you please forgive me context: my scary zane concept design, & my ninjago rewrite i refer to a lot

Im a little confused but I think I get what you're saying? You're saying the Ninjago writers absolutely DON'T write Zane well (you listed examples of this) and you don't want me to fall into the same trap?

I had the opposite logic earlier. I thought: If Ninjago writers made Zane have stereotypical autisitic traits while also being a dehumanized robot, I may as well embrace it, say he is autistic blatantly, while also making him do funny/cool non-human robot things, so its clear as possible the two aspects of his character are literal and separate and not a metaphor for each other. But you're right! I do have a choice and I dont have to embrace things! :)

Like there were a couple ways I was gonna reject the original, for example, I never wanted Zane to have a funny switch, and I hated how other characters could fuck with Zane and he didn't even care 😬. I want to change that stuff. So youre right, if I am changing shit like that, it would be counterproductive for ME to GIVE him MORE traits along that theme. 😬😬😬 I should try to feel less obligated to portray Zane like he originally is. I still like the concept of "scary zane" (for reasons i explain below the cut) but I might tone it down a bit like with the claws and weird proportions and shit. I’d def make him look more skeletal and undead. That was my original intention, but i didnt execute it as good as I could have.... idk if anyone could tell thats what he was supposed to be like...my bad! But rn I dont wanna redesign him I wanna draw other stuff like normal alive Zane. Sorry LMAO 😳. Like I said in some earlier asks I think, I think Im gonna focus rn on how I should portray season 1 normal not dead Zane so thank you and feel free to share any other Zane thoughts ^_^ SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:

Also I Wanna Argue Some Stuff But I Understand its a Weak Argument Since All of This Context was Just In My Brain (so don't take this as an argument, just as me rambling): I don't want messed up things to happen to Zane and for it to just be ignored. I think if Zane is going to have fucked up things happen to him, as all characters must, its best for it to happen during a season where he actually addresses his feelings about being a robot (learning to accept that he will always be himself, regardless if hes "human" or the "original" or whatever. (thats how I always interpreted his emotions)). But I wouldn't have the other Ninja be very phased by Zane's looks because the whole point is they already love who he is (seasons 1-3 were about getting to know Zane) and now Zane himself just has to learn the physical, robot part of him is okay. Its about person-hood rather than humanity. Because the season focuses around Zane's soul, and because he lost his original body, I feel like I could mess around with his current, temporary body and have fun and make it scary. Because that body should be irrelevant. I understand it possibly being upsetting for an autistic character to be designed like this, but other people I talked to see it the opposite way. They find it comforting for him to look so different but still be himself and be so loved. SO IM ABSOLUTELY NOT saying its wrong to be bothered or to hate it or to feel any way. Just that I personally think it would be cool for Zane to be portrayed with a little spice lol, so thats why I like scary Zane for season 4.

Another Thing I Wannna Say But Is REALLY Hypocritical: (this isnt directed at anyone I just REALLY want to say this) I know I say "this is Zane but scary, he looks like fnaf" so he's obviously dehumanized, but I always felt like "scary" is more of an objective fact. Its an instinct. But what's "not human" is subjective. I think there is a problem with saying anything different from "average" human is dehumanized because that could extend to real people. Lol I know its bad for me to compare FNAF-ass Zane to real people, but I mean he could be real. People can have exposed teeth, and people can be shaped weird. And when someone first sees a person who looks like that they'll probably think "woah those features are scary" by instinct. And that surprise doesn't make someone ableist obviously. But bring that person’s humanity into question is NOT an instinct, and is fucked to shit. This is kinda a bad point for me to make since its about the fictional FNAF Zane I drew, and I am NOT implying ANYONE was thinking like this. [especially not the original asker anon who I am totally forgetting about at this point OOPS]. But I just thought it was an opinion of mine I couldn't go without mentioning when talking about dehumanization and disabilities.

^^^ I think you (anon) understand what I mean and might’ve said the exact same thing as me if you were writing a long ass response? I think this because you started to bring physical disabilities up and you said it was "a little iffy." ^_^ So we agree, but I don't see Zane's relation to real life disabilities as "a little iffy" I see it more like "complicated"? IF THAT DIFFERENCE EVEN MAKES ANY SENSE?????? I feel like a lot of things about Zane are really just complicated and need the right context, rather than the concepts necessarily being wrong -- NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT! THATS THE WHOLE REASON I DO THIS STUPID REWRITE! XD thats why a lot of my rewrite SO FAR has been the same concepts and plot beats, but different dialogue n specifics and such. I like a lot of concepts in Ninjago but I dont think they were presented correctly.....! :( So I guess all we can do is wait and see if I make Zane offensive or not....???

Also something about the memory part - yeah i agree i was surprised no one thought that was weird to make jokes out of his memory issues..... BUT I am like 100% firm on making his memory take longer to come back because I think its stupid how quick Zane was able to recover from literally dying. Like its just dumb to me. Hate it. (also bc memory & soul mechanics is ummm kinda important in my rewrite.... for reasons). Another memory thing btw, I was going to make his original amnesia come from hitting his head in an attack against the Skulkin when they stole his dads corpse, rather than his dad fucking choosing to make him forget. (its a sweet & iconic scene, but Um, WHY?!!!?!?!?!?) He has to follow data recovery instructions he finds in his dads diary. I think in that context it makes moments of memory loss somewhat different for Zane's character? Instead of loss of autonomy associated with disability, its a literal violent loss of autonomy associated with being traumatized by physical force. Idk how to phrase it exactly but I think that makes some vibes different?

Sorry, I think I got really distracted, and I don't know if I responded well to your points. Because uhhhh I think I agree with your stance actually? If I understand correctly? Fuck Ninjago writers for making the robot lose autonomy (a stereotypical robot theme) while also making him seem clearly autistic (NOT A HAPPY THEME FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE) and not addressing it. And also auuugh Zane with a weird body is a difficult topic - kinda sussy pretty iffy.

Lol anyway idk if this made any sense and I REALLY rambled on you. but this was nice 👉👈 more Zane criticism pls love you and i love zane. i hope u dont feel mad at me because then it would be weird that im saying that lol. if you do feel mad at me tho you can send another ask (ILL TRY TO JUST LISTEN NOT RAMBLE NEXT TIME) but assuming ur chill rn, love you thnx

Take this page, don’t mind cole’s ass.

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horansqueen · 4 years ago

Text

You & Me : chapter 40

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5 || CHAPTER 6 || CHAPTER 7 || CHAPTER 8 || CHAPTER 9 || CHAPTER 10 || CHAPTER 11 || CHAPTER 12 || CHAPTER 13 || CHAPTER 14 || CHAPTER 15 || CHAPTER 16 || CHAPTER 17 || CHAPTER 18 || CHAPTER 19 || CHAPTER 20 || CHAPTER 21 || CHAPTER 22 || CHAPTER 23 || CHAPTER 24 || CHAPTER 25 || CHAPTER 26 || CHAPTER 27 || CHAPTER 28 || CHAPTER 29 || CHAPTER 30 || CHAPTER 31 || CHAPTER 32 || CHAPTER 33 || CHAPTER 34|| CHAPTER 35 || CHAPTER 36 || CHAPTER 37 || CHAPTER 38 || CHAPTER 39

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his -4.3k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

READ AM CONVERSATIONS AGAIN ON WATTPAD HERE

- notes: i hope this isnt too much and that youre still enjoying this story! its almost over tho, so if you have any request please send them asap! I have a few more chapters planned but I could always add a few filler chapters if you guys send me ideas. so yea, thank you!

if you want to be on the list of blogs i notify when this is updated, just message me :)

requests! : here are the requests i used. im sorry about the Julia one, they couldnt have a very big and deep talk because it was Liv’s chapter but I still wanted to add her in because i really like her :) hope its okay!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHARACTERS HERE

Chapter 40 : Her chapter

OLIVIA

May 7th, 2018

It was quite late but we were both packing our things in silence. I had waited last minute to do it while Niall had to wait until he was back from his concert, which resulted in us doing it together. I missed going to see him play and sing and the thought made something stir in my stomach. I couldn't believe I stopped myself from going to see him do what he loved the most to do in the entire universe just because I was scared of what some losers could write in an online article. The more I thought about it, the more I found that completely ridiculous. I was about to mention something about it when I heard Niall talk, breaking the silence.

"Oh, I totally forgot to give you that." He leaned closer to me and handed me a small box that was wrapped in pretty pink paper. I frowned but took it in my hand anyway as he shrugged. "A fan told me to give it to you. Apparently, she was really sad when we broke up."

I stared at the small box on y hand and licked my lips. I knew most of it were just rumors, but I also knew that some people believe everything they'd read online. Still, this time, I couldn't blame them since it was the truth. I quickly unwrapped it and grabbed the note first, reading it out loud.

"We thought Niall was the biggest One Direction fan in the world, but we've seen you multiple times with random One Direction merch and we thought you may enjoy this."

I frowned more but when I saw the necklace, I let out a louder laughter. It made Niall frown too and I looked up at him with a smirk, bringing my hand closer to him. Around my fingers was hanging a necklace with his face on it. It seemed to be very old merch, probably from 2011, and I saw him grimace.

"No, Liv!" he whined as I put it around my neck and I chuckled again.

"Hey, it's a gift!" I argued. "Besides, I didn't have this one. I love it."

"You're such a pain." he joked, making me laugh this time.

I didn't see it coming but he literally jumped on me and I fell on the bed with a high scream. He pinned me down and started tickling me, holding both my wrists with one hands as the fingers of the other squeezed my waist, making my body jerk.

"Noooo! Niall stop!"

I squirmed, kicking him and hitting him without really knowing or controlling what I was doing. It took him a few seconds to stop and he stared down at me with a smirk as my lips were parted. I was panting low, not even able to enjoy his body on top of mine.

"Please, let me wear the necklace." I almost begged in a low voice.

His eyes roamed on me for about a minute and finally, the left corner of his lips raised up and he nodded once before moving closer to kiss me.

I had decided to follow him in Spain even if I had no idea when I'd have to fly back to California. We still had a few episodes to film but I was hoping Niall could come with me. He only had a few concerts left before he'd be off for a few weeks and even if he had to fly to the UK at the end of the month, I was thinking he could spend almost two weeks with me. I knew all we did was live in our luggage, going from airports to airports but at the same time, we were together and it's really all that mattered to me.

His lips moving slowly against mine made my heart twist in my chest. I loved him so much, I always would and I knew it. I was starting to trust him again, so much that the tiny ball of fear that seemed to live permanently in my stomach was now gone. I had decided that I wanted to live this plenty, to not hold grudges of fears that came from our past. I wanted to move forward and I knew that we had both changed for the better.

May 8th, 2018

We woke up early to catch our flight and I put my sunglasses on because I knew I looked exhausted. They were heart shaped but were black instead of my usual pink or purple ones for the simple reason I thought it would be less obvious to the people around that I had puffy and tired eyes. I didn't mean travelling if it meant being with Niall, but that didn't mean it was it wasn't sucking up all my juice.

I didn't expect the airport to be crowded but it was, and I moved my head down, trying not to catch anyone's attention. The fans started screaming, the paps started yelling at Niall to look their way, and when one of them moved too close to us, I felt my heart jump in my chest and without thinking, I grabbed Niall's hand. I realized my mistake and quickly let go of it only to feel his fingers tighten around mine. I could swear the flashes became even more intense right after and I glanced at Niall, licking my lips as I heard similar questions being yelled around us.

"Are you two back together?"

"Did you cheat on Dylan and Heidi together?"

"Are all the rumors true?"

We both held each other's hand tighter at the sound of all these questions being thrown at us and we kept walking as they followed us. I could feel my heart beat so hard in my chest that I felt like it was about to escape. I swallowed hard trying to relax a bit as I kept glancing at my boyfriend.

"Does that mean we're official?" Niall asked me, squeezing my fingers even more after he stopped walking, and moved closer to make sure I was the only one who heard.

I turned his way and licked my lips, trying to ignore the flashes and the sounds of the cameras. I was not used to that much attention, or at least, not as intense as it was being at that moment, but even if it was a bit intimidating, I was not scared.

"Do you want us to be?"

His gaze moved on my face as he studied me before sending me a fond smile. "Yes, I do."

I sent him a gentle smile that turned into a very big one. "We're official then."

"Fuck yes." he whispered, making me chuckle.

He pulled on my hand and we started walking again but as we were about to pass the gate, he quickly and roughly moved our hands up to show our intertwined fingers and it surprised me so much I felt my heart skip a few beats.

"FUCK YES!" he repeated in a yell, making me burst into laughter this time.

If I wasn't sure Niall loved me, I definitely was now. The fact that he literally told the world we were together proved much more than anyone could believe. I knew he was private, and so was I. I also knew he didn't like his private life to be in the spotlight, or talked about, or known, and him showing everyone, fans and paps included, that we were an item by throwing our hands up just showed me how committed he was. People would talk about us and the wrong things we did to Dylan and Heidi, people would definitely criticize us as individuals but also as a couple and I knew that for a while, people would stop talking about his music and my tv show only to blab shit about our love, but he thought it was still worth it and even if I was a bit surprised, it touched me more than I thought it would. And just like that, the blinded trust I had for Niall until he broke up with me was back, and I knew that this time, it would be different.

---

We took a nap when we arrived at the hotel and when I woke up, it was the middle of the afternoon and Niall's arm was wrapped around me as he was laying on his stomach. I ran my fingertips on his arm and reached his back, making him groan slightly. He looked so good, his eyes closed, his bottom lip a bit over his upper one in a cute pout and his hair a bit messy. It made something come alive inside me and I realized that we went through so many things to get back pretty much where we used to be. The difference was us and the way we had grown, and I knew that what we lived when we were away from each other was needed to have the relationship we had at that very moment.

I tried not to wake him up and sat up slowly and gently in bed, rubbing my eyes and yawning before grabbing my phone. I knew he didn't want me to but I searched for his name and mine in google and a bunch of pictures from the airport appeared. My lips curled more at the picture of us walking away while Niall held our hands up together. I stared at it for a few minutes and pressed my lips together, feeling suddenly ecstatic and a bit dizzy. It was really happening. I was back with Niall and we were happy together. In all the months we were apart, I had wished for it, but I never thought it would really happen at some point.

"What are you looking at?" he mumbled low, taking me out of my thoughts. "You're smiling."

I turned to him and my excited smile turned into a fond one. His eyes were half-closed and his face was still pressed on the pillow. In fact, I was pretty sure he hadn't moved at all and looking at him made something stir in my stomach. There was nothing I loved more than waking up with him, except maybe falling asleep in his arms.

I tilted my head and let the left corner of my lips raise up before turning the screen his way. It took him a few seconds to let what he was seeing sink in and he smiled too.

"Oh look, that's us telling the world we're back together." he pointed out slowly and in a low tone, an amused smile curling his lips. "I'm sorry, I'm never that impulsive normally. But I've been waiting for that for a while." He paused and I felt his arm hold my waist tighter before he squirmed a bit and put his head on my lap. "It's okay though, because this is meant to last, so everyone may as well know now. What do ya say?"

I brought my hand to his head and ran my fingers in his hair gently, making his eyes flutter. "I agree." I whispered, making him smile more.

"We're gonna get married and have a few kids. And dogs, too. I love dogs."

This time, I chuckled and licked my lips. He had mentioned marriage a few times in the past weeks and I loved it. He used to be so scared of commitment and the future and now he was literally planning it for us.

"You know what we should do now?" he asked, making me shake my head. "Stay in bed all day. Order food, watch tv, and make out. Champagne and you. That sounds perfect."

I smiled widely. "Gotta celebrate the fact that we're official, now."

"Damn right."

After a few hours, we were done eating and the bottle of champagne was empty. We were still laying in bed but I had stopped following the movie and kept staring at the ceiling. What took me out of my thoughts, once again, was Niall's voice. I blinked a few times, trying to get back to my senses, and he raised his eyebrows at me.

"Mm?" I asked, making him laugh.

He stopped the movie quickly before grabbing the sheets of the bed, pulling them over our heads and once again locking us together in our safe place. I smiled at him and turned my body his way as he did the same. It was always a bit stifling to stay under the covers for a while but at the same time, it made me feel secure like nothing else did.

"How hard did that champagne hit?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Mm, i'm tipsy." I admitted, laughing too.

"Me too." he let out, his eyes roaming on my face. "You know I want to marry you for real, right? I want to promise to be yours forever. I want to literally show everyone that no one else will ever mean to me as much as you mean to me."

"I want it too. I want to be your wife. Niall I want it more than anything."

I felt my heart jump in my chest at my confession and we kept looking at each other for a few minutes in silence. He found my left hand and brought it up to his eyes level before running his thumb gently on my ring finger. I bit my bottom lip, trying to imagine what it would feel like to be his wife, and I swallowed hard, almost ashamed that I let my mind wonder so far.

"One day..." he just murmured before looking up in my eyes. "How many kids?"

"Five." I let out, making his eyebrows raise.

"Jesus Christ, do you want to kill me, woman?"

This time, I started laughing and he pulled me closer with a groan, letting his lips press against mine before pulling slightly away. I waited until he spoke again, my lips curling more and more with every passing seconds.

"You're not serious?" he just asked, making me laugh, this time.

"How many do you want?"

"Two, maybe three." he admitted before I kissed him again, sucking gently on his upper lip.

"Then two or three we'll have." I breathed out against his mouth as he held me closer.

"And we'll live in London, and keep a house in Cali, how's that?" he proposed in a murmur. "I'll bring you to Las Vegas to get married. We'll have the best honeymoon because I'll make you cum twenty times a day for a whole week."

I started laughing against his mouth and he smirked. "Where are we going for that?"

"Bali?" he suggested.

"Mm, don't tempt me." I joked as he laughed again, deepening the kiss and making me close my eyes. "What's on your mind, Horan?" I asked lower and more seriously.

"Well, how about we practice making those two-three kids now?" he offered, making me chuckle. "I really want to make love to my official girlfriend and future wife."

"Hey, I didn't say yes just yet." I joked as his lips traveled on my jaw and neck.

"But you will yea? You just accepted to be my official girlfriend so it's a good start. You'll be my wife and marry me?"

"If you want to spend your life with me, how can I say no to that?"

"That's what I thought." he just said, giving himself a swing and making me laugh even more as he got on top of me.

I spread my legs a bit as he nibbled on the skin of my neck and I groaned when I felt his hard dick press on my inner thighs. I was tired and still a bit tipsy but the way he whispered, the sound of his voice, the feeling of his body on top of mine... all of this was too good and I felt like I never had enough of him. Even after all this time, I wanted him as much as I used to, even more, probably, and the way he was all over me made me think he felt the same.

