#it was willing to damage itself trying to get her in the elevator if it really wanted out it would’ve just left when it couldn’t find her

[movedtodykedvonte]

I know the code shows Gregory talking during the elevator crash but I think it’s important that Cassie outright states she can’t fully trust that the Gregory she’s talking to during the chase is the real Gregory. We also know code in fnaf games has been used to spell out secrete messages, guide or even misdirect us as fans. However, more importantly it has been used as a form of story integration.

Whose to say that the reason the code no longer showed as Grimic but Gregory was to reflect Cassie not knowing who she was actually talking to despite her dependence?

The double text is telling and seeing as a glitch like it has not happened in the dlc before hand unless it was to intentionally show two different entities talking, we could be like Cassie and on the receiving end of not knowing if the real Gregory was the one who dropped the elevator. But the visual clue was our hint to not take that scene as so black and white.

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Seeing the sun turn red is enough to make Lena's senses blur. She's alone in Lex's office, and knows she has only seconds to try and disable it. Her fingers fly across the keyboard, even as her thoughts flare outwards, sifting through any and every possible means he could have used to do it-- a satellite? Some kind of refractive gas released into the atmosphere?

The door to Lex's office smashes open, and before Lena can even think of escape Otis Graves throws her down atop the desk, twisting her arms painfully behind her. She cries out in pain, but his grip doesn't relent until her brother's tsk catches both their attentions.

"No need to damage my dear sister," Lex delivers coolly. "She knows not what she does."

Lena looks up in time to see her brother motion towards the visitors chair. Otis shoves her into it, quickly securing her wrists to the armrests with black zipties. Despite herself, Lena grips the metal frame tightly, as though they alone could keep her grounded.

She recognizes the impending drift of disassociation-- she can't let herself disengage. She has to prod Lex, goad him into confessing as much as possible. If the wire and microphone taped under her blouse are discovered, there's no doubt in Lena's mind that she'll be dead before the cops downstairs even hit the elevators.

Even if she can't stop this, if she can't fix the sun, she needs to take him down. For good.

She tries to listen to his monologue, but his voice drones in her ear. He says so much but makes little sense, his logic twisting to the point Lena can barely follow. A helicopter spotlight nearly brings her back into focus, but when it explodes into a ball of fire in front of her eyes it's too surreal, like her mind can't wrap itself around the horrific reality playing out before her.

She blinks, and tunes in to the tail end of Lex's hateful, prideful diatribe, catching Superman's name and clinging to it.

"At least he's a good man," Lena grinds out, the words sandpaper against her throat.

Lex shouts in her face, so loud and so close she can't control the way her body jumps and cringes away from him.

Weak, she condemns herself. Pathetic.

There's a rustle as bodies surge into the room, the clicking of cocking weapons pattering against her ears. But the world doesn't come back into focus until she sees him hurrying into the room.

"Jack," she breathes.

She's been freed from the chair, it seems, as she's able to rise and step into Jack's arms unimpeded. Suddenly, the world is tangible again, and Jack's concern for her solidifies the fact that what's just happened actually did happen.

"I'm such an idiot," she murmurs.

She expects his denial, and her mind steps smoothly around his reasoning. She'd thought she could stop Lex on her own, thought she could get to him before he did something truely horrific.

How foolish she had been.

Even so, beneath her self-condemnation, the tiniest voice sparks to life. She can still help. Lena pulls back, looking up at Jack for a long heartbeat before slipping free. She moves towards Lex's desk, hoping on hope that he'd been too busy gloating to lock the computer.

The nearest officer issues a sharp "hey!", but his step to intercept Lena is interrupted by Jack, who uses his full frame to eclipse Lena from view.

"You trusted her enough to put her in harm's way," he delivers bluntly. "Trust her to end this."

It's a faith Lena prays isn't misplaced. She finds victory in the monitor displaying the exact window she'd left off on, and after a moment to steady herself, she starts to type. As her fingers fly, she comes further back to herself. The world sharpens, then narrows to the screen in front of her as she moves between windows and files as swiftly as she can.

Lena doesn't know if the red sun would actually kill Superman, or just negate his powers, but she isn't willing to wait to find out. She needs to put whatever technology Lex used to ground, now.

It's not long before she pauses, and clicks into the final mainframe. A cascade of windows open in front of her, containing schematics and codes and, above all, a navigation panel. It is a satellite, and its effect is relatively narrow, unable to encompass the entire globe-- only most the Atlantic and United States. He'd gambled on Superman being within its area of effect, and based on the fact its still functional suggests he'd gambled corrently.

By now Jack has come to stand at her shoulder, and Lena knows he sees what she does.

"You can't disable it, can you," he says, his voice low. The police lurk at the corners of Lena's vision, waiting helplessly for orders that won't be coming any time soon.

Lena shakes her head minutely. "No."

Jack's hand settles on her shoulder, a silent reassurance that she's tried her best. Except Lena isn't quite finished.

"But I can alter its trajectory."

It takes her a few moments to gain full access to the navigational codes, but once she's in it's only moments before she has the satellite careening towards the outer layer Earth's atmosphere.

On the screen the diagram of the satellite blinks in alarm as friction begins to eat at its shielding, then blinks violently as vital systems begin to go offline. Finally, the rendering of the satellite goes dark, confirming complete structural failure.

Jack's hand tenses on her shoulder, gripping it tightly as they wait. Lena's breath hitches in her chest as the city outside the window starts to brighten, as gentle as a sunrise. The chaos below seems to pause, amd quiet descends as every gaze in the city looks up in relief.

"You did it," Jack murmurs.

"Too late," she whispers back. Too late to prevent hysteria, prevent injury and death across the country. Jack simply presses a kiss to the top of her head.

Later, when she moves to National City, and the years pass, Lena won't remember the majority of that afternoon. The emotions linger, but the details are lost, fuzzed out by her dissonance in the moment.

What she does remember is Jack's hand in hers on the way to the precinct for a debrief. She remembers the warmth of his arms around her in bed that night, and the words he'd uttered in the dark.

"You're an idiot for putting yourself in danger." His voice had rumbled against her back, the way he'd spooned up against her. "But you will never be an idiot for trying to help."

Lena remembers the way her eyes had filled with tears, and how she'd clenched every muscle in her body to keep from sobbing.

The kiss Jack pressed to her shoulder still sears across Lena's memory.

"I'm proud of you, Lena," he'd told her.

Lena hadn't quite believed him then, but now she thinks she does.

"Never forget that."

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Day 125: Accidental Bonding (Part One)

When Harry woke up, his head was pounding and his heart was racing, he thought he might vomit. He staggered over to the floo to firecall in to work.

Robards answered, "Junior Auror Potter, good morning."

"Hello, sir," he said before his stomach heaved and he had to turn away and take a few deep breaths to steady himself. "I need to call in sick, sir. I think I've got a virus."

"What are your symptoms?" he asked curiously.

"Really bad headache, it feels like my eyes are going to pop out of my head; elevated pulse; and nausea."

His brow furrowed, "Who was your training partner yesterday?"

"Malfoy, sir," he said, his gut twisting uncomfortably.

"Where did you go?"

"Excuse me-" he broke off and held up a hand, turning away from the fireplace to try to get his bearings as his stomach tried to eject itself through his esophagus. After a moment he turned back, "We were sent to that old antique shop, sir," he said as quickly as he could manage.

"You're going to need to go to St. Mungo's."

"I don't-"

"That's not a request, Potter. Go there now and I'll be sending Junior Auror Malfoy right along."

"But-" Harry started.

"No buts, Malfoy called in with the same symptoms and I'm not taking any chances," and without another word he ended their connection.

With a sigh and one more longing look at his bed, Harry headed to St. Mungos.

(Read more below the cut)

They ended up putting Malfoy in the same room as him since they were there at the Ministry's behest and with the same symptoms. Harry tried not to look at him, imagining that getting irritated would only worsen his ever growing headache. Malfoy must have felt the same because he was less annoying that usual.

Healer Kenner, a stern looking woman who reminded Harry very much of Professor McGonagall, ran diagnostic test after diagnostic test and then finally said, "Well, you're bonded."

"What?" Harry yelped.

Malfoy groaned, "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

"Language, Auror Malfoy," she tsked.

"Apologies."

With a short nod, she continued, "The good news is that most of your discomfort can be alleviate by simple physical contact."

"And the bad news?" Harry asked wryly.

"There's nothing we can do to break the bond."

"What?" Malfoy spat.

"Surely, there's something-" Harry started.

She shook her head, "I'm afraid not. But it's not permanent," Healer Kenner added. "It'll only last a month."

"A month?!" Harry asked incredulously.

"Well it's certainly better than forever," Malfoy snarked, rubbing his hands over his face.

Harry wondered if Malfoy's head hurt as much as his did. He certainly hoped so.

But before he could say anything, Healer Kenner raised her wand and cast a spell the dragged their beds across the floor to the other. "Hold hands," she instructed.

He crossed his arms over his chest and Malfoy let out a pitiful groan.

"The sooner you do it, the sooner you'll start to feel better," she chided. "Just be glad that this particular bond only wants prolonged physical contact."

Harry shuddered, he'd heard the stories about some of the more archaic bonds.

"Oh, for Circe's sake," Malfoy grumbled as he reached across the space between them and clasped Harry's forearm in his hand.

A sense of relief hit immediately, Harry groaned as a weight lifted off his chest and the headache started receding.

"It will be faster if you both actively participate."

At this point, as the waves of relief were rolling through him, Harry was willing to do anything. He flipped over his hand, offering it to Malfoy.

The other man slid his hand down Harry's arm, as though he was afraid to break contact with him, and clasped Harry's hand in his.

She was right, his world seemed to right itself as they sat there holding hands and he let his head drop back against the bed as he took full, deep breaths for what felt like the first time in ages.

"How long do we have before it starts to feel like that again?" Malfoy asked, which Harry could admit was a good question.

She hummed, "I'd say two hours maximum before the discomfort starts affecting the way you function." After a short pause, Healer Kenner added, "You're going to probably want to spend nights together."

"Can't we just see each other in the morning?" Malfoy asked.

And Harry couldn't help but agree, "This wasn't that bad," he added. "And now that we know-"

She shook her head, "Now that your bodies are acknowledging the bond, the effects will set in quicker."

"Great," Harry grumbled. "Just bloody fantastic."

This day just kept going from bad to worse. He had no idea how he was going to tell everyone that he had an accidental bonding with Draco sodding Malfoy.

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

They argued about whose house to stay in overnight and finally decided to flip a coin for it. Draco won.

And that was how Harry found himself standing with a duffel bag outside of a surprisingly cute little house, knocking and waiting to be let in.

"Potter," Malfoy greeted as he opened the door to let him in.

And Harry wondered if he was feeling the bond tugging at his skin, too, if the bond was making his gut clench and making him feel irritable and like there was something crawling under his skin. "Can I-?" he started through gritted teeth, reaching a hand toward Malfoy but stopping a few inches away.

Malfoy nodded and closed the distance between them.

The moment he touched the other man his body sagged with relief, swaying back against the doorway.

After a moment, Malfoy released his hand and gestured toward the rest of his house, "Come in," he said. "It's nothing fancy," Malfoy said, "But it's home and it's not something that my family owned."

Harry wasn't quite sure what to make of that statement, so he just focused on looking around the house as Malfoy gave him the tour. Malfoy was right, it wasn't anything fancy but it was surprisingly cozy. It was nothing like Harry had expected; he'd imagined black leather and green decor, dark and broody. But the house was the opposite, the closest anything got to Slytherin green was the sea form green accents in the bathroom. "You have a nice house," Harry said.

"You needn't sound surprised," Malfoy said with a sniff, "I have excellent taste," he added as he opened the door to the bedroom.

The bedroom had pale blue walls and cream bedding, the dresser and wardrobe were both a dark wood that Harry couldn't identify. All in all, it was a nice room, very relaxing.

"You can use this drawer," Malfoy said, flicking his wand at the second drawer to open it, "And I cleared a space for you in the closet."

"Err, thanks," Harry said.

He rolled his eyes, "Don't mention it. I know it's hard for you to believe but I can actually be considerate when the mood strikes."

Before Harry could reply, Malfoy left the room, calling over his shoulder, "I'm making salmon and rice for dinner. If you don't like it you can make something for yourself."

This wasn't quite what he'd expected, Malfoy wasn't quite what he expected, he thought as he put his clothes away. Maybe Malfoy wasn't who Harry thought he was.

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

Nope. Malfoy was precisely who Harry thought he was. The two of them had spent the entire night arguing about literally everything: about using coasters (when they were wizards and removing water stains was no big deal), about which clothes Harry should have hung or left folded, about the proper way to do the dishes, about their friends and the kind of people they were, and dozens of other things that made Harry want to tear his hair out.

They were still bickering when they went to bed because Malfoy had the nerve to critique the way Harry brushed his teeth and to demand that Harry wash his face before he get into bed.

"I'm not letting the oil in your skin damage my pillowcases!"

"My skin doesn't damage pillowcases," Harry snapped. "I have pillowcases too, you know, and none of them have oil stains."

"Potter wash your fucking face or I am covering your pillow with a paper bag," Malfoy threatened. "It's not a fucking hard request. It will take you literally two minutes."

"Fine!" Harry shouted, throwing his hands in the air and returning to the bathroom.

When he came out, Malfoy was already on the left side of the bed, sitting with his back against the headboard, reading a book. "Was that so hard?" he drawled.

"Oh fuck off," Harry grumbled as took off his glasses and he threw himself down on the right side of the bed, punching a pillow for the sheer pleasure of punching something.

"You're such a bloody neanderthal," Malfoy grumbled without looking up at Harry.

"Shut up!" Harry finally erupted. "For Merlin's sake just shut up and I will, too."

Malfoy glanced over at him, looking unperturbed which honestly made Harry even more frustrated.

"It's going to take me ages to fall asleep because I'm so fucking irritated."

After a moment, Malfoy reached over and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "It's the bond," he said quietly. "We're not touching often enough and it's making us lash out."

"I don't think we need any help in that department," Harry grumbled but he could admit that he was feeling better already.

Malfoy chuckled, "You're right about that, I suppose."

He shook his head and reached up to cover Malfoy's hand with his own and expedite the process. "This does help though," he said with a yawn.

The other man hummed, "I think we should agree now that whenever either of us wakes up over night that we'll reach out and touch the other so we can get as much sleep as possible."

Through a yawn Harry murmured, "Sounds reasonable." He closed his eyes, surprised at how tired he was feeling all of the sudden. "Merlin, I'm knackered."

"Do you mind if I leave the light on to read for a while?" Malfoy asked.

He opened one eye to look at Malfoy's blurry face, "That's nice of you to ask," he said. "I don't mind."

"Are you certain?"

He nodded. "Night."

"Good night," Malfoy replied, going back to his book but leaving his hand on Harry's shoulder.

Harry drifted off, asleep in minutes.

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

When Harry woke up again, the sun was peaking in through the curtains and he felt fantastic. He blinked open his eyes and realized that at some point during the night he and Malfoy had shifted, drifting until Harry's front was pressed tight against Malfoy's back, his body curled around the other man's.

He really ought to move.

But he was just so comfortable and his body was warm and loose and he just couldn't bring himself to move away.

It wasn't long before Malfoy started to shift, waking up slowly and Harry panicked. He did the only thing that he could think of and feigned sleep.

