#if you need me I'll be trying to dig out of a fresh grave and gaslighting myself into a happy ending

[existentialflirt]

Finished s2 of Good Omens and I am UNWELL. Because I need to yell about it, I'm very sorry. It is going under a cut if anyone who is following me hasn't finished and is allergic to spoilers. Idek. Idek. I have been a wreak. I woke up early and binged the last two and uggggh the end. Fuck. Right. Under the cut we go.

So....so uh, where to start that won't get me angry again? To say that I have ISSUES with the ending is an understatement because look fucking look, this is not about the ship. I mean it is but it isn't, it's about the fact that it does not make sense for Aziraphale. Is does not and I'm going to unpack that in a second but first i want to talk about the canonization of an apparent rare pair (I don't know. I don't tend to lurk in single fandom spaces much and I'm pretty new to Good Omens, but Mo has been and he mentioned the fandom quite fancied Beelzebub and Gabriel as an item so fine). I do not understand it as an arc if it wasn't supposed to twig something in our angel's pretty little head like oh hey, this seems familiar. I understand it's a way to free up the head angel position in heaven and that's all well and good but the writing is usually so much tighter than that so I call it sloppy. AND I DO GET THAT THIS ISN'T THE END BUT SEASON 3 IS A LONG WAY OFF AND WHO KNOWS WITH THIS STRIKE AND THE STUDIOS BEING MONSTERS LIKE FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. I mean yes Neil has promised if he cannot get it renewed as a series, he will get it done another way and I trust him. gdi, i trust him because that ending destroyed me.

Right so, I'm getting incoherent, sorry.

Now, if we want to talk rationally, it does make sense for Aziraphale to get sweet talked by Metatron (and presumably God, by that measure). I do. He gave him coffee and talked like a dear old man, really playing up the freedom he'd have to continue to associate with Crowley. Combined with that, Aziraphale having a lot of doubts about what's going on in heaven, since oh you know, the whole Job incident (loved that whole story, my god, the end murdered me and set me down in a shallow grave. In a good way), and that's partially from Crowley's influence. But why in heaven would he think that offering Crowley to be reinstated as an angel would please him at all?????

Crowley has made it extremely clear since he fell that he doesn't give two shits about any side but his (which in time extended to theirs, Aziraphale and him against the world. At one point almost literally). So why??? Why would he think it's something he'd want, even with a nice coat of paint? I mean, maybe it could be said that he was blinded by Crowley's acts of kindness and mercy and thought that maybe if he spun it as they can go up there and change things, that Crowley's distaste toward heaven has to do with the fact that he could run it together. It wasn't. He was mad about unanswered questions and the prospect of the universe, which he played a part in creating, being destroyed. (I have a lengthier head canon about that, tbh, which is will pen in time). It just doesn't serve any narrative for the characters aside from we're setting up for the third season on a cliffhanger (and yes, yes, Neil couldn't have predicted the WGA/SAG-AFRA strike. He says he had been working on it but stopped for the strike, which good on him. We stan, but also god what piss poor timing to destroy the fans with this angst)

Now look, the performances are gorgeous. Always perfect. David and Micheal are incredible together and I would have been FINE been FINE with that argument in the store, Crowley practically begging Aziraphale to run away together and that desperate fucking kiss, but I don't understand Azirapale remaining resolute. I don't. I really don't. He should have done....well, so many things instead that would have been a better close to this particularly romantic arc.

Argh. Anyway Mo and I will be mostly sticking with season 1/Book canon and cherry picking from season 2 because we are coping or diverting that ending so they can have their US TIME god fucking dammit.

As a side note: I did not appreciate Maggie and Nina lecturing Crowley about him needing to be more emotionally cognizant about his feelings toward Aziraphale. Like, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be obnoxious here, but Crowley is as clearly in love with Aziraphale as anyone can be. He makes time for him, indulges the angel, and is very protective. In season one he also begged Aziraphale to run away with him. He literally wants nothing but his car and to be with Aziraphale and he rarely appeared too conflicted about it. Yes, he has demurred about them being together but that has nothing to do with his feelings and everything to do with the fact that Aziraphale is rather oblivious when it comes to his own emotions. Crowley is the one that has emotional intelligence. Aziraphale needs to be walloped over the head about it. Hell, I would have preferred Maggie and Nina talk to Aziraphale and Metatron talk to Crowley as a bit of an inversion. Could you imagine, God knowing how Crowley is really not great with this whole being evil thing deep down and maybe even feeling a bit bad about casting him out, so sends Metatron to offer him a job (that would have been fitting of his former rank, to boot). Crowley tells him to eat shit, he and Aziraphale have a moment in the bookstore, Crowley ranting and raving about the offer and they should maybe fuck off for awhile and Aziraphale finally opening up that big box of feelings and realizing what Crowley has given up for him, risked for him, and oh my god, I should save this for a thread idea.

Anyway, whew sorry for this. I just needed to get it out in words.

[zeestarfishalien]

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Part 4: Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

The pull returns as soon as Jason steps foot outside the cemetery gates. Something in him urges him to hurry.

It doesn’t make logical sense. It’s just a dead body in an unmarked grave. That’s certainly nothing new or surprising for Gotham. Jason is not about to let it slip through the cracks but right now he has other more time-sensitive things to get done.

He slips on a comm.

“Hey O, you there?”

Her response takes less than 3 seconds. [What is it, Jaybird?]

“I’ve got an unmarked grave in a back corner of the Gotham City Cemetery. It’s at least a couple years old.” He pauses on the street corner to glance back at the cemetery gates. For just a second he thinks he spots a set of glowing green eyes but it's gone in a blink.

[And?]

Bab's question pulls Jason back out of his head.

“And I want to get a look at the body and everything so that the cops don’t conveniently miss anything.”

[You know what B is gonna ask,] she warns.

He sighs and drags a free hand down his face. “I know and I don’t have a good reason for why I was there. Just…gut feeling I guess.”

[We can keep this from him for now, at least until we go digging,] she replies.

This is why she's Jason's favorite pseudo-sibling. She's good at keeping secrets from B. He doesn't even have to ask most of the time. She just understands how much of a nosy bastard Bruce can be and more importantly, she understands that some things need to come out in their own time.

"Har har, O. You're hilarious," he deadpans back.

[Of course I am. Someone had to inherit Alfred's impeccable sense of humor.]

"Oh please, you wish." Jason snorts. "I gotta get back to business. Catch you on the flip side."

[I'll set up an algorithm to try to run through and narrow down footage from around the cemetery, but you better bring me some donuts when you next come by. The good ones from that shop near your place outside Burnley,] she orders and hangs up before Jason can respond, leaving him smiling as he removes his comm.

He has a few crime-time things to work out but then he can focus on the unmarked grave.

Things are a mess in his crew right now. Things are just not going Jason’s way today. A seller got spooked and dumped the product in the harbor. Bill’s wife went into labor prematurely, so there went one of Jason’s best henchmen. What? He’s not a monster. He did catch one of the new guys selling to kids and had to deal with that. By the time he finishes up a plenty eventful patrol, he is exhausted and pretty much just collapses in a pile of goo on his bed. Not even the insistent tug can keep him up beyond a passing thought to try to find more information later today when he wakes up.

The opening chords of Holding Out for a Hero -but not the original Bonnie Tyler version, oh no, it's the version from Shrek the musical- greets Jason's newly conscious mind. There's only one person in Jason's life with enough access and the gall to change their ringtone in his phone to this specific song.

"Dickwad, what do you want?"

[Awe, someone's grouchy. Not happy to hear from your favorite brother?] Dick's whine almost gets a chuckle out of Jason, but he'll deny that to his dying undying? breath.

"Holding Out for a Hero? Really?" Dick's cackle is a deranged sounding thing, especially over the phone. "What warranted a call this early in the afternoon? If it were for the laughs you would've done it where you could see my face when my phone rang."

[Ugh,] Dick complains, [this is why I hate being in a family of detectives.]

"So says the detective."

[Fine, fine. I just got some intel on a group trying to move a new strain of speed. It's some extra nasty stuff and they're looking at Gotham, specifically Crime Alley. I figured I'd see if you want in on it.]

"I'm busy right now, dead body."

[Oh shoot. How fresh?]

"Dunno," Jason sighs. "I found an unmarked grave, definitely old enough for the ground to have settled."

[Oh, if it's that, can't it wait? Body won't go anywhere. Better yet, tip the cops and let them get the initial legwork done,] Dick says lightly. [You can take it after that.]

The tugging in his gut protests at the thought of leaving the body in that grave to the cops, or anyone really.

"Gut says no."

[Jaybird...]

"There's something more here. I need to be the one digging it up, even if I leave it to the cops later on," Jason insists.

[How much of a risk is there of someone finding it in the meantime?] Dick has dropped into his professional voice now and it's weird how reassuring that is, Dick taking him seriously on something that seems so illogical.

"Low. It's tucked back in the far corner of the cemetery, surrounded by trees," he replies.

[Jay...you hate the cemetery. You hate going within three whole blocks of the cemetery. What were you doing there?]

"I needed to check something and that led me to the grave," Jason states vaguely. "Don't ask me how. I'm not sure I even have the words to explain it, especially not over the phone. It feels important Dickie. Logically I know it's just a long dead body, probably bones, but The Black Dog was there for a reason."

[The black dog? What black dog?]

"I think it's an actual church grim, or I guess a barghest in this case since it's a cemetery and not a graveyard.” He can practically feel Dick’s questions bubbling to the surface in the silence between them. “Just, go do some research. Look up Church Grims. I’ve got work to do, plans to dig up the cemetery.”

[Jay, I really think you should wait on this,] Dick begins softly, [take a step back to look objectively.]

“With all due respect Dickerson, shove it up your ass." Jason takes a breath to release the unreasonable annoyance. His voice drops to a soft rumble. "You didn’t see Spooky, the way they looked at me.”

[Oh no…you’ve already named it? We’re doomed!] There’s a pause before, [if you want help with the grave, I’m willing to help dig it up.]

Jason sighs softly, a smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks Dickiebird. You take care out there. Don’t let that ass get shot, your rogues will cry.”

Dick scoffs but Jason hangs up before he can retort. Thus Jason begins his day, light pre-breakfast snack, warm-up workout, breakfast, the rest of his usual prep work for going out as Red Hood.