"I want to bury my cock so deep inside you right now." he whispered, bringing his mouth back on mine. "You're so fucking beautiful. I love you so much, Olivia. You made me so happy today."

I reached for his boxers and pulled them down as much as I could, his words making my heart twist and jump in my chest. I didn't think Niall could love me as much as he seemed to, I didn't know he could want to be with me to the point where he would literally hold my hand and show everyone that we were together in a crowded airport. I had no idea he was waiting for this, I didn't know that it would make him react like that to be my official boyfriend. All of this made sense, of course, but it was just hitting me that Niall really loved me as much as I loved him and that he didn't want to lose me again.

"Please Niall, just do it." I begged him in a murmur, reaching between my legs and pulling my panties aside before grabbing his cock and lining it up.

His hip movement was slow and as he pushed himself inside me, I felt my eyes roll back and a moan escaped my lips. I moved my knees up as he lied on top of me, holding himself on his elbows as he started thrusting in and out of me slowly. It felt like torture but at the same time it was so good I moved my chin up, feeling his lips leave kisses on it.

"I love you, can't believe you're my girlfriend again." he whispered, his lips brushing against my skin.

"I was always yours, Niall. I've always been yours. Since I was 6 years old. I knew I belonged to you." I replied just as low and without thinking. "I was just scared you didn't belong to me"

He pushed himself deeper inside me and it felt so good I let out an other whimper. He remained still, waiting for my eyes to open again and meet his, and I felt one of his hands slip in my hair while the other moved a lock out of my eyes.

"I belong to you." he confessed, making a shiver run across my back. "All this soulmate shit? I believe in it now. I have to."

I bit my bottom lip, making him glance at my mouth before looking back in my eyes.

"I love you. I fucking love you." I had barely finished my sentence that he was pressing his mouth against mine again, this time fucking me harder and faster.

My back arched after a few minutes and I moaned in his mouth this time, right before his thrusts became unsteady and a bit sloppy. The orgasm felt amazing and I gripped his arms as I felt his muscles tighten. I pressed my thighs on each sides of him, pushing myself against him in motion with him as he came. Nothing felt better than that post orgasm feeling with Niall on top of me. His lips found mine and he kissed me slowly but deeply for a while until we both got down of our highs and even a little bit after.

"I'm so happy you followed me here." he admitted with a smile as I tilted my head on the pillow.

"Me too." I licked my lips and raised my eyebrows. "Are you gonna follow me back to Cali in a few days?"

"Nothing will stop me from going with you. Nothing."

He rolled off of me and I pushed the covers to breathe fresh air, just realizing that I needed it. Niall grabbed my hand and I focused back on him as he stared at my fingers, making me try to suppress the smile stuck on my lips.

"Please come to my show tomorrow." he just let out, his fingers brushing gently against mine, exactly where a wedding ring would be. "We're officially together now, so we don't care who sees you or what they see."

My heart skipped a beat and I licked my lips nervously. It would be a good start but it stressed me to think that people would start judging us even more, now that we were official. I knew Niall was not going to start kissing me or anything in public but I still felt nervous.

"Okay." I let out low feeling myself tear up. I swallowed my tears but I could see my boyfriend getting emotional too and I sniffed. "I love you Niall. I don't ever want to be away from you anymore."

He brought one of his hands to my cheek and I felt the warmth of his skin against mine as he moved closer to lean his forehead against mine.

"I'm never leaving again. I promise on my life. I'm here to stay. What we have will never die, okay?"

I nodded quickly and bit my bottom lip as I felt a tear run down my cheek. I could swear he was tearing up too and I pressed my parted lips against his. "Okay."

May 9th, 2018

I hadn't realize how much I had missed watching Niall sing and play. He was always the kid who was singing, dancing, or playing guitar when we were younger, and it always brought a bunch of people around him. He seemed so untouchable, even for me, who was his best friend. Now, with the literal crowds and album selling, it was even more obvious, but a lot less scary. The fact that I knew he loved me definitely helped but watching him do what he's always loved but this time, as a living, was just breathtaking. He was breathtaking.

I chuckled when he winked at me subtly and I rolled my eyes with a smile until I felt a hand on my arm. I jumped slightly and turned again to look at Julia who was smiling widely at me. I thought I knew what she was going to say but instead, she pulled me close into a tight hug. It took me a few seconds to answer it but when I did, she jumped a few times, bringing me with her, and finally pulled away.

"I saw the video!" she said happily, her lips curled into a bit grin.

"The video?"

"Of you two at the airport!"

I felt my cheeks turn a soft shade of red as they burned a bit and cleared my throat, looking away. I knew there were pictures but I was not aware someone was filming. Come to think about it, it was not surprising, after all. I felt two strong arms wrap around my neck from behind and I smiled immediately, recognizing the touch and the perfume. It was crazy how he still affected my moods but I could also see that I influenced his, and that made our relationship so much better.

"Niall!" he let go of me to hug Julia and I smiled, taking a step away. "I'm so happy for you! I knew it would happen! I told you you had to keep hope!"

Niall's eyes found mine and his smile faltered as his embrace around his friend loosened.

"I sort of... confided in Julia." he admitted, licking his lips as mine parted. "I know you wanted me to keep the secret, but I didn't know what to do, and I felt like shit... I needed to talk to someone."

He looked at me with fear in his eyes, as if I was going to turn on my heels and leave, but I just tilted my head on the side while staring at him.

"Hey, I understand. She's one of your closest friends." I pointed out with a shrug before sending him a smile. "I talk to Louis about almost everything." I shrugged again. "Besides, I like her."

Julia smiled more and grabbed my arm, pulling me closer to them to hug both of us at the same time. I laughed and after a few seconds, she pulled away and smiled again.

"I'll wait for you guys backstage. We're going to celebrate right?" she asked as Niall and I glanced at each other, a bit unsure. "It's one of my last shows! We have to go grab a drink together!"

"Sure, we'll do that."

She left with a big grin and I turned to Niall who was smiling fondly at me. I frowned, my lips still curled, but I had to admit that the way he was looking at me made something twitch in my stomach.

"Thank you." he whispered, bending down to kiss the top of my head.

"For?"

"For wanting to get to know my friends. I know you get along great with all our childhood friends, and my cousins and all, but I've made great friends while doing this job, and you never really seemed to be interested in befriending them too, well, except for Harry, Louis and Liam.”

I shrugged a shoulder and looked away before looking back at him and raising my nose in a small grimace. "You used to hang out with many celebrities, especially when you were dating Heidi. I don't know, Niall, to me, it's a bit intimidating." I admitted. "I never felt like I fitted with them, or belonged with those famous faces. It's just weird to me."

"I'd love to present them to you. I promise they're great."

I stared at him and after a while, my lips curled again. "Sure, I'd love to meet them." I just gave in and by seeing the smile on his face, I knew it made him happy. "Let's start with Julia. I already know I love her."

Niall laughed and cupped my face, tilting my chin up before reaching for my mouth with his. "And I know I love you."

#niall horan #niall horan smut #niall horan fluff #niall horan story #niall horan fanfic #niall horan fan fic #niall horan fanfiction #niall horan fan fiction #niall horan writing #my fanfics #yam

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petri808 · 5 years ago

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Fandom: Fairy Tail. Rating: Mature. Nalu AU ANGST trigger warning. Based on this post. Just under 10k words

Lucy Heartfilia is diagnosed with a heart defect. Stuck in the hospital waiting on the transplant list, there is only one thing bringing any light to her dreary world; a volunteer named Natsu Dragneel who truly becomes her bittersweet savior.

@uzumaki2810 Here you go, I hope you like it :) Also thank you to the angst queen @doginshoe IM SORRY I FORGOT TO ADD THIS MESSAGE ;-; she beta’d and bore the tears with me to make sure it was a good story :)

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It all started back in her last year of middle school when puberty really kicked into overdrive and she developed a well-endowed chest. She assumed the little pricks of pain related to the added weight cause they sure gave her a backache if she pushed herself too hard. Exercise was overly exhausting, so there went any chances of making the cheer squad in high school. Not that Lucy was really interested in sports, but by the start of high school she realized any physical activity needed to be avoided. But she didn’t want to worry her father since it was a random pain that would only surface if she exerted herself; ergo it was her boob’s fault, and she kept the pain to herself.

As time passed, and her high school years carried on, Lucy did her best to ignore the symptoms, even when something new manifested itself. Fatigue… she was studying too hard. Rapid heartbeat… well, there was that cute boy that just walked by. Shortness of breath when she laid down… it’s just from the weight of her chest. Each and every time, Lucy found a rational explanation. She buried her nose in her studies as an outlet, which she really didn’t mind so much. Her favorite thing to do in the world was to write quick fantasy stories she’d make up, and she’d often spend her breaks holed up in the library researching some new topic of dragons or fairies or whatever had caught her attention.

“Ugghhhh,” Lucy flinches as the blinding white light breaks through the surface of her vision. She shields her eyes and slowly opens them but can only manage a tiny squint. Her mind was groggy, and she swore her limbs felt like dead weights. “W-Where am I?”

She hears the muffled sound of her father’s voice calling for a doctor. Why was there a slight ringing in her ear? Something about she’s awake now, hurry? The rest had been too muffled to understand. Had she been asleep? Lucy was completely confused. But the light… the light was so bright!

“Ms. Heartfilia? Ms. Heartfilia, can you hear me?”

It was a strange male voice talking to her. Where did her father go?

“Yes,” she croaks out, flinching as her body is coming out of its slumber and suddenly a sharp pain hits her again. Lucy winces, this was worse than before.

“Ms. Heartfilia, do you know where you are?”

She shakes her head.

“You’re in the hospital, dear.”

Wait! It was her father’s voice again. What did he mean she was in a hospital! Lucy forces herself to open her eyes fully, though, keeping her hand between her face and the overhead lights. “Why am I in a hospital?!”

Lucy hears the doctor's voice again, seemingly at a distance because her viewpoint was limited, speaking to someone. Fainted. Temporary amnesia. Congenital heat disease. Wait what?! “Hey what’s going on?!” she calls out then is hit by another spike of pain. Damn it! “Dad? Hello?!” But it’s like she was being ignored. Birth defect. Advanced case. Surgery. “Someone please talk to me!” Tears prick at the corners of her eyes. “Talk to me!!!” A third, and now the largest stab of pain hits her. Lucy cries out at the pain and curls in on herself. More shouting and the voice returns, hands probing something near her chest, and machines starting to blare out warning beeps.

“Please calm down Ms. Heartfilia, calm down, don’t push yourself too much or the pain will get worse.”

How could this get any worse…

That was 3 years ago, and the sands of time were running low.

Her father had done all he could, dragging her to specialist after specialist, exhausting a chunk of his fortune on doctors from one coast to the other, only to be told Lucy would need a heart transplant or she may not see her twenty-first birthday. The most they could do for her while she waited on the transplant list was implant a ventricular assist device into her body. It gave her a small measure of freedom instead of being tied to a normal transcutaneous machine, but it was still uncomfortable. Her movements were restricted, she had to be careful of catching a cold, and what ended up being the hardest part, was the breast reduction surgery they had her undergo at the same time of the VAD surgery to reduce the weight and strain it added to her heart.

For so long she’d blamed her large breasts for causing all her pains, but now that she knew they weren’t, it was sad to see them go. They were a part of her after all, no matter how much of a headache they could be. For weeks after the surgery, Lucy could barely look at herself in the mirror. She didn’t recognize herself anymore. This youthful woman with tubes sticking out of her stomach which attached to a device around her waist that helped her weakened heart muscles do their job to keep her alive. That had been the diagnosis, a congenital birth defect that weakened her heart muscles, and as she aged, the muscles would continue to deteriorate. Oh, her father was so furious when they were told she didn’t qualify for an artificial heart because death wasn’t imminent.

It hadn’t taken long after completing high school that the depression had surfaced. All of her friends were moving on to college, most to distant campuses so she had no one to talk to. Lucy would hide away in her bedroom for days at a time as the internal struggle mounted. Why continue to go through this pain and struggle… why not just end it quickly and painlessly. It was tempting. From the research she’d done on heart defects, the end wasn’t very pretty. Her only hope was a donor, but people die every day on the transplant list waiting for a heart that never came, just growing weaker and weaker….

At least the VAD had given her two decent years, but her days of being an outpatient at the hospital had come to an end. Even with the device assisting her heart, Lucy’s body was struggling to deal with the strain. The smallest exertions required fuel from her heart to power her body, so even something as minimal as the fatigue of reading a book for too long could trigger an arrythmia or worse, and the pain that may accompany it. She needed to stay in the hospital so that her heart could be constantly monitored and if there was any sudden change, they could address it quickly.

The doctors were doing their best to keep her alive in the hopes a donor would surface. But you never knew when one would become available, and her time was running short. The original prediction of not making it to twenty-one was fast approaching. Frankly, Lucy felt like it was by the luck of the draw and the odds were better at a Las Vegas casino. It was a lonely experience being cooped up in the hospital and thankfully there was one glimmer of happiness amongst the sterile white halls.

“Lucy!”

“Hi Natsu.”

He smirks, “I brought you something.” The young man was bouncing on the balls of his feet with his hands clasped behind his back.

All the volunteers that visited the hospital were kind people, but there was one that made Lucy smile the most. A young man named Natsu Dragneel. She’d told herself at the beginning of her medical odyssey that she wouldn’t let anyone get too close to her, not only for her protection but there’s. The pain of losing someone you care about was an emotion Lucy had borne at the tender age of five when her mother lost her own battle to cancer, and it was a feeling she didn’t wish upon her worst enemy. But this man sure made that promise a tough one to keep.

Natsu’s adoptive mother was a long-time surgery nurse at this hospital, who had had taught him the value of life. It was because of seeing her kindness towards people that spurred his decision to be a volunteer. Even at eighteen years of age he knew that volunteering would be difficult, and five years later, he would admit it never got any easier. Many volunteers eventually burn out, especially when dealing with the terminal patients, but Natsu pushed through, reminding himself it was those very patients that needed their support the most.

“Oh,” she quirks an eyebrow, “what is it?”

“Tada!” he whips out a single yellow rose with pinkish-red tipped petals and hands it to her. “My younger sister showed me how to dye the tips, isn’t it cool!”

Lucy takes the flower, “wow that is really beautiful! The pink even matches your hair.” She lifts it to her nose and picks up on the light rosy fragrance it exuded. “Smells nice too.” She tries to hand it back to Natsu.

“Tch, my hair’s not pink, it’s salmon, and I made it for you,” he smiles, “something to brighten your day.” Natsu then walks over to the small bathroom and fills a cup with water, brings it back and places it on the small windowsill next to her bed. “For the flower.”

“Thank you,” Lucy blushes a little and hands him back the bloom since she couldn’t reach the cup herself. “It was really kind of you to bring me that Natsu.”

“Nah,” he places the flower in the cup for her, “I’d do anything to make you smile.”

It wasn’t every day, but Natsu would come to see her as often as he could. His regular job as a construction worker wasn’t a regular 9 to 5 kind of thing. Some weeks he might work five days straight, while on slower periods like the winter and early spring months it may only be a couple of days a week depending on weather. He’d told her that working with his hands was something he enjoyed immensely, and the company was training him to be a carpenter.

Natsu sure wasn’t what she’d expected of a construction guy. Oh, his hands showed the roughened appearance of someone who worked hard for a living, but she thought they would be these rough and tumble kind of men. Not Natsu, with his goofy and sweet personality. She could only imagine how well such a line of work helped to keep the man in shape. He always wore t-shirts and jeans, but his trim features hidden behind the fabric were easily discernable.

The light of the sun brought the yellow rose to life along with a slight tremor in her heart, not of pain but of adoration. Lucy smiles sweetly at his remark, her eyes crinkling, glinting with a tinge of moisture she had no control over. She didn’t want to admit her growing affection for this man who always said the sweetest things or made the most charming gestures. Natsu was always so compassionate and supportive, while never making it seem like it was just his job as a volunteer to comfort the patients. It was easy to wish that maybe… he was doing it just for her?

Lucy ducks her head, hiding the hint of jealousy coating her cheeks and tone, “I’m sure you make such kind gestures for the other patients too.”

“Oh, no,” Natsu sits beside her and takes her hand, “just you.” He gently lifts her chin, forcing her to face him. She averts her eyes, but he stares forward, softening his glare, almost wanting to chuckle that he’s had such an effect on her. “You’re special to me.”

Of all the patients in this small hospital, Lucy Heartfilia was the one his heart grieved for the most. It wasn’t fair, at only twenty years old, for this beautiful and intelligent woman to be tied to a hospital bed, watching her life flash by in the form of ridges and valley peaks. The first time they had met was two years ago, but back then she would only come in for overnight monitoring’s or check-ups, and after her major surgery, she stayed for a few months during the recovery process. By now, they were friends, but it had taken work on his part to get her to open up to him.

“No, I’m not…” Lucy sucks the corner of her bottom lip in to stifle the tremor.

His tone deepens in a comeback, “Yes, you are.”

Her eyes finally snap to his, and when she sees the determination behind them, reality kicks in. He was telling the truth! Oh, heaven help her. It was cute to dream, but not for it to be real. She feels a sting in her chest and pushes his hands away. “Please don’t,” her voice is barely a whisper, trembling from the stinging pain in her heart and her soul. “I-I shouldn’t be….” ‘This is so wrong… Because I’m dying and he deserves someone better. I shouldn’t have said anything.’ Stupid little daggers of jealousy! She clutches her chest, willing her heart to still, and pain to subside, ‘please go away!’

“Hey, hey!” Natsu immediately switches his concern from being flirty to concerned. “Lucy please calm down, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you!”

“I-It’s okay, I-I’ll be okay.” She fights the tears back with all the strength she can muster. Lucy didn’t want to cry in front of Natsu. “Please, Natsu, I don’t want to get our hopes up l-like that…. If this… If things were different….”

“Shhh,” he cradles her face, “shhh, it’s okay Luce, I feel the same way.”

After a few moments, Lucy lets out a long exhale. “I appreciate it, I really do.” She looks up and cracks a pained smile. “You’re the only thing keeping me going, but I-I just don’t even want to think about not being there for you…”

It was Natsu’s turn to crack. “Please don’t finish that.” He looks down, holding back the urge to cry or show how upset it makes him. “I don’t want to think about that.”

“But it…”

“You don’t know that, no one knows that, and I,” his voice falters, seething with all the will of his soul placed behind it, “I will cling to hope till my dying breath.”

The sudden change in his demeanor, switches Lucy from feeling so self-absorbed in her own thoughts to realize, Natsu has had an effect on her, but she truly had an effect on him too. It hurt even more now that his behaviors weren’t just a rouse to make her happy, and it killed her to think of what he will suffer when she goes.