Malfoy arched and stretched, pressing his body back against Harry's for a long, delicious moment before he jumped, seeming to realize what he was doing. Then he held very still like he was waiting for something and Harry wondered if he was waiting for him to say something. When Harry didn't move and continued pretending to sleep Malfoy carefully withdrew himself and climbed out of bed to head to the loo.

Harry laid there for a long moment, missing the warmth of the other man's body, missing the way they'd seemed to fit together already.

Just the bond, he assured himself. This was all just the bond.

Right?

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

Ahhh friends, I'm sorry. I hate to leave you like this but this one's going to need a part two. This girl is exhausted and this fic(let) is taking way longer than anticipated to write. I'll get part two written and posted tomorrow. <3 Lots of love, C

Part 2

Day 124: Joke | Day 126: Arranged Marriage

[vhsrights]

Ever since I saw them posts about JJ have short hair??? Like a pixie cut??? Wanna do me a solid and tell me your thoughts on Emily’s first (and maybe subsequent) reaction when JJ walks into the bullpen? Assuming they’re not together already.

OH OH BRILLIANT THOUGHT WHILE IM WRITING THIS: JJ with short hair AND a leather jacket. I feel like PG definitely had a hand in this new change in JJ...

for sure i gotchu! :) this was one that i have been wanting to do for a while. (edit: so i know that you only asked for my thoughts but i got really excited and into it so i turned it into an OS) <3

Dashing

Pairing: Pre Jemily - talked about

WC: 4.8k words

Summary: JJ with short hair, and what it does to Emily :) [bullpen and team night out version; pre jemily] (like a prelude to gnc jj)

It happened on a Thursday afternoon. JJ had been shaking all day, but Penelope had convinced her that it would be okay. The blonde locks that she had been identified with for so long felt even heavier against her shoulders. She made sure to stay hidden away in her office, thanking her lucky stars that they were off case rotation. Her fingers consistently found themselves back into her hair, twisting and twirling them relentlessly. If JJ could have simply willed her long hair away, she would have. She restlessly twirled the pen in her hand for several hours, making little headway on the mountain of files by her. Her eyes kept darting over to the screen of her computer monitor, feverishly checking and rechecking the time.

5:45 pm. That was when the appointment was set for. JJ wished that she would be able to simply forget about it until then. Maybe if she did, she would actually get more work done. She texted Penelope, who was out for coffee on a break, to get her some too. Soon after she got the caffeine, JJ was able to shut out the rest of her thoughts. The boost alone drove her to finish files at triple her previous rate. Maybe that was also the adrenaline. Her phone broke her trance-like consciousness when it began to beep incessantly. She had set an alarm to go off 45 minutes before her appointment, enough time for her to wrap up at the office and calm her nerves before she made the short 10-minute drive to the barbershop.

Feeling her heart pound harder in her chest, JJ sat back in her chair to ground herself. She decided that getting up before she had a grip on her emotions was not a good idea. JJ let her eyes close gently and her mind began to wander. In her head, JJ saw the faces of those that she had met as this version of herself. They had all changed her, for better or for worse, and the memories began to flow in. It started with her mother and father. They had given a life that she couldn’t have been more appreciative of in the early years, forgoing the memories of harsh words and other negative acts. Moving on quickly, the next face flashed before her eyes. Roslyn.

Her sister had been her saving grace before JJ could even comprehend the idea. JJ had always looked up to the girl. Roslyn was phenomenal and JJ could only imagine how far she would have made it if she had still been alive. Roslyn was the one that had taught JJ how to braid her hair, wash it, and even curl it. Roslyn had curled her long blonde hair for the first time when she watched her get ready for the homecoming dance. It had only been one clump of strands but the way that her sister had so gently handled her locks left JJ in awe of Roslyn’s caring nature. After Roslyn left, JJ held onto her hairstyle, scared to let go of it as it sometimes felt like her only tie to her older sister.

Her college best friends, partners in the Academy, Hotch, Reid, Rossi, and so many more came and left in her thoughts. It was like her thoughts were forming their own little presentation of what JJ was getting rid of today. Some had more important roles than others but she had to remind herself that today wasn’t getting rid of anything but her hair. She was still JJ, but this felt more real. She wouldn’t have to avert her eyes in the mirror as much, and it would help to match her appearance more closely to how she felt inside.

Eventually, her mind came to the inevitable. Emily. Emily was something to JJ that she couldn’t describe. JJ loved Emily, but it wasn’t just that. Over time, as she had gotten to know the woman, JJ had come to truly understand her. It was the kind of intimacy that relied on the briefest of eye contact, all thoughts conveyed in body language alone. She couldn’t tell Emily though. It was too risky, and no matter how bold JJ was, Emily was a whole new world. She pushed away the thought that Emily would hate her haircut. If Emily rejected the haircut, it would feel more like she rejected who JJ truly was. But she would never do that. Right?

No, Emily would never do that. She couldn’t, because then JJ didn’t know what she’d do. Trying to distract herself from the increasing anxiety, she tried to remember their Girl’s Nights and separate hangouts where Emily would mindlessly run her fingers through JJ’s hair. It was how she calmed JJ, and the experience itself felt like home to the blonde. Glancing down at her watch, JJ realized that she got a bit too tied up with her imagination and saw that it was 5:25. Grabbing her things in a frenzy, JJ quickly headed out of the bullpen. She caught a glance of Morgan, eyebrows raised in bewilderment. JJ waved the team off, not slowing down on her way to the elevator. Hotch already knew that she was taking the early day so she was set.

JJ shot a text off to Garcia before driving off, telling her to check her office for anything that JJ might have forgotten and that she was going to her apartment after the haircut. Throwing her phone into the passenger seat, JJ drummed her fingers against the steering as she pulled out of the parking lot. She drove to the barbershop and reached in 7 minutes. Emily and her crazy driving skills would have been proud. Exiting the door rather quickly, JJ ran her fingers through her hair one last time.

This was goodbye.

She fidgeted with her fingers the entire time she waited for her appointment. JJ rocked her body gently, forward and backward, grounding herself in the steady rhythm. After some time, a person wearing a short-sleeved, cuffed button-down and a large black apron approached her. Their hair was cropped short, the sides shaved to a small length to let the top flow over their forehead. It was perfectly what JJ wanted. She felt her face grow hot at the realization that this was actually happening. JJ was going to do the big chop.

“Hi, Welcome to the Queer Barbers’ Guild. My name is Tay and I can help you today. JJ, isn’t it?” Tay held out their hand as JJ stood up, initiating their quick handshake.

“Uh, yeah. I had said over the phone that I wanted to cut most of my hair off. Actually, I would like exactly what you have. If that works?” JJ took quick strides to keep up with the barber, hearing the bustle of the shop as they got closer to the chair.

Tay chuckled, nodded, and gestured for JJ to sit in the seat. They pumped up its height, adjusting it to their work position. She sat down eagerly, feeling energized as the moment of the cut drew nearer.

“So are you looking to do a wash first today? I can definitely do my cut on you, so it’s just whatever you want. I would have to say though, I think you’re going to look rather dashing.” JJ blushed and failed to respond.

Dashing. Not pretty.

“I haven’t washed my hair in a few days for this haircut, so that would be nice. Thank you.”

JJ sat back in the chair and let Tay drape the apron cover over her. They combed through her hair slowly, getting tassels out and examining it for the cut. Once it was all brushed out, they measured out lengths and showed them to JJ in the mirror. JJ soon came to an idea of what she wanted.

Tay led her out of the chair and over the washing room. She sat down and made herself comfortable. JJ tried to solidify those last few moments in her head as the last memories she had with her long hard. The warm water began to run over her scalp and she forgot what else was running through her head. Before she knew it, the wash was over and she was back in the hair cut chair.

Now was the time.

They dried her hair and combed through it again. JJ closed her eyes. She was scared of what would happen. What if it wasn’t right? How would she undo the damage? She then felt a chilled glass against her fingers. Slowly peeking one eye open, she spotted some kind of alcohol in Tay’s outstretched hand. Curious, JJ looked up at the barber.

“To calm your nerves. Don’t worry, I’ve done plenty of these chops myself and I had my own. Trust me, things are only going to get better from here. So, here’s to relaxing. You earned it.”

“Thank you. Really, thank you.” JJ couldn’t explain her gratitude as she took the glass.

Maybe everything would be okay.

JJ relaxed and Tay began to gather her hair for the big chop. Tay carefully sectioned her hair, making sure to constantly check the length. Then, the time came. Tay lightly tapped her on the shoulder, indicating that they had the scissors at the ready. All they needed was the go-ahead from JJ. The blonde took in one last deep breath, giving them permission on her exhale.

The first cut was the most jarring. JJ could feel the hair being cut, its strands tugging at the sharp shears. She let out a gasp and everything happened too quickly for her to process after that. The hair fell left and right, leaving her head feeling instantly lighter and freer.

Tay worked incredibly efficiently. They managed to keep checking in with JJ as they deftly cut her hair. Soon, it was gone. The buzz of the razor sent a jolt up JJ’s spine but Tay quickly reassured her. They made light passes and cut down the hair on the sides and back. It was still nearly half an inch long, but that was exactly what JJ wanted.

“There you go. All done, JJ. What do you think?” Their voice cut through the haze of JJ’s thoughts and she turned her head, examining her new look.

The long hair was gone.

JJ had short hair now. It felt like a high, like one she’d never felt before but would never let up again. She ran her fingers through it, marveling at the softness and sleek nature of the look. She looked pretty fucking dashing. JJ turned around and looked at Tay, struggling to keep her tears at bay. She shouldn’t be on the verge of crying. JJ chastised herself internally.

“I- I don’t really have the words to thank you right now. I know that I shouldn’t be so emotional over a haircut, but you made everything perfect.” JJ held her head down, trying to hold back the tears.

“Of course. It’s no problem. For the emotions, believe me, I was a sobbing mess when I got my first big chop. You can always ask for me when you come to the Guild. Thanks for coming, and we can go up to the front for payment now.”

JJ paid and left the establishment. She was still dazed, not sure if everything was real. Her fingers found their way back into her hair several times, simply running through it as she made her way to the car. Her watch showed 7:03 pm as the time and JJ pulled out her phone. Her fingers quivered as she typed out her text to Penelope. She didn’t want to text her friend a picture of herself, deciding to keep the hair a surprise until she arrived at Penelope’s apartment.

Jayje (7:03 PM): Got the haircut. Pen this feels fucking crazy. I almost cried in the shop because of how nice my barber was and how I look. Heading over now.

PG (7:03 PM): AHHHH im so excited for you!! i already know that you look hot as fuck babes.

JJ smiled and set her stuff aside. She was off to Penelope’s apartment. The analyst had told her that she had a surprise for her.

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

JJ pulled up to the analyst’s apartment. The sun was still high in the sky outside, and she could hear the chirp of several little birds off in the distance. Penelope was waiting for her. Taking one last deep breath, JJ walked towards the front door. It was part of a little archway to a quaint apartment but it could have been the door to the White House with how nervous JJ was.

She shivered as she rang the doorbell. Here goes nothing. Reaction number one, how bad can it be? Penelope had already been anticipating JJ’s arrival so the door flew open mere seconds later. She appeared in the doorway, beaming with energy. Then she laid her eyes on JJ.

“OH. MY. GOD. JAYJE. YOU LOOK AMAZING.” Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped at the sight of JJ.

Penelope dragged JJ into the apartment faster than the blonde could respond to her statement. She was bubbling with excitement, super ready to give JJ her present. Penelope began to give a preface before they reached her couch. On it, sat a medium-sized silver bag. Tissue was popping out of the top and JJ was drawn to it. Penelope noticed her eyes on the present.

“Go ahead. Open it. I got it for you because I think it definitely matches your new vibe and that you ARE wearing it to team drinks tomorrow. Emily won’t be able to take her eyes off of you!”

JJ paused.

“What does Emily have to do with this?” She looked back at Penelope, her forehead scrunched in confusion.

“You’re joking, right? You can’t seriously ignore the tension between you two. It’s Miss Darking and Brooding and The Badass Baby Blonde. You two are a power couple! Unless, you aren’t madly in love with her and would be fine with me setting her up with this other friend of mine…”

“Okay, okay. No setting Emily up with your friend. She’s mine, thank you very much.” JJ spoke confidently, knowing that Penelope could see right through her bravado.

“I’m sure she is. That’s why you asked her out. Oh, wait…”

“Fine, so I haven’t asked her out. I’m just terrified. She’s Emily.”

“Yeah, and you’re JJ. Plus, now you have that super butch look so you can ask her out tomorrow. But not until you open the gift!” Penelope pointed at the glossy bag once more.

JJ rolled her eyes and turned back to the bag. She slowly pulled out the tissue and spotted dark fabric underneath it. Reaching inside, it was cool to the touch. JJ pulled out a black, leather jacket. It was sleek with 4 zippers, 2 collar buttons, and seams that traced around the jacket.

JJ thumbed it and fell more and more in love with it as she took in the jacket more. It was perfect. This jacket, combined with the haircut and the way that Tay complimented her earlier, felt like an amalgamation of the person that she was supposed to be. JJ wasn’t the girl that hid behind her femininity and used it as a weapon to get her way. In fact, her femininity did more against her than it did for her. Pushing that thought out of her head, JJ turned to Penelope.

With tears in her eyes, she hugged Penelope. She hugged her with all her might. She couldn’t describe the feeling in her head. Later, she would come to find out that it was gender euphoria. But in that moment, every positive emotion felt weak in comparison to the explosion of happiness in her mind.

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

JJ had opted for her pantsuit for work on Friday. Her normal skirt suits just didn’t fit who she saw herself as in the moment. Whether that would change or not, she didn’t know. It felt powerful, and with her hair coiffed up, JJ was unstoppable.

The elevator doors dinged open and she hesitantly took her first step. The big glass doors of the BAU seemed daunting now, and it made JJ feel small. She felt insignificant and her breath partially caught in her throat. Looking over at her watch, JJ realized that she was almost late. Deciding that the time to wait was over, JJ took confident strides forward. She pushed the doors open and made her way to her office until something stopped her.

Derek’s voice boomed out in front of her. Reid and the rest of the BAU men were sitting at his desk and their eyes lifted up to meet hers. It took all of JJ’s strength not to turn on her heel and bolt. But she loved this haircut, and it made her confident; so she had to act like it. Slowing up her stride, she detoured over to the group. Derek had called out to her, commenting on the haircut.

All of them were genuinely curious, stating their approval multiple times. JJ even got a fistbump from Derek and a wide smile from Spencer. Hotch’s usual morose expression lightened up. They talked about how she had wanted to get it, the differences from long hair, and the overall confidence boost. It was invigorating. More than anything else, JJ felt her heart swell at the sheer support from her teammates. They joked about her being one of the guys; and though right now it was short hair, JJ could feel that it was just the tip of the iceberg.

They eventually got to the topic of where she cut it and JJ casually mentioned the barbershop. At that, Derek’s eyes lit up. He was always one to preach the benefits of a barbershop, offering the argument that it was a place that created a sense of family. He asked if it had been The Queer Barber’s Guild, to which JJ had nodded her head. His interest peaked, Derek asked if it had been Penelope’s recommendation. To that, JJ nodded enthusiastically again.