Jason swears, anytime he goes over with the intention to ask his information dealers about the unmarked grave, something comes up. None of the camera footage he's been sent to review so far has turned up anything. This whole week has been a bust and he's about ready to break out the shovel and go dig that grave up now. He knows it's illogical but he can barely sleep, the thought that he's missing something, that he needs to hurry hurry hurry, keeps him up and he's starting to feel like he's going insane. It's as he decides he going to return to the cemetery that his comm goes off. It's the emergency frequency, the emergency frequency specifically chosen for major Arkham breakouts. Fuck...

It takes the whole next week and a half for them to track down and re-lock up Gotham's worst offenders, even with Jason and Dick's help. Hell, Cass even flew in from Hong Kong. The chaos in the streets and destruction left in the wake of this event are taking even longer to resolve. What few hours rest Jason has been able to snag are plagued by dreams of Spooky and the unmarked grave. There's dreams of everything from the dog dissolving to someone trying to claw their way free of the grave. The latter one spooking Jason the most despite how his logic reminds him that such a thing is impossible. He and Babs have already ruled out the body being dumped recently. She checked the footage when Jason woke from the dream, of the victim being buried alive, for the first time and called her in his paranoid panic. They both understood that it was most likely the trauma, but she'd been kind enough to check just in case.

Jason wakes in a cold sweat to the sharp absence of that soul pull to the cemetery. It's very telling of how used to it he's grown that the absence of it nearly sends him into a state of panic. He's throwing on the closest clothes and nearly half-way out the door before he remembers that he should probably talk to someone. He races back for his phone and jabbing his finger at Alfred's contact before snagging his keys and throwing himself out the doors.

[Young Master Jason. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?]

"The pull is gone," Jason says with no preamble. Alfred is the only person he's gone into detail about the pull of the cemetery to. Even though he hasn't had a chance to speak with him about Spooky, Alfred will understand better than anyone. "Dickie there?"

[Yes, Young Master Richard is currently helping Young Master Damian with his animals out back. Shall I fetch him for you?]

"No, no, have him tell you about Spooky and the grave. You can call Babs in too. She's been helping me with trying to find more info." Jason checks his key chain for the keys to his main storage unit. He has a shovel there. "Also tell Dickie that I'll take him up on his offer to help me dig up a grave."

[Certainly Young Master Jason. Might we be keeping this event "on the down-low" so-to-speak as well?]

"Alfie, you're a godsend. Thank you."

SO! Good news and bad news. Bad news, I had to split this chapter so this is what you get. Good news, I've been on a massive writing spree so the next chapter is well over halfway done. This was honestly the best place to cut this chapter. I'll continue making each chapter it's own post now too, but I'll still link everything together. This chapter and most of the future chapters will probably be titled with lyrics from Momento Mori by Fish in a Birdcage bc it's insane how well that fits.

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[areyoudreaminof]

For the final day of @nestaarcheronweek, I've curated a playlist for our music loving girl. I wanted to showcase Nesta's complexities and her deep love for music with songs of strength, anger, loss, and love. Listen to it here! And come for a lyrical deep dive behind the cut!

Fresh Laundry-Allie X

You said you're always on my side But what if my side has changed too much? Then tell me, who am I? You said you're always on my side But what if my side has lived too long? Something has to die Who am I?

Fury Oh Fury-Nico Vega

Fury, oh fury don't you misguide me I need my wits to set me free Fury, oh fury don't you misguide me I need my wits to set me free

Little Dark Age-MGMT

Breathing in the dark, lying on its side The ruins of the dead painted with a scar And the more I straighten out, the less it wants to try The feelings start to rot one wink at a time Forgiving who you are for what you stand to gain Just know that if you hide, it doesn't go away

I Love You, But I Need Another Year-Liza Anne

I don't think enough Before I say too much I'm digging my own grave With all the shit I say I keep my head high Kinda like a lie I say I'm doing fine Even when I'm losing my mind

The Fruits-Paris Paloma

As you eat it up whole My body and my blood You've claimed it now, so come drink up And there's no need to be concerned About what's left when you are done because You've got me on my knees to pray Or play some other pleasing role But never wonder Where I must have learnt it all

Alpha Shallows-Laura Marling

But the grey in this city is too much to bear The grey in this city is too much to bear And I believe you are meant to be seen but not to be understood

It's going to be pretty tough when you leave You'll help to take a little part of me To make sure you don't treat yourself mean And I want to see all that you'll see

What's Wrong-PVRIS

I know it's so wrong but I'm so far gone Don't need you to tell me I'm so cynical Quit being so over-skeptical Don't need a metaphor for you to know I'm miserable

Peacemaker-Jesca Hoop

Put down your peacemaker blue Warrior Warrior Beaten and broken and bruised Warrior Warrior Come and I'll unlock your chain link armour Seven baths absolve your blood stained honor Your honor Tell the water of

Human-Oh Land

I don't love you human You remind me of the things I hate in me I don't love you human Cause You show me how imperfect I can be Human You're so lonely lonely lonely

Smokestacks-LAYLA

You got eyes so azure You got blood orange skin And there's a spark in your centre that's piercing me in I got a night-time shudder and a lion within I got a brain-tricked hunger and you're pulling me in

Willow Tree March-The Paper Kites

You fall through the trees And you pray with your knees on the ground For the things that you need With your lust and your greed weighing down And you weaken your love And you hold it above your head Success is a song of the heart, not a song of your head

Mountain at My Gates-Foals

I see a mountain in my way It's looming larger by the day I see a darkness in my fate I'll drive my car without the brakes

Oh, gimme some time Show me the foothold from which I can climb Yeah, when I feel low You show me a signpost for where I should go

Rabbit Will Run-Iron and Wine

We've all traded lovers and woke up alone And we've clapped for the king though our fingers were cold And I still have a prayer 'cause I love what I cannot control

Water Water-Empress Of

You're just a heart to hold, you're easy to impress I want to care much more, but I'm feeling less awake You're just a heart to break, easy to manipulate I want to care much more, but I'm feeling less and less

Hold On, Hold On-Neko Case

The most tender place in my heart is for strangers I know it's unkind, but my own blood is much too dangerous Hangin' round the ceiling half the time

Shake it Out-Florence + the Machine

And I am done with my graceless heart So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart 'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn It's always darkest before the dawn

[translations-by-aiimee]

Dig a Grave to Dig Out a Ghost - Chapter 53

Original Title: 挖坟挖出鬼

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Yaoi

This translation is the product of my limited knowledge of Chinese characters as I attempt to learn the language. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

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Chapter 53

Merchants in Shanxi originated in the early Ming Dynasty and reached their peak in the Qing Dynasty. Taiyuan Province ruled five prefectures and 20 counties in the Ming Dynasty, including present-day Xinzhou, Shanxi, Yangquan and Luliang. There are still many compound remains, some of which are still in use. Lin Yan intended to bring Xiao Yu there. It was best to go where this may have all started. If not, at least he could find some impression of the old days in the deep courtyard of the brick and black tiles. Despite the 3,000 historical materials, they can only rely on the ghost's sporadic memories.

It was 8 o'clock in the evening when they arrived. The lights glowed in the summer night, the streets were full of traffic, and the food stalls next to the train station emitted the sound of roasting meat, which made these people, who had spent four days in the wilderness, unable to resist secretly salivating.

Finally, back in modern society, Lin Yan heaved a sigh of relief. Yin Zhou looked around the neon-flashing neighborhood in vain and sighed: "Buildings! Finally, we see a building with more than five floors! It's so foreign." He rushed up to pat Lin Yan's shoulder, "Tonight, we deserve to treat ourselves, I've thought about it. We stay at the Hilton and soak in the spa. You can treat us. Don't try and avoid it."

Lin Yan clutched his wallet and gritted his teeth.

When they were at the hotel's front desk, they ran into another difficulty. They hadn’t made a reservation in advance. When they arrived, the triple and single rooms were full, leaving only a standard room. Yin Zhou and A-Yan had already received their room cards and went up to their room to rest. A-Che insisted on staying with Xiao Yu. The lobby was glorious. The fox saw everything as new and fresh and ran to the fountain to fish for goldfish to play with. Lin Yan dared not look at Xiao Yu, and carefully said: "You take A-Che, and I'll get another room."

The front desk clerk checked the information on the computer and, from time to time, curiously looked at the two men with children out of the corner of his eye. His gaze moved across Xiao Yu's face, which made Lin Yan inexplicably upset, but he didn't dare to show it.

Xiao Yu was silent for a while and said let's stay together. I don't need to sleep at all. Besides, we're always together, I'm used to it. Lin Yan's palms were sweaty holding the signature pen. Hearing Xiao Yu's words, he breathed a sigh of relief.

There were two beds. A-Che spread his arms and legs to occupy one of them, and Lin Yan slept on the other. Xiao Yu stared at the street scene in a daze. There was no night in the city. Behind the heavy curtains was a little bit of neon all over the street. It was a nest of red and green stars. Every time Lin Yan woke up, he would see Xiao Yu standing by the window in the same posture. He would whisper at him to go to sleep and the ghost would lightly shake his head. He didn't know how many times he woke up but when he opened his eyes again, the sky was already pale.

Xiao Yu's face remained the same. He had turned into a ghost, and all the feelings of fatigue and hunger left him like a stone, a thing drifting without roots and ground. Mortal contentment and happiness were also irrelevant to him.

He wished he could kiss those thin lips again and coax him to smile, but the ghost's eyes were staring into the distant void, and he had no time for him.

The self-service breakfast for two hundred and eighty people was extremely rich, but when A-Che got involved, the rest became errand runners. They weren't able to eat well at all. The little fox was all over the place, eyes bolting around at everything. They couldn't deny him the cakes, snack meat, sausages, and eggs. He didn't dare order Xiao Yu around. He only commanded Lin Yan and the others to run around and get food for him. Yin Zhou finally took a leisurely sip of soup and said sadly and indignantly that foxes should only eat raw meat. But A-Che's ears were very sharp, and he rubbed his belly proudly: "Don't you know where all the tributes you leave at your ancestors' graves go?"

"When the people leave, they will all serve our fox family. Big pieces of pork meat, salted fish, sausage and ham, steamed buns stuffed with meat, all delicious." A-Che shook his head, revealing a pair of pointed ears, "I was bored when I was a child. Sometimes I would turn into a person and come down the mountain to wander around. Grandfather didn’t know. If he heard about it, he would definitely beat me.”

An old couple at the next table couldn't help laughing out loud when they heard an eight-year-old talking about his childhood.

Lin Yan took a stack of travel brochures from the hotel's front desk, wrote down each of the addresses of the merchants' compound, and organized the schedule while A-Che followed suit. He couldn't read, so he only sorted through the pictures and complained when he saw they were all dark courtyards. In spite of Lin Yan's objection, he grabbed it and flipped through it, suddenly pointing to one of the pages and getting excited: "I want to go here!"