“I’m sorry, Natsu. I didn’t realize.” She grabs his hand, squeezing it hard. “Natsu I’m sorry. Let’s stop thinking about this then, hmm,” doing her best to keep her tone soft and comforting. “Look at me, Natsu, please, I don’t want to keep fighting with you.”

He sighs, “you’re right. That’s the last thing I wanna do with you.” It was a surprise even to himself that he’d lost his cool, and for the first time the awareness of his growing infatuation became real.

“Good,” she squeezes his hand again. “Hey, um, you know its lunch time, we could eat outside since it’s a nice day…” her voice grows tentative, “if you’ll join me.”

“Lucy Heartfilia, are you asking me out on a date?” He chuckles, ready to put all the sadness behind them. “Because if that’s the case,” the sparkle in his eyes return, “I would be honored.”

For the next couple of months, Natsu and Lucy’s friendship flourishes, as her physical body slowly deteriorates. It was hard, he couldn’t lie, to watch this happen, and if it wasn’t for the strength of his convictions or his plain stubborn attitude about it that kept him upbeat. He knew that she needed him to be her strength, and that fueled his desire to make sure she smiles every day.

Lucy didn’t know, but his mother would keep him updated on her condition. Not that he needed to know all the technical jargon, for he could see it with his own eyes. Lucy herself would tell him just enough information when she needed to, but he never pushed or pried for it, letting it always be on her terms. The cardiomyopathy was getting worse, her heart muscles barely functioning on its own at this point. She had her good days and bad days but walking around wasn’t really an option anymore aside from brief steps for a purpose. It also meant that the muscles in her legs were weakening too. Physical therapy once a week worked with Lucy on light stretches to keep them from completely atrophying, but it was all they could do for her at this point. But no matter how much weight she lost, or that her hair didn’t hold its familiar luster, to Natsu she would always be the same radiant woman he adored.

She’d resigned herself to this fate a lot better than Natsu would have thought a person could do. When he tried to picture himself in her shoes, he was sure he wouldn’t have the strength to keep going, but that was what amazed him even more about her. On her agreeable days, Natsu enjoyed getting her out of her room, even if for brief periods of time. Lunch or dinner in the cafeteria, the grounds of the hospital on a sunny day, or even stargazing when the evening air was warm. He’d bring a wheelchair, and off they’d go, talking about anything or nothing, avoiding the subject of her condition, just giving her a smidge of a normal existence for once.

Lucy opens her eyes at the knock on her door to see a familiar face pop through. “Hey Natsu,” she cracks a pained smile.

“Hey Luce, how ya doin’ today?”

She starts to sit up in the hospital bed, but when it’s clear to Natsu the woman was struggling, he quickly rushes over and assists. “Thanks,” another light smile. “I’m sorry, I’ve been a little sore today.”

“Never apologize to me,” he smiles back warmly. No matter what, he always did his best to appear upbeat for the patients despite his heart literally breaking for them. He places his hand on hers, “so, tell me gorgeous, are ya hungry? We could dinner date in the cafeteria if you’re up to it. My treat,” he winks.

“Stop calling me gorgeous,” Lucy chides the sunny young man, despite the small rosy glow of her cheeks. “I know I’m not, and that’s okay.” With the help of a psychiatrist and over a year of therapy, Lucy had finally accepted her fate and kept moving forward as best she could. If she will die someday, she will die with dignity. Stress wasn’t very good on her heart, so once she made peace with her circumstances, even her physical ailments had benefitted.

“Pfft,” Natsu pretends to be offended, “are you calling me a liar because I know I’m not blind.” His grin growing along with the deepening of red along her cheeks. “Besides, you know I won’t stop no matter how much you complain about it.”

Lucy laughs and her eyes twinkle, “I know, so we’ll keep agreeing to disagree.”

It was in these moments, and why he did what he did, just to see this woman’s eyes light up, that sent his own heart into palpitations. Deep down Natsu knew that the chances of Lucy making it out of this hospital were slim to none, but you’d never know it when he spoke to her. He stifles the urge to sigh. Oh, how he wished the circumstances were different. In a perfect world, Natsu would love nothing more than to walk this woman down the aisle.

He circles the topic back around, “so… dinner, on me?” he teases lightly with a wink. “We can take a trip through pediatrics where there are a few recent arrivals.”

Her gaze lowers as she hides the seventh heaven emotions the young man stirs in her. “I’d like that.”

Natsu squeezes her hand, “I’ll be right back, lemme grab your carriage milady.”

As Lucy waited the few minutes for Natsu to grab a wheelchair, she closes her eyes and does a breathing technique to calm her heart. She hadn’t wanted to show the slight tinges of pain she was getting as they spoke, because she knew it would have worried him. They’d been steadily increasing in frequency lately, and she fought to keep him from discovering that. But she couldn’t help it. Despite her condition, Lucy was still a young woman with an intact mind, she still had desires like any other, and when a handsome young man close to her age flirted with her, of course she would react to it! She did her best not to let these thoughts sink in too deeply and told herself he was merely doing it to make her feel better. It was a lie, but it was the best way to shield herself.

“Ready?” Natsu extends his hand to help Lucy to her feet.

She nods and takes hold, gripping on while he maneuvers her around and onto the chair. It weakened Lucy to where her muscles were slowly losing their strength because her heart was struggling to keep her body oxygenated and functioning properly. With support she could stand for brief periods, but only with support. At least with Natsu, she could put her faith in his hold that he’d never let her fall.

After adjusting the foot plates and making sure Lucy was comfortable, Natsu takes off towards the cafeteria two floors down. He’d already alerted dining when he’d gone out for the chair they were coming down, to prepare a meal within Lucy’s dietary needs. It wasn’t a terribly restrictive diet, but there were some limits, such as no stimulants like caffeine, or anything with a high fat content.

Natsu loved these little dates as he called them. On warm sunny days it may include a stroll outside for some fresh air, or if it was cold and rainy, merely sharing a cup of light hot chocolate in the visitor's lounge in front of the massive floor to ceiling windows. But if Lucy wasn’t feeling well, he was content to sit by her side in her room, talking, telling stories, or doing anything just to cheer her up. Sometimes he would fantasize during these events as if they were simply at home and relaxing like a normal couple.

“Oh yay, beef barley,” Lucy stirs and lifts a spoonful up before letting it flow back into the bowl. “My fave.” She knew why they gave it to her, but that didn’t make it anymore appetizing. Barley was supposedly good for heart health, and the protein it contained was useful for her body. She crunches up the soda crackers the meal came with and drops them into the soup, letting the pieces soak in.

“I don’t mind it,” Natsu shovels a spoonful into his mouth. He always made it a point to eat the same thing they gave Lucy, so she felt more normal about it. “But if you really don’t want it, I could ask them to make you a sandwich instead.”

“No, no,” she waves her hand, her voice oozing with a sense of longing mixed with frustration, “it’s okay, I’m fine with it. I just would kill to eat a fatty, tasty, slathered in sauce cheeseburger with a side of waffle fries or something you know.”

Natsu snorts a laugh and almost chokes on his food as a mental picture of Lucy chomping down on a burger, with sauce dripping down her chin both amuses and arouses him. “I-I can imagine,” he bangs his chest a couple times to dislodge some liquid that made it down the wrong pipe. “Throw some sriracha sauce on that vision and you just named one of my favorite foods.” Could this woman become any more of his dream girl?!

She giggles, “So, um…” Lucy hesitates for a second. She didn’t want to sound desperate or anything, but loneliness was the quickest way to send her back into a depression and she cherished the time the man spent with her. “How much time are you spending with me today?”

“As long as you’d like,” he winks. “I always do my rounds first and come to you last so I can stay as long as I want to.”

Ugh! The flirty thing again! Lucy wills her body to behave. “Wow, that makes me pretty special, huh?”

“Extremely,” he leans in, letting his gaze grow half-lidded, and his tone mellowing into a soothing cadence. “I’m gonna steal your heart one day Luce, that’s a promise.”

“What?! Pfft,” damn, she can feel the heat rising in her cheeks, “there’s no point in stealing a broken heart sir…” Despite the desire to feel aroused over his comment, it also brought a sense of sadness to her she fought down the urge to let tears rise to the surface. ‘He’s just teasing… he’s just being sweet, trying to make me feel normal… It’s not real Lucy, It’s not real!’ But oh, how she wished it was! Natsu was the perfect man that any woman would kill for. Sweet, strong, handsome, silly, she could go on and on with the list. He was the one ray of sunshine in her dreary world now that she truly was all alone in it. The stress of caring for her had driven her father into his own massive heart attack last year. She had no one, except Natsu.

“I mean it Luce,” he reaches out and takes her hand, letting his thumb sweep over the skin. “Broken or not, I want to steal it and have the person it’s attached to a—ll to myself.”

“Please don’t,” Lucy pulls her hand back. She could feel the tears pooling and if she didn’t stop it now, they’d soon fall. “You know I appreciate it, really I do Natsu.” Lucy looks back up at him and cracks a pained smile. “But you deserve someone who’s not broken.”

The absolute pain measured in Lucy’s eyes, and the sorrow in her voice was like a dagger straight through Natsu’s soul. He could understand her desire of not wanting to believe in miracles or to shield herself from further pain, but that only killed him more. She deserved so much more out of life. Ugh, if only he had a direct line to destiny so he could kick its ass and tell it to leave Lucy in peace! He didn’t want to upset her anymore. “Okay, I’ll stop pushing too hard. But I promise you Luce, one day you will walk out of this hospital a healthy woman, and you can steal my heart instead.”

She sighs, “You can’t promise something like that.”

“I have faith,” Natsu gives her his wide, ear-to-ear grin and a wink. “You’ll see.”

How could she stay upset after seeing that smile of his? That damn ear-to-ear grin that lit up his eyes. The eternal optimist, Natsu Dragneel trying so hard to keep her spirits up. He and that smile may very well be the one thing keeping her going at this point. “Okay, okay,” Lucy chuckles, “I give up, yes it's possible.”

“Woo Hoo!” He pumps his fist in the air in an exaggerated victory, “that’s the spirit! Now eat, so we can go check out the babies!”

Lucy laughs again and nods with a smile, “okay.”

It was harder than she let on to him because she knew how much he enjoyed checking out all the new arrivals, but seeing those babies coming into this world while she would be leaving it shortly was painful. All those hopeful, bright little lives…. They were a bittersweet reminder that a hospital holds two balances; the power to bring life into this world or take it away by not being able to heal a person. She didn’t blame the doctors, for they were doing their best, because sometimes the sands of time runs its course and there is just nothing more they can do. It was simply a part of life, to be born and die, never knowing when the grim reaper would come calling.

“Look, look! I was told three were born yesterday.” Natsu points excitedly as he parks her chair in front of the viewing window of the nursery. He plasters his face against the clear glass. “Two girls and one boy. Awww, one already has some hair!” Turning back to Lucy, “can you see okay, would you like me to help you stand up?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I can see just fine,” Lucy throws on a smile for effect. “They are quite adorable, aren’t they?”

“Are you sure? You know the doctors want you to stand sometimes so that your legs don’t atrophy as quickly. I will gladly bear the weight.”

“Are you saying I’m heavy?!” She was just teasing, but it was the perfect setup to do so.

“What?!” he waves his arms, “n-no way! You’re not heavy, I meant I’m stronger so I can hold you up…”

“So, I’m weak?”

“Wait, what, no!”

Lucy giggles at how much the man was stepping all over his tongue. “I’m just teasing you, Natsu. I know I should, but I’m just a little tired today.” That was partially true.

The man pouts, “so mean Luce,” he whines and throws on the saddest puppy dog expression he can muster, even a sniffle for effect. “But it was an excuse to hold you in my arms.”

Oh, how quickly the tides can turn as his bold little statement sets her face ablaze. He re—ally needed to stop with the flirting, or she was about to have an actual heart attack! “All right,” Lucy groans, “just for a few minutes.” It wasn’t the first time she’s allowed him to help her stand and maintain her balance, but before his little retort, she’d never thought twice about it.

Natsu locks the chair and adjusts the foot plates out of the way so that Lucy can put her feet on the ground. “Just take all the time you need,” his voice grows soft and soothing, “don’t rush.”

She tests her leg strength by pushing with the balls of her feet against the floor, rocking them and applying pressure to warm up the muscles. Brief movements, like getting from the bed to the wheelchair were one thing, standing for a few minutes or walking a few feet were another. It was frustrating and embarrassing, so she avoided it as much as possible, like when going to the bathroom. Lucy didn’t mind when the nurses assisted her with that compromising predicament, but this was embarrassing in a different way.

Once she feels her legs are ready, she holds out her hand which Natsu quickly takes hold of and braces her other on the arm of the chair to push herself up. When she gets to a standing position, Natsu moves around her body, placing an arm around her waist as he gently guides her the two feet to the window. He stays on constant alert, monitoring any change so if her legs decide to buckle, he can catch her. As soon as she reaches the window, Lucy places her hands on the slight ledge of the sill. Natsu then switches his position to stand directly behind her, wrapping both arms around her upper chest to hold her close, but above the tubes in her lower abdomen.

Could he feel how much her body was heating up from the intimate contact? Lucy fought her own emotions to keep from escalating and stressing her heart out, for she was keenly aware of how they would look to anyone passing by. Dear heavens, it was hard to do with his chest pressed up against her back…. She wished they could stay like that forever. ‘Breathe… just breathe, Lucy…. Look at the babies, just focus on the babies…’ That only made it worse.

The babies…. Just a day old. The little angels were like moldable clay. They’ll grow… they’ll change… Will they become teachers or astronauts some day? Oh, look at the one, smiling in his sleep, how precious. Someday, will they make their dreams come true? What will they be like? Good little kids or naughty, friendly, the life of the party or a shy introvert? Like many young girls who dreamt of becoming a mother someday, Lucy had envisioned having a family of her own with the love of her life and the white picket fence. A little girls fantasy. She closes her eyes, praying that Natsu wasn’t paying attention to her. The tears pool behind her eyelids and she stills the desire to sniffle. That fantasy was now dashed like a shipwreck against the shoreline, never to sail the seven seas again. Natsu would have made the perfect husband and father for such a fairytale, and he will one day, just not in her storybook ending.

She’d been so focused on fighting back her emotions, that Lucy hadn’t noticed Natsu’s head was now resting against her shoulder or how his face was curled against the nape.

“It’s okay to cry sometimes Luce.”

His whispered voice, so close to her ear, breaks the dam. Lucy squeezes her eyes tighter and fingertips curl, tensing against the windowsill. Shit, he knew all along. Her knees tremble as the tears flow freely, but she feels his hold tighten around her to keep her from falling. It had been some time since she’d allowed herself to release the pain in this way.

Natsu hadn’t been certain of it until now, but in the last several times they’d come to the pediatric ward, he’d sensed a change in Lucy’s energy. She always wore a smile with a hidden agenda and now he’s confirmed his suspicions. Well, it was his mother really that pointed it out one day when he’d mentioned it to her. The woman was great at understanding human emotions and after years of caring for patients, she’s learned to follow her intuition.

“Lucy was a young woman who may not live to be a mother or have a family of her own, of course it might upset her to see the infants.” His first inclination was to stop bringing the woman to this ward, but his mother gave him a second option. “Help her grieve.” Those three words coming out of his mother’s mouth stunned him briefly. What did she mean to help her grieve?!! “If Lucy has no one to turn to, how can she process what is happening to her. Show her it’s okay to be upset, help her let out the pain before it consumes her.”

“I will hold you for as long as I need to Luce, just let the pain go.”

But it was killing him to do this! Natsu had told his mother that he didn’t think he was strong enough. The woman simply smiled, patted his cheek and said, “I believe in you son. If you truly care, then you’ll have the strength to move mountains for her.” Damn his mother and her intuition, though Natsu realized only a fool couldn’t see how much he was falling for Lucy. He’d sell his soul to a demon to get her a new heart.

Strangely, Lucy’s body wasn’t reacting like she thought it would. Stress usually caused her blood pressure to rise and strain her heart muscles, but that wasn’t happening. She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing like a broken spigot, and maybe that was the best thing, like a release of the pressure that had built up unbeknownst to her. Her hands move from the windowsill to Natsu’s arms, clutching to and resting her head on them. Lucy couldn’t look up, not yet, but she needed to let him know she heard his words, and they meant the world to her.

She would have made an amazing mother, Natsu was sure of it, and it would be a lie to say he’s never thought of or imagined them staring through this viewing window at their own little boy or girl one day. Would the child have Lucy’s beautiful golden waves or chocolate brown eyes? Or maybe take Natsu’s salmon pink hair and onyx eyes. No matter what, the child would be perfect and loved. A child that as the day ticked down on the transplant list was losing hope of ever being born. Crap! Natsu squeezes his eyes closed tight. He couldn’t let her see him struggling with this, but damn if those images didn’t just cut him deep.

Neither of them knew how long they were standing there or even if any of the other hospital staff had noticed. They were in their own little world while time passed them by. It was Lucy who finally let out a small exhale as a last release of all that had struck her today, and with that tension gone, the tears turned into exhaustion. Ever cry so hard and for so long that your body became lethargic? Lucy yawns wide and deep, her eyes growing heavy and clouded, a little lightheaded, ready to go to sleep.

Natsu kisses the crown of her head and without a word, maneuvers her so she can sit back down in her wheelchair. He sets the foot panels in place and helps her feet onto them, then pushes her back to her room. There is a companionable silence, as if all their wordless exchanges had communicated volumes that needed no explanation. Once back in her own room, Natsu helps her onto the bed and set the wheelchair aside.

After helping to re-attach her heart monitors, Natsu checks, “is there anything else I can get you before I go?” She shakes her head. “In that case…”

Lucy motions for him to lean in closer and once he’s close enough, she hesitates briefly then places a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for everything Natsu.”

His eyes widen, shocked by what she’d just done. “Luce?”

“I just felt like doing it,” she blushes. “Tonight… I don’t know, I just feel so much better and it’s all because of you.” Lucy closes her eyes as a yawn cuts through. They were so tired…

“You are very welcome,” Natsu smiles. He moves to leave, but Lucy grabs his hand and squeezes. When he turns back to look, her eyes are still closed, and there is a slight smile on her face which brings a swelling of his pride. He leans down and kisses the back of her hand. “Rest now, and I will see you again tomorrow.”

Mister Sandman beckoned to Lucy of mystical creatures bathed in glittering stars, calling upon father time to bring peace to a weary soul. She didn’t know why, but though the pull was strong, she fought his dreamy reverie. Today had been the most emotionally charged day in a long time. All the tears Lucy had shed brought a new peace to her spirit, something in this entire experience not even a trained therapist could have given her. The amount of love that Natsu provided, whether platonic or wishful yearnings, calmed her, and pushed away the emptiness she had felt for so long…. So long stuck in this pain. She wanted to relive this day forever, safe in Natsu’s arms, drowning in the pool of his obsidian hues. ‘… to steal his heart…’ Lucy knew she already had, just as he had stolen hers in a way. A sense of warmth floods through her body, shielding her to the cool air-conditioned room. Lucy’s smile widens as her mind slips into the abyss of dreams, of a pink-haired prince who’d finally set her soul free.