“Yeah, she’s always loved that place. Babygirl got me hooked on it too, right after I came out. They’ve got some really cool bi stuff in there. Who did you have? Was it Tay? They’re my bro, and a top notch barber.”

“I did have them. They made things so easy. I’m definitely only going there from now on.”

JJ and the group carried on their conversation for a little longer when she heard a squeal behind her. She turned partially to see Penelope clacking over in her yellow heels. She had a huge smile plastered on her face, and was obviously excited for JJ.

“Jayje! You look even better today than you did yesterday! So what’s going on, are we talking about the QBG because, my god, do I love that place!”

Everyone giggled and they continued the conversation. Penelope watched as JJ’s eyes shifted around the bullpen ever so slightly. Of course. JJ was looking for the only missing member, arguably her favorite one. Emily. Penelope held back her laugh yet could help but to smile at the blonde’s little search. She leaned in close to JJ and tapped her on the shoulder.

“She’s in the break room.” JJ tried to fake obliviousness, but she knew that she’d been caught.

“Thanks PG.”

Casually excusing herself from the conversation, JJ left on the behest of “files that she needed to tend to”. She didn’t care if anyone bought the excuse. In her mind, the only place for her to go was the break room. JJ wanted to show Emily the “new her”. Of course, it wasn’t new, but she felt different. Trying not to give things much more thought, JJ arrived at the break room with a quick pace.

She noticed Emily at the coffee counter, stirring her mug. JJ was overcome with something at the sight of Emily. Not even thinking, she leaned against the doorframe and called out to the brunette.

“Got enough for another cup?” Her voice was nonchalant but her heart was pounding in her chest.

Emily perked up at the sound but didn’t turn around. She finished stirring her coffee and began turning around before starting to speak.

“Jen! Oh, shoot, I just used the last of it for my cup.” Emily spoke cheerily as she brought the mug to her lips.

Then her eyes landed on JJ.

Emily completely froze, nearly choking on her coffee. Her eyes widened as they took in her friend’s new look. JJ looked hot. There was a pervading silence between them, but neither could break their trance for long enough to say something. Emily looked over the short hair on JJ’s head, inspecting it almost. She noticed how it’s varied length set off the blonde’s angular features. Emily could almost feel her knees go weak but held it together.

Neither knew nor cared to time how long they stayed like that. It somehow hadn’t reached the point of awkwardness, but both JJ and Emily’s minds were overactive. At some point, JJ managed to point back at the coffee pot. Emily jolted up and moved to the side, breaking her haze. Her gaze instead landed on their best friend in the distance, who was giving her a very enthusiastic thumbs up. Penelope Garcia really was something.

Emily rolled her eyes and turned back to JJ. She was setting things up for a new pot of coffee and the brunette couldn’t help but to watch her intently.

“So, uh, Jen. The haircut. You look amazing. It really suits you.”

“Thanks, Em. I just got it yesterday and I already feel like a whole new person. It’s a bit strange, but honestly, I love it.”

Emily smiled dopily, attempting to hide her grin behind her sips of coffee. They spoke for a little longer before the coffee was nearly done brewing. The small talk was comfortable, though not the kind of conversations they usually had. It was workplace appropriate because that was what JJ and Emily were, colleagues.

“Okay, I’m gonna head back to my desk. I’ll see you at team drinks tonight?” Emily patted JJ’s arm and turned to leave.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” JJ blushed and the two ignored the giddiness they felt.

After leaving the break room, Emily made her way to Penelope’s lair instead. She definitely had some thoughts about JJ’s new look.

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

Hotch, Reid, and Rossi were the first to arrive. They were known for their punctuality. The bar wasn’t crowded just yet, the Friday night crowd was beginning to flow in. They had all changed into more casual wear, except for Rossi. The men made small talk until Derek and Emily drove in nearly 15 minutes later. They had hung out before and just decided to ride in together.

Emily and Derek’s arrival immediately added more pizzazz to the event, spurring them to order the first round of drinks. Things were lively after a crushing week at work and the BAU was ready to let loose. Not long after Emily had placed their drinks order, JJ and Penelope arrived.

JJ was wearing a white Tshirt, ripped black jeans, vans, and most importantly the leather jacket. She drowned out any thoughts of doubt with the idea that this was her family and that soon they would be intoxicated enough to simply not care. She trailed slightly behind Penelope’s eager steps but they eventually reached the table. Hotch spotted her first. He gave her an approving nod, a barely noticeable smile gracing his expression.

Emily spotted her next. Before she could stop herself, Emily’s breath caught in her throat and she gasped. JJ had left her speechless for the second time that day. Her gaze passed over every part of JJ’s outfit. She felt her face get hot and Emily shoved her hands in her pockets. By that point, JJ and Penelope had joined the group at their table but Emily had yet to say a word.

“Wow, Jen, you look amazing. That leather jacket is perfect. It’s a very hot look, but also very you.” Emily couldn’t help her awkwardness but the compliments just kept going. She couldn’t find a way to stop herself.

JJ's thoughts staggered with the compliments but she was able to thank Emily. Penelope simply watched the entire interaction with a smirk plastered on her face. After that, the alcohol took no time in arriving at their tables. They all downed those drinks quickly and went after another round. After a couple rounds, JJ pulled Emily out to the dance floor. They let the music take them over, relinquishing their thoughts to the rhythm on the dance floor.

They spent an unknown amount of time dancing, not caring about anything besides themselves and dancing. But soon, that magic started to fade and the women returned to their table. Derek was standing at the table’s side, having noticed the way that JJ and Emily stood closer as they drank more alcohol. Having a brilliant idea, he spoke up as JJ and Emily took a bite of the chips they had ordered for the table.

“JJ, Emily, I have an idea. Why don’t we play a little game? You two are the strong ladies of the BAU, including my Babygirl but right now I’m focusing on y’all. How about the two of you arm wrestle? I want to know which of you is stronger.”

“Derek, we’re both drunk. That’s not a fair game, even though we know the winner would be me.” JJ’s body swayed lightly, but Emily quickly stabilized her.

“I’m down. At least, I’m no chicken.” Emily spoke in a teasing tone, stealing a glance at JJ.

“Oh, no you don’t. Okay, let’s do it. I’m in.” JJ nodded enthusiastically, invigorated at the idea of a challenge to beat Emily in.

They cleared the space and let JJ and Emily get ready. Both did their own ridiculous warm ups, obviously exaggerating it. They set their arms down and were ready to begin when JJ stopped.

“Wait. What are the stakes?” Emily responded, saying something that she’d wanted to do for a long time.

“If I lose, I’ll take you out on a date. If you lose, you have to take me out on a date. How’s that sound?”

Her proposition shocked the entire table. They’d all been waiting for JJ and Emily to stop tiptoeing around each other. This was just not how they expected things to unfold, albeit it would make a great story for the future. Sober JJ and Penelope would have a field day with this.

“Deal.” JJ was drunk too, but that was an offer that was too good to pass up.

With that, Derek set the two up to begin the match. It was very evenly matched in the beginning. Neither woman budged, focusing very hard on their end prize. The team’s eyes shifted from JJ to Emily, and back again. Their grip was strong but no progress was being made. By the time that they had hit the 20 minute mark, Emily could feel the fog in her brain begin to clear up.

At that point, she took a closer look at her opponent. She watched the way that JJ’s blue eyes locked onto their hands, checking for even the slightest of hesitations. She saw the way that JJ’s clothes hung on her body, giving her an air of confidence that made JJ infinitely hotter. Finally, Emily looked back up to JJ’s hair. It’s long, straight stands dropped over her forehead and framed her face well. Emily lost herself in the thought of running her fingers through the silky cut.

That was when she felt the cool, hard wood of the table. Emily’s eyes widened and she looked down. There it was. Her hand was pressed against the surface, pinned underneath JJ’s.

“I win! Guess you have to take me out on that date, chicken.” JJ teased Emily, getting closer to the brunette’s face.

“I get to take someone as dashing as you out? Well, I might have lost but this seems like the better prize.

JJ’s heart soared at the compliment. The way that the word ‘dashing’ rolled off of Emily’s lips made her feel ecstatic. It wasn’t like when men called her pretty after buying a drink. This hair really was working wonders.

They ended the night with a kiss before Emily climbed out of the rideshare and walked up the apartment. JJ ran her fingers over her lips as the car pulled away. Best decision ever.

tag list: @ssa-jareaus @coramvobis @altsvu @hotchshoney @morcias @jelle-jareau @dragisthegame @ssakayprentish69 @dimitrescus-bitch @jay-writes-jemily @bridget19 @hmm-wanky @emilyprentissfangirl @tokoblade @temily

[worldburnrp]

“It was a maddening image —

Little by little, the rooftop space filled up with guests. It’s impossible for a rum-sponsored party not to turn lively; and certainly, it has. While some are happy with their drinks and stay in the venue, drinking and dancing their spirits away — others choose to venture out, either returning to their rooms or getting lost in the maze that are the corridors of The Mark hotel.

In either case, the night is light and young, and there’s not a worry in their minds.

Little do they know however, that in the shadows, the Syndicate awaits.

— and the only way to whip it was to hang on until dusk —

Although the night had been planned to exhaustion, it’d been all but a coincidence that the operation had fallen on the same date as the party launch. It’s a blessing, at the same time that it’s a curse; more people circulating the area isn’t ideal — but a sea of potential issues isn’t so much so, if they’re impaired to begin with.

130 million dollars, gone up in flames. But they ought to make their money back, somehow.

So here the Syndicate hides, and at around 10:30, they strike. Swift and professional as ever, they go completely unnoticed — and they will take all that they can.

A highly effective heist, right under their noses. Those 130 million earned back in just a night.

No wild cards, no action that isn’t necessary, were the instructions given. Money, jewelry, art, anything of true value — that’s what they’re after. Designed as a victimless crime as far as bloodshed goes, the Syndicate still accounts for all. No issue, lest you get in their way.

— and banish the ghosts with rum.”

Unfortunately however, some unlucky few have. As instructed, should anyone be a concern, be it that they’re found in their rooms or other areas in the midst of the operation — they should be neutralized, by whatever means necessary. All with still keeping their anonymity, and succeeding at their tasks.

The pairs that have crossed paths are:

Ludovica Malatesta and Rus Ralston

Nora Vidal and Lee Malkovich

Zafar and Mathias Cain

Vir Zafar and Ibrahim Ziani

Abel Rousseau and Nik Erykssen

Oliver Wright and Jin Yoo

Tima El-Masri and Audra Smythe-Priestley

Avi Grover and Samar Burman

Max Szczesny and Enzo Principe

Karolina Erykssen and Samar Burman

OOC Info:

Part Two out of Three.

Part two will run for a few days, to allow for everyone to comfortably write their interactions in time; an update will be made both on the blog and discord for subsequent parts.  

There is no requirement that people drop previous event threads set during Part 1 — but we encourage everyone to prioritize Part 2. This can be either through new fresh threads, or shifting your Part 1 thread into Part 2.

For characters not involved in the conflict, there are no restrictions to replying to starters (or continuing things) from Part 1, unless they were posted by someone, or are written with someone involved in the conflict. In that case, those starters may no longer be replied to. You’re also free to start any new things with other non-conflict characters as you wish.

If you wish to have any injuries (be them major or minor) or heavy impacting plots happen involving your character, please contact the admins so we can include it into the narrative.

Those in the conflict are encouraged to come up with scenarios where, mid-robbery, one would have the other held hostage. Be it at a hotel room, in some hidden office, or anywhere that is far from view and where there would be plenty to steal. They’re on a mission, after all. As always, if you have trouble coming up with ideas, the admins are always willing to help.

At the end of this post, we offer challenges to the guests. However, those are simply suggested interactions — and even if you choose to write it, your character is not limited to just writing those.

SYNDICATE CHARACTERS:

[ ALL SYNDICATE MEMBERS ARE WEARING NEUTRAL BLACK CLOTHING AND MASKS. IF THEIR CLOTHES WEREN’T NEUTRAL AT THE PARTY, THEN AT THIS POINT THEY WOULD HAVE CHANGED. NOTHING ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE (THAT THEY CAN CONTROL) SHOULD BE RECOGNIZABLE. EVEN IF ENCOUNTERING SOMEONE THEY HAVE MET BEFORE, THEY ARE TOLD TO KEEP THEIR IDENTITIES SECRET TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES. ]

For Syndicate members especially, Part 2 should be prioritized so that plots can flow easily.

If you have Part 1 threads, we won’t ask that you drop them, but that you work your way into finishing them — with your characters, above all, keeping in mind that they have a job to do. It might be a night of fun for everyone else, but not them.

From now on, you can only interact with other Syndicate members, or the character you were paired with.

You can write as many mid-robbery threads with your fellow Syndicate members as your heart desires. Interactions amongst them are allowed, and absolutely encouraged!

As far as the rest of the party goes, you may only interact with the character yours was paired with, as one is the other’s hostage.

Your character should be focused in the robbery itself and collecting valuable goods. Anyone they’ve encountered is damage control.

Important: this is meant to be an incredibly secretive and smooth operation. Get in, get out, without causing disturbance. The main party should not have any inkling or knowledge that this is happening.

POINTS AND CHALLENGES:

Syndicate members and conflict volunteers will each earn 20 points for writing their paired threads. (It doesn’t matter if one character ‘wrote’ the starter; both members will be awarded points.)

All remaining characters will earn 20 points for completing the challenges prompted below. They are not mandatory, but we will reward you if you choose to go forth with them.

The points above will be awarded at the end of the event, to account for any starters going unanswered or quickly dropped, as we wish to be as fair as possible.

Surprise! We’re also rewarding conflict volunteers with 30 points for being wonderful team players and allowing us to use their characters for this plot. We adore you and appreciate you, so here’s a small gesture to reflect that!

CHALLENGES:

Jennifer Callaghan recognizes Izaak Walker from his internet presence, and attempts to strike an interview, or even a comment. Izaak knows it’s unadvisable to go forth with it, given all the rum ingested tonight.

Andrea Galán has been avoiding Aaron Keaton, until they cross paths. There’s an inkling or knowledge of her involvement with crime, and tensions rise.

Gideon Hayes is spotted by an off duty Joaquim Borges whilst trying to deal — be it to a random guest, or worst yet, the very detective himself.

Danvir Persaud thinks he recognizes Laith Hassan, from briefly crossing paths in the law-and-lawful world. There’s no reason for a sketch artist and a lawyer to engage however, until now — that they’re both trying to get a vending machine to work.

Renata Cervantes-Müller and Úrsula Villa are both powerful women in their own right — except that they share far different ideals, and defend different people. It’s been easy to avoid one another thus far, until the elevator doors fail, locking them in.

A dentist and the state’s most prominent politician walk into a... bathroom. It’s a classic, slightly awkward, run-in. Except this time, it involves Nicholas Bergeron — and Julian Berkeley.

Jakob Cervantes-Müller is a busy man, and the things keeping him busy aren’t the kindest. For prevention (and future endeavors), he needs a lawyer — and he’s heard Adam Starke is one of the best. What a coincidence, that their drinks just got mixed up at the bar.

Constance Romero, the Cartel’s informant manager, is always on the lookout for future contacts. Like some other select people, she’d heard of Lev Movska’s defection from The Brotherhood — and hell if she isn’t going to try and get all of that knowledge into archive for them. The enemy of my enemy, as they say.