He was referring to a colourful promotional photo of an amusement park.

"No." Lin Yan snatched the booklet, "We won't be staying here for a few days. We have to hurry up and get to business."

When the fox heard this, he pursed his mouth and was about to cry.

"Hey, my brother will take you to eat six different flavours of meat sauce and listen to folk music." Lin Yan coaxed him in a good voice, "Your brother Yu is leaving soon. He doesn't have much time to play with you."

The tears in A-Che's eyes grew bigger as if they were about to fall at any moment. All of them took turns comforting him. Xiao Yu patted A-Che's head. He read the booklet carefully and said to Lin Yan: "It's okay. Take him there. The ancient city of Shanxi behind here looks familiar."

It turned out to be the opening ceremony of the restored ancient city relics garden. The promotional slogan said that the ticket price was 50% off. Not only were there various Ming and Qing buildings, special snacks and a carnival were stationed there during the summer vacation for children to have fun. At that time, a stage was set up in the garden to perform shadow puppetry and Pursuit*. A few small photos showed a square and formidable, massive courtyard with umber-black and vermillion tiles. The courtyard walls were extremely high, and two smooth blue stone drums were at the door. The ground shone with the waning light and shadows of the passing clouds. The time chosen to take the pictures was excellent. The porcelain blue sky was permeated with light pink. The branches everywhere stretched out into the ice pattern of Ru ware. The eaves were the most mysterious place. Black-clothed assassins hid under the cracks of the tiles. That was the old China in distant memories.

*(T/N: 1972 Hong Kong film)

Suddenly touched, Lin Yan nodded and followed. The little fox was so happy that he was about to jump up and spilled the sweet corn soup all over Yin Zhou all at once.

"Little menace." Yin Zhou cursed.

There was a tourist bus at the entrance of the hotel to pick up and drop off tourists. When they arrived at 8:00 am, the sky was slightly cloudy. The air was cool and the weather was great for sightseeing.

The restoration of the ruins, along with the modern repairs, was very grand. Plenty of cars were parked outside of the garden. Groups of children were being led by adults, holding balloons. Once A-Che saw them, he wanted to buy one. He couldn't wait to drag Xiao Yu over to the booth, staring at the paper-mâché kites. The shadow puppets, masked figures and lantern almost made his mouth water. He grabbed a few of each. He also fell in love with the blue cotton candy that was bigger than his head. Lin Yan rushed over to save the day, stuffed a few red notes into Xiao Yu's pocket, and said: "A-Che likes you. You show him around. Do you even recognize this money?"

"Yeah." Xiao Yu took the change from the vendor. The ghost's gloomy expression cleared up a bit with a playful child beside him, and he smiled at Lin Yan, "You come too. I can't handle him by myself."

Lin Yan put his hands in his pockets, feeling a little lost.

"What?"

"It's nothing. I just miss you." Lin Yan lowered his head and said. The music around them was blaring, and his voice was very low, but the ghost still heard it, and his expression was slightly shaken.

A-Che didn't notice the embarrassment between the two of them, so he took Xiao Yu's finger and pointed at the Ferris wheel: "I want to go on that."

Xiao Yu turned back to gesture, but Lin Yan was taken aback. It was a small glass box in which couples in love sat for fun, staring at each other for hours, overlooking the city scenery. He was so embarrassed that he wanted nothing more than to escape the situation. He quickly diverted the fox's attention, casually pointing to the right: "That's no fun. Let's go over there to play."

Surprisingly, 'other there' turned out to be a haunted house. On the promotional poster, there was a pale woman with long hair covering her face. It was like a midnight murder special, everything looked like it was out of Sadako.

Before he had time to regret it, A-Che had already changed his mind, holding both their hands and pulling them towards it.

The fox demon brazenly said that he was never afraid of ghosts and rushed up the pitch-black steps. After walking a few steps, the door closed, and they were surrounded by endless darkness. There were vents on the floor near their feet, gusts of wind sending chills up their bodies if they stood there too long.

A white shadow floated past them from the corner. It was a staff member pretending to be a ghost. Lin Yan bit his lower lip and told himself that it was all fake. A cold hand reached out and swiped at his ankle. He had to cover his mouth quickly, almost screaming.

Someone behind him was patting him on the shoulder, and his body went numb. Looking at the joyful couples walking up ahead, Lin Yan wished he could chop off the hand that had pointed them to this place.

The thick darkness blocked his vision; all he could see was Xiao Yu's back in front of him. He was wearing modern clothes, and the T-shirt was slightly small and taut on his body. He could vaguely see the well-proportioned, strong muscle lines, wide shoulders and narrow hips. A section of blueish-white neck was exposed behind long, tied-up hair.

As he was in a trance, a faint blue light was cast on both sides of the walkway. A head of black hair hung down in front of them. Her white skirt was fluttering. Sadako appeared from nowhere. Her hair was blown by the wind from the floor grates, and it was blowing coldly on Lin Yan's face.

"Xiao-Xiao Yu." He leaped out and grabbed the ghost's arm. He said in shock, "Don't go too fast."

"Are you afraid of this?"

Lin Yan's face turned blue, and he stammered: "I was frightened by this movie when I was a child. If I had known it was Sadako. . . I-I wouldn't have come in."

Xiao Yu changed positions with him, let Lin Yan walk a little ahead of him and turned his shoulders sideways, carefully protecting him. When he got close, he made contact, and their fingers touched. Lin Yan's palms were cold and sweaty, not much warmer than the ghost's.

In this man-made strange environment, the gloomy and depressing walkway, the winding maze that seemed to be impossible to navigate, the darkness feeds the imagination, and the imagination breeds demons. His ears were filled with the ghostly sighs of female charm, and behind every narrow corner, were hidden female ghosts. They were even hanging upside down on the ceiling. Their dead faces were blue, green and blackened. He accidentally bumped into a cold white dress, hair reminiscent of something unclean, like a clump of black hair tangled in the sewer.

He couldn't wait for this torment to end.

He was suddenly unable to hold out anymore. He grabbed the ghost's hand in the dark. Xiao Yu froze for a moment. He cupped Lin Yan's hand in his palm and clasped it tightly. Lin Yan turned around and put his arms around his waist, and the two embraced.

Time seemed to stop in this safe space, in the arms of his beloved, where the wind and rain can't invade. Scholars who deal with darkness and corpses all day long also get short of breath. Tired of being a hero, he became a young child. Heroes are short of breath, children are full of love. He sought refuge in a real ghost in a room full of fake ghosts.

"I want you, I want you, Xiao Yu, I really. . ." He ruthlessly bit the ghost's shoulder with his teeth, "I beg you, please don't leave me. . ."

The second half of the sentence wasn't actually spoken. It couldn't be uttered.

Xiao Yu gently stroked his back: "It's okay. Listen, let's go."

The two people finally found the exit after half dragging, half hugging each other. The sky was pouring down, and the little fox had jumped to the exit to wait for them. Seeing both of their abnormal expressions, he clapped his hands happily and laughed.

"You two really suck. You're afraid of ghosts, so shameless."

Seeing the cuteness of the child, passers-by couldn't help but stop and laugh.

If Lin Yan hadn't rushed over with a gesture of beating him up, the little guy's fox tail would have been proudly exposed.

Xiao Yu caught up with Lin Yan and grabbed his wrist. Lin Yan turned his head and looked at the other, so nervous that neither could speak.

"Lin Yan, I. . ."

"Pretend I didn't say anything. I was frightened. It was nonsense." Lin Yan interrupted him, striding forward.

After spending a whole morning in the amusement park, A-Che had played long enough. He had yelled and walked enough and Xiao Yu was carrying him on his back to go get ice cream. Lin Yan followed him, holding a bunch of his prizes in his hand. They had played pinball machines and knocked off the monkey king's head to win. They ate half of a candy man, then popcorn, and they got some glazed beads in a bag that was close to overflowing.

The little guy soon yelled that he was hungry again and went straight through the amusement park to the back exit. A long and secluded ancient road led directly to the ruins of the ancient city. There was an old-fashioned teahouse on the side of the road, with an elm threshold, a carved screen wall, and a newly pasted couplet reading, "A grasp of mundane affairs is genuine knowledge; an understanding of worldly wisdom is true learning." The three ancient houses were connected, and at the end, there was a pavilion where A-Yan and Yin Zhou were sitting and drinking tea, waiting for them.

There was a small table next to the pavilion and an antique blue and white porcelain vase filled with scrolls. The flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, and the lilacs and clove branches grew densely, giving off a faint fragrance of grass and trees. On the other side of the pavilion was an artificial lake. A small bridge was built over the surface of the water. The wind blew the green lotus leaves and collectively rolled out white waves. Daffodils and sweet peas grew on the shore, and willow tree branches hung straight over the water. A string of small silver-blue butterflies hung upside down from the trees.

The three of them sat down. The waiter in the shop was dressed up in ancient costumes and quickly brought three bowls of herbal tea, and also gave them some herbal jelly powder that was included with their admission tickets. They mixed in some honey and ate it to relieve the summer heat.

"I asked. Behind us are the ruins of the ancient city. You may not be able to finish your shopping this afternoon. A stage will be set up at two o'clock for a shadow play, so you guys can go straight there after lunch and wait."

"Us?" Seeing Yin Zhou and A-Yan standing up and about to leave, Lin Yan wondered, "Why are you two leaving?"

Yin Zhou pointed to the table: "We took on the great effort of sitting on these stools and waited for you for three hours. We've eaten everything we could. The shopkeeper thought we were holding the table and I don't know how many times he rolled his eyes. The backup troops have finally arrived, so we're going to stroll around and you can do whatever you want."

"That's right." Yin Zhou winked at A-Che, "Come here, and I'll tell you what's delicious."

The fox's eyes rolled: "No, I'm going to eat everything I can."

"Tsk, I've got something to ask you." Yin Zhou couldn't stop himself from picking him up, "Animals are animals, and they look good in the zoo. Take them out of the zoo, and they aren't very majestic anymore."

The waiter brought a pot of aged bamboo leaves in a blue-and-white porcelain bottle, which looked strangely familiar. A-Yan greeted: "Try this. It's a local specialty, but you can't drink too much. There's a strong aftertaste, and it's easy to get drunk. I-I got dizzy for a while. "

The three of them moved faster than rabbits. Xiao Yu and Lin Yan sat face to face, looking at the lotus pond under Langyuan, not knowing what to say*.