“Natsu wake up,” the voice repeats as the person attached to it shakes his sleeping form. “Natsu wake up.”

“Huh?” His clouded mind hears the voice of his mother. “What is it?” He turns his head, his eyes temporarily pin-pointed from the harsh lamp light next to his bed. “Mom, what are you doing in my room?” Natsu pushes himself to a sitting position as his mother takes a seat next to him. With his vision focusing better, he finally notices the moisture clouding his mother’s eyes. “Mom, what is it?!”

She takes his hand, squeezing it tightly with her head slightly lowered in pain. “I-I’m sorry, son, but the hospital just called me…. Your friend, s-she had a massive heart attack.”

By the time his mother had finished the sentence, Natsu had stopped listening to anything she was saying. He knew, the moment she’d said I’m sorry… to wake him up in the middle of the night, it had to be…. All the blood drains from his face and his shoulders slump. He felt dizzy, weak, like all of his strength were stripped away, leaving him an empty shell. He turns his head slowly, the tears already flowing down his cheeks in an endless trickle to meet the woman’s sullen gaze. This wasn’t happening! Not yet! Lucy was fine today! Fine!! He wanted to scream! But his throat was closed up, choking back the sobs that wanted to break free.

“Oh honey,” the woman wraps her arms around her son and pulls him tightly against her chest. “I’m so sorry,” her own tears flowing freely and hitting his face. “Don’t give up hope, they were able to save her, but she’s been placed in a medically induced coma.”

It couldn’t be true! Why weren’t his cries coming out?! Natsu’s voice refused to make a sound and all he could do was weep. It hurt so much! His fists clench at his stiffened sides. This wasn’t fair!

“Let it out son, don’t hold it in,” she coos, doing her best to soothe the pain. “They believe she didn’t suffer because it happened while she was asleep, that should give you a bit of comfort.”

No, it doesn’t! She was still in a coma! He’d almost lost her! And, “I-I never g-got to s-say good... good…” he couldn’t finish it. What if she never woke up again? Natsu’s heart ached at the thought he may never again hear her beautiful laughter or that silly snort she would sometimes make when he teased her. This world was too cruel to do this to a woman who should be in college, starting the next stage of her life. A fit of sobs racks his body, ‘I never got to tell her I love her…’

“Would you like me to drive you there, son?”

“Yes, please mom, i-if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.”

Natsu paused in front of the closed door to Lucy’s new room, unsuccessfully preparing himself for what he knew he would find behind it. On the way to the hospital, his mother had filled in a few more details that tore the man up and brought a wave of guilt flooding over him. Had he caused the heart attack?

The heart monitor alarms had gone off only 30 minutes after he had left her for the evening, and the doctors wasted no time in implementing emergency resuscitative efforts. They deemed it a miracle, but after 10 minutes of herculean efforts they were able to get her heart restarted. Lucy was then moved to the ICU unit and placed on other machines such as a feeding tube and ventilator to keep her alive.

Maybe he shouldn’t have pushed her to see the infants after all. Maybe the crying had stressed her out and neither of them had known it. She seemed perfectly fine when he’d left! Happy, in fact, happier than he’d seen in a long time. Natsu’s fingers absentmindedly trail over the area she had kissed. Lucy was at peace when he’d left. His mom told him her sudden fatigue may have been a sign. Or maybe he clenches his jaw, that kiss was her way of saying goodbye, like she knew something might happen once she’d closed her eyes. The way she’d grabbed his hand when he tried to leave…. “Fuck!” he grits outs as the tears pool in his bloodshot eyes again. “I shouldn’t have left her…”

He pushes the door open and his knees buckle instantly at the sight. Tubes… all the tubes, and monitors, the beeping and lights, bright flashing lights of the stat graphs, subcutaneous fluids hooked to her arms, the drips… slow drips of liquid and medicine flowing into Lucy’s body. He wasn’t ready for it. Her beautiful face partially hidden by the feeding tube running into her mouth and the breathing tubes entering her nostrils. If it wasn’t for his mother standing at his side, Natsu would have collapsed to the floor when his legs lose all their strength and crumple. The woman guides him to a chair placed beside the bed.

“Oh god, Lucy!” The tears pour out and sobs take control of his body. He throws his upper body over hers, clutching desperately to the blanket covering her, and burying his face into its folds. Natsu felt a part of his soul die right then and there. “You don’t deserve this,” his muffled words stolen by the fabric. Why couldn’t they find her a heart?!

“Son,” Natsu feels his mother’s hand resting on his shoulder, but he doesn’t respond. “Son, there’s no telling how long Lucy will stay in this state, so it’s best you say your goodbyes now. They say that people can hear you even if they are in a coma.”

But all he can do is shake his head fervently, denying it to the world and himself that Lucy wouldn’t come out of this. He had hope, damn it! Natsu refused to say goodbye because that meant he’d given up hope Lucy would recover somehow.

The woman seemed to understand her son’s frustration and didn’t push. “Then, just talk to her son, let her know you’re here.”

“Mom, could you… I wanna be alone, please?”

“I’ll come back in an hour to take you home.”

Natsu just nods in response. He hears the door open and close, the click of the lock like the final latch being set on a coffin, sealing them to their fate. He’d known the dangers of giving his heart to Lucy and yet despite what was happening, still had no regrets. She deserved the peace of knowing someone loved her, and if this really was the last moments, Natsu could have that tiny measure of satisfaction knowing he was the one who had provided it to her.

“But you’re not gonna die yet, Luce. You can’t, do you hear me, you can’t! It’s not your time yet, so you need to fight for me please…” Oh, how his heart was shattering into a million pieces as if he was the one with the problem. It fucking hurt! Emotional daggers stabbing him in the chest repeatedly. “You’re stronger than this, Lucy! I know it, you’re gonna wake up from this!”

By the time his mother returns an hour later, the sheer exhaustion had consumed Natsu. She finds him passed out, and it takes a bit of begrudging effort to get him to leave Lucy’s bedside. He was so afraid to leave again in case she passed away, because he didn’t want her to die alone. It was his mother that coaxed him into believing that she wasn’t alone as long as he kept her in his heart.

Day after day, week after week, became a never-ending cycle of zombiesque activity. Natsu’s body was there, trudging through routine, but his mind was broken, battling between keeping hope alive and giving up. He went to work, did his job, then headed to the hospital. It got to where the staff had placed a spare bed in the room, and he practically lived in the ICU with Lucy. He was lucky that his mother was a long-time nurse and he a volunteer with an impeccable standing that the hospital allowed him to bend the visitor hour rules. They knew the woman was alone in this world, so maybe they also felt a sense of duty to become that family for her, because nobody deserved to die alone.

He grew obsessed with anything to do with her condition and used the lonely hours to scour the internet for information. Sure, much of the stories about coma patients being able to hear weren’t really solid or verifiable, but any glimmer of possibilities was worth the effort. It couldn’t hurt to try. Whether it was telling her about his day or what was happening in their town, Natsu would keep talking. He bought a kindle and read stories he thought she would like, fantasies of princes saving princesses filled with mythical creatures. He remembered her saying she used to write such stories and wished he had been able to read them.

When he was too tired to read, or his throat was too sore to continue, Natsu wrote her letters. The staff and his family were getting worried about Natsu. So, the hospital’s mental health service counselor had come in one day and spoke to him on the off chance that they could get through to him. While he refused to listen to most of the advice, he found the writing to be helpful. Maybe when Lucy awakens, she could read them. But for now, it was one way he could pour out some of his thoughts in silence.

He was always tired and exhausted, pushing himself through this day-to-day routine, sometimes forgetting to eat. Concerned staff would often pop their heads in to check on him to make sure he had or scolded him when the hours grew late and they knew he needed to work the next day. His bloodshot eyes held dark bags under them, and his mother swore he was losing weight. But he would always push them off saying he was fine.

“No, you are not son. As a mother I am supremely proud to know I raised a son who cares this much, but I don’t want to lose you too.”

“And you’re not, I’m perfectly healthy.”

“You know as well as I stress is harmful to the body.”

Natsu sighs and runs a hand over his face, “mom, I’m fine, I even cut back on work hours to make you happy.”

“And I appreciate the gesture, but you’re still working, just here!”

“Mom, I’m fine! Please, just leave me be, I-I don’t want to fight. I just want… I’m not leaving her. End of discussion.”

His mother sighs, knowing that her stubborn boy would not listen. “Just please, Natsu, eat more, get more sleep, do it for me.”

“Okay, okay, I will.”

“I love you, son.”

“I love you too, mom.”

She kisses his forehead and turns to leave, taking one last look at her boy, and to Lucy. Grandeeney Dragneel pauses with a bittersweet smile as Natsu resumed reading quietly from his Kindle. Somehow, she knew that young girl loved her son back, and it broke her heart to know they were like those star-crossed lovers from a long-lost folktale, never destined to truly be together. She liked Lucy. The girl was smart and sweet, very articulate whenever she visited during her rounds, and her strength through this all was remarkable. Even after being dealt such a cruel hand by fate, she never grew bitter or resentful. Her son couldn’t have fallen for a better girl. Grandeeney slips away quietly before the moisture building in her eyes could be seen by Natsu, bracing against the closed door, and praying for a miracle.

Is this that tunnel people talk about? Lucy wonders as all she could see through her eyelids is the brightest light that seemed just too brilliant to be normal. Her eyes hurt a little from it, but if this was heaven, why is there still pain? She forces her lids open and tries to shield them with her hand that… doesn’t seem to move, huh? But it wasn’t just her arm, her entire body felt heavy. The images filtering in through her vision were blurry, slowly gaining focus as her pupils adjust to the light to see, wait, ceiling tiles? Why does heaven look so much like a hospital?

“Oh good, you’re awake.”

Lucy looks over and sees a doctor standing beside her. “Where am I?” Or more like why am I here?

“Do you remember the heart attack?” She shakes her head. “You’ve been in a coma for two months after you suffered a massive heart attack. But luckily, a local donor came through...” He goes on to explain about the surgery telling her that the transplant surgery went well, her body was accepting the new heart, and while she’ll still be going through three to six months or rehabilitation and monitoring, she was on track to make a full recovery.

“Oh-okay, thank you so much, doctor.” It was a miracle to be alive again with a new heart. But something felt wrong, missing?

“I’ll be back in a couple hours to check on you again Ms. Heartfilia, but if anything feels off in the meantime, be sure to ring the nurses.” He moves to leave, but she stops him.

“Doctor, the donor, can you tell me about them, please?”

The man hesitates for a moment. “Well Ms. Heartfilia, privacy laws don’t allow me to….”

“You don’t have to tell me their name or anything. Please, just a little information. I’d like to know who saved my life.”

The man sighs and takes the seat next to the bed, clearly torn with what he was about to say. “He was a young volunteer at the hospital who tragically fell asleep at the wheel and passed away from a car accident…”

The doctor's voice droned on for another minute as he tried to reassure her that the man didn’t suffer. It was quick and painless from a one-car crash. As if that was supposed to make her feel any better. Lucy didn’t need to be told the name as tears poured down her cheeks, because she knew. She just knew. That was what was missing, for she knew that if she’d had received the new heart, Natsu would have been the one by her side when she’d woken up… unless he could be there. With all the wires attached to her arm, she could barely move them without the sting of the I.V. lines, but she didn’t care. Lucy’s hands cover her lowered face as the tears continue to stream.

“I’m very sorry, Ms. Heartfilia. Would you like me to have someone from mental health support to come see you?”

Lucy shakes her head. She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t even think.

“Mrs. Dragneel would also like to speak to you when you’re up to it.”

More tears and sobs choke out. Oh god that was Natsu’s mom, how could she face Natsu’s mother!

Seeing the woman’s distress, the man nods and squeezes her shoulder, “Again, I’m truly sorry Ms. Heartfilia. We all miss him very much. Please try to get some rest,” and leaves the woman to grieve in her own way.

Her head was spinning. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this! Why was destiny such a malicious bastard to take away the one person she had and leave her in this world all alone? Lucy clasps a hand over her chest, recalling the last conversation, that last night with Natsu. She squeezes her eyes to the pain of the memories… He’d made her so happy… so very happy, and yes, she remembered thinking for the first time since her diagnosis; she didn’t feel alone anymore. Fuck if she didn’t want to just keel over again, but that would mar the beautiful gift that she’s received. Natsu believed with every fiber of his being that she would walk out of here one day and she will live on for him, that’s a promise. “Our heart,” Lucy breathes out… But how ironic that he was right all along. She really did steal his heart in the cruelest of ways…

#nalu #nalu angst #nalu au #natsu dragneel #Lucy heartfilia #fairytail #nalu fan fic #nalu fan fiction #bittersweet ending #story request #uzumaki2810 #natsu x lucy #au modern setting #hospital setting

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andy-clutterbuck · 4 years ago

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5x12 | Remember

#Rick Grimes #*#rg #S5 #me as an old blender #H A N D S #A R M S #if im not listing body parts that are pretty am i even alive #THE NOSE™#also his arm hair but i'm not gonna be that weird right now #ARM VEINS #i'll be that kind of weird instead #that strong ass jaw i s2g #why are necks attractive i'm not a vampire #HI CHIN DIMPLE #let me write a research paper on stubble burn #i didn't need that gif of him holstering the python but yes i did #he's so well proportioned stab me with a rake #ya ever just want to rub someone's arm....

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risrielthron · 4 years ago

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Who We Were

This took a good long while because there was a retcon in November of 2015 that kinda forced Risri into hiatus. When I brought her back for the paper in 2016, some details changed but still this was an eye-opening exercise of how I’ve grown as both an RPer and a writer. Anything that does not have brackets is the same.

Take a trip down memory lane, pull up the oldest ‘about’ post you can find for your character, and annotate what has changed and what has stayed the same in {Curly brackets}.

(I borrowed this from @alyssa-ward because what a cool exercise)

Originally posted October 4, 2015

Character’s full name: Risri Elthron Reason or meaning of name: combination of Mother's best friend's name (still alive) and her mother's sister who died - Rislana (best friend) and Kiari (sister). The Elthron family have mostly played a back seat in the history of the Kaldorei. {Both of these origins have kind of changed. Risri’s name became a place that her parents named her after, something that was important to her father’s family in an RP with her aunt. The last name Elthron was chosen by Risri during her exile her original family name is Kal’serrar.} Character’s nickname: Ris Reason for nickname: just a short form of Risri

Physical appearance

Age: 403 {she has aged 1 rl year each year since 2015 she is currently 408 years old} How old does he/she appear: to a human about 20ish {I actually think now she probably seems a little older to people) Weight: We don't ask ladies this! Though she looks healthy and toned. {I figure she’s whatever the average weight is for female elves} Height: Average for a Kaldorei {This has changed a bit. I have her just a tad shorter than Dragaur in human form so she’s 6’2” which apparently is short for an elf} Body build: She's not a body builder but her activities keep her in shape. Shape of face: Typical Kaldorei {She did not have a face claim at the time nor did she have art. Her face looks like this art the most.}

Eye color: White {I list it as silver now} Glasses or contacts: none Skin tone: light purplish Distinguishing marks: Claw tattoo (gained during her Druid initiation ceremony) Hair color: Purple Type of hair: Long Hairstyle: up in a ponytail or straight down her back {when I first made Risri I had her in the pigtail hair style. I quickly didnt like how it looks and changed it to the long style she sports now. It has not changed since} Voice: typically soft {I imagine her voice and accent a bit like Gal Gadot’s natural voice} Overall attractiveness: again not really caught up in her appearance so someone may need to tell her and even then she will more than likely blush and stammer a thank you. {This has changed so so much from when I first created her. She knows she is lovely and she will probably think you want something from her if you flatter her appearance.} Physical disabilities: none Usual fashion of dress: For events: dresses...she has discovered she likes pretty pretty dresses. For class: simple black pants and a simple shirt {So this too has changed from when I first created her. She aims for comfort and style. She most often will be found in one of these} Favorite outfit: Dresses, she found a lovely gold and white dress that has become her favorite {I dont even know what dress this was but Im sure it was something from my early days on wra-I would say her favorite outfit is probably one of the ones above} Jewelry or accessories: She wears a button on a string around her neck. She fondles it every so often. {The button on a string has actually moved to her bag, she now sports a ruby necklace from Dragaur, her bracelet with several charms on it, and always has her camera}