With too much rum in their system, Lola Villarin and Diego Romero end up wandering — testing every other room for unlocked doors. Eventually, they make it into a suite; it’s all fun and games, until the lock won’t allow them back out.

Hazel Arthur and Ryan Fitzgerald barely look at each other, when touching up their make-up in the lobby’s bathroom. But they have to acknowledge each other’s presence when they realize they’re locked in — and Hazel hasn’t heard back from her partner in far too long.

They’d both had the same idea — the hotel’s fire escape as the perfect spot for a smoke break. Hans Starke and Zuleika Sandoval are now forced to share the space (that both claim to have found first).

Bob Bekker and Aera Paek, different positions at different publications. One man with success in his horizon, and a woman who can grant anyone it. It’s a throw-away conversation until the words fact checker come to rise. The best paper, after all, is the most accurate one — would this man do her the favor of failing, in exchange for a brighter future?

Araceli Aguilar suddenly stops Heather Hyeon Seo in the middle of the lobby, with an unwarranted prediction of her future. Even if Heather doesn’t believe in it, it’s intriguing enough that she must hear more.

Rahi Kumar is well known for his love of the sky, preferring to gaze upwards towards the heavens; it is this exact preference, that sends him careening into Andel Kenza, who scurries away from a main party room, clutching what appears to be an empty bottle of rum, a strange substance congealed on its base. The pair stare at another another - a stalemate. 

Erin Katz was never a woman to wait for opportunity to simply knock on her door - she prefers to kick it in herself, a stiletto crashing through wooden panels. JJ Baptiste is a man who can make or break you in this city, and with the intriguing wallet she’s just found on the floor, she thinks she’s got enough leverage to earn his ear as he lords over a table in the back of the bar.

Moon Subin is currently scouting the media world, looking for new voices to either support his agenda in the press — or to simply gain insight. It’s unclear which Maureen Keaton could be, yet... but it’s worth a try.

FINAL NOTES

1 — If by any chance your pairing partner, or your challenge partner doesn’t get back to you — please contact the main page and we will rearrange things so that you may still write it! No one will be left without some event fun, we promise.

2 — If you’ve missed the window to volunteer your character for conflict, or you have joined recently and didn’t know about it, you can shoot the main page a message and we will do our very best to include you into the action. Only main page messages, please — as Discord will be hard to keep track of.

3 — As always, the admins are only a message away should you have any questions.

Part 2 interactions are now open. Have fun!

[nemobookaholic]

FrostIron Part 2

Sorry for the delay @belligerentmistletoe there you go. Let me know what you think about the final.

As before, a short reminder, I don’t own any rights to the characters, they belong to Marvel (if it wasn’t obvious, but I have to say it anyway).

I’m willing to go on in writing this ship, if I get enough input. Cause those two idiots are that much alike, no chance they’ll have a harmonic relationship, hehehe. Yeah sorry I’m an evil writer. Anyway, I love them and putting them in unknown situations is fun. Please let me know if you have an idea for me to play with 🖤

It had been two weeks since the incident with Loki. Tony had managed to avoid him completely until today. A Team meeting was set by Steve and he wanted all of the Avengers to join.

The mechanic waited until the last minute to go upstairs. He had distracted himself with building a new suit. But his traitorous thoughts had returned to the god, as soon as he let focus slip for just a second.

What would he give for a drink!

Not even the fact that Pepper sat their relationship on pause, did bother him as much as those lips he almost had kissed without permission.

Maybe he should worry more about not being in a proper relationship right now?

“Boss, Mr. Rogers is asking for you,” Friday told him for the second time.

There weren't any excuses left, so finally he made his way upstairs to face the Team, to face Loki.

When Tony entered the room, he immediately cursed himself inwardly. The only place available to sit was to Loki's left.

What did he even think? He should have known that nobody wanted to sit next to him but Thor. And that the chances for Loki to get a place with only one person sitting next to him would be extraordinarily small.

Tony clenched his fists and took a seat next to the mischievous god, ignoring him completely. He stared at Steve instead, to signal him to start the meeting.

So Captain America started a boring lecture on the new members and to give them a chance. He talked about how the Avengers had to take over responsibility for damaged buildings and destruction they had done in the past.

Tony barely listened to him, he just watched his mouth moving, not willing to admit the feelings evolving inside of him.

With every second he got jumpier, his leg started trembling with his hands clutched to the armrest.

“Relax,” a soft voice said from his right. Tony finally had to look at Loki, who showed no sign of discomfort at all.

The tension eased off and Tony started to relax, his hands slid into his lap. Slowly he opened his fists and closed them again under the table. Repeating it like a ritual that would protect him from evil.

Suddenly he felt a hesitant touch to his arm. The mechanic froze. Loki, not stopped at this point must have felt encouraged, cause he shoved his hand into Tony’s and entangled their fingers.

“Tony, are you alright?” Steve asked him, as the shock was visible to his face.

“Sure, what should be wrong,” he replied.

“It’s just, you are unusually silent today,” several heads around the table nodded.

“Just tired. Haven’t been sleeping in days,” the mechanic said in defence. Loki squeezed his hand, as if he would exactly know what kept Tony up at night.

“Well okay, anyway, can I get your attention some longer?” Steve started to be a pain in the ass.

He lectured on, eying Tony now and then.

What if some of the others would notice they were holding hands?

Cold sweat ran down Tony’s back, the god next to him still entirely relaxed. It just wasn’t fair. He could feel Loki's attention on him like a rock on his shoulders. Even if none of the others seemed to care, heck they didn’t even look at him. Tony was the only centre of attention with his strange behaviour.

Loki giggled under his breath what gave Tony the feeling, the god was enjoying all this.

Tony cursed inwardly, referring to Loki with the worst curses he was able to imagine.

He didn’t know how, but Loki would have to pay for this.

***

The meeting turned out to be splendid fun. A bright smile was plastered onto the gods face, which irritated his team mates, made the mechanic grumble some more and his brother skeptical.

The sun couldn’t shine any brighter today.

“Brother I don’t hope you are up for something evil?” Thor took him aside.

“If I’d assure you that it won’t cause any harm, would I be allowed in some mischief?”

“Loki, your plans tend to attract chaos, so you'd better be careful. No matter what it is your restless mind set itself up to,” Thor warned him

“I promise,” Loki held his hands up in defence.

“You better keep your promise this time,” Thor said in a low voice, before he left.

Loki headed down the corridor, trying to catch up to the others. He had no intention to get lost in the building a second time. At the edge of the corner Tony’s voice forced him to slow down.

“It’s nothing,” he could hear the mechanic say.

“I thought we were beyond this point,” a second voice, that belonged to Colonel Rhodes, said. “Is it because Pepper put you on hold again? You can tell me.”

Stark sighed heavily, “Look…things are difficult at the moment. All I want right now is to numb my thoughts and build a new suit. Is that too much to ask for?”

“If that’s what you need, go for it. But remember to rest, that’s all I’m going to ask for. You're my friend Tony, I don’t enjoy seeing you like this.”

Loki overheard the conversation with some interest. He almost felt sorry for pushing Antony this hard. The god was still lingering behind the corner, when Tony turned it and bumped right into him.

“You!” the mechanic grumbled.

Loki showed an uncomfortable smile.

Tony seized him by the collar and shoved him against the wall. “What was that inside there?!” he spat out the words.

“I don’t know what you mean—haven’t you been the one who was going to ki…” Loki lost his breath, as Tony slammed him against the wall once more.

They heard steps heading towards them.

“Not out here,” Tony pressed through his teeth, indicating Loki to follow him, as he let go of his clothes.

They stepped into an elevator nearby. The god breathed out loudly. He had no good memory of his last conversation inside a lift.

There was no way doing get help again.

“I might need to apologise,” Loki muttered.

Tony just stared at the numbers passing by.

“Anthony?” he asked in a gentle voice.

The mechanic turned around to face him, with a fire to his eyes Loki almost misinterpreted. There was anger to it, but also fear, pain and desire?

He stepped closer towards Stark, lowering his head. Now it was his turn to shove him against the wall, his arms building a cage around the mechanic's body, leaving him no chance to escape. As if he could have gone anywhere at all.

Tony’s breath had accelerated, his system overheated causing a moment of madness between them.

As their lips collided, there was nothing but pure lust to it. A bestial hunger that consumed the whole air within the tiny cabin.

Tony freed himself first, only to commise Friday to stop the elevator. The mechanic's knees gave in, slowly he slid down to the ground. Loki followed, kneeling between Tony’s widely spread legs. Not willing to let go of him so soon.

“Anthony,” he said, his voice a sexy whisper.

Tony pulled him in again, grabbing for his shirt like he would drown.

They kissed, their tongues dancing to the melody of their fast paced hearts.

“Stop it! We can’t do this,” Tony pushed him away again.

“I’m confused. You seemed to enjoy it in the first place,” Loki leaned back at the other side of the lift.

“I’m not gay,” Tony said.

Loki laughed at the top of his lungs. “That’s your problem? You puny creatures and your vain ego’s.”

“It’s just…I can’t,” Tony tried again.

“And why is that? Your lives are already this short, so why don’t you allow yourself the pleasure of adultery?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Tony hesitated.

“Oh really? Would it be easier for you if I looked different?” Loki shifted his appearance into a well known female one, he was sure Tony would accept to copulate with.

“Jesus! No.” the mechanic protested at once.

“I thought she was your girlfriend? What’s the matter with that?”

“Yes, no. It’s complicated. It doesn’t help at all, if you’d look like her.”

“Fine,” Loki raised his hands in frustration. He wasn’t used to meeting with a rebuff. “I’ll tell you what’s complicated, humanity and their awkward look onto sexuality! As gender would make any difference to it!”

Tony was staring at the floor.

“I’m grievously disappointed in you Anthony. I thought you would be different.” Loki got up again. “Lady Friday, would you be so kind as to relieve us, please?”

The elevator was put into motion again and Loki pressed the button for Ground floor.

The god left as soon as the doors opened, leaving Stark to his thoughts.

***

Somehow Tony made his way back upstairs to his room. He found himself distressed and numb. Had he really had such strong desires towards Loki? How had he been able to ignore them for so long?

Still he was horny and just the thought of the god’s lips sent his blood downstairs.

Maybe that was the point why he couldn’t make out with Pepper any longer?

He pushed that thought far away, yet it came back at him like a boomerang. Had he been blind all those years? But even if he had been, why did it have to be Loki?

What was it that attracted him to a murderous god?

Tony was desperate.

For the first time in his life he had no idea on how to fix it.

“Show me what he’s doing,” he told Friday, as he sat down, fiddling on a part of the armour to keep his hands busy.

“I’m sorry to say Sir, but we’ve lost the signal,” she replied.

Tony had placed a tiny spy software to Loki’s apartment as he’d left last time. Just to check if the god would behave. But there was a possibility he might have used it for private purposes the last few weeks.

How could he have lost the signal? His technical gadgets never failed.

Loki must have found it.

Question was, for how long had he known about it?

That guy definitely was a trickster. Tony tore his hair out over thinking of Loki. The screwdriver in his hand slipped off and damaged a sensible part of the armour.

“Fuck!” Tony shouted, throwing the piece into a corner.

“May I assist you Sir?” Friday offered her help.

“No, I just need to sleep. I have been up for too long,” the mechanic answered. He took the secret corridor to his bedroom.

But as he laid down, his thoughts were dancing around today's events. Tony knew there was no way he could have a good night's rest, if he hadn’t at least talked it off.

Deep down in the darkest part of his brain, he knew Loki had been right. How could he, the great Tony Stark, shy away from the fulfilment to his desires?

If he was honest with himself, something he usually avoided, he wanted the god more than anything else.

“Friday, cancel everything for tonight, I’ll be having a night out.”

“Yes Sir.”

***

Loki was channel hopping, when a sudden knock on his door made him jump. He half expected, half hoped for Stark to show up, after he had destroyed the little spy. He turned off the TV and answered the door.

There he was, the man that had let him down only hours before.

Loki leaned in the doorframe, his arms crossed staring at Tony in silence.

“I guess I deserve this,” Tony was scratching his head, “may I be allowed to come in?”

Loki stepped aside, asking him in with a gesture of his hand. Stark entered the flat still unsure on how to begin.

“Look I’ve been an idiot, okay?” he started, “I-i have no idea on how to do this. Talking about my feelings isn’t something I’d do on a regular basis. And to be fair, that, whatever it is between us, isn’t something that happens to people every day.” The mechanic’s cheeks turned red, as he looked everywhere but at the god.

A smile flashed over Loki’s face, “so you’ve changed your mind?” he simply asked.

“I wouldn’t see it like that. Let’s say I’m here to find out, if it might possibly work between the two of us.” Tony wanted it to sound casual, but his voice gave his nervousness away.

“That’s enough for now,” Loki said, reaching out for Tony. The god grabbed the other man by the hand, guiding him into the bedroom.

The place was dominated by a tester bed that had dark green velvet curtains to its sides. The only comfort Loki allowed himself. The double sheets were of emerald green silk, accurately spread across the bed.

The god led Tony to one side of it, implying him to sit down. Loki recognised how Tony was biting his lips, so he let himself sink into the pillows, hugging the mechanic from behind. He breathed in the smell he had missed.

In a sudden second of recognition, he figured out what fruity scent it was he wondered about last time. It was blueberries.

Loki kissed Tony’s neck, tempting him with his hot tongue. Meanwhile Tony tried to unbutton his shirt with shaky fingers.

“Let me help you,” Loki offered, pressing his chest against Tony’s back, peeking over his shoulder. He opened the shirt and freed the mechanic from the fabric.

The god let his fingers wander up and down Anthony’s chest, finally resting at his nipples, waiting for permission to go on.

A moan of pleasure escaped Tony’s throat, which was approbation enough for Loki. He twisted and rubbed them between thumb and index finger.

“How does that feel?” he whispered into Tony’s ear.

“Odd,” the mechanic pressed the words through his teeth.

“Ah, so you’d never allowed yourself to take pleasure out of it? Let me show you the possibilities,” Loki smirked. The god leaned backwards, so Tony slid down into his lap.

The mechanic buried his face in his hands, while Loki let his tongue dance over the most sensitive steads on the other man's body.

“Anthony, show me your face,” Loki pulled Tony’s arms upward and fixed them over his head, holding them together with just one hand.

Tony had been this agitated, he hadn’t noticed the god was all over him by now. His long fingers hooked into the waistband, already opened it, pulling the trousers down.

“Wait,” the mechanic said, “don’t you get undressed?”

“Everything at it’s time. Always inpatient,” he chuckled. Loki leaned in, to kiss Tony. While he was distracted, the spell faded, showing the Asgardian god in all his glory.

The moment he let go of Tony, the mechanic gasped, “does that mean you were nude all the time?”

“Who knows?” Loki was clearly flirting with him.

Yet Tony knitted his brows together, aware of what had to happen next. The thought must have been written on his face as Loki answered it: “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that will hurt you, or make you uncomfortable. Just let me know if we’ve reached your limit.”

“I don’t think I can…well you know…” he stuttered.

Loki nodded, “of course, I didn’t expect you to, the first time you laid down with another male.” He let go of his hands and sat up. “Would you like to take the active part then?”

“Show me,” the mechanic's eyes were overcast with lust.

***

They made love to each other all night long. Tony always had imagined himself a skilled lover. Turned out he was wrong. Loki had centuries of experience and he did things to him, Tony never had dreamed off, or thought them being possible at all.