*(T/N: 阆苑, Langyuan paradise, home of the immortals in verse and legends)

In the distance, a faint mist revealed the roof of the old city, tile by tile. There was a row of bright red lanterns and the noise of tourists and the music of the amusement park seemed far away. Time had stagnated under the slanting corner of the pavilion. A hundred years of time, that wine, that person, the passage of time in a disciplined existence.

The fine porcelain cup filled a glass of wine, tilting its neck to pour it out. It was crisp and refreshing, with a lingering aftertaste.

"It's not bad. It's hot. Do you want to try it?" Lin Yan smiled, poured another cup, and handed it to Xiao Yu. The ghost didn't refuse. He brought the glass to his lips and sipped it. Counting that as a drink, he pushed the glass back on the table.

His heart beat suddenly and violently.

After drinking this half of the remnant wine, I intend to drink half of your remnant wine, but I don't know if my groom agrees with me. . .

In a half-conscious state, Lin Yan picked up the cup, sipped at the place where he had sipped, and raised his eyes. A fox's eyes were not as attractive as his, and he stared at Xiao Yu slantingly. This ancient pavilion and the warm wine seemed to be cursed, an ancient and mysterious contract slowly woke up under Langyuan and jade ornaments, walking towards the deep house compound and the tall and wide walls, hiding at the door, waiting for them.

No one can escape the natural disasters that add to human calamities. Love was that natural disaster that led to calamity.

He rolled up his snow-white cuffs, wide and big sleeves, embroidered a light pink spring peach, a bit of femininity concealed under his tough exterior, deliberately leaving it for him to see. He warmed the jug of wine carefully and held it for him.

"You're busy with family affairs. All the stores won't let anyone leave. I can't personally send this rich playboy to the capital for the test. I will bid farewell to you and wish you a beautiful return."

"Lin Yan?" Xiao Yu frowned, "What's wrong with you?"

He still didn't realize it. He was tipsy. He raised his hand to caress his face, eyebrows, the corners of his eyes, and chin. . . People around were already giving sideways glances, watching two young men flirting in public. Lin Yan only felt as if he had a nightmare, looking at his face with fascination: "This journey will take several months. I'll miss you every day. Don't forget to send letters."

Xiao Yu held down his hand, putting it forcibly on the table, and took the glass away: "Don't drink this."

"Leave me alone. I dare to say this when I'm drunk." He stared at Xiao Yu stubbornly with infinite resentment, "At least I'm better than you. You never dared to."

Xiao Yu was not in the same space as him. He suddenly opened his eyes wide in astonishment. Was the person in front of him Lin Yan?

The little fox, A-Che, bounced over, holding a string of strawberry candied gourds wrapped in transparent sugar shells in his hand. He stuck it out under Lin Yan's nose: "This is delicious."

He turned to look at Lin Yan, then at Xiao Yu, and asked in surprise, "What are you two talking about? Why are you sweating?"

It felt like his soul left his body in fright. His whole body turned cold. Lin Yan suddenly came back to his senses and stared blankly at his palm.

Yin Zhou and A-Yan also rushed back. They grabbed the untouched herbal tea in front of Lin Yan and drank it to quench their thirst. They pointed to a place where a crowd had gathered in front of them: "There's a draw happening based on your ticket number. Should we go take a look?"

Lin Yan was too lazy to move. Yin Zhou dragged him up: "Let's go. You can eat later."

"There are so many people in the garden. It's strange for a draw. However you look at it, it looks like the old women queuing up to buy eggs in the opposite supermarket."

Yin Zhou said disdainfully: "Even if it is a basket of eggs, we've earned it. Hurry up. Maybe you'll save a few cents later. Grandpa Mao said we must treasure the RMB notes!" He said as he pushed Lin Yan out. He looked behind him and secretly gave A-Che a hint: "Are you sure about this?"

A-Che nodded.

"Okay, I'll trust you once. Your elder brother Lin Yan is in a bad mood. Let's coax him. You have to act badly. So, hurry up and throw yourself in the toilet."

[crymeariveronceagain]

Aro-Ace Linh Song Aesthetic(that's not necessarily pride-flag themed, because aces and aros are not pride flags personified)

I don't have to sacrifice my happiness for anybody And I don't have to try and make sure I make everybody happy

Try to run from the pain, but it does me in Try to drink it away, but I learned to swim Try to hide from the hurt, but it found me out Guess I'll stare it down

Don't belong to no city Don't belong to no man I'm the violence in the pouring rain I'm a hurricane

"But don't you think I'm hot?" I don't know if I'm qualified to answer that or not I just wanna know what comic books you read I wanna know if you play D&D

Ooh, in your eyes I can see the disguise. Has anyone seen lightning? Has anyone looked lovely? And the daffodils look lovely today, And the daffodils look lovely today, Look lovely today...

I'm a motherf-cking woman, baby, alright I don't need a man to be holding me too tight I'm a motherf-cking woman, baby, that's right I'm just having fun with my ladies here tonight

“She was stronger alone; and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as, with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible for them to be."

Yeah there's nothing left to ruin, yeah we finally got free How's that for manifesting our destiny

Black hole in my heart Black hole in my favorite sweater Stitch it up Though I'll try I'm just stitching a scarlet letter

Sticks and stones may break my bones But soon the sting will pass But names can dig so many graves You won't know where to stand And I don't feel secure no more Unless I'm being followed And the only way to hide myself Is to give 'em one hell of a show!

Anxiety Song, by Human Petting Zoo // Under, by Transviolet // Hurricane, by Halsey // D&D and Asexuality, by The Skull Puppies // Daffodil Lament, by The Cranberries // Woman, by Ke$ha // Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen // PARAD(w/m)E, by Silvan Esso // I Don't Know Who I Am, by Rebecca Roubion // Ludens, by Bring Me The Horizon //

[imgoingtofreakoutnow]

An old friend - Part 2

Summary: You've been invited for tea at the Bridgerton's household. You'll meet some new faces and perhaps dig in the past with your host...

Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x Fem!reader

Other characters: Benedict Bridgerton, Violet Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton, Hyacinth Bridgerton

Warnings: looooots of yearning, face touching (?) if this counts as warning

Words: 3.6k+

A/n: I wasn't planning on doing a second part but here we are! I know it's long, and the start can feel a bit slow, but stick until the end; things get interesting there😏😉

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

As you stepped down the carriage, your eyes were immediately drawn to the facade of the house: even though you weren't a child anymore it still looked majestic to your eyes. The lilac wisteria hanged from the red terracotta wall, swinging his blooming flowers just above the door, giving the compound that vibrant hint of colour that you remembered.

When you heard the wheels of your carriage move against the pebble, you decided it was time to enter the Bridgerton's household. However, you soon realized that your feet were seemingly planted in the ground just before the gates of the estate.

Nervously holding your shaking gloves near your lap, you tried to calm down that sudden wave of anxiety. You truly had nothing to be worried about: your hosts were some of the kindest human beings you had ever met and the house was no stranger to you either. Nonetheless, war drums started playing in your chest at the thought that Anthony was waiting for you inside...

"Can I help you, miss?"

You turned towards the voice that called you back to reality to be met with the tall figure of Benedict. "Mr. Bridgerton"

He bowed as you curtseyed. "Well, this is embarrassing" he muttered, taking off his hat with an apologetic smile. "You know my name, but I don't know yours... should I know you, miss?"

You smiled back, shaking slightly your head. "Probably not, sir. I'm Y/N Y/L/N. I believe I am awaited for tea this afternoon: Lady Bridgerton invited me at last night's ball"

"I recall Anthony mentioning something about a guest..." he started but shrugged afterwards, "however I wasn't listening". His green eyes moved on you, squeezing slightly as they took in your features. "I beg you forgiveness in advance if I'm mistaken, but do you appear to be that little girl that used to play with Anthony when he still possessed a sense of humour?"

You hardly stopped a laugh from escaping your lips. "I shall not know, did Lord Bridgerton used to entertain himself with many young ladies when he was young himself?"

Benedict shook his head, still smiling. "Not that I can remember"

"Then that's probably me" you confirmed, chuckling slightly as the weight on your stomach eased considerably.

"I shall not believe that! The world is much smaller than I thought it was". He rubbed his cheek, his face lit by shock and delight. Then, looking at the front door and then back at you: "Why then were you standing here like a statue?"

At his question you lowered your gaze to your hands, not as shaky as before but still partly trembling. When you opened your mouth to reply, no rational answer came out from your parted lips.

Thankfully, Benedict seemed to notice your distress and simply took your arm in his. "Admit it" he said, smiling cheekily and guiding you inside, "you were waiting for me just to escort you inside. Isn't that right?"

With a giggle you nodded. "You uncovered my plan, sir. I shall hope it remains a secret between the two of us"

Benedict opened the door for you. "I'll take it to the grave, miss Y/L/N"

You flashed him one last smile before your eyes wandered on the interior of the household, leaving you speechless: everything was exactly where your clouded memories placed it, with few errant exceptions, like the china vase in the vestibule or the tiny pottery work on the table next to the door of the drawing room.

It felt almost unreal, like walking in a dream made long time ago... nonetheless, the way your heart jumped in your throat when you saw Anthony slouching on a couch near the window felt very much real to you.

"Miss Y/L/N". When Violet's voice reached your ears she was already in front of you, taking your arm to drag you away from her second-born. "It is a delight to see you again so soon. I believe you haven't met my youngest children, Gregory and Hyacinth".

The two siblings looked at you, Hyacinth smiling fascinated while Gregory was subtly munching something.

You smiled at them. "It's a pleasure to meet you"

"Miss Y/L/N, could I ask you something?"

Your eyes fixed in Hyacinth's, wide with curiosity. "Of course"

She took some steps towards you and you bent down so that she could cup your ear. "Is it true that you and Anthony made all the nurses go mad when you were our age?"

"Who told you that?" you whispered back, grinning. "We made them go mad when we were much younger than you"

Hyacinth covered her mouth, giggling silently as she went back next to her brother. Gregory, still looking at you, finally gulped down his food and turned to his mother. “Can we go play outside now, mama?”

With a sigh and a gesture of her hand, Lady Bridgerton released her youngest from the strings of formality and you watched them running one after the other out of the drawing room.

“Pardon their impatience” sighed Violet, sitting on the sofa next to her. She seemed terribly tired and you couldn’t imagine otherwise: if the other Bridgertons were half the troublemakers you and Anthony were, you were surprised the household was still intact.