Personality

Alignment: Good {I think I would classify Risri now as more neutral these days} Good personality traits: Loves animals, children, books, meeting new people (even though she can be shy, she enjoys it), giving, loyal {This is all true except for the shyness, I don’t actually rp Risri as shy. She may be standoffish but thats cause IRL I am shy but Risri most definitely has no fear of talking to people} Bad personality traits: shyness can sometimes stop her from joining in, when she is caught up in research she may ignore others not to be hurtful she just gets caught up {I think this one goes with the other, as for bad traits today, I usually say she can be stuck in her ways at times and can be over protective} Mood character is most often in: happy {I would say this is still true but she’s had her share of pain} Sense of humor: silly things make her laugh {Not so much silly things but she definitely has a more snarky is funny sense of humor} Character’s greatest joy in life: running in the forest as a cat {Taking pictures and being a druid are equal} Character’s greatest fear: the death of her mother {This has actually come out in RP as a fear of mind control. She would fear the death of her mother but mind control tops it.} Why? Her mother and her are very close (unusual for Kaldorei, as they grow up communally typically), travelling with her mother in her formative years they relied upon each other What single event would most throw this character’s life into complete turmoil? Ris would be devastated if something happened to her mother {I think the death of Latilda, and then when she thought Dragaur was dead, and subsequently the death of Suzi in the office are three of the most profound things that made Risri change some. Her fel contamination would come a close fourth Currently, if something was to really happen to Dragaur, Sky, or Selise it would mess up Risri for a while} Character is most at ease when: Researching {Funnily enough this might still be true, but I would say taking pictures is probably more} Most ill at ease when: at war {This is true, but as she found out both at Darkshore and recently when there are forsaken involved she has no hesitation in killing.} Enraged when: witnessing senseless destruction of sacred places or artifacts {I completely forgot that I chose that, but I would say it has not changed. She also does not stand for people she cares about being hurt, this one is tricky though and I often have to tame it down because of interactions with others.} Depressed or sad when: she is a pretty positive individual, depression and sadness are fleeting if they happen at all. {This has matured over time. She gets very introspective at times and definitely will seek alone time when she is sad.} Priorities: Learn about as many cultures as she can, current focus is Treants. {So long ago… Her priorities currently are her studio, Dragaur, and helping the Kaldorei still homeless.} Life philosophy: Learn, Learn, Learn then share it all! {This was definitely written back in my Stormwind University days. Her philosophy “Be kind. It’s worthwhile to make an effort to learn about other people and figure out what you might have in common with them.”} Character’s soft spot: her Sprite Darter "Flutter" {Also a certain worgen} Is this soft spot obvious to others? Sometimes {while I dont play it up too much she is very attached to Flutter. As for the worgen, yes when they are together it is clear she has a soft spot for the gruff one} Greatest strength: Passion for learning {This is probably still true but I would say she also is a pretty good photographer and a loyal friend.} Greatest vulnerability or weakness: Naivety of how the world really works even though she has travelled the two main continents extensively she has been sheltered by her mother. {This was one of the things I retconned out of her when I brought her back for the paper. Risri may be unknowing of some human interactions but she is far from naive in most cases.} Biggest regret: That one time at band camp...seriously she is young so right now she doesn't have one but this may play into her development and story later. {HUGE change here... in fleshing her out in RP the biggest regret is and always will be the incident that forced her out of the Sentinels but not the results because it let her become a druid so its a double edged regret} Minor regret: she forgot to tell her mom about the time she ...oh that might not be appropriate for here {Again a change that came about from RP, that she threatened Dragaur with turning him in. She would never do that and she said it in a moment of frustration with him during a fight. It hurt them both too much.} Biggest accomplishment: coming soon {Running the paper. Opening her studio. either} Minor accomplishment: joining the University! {so many things, her writings, some of her photographs, saving people at Teldrassil, helping the Kaldorei in Stormwind.} Past failures he/she would be embarrassed to have people know about: she was almost not able to become a druid...story for another time {This also changed with the retcon, but I would say the time she spent before coming to Stormwind would be something she would not want others to know about and will probably not talk about to anyone.} Why? She loves being a druid so not being one… {I have thoughts about what she was doing but its not fleshed out. Maybe someday and I can revisit this.} Character’s darkest secret: She is a pretty open book. Maybe later she will have a "dark" secret. {So this dark secret is the fact that she killed 10 Sentinels. That also came with the revamp.} Does anyone else know? {Several people.}

Goals

Drives and motivations: Curiosity unusual for a Kaldorei and need to have answers to questions { I would say this is somewhat still there and aided her when she was a reporter, but her drives and motivations are deeper now and the result of RP. She wants to make amends and sees her work with the Kaldorei refugees as part of that.} Immediate goals: Make friends with the treant she met at the Grove of Ancients {Keep her business running, aid the Kaldorei} Long term goals: Become an expert in as many cultures as she can {Live} How the character plans to accomplish these goals: Locate writings and interviewing others, spending time with treants ((her contact will be sending her around Azeroth and Draenor to meet with others)) {So her plan for her immediate goals are tied together. She takes a good portion of her profits from the studio and the two books she’s published to fund her relief efforts} How other characters will be affected: may be pestered for any little detail they have about treants {Most of the people she interacts with in RP would not be impacted.}

Past

Hometown: Darnassus {God I was such a noob. Feralas is her home.} Type of childhood: travelled both continents with her mother {so noob. She spent her youth in Feralas, Ashenvale, and Darkshore.} Pets: Sprite Darter named Flutter and a curious little white kitten {I retconned the kitten. Its only Flutter} First memory: Leaves above her (could be why she is fascinated with the treants...) {I think I’ll leave this one.} Most important childhood memory: Her and her mother on a ship talking into the night {This can stay too} Why? The closeness she felt to her mother {Because of this reason}

Present

Current location: Elwynn Forest, Jazimina Amberstill's "Ranch" {Stormwind City, either Dragaur’s apartment or her studio} Currently living with: Jazimina Amberstill and Ritti {Dragaur} Pets: Sprite Darter "Flutter" Religion: Follower of Elune {no change, add wild gods} Occupation: Researcher {Photographer} Finances: moderate {no change though she has more wealth than she lets on}

Family

Mother: Kahrysta Elthron {Oh wow I totally changed her mother’s name.. Its Alistra Kal’serrar } Relationship with her: good {excellent} Father: Brezlin Elthron Relationship with him: vague memories, he died when she was still a child Siblings: none Relationship with them: Spouse: none Relationship with him/her: Children: none {though she briefly adopted Ritti before they found the gnome’s family} Relationship with them: Other important family members: Mother's best friend Rislana is like an aunt {her aunt Tara, cousins, and another aunt I dont have a name for.}

Favorites

Color: Green and Purple {blues could be added} Least favorite color: Orange {sorry Drag, but I dont think its true anymore} Music: any Food: Chocolate Cookies {See answer here} Literature: Any Form of entertainment: stories {plays, dances could be added} Expressions: "Indeed!" {Its not often I get to use it but I do like it} Mode of transportation: Winterspring Frostsaber, given to her by her mother when she hit adulthood (about 50 years ago) or flight form {Flight form. The frostsaber went away in the retcon} Most prized possession: her journal {Camera}

Habits

Hobbies: Dabbles in alchemy {more than dabbles now} Plays a musical instrument? No Plays a sport: no How he/she would spend a rainy day: reading a book, any book {taking pictures} Spending habits: thrifty {for herself this is probably true, for others she can be extravagant} Smokes: no Drinks: not normally {no change, but she will drink} Other drugs: no What does he/she do too much of? Read {Take pictures} What does he/she do too little of? Socialize just for fun {This is probably more true now since giving up the paper} Extremely skilled at: Keeping a team alive when faced with challenges when exploring {Photography, writing could be added} Extremely unskilled at: a lot of things but she does hate cooking {LIES...I retconned this. She loves to cook. I don’t know...but I am sure there is something. It would probably be something she doesn’t do and has no desire to do.} Nervous tics: not sure someone may need to point that out to her {She plays with the bracelet on her wrist when she’s nervous. } Usual body posture: relaxed and happy Mannerisms: polite {extremely so} Peculiarities: … {hmm, I am sure there are some that have manifested over the five years I’ve been RPing her. Perhaps how she will always address a human as their full name unless she has been asked not to and will still use Ms. Mrs. Miss. Mr. with that name unless she feels close to you.}

Traits

Optimist or pessimist: Optimist Introvert or extrovert: Introvert until she gets to know you then she might not be quiet {I would say shes more mixed now.} Daredevil or cautious?: A little of both Logical or emotional: Emotional {probably more mixed now though she can be emotional she just normally doesn’t let it show unless she is very comfortable with you} Disorderly and messy or methodical and neat: somewhere in between, depends on how wrapped up she is in her research but she does have a habit of cleaning up if there is a mess { I would say she is very neat. Sky drives her crazy.} Prefers working or relaxing: working {definitely would say this is still true} Confident or unsure of himself/herself: unsure internally, others probably see her as confident {a little of this still lingers but unless you are close to her you wont see it} Animal lover: indeed

Self-Perception

How he/she feels about himself/herself: an introvert who is more bookish than social {This is still kinda true.} One word the character would use to describe self: shy {Quiet} One paragraph description of how the character would describe self: A passionate learner and studier of peoples, loves animals, enjoys outdoors, and exploring is exciting. {A memory keeper, lover of animals and the outdoors, her passion for photography as a way to preserve memories is high.} What does the character consider his/her best personality trait? her passion for learning {her compassion for others} What does the character consider his/her worst personality trait? her shyness ((its all in her head too, she really can be quite un-shy when meeting new races or investigating something though in social entertainment type situations she is at a loss)) {so retconned, she would say her possessiveness when it comes to the people she cares about.} What does the character consider his/her best physical characteristic? She is unaware of her appearance most of the time {She likes her hair.} What does the character consider his/her worst physical characteristic? She hates her feet...not really {I’ll keep this if only cause I dont know} How does the character think others perceive him/her: She sometimes thinks too much about this and sometimes it doesn't bother her at all {She is very conscious of being a Kaldorei business woman in a human society. She strives to show that her people are trustworthy and kind.} What would the character most like to change about himself/herself: her shyness {Since I retconned the shyness...I don’t know...Risri believes she can be a better person but its something that you work on each day.}

Relationships with others

Opinion of other people in general: opportunity to learn {She is still curious about others and likes people watching. She thinks most people are good at heart.} Does the character hide his/her true opinions and emotions from others: hmm, I think this will depend upon the relationship and situation {Oh most definitely, this was honed during her time as a reporter where she hid a lot of her thoughts about things.} Person character most hates: no one (yet) {Elyza Morrowbranch} Best friend(s): her mother / Jazi {Sky Stoneseat} Love interest(s): none (yet) {Dragaur} Person character goes to for advice: her mother / Dean Crowelley { Dragaur, Sky, Selise} Person character feels responsible for or takes care of: Ritti {Dragaur, Sky } Person character feels shy or awkward around: cute boys...oh ok anyone in an entertainment social situation, when she is meeting others for what she calls "research" she emulates her mother's ambassador ways as much as possible {So such a noob. She really doesn’t except older Kaldorei...she worries what they know of her past.} Person character openly admires: her mother and Rislana Silverwind {Who is Rislana Silverwind omg I totally forgot this was a thing. Will have to think of someone else as Rislana is a Draenei now. As for who she admires? Her mother, Selise, Sky, Eilithe, Feyawen, Anegorn, and a few others.} Person character secretly admires: Dean Crowelley {I don’t think there is anyone she secretly admires, if she likes you, you know.} Most important person in character’s life before story starts: her mother After story starts: Ritti, Jazi, and the university faculty {Dragaur, Sky, Selise}

If you made it here thanks for looking at the changes of Risri over the course of the last five years. Its been a long, strange, crazy trip but I wouldn’t change much about it. If you want to do this, I encourage you to! And tag me cause I wanna read!

#risri

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thewritingstar · 4 years ago

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Brickercup: End of the world and I’m stuck with a jackass like you.

First time writing for them lol. But why are they the xmas ship? Green and red? haha. Just some family fluff and some butchubbles too because i can.

Hope you enjoy!!

Tag list: @shellielyzabeth @over-under-through1 (if you wanna be added to the list just go to my tag list post :) )

Rated: T

----

She always thought her death would be a remarkable one. It would be seen on tvs across the world as she took her last breath defending the city she loved. They would build statues in her honor and have awards in her name. It would be bloody, cruel and down right horrific. But it would be in the name sake of her duty.

She could see it now. The swell of the beast, too powerful even for her. Its fist would come crashing down and as she flew to blow it to shreds with her sisters by her side, it would fall and die with a creaky scream as her body floated to the pavement and she smiled knowing she saved the world one last time.

A worthy death for one of the greatest heroes in the world.

Instead she was trapped in a deflating bounce house that had too much money on the security deposit to damage it.

The plastic shrunk slowly. An annoying sound buzzing from it as the walls collapsed fast. You would think that two powerful beings could manage to get out of it, but at last, they were ambushed.

The stickiness made her uncomfortable as it caved around her body and of course it didn’t help that her husband's leg was thrown over her stomach.

“Could you move your leg before I blast it to pieces?” She shouted over the sound of high pitched deflating.

She could hear him grumble. “If I could I would woman!”

This was all his fault. If he learned how to say no to his darling little five year old, they wouldn't be trapped in the sweltering heat trying to free themselves from this hell hole prison. But no. Little Blair had to get her way.

“Momma please! Please can I have a pretty pony bouncy castle!” She was floating and batting her eyelashes but Buttercup knew better.

It was going to be way too hot for an outside birthday but after she flew straight to daddys office and smiled, she was being carried in the arms of her husband and he had already rented the finest bouncy castle around. Not even Princess’s son would have it.

Plus they had a pool so they could just toss the kids who complained about the heat into it.

“Learn how to say no Jojo.” She said to him as she twisted her arm to lift up the plastic off her face. The giant eye of a blue pony stared at her through the netting making her shiver.

His face was flush to the ground by now and he pushed himself up, accidentally kicking his wife's shin in the process. “You could have said something! Fuck! Wake her up from her nap and get her ass out here to plug it in.”

“Oh yeah, why don’t you just sonic scream at her and make her cry?” They knew better than to wake up a sleeping Blair. Oh no the temper of a red and green mixed together was more than anyone could handle.

Buttercup was thankful in this moment that they only had one kid. That’s all they needed right now.

Brick fell silent at this. “Great now we are stuck.” he mumbled as all the air went out.

“End of the world and I’m stuck with a jackass like you.” She said as she slapped his ass.

“Hey paws off the merchandise.”

“You weren’t saying that a second ago.” She said smugly.

He turned his head to glare at her. “That was before this dumb thing decided to eat us alive.” He frowned. “Ruined the fucking mood.” He mumbled the last part.

“Quit being a baby and crawl Brick. I think I’m gonna pass out and you’re closer to the door.” She tried to fan herself. This is the karma she got for making out with her husband in this thing. To be fair, she was making sure it blew up properly and he tackled her, don’t get it twisted.

“We have powers and yet I am being humiliated by some god damn toy!” She could see the red spark igniting in from his fist.

Buttercup moved again, arm scraping across the bright pink flooring. “You’re the one who got this and unless you wanna tell our daughter why her pony castle is blasted to shreds, you are going to get us out of here or so help me.”

He mumbled something she couldn't make out and finally his leg was off of her. Thank goodness. He managed to crawl towards the door using one of his arms to hold up the plastic and the other to guide him to freedom. She followed after him making sure he didn’t stop and accidentally slam his ass into her face.

He reached the door first, eye widening as he stared at the entrance to this horror show.

“Uh babe?”

“What?” She still needed to finish cutting the fruit and getting the tables set up.

“Did you lock us in here?”

She finally managed to crawl to the door next to him. “Why the fuck would I-.” Her eyes narrowing on the door. “Brick?”

“Yeah.” He raised his brows.

“The zipper.”

“I know.”

“It’s on the outside.”

“I can see that.”

“Then why would you ask if I zipped it?” Her voice was full of confusion.

They looked at each other then back to the door. “If you didn’t zip it.”

“And you didn’t either.” Buttercup’s eyes widened.

“Then who?” Their voices were in unison.

Then they heard it. That sweet innocent giggle. All of a sudden the face of their five year old birthday girl was pressed against the door. Her smile was blinding and those dazzling red eyes sparkled with mischief.

“We got you mamma and daddy.” She smiled proudly.

“Blair, honey. Did you unplug the blow up?” Buttercup asked sweetly and she nodded her head, whipping her black hair that was pulling into ponytails.

“We thought you were napping.” Brick said. His face became scrunched with confusion. “Wait what do you mean we?”

In a flash their daughter was picked up by a pair of arms as she sprouted another laugh.

“She means me duh.” The voice came and Buttercup tilted her head up to see a wicked grin and a pair of deep emerald eyes. The same devious smirk was plastered on his face.

Buttercup gritted her teeth. “Butch you have five seconds to let us out or I swear-”

“Ohh I’m so scared. Look Ruby, mom's mad.” He snickered to the little girl who was trying to hide her own laugh.

“Shes mad at you Uncle Butch, this was your idea.” Blair giggled.

“Hey don’t rat me out. Tell them it was the wind.”

Brick glared at him. “Don’t teach my kid how to lie.”

“You’re right bro, she’ll learn it from the king himself.” He winked.

Buttercup matched her husband's expression. “Blair, be a good girl and let us out or no cake.”

Those bright red eyes held fear as the threat of no cake came. She grabbed her uncle’s face, tears brimming her water line. “No cake!” She gasped and flew out of Butch’s arms to the door, pulling desperately on the zipper. “I want my cake!” Blair practically growled and soon her parents were free.

Buttercup scooped up her little girl and brought her towards the house, meanwhile Brick was just fuming at his younger brother.

“What the hell man?”

“That's what you deserve for being nasty.” Butch glared at Brick.

Brick rolled his eyes and pushed past him to plug it back in. The huge ponies came to life as they began to fill with air.

“Oh please like you wouldn’t do that same thing.”

Butch fake scoffed. “I wouldn’t. My wife would be nake-”

“SHUT UP!”

“I’m sorry momma.” Blair smiled softly. “But Uncle Butch made me.” She defended.

Buttercup only laughed and kissed her head. “I know sweetheart. Now your dad is gonna set your castle up and i'm going to finish up in the kitchen.”

“What should I do?” Blair asked.

Buttercup looked over at Brick and Butch before grinning.

---

“I can’t believe you were stuck.” Bubbles laughed as she placed the last of the snacks on the table.

Buttercup only rolled her eyes before popping a strawberry in her mouth. “Well it’s all your husband’s fault.”

Another giggle came from the blonde. “Oh I'm sure you’ll find a way to get him back.” She waved her hand before handing a berry to her one year old, Beck.

“Oh I did.” Buttercup laughed and Bubbles shrugged.

“HEY RUBY PUT ME DOWN!” A shout came from outside and the girls looked to see Butch being held up by his niece.

She gave a laugh before throwing him down into the pool. A giant splash coming from the water as she turned and skipped towards her dad acting like she had done nothing.

“See, got him back.” Bubbles said as she watched her husband claw his way out of the pool with a scowl.

“Serves him right, I almost died.”

Bubbles picked up her baby carrying him over to the window to see Butch chasing Blair and Brick on the ground laughing. “Well Butch caught you two so he probably wanted to mess with you.”

“It’s not like we were doing anything! Besides, you two would do way worse, you nasties.” Buttercup made a fake throwing up sound as she watched Blair throw Butch back into the pool. “I should have her throw you in too.”

Bubbles slapped her arm playfully. “You wouldn’t have your daughter throw a pregnant woman.” She gestured to her baby bump.

“Like I said, nasty. Butch couldn’t wait five minutes before knocking you up again, geez.”

Bubbles smirked and opened up the sliding glass door. “Blair darling come through your mother in the pool she’s being mean.”

“Throw your dad in.” Buttercup yelled as she brought out the cake. “Im busy.”

They heard another yell and another splash. “And there goes Brick.” Bubbles laughed.

“That's my girl.”

-------

hope you liked it

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bigskydreaming · 4 years ago

Text

Just a quick driveby post here to thank people for their continuing messages of support and donations despite the current theme of my blog being Welcome to Dullsville, Population: Me.. Not to put too fine a point on it, but its literally all that’s kept me alive, fed and with a roof over my head the past week lol, while I spend pretty much every single minute of every single hour I actually spend awake like, doing the Super Sexy Shuffle all about town as I continue hunting for a stable apartment/room to rent. Just, y’know, like, while disabled and broke and also like, during a literal pandemic because lololol, no, see, that’s what makes it FUN!