By dawn he fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion. He curled up next to Loki, who didn’t seem to be tired at all.

Tony woke from the smell of coffee, arising next to him.

The god was leaning in the pillows, with his long legs crossed, reading a book absently sipping from his mug.

“My apologies, I didn’t intend to wake you,” Loki said the moment he realised the other man was looking at him. “I can go to the living room, you must be tired.”

“No, that’s okay,” Tony rubbed his eyes.

“Would you like a cup of coffee then?”

“Yes, please.”

The god got up, to get one for Tony. The mechanic stretched his body, it was only by now that he felt how physically demanding it had been, trying to keep up with Loki.

The moment he sat up leaning into the pillows, like Loki did moments before, the god came back handing him a steaming mug.

Tony was fascinated, on how the black dressing gown underlined the gods' tall, wiry figure. Memories of sweaty, hot nakedness flashed his mind. If he only had the energy to get up, he would have the god begging for mercy this time.

Sipping his coffee, he hid his face until Loki sat back to his former spot.

“So, what do you think about our arrangement? Is it something you would like to continue?” Loki asked.

“I’ve never experienced something similar…” Tony answered, his mind drifting off again. To Loki kneeling over him, doing things with his tongue while his fingers had reached regions of Tony’s body, he never had thought of touching himself. Yet it had caused immense pleasure.

“That mean?” Loki was eying him uneasy.

“I’ll have to join Pride month next time,” the mechanic whispered. He still wasn’t sure if it would work out well between them. Heck both of them were stubborn and proud and not used to letting people come close in any way.

“Maybe we should keep it a secret, until we both feel pleasant about whatever will evolve out of this night?” Loki suggested.

“Agreed,” Tony nodded. “So what next? Shall we have dates? Or do we visit each other for random quickies?”

“Relax Anthony. We could start on exchanging numbers?”

“You have a phone?” Stark looked at the god with big eyes.

“Of course I have. I’m not Thor, I know how to adapt myself. A friend showed me how to use it,” Loki tilted his head.

“Friend?” Tony couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, Anthony. Believe it or not, I have a friend. Her name is Verity.”

“Sorry, I guess I was just surprised at how fast you’ve made yourself at home.”

“I had to. There’s nothing else left to call a home.” Loki was staring at his feet.

Tony was patting his back, shifting uneasy. It was time for him to leave. Usually he would steal away in the middle of the night, maybe leaving a note that said ‘thank you’. He was far away from his comfort zone and needed time to process all this.

“Uhhm, so—I need to go back, a lot of work is waiting for me,” he lied.

Loki scribbled down his phone number for Tony. “See you at the next mission, I suppose?” Loki was raising an eyebrow.

“Probably. I mean it’s New York. Ancient gods try to destroy it all the time.”

“Hey! It was just one time.”

The two men looked at each other, bursting out with laughter.

As Tony stepped out the door, he felt this was the first time he really wanted it to work. Like he had found a kindred soul, and so thought Loki lying in his bed.

-Fin-

[peantutbutter]

69. “We are not going to steal someone’s dog.” with Michael, Gavin and Jeremy please!

 69. (nice) “We are not going to steal someone’s dog.”

Trigger Warning for brief mentions of animal abuse. Nothing is graphically explicit and everything turns out ok and the dog is rescued, but the thought of an injured animal is triggering or otherwise too emotionally distressing for you, go ahead and keep scrolling

The Mad Lad’s Animal Rescue Agency [ao3]

It’s odd.

As far as Michael knows, both Gavin and Jeremy are what he would consider cat people. Pets aren’t allowed in the penthouse, of course, but both get swept up in conversations about what they would name potential future cats, and both go out of their way to set out food and water for the strays of the city.

So when the two come to him cooing and gushing about a sweet looking pit bull they’ve met, Michael is a little astonished when they start telling him their plans for whisking her away in the dead of night.

“We’re not stealing someone’s dog,” he deadpans, and he can’t fucking believe that he has to say it.

“Awww, c’mon Michael, why not? Lookat her!” Gavin whines, shoving his phone in his face.

And, yeah, alright, she’s fucking cute — chocolate brown fur; a light pink tongue lolling out of her mouth; a tail that’s blurry because it’s wagging so fast; and large, shining brown eyes that are staring adoringly at Gavin in the selfie he’s taken — but Michael can’t just let his boys go off and steal a dog for no good reason. “Because it’ll shit all over the goddamn floor!” he argues. “Where are we gonna keep her, Gavin? We gonna make her ride an elevator every time she needs to take a piss?”

But the thing about Gavin is that once he gets something in his head, there’s really no stopping him. And with Jeremy involved, really, all Michael can do is hope to mitigate the inevitable collateral damage.

It’s ass o’clock in the morning when Michael pulls into what is possibly the most boring middle class neighborhood and parks across the street from a house that looks like the dozens of others surrounding it. He cuts the engine of their unmarked van and looks to Gavin and Jeremy making their last-minute preparations in the back. The entire vehicle smells like peanut butter and Gavin slaps Jeremy’s hand away from the bag of bacon he had fried up before leaving. “That’s not for you!” he hisses.

Jeremy pouts indignantly, but lets it be. They grab a pair of bolt cutters, while Gavin stuffs his pockets full of treats and clips various dog toys to his belt. A brightly colored rope dangles from his hips, and right beside it a squeaky chicken. He pauses for a minute, tennis ball in hand, and frowns thoughtfully, trying to figure out where to place it.

Ultimately, he sets it down, deciding that his skirt of toys is sufficient.

Jeremy pulls on a pair of gloves and grabs a leash dangling from a hook. They shoot Gavin an eager look, which he eagerly returns.

“You look like fucking idiots,” Michael says, because one: it’s true, and two: he apparently has a compulsive need to kill the mood if it’s stupid, like this one. Gavin and Jeremy just look at him, still smiling, mischief gleaming in their eyes. Michael rolls his eyes and waves his hand. “Go get the damn dog.”

The other two excitedly scramble out of the car and crouch-run their way across the street, like they’re on some sort of actual heist. Michael barely suppresses an eye roll. It’s not like the hazy moonlight or streetlamps are illuminating the street or anything. Idiots.

He watches them stealth their way to a chain-link fence. On the other side, Michael can make out what appears to be a ramshackle doghouse, and a tiny figure curled up just outside it. He can’t hear it, but he assumes Gavin whistles or does something to get the dog’s attention, because the figure’s head pops up and it pushes itself onto it’s legs.

Or at least it tries.

Jeremy is clipping away at the fence when Michael notices how the poor thing’s back paws are dragging uselessly along the ground. Her tail wags furiously as she crawls over to Gavin, but she isn’t moving very fast.

Oh. That’s why they’d been so adamant about doing this.

His knuckles turn white, and the steering wheel creaks under his grip. That familiar burn courses through his body, licking flames up and down his arms and legs. The vein in his jaw throbs, and he forces himself to take a deep breath. Going in and beating the owner senseless is tempting — “How does it feel, huh? How does it fucking feel? — but running in blindly, fists flying, would be reckless and stupid. And while he has his moments, tonight he’s the sensible one.

Or at least that’s what he tells himself. But when a light flicks on in the house while Jeremy is in the middle of unhooking the dog’s chain and latching their own, all of Michael’s self restraint leaves him. There’s a shadow moving throughout the house, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He pulls the baseball bat from the passenger footwell and tears out of the van.

Gavin exclaims loudly as Michael rips past.

“Get the dog outta here, I’ll cover you!” Michael yells, and his lifetime of hopping fences pays off as he effortlessly scales the wire structure. His feet land on the ground with a soft thump and gets into position on the other side of the sliding glass door. He chokes up on the bat, ready to swing.

Jeremy finally manages to slip the hook of their leash through the loop on the dog’s collar just as the door slides open. The man inside is screaming angrily, but Michael doesn’t hear what he’s saying. He’s more focused on how he’s going to make this dickbag scream for another reason.

The guy steps outside, not seeing Michael where he hides just behind him, and he reaches for something tucked in his waistband. The second Michael realizes it’s a gun, he pounces, striking the guy in the back of the knees and bringing the bat down on the guy’s back with a satisfying crack.

He fucking whales on the guy, letting all that righteous anger course through him. Each strike shakes his bones, and he’s pleasantly reminded why this is his primary weapon of choice. There’s something so deliciously personal about taking a guy apart with a big stick. He keeps swinging until he’s sure Gavin and Jeremy have pulled the poor pup to safety. The bastard is curled into the fetal position, and his gun, which Michael had kicked away, lay just out of reach.

The horn of the van blares — one of his lads letting him know they’re clear — and Michael brings the bat down for a final strike. It makes a wet crunch against the back of the guy’s head. He’s not one hundred percent sure whether the guy is unconscious or actually dead. He doesn’t particularly care. He’s got no love for people who beat their animals, and, frankly, he’s killed for less.

His arms burn, and as he wipes blood from his face, he realizes that the lights in the surrounding houses are flicking on. The sound of an approaching siren kicks him into gear. He scrambles over the fence — a feat more difficult now that his limbs feel gooey with exertion — and books it across the street.

The engine revs as Jeremy puts the key in the ignition. Sirens are growing closer, and tired civilians are emerging from their homes to see what the fuss is about. The doors to the back are wide open, and Gavin, gently cradling the dog, yells at him to “Hurry up!”

Michael flings himself into the back of the van, and Jeremy takes off like a bullet, tires squealing against the asphalt, leaving behind the scent of burned rubber.

They fly out of the neighborhood, and Jeremy takes a few random turns, shaking any potential pursuers off their trail. All the while, Gavin is cooing at the creature in his arms. “Who’s a good girl? Who’s a good Bella?” he asks. “Who doesn’t have to worry about that mean old man ever again? Yes, it’s you!”

He pets Bella until she calms down, mindful of her legs, which rest gingerly on the seat. Slowly, her eyes drift shut, and she falls asleep under his touch. He smiles softly, and Michael can’t help but do the same at the scene before him.

Then Gavin turns to look at him. “Thank you, Michael,” he murmurs, barely audible over the hum of the engine.

Michael shrugs. “Don’t understand why you didn’t tell me why you wanted to steal this guy’s dog in the first place.”

“Ah, well…” Gavin pauses for a moment, trying to figure out what he wants to say. “Lil J and I kind of figured you riding out your rage would be the best cover in case we got caught. And that’s something that only really happens in the moment. So we needed you going in blind.”

Michael stares blankly for a moment, blinking slowly, trying to understand the reasoning. “You didn’t tell me,” he says slowly, “because you wanted me to be pissed off enough to attack a guy in case he caught you.”

Gavin presses his lips together and nods. “Yeah.”

Michael scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You two are fucking ridiculous,” he says. Then his gaze travels towards the peacefully sleeping dog. “What are you going to do with her?”

Gavin shrugs. “Gonna get our medic to take a look at her and see what he can do. After that…I dunno, try to find a nice place for her to live. Fredo’s been saying he wants a dog, so maybe he’ll be willing to take care of her.”

“So you never planned on her living in the penthouse, did you?” Michael asks.

“Of course not, Michael boy,” Gavin answers easily. His eyes sparkle with humor. “We’re not gonna make her ride the elevator every time she needs to take a leak.”

[the-river-person]

Worldbuilding Tangent Part 4

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 Since I have all the tabs open still, I’m just gonna hop straight into Hotland. (A reminder that these are my own observations and analysis of the Game’s text  it is still only my interpretation of how this area MIGHT work if we attempt to apply real world systems Undertale’s world. It’s possible that I misunderstood or don’t know enough about the natural systems described and that things couldn’t work that way without some kind of magic, whether that of the Monsters or some natural source of it.) I’ve already covered the idea that Ebbot is a Stratovolcano and that it pushed up through limestone layers in a gigantic explosion that not only formed the mountain, but also pushed lava flows up through the rock and formed numerous lava tubes that intruded upon slowly forming caverns and caves. However the area of Hotland itself is rather weird. When you catch your first glimpse of it over the bridge while being chased by Undyne it appears to be free flowing lava. But later once you’ve crossed the Labs, it seems more like a still lake of it. Other areas are clearly hotter than others by far, such as the area seen in the distance surrounding the base of the core compared to the area where Frisk can walk up on ledges and roads not too far from the surface of the lake. The only way this might work is if you had a Permanent Lava Lake, a rare occurrence where a lava lake has a continuous source of heat, possibly due to magma flow rates in the volcanic conduits below. Some might suggest that this is actually the magma chamber of the volcano, but if that were the case... No one could possibly survive that. Also Magma Chambers are much further down and subject to immense pressure and heat. Most Monsters couldn’t survive, and no humans could either unless they could reset time upon death and choose not to enter the magma chamber or get anywhere near it. So a Permanent Lava Lake. But most of the time you can’t actually see the surface of the lake, as the game simply shows blackness on either side of your arid and red rock formation path or various mechanical platforms. This might suggest that you are much higher up and away from the surface, possibly in areas where the flow is much faster and the lava much hotter. Lava is actually quite tolerable and isn’t likely to cause serious burns to you unless you get really close. 8 feet away for slowly flowing lava as demonstrated by geologists trying to get a close look at the formations of lava toes. But while some parts of this lake might be slow and cool enough to get close to, most areas probably aren’t. Which is why it makes sense for a lot of the areas to be elevated high up, away from the surface of the lake. The biggest problem with lava heat is actually due to Radiant Damage. Essentially, if you can see the lava, that means its light is hitting you and can possibly cause burns if you’re too close, or blind you. Have you ever been near a bonfire and felt the heat sear your face even when you were far away? Yeah, lava is a LOT worse. Which is another good reason to be far away from the surface most of the time, so that even if you do glance over the edge, you won’t have your face burned off by the light. If we’re thinking of Undertale’s fire or volcano based monsters, this probably isn’t a big issue. But any of the game’s other monsters might face some of the same issues as a human who wanders the area. However, human bodies are remarkably adaptable, and despite the intensely inhospitably conditions present in the caverns containing Hotland, its likely that Frisk would be able to linger for some time in the extreme heat before it started doing major damage to their body. However they wouldn’t survive living there. Some might point out the issue with the water dissolving from your cup if you try to take it beyond the area where Undyne collapses, but aside from an in game gag where the rules of physics are broken, I’m unable to find an explanation for this that still allows a human to survive the area for any period of time at all. Fortunately we have a number of instances through the game where physics and reality are broken specifically to stop us from causing errors big enough to crash the game. If you head the other direction the water simply “returns to the cooler” while heading deeper into Hotland causes it to “Evaporate” away. It’s unlikely that it really did so and can probably be safely ignored as the proper actions are to give the water to Undyne or leave without getting any. We even have proof that it’s not hot enough for water to truly evaporate, since Undyne, who is already sensitive to heat, doesn’t even die but only suffers because her armor heated up far too quickly, and later caused her to develop heatstroke which leaves her weak and in bed. We see a similar phenomenon with other armor in the area that is not protected by a “cooling dirt”. However there is one main problem that would make things difficult. Lava produces poisonous gasses through a process called degassing. This process is normally quite volatile in ordinary Lava Lakes, but in Permanent Lava Lakes its more constant and less explosive. But the actual gas is incredibly harmful. Even in open air areas it can present a hazard depending on where you are and where the wind is blowing. More frustrating is that both the red formations the path is on and the blackish formations that make up various distant walls we can see are basalt, which means the lava is Basaltic. Basaltic Lava produces more poisonous gasses by volume than any other type. But Frisk is wandering through a cavern where there is no weather to blow away gasses. One possibility is that to make the area more accessible for Monsters who had lungs (unlike the skeletons) or who weren’t fire or volcano based somehow, an artificial method of sucking out gasses and pulling in fresh oxygen from the surface. This wouldn’t be too difficult if you were willing to draw away the air near the surface of the lake as it begins to rise and out through some kind of vent, possibly to outside or maybe to where the gas can be collected and used. And we already know the Underground has numerous holes in the ceilings where things like airflow and sunlight are possible, but not living beings with souls. If air were being pulled away from the lower areas, then new air would rush in from the openings to take its place. This would also keep upper areas cool and cool the surface of the lake a little, but not enough to totally solidify it, since its kept heated by geothermal cycles below. Another frightening point is that if there is lava this high above the lower Magma Chamber at all, even in a relatively stable Permanent Lava Lake, that means that Mt. Ebbot is not permanently dormant and could, in fact, reactivate at any time.