You took a seat next to her, your back straightened as a greek column. “There is no need to apologise, I do envy their freedom” you admitted as your gaze fell in your lap. “They should enjoy every moment they have left before they come of age”

“From your tone, miss Y/L/N, it transpires the belief that there is no freedom in our society whatsoever”

You turned to Anthony, now seated a little more properly on the couch. His eyes locked in yours terribly easily, as they already possessed the key to your soul.

"Not if one wants to be accepted by said society, Lord Bridgerton" you clarified. "And we know well enough that not many would risk their place in this - pardon my words - refined golden parade for a semblance of temporary freedom"

"A golden parade". Anthony tasted your words on his tongue. "Shall we ever be freed from the chains society imposed us then?"

"It is possible, yes. Nevertheless, it may not be as easy as one might expect"

Anthony was still looking at you and the fabric of your gloves started sticking to your sweaty hands under his stare. You lowered your gaze. "But of course, this is just my humble opinion"

"Quite pessimistic, if I may" Benedict's voice broke through your thoughts. Slouching like Anthony on the other couch, there was no doubt those two were brothers. "But my word, you and Eloise would get along perfectly well"

"My second daughter. She is quite a free spirit" explained Violet seeing your confusion. "Unfortunately, you won't meet her today: she went for a walk with her friend, miss Penelope Featherington"

“On another quest to find the writer who hides behind the name of Lady Whistledown” added Benedict, earning a glare from his mother.

"I'm sure there will be many other occasions to meet her. And your eldest daughter as well. I’ve heard she married the Duke of Hastings, is that right?"

Her eyes lit as soon as you mentioned her daughter, and before you knew it, your mind was filled with every single detail of the wedding and engagement party, and all the circumstances that preceded and followed it.

A light knock made everyone turn towards the door. The footmen placed swiftly and silently the trays with teapots and cups on the small tables around the room, together with many small plates full of different biscuits and what looked like delicious refreshments.

One of the footmen approached cautiosly Violet, who was now talking about the scandal in which Colin had been unknowingly drawn. "Lady Bridgerton". The woman turned towards him with a smile. "Miss Francesca denies her medicine..."

Violet sighed, putting her cup back on the tray. "Goodness gracious... She went to Bath on her own, she's almost of age and she keeps throwing tantrums for these little things...". She then turned to you: "I shall be back in a few minutes, my dear"

You nodded, watching her leave the room with the young footman. The exact moment she disappeared through the door, Benedict jumped from his seat, almost making you spill the tea on your dress.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I shall leave as well" he explained, putting his tailcoat back on in a hurry. He looked towards Anthony. "If mother asks, I'm in my room feeling unwell and I definitely won't attend dinner"

"Shall I know where you're going?" asked Anthony with a smirk on his face. "Perhaps getting a new suit?"

Benedict ignored him, which made Anthony grin even more. “It’s been a pleasure, miss Y/L/N. We shall talk more next time we meet" he said with a small bow and a smile, before walking out the drawing room as well.

You took a long sip from your small cup, trying to focus on the taste of the tea and not on the fact that you and Anthony were now completely alone. The hot drink had a fresh mint scent and... and then his touch on your skin was everything your mind could think of.

"Are you enjoying yourself, miss Y/L/N?"

"Absolutely!" you replied, your voice an octave higher than normal. Clearing your throat, you attempted to think of something to say that wasn't in any way related to Anthony's hands on you. "The tea is divine"

He chuckled, taking a biscuit from the tray. "I'm glad you like it". He took a bite before asking again: "Does the house do justice to your memories?"

"It does" you nodded. "I'm surprised how few things have changed over the years but I'm glad to be able to recognise every corner. It's like stepping in the past"

Anthony smiled without taking his eyes off you. Looking down on your empty cup you felt your skin itch under his deep stare. Before you could think of anything else to say, you heard the sound of fabric rustling: Anthony Bridgerton had stood up and was now moving closer with every step. He stretched his hand out to you, smiling like he did only around you.

"Would you like to step in the past again, miss Y/L/N?"

With his eyes locked in yours, your mouth was wholly dry. You had no idea what he had in mind but, strangely enough, you didn't care: you just took his hand.

The heat radiating through the thin fabric of your gloves set on fire every nerve of your body. You held tight onto his hand as he pulled you down a maze of corridors, running within those walls like when you were kids. The excitement, and the new feeling that was pushing against your corset, let a wide, joyful smile appear on your face, as you felt lighter than ever before.

Then, after a last turn, he pulled you in a room, closing the door behind him. It took a deep breath for you to realise Anthony had dragged you in the library: it was smaller than you recalled, and even so it held so much knowledge you always found overwhelming stepping inside, as if you weren’t worthy of it.

Still panting, Anthony collapsed on the settee near the window, his smile wider than ever. "Good Lord..." he sighed letting his head fall back, his shoulders shook by laughter. "I haven't felt this alive in quite some time..."

"As much as I enjoy seeing you smiling, did we truly have to run all the way here?" you whispered, trying to steady your breath. "If anyone saw us, they probably thought we were up to something, which is not true at all"

Placing his elbows on his knees, Anthony bended over, his eyes lit by the spark of mischief. "If we're not up to something... then why are you whispering?"

You shook your head, turning your back to him. You walked closer to the atlas, opened on book stand in one of the corner of the room. With your index you gently traced the lines of the continents shown on the page, searching names of places you knew. Then a realization hit you.

“We shouldn’t be here”. Taking a step back from the atlas, you turned to Anthony.

He looked at you with furrowed brows. “Why so?”

"I'm quite sure you're aware that, for a lady, being in the same room as a man without a chaperone is improper and disgraceful" you clarified, rubbing your hands nervously.

"Is it?". You shot Anthony a glare.

"Yes, my lord. Awfully disgraceful". You looked at the door, terrified someone might walk in.

Anthony sighed. “Very well. But before we go... would you please read something to me?”. The request wasn’t exactly what you were expecting and Anthony, as he had read in your mind, added: “There’s nothing improper in that”

You took a sharp breath but then nodded. “Very well”. You moved your eyes on the many books on the bookshelves, the titles and authors embossed on their spines in golden letters: Shakespeare, Edgeworth, Scott.

"Do you want me to read anything in particular, my lord?"

He closed his eyes, slouching again on the settee. "Anything as long as I can hear your voice"

Taken aback by his words, you were glad he couldn’t see your scarlet cheeks. You took a small poetry volume, opening it at a random page. The words written on the paper danced in your mind with the finesse of a butterfly.

You sat down on the other end of the settee as your lungs tried their best to fill with enough air to keep you from fainting. You took a last deep breath before starting to read out loud.

"The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

The plowman homeward plods his weary way,

And leaves the world to darkness and to me."

As you kept reading, the book in one hand and the other resting in your lap, the verses rolled on your tongue like candid pearls on velvet; an ancient incantation created to charm minds.

You didn't realise that Anthony had been getting closer and closer by the second until the moment he took your empty hand in his. You stopped mid-verse as your eyes jolted to your joined hands.

"Go on" he gently asked, stroking his thumb on your hand.

Gulping down your beating heart you started reading again, but your attention was nowhere near the words printed on the paper. It was all on the way his fingers rested on yours and moved against your glove, as trying to find a path past the thin fabric.

That small and seemingly meaningless touch unleashed a thunderstorm within you: powerful, destructive and awfully seductive.

You finished the poem, the last word leaving you breathless. Closing the book, the closeness with Anthony felt way too much to handle.

"We should go now". You stood, breaking the contact with Anthony to put the book in its place. Your hand without his touch felt extremely empty.

You heard him sigh. "I believe we should". Anthony stood up, smoothing his blue tailcoat. After a moment of silence, he spoke again, his eyes set on fixing his sleeves: "I must apologise, miss Y/L/N"

You turned towards him with eyes wide in confusion before frowning. "For what, my lord?"

"I'm convinced that my puerile behaviour put you in an uncomfortable and improper position" - his voice and face were completely emotionless, not the face of the Anthony you knew - "and I beg your forgiveness for that. I had no rights to act this way towards a lady such as yourself and I would totally understand if you chose to..." he stopped a moment, searching for the strength to finish the phrase, “...interrupt our acquaintance”

"Lord Bridgert-"

"Of course” he continued, "I would never want for you to interrupt your visits to my mother and family. And, of course, I shall have prepared a carriage to take you home and then, hopefully, everything will soon seem just a-"

"Anthony"

You finally moved from the bookshelf, catching his hand in yours. His eyes moved from the doorknob, first resting on your joint hands and then raising to your face. It had felt like days since he last glanced at you.

"Please, let me speak”. He didn’t move, his face still unreadable but his eyes had your complete attention. You took a deep breath as you put your messy thoughts in the right order.

“You didn't offend me" you explained, even if your trembling voice could've told otherwise. "Your actions, your attentions weren't a discomfort to me whatsoever. They were just-", a shaky sigh escaped your lips, "What I feel in your presence is overwhelming, like standing on a cliff while the wind howls around you, trying to push you off the edge... you wish you could ignore it but it keeps luring you in and-"

His hand on your cheek cut you off. His thumb caressed your cheekbone and slid down, along your jaw, to stop on your chin. "So this pleases you?" he asked, his voice deep as his eyes were staring into yours. At a loss of words, you nodded as fireworks exploded in your stomach.

At his words you suddenly remembered: “Your mother! She’s probably still waiting in the drawing room!”. You took your hands to your face, covering your heated cheeks. “Oh no... she’ll never forgive me...”

Eventually he smiled, and seeing his eyes lighting up was just what you needed to feel relieved. "That's good to hear” he murmured, stroking your cheek again and again, “but now you should really go home: we don’t want your mother to get worried, don’t we?”"

He shook his head chuckling. “My mother doesn’t hold grudges for such ridiculous matters. However, if it could help you sleep better tonight, I shall talk to her. You must trust me: I already have mastered a talent in finding quite believable excuses”

You smirked. “Why am I not surprised?”. Anthony smiled before taking again your hand. A bolt ran through your arm.

"I know it may sound bold, but would you join me and my family at tomorrow’s picnic in Hyde Park? These social gatherings always bore me to death but I’m sure your company would be the perfect remedy"

"Two invitations in a row?”. You grinned. “The ton will talk about this for quite some time"

“Is that a yes, miss Y/L/N?”

You smiled. “Of course it is, my lord. I could never refuse you anything”

<-•☆•->

When the carriage left you in front of your house, there was still enough light for you to see the pathway leading to the front door. As you entered and closed it behind you, your mother appeared at the top of the staircase.

“Thank Goodness you’re back!”. She run down the stairs, immediately cupping your cheeks. “Are you alright? Did anything happen to you?”