But like, yeah. So unfortunately, until I find SOMEWHERE stable to just like....exist in, until the surgery, like, my entire waking existence revolves around Addressing That. As lolol I simply can not afford to spend any of what little time I can stay upright/mobile at the moment on anything that isn’t productive towards like....tackling my one singular and obnoxiously pressing Need to fill/take care of.

Like, the good news is absolutely every single other thing needed to make the surgery even possible and get me ready for it, after an extremely long and drawn out three years, is finally and completely done and crossed off my list and officially Out of My Hands now. All scans have been done from every possible angle for the people making the prosthetic joint, insurance company has pre-approved and authorized every step and aspect of the actual surgery and hospital stay, and all of that is ready to go, I freaking got all my teeth extracted at age 35 just so as to as cheaply as possible get two straight and even rows dentures that even actually COULD be used to set a whole new bite from scratch, and that they could actually work with and use to align and position the new jaw/jaw angle at properly.....etc etc etc blah blah blah whatever.

Point is, all of that which feels so taxing and tedious even just rattling off in paragraph form, let alone LIVING it and that basically being the entirety of my whole life all day every day for three years.......like at least now its officially all done and out of my hands and at this point there is absolutely nothing left for me to do on my end or that I even CAN do on my end, other than wait fpr tje prosthetic to be finished, at which point they’ll book the surgery ASAP and at long last Make It So.

So like, I’m done done, according to every single one of the people I’ve extensively quizzed on that and then re-quizzed on that because its not like I haven’t heard that before and was told around this time LAST summer that I was at that stage only then get wallopped by the Plot Twist where they were like lol wait no scratch that, we lied.

But as far as I can tell, and accounting for every angle and possible late-stage obstacle that could still come up that I could even think of, everyone seems agreed that no This Time Its For REAL For Real Though, and like, pinky swore on it and everything, albeit in a socially distant way, of course.

*Shrugs* So they’re like, from here out its totally out of your hands and just a waiting game, so all that’s left for you to even do now is just.....keep existing until the prosthetic’s done and its surgery time. So just rest up as much as you possibly can and try to minimize your stress and pain-from-movement so as not to aggravate the issues your body is having any further than they already are.

Which totally makes sense as a plan and I am ALL for that gameplan and like, even found some cheap-o dictation software to experiment with and see if I can use it to just type-talk while lying down resting. Like, Ive gotten really good at talking while barely moving my mouth/jaw much at all, lol, so that’s likely to still take WAY less of a toll on me than it does, having to sit up and type while gravity makes like an asshole and just stands on my jaw and makes everything worse all the ding-dong day long

So anyway, that’s the plan at this point, and I’m totally on board and moooooore than ready to give the whole “bed-ridden” thing a try, lol. Just like. As soon as I first find a bed to be bed-ridden in, that’s at least even just a little more “actually something I can call my own bed” than the ones that I basically just rent by the day in motels that at their cheapest right now still cost like, a hundred bucks a day and lololol no that’s not sustainable and hasn’t been for a long while now but I just couldnt really do much about before while I still had to shuttle back and forth regularly between cities for different parts/stages of pre-surgery treatment.

Anyway, that’s the super exciting update on where I’ve ben and what I’ve been up to all week, and why Im not around much at the moment until I land somewhere stable, and like, preferably MUCH sooner rather than alter. But speaking of beds, now Im gonna go crash and crash HARD because Ive been up for a couple days straight now trying to Make Things Happen as much and as quickly as I can until my body force-quits on me and demands I plug back into bed for a recharging session or whatever. Ugh.

Yeah, and tbh I have no idea if what Im saying even makes sense at this point and given how obnoxiously long it took me to get even this fairly-short-by-my-standards ramble out and onto the page, like.....this is me declaring myself officially Useless at this point and gonna go collapse now, kthxbai.

But also, seriously, seriously SO much thanks for everything everyone has done to help me this past week in particular. Legends only, each and every one of you. And like, your combined and continued goodwill is making it hard for me to even have a villain origin story so if anything that’s what’s gonna be my ultimate villain origin story so jot that down. And like. Make it make sense though.

Anyway. Thanks again! Or still, or always. And also like....goodnight! Or good morning, or good afternoon or ugh shut the fuck up and go the fuck to sleep, me.

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insomnihan · 4 years ago

Text

han’s Entire Thoughts and Feelings on TWICE’s “I Can’t Stop Me”

youtube

HELLO HELLO HELLO I AM HERE IM VERY EXCITE™ RN SO LETS GET IT

there are no read mores here so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ALRIGHT SO-

THE SONG is just so?????????? good??????????? we REALLY into that like 80s synth sound rn anD LISTEN IT IS A GREAT ASS SONG- something about twice songs that just................... most of the time are just SO good i say most of the time bc more and more LET👏ME👏TELL👏YOU👏 something about this instrumental just makes me feel light on my feet and i wanna just bounce and skip down a sidewalk in the middle of a spring day in the evening OR at night surrounded by neon lights- maybe its the drums????? and the sound of ‘HOOOoooOOOO HOOOoooHOOHOOHOO’ thats just so hypnotizing for NO REASON- THE CHORUS MY GOD that ‘SPOT SPOT SPOTLIGHT’ and ‘RED RED REDLIGHT’ THAT JIHYO AND NAYEON AND JEONGYEON ARE CATCHY AS HELL- nayeon starting the song ofc and then mina following right after oh pls- THAT GODDAMN BRIDGE WITH MINA HELLO MISS I AM IN HEART EYES WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OKAY SO RAP VERSES WITH DAHYUN AND CHAEYOUNG AND MOMO GET ITS OWN PARAGRAPH BC OH MY GOD I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it just GOES™ okay???????? it doesnt hit too hard with something fast it goes along with the instrumental and then BOOM momo is there and that Broke My Neck™

as always THE DANCE just slaps THE ENTIRE DANCE IN THE CHORUS IS JUST SO.................. ATTRACTIVE??????????? I DUNNO WHAT I MEAN WITH THAT BUT I CANT THINK OF ANOTHER WORD THAT COULD DESCRIBE IT- I DONT JUST MEAN THE RED LIGHT PART OKAY THE ENTIRETY OF IT LOOKS GOOD- the ‘HOOOoooOOOO HOOOoooHOOHOOHOO’ goes along together so much holY GOD- and then that entire sequence after the first chorus when theyre all nine that was Pleasing To My Eyes™ that part with tzuyu and theyre doing body waves or whatever.................................. I Will Not Speak Or Think So Ill Just 👁👁

LISTEN THE VISUALS....................... THESE VISUALS WERE FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!! THESE👏COLORS👏THESE👏THEMES👏THESE👏SETS👏THESE👏EVERYTHING👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOVING ONTO THE LIST I CANT-

SOME SCENES THAT I LIKED AND WANNA MENTION:

FLOWER IN THE WATER HELLO-

the f ucking table scene with one side is of them wearing a light color sorry i honestly cant tell what color that is im so dumb 😔 and the other side theyre wearing black........... wrow.mp3

wherever the hell sana is looking like a goddess im [rest]

LITERALLY THAT WHOLE SCENE WITH ALL THE FLOWERS WAS FOR ME™!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LIKE FLOWERS OKAY-

THEY LOOK LIKE THEYRE SURROUNDED BY SOMETHING LIKE THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD OR WHATEVER IN THAT LAST DANCE PART

JUST THE BURST OF COLORS IM SO ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T H E M

i feel like i deadass reiterate myself at this point buT LIKE I FEEL LIKE I MUST RUN TO THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN OR THE ROOFTOP OF THE TALLEST BUILDING TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN AND IF YOU DONT THINK SO REEVALUATE EVERYTHING EVER-

THIS NEEDS TO BE A SEPARATE LINE BUT THE JOUTFITS……………………………… [REST]

nayeon broke my neck the first millisecond of her first line 😔😔😔 that dress shes wearing when you first see her uM excuse me MA’AM i have hearts for pupils- that dark outfit with the gloves…………… HONESTLY just literally look at 0:20 seconds into the mv………… i CAN and i WILL CRY™ the white shirt and plaid yellow shorts sTOP!!!!!!!!!!!!

okay i need to get this off my chest……………………………………… JEONGYEON IN A LEATHER JACKET ON A MOTORCYCLE- her with this hairstyle and color im honestly struggling to breathe she f ucking took it yall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SPARKLY GOLD DRESS WITH HER SHOULDERS OUT MA’AM HAND IN MARRIAGE-

FIRST OF ALL SHORT HAIRED MOMO IS SUPERIOR I SAID WHAT I SAID- THAT JEAN ONE WITH THE SPARKLE S HIT OR WHATEVER IM……………………… IM D*ING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and that pretty dress she was wearing when she was lying down for her rap anD IM SKIPPING THE YELLOW ONE BECAUSE FRANKLY THATS A LITTLE TOO MUCH FOR MY BRAIN TO COMPREHEND RN

sana………………………… sana sana sana………… S A N A- i was NOT prepared bicth WHAT IN THE HELL just gonna casually stand on top of a cliff and be super beautiful or whatever girL STOP- gOD that full yellow outfit shouldn’t look so good anD YET SHE IS KILLING IT IN IT

JIHYO AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT RED HAIR HELLO SHE IS SO STUNNING™????? IN THAT BLUE DRESS???????? oh my god that V E S T during the dance in front of the flower iM BREATHING AND NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY- 2:05 LITERALLY YALL DONT EVEN LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MINA THE GODDESS THAT YOU ARE???????????? HELLO????????? LITERALLY SHE DID NOT SHE SHOW UP LOOK LIKE THAT™ im breathless and all she was doing was rolling around in a white dress with white sheets around her and beiNG BEAUTIFUL-

dahyun just has long dark hair……………… and she stilL BROKE MY S HIT- that blue dress is E V E R Y T H I N G LISTEN- I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW PRETTY SHE IS™ the gray outfit the sleeves rolled up the belt the skirt B OI DO I D*E- THE BLACK ONE WITH ONE SHOULDER OUT QUEEN S HIT I THINK-

THOSE CONTACTS ON CHAEYOUNG ARE YOU KIDDING ME i swear like 90% of the time she just decides to hurt MY FEELINGS AND CAN WE PLS TALK ABOUT THE JEAN OUTFIT AT 1:46 CAN WE PLS- she looks so good as a blonde its RIDICULOUS

oh my god tzuyu that skirt???????? crop top???????? jacket???????? that hair color on her iS SO GOOD and then that yellow plaid outfit she is just so Pretty™ i caNNOT!!!!!!!!! the white dress yknow what i dont really get the frills buT ONLY SHE COULD MAKE IT WORK

LIKE i definitely prefer this song over more and more THAT ONES A GOOD ONE TOO OBVIOUSLY but T H I S O N E™ JUST HITS SO DIFFERENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was literally hooked on the first listen and thats just twices power T H I S O N E™…………… UNLOCKED HIDDEN EMOTIONS- i was definitely swaying from side to side and nodding my head buT NOT IN A CHILL WAY i dunno what this song did to me but it injected just a big ass syringe full of Feral™ directly into my bloodstream AND my brain

IN CONCLUSION: I CANT STOP ME PLAYING THIS SONG

#HOOO BOY LETS NOT PAY ATTENTION TO HOW LATE THIS IS #IM TIRED FROM SCHOOL POR FAVOR FORGIVE ME #twice #not dc #han.txt #han’s mv afterthoughts

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azritesx3 · 5 years ago

Text

“A Devil’s Love” Chapter 9: Can You Hear Me?

Description: Chloe’s best friend is back, and Lucifer’s charm can’t seem to affect her either. Is she also a miracle child? Or something…more? [Story starts during S2 Ep4, Female Reader Insert]

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AN: For those of you who read the Lucifer comics, in about 10 seconds you may be able to figure out where I'm getting ideas for Earth's background! *cheekydevilface* But don't spoil it for everyone! To those who haven't read the comics: please do. Then watch the tv series again. You'll love all the easter eggs.

AN: Updated July 25, 2020 - Grammar, Major story change

Rating: Teen Warning[s]: Swearing, Torture

Show Timeline: Season 2 after episode 15

Spotify Playlist /// AO3 Fanfiction Net Wattpad DeviantArt

Tag List: @ayanna-wild, @anushay1998, @emiwrites3reads, @i-am-canada-13, @heart-of-pots-and-pans, @tinyybiceps, @jessicarene99, @lucifersnipnips, @givemebooksorgivemedeath, @sailor-earth-1

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It's about that time. You can move your back again and when that happens, even just the smallest movement, punishment begins once more.

You lay on your dirty bed face first. It's faint now since they've been torn from you, but you can hear the Discarded coming down the hall. Slowly making their way to your door.

You slowly come to a sitting position. Legs hanging over, palms gripping the mattress, and a death stare at the door.

The heavy steel door opens and you're greeted with a small army of Discarded lead by the only other being alive besides you and Father.

"Please d...don't fight." The brown-haired boy steps into your room. A couple of the Discarded come in as well.

You grip the mattress tighter, "You always ask that. You should know what my answer is by now."

The boy sighs and moves his shoulders back. His wings come out and spread to their full length. He pulls out a familiar syringe.

You seethe at him, his wings, and the syringe.

It's not fair.

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

You wake with a start, expecting the whip's pain.

But no pain comes. Something's different.

You slowly open your eyes. This wasn't your old home of steel walls and chains. You're in what looks to be a jail cell, but with bars all around. You slowly lift your head, the pain from multiple hits causing you to blackout for a second. You move your body to carefully sit on the bed. Looking around, you see that the cell is placed in the center of a room. Like an animal's circus cage, put on display for all to see.

"Bout time you woke up." The voice startles you. You whip your head around, big mistake, and see a man sitting in front of your cell.

Despite your body's warnings, you lunge at the man, but that's when you realize your hands and ankles are bound by heavy chains.

"Hm, interesting…" the man says to himself. You squint to get a better look at him, but he positioned his seat to cover his top half in the room's shadow. All you can see is the man's expensive and lavish looking shoes, pants, and a heavy coat. He's also holding a cane on his right. You're not entirely sure, but the cane's top looks like a type of whale.

"Who are you?" You ask. Your voice is incredibly gruff and dry.

The man doesn't answer. He instead waves his free hand up and you hear a click to your right. Looking, you see the cell's door open and a man comes in. He's holding a glass of water and a plate with bread.

"Don't be stupid." The new stranger says.

Does he even realize he left the door open?

You run as fast as you can towards the opening, which was still pretty fast considering the situation your ankles are in, but you stop just short of freedom when a shocking sensation courses through your body. You scream and fall. Managing to keep your eyes open, you see that the bounds on your wrists and ankles are electric. When the pain stops you can see the man in the seat has a remote control.

Oh yeah. He knew.

"Told you. You all are always stupid." The stranger in your cell drags you back to your bed, "At least ya didn't hit me. Yous people usually hit me and ruin your dinner."

"A cop has a much better mindset than the usual ones I get hired to take. Sure it helps too that this one has been through something like this before." Says the sitting man, who you figure is the boss.

The man in your cell places the water and plate down on the floor in front of you. He then walks away and locks the cell door behind him, "That why you told 'im you need more money? Cause she'd be a feisty one?"

The boss doesn't answer. He lifts his hand in the same motion as before and you watch the stranger exit through a door behind his boss.

The boss crosses his legs, "I suggest you drink some water. It would be a shame to ruin your voice with all the questions you're about to ask."

You just stare at the shadowed man.

He sighs, "None of the water or food you receive will be poisoned. I wouldn't be as rich as I am if I let my captures die on me. Bad business practice that is."

You slowly pick up the cup and down its contents, keeping an eye trained on where you believe the man's eyes to be.

"Better now?" He asks after you put the cup back on the floor.

You stand up and shuffle over to him. You sit in front of the bars to be as face to face as possible. Unfortunately, you still can't make out any facial features.

"Who the fuck are you?" You hiss.

"Yes, I do suppose you were expecting someone else, but fear not little doe." The boss leans in so you can see his top half, but he keeps his head in the dark, "Your father shall have you back soon enough."

"Who are you?!" You yell. You grip the bars and shake your chains violently, "Are you with him?! Are you-"

"Hush down, doe." He leans back into the chair, "I am not a direct accomplice to your father. Never even met him. He just hired me to capture you."

"I am called The Kidnapper. America's most infamous person at making people disappear. I am a simple businessman, that's all. Nothing extra special than that. Can't say the same for you though."

Your head begins to pound again. You remove one hand from a bar to grip your head.

"Though I will be asking him if I can keep those fancy chains and the formula for that shot. Especially if I'm now going to be capturing you folk more."

"Stop…" you grit your teeth. The pain is becoming unbearable to the point where your nails start puncturing your head, "What…"

"Poor confused little doe." The Kidnapper tisks and stands, "You will remain here for one week. That is when the LAPD will consider your case cold and stop actively searching for you. That is also when you shall be dropped off to him."

No. Please…

"They'll find me…" you manage out. You squint up at The Kidnapper. He's silhouetted by the light from the open door, "They'll always be looking for me."

"Not when they have no leads."

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An entourage of LAPD forces flood your home. Brighter lighting is set up in every dark corner. Ella and extra forensic workers are flashing their cameras constantly. Dan and other detectives inspect every nook and cranny of your place. Maze watches paramedics try to awaken Alice, who they moved onto the couch.

And Chloe, with all her might, is trying to not freak out about her BFF being kidnapped and her partner being completely out of it.

Lucifer hasn't moved an inch since they came. He still stands on your balcony. Hands still gripping the railing. He keeps his head held high. He stares at the night sky with burning eyes. His mind filling up with awful, monstrous thoughts.

He doesn't even budge when he hears Alice finally come to, but he does listen in:

"How are you feeling ma'am?" A female paramedic asks.

"Groggy." With the help of the paramedics, Alice rises to a sitting position, "Scared."

Lucifer turns his head.

"I don't want to bother you as soon as you wake up, Alice, but…" Chloe starts.

"No, it's completely alright." Alice moves so her legs are over the front and she sits straight, "We need to find Earth as soon as possible."

"Agreed." Chloe nods. Maze goes around Alice. Lucifer moves to lean against the frame of the balcony door.

"From what I could see everything looked completely normal in Earth's place." Alice begins as the paramedics look her over, "I go to the coat closet and notice the door slightly ajar. Right when I was about to call Earth a man came out."

"Did you happen to get a good look at him?" Chloe asks.

Alice shakes her head and looks disappointed, "No. He, and all the men that came out, were dressed in all black. The only part of their bodies that you could see were their eyes. Everything else was covered."

"Sounds professional." Dan comments.

"Sounds like they know better than to get hair or skin particles on anything," Ella says from the floor of your bedroom.

"But right before I fell I managed to scratch one in the eye! Look-" Alice raises her hand, then looks shocked. She brings her hand to her face to inspect her fingers.

"They...they washed my hands!" She yells.

"What?" Chloe asks, disbelief in her tone.