[creativeskullcreations]

HTaHHQ episode 4: Unarmed part 2

And thus Stacy is now a little bit more used to all the Puppets, though she's not terribly happy at Scout right now. Hopefully they can work through it, but we'll have to see.

Luckily, Stacy only blacked out for a few seconds before her senses returned. There was a lot of yelling involved, which was torture on her pounding head, but, luckily, she didn't seem to have landed on anyone. She sat up with a groan, and everyone was instantly on her. Danny buried his face in her shirt with a loud sob(gross), and the Puppets clung to them both while yelling questions.

"Are you okay?!" Canon clung to her hair, swinging in front of her face. Stacy carefully grabbed the Puppet and set her down, then patted Danny's head.

"I'm fine." She assured them quietly. "Just slipped, no big deal." She cleared her throat. "Did that loads of time at the ballet studio. Me, and several others." That was a lie, she'd never fallen that hard before. "Let's just go back to the movie..."

Danny nodded and finally stopped clinging to his sister. She went to stand up, but almost fell again when her right arm didn't move to support her weight. "Oh, I don't think arms are supposed to bend like that..." Bonzai muttered, and Stacy felt her heart stop when she looked to see what he meant.

The arm was twisted at the elbow, and when Stacy tried to move it there was instead a sickeningly grinding sound as it stayed still. She could still move the hand, however, but that was useless with the rest of her arm unusable.

"... Mary's going to kill me." She whispered. panic rising. They did not have the money for this. At all. She tried again to move the joint, but found it just as stuck as it was a few seconds ago.

She had no idea what to do. Should she try and wench it back into place? Leave it and hope Mary didn't notice? No that was insane, she couldn't go without the use of one arm for the next three months. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the wrist and prepared to pull.

"Wait!" Canon grabbed her hand. "You shouldn't do that! You could break it more."

"Well what's your suggestion, then? Because if Mary or Dad find out about this, I am so dead!" She hissed out, casting a glance at Danny. Luckily, he didn't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Well... " She hesitated briefly, swallowing down the apprehension of the suggestion. "Riley's good at this sort of thing-"

"No." The reply was harsh and quick.

"Stacy, you have to." The blue haired Puppet pointed at her mangled elbow. "You can't fix that by yourself."

"Watch me." She attempted to tug, and was rewarded with nothing. The next few pulls were met with the same, and she realized with dawning horror that she had to tell someone. Canon sighed again as she realized what was happening.

"Stacy, we are going to Riley. Right now."

"No, I can fi-OWOWOWOW! Stop that!" She grabbed at the Puppet now on her head, pulling her hair. Canon dodged her weak attempts, leaning down into her view.

"You will go to Riley or I will go get Riley." She told the girl, who glared back, but even she knew she was defeated.

"Fine." She ground out, standing up. Danny stood with her, the other Puppets gathered in his arms. Except for Scout, who Jumped onto Stacy's shoulder with Canon.

"It's okay." The younger Puppet tried to quietly assure her as the group made the trip to Riley's room. "Riley's really nice, I promise."

Stacy ignored her, left hand digging into her sleeve as she approached the door to her possible doom. She stopped just before the door, in a moment that went on forever as she stared, unblinking, into space.

"Nope." She turned on her heel, fully intending on heading back to the playroom, but a loud thunk behind her made her stop. She turned just in time to see Scout sliding down the door, having launched herself at it. Stacy didn't even have time to murderously glare at the Puppet before it opened to reveal Riley in full lab gear, goggles down and mask up.

She pushed the goggles up, spotting Scout almost immediately. "I don't have the time to babysit. Tell me now, what is it?"

Scout didn't even hesitate before she pointed to Stacy. "Stacy broke her robot arm and needs help fixing it!" She informed the scientist. Riley looked up at the girl, who had angled away to try and hide her arm. It failed, though, as the Puppet could still see how obviously twisted it was.

"Hmm, I see." She turned and gestured. "Follow me." It took Stacy a second, but, reluctantly, she did as she was told. Only for Riley to suddenly pluck Canon from her head and hand her to Danny before shooing him and the Hand Puppets away. "Not you, I'm afraid. Why don't you go back and play. This is something we need to do alone, and we'll come get you when we're done." And then she closed the door, shutting them out.

Stacy watched this with no small amount of fear, wishing she could speak up to say "No, stop, I want them in here." She didn't, though, and instead stood silently as she'd always done. She jumped slightly when Riley cleared her throat, startled out of her thoughts.

"Off with the shirt so that I can take a look." The rhymes were getting looser, but Stacy wisely didn't point that out and instead took off her shirt, leaving her with just a plain pink tank top instead. She set it aside on the table and offered up her arm, which Riley grabbed to look at.

"Hmm, I see what happened, and it's an easy fix. Just come with and I'll, uh-" She had tried to lead Stacy to a work table, only for the arm to fall limply in her hands. Looking back, she saw the girl standing there almost too innocently, right arm now just a stump with a metal cap on it. "Clever." Was all Riley said about it, before heading to the work table.

Stacy followed, curious to how the Puppet would fix the arm. She kept her distance, but inched closer when she realized Riley wasn't paying attention to her. She may not like the Puppet, but she did want to see her fix the arm.

It was delicate work, however, as she'd twisted the elbow joint quite badly when she'd fell. It involved taking the arm apart at the elbow, so Riley could untwist everything. Gently, she pushed wires back where they belonged, making sure the joint itself wasn't cracked or shattered.

"Luckily, the damage isn't so great that I'm unable to repair." She told the girl. "But how this happened, you need to share."

"Hmm." A pause, because honestly it was kinda embarrassing. "... I was showing the others a dance and slipped..." She finally mumbled, twisting the hem of her tank top in her hand. "... Landed on the robot arm..." She was startled when Riley suddenly grabbed her stump, inspecting the area around the connector.

"Any damage to the flesh of your arm would be alarming." She told Stacy seriously as she examined it. "Lucky for you, there's no evidence of even a bruise forming."

"Okay..." She yanked her stump out of the Puppet's hands and rubbed at it to try and scrub the feeling of her rubbery gloves away. She wanted to scratch, but knew by now that would just cause her to bleed.

If Riley thought that was an odd reaction, she didn't give any indication of it and instead turned back to fixing up the prosthetic. This time, however, she talked as she worked, telling Stacy about the different parts she was working on and how they fit together. And she did it all in rhyme, which even Stacy had to admit was impressive, since she was coming up with all of it on the fly.

After some time, though, she finally finished and had put everything back together. She bent and unbent the elbow a few times to make sure things were working as intended, then presented it to Stacy. The girl grabbed it and, though she didn't explain it verbally, she did make sure Riley could see how she hooked it into the connector. It was fairly simple, but the Puppet still watched her do it with intense interest.

Pulling her long sleeved shirt back on, Stacy wondered how she could make it up to the scientist. Her eye caught the box of beakers, seemingly untouched since yesterday. She stared at it, mind turning over the consequences of each option before her. Taking a deep breath and willing her voice to be steady, she spoke up.

"I heard Nick talking about something yesterday." She was pleased with how casual she managed to sound, even as her heartbeat picked up.

"Oh?" Riley turned around, giving the girl her full attention and making her even more nervous. "What did he say?"

"He was talking about how he replaced the beakers you used on the show with ones made of sugar glass. As payback because you took his paint." She tried to keep from rambling.

Casting a suspicious look, Riley wheeled over and grabbed the box, taking out one of the beakers to inspect it against the light. Stacy could see it in her eyes when she realized she was telling the truth.

Expression turning briefly murderous before going blank, the Handeeman put the beaker back into the box and wheeled out of the room. Stacy following close behind, curious as to what she would do. Right outside, she found the others, and quickly indicated that they should all follow Riley, who was waiting for them in the elevator.

The ride down was tense and silent, everyone able to feel the anger radiating off of the scientist. Not even Bonzai tried to lighten the mood with a quick quip, too frightened of Riley's dark demeanor to even make the attempt.

Daniel suppressed a yawn as his pen lightly tapped against his notebook. Nick stood at the head of the table, trying to explain his changes to the script. Daniel was pretty sure he hadn't been thinking with those changes, considering he didn't seem to have an explanation for half of them.

He was pretty sure this meeting would end with all changes reverted. Just like every other time this had happened. Daniel was pretty sure Nick only made changes to be a nuisance and ruin everybody else's weekend. Still, he diligently took notes on the answers Nick did give, and hoped Mortimer would call the meeting done soon.

What neither he or anyone else knew, was that soon the meeting would be about something else entirely. Quietly, without anyone taking notice, the doorknob turned and the door was pushed open ever so slightly. A moment later, the door was slammed open, hitting against the wall hard enough to leave a dent.

"Nicholas Nack!" Riley shrieked as she burst into the room. "How dare you!" And then she threw one of the beakers at the artist, making everyone scream and yell.  Beyond her, in the doorway, Stacy, Danny, and the Handpuppets could be seen, watching the whole thing go down.

"Riley!" Mortimer yelled as the humans dove beneath the table. That didn't stop her, as she began to chase Nick around the room, throwing the beakers at him.

"I'll show you to steal my stuff!" She shrieked as sugar glass broke against the walls. Daisy pulled one of the writers away as they barreled past, and she wondered just what was happening this time.

"How did you find out?!" He dodged another attempt, and the kids ducked back from the doorway as the beaker flew past and shattered against the wall. Danny was laughing, and the Hand Puppets were cheering Riley on, though they were all drowned out by the yelling inside the room. Stacy just watched, recalling a similar scene from her childhood.

When she was young, her mother liked to put on old tapes of Mortimer's Handeemen, and there was skit just like this, also featuring Riley and Nick. Back then the skit had really upset her, even with her mom assuring her it wasn't real and was just pretend. It hadn't helped and all subsequent viewings of the tape had them fast forwarding through the skit.

Watching Riley now, in the present, launch herself off of her stand and across the room at Nick, Stacy was pretty sure they weren't pretending now. Luckily, she was saved from trying to figure out what to do when Daisy finally spotted them and rushed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"I'll bet you kids are hungry!" She said with fake cheer. "Why don't we go on down to the cafeteria, and I'll get you kids something to eat."

"But I wanna watch Riley kill Nick!" Bit protested, even as Daisy and Stacy worked to herd them away.

"Nope! Y'all don't get to see that today!" She hurried them along. "But don't worry, they'll be fine. This just... it happens sometimes. Don't worry." She gave a soft sigh, and Stacy felt the guilt of what she started build in her stomach.

'Better now than later I guess.' She tried to reassure herself. 'At least nobody knows that I helped with the prank. Except for Nick and Danny. I hope they don't tell anyone.'

[vgckwb]

ML: Are They Worthy? Chapter 86: Unity!

The next day, Lila was in her hospital bed being visited by Lorenzo. They were reminiscing about their time in Italy and having a generally fun time. Their giggles were interrupted when someone else opened the door. Lila was expecting a nurse, a doctor, or maybe one of those miraculous experts she met the day before after Gabriel left, but was surprised to see that it was none of the above. “Alix?”

Alix walked in, pulled up a chair, and sat down next to Lorenzo in front of Lila. “Hey.”

“Hi…” Lila replied awkwardly.

After a bit of silence, Alix asked “Well, how are you doing?”

“Oh, um, I’m feeling alright,” Lila answered. “Well, I guess as alright as I can be.”

“Right…” Alix responded. An awkward silence permeated.

“Why are you here?” Lila asked, breaking the silence like a plate crashing to the floor. “I’ve done nothing but manipulate you and your friends.” She sunk into herself. “I don’t deserve your friendship.”

Lorenzo was shook. Alix simply smiled and said “Yeah. You probably don’t.” Lila looked up. “But whether it be kindness or foolishness, I think we’re willing to give it to you anyway.”

“Why?” Lila demanded.

“Well, I don’t know about anyone else for certain,” Alix explained, “but for me, it’s a case of I can spend time disliking you, or I can see that you’re trying and at least move on, if not help you try. And I don’t have the time to waste hating someone who is trying.”

Lila was stunned. She looked at Lorenzo who smiled and chuckled. She looked back at Alix and started crying. “Lila, are you OK?” Lorenzo asked.

“Yeah” Lila sniffed. She wiped her eyes, although tears kept coming. “I’m alright.” For so long, Lila was trapped in the darkness of trying to make herself seem like an amazing, untouchable, Goddess. She was pushing other people away to push herself upwards. However, it felt lonely, which is what she was trying to avoid in the first place. Yet she had a hard time realizing it until it swallowed her whole.

So when someone was reaching out to her honestly and earnestly, and she was fully committed to doing the same, it all hit her at once. She hadn’t felt like this in a long time, and she liked it. Lila looked up and smiled at Alix. Alix reciprocated the smile. Nathalie looked on, assured that things will be alright.

Meanwhile, Adrien came into Marinette and Emilie’s room. “Hey” he said upon entering. He looked and saw Marinette was alone. “Where’s my mother?”

“She’s beginning physical therapy,” Marinette explained.

“Oh” Adrien said, surprised and delighted by the news.

“Some of the doctors were worried, but she insisted she get a start” Marinette continued.

Adrien chuckled. “That’s mother alright.” The couple shared a giggle. “It might be better this way.” Marinette seemed puzzled. Adrien’s smile widened. “Someone’s been missing you.” He took out a box and opened it.

As the box opened, Tikki appeared. Marinette was overcome with delight. “TIKKI!” she gasped.

Tikki flew up to Marinette as fast as she could and hugged her cheek. “Marinette!” The two snuggled each other. Once the little hug was over, Tikki said “I’m glad you’re OK.”

“Me too,” Marinette responded. She averted her gaze for a bit. “I feel like I should have asked you.” Tikki was curious. “About the ultimate move thing. I mean, after what happened with you and the previous holder of the wolf miraculous…”

“Marinette, it’s fine,” Tikki said. “The lucky charm gave you the idea for a reason. In spite of needing to perform that move, both you and her are amazing Ladybugs, and nothing can change that.”

Marinette smiled and blushed. “Thanks Tikki.” Adrien stood there, observing but not interrupting.

As the days went by, the recovery process progressed for the patients, as well as Paris itself. While the city had seen a great deal of damage from Hawk Moth, the Nurushwa attack was on a whole other level. While the miraculous cure did its job, the city was still in shock, and it needed some time to readjust.