“I’m good, mama” you confirmed, with a smile. "Lord Bridgerton invited me to attend the picnic in Hyde Park tomorrow". At your words, every inch of blood seemed to be drained from your mother's face. “Is everything quite alright?”

“I’ve heard some awful rumors at the market today...” she whispered, taking your hands in hers. “About the Bridgertons”

You smiled gently. “Is it about the scandal surrounding Colin Bridgerton? Because I can assure you he had no part in-”

“it isn’t, my dear”. She shook her head, some locks of hair escaping her tight hairdo. “It’s about Lord Bringerton”

Your smile fell in a second. “What about him?”

Your mother took a deep breath before going on: “I believe him to be a rake, my dear, and from what I’ve heard, he spent most of last season attending the private rooms of different opera singers...”

"What?". You shook your head in disbelief. "No, it can't be... I know him and he's nothing like this"

"It has been years, sweetheart" she said, kindly caressing your cheek. "Maybe he's changed, like you have..."

"But he's not a rake!". You took a step back from your mother. "Lord Bridgerton is a gentleman, he would never-"

You stopped mid-sentence as what happened that afternoon replayed in your mind: surely you didn't dislike his behaviour, as daring as it was, but it was improper. Terribly improper. Something a rake would do with light skirts. Or with young and willing ladies.

Your corset seemed to be tighter than ever, squeezing your lungs until no air was left behind.

"I do not want to push you, my dear..." continued your mother, "but perhaps you should rethink your choice for tomorrow. You could say you had forgotten a previous engagement or-"

"No". Your steady voice didn't reflect the turmoil in your chest at all. "I have already accepted, mother" you said, walking past her to the stairs. "It would be disrespectful to refuse the invitation of a Viscount"

Besides, you wanted answers, and the only people who could give you some was Anthony himself.

Taglist: @ba-cute @xceafh @latekate1807 (if you want to be added or removed, let me know)

[redjaybathood]

i am trying to come up with a Jason Todd playlist to commemorate his birthday but what have so far it's just... work in progress. comments and additions are welcome!

1) About his experience from the last days to digging himself out from the grave to the end of UtRH:

Nick Lutsko - Sometimes

Sometimes the short end of the stick is the sharpest Sometimes the only road to take is the darkest Sometimes all you gotta say is "daddy make it go away" Sometimes the only way out is as a carcass

Sometimes you gotta finish what you shouldn't have started Sometimes you gotta shoot before you see the target Sometimes daddy's gonna say "you're not worth the price to pay" Sometimes the tunnel only leads to darkness

2) Jason, fresh off the Lazarus Pit waters:

Unlike Pluto - Revenge, And A Little More

I just want revenge

I feel like someone's up to something Betrayal in the air, I'm losing my mind Just another knife in my back Pull 'em out and watch my pain pour out Always the ones you hold the closest Always the ones you thought you trusted No memory is gonna save you No memory is worth the pain you caused

I just want revenge And a little bit more, and a little bit more

3) Jason, sponsored by Talia to go on a murder study/gap year, to Bruce:

These Boots Are Made For Walking - Nancy Sinatra

You keep lyin' when you oughta be truthin' And you keep losing when you oughta not bet You keep samin' when you oughta be a'changin' Now what's right is right but you ain't been right yet

These boots are made for walkin' And that's just what they'll do One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

4) Jason, coming up with the plan to take over Gotham's underworld and being very hyped about it:

The Score - Stronger

I don't do this for the riches I'm infected, my condition Is I'm always in my head These words are my religion I'm obsessed, it's by decision I'ma do this 'til I'm dead-ead

Set me on fire Set me on, set me on fire (whoa, whoa-oh) I'm still alive I'm still ali- I'm still alive (whoa) Bet you didn't think that I'd come back to life

5) Battle for the Cowl, about after Jason watched that tape:

Adam Jensen - I Can Hold A Grudge Like Nobody's Business

Welcome to the wasteland Just another broken man Tangled in the words that I cannot say

Living just to say goodbye Save me from my selfish pride Can you see the words written on my face?

You got me actin' like the old me But you don't even know me

Can I get a witness? 'Cause I can hold a grudge like nobody's business Seein' double vision Show me what you got and I'll show what you're missing

or,

Barns Courtney - Rather Die

I came to kill 'em, now I'm Wipin' the spit from my eyes I take a beating, but I I'll never give up

Oh, oh, I think I'd rather die

5) Jason falling down from a bridge, intentionally:

8 Graves - Bury Me Low

If I die today, it won't be so bad I can escape all the nightmares I've had All of my angry and all of my sad Gone in the blink of an eye

I've seen the devil, I've shaken his hand I've seen the evil that dwells in a man For all of my wisdom, I can't understand Oh, mercy me, mercy my

Better get to diggin' while my body's getting cold I keep tryna fight it so just promise when I go

You'll bury me low

AU Jasons:

Arkham Knight Jason: 8 Graves - Burning Alive

I've been defeated I begged for what I needed I suffered, now I'm ready for war

Been through the struggle Black eyes and bloody knuckles But I don't feel the pain anymore

If blood don't tell you the truth Then could you please cut me loose 'Cause I've been wanting to die

If burning makes me a liar Then come join me in the fire I know you wouldn't survive But I'll be burning alive

Titans!Jason season 1: Panic! At The Disco - High Hopes

Had to have high, high hopes for a living Shooting for the stars when I couldn't make a killing Didn't have a dime but I always had a vision Always had high, high hopes Had to have high, high hopes for a living Didn't know how but I always had a feeling I was gonna be that one in a million Always had high, high hopes

Titans!Jason season 2: ABBA - Dancing Queen (slowed + reverb)

With a bit of rock music Everything is fine You're in the mood for a dance And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen Young and sweet Only seventeen

(but it's like, ironic)

Titans!Jason season 3 (first half): Apashe ft. Instasamka - Uebok (Gotta Run)

(not quoting lyrics here, it's more of a feeling, really)

the complete playlist could be listened to here.

except for the right version of Dancing Queen, alas.

[charliedawn]

The Joke's on Us part 4

Warning : possessive behavior.

A dark shadow floats on top you and gently caresses your face.

" Soon..We'll be reunited, old friend."

Penny gasps, recognizing that shadow from the deep confines of his memories..Maturin had mentioned him when they were still friends.

" Shardik.."

At the mention of his name, the shadow quickly turns towards Penny whose breath stops. Shardik's smile widens and he floats on top of Penny to stare at him straight in the eyes.

" Ah..You must be one of the creatures Maturin created. A shame, I really thought you would be more..impressive ?"

Penny only snarls at him before responding with a threat.

" What were you doing ? I swear that if you touch her..I'll kill you."

The entity, far from being intimidated, only laughs loudly at Penny's menace which seems to amuse him more than anything.

" Really ? And how will you do that without your powers, Penny ? Don't forget that I am as powerful as you were and as old as Maturin. Funny, the old turtle really thought you and Pennywise could stop me when he is gone. Imagine how much he was disappointed when he realized that your hatred towards humanity was blinding you. He never got you those powers to use them against humans, or children..He wanted you to protect them. But, now that the old turtle is dead and you two are too weak to stop me. I'll be able to rule over that planet. I'll suck upon its energy until there is nothing left. I'll even start with you little charming town. Derry, is it ?"

Penny glares up at him, but had to admit that he can't protect you like this. Now that he is only human, he is happy, happier than he's ever been..but..The shadow chuckles evilly in the shell of his ear.

" That planet has been without order for much too long..It passed its life expectancy hundreds of years ago..But don't worry, as soon as I will have ate her, Maturin's powers will be in me and I will make sure to bring an end to humanity.."

Penny growls at the mention of you being eaten by Shardik and tries to jump on him with a roar.

" Don't you dare touch her !"

However, he suddenly wakes up, covered in sweat and sees that you are the one who woke him up. Your eyebrows are tensed in obvious worry and, without any words, Penny wraps his arms around you. He had felt fear before..but not like that..never like that..His heart is racing against his ribcage and he is holding onto you like it is the last time.

" P..Penny ? Are you alright ?"

Your question makes him open his eyes and come back to reality. You are running your hand gently on top of his head, smoothing his hair in the process to calm him down. He finally steps back and looks at Pennywise that had woken up as well. The both of them had felt it..He was coming back. You look at the both of them with a confused expression and finally ask, tired by the secrecy of both men.

" That's it. What's going on ? Why do you look so grave all of a sudden ?!"

Penny doesn't answer, he only stands up and gets out of the room without another word. You turn towards Pennywise, hoping for some kind of explanation. He doesn't peep either and only returns to the sofa that had become his bed for the time being. However, you don't let it go and sit in front of him with a determined look on your face.

" Now, you're going to tell me what's going on."

You didn't mean to make it sound like an order, but you couldn't just let them fend for themselves anymore. Pennywise finally turns towards you and sighs loudly before telling you what this was all about.

" Penny and I always had a very deep connection with Maturin, we could feel his presence and so could he. However, Maturin is not the only entity out there. The world has at least 12 entities guarding it. One of them being Shardik..Shardik is one of the twelve guardians of Beams that hold up The Dark Tower. It is a cyborg bear that stands over forty feet tall and one ugly unkillable bastard with more energy than millions of suns. He was pissed to know that I killed his brother and wanted to come and exterminate this planet on which lives his brother's murderer..But like many, he was scared of us. But now that we lost our powers ? He's coming, and with you being the turtle's successor ? We will all die for sure."

You lean against the back of your chair and sigh loudly. You only are a painting teacher..Of course he would crush you. But, that didn't mean you had to give up.

" Well, aren't you the optimist ?! Why don't you show me how to fight instead of complaining ?!"

He ignores you and only turns his back to you as he pretends to fall asleep again. You stand up and suddenly throws his blanket off. That get a reaction and you can hear a growl from him as he stands up to face you menacingly.

" Why ?! You want to know why ?! Because of this !"

He suddenly takes you by the shoulder and digs his thumb in your wounded flesh. You whine in pain and Pennywise immediately retracts his hand.

" Do you really think that you'll ever be able to vanquish Shardik the bear with a human body ?! He would squish you in an instant! Learn how to heal yourself, then we'll talk about your fighting skills.."

You glare at him: deep inside, you know he is right, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. You humph at him before leaving the room to join your bedroom, but then, you hear someone crying upstairs. You follow the sound and find Penny, sitting on the floor and leaning against one of the corridor's wall. He looks up at you when he hears you approaching and you crouch by his side with a reassuring smile.

" Hey..We're going to be okay..Alright ?"

You try to comfort him, but he only sobs.