"Yes! Even under my nails!" Alice's eyes start to water.

"They also got rid of their shoe prints in the dirt of the plants," Dan says.

"And there won't be any prints since their hands were covered." Maze says, pissed.

"Damn it." Chloe hisses.

"This situation sounds familiar." Everyone, including Lucifer, looks up and sees Agent Monroe entering your apartment.

"Familiar?" Chloe questions.

"Throughout the years all around the country, there have been attacks like this." Monroe says as he walks to the group, "Usually the victim's place remains intact, but from the descriptions of these men and how no leads are found adds up."

"Who are these guys?" Alice asks.

Monroe looks at her, "They work for the-"

"The Kidnapper." Lucifer finally speaks, and it seems to startle the group. They all turn to him wide-eyed, then back to Monroe.

Monroe nods, "Yes."

"I've heard the stories, but doubt they were true. I just figured the 'missing' person simply didn't want to be found." Chloe looks between the two men.

"That's how the case gets closed after a time of no leads." Monroe replies, "But no, Detective Decker. Most of those 'mysterious' kidnappings are The Kidnappers doing."

"So, what happens now?" Dan asks.

"Now we continue scavenging this apartment from top to bottom, corner to corner, crack to crack." Monroe answers, "We'll still take a sample from underneath Ms. Alice's nail, despite them cleaning it, and we'll stare at the dirt on the balcony until we're positive we can't spot a print."

"Hey! I may have something!" Ella yells on the floor. When she looks up she notices that she's next to Lucifer's foot, "Good thing you didn't step this way, big guy!" She says looking up at him.

"Oh?" Lucifer says. He moves out of her way and the rest of the group, except for Alice, surrounds her.

Ella flashes a bright light on a spot on the floor, "Looks like I got a tiny bit of blood here! Still looks fresh too! And-" she takes her tweezers and lifts something from the ground. It's incredibly thin, almost impossible to see, but of course, Ella Lopez finds it.

"Is that-"

"Yup! A needle!" Ella interrupts Chloe excitedly, "No vial attached, but I'm hoping there's still some juice in it."

"Excellent finds Ms. Lopez." Monroe praises.

"Do we have a time limit?" Chloe asks Monroe.

"I'd say we have a week. That seems to be The Kidnapper’s favorite time length."

"Then let's get bloody started already!" Lucifer says. He pushes through the crowd and leaves your apartment. Chloe follows him and Dan, Maze, and Ella (with possible leads bagged) follow soon after. Monroe stays a while longer to help the other detectives and scientists find any more clues.

Day 1

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"You're still mad at me." You said with a mouth full of pizza.

Your apartment was quiet save for the chewing of good pizza and the tv. Lucifer hadn't said a word since you asked what pizza he'd like. While he ate he just stared blankly ahead of him.

Your words finally got him out of that daze, "I'm not mad at you, darling."

"Then what's with the silent treatment?" You took another bite, "You always talk."

"Just pondering is all."

"About?"

"Who you're so scared of."

You sighed and leaned back on your couch, trying your best to sink into it.

Lucifer set his plate down on the coffee table and turned towards you, "Darling, I have hundreds of resources at my beck and call. Whoever is causing you fear I can take care of."

"You sound like the Godfather." You tried to joke. Lucifer didn't laugh though. He looked serious.

You sank further in. After moments of silence you caved, just a bit, "Lucifer, when I tell people they become leverage against me. Only Alice and Damien, who runs my NY clinic for me, know the whole truth. Chloe barely knows anything, but I'm afraid that because of my closeness to her she'll end up like-"

You stopped. Too much information.

You finally looked at him, "I don't want more people hurt."

"Better than a Godfather, I'm the Devil." You huffed and started to turn away from him, but Lucifer gently pulled you out of your hole and held your hands, "I hate to say it, but besides my Father and brother no one can really harm me."

"Amenadiel?"

Lucifer chuckled, "Absolutely not! I was talking about Michael. But-"

"How many siblings do you have?" You asked with a raised brow.

"Too many, though...one less." You saw that quick emotion of regret cross his eyes before he returned to normal, "K9 the point is, I can and want to help you. The fact that someone has this hold over you makes my blood boil."

"Why?"

"I…" Lucifer looked down at your joined hands. He squeezed them, then gently rubbed his thumbs on your palm, "I don't know." He looked back up to you, "Please, darling."

You looked at him. That strange feeling in your chest grew, making you want to spill everything to him and cry.

But you can't.

You squeezed his hands then pushed them, him, away, "I can't, Lucifer." You said with a regretful smile, "I'm sorry."

The defeat from his eyes and body made you hate yourself, but this was for the best.

"I...can tell you the other reason I left. Chloe knows this one, as well as everyone else."

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Lucifer leans against his glass railing, looking at the LA sunset while lost in the memory. He takes one long huff of his cigarette and slowly blows it out.

"Hey." Chloe comes up behind him and leans with him.

"Detective." He says distantly.

"You ok?" She asks. Worry clear in her voice and eyes.

"Depends." He says and flicks the ashes off the bud. He watches the particles fall to the street, "Any news?"

Chloe looks at the sunset. With a sigh, she says, "No. The lab is still trying to get DNA from that little blood sample."

"Then I'm bloody fantastic, Detective." Lucifer spat out.

Chloe watches him take another long drag of his cigarette. She sighs and goes to leave him. No sense in trying to talk to him when he's in this kind of mood.

"Detective."

Chloe turns around and looks at Lucifer's back. Surprised, she says, "Yeah?"

"Do you know why K9 left?" He asks the sun.

"Um yeah," Chloe is confused now, "To get away from her adoptive family. They were horrible to her and she wanted an escape from them, but Lucifer," she takes one step closer to his back, "I questioned the Hammers already, and they were very adamant in not even knowing she was back. Which I expected." Chloe moves closer to place a hand on his shoulder, "I'm confident they don't know anything."

"Of course." Lucifer's reply is still distant, "Just curious is all, Detective."

Chloe wants to say something to cheer him up, but she's not sure what. So, she pats his shoulder and leaves.

Lucifer takes in one last drag, "Of course she doesn't know anything. She told you as much didn't she?" He flicks the bud off the railing and stares at his disappearing sun:

"You should have told me, K9."

Day 2

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Day 3

Chloe and Dan are inside Ella's lab. For the tenth time, they look through all the photos taken of the crime scene. The entire lab table is covered in photos.

Chloe snaps first, which makes Dan's head rise up. This was very uncharacteristic for his ex-wife, but then again this is her closest friend in danger.

"What is taking so long?!" Chloe hisses. She grinds her teeth and mindlessly moves photos.

"It was only a small, very small, sample found Chloe," Dan says.

"I know, but this is a cop! One of ours taken!" Chloe's hands ball into fists.

"You know Monroe took Ella to the FBI's lab for better testing."

"Which means it should be faster getting a result! Besides…" Chloe breaths in and out. Calming her herself down, she starts to look somber, "I'm starting to worry that the blood sample won't be of who we need."

"Chloe." Dan reaches across and takes hold of Chloe's hand. He gives her hand a small squeeze, "We're going to find her."

Chloe doesn't seem to hear him though. At least, she doesn't nod her head or look him in the eyes.

Dan sighs. Pulling back he looks through the windows behind Chloe, "Where's Lucifer?" He asks, agitated. Lucifer is her partner. Why isn't he here helping?

"He's not in the right mindset to help, Dan."

"Really?" Dan scoffs.

Chloe looks up at him, "What?"

"Just doesn't seem like Lucifer to get so worked up, unless he and Earth are closer than I thought."

"Lucifer cares about his friends, Dan." Chloe snaps.

"I think it's more than just that, Chloe."

"CHLOOOEEE!" Chloe was just about to question Dan further when she hears her name being yelled. Chloe looks behind her and sees Ella zooming down the stairs and running towards her lab door.

Chloe quickly opens the door so the poor woman doesn't run into it. Ella skids to a halt and slams a folder down on the table, causing numerous pictures to fall.

"I GOT HIM!" She yells triumphantly.

"What?" "Who?" Chloe and Dan say together.

"That blood sample is, by the Big Guy's grace, from one of the invaders!" Ella opens the folder and spreads out the info. Dan and Chloe stand behind her as they look at the results.

"His name is Jerry Carter." Ella starts, "Age 23. Has no current criminal record."

"Sounds like it might've been his first job." Dan comments.

"Yeah, poor kid." Ella shakes her head. She pulls out a page, "But from the looks of all these addresses, definitely someone who would work for the elusive Kidnapper."

"My God." Chloe takes in all the addresses, "The Kidnapper seems to move all throughout California."

"With a time frame of a year too," Ella says. She points to all the dates and sure enough, each one is about a year apart.

"This will take longer than four days to stake out each one," Dan says. He looks up to Chloe and sees the worry in her eyes.

"It will definitely take a long time, but Monroe has a bunch of teams already going to half of these places." Ella points to the locations marked with a star, "He gave these to us because they're closer."

"Let's get started then." Detective Decker is back on the job, and that makes Ella and Dan smile.

Ella and Dan leave to recruit some of the K9 officers to help out because, despite Miller's betrayal, a lot of your officers love you.

Chloe sends a quick text to Lucifer.

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

Day 4

Within 24 hours Monroe's team found Jerry Carter. Much to Chloe's disappointment, however, Monroe took him to the FBI base instead of the precinct.

"I understand you want to find your comrade and friend, Detective Decker, but you and others in the precinct are too personal. I need Mr. Carter to talk, not feel threatened." Is what Monroe told Chloe when she showed up at the base.

Much to Chloe's confusion and worry, Lucifer didn't seem too upset or bothered by it.

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

Day 5

Another 24 hours later, Chloe's phone rings.

"Decker." She answers.

"Hello, Detective Decker. This is Agent Monroe." Monroe's professional voice comes through.

"What's the story?" Chloe says. She's on the edge of her seat.

"Mr. Carter told us about their attack on Ms. Earth, and he gave a few of the Kidnappers holding locations, but my gut is telling me he knows more."

"Lucifer can get it out of him," Chloe says immediately. Lucifer looks down at her with a raised brow. He just arrived.

"I do have impeccable timing it seems." Lucifer comments.

"That's precisely why I'm calling, Detective. I've heard about Lucifer's talent at getting people to talk, and with only two days left we need Mr. Carter to talk." Monroe replies.

"Agreed." Chloe looks up at Lucifer and nods, "We're leaving now."

The FBI base in California is far from the LA precinct. Chloe was disappointed when Monroe found the guy, but now she's worried that since Jerry was found so far away that meant you were far away too. She knows there's no time to waste now.

The ride to the base was about two and a half hours and during the whole drive, Lucifer said nothing. Chloe tried to get him to talk, to ease her nerves, but he'd reply with short answers or a simple hum.

Lucifer seems to start back to life when Chloe parks at the base. They both quickly exit the car and head inside the building.

"Thank you for coming-"

"Where is this chap?" Lucifer interrupts Monroe.

Monroe motions for the two partners to follow him. After some lengthy corridors, they stop in front of a metal door.

"Mr. Carter refused to answer with all our eyes on him. So, we moved him to this more secluded spot. We can't see or hear what's being said inside, but there's a recorder working on the table." Monroe says.

"Wonderful." Lucifer smiles. Chloe should be happy to finally see one from Lucifer, but that particular smile made her feel uneasy.

Monroe opens the door for Lucifer. Chloe tries to squeeze in but he stops her, "I think it's best for just Lucifer to talk to him. If he's as good as your reports say we need no other distractions."

Chloe, reluctantly, agrees. She watches the door close behind Lucifer. Monroe motions for her to take a seat next to him on the opposite wall. She has to do more waiting.

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

You stood behind your vet clinic. You've just finished your last surgery for the day and you needed a breather.

Leaning back against your building you listened, well half-listened, to Lucifer on the phone. Day three of the stakeout with no results.

Instead of being focused on the conversation Lucifer was trying to have with you: a case that led him to the most expensive school in California and something about igniting a blade, your mind continued to replay the nightmare, or maybe memory, you had a night before.

All around you is nothing but trees, grass, and dirt. You take a deep breath in. The air tastes so good here. You want to stay here forever.

But you know your Father is going to find you. You have to be quick.

You kneel on the ground and place your palms together, something you've seen your brother do when he can't find Father. You've also seen your Father do this when calling for the lonely red man.

In your mind you scream for help. Scream for freedom, and tell your location as best you can.

You stand and quickly run back to your cage, so as not to be caught.

What may have been days later, you wake to a cold aura staring at you.

You squeezed your eyes shut and closed out Lucifer's voice more to try to remember the image in front of you, but all that came back was the same memory that flashed before you in Lucifer's bathroom.

A man. Strong and muscular under his white armor. His wings darker than your darkness.

"Who are you?" You ask.

You notice his grip tighten on his sheathed sword, "He has heard you and has sent me to give you what you seek." His voice is booming. His voice is cold.

You shiver.

In a movement you couldn't see, the man appeared behind you. He grabbed hold of your--

Static started filling your mind.

He pulls.

You scream.

You gasped for breath and slid to the ground. You heard Lucifer's distant voice call out to you, and saw that you had dropped your phone.

You scrambled for your phone, "I'm fine!" You said quickly.

"Sure as hell doesn't sound like it, darling. Did you see dog boy?" Lucifer's voice sounded concerned.

"What? Oh, no. No. I was just, um." You took a shaky breath in and breathed out. No point in lying, "It's just I had a bad nightmare last night. I can't get it out of my mind."

"A silly little nightmare makes you react that way? I'm going to need to have a chat with an old friend."

"I'm fine, Lucifer. Really." You swallowed the lump in your throat, "Actually...I've got a question for you."

"Oh? Do ask."

"Ok, so I'm going to pretend for a second that you're actually the Devil-" Lucifer sighed on the other end.

"Lucifer, do you...um...hear people?" You asked.

"Every day, darling. I'm hearing a bunch right now." He replied humorously.

You sighed and rubbed your temple, "No, Lucifer. I mean…" You swallowed again. This was such a ridiculous question.

"Do you hear prayers?"

"Ah." Lucifer went quiet.

You panicked, "Yeah, dumb question. Was just humoring you-"

"I do, well used to. Still can, I should say." He suddenly replied, "I'm sure you can imagine the kind of prayers the Devil gets. I got sick of it." He said with a hint of venom.

"What is it, like, an on-off switch?" You joked.

"I wish." He replied seriously, "No, K9. I had to train for many centuries to have those twisted requests quiet down."

"Oh…" You weren't sure how to react, "So, what happens now when people pray to you?"

"I may have a slight buzzing in my mind every now and then, but I've grown to ignore them."

"Ok." You replied, accepting the answer.

"So, do you believe me now?" He asked hopeful.

You scoffed, "Of course not, Lucifer. It was just a rhetorical question."

"Blast."

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

You're pulled from your daze by the footsteps and murmurs outside the door.

You slowly rise from your cot and walk to the front of your cage to hear better. You're not sure how many days it has been, but obviously significant enough to weaken your body and make your stomach scream. The bread and water these people gave you were not enough. It was like they were purposely weakening you.

That thought is only further proven with how many times you've been shocked. Every now and then your body would react like it was being shocked when no one was around with the damn remote. Not a good sign.

Besides the men that came to give you the food and empty your waste bucket, you've had no company since the Kidnapper himself on day one. It made you stir-crazy, but one good thing is that you could hear better in the silence.

You press the side of your face to the bars and push as far out as you can. You pick up some chatter.

"Can you believe it?"

"Not good for Jerry, that's for sure."

"Has this ever happened before?"

"No, but considering how the boss ain't worried it's no big deal. Cops only got two days before we leave."

"Right. Smooth sailing, eh?"

The voices laugh, then become too hard to hear as they walk away.

Two days?

"You will remain here for one week. That is when the LAPD will consider your case cold and stop actively searching for you." The Kidnapper's voice comes through your mind.

You panic.

Shit. Shit shit shit!

You stumble backward and trip on your ankle chains. Your still wounded head pounds madly. You slowly go into a kneeling position and wait for the stars to go away.

If you had enough water in your system you'd be crying right now.

Instead, you lift your heavy shocking cuffs and stare at your dry palms.

You contemplate.

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

"Hello there Jerry-boy!" Lucifer sing songs into the room.

Lucifer takes in Jerry's Carter appearance with a smile as he sits across the man. Curly brown hair, white, brown eyes, petite build. No one special.

Good.

"I already told ya'll everything I know," Jerry says. He looks Lucifer up and down.

"Ah, these FBI chaps don't think that's the case, Jerry." Lucifer's smile is wide. His eyes don't match it. "So, they asked me here to persuade it all out of you."

"Ya can't hurt me." Jerry sits confidently, "Who even are you?"

"Oh! Where are my manners? Lucifer Morningstar." Smile still on, Lucifer holds out his ringed hand.

Jerry doesn't take it. Instead, he scoffs and rolls his eyes, "Right. First my boss goes all crazy sayin' an angel spoke to him, and now I'm talking to the Devil. Ya'll Californians are crazy."

"Well that's some new info spilled." Lucifer leans in, "An angel spoke to the Kidnapper?"

"Ain't like them government jockeys would believe it. 'Course another crazy would." Jerry crosses his arms and leans back.

"Hm, well as interested as I am that's not what I'm here for." Lucifer stands, "The Kidnapper took a friend of mine, and I want her back." Lucifer holds his hands behind him and slowly walks around the table, "I believe you're the one that attacked her, correct?"

"Everyone was attacking her, buddy. Freak of nature if ya ask me. Never seen a bitch fight like 'er."

Within a blink of an eye, Lucifer has Jerry hoisted up in the air with one hand and the other hand pushing down the pause button on the recorder. Lucifer's smile turns twisted as he watches Jerry try to squirm free.

"That's not a very nice thing to say, Jerry-boy."

"Let me down you fr-" Jerry freezes mid insult. His mouth is still open, his eyes are as wide as saucers, and he's visibly shaking.

"See something you like?" Devil Lucifer is out, red eyes and skin. His smile is still twisted.

Lucifer plops the human back on the metal chair and leans in close, "When I press play you are going to give me every location of your boss's holdings. You are going to give me names and in the future, I will find you again so you can properly apologize to dear K9 and tell us about this angel."

Lucifer stands straight, "Are we clear Jerry-boy?" Jerry is still in frozen mode. Lucifer sighs and slaps him across the face, making Jerry fall face-first on the metal table.

Lucifer pulls his head up by his hair and burns his red eyes into Jerry's soul, "I said are we clear?"

"Yesyesyesyespleasedon'thurtme." Jerry says all at once.

Lucifer returns to normal and smiles, "Wonderful." He let's go of Jerry and presses play, "I believe you have information to spill Jerry-boy?"