During this time, Gabriel was meeting constantly with lawyers to figure out the details of his case. He was making certain arrangements to make sure everything goes smoothly. Meanwhile, Marinette and Lila were getting visits from their classmates to make sure they were doing well, and in Lila’s case, assuring them that they could bury the hatchet.

One of the processes of Paris’s recovery was a self-imposed quarantine. This was an effort to maintain order, get accounts from everyone involved, and maybe trap this Nurushwa figure. However, this was a temporary process, and nearing its end. Among those set to leave Paris once this quarantine was over, Travis and Cassandra were some of the most anxious.

Vlad was meeting with them in their hotel room. “It sucks that we gotta leave soon,” Travis lamented. “I was getting used to having you being in the same neighborhood as us, just like old times.”

“Hm,” Vlad grunted. “I’m going to miss it too. But we’ll never be too far apart. We have cellphones and such.”

“Right…” Travis reluctantly agreed. “It’s just not the same, you know?”

“We can come visit whenever, you know,” Cassandra said.

“I guess that’s true” Travis said, cheering up slightly. He sighed. “Part of me wishes we could just move here, you know? Not only are you here, but the friends you’ve made are amazing.”

“Well, what can I say?” Vlad asked. “Only the best for me.”

Meanwhile, Cassandra chuckled. “Are you sure this isn’t about one friend in particular?” she insinuated.

Travis was caught off-guard. “Well,” he blushed, “I can’t say she isn’t one of the BIGGER reasons… But you must feel it too, you know? The general presence of Vlad’s friends here.”

“Of course,” Cassandra said. “I just can’t miss an opportunity to tease you.” Travis rolled his eyes.

Meanwhile, Kagami was doing some fencing training. Longg was watching her. She was working aggressively, and losing focus. Longg imagined it had something to do with the conversation they had when they got home after the attack and the incident with Katelyn.

Flashing back, Kagami walked into her room. She sat in front of her tv and started playing video games. Longg floated out beside her. “So, um, why did you tell Travis and Cassandra you’re Ryuko?”

Kagami shrugged. “I guess I felt like it.”

“It’s a little unorthodox,” Longg informed her.

“I know…” Kagami replied. She had just been defeated in her game. “Ugh. Fine.”

“Fine what? Longg asked.

Kagami sighed. “I think I’ve made my decision.”

“‘Decision’?” Longg inquired.

“Yeah,” Kagami answered. “And as amazing as Luka is, I think I actually like Travis more.”

“Oh” Longg said, realizing what Kagami was talking about. “So that’s why?”

Kagami nodded. “I figured if we were going to end up going out, he’d have to know the truth at some point or another.”

“So, if you don’t mind,” Longg began, “what was the deciding factor in all of this?”

Kagami smiled. “Like I said, Luka’s great...but Travis has this air about him. He’s just so passionate and free, and I feel like I want that out of a potential boyfriend, you know?”

“I see” Longg said. “So, when are you going to tell him?”

“That, I’m not sure,” Kagami said. “This whole time has been crazy...I want to wait until things settle down a bit before I go jumping into this.”

“That sounds fair,” Longg replied.

Back in the present, Kagami was making mistake after mistake in her training. She threw off her helmet and said “I can’t take it anymore!” She went to go change. Once she was finished, she stormed out of the house.

She started out walking, but then sped up into a run. She was on her way to Le Grand Paris, hoping that he’d be there. When she arrived, she stopped, caught her breath, and composed herself. She walked in, and calmly took the elevator up.

When she got to the floor they were staying in, she left and hurried down the hall. She arrived at their room. She hesitated at first, but she shook herself out of it and knocked. The knock was gentle, but forceful.

Vlad opened the door. “Kagami? What’s up?” Kagami brushed past Vlad. “OK?”

Kagami walked up to Travis. “You!”

Travis seemed confused over this confrontational Kagami. He pointed to himself and said “Me?”

“You!” Kagami repeated. She sighed and loosened her tension. “When I first came to Paris, I thought I was the best there ever was, the best there ever is, and the best there ever will be.”

“O...K…?” Travis said, confused. Vlad and Cassandra were looking on equally confused.

“But right away, I was made apparent of my flaws,” Kagami went on. “As time went on, I’ve slowly learned to overcome those flaws, or at least work towards that. Yet when we first interacted, you seemed to fall in love with me almost instantly. At a time where I kind of hated myself, and I took my anger out on you.” Kagami intensely stared at Travis. “Do you think I’m perfect when I’m not?”

Travis was puzzled. He looked at Vlad and Cassandra, neither of whom were able to help. He turned back to Kagami. “Well...that’s...um…” He sighed. “To be honest, being perfect is overrated.” Kagami was confused. “I didn’t say any of what I said because I thought you were perfect. I said what I said because I thought you were amazing. You still are. But perfect is a bit much to expect, you know?”

Kagami smiled. “Yeah. I do. Hm. Today, while I was practicing fencing, I started to lose focus.” Travis was stunned. “This was the first time since the battle against that Nurushwa thing that I did.”

“I’m sorry…” Travis said, unsure of what else to say.

“Don’t be,” Kagami said. “Because it was the first time since the attack that I had a focus to lose. That I can let my mind think about other things. That I don’t have to worry about a monster peering over my shoulder.”

“Oh” Travis said.

Kagami closed in on him. “I was thinking about you. I think you’re amazing too. So...um...will, uh, will you go out with me?”

Travis’s face was now beat red. Kagami was also blushing, but she looked a little more composed. Still, blushing, Triavis laughed a little. “Hah. Of course.”

Kagami grabbed the lapels of Travis’s jacket. “Oh yeah?” She pulled herself in closer, pressing her body against his. “Prove it.” She gave him a kiss. Travis was taken aback for a second, but wrapped his head around what was happening and focused. He wrapped his arms around Kagami, squeezing her tenderly.

Once the kiss was over, the two looked at each other. They noticed the other was blushing, and started giggling amongst themselves. Travis then said “Now THAT was truly amazing.”

“Congratulations you two,” Cassandra said.

They looked at Cassandra and Vlad, who were smirking, but supportive all the same. “Hm hm. Thanks” Kagami said.

The following day, Mylene and Ivan went to visit Lila, who was also getting a visit from Lorenzo, because of course. “Hi Lila. Lorenzo” Mylene said upon entering.

“Hey,” Ivan said. “How are you all doing?”

Lila giggled. “Well, I’m doing better with all of the visitors I’m getting.” She looked down. “It is nice. After all this time, all of this double-dealing, it is nice that there are people who are willing to give me another shot.”

“It happens to the best of us,” Ivan explained. “If you’re willing to change, people will be there to help.”

“Speaking of helping people,” Mylene said, “the food pantry’s been missing you for the past couple of days Lorenzo.”

“Ah ha ha” Lorenzo laughed. “Well, uh…”

“It’s fine,” Lila said. “I’m in good hands. You’ve been here enough to know that.”

“Right…” Lorenzo said. “It’s just...I’ve missed you...a whole…”

“I know…” Lila said. “I’ve missed you too. And I also missed me as well.” Lorenzo smiled, as did Ivan and Mylene.

Meanwhile, Adrien, Vlad, Travis, Cassandra, and Kagami were visiting Marinette. “Are you two really leaving tomorrow?” Adrien asked.

“Yeah,” Cassandra answered. “We figured we should visit before we’re off.”

“Well, it’s always a pleasure,” Marinette said. “Whenever you come here next, we should hang out more.”

“Hopefully you’re not laid up in a hospital” Cassandra replied.

“Of course,” Marinette responded.

“Let’s hope things aren’t as hectic either” Vlad noted.

“Yeah, there sure were a lot of ups and downs this time around,” Travis added. He looked over at Kagami. “But I will say, this trip went out on top.”

Kagami walked over and embraced him. “We have something to tell you.” Adrien and Marinette were curious.

Travis wrapped his arm around her. “Heh. We’re kind of going out.” Adrien and Marinette were stunned. Kagami gave him a kiss on the cheek to highlight that.

Marinette smiled. “Congratulations you two.”

Kagami turned to Adrien. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

Adrien smiled. “Of course not. I have a wonderful girlfriend, and you have a wonderful boyfriend.”

Kagami smiled back. “Thanks Adrien.”

After they left the hospital, Vlad looked at his cohorts. “You go on ahead. I’ve got something to do.”

“You sure?” Travis said.

“Yeah” Vlad answered. “If I don’t catch back up to you today, I’ll definitely be there to see you off tomorrow.”

“Well, if you’re so determined, then I guess we’ll seeya” Cassandra said. “And good luck.”

“Yeah,” Kagami added. She nodded. Vlad nodded back and left.

While Vlad was walking, Beyyo popped out. “Um, just out of curiosity, what are you doing?”

Vlad sighed. “Mr. Agreste, Lila, Kagami… heck, practically everyone. They’re all starting to move forward. And I need to do the same.”

At the Liberty, there was a knock. Juleka answered. “Vlad?”

“Hey” Vlad said with little emotion. “Can I speak with Luka?”

“Oh. Sure” Juleka said. She left to get Luka.

Luka arrived. “Vlad?”

Vlad tensed up. “Listen.” He stood silent. Luka waited patiently. “GAH!” Vlad vented. Luka flinched. “Sorry” Vlad said, calming down. Luka readjusted himself. “I just have to say it. I..sort of have a thing for you…”

“I’ve noticed,” Luka said nonchalantly.

Vlad’s face grew a little red, but he pressed on. “But I can’t keep holding out for a light that isn’t going to come. So, I need to know now: Is it possible that the two of us could go out? Or are you straight?”

Luka chuckled. Vlad was stunned. “I’m sorry. But that whole speech just now was incredibly adorable.”

Vlad’s face grew redder. “You-You’re not answering the question.”

“Isn’t he?” Beyyo asked.

“Let’sssss wait and sssssee” Sass responded.

Luka grabbed Vlad’s hand. “I’d say it’s more than possible.” He moved in and gave Vlad a kiss on the cheek.

Vlad’s face was entirely red. “Wh-Where did this come from?”

Luka rubbed the back of his head. “Well, I’ve been thinking a lot. About me, and what I want out of someone. I mean, I was a bit down when Marinette started going out with Adrien, but you can’t hang on to one person like that forever. Otherwise, you’re just a one-hit wonder, you know.”

Vlad was taken aback by Luka’s explanation. “I...was sort of thinking the same thing...I needed an answer, otherwise I couldn’t move on…”

“And it’s things like that that made me realize, you’re someone I’d want to go out with” Luka said. “Plus, your impassioned speech was, again, adorable.” Vlad turned his head, a little embarrassed. Luka smirked. “C’mon.” He grabbed Vlad’s head, turned it towards him, and gave him a kiss, this time on the lips. Vlad was surprised, but followed through almost instantly. A few minutes later, all of Vlad and Luka’s friends got a picture of the two of them announcing their new relationship.

The day after, Kagami, Vlad, and Luka were there to see Travis and Cassandra off. “Seeya!” Vlad said.

“Of course!” Travis exclaimed. “And congratulations yourself!” Vlad blushed, but Luka took his hand, and he calmed down. The two started to wave.

“Don’t have too much fun with us!” Cassandra said. The two started getting on the train.

Kagami called out. “Hey!” Travis looked at her. “Promise you’ll call when you get back.”

“Heh” Travis laughed. “What do you take me for?” They both smiled at each other. Travis and Cassandra got on the train, and it started going.

Meanwhile, Alya and Nino were visiting Lila. Of course, they also forgave Lila after Lila apologized. They were having a good time. But then Lila’s face went from happy to somber. “What’s wrong?” Nino asked.

Lila looked at the two of them. “Do you know if Marinette’s coming?”

“Marinette?” Alya wandered.

“Yeah” Lila said. “She’s the one I want to apologize to the most.”

“Oh, um, well…” Nino sputtered.

Lila sighed. “She’s not coming, is she?”

“No no, she’ll come,” Alya replied. “It’s just…”

“It’s fine,” Lila said. “I know a lie when I hear it. I can’t say I’m surprised. Marinette is the one I was the worst to. I can’t imagine she’ll forgive me.” Alya and Nino were awestruck. Lila turned back to them and smiled again. “But thank you two for coming. Honestly.” Alya and Nino nervously laughed.

A little later, Alya and Nino entered Marinette’s room. “Hey guys,” Marinette said.

“Um…” Nino pondered. “What are we telling people who AREN’T in the know?”

Marinette was confused. “Ugh” Alya groaned. “Lila wants to know if you’ll come and visit.”

“Lila?” Marinette wondered.

“Yeah, she’s upstairs,” Nino said. “Room 303.”

“And she’s resigning herself to thinking you won’t forgive her” Alya added. “Um, you will forgive her, right?”

“Huh? Oh, of course” Marinette said.

Alya said. “Good. Because I know you girl, and you got SUPER worked up about her.”

“Yeah…” Marinette said, embarrassed. “When I think of something, I’ll let you know.”

“Great!” Nino said. The three of them had a little visit, but Alya and Nino had to leave. Adrien hung around a little bit, but also left eventually.

That night, Marinette’s mind drifted towards Lila. From what everyone who visited her told her, she really was ready to turn over a new leaf. When she was through apologizing, she was pleasant and fun to be around.

She thought about what Alya told her. Lila really believed that she wouldn’t forgive her. Of course, Marinette had every right not to and then some, but darn it, that just wasn’t who she was. If she can forgive Hawk Moth on some level, she can forgive Lila.

Marinette looked around. Mrs. Agreste had already fallen asleep after another exhausting day of physical therapy. She decided to follow her lead and give it a go. She moved herself to hang her legs off of her bed. “Now or never.”

She gently flung herself downwards. She landed on her feet. She had only done so to use the in-room bathroom, and even that was a bit strenuous, since previously she had been unconscious for a week. She started moving to the door.

By the time she reached it, she was already breathing heavily. She proceeded to open the door. She had been in plenty of situations where she needed to move something heavy when she was Ladybug, and it felt like that. Still, she opened the door and continued to walk.

She had to lean on the wall for support. She was feeling the strain of every step. Yet she was determined all the same.

She made it to the elevator. She got in, pressed the buttons to head up, and leaned back against the wall. The elevator granted her a small reprieve. “You can do this.” The elevator opened. She lifted herself back up and headed out.

She didn’t have to go very far to find room 303, but it felt like a struggle all the way. She arrived at the door. She placed her hands on the handle, and began opening it, calling upon the same strength she used to open her own door.

When she slid the door open, there was a loud sound, which woke up both patrons of the room. Nathalie turned the light on. As soon as she saw a fatigued Marinette wandering into the room, she immediately pressed the “Call Nurse” button. Lila just looked at her in shock and said, “Marinette?”

Marinette looked up at Lila. “Lila…” That was all she could muster before passing out.

Marinette woke up back in her own bed. She was greeted by a doctor. “You gave us quite a scare, Miss Dupain-Cheng,” the doctor said.

Marinette looked down. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright” the doctor noted. “Frankly, I admire your drive, but we should work on baby steps.”

Marinette looked up and smiled. “You’re right.”

“I’m sure with your adventure last night, you’ll do great, '' Emilie said from her bed.

Marinette looked over at her. “Thank you Mrs. Agreste.”

The door opened up.It was Lila. She rushed over to Marinette’s bed. “Marinette! I’m so sorry.”