" What if..What if you can't beat him ? What if the only solution is for us to get back into who we were ?"

You sigh, knowing that if there were to be no other solution, you would have to break your promise..You would have to hurt them, one way or another.

" I guess I'll have to change you back. I know that I prefer you to have the choice but..If there are no other solution, I'll have to break my promise. I can't let you die. Not when I know I could have avoided it.."

You sit next to him and you both stay quiet for a moment, lost in your thoughts until Penny looks at you with his eyes full of uncertainty.

" And what if I don't want to get back to what I was ? What if I want to stay human ?"

You can't help but smile and tears start to build up in your eyes..Why couldn't the universe leave them alone ? You are so close to them finally accepting their new forms..

" Then, I'll guess it'll be my job to be sure that you don't have to."

He smiles back and before you know it, you are both holding hands. You don't try to get it out, even though you know that at any moment, Penny could come back to his old ways. You're not scared of him, you aren't even sure if you ever really were ? You don't even notice that Pennywise had climbed up the stairs and is now looking at the both of you from afar with a slight frown. He only turns away and waits when he is safe in is bed to grunt.

" What does she find in him..?"

Unaware that his eyes glow a slight orange in the dark for a second.

The next day, you decide that it's grocery shopping time. However, the two clowns are still sound asleep and you take the opportunity to get out alone. Once in the street, you take a breath of fresh air and start walking towards the shop, wondering what you should buy for the two men. You enter the shop and start looking around. You are lost in your thoughts and don't see another person coming in your direction. You suddenly collide with said person and look up to see a man with blue eyes and a nice smile.

" I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

He extends his hand towards you and you take it with a grateful smile.

" No. It's me. I should have looked where I was going."

His smile widens as you shake his hand. He introduces himself.

" I'm Dan. I don't really know my way around here. I'm the new teacher from down the block."

You smiles politely and introduce yourself as well.

" I'm Y/N. Nice to meet you. I'm the Art teacher of the neighborhood."

His eyes seem to light up at the mention of you being an Art teacher.

" Really ?! You're the Art teacher ? My cousin never stops talking about you. Tom ?"

You seem to remember last time and wince at the memory. Seems like Tom hadn't said anything about the incident..You try your best to keep your composure and automatically feel that you need to make amends somehow.

" Do you want..Do you want a coffee ?"

He smiles again and nods.

" Sure ! Lead the way."

You take your groceries and pay them before getting out. You end up in a small coffee shop and both take what you want before sitting outside.

" I'm sorry. You must think it's weird that I never came before. I just moved in from the States so..Tom isn't even aware that I'm back yet."

Oh. Well, you still hoped that Tom hadn't talked to anyone about what had happened. You smile and shake you head.

" Not at all. Tom is a very nice boy and I always like to meet the families of my students. It helps to understand them better. Although, it's the first time I actually invite a member for a coffee."

" I should be honored then."

He takes a sip of his coffee before winking playfully at you. You blush and let a small chuckle.

" To tell you the truth..Tom and I have been quite distant since our older brother died. I do sometimes feel guilty for leaving him, but.."

You see that he is concerned and put you hand on his compassionately.

" I'm sorry..It must have hurt."

You had heard about Tom losing a brother, he did have a period when he could only draw dark things. Horrible things. It must have been a shock for everyone in his family. Dan smiles gratefully at you before answering.

" Don't worry. It's been a year now. I'm stronger than this."

You smile sadly at him, but then feel two very familiar shadows looming over you from behind. A hand grabs your shoulder and squeezes it in silent warning.

" Hi Y/N. Who is this ?"

Penny..And Pennywise is certainly not far behind. Dan stands up and stretches his hand towards them with a bright smile.

" Oh ! Sorry ! My name is Dan, I'm the brother of one of Y/N's students. And you are ?"

You are about to answer when Pennywise does it for you. He takes his hand and smiles forcefully.

" Pleasure. My name is Robert, and this is Bob. We're her roommates. Unfortunately, she seems to have forgotten about us this morning. You should have woke us up, Y/N. We would have helped you with the groceries."

He may sound calm, but you know better: the way he pronounces the last word makes you understand that he is pissed. Even Dan seems to understand as he retracts his hand and addresses you one last smile.

" Well..I should go. It was nice to meet you, Y/N."

However, he still writes something on a piece of paper and hands it to you.

"Here is my number, just in case."

He then gives one last nod in acknowledgement to the two men before turning and walking away. You have cold sweat running down your back as you can feel the murderous glares of the two clowns behind you.

" Let's go. Shall we ?"

Penny finally ask, more like commands as he grabs you harshly by the arm and drags you towards the house. You just have the time to get your bags. As soon as you are home, you run towards the kitchen and pretend to be busy with putting the grocery items on the shelves and in the fridge.

" W..What do you want for..?"

You don't have the time to finish your sentence as Pennywise suddenly comes behind you and wraps his arms around you.

" Now, princess..You're going to turn around and face us. We're not angry. We just want to talk."

"..Just want to talk..?"

You repeat with a broken voice, making sure that you heard right. Pennywise only nods slowly and you gulp loudly before turning around with your eyes closed tight.

" Come on, darling..You know that we want to see your eyes..Come on."

You tentatively open one eye, then the other in shock. They are not angry..They are very mad. You see that their eyes have changed colors and their skins are white..the same white than a few weeks ago. Suddenly, Penny takes you by the throat and pins you to the fridge while Pennywise presses his nose again your throat. He then inhales deeply and growls perceptibly.

" Looks like your little stunt hurt us more than we thought..I'm smelling your fear, sweetheart. And it smells delicious..One more minute, and we would have surely taken our true appearances back."

You don't understand. You hadn't hurt them, so why are they taking their clown forms back ?! Why are they angry even ?! You try to breathe, but Penny's mouth is against yours in a second..You open your eyes wide 'Everything makes sense now. They are jealous. Pain..They're in pain. You whimper when he bites your bottom lip. But, you don't open your mouth and he groans.

" You are going to open that mouth, sweet thing..Or I'm not sure you'll have a mouth to close at the end of the day.."

You open your eyes wide and tears are falling down your face. You don't have a choice but to open your mouth. But before he could do much, Pennywise gets a hold of him and throws him away from you.

" What the heck, Penny ?! When I said we were supposed to talk, I didn't mean by putting your tongue in her mouth ! Jeez ! Get a hold of yourself, kid !"

For a moment, shame and guilt seem to take a hold of Penny and he shakily stands back. He seems confused himself..Why did he do that ? Pennywise is taken aback by the clown's kiss..Where the heck did he even learn that from ?! Pennywise then returns to you, curled into a little ball on the floor and his heart tightens..Sh*t. They got carried away..Again. He sighs loudly and takes back his human form. Penny also loses his white skin and his yellow eyes. He wants to approach you but, you cry out.

" Don't touch me !"

Penny freezes and tries to nuzzle your neck as an apology, but you frown and push him back.

" No, Penny ! I'm angry ! You didn't have the right ! I didn't want you to be my first kiss ! I wanted someone who loved me !"

He looks up to Pennywise for help, but the older clown just shrugs. He has no idea of what to do..Truth is, he doesn't even know what all the problem is with "first kiss". He knows that a girl had to remain pure in order to marry when he was still alive..But he thought that rule had been abandoned long ago ? However, you seem very upset and Penny doesn't like it when you cry. He tries to think of a solution, of anything to make you forget what happened..He wants to get out the music box, but in your rage, you grab it and smash it against the wall. To your horror, you realize too late what you've done and Penny roars before pouncing on you, his teeths bare and ready to chomp on you. Pennywise tries to make him get off you, but he is too weak and Penny doesn't have any problem pushing him aside. However, Pennywise falls and knocks his head against a nearby table. You can see blood, and so does Penny. Penny quickly gets back to his human form and shakes Pennywise to wake him up.

" Pennywise ! What's going on ?!"

Pennywise only groans in pain when Penny shakes him again. You instantly come by his side and automatically feel the sweat covering his arms and forehead. You then see a strange mark on his neck and blood starts getting out from his nose, eyes and ears. You quickly unbutton his shirt and gasp in horror.

" Oh my God.."

He was covered by black sports that seemed to spread all over him like a..a disease.

" P..Pennywise. Did you have the..?"

" The black plague ?"

He guesses and you nod. He sighs and finally nods.

" Yes. It was not as bad as my family though.."

You bite your lower lip..By how fast it was spreading, he had a few hours at best. The disease seemed to have survived with him. You are about to call the ambulance when Pennywise stops you.

" Don't..Don't call the hospital. Those bastards won't know what to do..They're not prepared. Plus, they could get infected."

You sigh before remembering that..

" Pennywise..You bit me."

Your voice is shaking as you wonder if you will have it too..? Pennywyse's eyes widen and he curses.

" Sh*t. I have no idea.."

You have trouble breathing and put your hands in your pockets as you pace back and force, wondering what you should do ? You suddenly feel something inside your palm and quickly get it out to look at it. Sam's number..Inviting him could maybe break the deal and make them return to what they were ? Save them ? You shiver at the thought. Yes..But at what price ? You look back at Pennywise, his eyes are closed and his breathing very bad..You don't have a choice. You call him. It doesn't take you long to have him on the other side of the line.

" Hello ?"

" Sam ? Hey ! Could you come over ?"

You emphasize on his name, which make both of the clowns groan loudly in disapproval. However, they know what you're trying to do and don't try to stop you.

" Yeah ! Sure! I'll be right here !"

You force yourself to smile, still wanting to sound excited as to see him. However, the clowns seem to slowly change and growl loudly in the background. You hang off and look at them with a small sad smile.

" You know that it's the only way..Please, don't make this even more complicated than it really is."

Both clowns seem to understand your sacrifice and Pennywise slowly takes your hand with, for the first time in forever, tears in his eyes.

" Thank you, sweetheart."

You only nod and then, ask Penny to move him upstairs, as for Dan not to see him. He reluctantly agrees and helps you move the man upstairs. You then ask Penny to go hide in the basement. You prepare yourself and it doesn't take long for the doorbell to ring. You take a big breath before opening the door and letting Dan in. He looks around and finally smiles at you.

" Hi. So, what did you want to talk about ?"

You bite your lip and start thinking of a good reason for his presence.

" I..I just thought that it's been a long time since I've last had company and I wanted to see you again.."

He smiles and nods before sitting down on the couch. You gulp loudly before sitting beside him and looking at everything but him. He seems to catch on your nervousness and gently runs his hand on your back to soothe you.

" Hey, if you're not ready, I understand. I can wait and.."