And spill Jerry did. He lists every location the Kidnapper holds people in California, places where the man himself could be staying, and gives names on every accomplice he knows of. Satisfied, Lucifer leaves the broken human with a smile and strides out of the room.

"So?" Chloe fast walks to her partner looking hopeful.

"You know me, Detective." Lucifer winks at her and she smiles back.

"Thank you, Mr. Morningstar," Monroe says sincerely and quickly walks in the room to grab the recorder. When he returns he tells Chloe to call her trusted co-workers to meet them at the base. Once everyone arrives Monroe leads everyone to an interrogation room. He places the recorder on the table and hits play.

Lucifer stands in a corner while everyone else writes down notes on their pads. The back of his head starts to itch and he scratches it, a bit too forcefully.

"You ok?" Chloe whispers to him.

"Hm? Oh yes." Lucifer forces his arm down and smiles at his partner. "Just an itch."

A persistent itch.

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

24 hours left

You sit against your bars with your back towards the door. You don't move when you hear the door open and footsteps come towards you.

"You've got 24 hours, little doe. Then you'll be back home." The Kidnapper says behind you.

"Home." You whisper out. You twist around to look at him and are surprised to actually see him. You take in his details carefully. Grabbing hold of the bars with shaking hands you push your face against the bars.

"I'm going back to Hell."

"Yes well, normally I don't regret my job, but in your case…" He sighs and walks closer to you, "Sorry doe. I'm protecting the human race by doing this. Your Father said so."

You lean away from him and stare, "You're just as crazy as he is, as I was."

He shakes his head, "No little doe, you've forgotten. Forced to forget. This is the only reason I have regret in this, but you'll remember. Eventually." He turns away and walks out the door, leaving it open as a joke.

You start to shake and hyperventilate. You crawl over to your cot and kneel, hands together.

Lucifer. You pray to him.

Please, Lucifer. I'm banking on this. I've got nothing left. I don't know how far I can get in this state. If anything you said is true, please. Please save me.

Can you hear me? Please, hear me.

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

3 hours left

Lucifer and Chloe have been out since early morning checking out locations. Each one had been a bust so far, and Chloe was starting to get worried. She knows time is running out.

Meanwhile, her partner was getting agitated by the hour. She thinks it's because of them having no luck. When in truth, though that definitely is a reason, the insistent itch in Lucifer's mind was not going away.

Bloody Satanists. Dad only knew why now he was having trouble calming the prayers, but he's getting sick of it. It's getting in the way of finding you and Lucifer wasn't having it any longer.

While Chloe talks on her phone to give Monroe, Dan, and the other groups another no go update, Lucifer stays further back. He shuts his eyes and lets the voices in.

Of course the usual murderous pleas and psychopathic prayers came flooding through, but Lucifer focuses his mind on the one new soul who keeps hounding him.

Lucifer.

No...that can't be right. Lucifer focuses on this voice.

Seriously, Lucifer. I'm starting to feel like a hopeless idiot in this cage.

It is! Lucifer’s eyes open wide in shock and joy, but doing so shut your voice out. He quickly focuses once more and instantly hones in on your prayers. He listens intently while searching for your location.

He sees you in a cell, kneeled by an uncomfortable-looking cot. He looks around to see empty space. He looks further out, and now he's in tight hallways.

Still not enough!

He goes as far out as he can without losing your connection. He sees what looks to be a ship's haul with a rope embroidery stamp and hears water, as well as other humans getting the ship into gear.

There!

His eyes open and he runs to Chloe, "DETECTIVE! I KNOW WHERE SHE IS!"

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

30 minutes left

You haven't moved from your stance since you started praying to Lucifer. Your body felt stiff, but you're ready for whatever comes next.

You hear the door open and footsteps come to your cage door, "Time to get going, sweet thing."

The man opens the door, comes to your back, and lifts you up by the underarms. You slam the back of your head into the man's face and keep steady while he stumbles back. Ignoring the stars you see, you spin around and wrap your chains around the man's neck. His eyes bulge at you. One hand grabs at your neck while the other reaches into his pocket to pull out the shock remote.

He presses it and starts to smile at your pain, but you push through and tighten your chains around his throat. His face turns blue and you twist your arms to crack his neck. You fall to the ground from the constant shock and blindly grab for the remote. You click it off and smash it to pieces.

You give your body a minute to stop convulsing, then stand and shuffle out the cage and to the edge of the door. You listen from inside the room and can hear some kind of commotion coming down the right hall. You peek out of the door frame, look from side to side, and then shuffle down the right hall.

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

"LUCIFER!" Chloe yells at her partner as he storms out of her car and heads for the ship. "We need to wait for backup!" She yells getting out of her car.

"No time for that, Detective! The ship's ready to sail!" He yells without looking back.

Lucifer walks straight to the ship. He knocks out a couple of unsuspecting dock workers then walks onto the ship.

It's massive, but thanks to your prayers he knows just where you are.

He takes a couple of stairs down then hides in the shadows at the sound of voices. He pulls out a pocket knife and runs it across his palm.

He smiles when he doesn't bleed.

Good girl, Detective.

"Hey, freeze!" "Who the hell are you?!"

The two men walking down the hall pull out their guns and aim it at Lucifer when he comes out.

"Here to rescue someone, chaps. Now if you'll excuse me-"

The men shoot as soon as Lucifer takes a step. He stumbles back, but smiles viciously.

"Now, why'd you have to do that?" Lucifer changes his face and the men scream. They fire relentlessly as Lucifer walks to them. Lucifer slams the men against either side of the walls and continues forward.

Eventually, he comes across a more open room that's connected to other halls. He wants to go down the hall you're in, but there are a dozen or so men holding him at gunpoint.

"You know, I expected someone like the Kidnapper to have better defensives than this. Shame, really." Devil Lucifer speaks to the crowd.

"Holy fuck-" "It is true! Everything the boss said-" "We can't fight the D-" "ALL OF YOU SHUT UP AND FIRE!"

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

You just finished bashing your chains against your third victim when you hear the gunshots coming from up ahead.

You stumble forward. Along with your constant shaking body, pounding head, and fatigue, that last guy gave you a gut-wrenching punch and a bullet wound on your thigh. It's just a graze, but losing blood is something your body can't take right now.

By the time you get close to the opening of a new room the gunfire dies out and it's just screams. You brace yourself for a couple of seconds, then storm the best you can into the room.

You freeze. Bodies of men lay all-around a singular man standing in the center of the room. His back is towards you, but you recognize that kind of suit anywhere.

But his head...where is his hair?

"Lucifer?" You choke out.

He turns, and you come face to face with the Devil himself. His skin is charred to an awful degree. The white of his eyes are pitch black to make his blood-red eyes pop.

Lucifer smiles, "K9! I-" he starts to walk towards you, but stops at the look on your face.

"It-it's true. It's all true."

#a devil's love #lucifer netflix #lucifer morningstar #lucifer morningstar x reader #lucifer x reader #lucifer #fanfic #fanfiction #azritesx3 #azookiex3

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caracalfeather · 4 years ago

Text

WARNING- Cats and Birds is a mob AU fanfiction of the Arcana game, and is not meant for young audiences and is not meant to offend anyone. Some writing choices were made so characters are out of their canon way of acting and thinking. Please do not be offended by character choices made by the authors and content creators, this story was made for fun and in the way we wanted it to be. The story was not hijacked by any of the authors to make any ships or characters overshadow any other. All content contained in this story has been agreed upon and accepted by all parties in it’s creation.

TW- Cats and Birds contains scenes that may not be suitable with some readers, including themes of violence, smoking/drug use, sex, cursing and various other strong themes. Special warnings for scenes will be posted with chapters. Proceed with caution and Reader’s discretion is advised.

12 part 1

The streets seemed to be crawling with mobsters that hot day, some blended well with random crowds while others were obviously searching for something. Three families were in the raven’s territory, all armed and ready for a fight.

Portia got word first, Julian was out for the entire day. She ran to Bèa and ordered a full scale lockdown of The Nest.

“Lock everything! I don’t care! No one gets in or out!” She barked.

Everyone followed orders. No one questioned Portia. She opened the door to her brother’s room.

The one thing he held dear jumped up startled by the sudden blaring of alarms.

“Wh-what’s going on?” She asked, Madeve standing up with her.

“We’re on lockdown, some goons are trying to overrun The Nest. Just stay here, turn off the lights and stay hidden.” Portia said, pulling out her keys, Lyra nodded.

“Madeve come! You’ll guard outside.” Portia waved to the dog and he followed, giving Lyra a short woof of encouragement.

As soon as she heard the key turn the lock Lyra followed instructions and hid in the actual bedroom of the large room.

Outside, trucks and cars had surrounded the nest, many armed men with gold ram symbols stood around, yelling and throwing bricks at the windows, one fired his gun at the door, sparking rage in the men as they surged forward.

“HOLD THEM BACK!” Bèa shouted. Not noticing the group that was starting to make their way around back. The siege was all a distraction.

Portia called her brother to tell him the situation. “Ilya! We’re getting raided! You better get your ass down here fast otherwise we’re all gonna die!”

The front windows shattered as the door was rammed, more firing sounding outside. Some men had started to aim for the higher levels while one revved a truck.

Lyra tried to keep calm, rubbing the sapphire on her collar.

“Stay calm….” she breathed

“Stay calm.”

Portia retreated some of the forces inside, deciding they had to pick them off one by one. Portia cocked her pistol and hid behind a wall. Waiting for the trespassers to enter.

The door was busted down and a surge of men entered, carrying heavy artillery and revolvers. Antonio had made sure they were well stocked with vests and guns. Some immediately surged upstairs as the others opened fire.

“CAN WE COME TO A COMPROMISE?!?!” Portia shouted over the gunfire. “You obviously want something from my brother and he’s not here right now! But why don’t you tell us what you want!”

Madeve paced like a lion between the two other guards who stood at the ready.

The men didn't care about portia or the others. They simply were told to kill and grab the target from her nest. Upstairs a group began to shoot the guards and yell for lyra.

Madeve barked and charged avoiding bullets best he could. The other guards dodged a few but were no match. Portia hasn’t expected them to get that far.

Lyra heard the muffled gunshots outside, she covered her mouth and gasped into it.

Curling up on the bed in fear. She hoped Julian would arrive soon.

It wasn’t looking too good for the Raven’s nest.

Outside, Antonio watched from his seat on a car hood, chuckling to himself “That's it my boys.” Next to him two slender white hounds emerged and ran inside, his hunting dogs were going to fetch a new fur coat for him. He knew they could do it. He smirked “Fetch my babies. While I wait for the main show to come home.”

She could hear the handle. The game was up.

Lyra stood up and ran down the list of all the other places to hide. This was the safest room, the locks were complex but not invincible. If they were here to see Julian he would’ve shown up already. What were they here for? She knew it couldn’t have been her. The Nest was sworn to secrecy.

Portia called a fast retreat into the basement of The Nest. Hoping that the locks wouldn’t fail her on any of the doors. She called her brother again, practically screaming into the phone.

The hounds howled as they got to Madeve and outside, Antonio lounged, loading his gun and mumbling “Any day now raven. Come home to your nest.”

The massive dog growled as the two other hounds met him in the hall. Madeve barked but waited to charge. Blood dropped from his maw as he growled.

The dogs launched and circled him, snapping at him with sharp fangs and growling as they tried to corner him.

Madeve stood his ground, this wasn’t going to be an easy fight. But it was his job to protect his master, and his master’s mistress. He barked at the two, trying to see which was weaker.

Portia sealed the door to the basement. Everyone who was alive, was safe. They just had to hope that Antonio came in for what he was after and left.

After what seemed like hours, everyone was gone. One of the men had knocked out madeve, while the others had napped the precious jewel of the nest. Lyra’s room was empty, and the cars had disappeared towards Antonio’s base in the deep rich part of the city.

Portia took a headcount and surveyed the damage just as her older brother was pulling up in the driveway.

“Damn.” He looked around at all the blood and corpses. “Well, Monty was desperate.”

Portia came outside to greet him.

“Do you know what he took yet?” Julian asked his sister. She shook her head.

“We’re still looking. But Madeve was knocked out.” She sighed.

Julian frowned and went inside, seeing his beloved dog limp on the floor. With a sharp grunt he lifted the dog. Madeve whined, arousing from his sleep.

“C’mon let's go see Lyra.” He sighed Madeve scrambling in his arms as his body came around.

He set down the mutt and he took off barking.

That….wasn’t good.

Julian’s eyes grew wide and he ran after the dog. He saw what he feared, the door to his room was ajar. He threw open the doors.

“LYRA! Lyr! Are you here!?” He called out in the empty space, he searched his room frantically searching for her.

“Dearest! If you're hurt please say something!”

He opened the door to the bedroom, and there sitting on the bed was the symbol of Antonio’s mob.

Julian shouted in rage and ran down stairs to his men. He held up the ram’s head to his best Men.

“I know what Antonio stole.” He growled, “he took what is MINE.”

Lyra was blind folded and tied up. A goon set her on a metal chair. They were in Antonio’s condo, it was bovious from the smell of sex, champenge and the sound of beethoven from the other room. Antonio laughed at the sight of her “This is the raven’s pretty little jewel? Im almost applaud that he was the one who stole the blue blood’s prized possession.”

She didn’t say anything. If there is anything Julian had taught her than it was to stay silent. The less she talked the more he would stay safe, no matter what happened to her.

Antonio slapped her with a hiss “Im talking to you little songbird.” he leaned down and ran a hand under her jaw with a smirk “I have some questions for you.”

She had rehearsed this line so many times in her head. “I am The Raven’s plaything. He uses me for pleasure. I have no information to give you.” It was a bold faced lie, but it got her out of some previous situations.

Antonio smirked and took off her blindfold “We both know that's bullshit.” He held up the photos a goon had taken. Pictures of her and ilya together, one even a little scandalous from a club only taken last week.

Her eyes flashed, they were so careful. “You think he tells me what happens in his work? As I said, I am his possession, that’s what all women are to you. I’m used as pleasure for him.” She nodded at one of the photos. “Clearly.”

“And that's why he gave you this?” he yanked the sapphire from her neck, examining it “And why you've been at the hospital so much before? Little song bird was trying to have a family with the raven?” He laughed

Lyra narrowed her eyes, “you’re a dead man walking.” She spat at his feet, “you’ll be dead by the end of the night once he knows what you’ve taken.”

“Oh doll i'm aware of what's going to happen.” he tossed the jewel away and smirked “So for now, you and i are going to have a little chat.” He snapped and a goon brought in a cart of sharp objects and hot metal “And if you don't talk? Well i guess i have a new toy.”

Torture. Lyra’s mind started to race, she wouldn’t survive. She had to compromise, to her there was no option. “You’re trying to get under his skin? Hurting me will anger him.” She swallowed hard, “but if you want him furious….you already have what’s his…”

“Maybe. But I could take more…” He squeezed her thigh and circled behind her, tracing her skin way too close to some areas “Now… you gonna tell me anything i need to know? Or shall I use you until he gets here?”

Her heart started to pound. Her wrists flinching against the binds. “I. won’t. Talk.” She stammered, she was trying to sound fearless, but on the inside she was trembling.

Julian had gathered his men. “Alright listen up. Antonio is expecting us to show up tonight. He has what’s mine and that won’t stand.” He growled. “ we need to get in and get out. We’ll wait until tomorrow, we’ll catch him off guard and his defenses will be low.”

Portia nodded, “it will give us some time to gather resources.”

The men were dispersed quickly and Julian sat back in his chair, all he felt was rage. If that bastard laid one finger on her, Julian would Seaver his head off himself.

Antonio spent the night torturing lyra with minor things like tasers, groping and slapping. He was furious by sunrise, soaking her with ice cold water before going to give his men orders for the day.

Lyra hardly said anything. She refused to talk, she knew Julian would come for her and all would be fine. She couldn’t fail him now, there was no way. Her collar was a reminder of the love she had, and who she wanted to be with. If Lyra had to die tonight then so be it, Julian was worth dying for and the engraving in the back of her collar was proof of that. Even though now after years of wearing it, Julian’s name was duller and looked a little cheap.

Julian made sure security was tight before returning and sitting at eye level with Lyra, quiet for a moment before smirking “Bold choice by the way. To try and have kids in this life.” he was trying to mess with her.

“He has to pass down his line to someone.” She averted his gaze,“not that it matters anyway. As you already know, there aren't any children.”

Everything was ready, it was just a waiting game as Julian sat a few blocks from Antonio’s turf. He was watching the guard looking for inconsistencies. Scouting the easiest way for a rescue.

“I wonder who’s fault that is.” Antonio smirked and stood “ I mean the raven is a fine specimen. I wonder… did he choose a lame mate?” He laughed “Cant even produce a sire.”

Antonio wasn’t fighting physically, now he was fighting with words. That was something Lyra hadn’t had the crash course in. She tried to shove down the guilt. “I’m loved...despite my ability to have children. We haven’t given up, just you wait.”

Outside, the guard shift changed. Antonio smiled and grabbed lyra’s chin “But just imagine all the heartbreak and disappointment that you caused. I wonder why he kept you around?” He dropped his grip and sighed “Must just be a useful cocksleeve.”

“I am more than that. We both grieved that day.” She muttered, her eyes threatened tears but she couldn’t let him see that he was winning. “He loves me. Otherwise I wouldn’t be wearing his name with pride everyday.”

“Right.” Antonio grabbed a sharp cutter and walked behind her “Maybe it’s time we took his name off, Hm? That way you no longer bear his name. Just like your inability to bear his sire.” He was just being cruel now, but he yanked the collar.

She flinched, “You wouldn’t dare.”

Julian sighed and saw what he was looking for, a pitfall in the system. With a satisfied chuckle, he drove out of his hiding place and returned back home.

Antonio did dare. He was going to prove a point. That same day, an unmarked package arrived at the nest. Inside was Lyra's torn and cut collar and it’s broken sapphire. This was Antonio’s push at the raven.

Julian punched a nearby wall looking out the window, dusk was starting to arrive.

“THAT'S IT!” He shouted. “IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH, PASHA! Rally up the men!!! We’re GOING.”

Portia tried to talk some sense into Julian but his mind was made up, he wanted his precious star safe. He wanted her NOW.

At Antonio’s condo it was already a heated zone. The Pride had shown up to confront Antonio on his stupidity. All he wanted to do was show off his bait.

Julian arrived as darkness was starting to fall, everyone was hiding in the streets waiting for the right moment. Portia had a bad feeling about all of this, but she trusted her brother enough to let him do this. Even if it was reckless love blinding him in the moment.

#the arcane game #arcana apprentice #the arcana #the arcane julian #julian devorak #arcana #the arcane mc #the arcana julian #cats and birds #rose sagenea #rose the apprentice #lyra the apprentice #mob au

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