" No !"

You hadn't meant to sound so desperate, but Pennywise was dying and you didn't know how to save him but to hurt him the only way you could. You take Dan by the collar and suddenly kiss him on the lips. He seems surprised at first, but reciprocates soon enough. You open your eyes and see that his are closed, he is actually enjoying the kiss. You smile. Maybe it wasn't so bad ? Penny and Pennywise would go down to the sewers and you would get to have a normal life back. However, you should have known that things wouldn't be so simple. Dan starts to be more persistent and slowly slides his hand up your thigh.

" No, Dan, wait.."

But he doesn't wait and only deepens the kiss to shut you up. Suddenly, someone pushes you apart harshly and you see Penny that took back his original form. He glares at Dan and growls menacingly before taking you in his arms and running in the basement. When he stops, you call him, nervous and scared that he would hurt you.

" Penny ?"

You ask, afraid that something had gone wrong..But, Penny only smiles with his multiple rows of very sharp teeths before answering you in his familiar high-pitched singing voice.

" ~I'm back.."

You smile in relief, but Penny suddenly takes you by the throat and you only have the time to look at him with widened eyes.

" Don't look at me like that..We wouldn't want Shardik to come and get you.."

When you fall into complete darkness, you barely hear Penny adding something in the shell of your ear.

" Don't worry. When all of this is over, we'll make sure to remind you who you truly belong to..You've been playing with us for too long, pet. With no humanity to abide by, there will be nothing to hold me back.."

Whereas upstairs, Pennywise enters the room transformed as you and takes Dan by the neck to kiss him harshly. However, when Dan opens his eyes, Pennywise is standing before him with a large grin.

" Surprise, shawty ! Not the person you were expecting, huh ? What ? Never kissed a clown before ? Remember that when the girl says no, it means no."

And then, without a warning, Pennywise sinks his teethes into Dan's shoulder. However, he doesn't scream. Pennywise feels something acid in his mouth and quickly steps back with a sour growl.

" You aren't human.."

Dan only chuckles before sitting on the couch in a nonchalant manner. His skin quickly turning to a pale shade of white and his eyes brighten almost mischievously.

" Man..Didn't think it would take you this long to figure it out.."

[magnuslightwood-bane0414]

Passed down like folksongs, our love lasts so long

Read on a03

Mornings with Malec because Taylor Swift makes me want a love story likes theirs 🥰 this was supposed to be tooth rotting fluff, and most of it is, but you can thank Alec for loving his husband so much he makes it a bit angsty. I had no part of this 😉 let me know what you think!! Prompts are open!

Alec wakes up alone in bed, which is practically a sin. Alec grumbles and reaches over, his hand flattening against Magnus' side of the bed. The sheets are still warm, but his adorable husband is nowhere to be found within them.

Alec slips out of bed, searching the floor for his clothes that were shed by Magnus' magic after a date night last night, but he can't find those either.

So now he's without clothes and his husband.

Alec grabs Magnus' kimono robe that was hanging from a chair, and slips his arms through it, tying a messy knot that rests against his stomach. Then he braves the cold of the open balcony doors to search for Magnus.

He finds him in the kitchen, pressed against the oven, wearing just boxers and a hoodie. He's humming gently and mixing a bowl of something. Upon closer inspection, he's making blueberry pancakes. Alec's favorite breakfast food in the whole wide world, which makes a smile spread across Alec's face as he moves closer.

"Why'd you leave me alone in bed?" Alec whispers, pressing a lazy kiss to Magnus' earlobe and setting his chin against his shoulder, wrapping tight arms around his toned waist.

"Because after all the calories we burned last night, I figured I should get up and make my wonderful husband some blueberry pancakes."

"You have magic for that." Alec grumbles, relaxing against the warmth of Magnus' back.

"I do," Magnus admits, "But aren't you always telling me I should embrace my inner mundane and do things by hand?"

"Not when it involves cuddling your touch-starved husband."

"Oh, I see." Magnus murmurs, turning around to press a chaste kiss to his lips, "Still feeling neglected even after last night?" Alec still finds himself blushing when Magnus brings up their rather adventurous nights, and last night certainly fit in that category.

"I'll always feel neglected from your touch. You're just too damn gorgeous and it's sad that I can't have you all to myself."

Magnus hums happily at that, and runs his free hand up Alec's arm, pausing when he feels the silk sleeves of his robe.

"Is that my robe?" Magnus flips the pancake over and then snakes his hand further up Alec's arm.

"Yeah..." Alec blushes, "You somehow misplaced both my shirt and pants last night so I found this lying on the chair and just decided to put it on."

Magnus hums, "I would never just misplace your clothes on purpose, must've been a grave mistake. However, your body is attractive enough without clothes, so honestly that can't be considered a mistake..."

Alec scoffs and chuckles, saying, "Magnus, how could it have been anyone other than you? You're the one who wanted to rip my Henley off as soon as you saw it last night." Granted, that's how many of their nights end these days, with fiery passion that stills feels like a dream or a scene from a movie. But it's not, it's just Magnus and Alec, which feels so much better than his wildest dream.

"Can't blame me for wanting to enjoy the view. But darling, lavender looks stunning on you. It is officially yours, now."

"We can't share?" Alec pouts. He dips a finger into the batter and then licks his finger, smirking when Magnus gasps.

"I've corrupted you. But back to your original question, love, I suppose we could share. As long as you keep wearing it through breakfast."

"We have a deal." Alec says sweetly, sliding onto the counter beside the stove, gripping onto the string of Magnus' hoodie.

Magnus goes back to concentrating on his pancakes, placing one on the plate and then pouring a cup of batter onto the sizzling pan. Alec is content to just watching him, studying how relaxed he is in Alec’s presence, and how the rising sun holds no candle to Magnus’ own brilliance.

He would never get bored watching Magnus, but his eyes catch the sunlight hitting the exposed skin of Magnus’ golden thighs, and he gets an idea.

"Too many clothes." He mumbles, grabbing the seam of the hoodie and beginning to lift. Magnus laughs and swats his hand away playfully.

"Maybe you just have too few clothes on." Magnus counters, winking and adding a handful of fresh blueberries to the plate of pancakes.

"Now you know that's simply not true. Especially after what you said earlier." Alec leans closer and nuzzles Magnus’ neck, breathing in the scent of sandalwood.

"Shush and stop distracting me, I'm trying to finish breakfast. Here’s your plate, I will join you in one moment.” Magnus hands him a plate and gives him a gentle shove.

Magnus presses a kiss to the corner of his mouth in a silent thank you as he slips off the counter and sits down at the table.

With a lazy wave of Magnus’ hand, a bottle of syrup and a glass of orange juice appears beside Alec’s plate.

Alec waits patiently as Magnus finishes the last of his pancakes, turns the stove off, and joins Alec at the table.

Alec leans over the table and squeezes Magnus’ hand, saying, “Thank you for breakfast. It smells delicious.”

“Well, by all means, don’t wait for me to dig in.” Alec smiles and cuts into one of the fluffy pancakes. He always loves anything Magnus makes, because it’s made with love and mouthwatering flavor.

They sit in comfortable silence, save for the scraping of forks and sounds of delight at just how tasty the pancakes are. Alec finishes one of his pancakes within five bites, and looks up to see Magnus glancing at him with a fond smile on his face.

“I knew you were hungry. If we stayed in bed you would’ve been complaining within ten minutes about how hungry you were.” Alec blushes and glares at Magnus, but doesn’t deny his statement.

Both Magnus and Alec has the entire day off, and Alec is enthusiastically prepared for a lazy day, with movies and cuddles and more junk food. It’s been awhile since they’ve been able to have something as domestic as a day off with just each others company, but it is one of Alec’s favorite things in the entire world.

“I never want anything different than this.” Alec says, causing Magnus to pause and tilt his head in confusion.

“What do you mean, my love?”

“I just...I want this forever. I want lazy mornings like this. I want wild nights like we had last night. I want to love you, and be loved by you, forever. We learn about heaven and the afterlife in the Academy, and it’s supposed to be perfect, but I feel like this is as perfect as it gets. I never want to let this slip out of my grasp.”

“Alexander...” Magnus starts, feeling tears well up in his eyes. He sets his fork down and gets up, the need to be touching his love too strong to resist. Alec normally gets reflective and romantic during simple mornings and late nights, and Magnus knows this, but it doesn’t help prepare his old warlock heart for whatever sappy thing Alec says.

Alec scoots back, opening his arms as Magnus climbs onto his lap and rests his cheek against the top of Alec’s head.

“I want that too, Alexander. I want that more than anything.” Magnus whispers, closing his eyes as warm tears fall down his cheeks.

No matter how much we want it, we can’t have it.

Those are the words that are left unsaid by either of them, but they’re still spoken in the emotional silence.

Alec wraps an arm around Magnus, holding onto him with a grip that’s strong but necessary. “We’re going to have that, Magnus. I promised you that in my vows when I said I am and will always be your loving husband. I promised you that in Edom when I said I’m never leaving you again. And I don’t break promises.” Magnus sniffles and Alec moves away slightly, to take Magnus’ face in the palms of his hands.

“Alexander, even though I wish you could, you can’t promise that.” Magnus shakes his head, his heart screaming at his mind to believe it, but happiness has never had permanence in Magnus’ life.

It is the closest it has ever been now, but with the weight that one day it will end, it still drags him down to only temporary, fleeting bouts of joy.

“I can. You’re going to be able to take me on dates all over the world for as long as you’d like. You’re going to be able to tease me about the things I wear and the dumb things I say until you get tired of it. You’re going to have me for as long as you want.” Alec says resolutely, speaking like the very words spilling from his lips are being written in stone.

“Even forever isn’t long enough with you, darling.”

“But it’s a good start.” Alec says, with wet eyes and a sad smile. Even after a poignant revelation that left them both with red eyes and sadden hearts, Magnus thinks he is still the most gorgeous man that has ever walked the Earth. And he is all Magnus’, which is a revelation in of itself.

“Alexander, I would be the last person to stop you and your passionate heart after chasing something you want.” Magnus smiles back, his hand playing with the hairs at the nape of Alec’s neck. “So, yes, Angel, forever seems like a good start to me.”

“Well, then we’re going to make it happen.” Alec declares. In regards of their differing lifespans, for the first time Magnus feels a sense of peace wash over him with Alec’s words. After all, Alexander Gideon Lightwood-Bane has been known to blow up the very ground he stands on to make something right.

And if Magnus is sure of one thing, it’s that Alec and Magnus are unexplainably and wholeheartedly right together.