“Lila? What are you doing here? Marinette asked.

“Well, um, you did come to my room last night,” Lila said.

“Right…” Marinette replied. “I came because Nino and Alya told me that you were asking why I hadn’t visited yet.”

“Oh. That makes sense” Lila realized. “Well, don’t worry, Mr. Agreste explained everything.”

Marinette was confused. “He did?”

“He was here this morning,” Emilie jumped in. “After he heard about what happened, he came to make sure you were OK. When the doctors told him you were stable, he was relieved. He would have stayed, but he said he was busy with the upcoming case.”

“I see…” Marinette said.

“Marinette,” Lila began, “had I known he’d attacked you like that, I would’ve understood.”

Marinette was confused. Before she could say anything, Emilie said “Remember? You were offered the butterfly miraculous to continue Hawk Moth’s mission. And when you said no, he attacked you. Thankfully, Cat Noir, Judgement Wolf, and Ladybug figured him out just then and saved you.” Emilie winked.

“Oh” Marinette said. “Yeah.” She looked downward. “Lila. I don’t want you to think I wouldn’t forgive you. I mean, from what everyone has told me about their visits with you, you sound so sincere about wanting to make it up to everyone. I can’t be mad at that.”

“But you were the person I was the worst to,” Lila admitted.

“I know,” Marinette said. “And trust me, there were days where there was nothing more that I wanted than your complete humiliation.” Lila was stunned with this honesty, but understood it. “But I can’t live in that animosity. I just can’t. Ladybug is working so hard to fight for peace, and I want to be able to live up to that.”

Lila’s face was filled with mixed emotions. “I’ve been living in that animosity for so long. And I thought I enjoyed it, but it all came crashing down on me, and I realized I didn’t want that anymore. But I thought it was too late, so I kept running because that was all I was good at.”

Lila smiled. “But when Ladybug said she wanted to save me, I was overjoyed. She could have left me for dead, and I would have understood it. But she wanted to save me. So now I want to live up to Ladybug’s light too.”

Marinette smiled and reached out her hand. “Friends?”

Lila was about to shake her hand, but instead dove in for a hug. Lila started crying tears of joy. “Friends.” Marinette was startled by this hug, but returned it once the suddenness wore off.

[ofstarsandfireflies]

And we’re back at it again! Thought I’d give something different a try this time

Terminator

A robot from the future travels to the past to kill the future’s hope.

Stephen remembered the day Ultron took over the world and killed anyone who tried to rise up against it.

Including the Avengers.

War had broken out between the machines bent on destroying what remained of humanity and the men who could still fight.

Stephen Strange was one of these men.

He and his group of New Avengers had been fighting for years to reclaim the time stone, and today they finally would.

While everyone else would keep Ultron’s Army busy, Wanda and Stephen, the last two magic users left, were tasked with stealing that infinity stone back.

And that was when they stumbled upon the device Ultron had created with it, and watched as Ultron himself stepped through the portal held within.

It had a back up plan.

With this device it could go back and take over the world at any point in time.

With this, Ultron could go as far back as it seemed fit, and as often as it needed, until it won.

They had to destroy it.

And before he could move to, something caught Stephen’s eye.

A photogrpah of Tony Stark.

Ultron had some ulterior motive for going back for Tony Stark and Stephen wanted to know what it was.

He pocketed the photo

The only way he would find out is to get to Tony Stark before Ultron could.

Maybe if he did, this timeline would erase itself, and the world would continue on, protected by the Avengers.

He turned to Wanda.

As soon as he stepped through, she would need to destroy the stone so it could no longer be used.

Ultron can’t use it to go back again.

And Stephen can’t use it to come back again.

And Wanda agrees, saying goodbye to him as he steps through and keeps her promise to shatter the time stone.

Stephen finds himself in a year not too long ago, racing in the opposite direction of the screaming crowds of people who wouldn’t live to see his time come to pass.

And that’s when he sees him.

Tony Stark’s Iron Man, suit battered and sparking, his thrusters spluttering as they tried to keep him airborne as Ultron flew after him.

A well timed blast had Tony falling from the sky, his suit managing to kick itself back into gear before he landed in a heap on the ground.

Stephen pushed his way to him, crimson ropes wrapping around Ultron’s neck and ripping him away from Tony before he could do anything more.

As Tony tries to get up, Stephen offers him his hand.

Without hesitation, Tony takes it, and Stephen helps him to his feet, dragging him with him to where he remembers the Sanctum used to be.

Tony’s full of questions but Stephen can only think to answer the first one he actually has an answer for, telling Tony how this Ultron and himself are from a possible future.

Tony is skeptical, but he has no choice but to believe Strange.

Tony’s fought bloody aliens of all things, time travel isn’t as crazy as he once might have thought.

Before they can reach the Sanctum and ask for help, Stephen falls through one portal and Tony through another, landing them in different rooms of their destination.

While Tony is treated as a guest and given a jacket to cover over his Iron Man armour, Stephen is getting grilled by the Master of this Sanctum, Daniel Drumm.

Master Drumm knows Stephen shouldn’t be here doing what he’s doing.

And Ultron shouldn’t be here either.

Stephen tries to tell them that they have to protect Tony when Ultron bursts in, Stephen just managing to escape as Sorcerers fight and die around him.

He manages to meet up with Tony and they get the hell out of there without being noticed.

They need a place to lay low and rest.

Pulling the hood of Tony’s jacket up over his head, Stephen transforms his cloak into a long coat, pulling the collar up high to hide in and rolling his eyes when he feels it brush his cheek affectionately.

Tony hails a taxi and pays in cash to get them a block away from Stark Tower.

It’s only when Stephen is starting to relax from the adrenaline rush of almost being killed that he starts to feel the pain from the hit he took.

Tony is on him in an instant, inspecting the wound and trying to distract him with more questions about the future.

He has to ask in a hushed whisper so their taxi doesn’t over hear them and kick them out for being nut jobs and bleeding over his seats.

But Tony finds himself answering Stephen’s questions instead.

He answers them as he pulls Stephen out of the cab, almost losing his footing if the coat hadn’t balanced him.

He answers them as he half drags Stephen into Stark Tower.

He answers them in the elevator to his private lab where he begins to patch up Stephen as best he can.

And Stephen hangs on to every word.

Stephen never got to meet his version of Tony Stark, but he wants this one to know he doesn’t blame him for creating Ultron.

His intentions were good, and Stephen knows a person is not the mistakes they make.

Even Geniuses get it wrong sometimes.

Tony can’t see how Stephen can think this after living in a future Tony helped destroy.

So, Stephen tells him that, even though that was true, the Tony Stark from his future never gave up fighting Ultron.

He was an inspiration to the people to get up and fight along side him.

To the few left with extraordinary abilities to come out of hiding and become part of something much bigger.

To him.

Tony Stark was a legend, a cause people rallied behind now and forever, and will always be a hero to them.

People loved him.

Stephen loved him.

And Tony, having tied off Stephen’s bandage five minutes ago, stops Stephen from pulling his robes back up, fingers lightly tracing the pale scarred skin, the only evidence of all the battles Stephen has fought and survived.

Because of him.

He wants to make it up to him.

So when he kisses him and Stephen doesn’t kiss back, Tony instantly thinks he’s overstepped.

But when Stephen finally kisses him back, Tony’s fears ease away.

Stephen can’t protect Tony like this.

Not against Ultron in a technological world.

If Ultron’s body becomes too damaged, he simply flees through network cables and wifi signals.

If they could get somewhere where Ultron couldn’t do that, and get their hands on a weapon that could do some real damage to that vibranium shell, they might have a chance of surviving the night.

The question was where the hell were they going to get those things.

Why, here at Stark Tower, of course.

With the highest security thanks to Ultron’s initial attack some years ago, and with Tony’s personal lab around them, Tony has exactly what they need to destroy Ultron once and for all.

Stephen is amazed.

Tony has something that powerful?

Tony pulls himself from Stephen’s side and walks over to a draw, showing him a large glass tube with different sized metal shards in it.

Adamantium.

And then they hear it.

Ultron is here.

Stephen can only watch Tony work in amazement.

It truly is a sight to behold, and even more so when Tony declares his work is finished.

It’s a glorified Nail Bomb to be sure, but one that will work on Ultron and tear his Vibranium shell to pieces.

Stephen had never seen anything so dangerous be constructed so quickly, and would have offered some form of congratulations had the elevator doors not opened and Ultron stepped out.

Tony grabs the bomb and Stephen tells him to throw it.

They can’t let Ultron win.

If he wins against them tonight, Stephen’s future will become a reality, only there won’t be an Iron Man to inspire the people to fight back.

So he has to throw it and throw it now.

And Tony can’t.

He’s not willing to risk Stephen’s life.

But Stephen knows he doesn’t belong here.

This world, this life, this Tony, all belong to the other him.

So he does the only thing he can think of.

He grabs the bomb from Tony’s hand and throws it at Ultron’s feet, spinning around and throwing himself on Tony to shield him from the blast as the Adamantium nails shoot out in every direction, many piercing through Ultron’s vibranium body and severing it in half.

One pierces through Tony’s leg, but that’s incomparable to the amount Stephen’s body protected him from as he lays still in Tony’s lap.

Tony calls to him softly and Ultron hears him, clambering over Stephen to get to him.

On a whim, Tony rips the five inch nail out of his leg and shoves it up through the jaw, watching those red eyes finally fade into darkness.

And just like that, Ultron is finally defeated.

And Tony is left all alone, cradling Stephen in his arms.

And a few years later, they meet again.

Quotes -

“Come with me if you wanna live.”

Stephen’s first words to Tony

“There was a nuclear war. A few years from now, all this, this whole place, everything, it’s gone, just gone. There were survivors. Here, there. Nobody even knew who started it. It was the machines, Sarah.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Defence network computers. New, powerful, hooked into everything, trusted to run it all. They say it got smart- a new order of intelligence. Then it saw all people as a threat. Not just the ones on the other side. It decides our fate in a microsecond. Extermination.”

Stephen tells Tony about how his future happened.

“Well, how are you supposed to get back?”

“I can’t. Nobody goes home. Nobody else comes through. It’s just him and me.”

Wanda and Stephen’s last conversation.

“Some legend. You must be pretty disappointed.”

“No. I’m not.”

“Kyle, the women in your time, what are they like?”

“Good fighters.”

“That’s not what I meant. Was there someone special?”

“Someone...?”

“A girl, you know.”

“No. Never.”

“Never?”

Just Tony trying to find out if he has a chance with his rescuer.

Protecting the Future -

Stephen can’t change this future.

But maybe he can change the past

Missed a Day? Catch up here!

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10

Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14

[winter-is-lost]

TRANSFORMERS : MTMTE

Rodimus x Cybertronian! Reader

Y/n = Your name

Y/f/c = Your frame colour

Warnings : I'm honestly gonna stop adding these 'warnings' cause trust me even I have absolutely no idea how it's gonna turn out. But I hope I can do well and hopefully, it turns out good. :)

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《 Reader's P.O.V.》

Betrayed...Tired..Exhausted...No. All this felt like an understatement.

..I was done..

My autobot badge, that I once wore with such pride and joy had long since lost it's shine, now rundown and broken, covered with my energon. One could only imagine how it still managed to hold on to me. Then again, I wasn't in a good shape either now, was I? No. I had managed to snag a ship and barely escaped.. My ship crashlanded on some random planet. I didn't care which as long as it was away from there.

Pulling myself out of the wreckage of my ship I proceeded to make my way towards an urban inhabited area. I struggled to maintain my balance, stumbling here and there before my body eventually gives up making me fall like an asteroid. I place my hands near me, trying to push myself off the ground.

A futile attempt...

..What's the use anyway..It's not like I have any place to go to...any one to return to..what does it matter..

I lay there on the ground. Bright red warning signs flashing infront of my sight. It was happening...Is this how I was gonna go...

I laid there for God knows how long before I heard the sounds of pedesteps rushing in my direction before coming to a stop near me.

I felt someone placing a servo on my shoulder plate and shaking it gently, as if in fear of causing any further harm to my already damaged body.

"-eed a doctor. You los-"...barely being able to listen, I somehow managed to catch a glimpse of the bot...Orange..with..with glasses.

"-be ok. Just..just hang in ther-"

That was the last thing I could make out before my optics offlined...

===============================

{ years later }

"-so, I think it would be a nice experience for us to go." Rung turned away from his datapads to look up at me with a soft smile gracing his faceplates.

We were both preparing for the journey we were to take part in. Rung informed me yesterday of a mech designated Broadi..no wait - Daud..no,no..YEAH! Rung informed me yesterday of a mech by the designation Rodimus who had proposed a journey across space in order to find the Knights of Cybertron.

Unsurprisingly, Rung wanted to leave on this journey too. Of course, not because of finding the Knights or anything, but because of his love for space ships and the journeys they bring.

I mean, it was pretty obvious to me as I was placing his models of the ark ships into a box so it would be easier to carry while he was making sure he handled all the data and knowledge of his clients properly before leaving.

"Yeah, you're right. It does seem like it's gonna be fun, so why not." I reply as I place another one of the models into the box.

It was kinda true. I was actually going along because of him.

You see, after the war has just barely ended mostly everyone knows how to fight. Then, there's Rung. Now, I don't mean to sound like I'm berating him but he just...he can't fight..he doesn't even have the build most average mechs have. On top of that, he's kind-hearted and a gentlemech, which is nice but makes it all the more easier for someone to harm him.

People are willing to use others for their own benefit, to achieve their goals, even the ones you know for the longest of time, trust me, I'd know...and that's where I come in. I make sure to keep him out of harm's way to the best of my abilities, he's someone that I care for and respect like a..a..what was the organic term for it...a brother, yup, like a brother. The universe needs more good people like him.

Besides...he did save me all those years back, so God forbid if I let anything happen to him. Of course, he doesn't know that..or maybe he does but just pretends that he doesn't, but let me tell you, aside from physical *ahem violent* confrontations, he can handle himself just fine - the guy's been aboard all the Ark ships, that's gotta mean something right.

===============================

"NEXT!"

Finally. After standing in the long line of passengers waiting to board the Lost Light for what seemed like a thousand cycles. It was finally our turn. Rung and I made our way towards the 'Head of Security' for one final inspection before being allowed aboard the ship. Since I was Rung's assisstant, sort of, I remember this guy, he was Rung's client for a couple of centuries. His name was..Red Alert, I think.

"ONE HUNDRED MILLION! That's an impressive serial code,..Er.." Red Alert looks up at Rung with a suprised expression plastered across his face plates. I clench my dentas together in an attempt to hold my laughter.

After everything and everyone was on board and with our ship Quantum jumping God knows where.

Everyone was called by Rodimus, the ship's captain for a debriefing about the current events. I didn't hear much because I don't know why but there was something about this guy...something familiar...weird because I don't remember seeing him before.

The longer I looked at him, that feeling of familiarity turned into a slight feeling of unknown dread settling itself into my fuel tanks.

The debriefing was done and everyone around me was leaving to handle the task at hand, just as I was going to leave as well, I ended up making eye contact with Rodimus.

That feeling of dread and slight anger mixed with some sadness came back to me as I stood there frozen in my spot. I could tell he felt something too just by the way his optics widened and his jaw hung open. As if something unexpected had happened. As if someone you had once lost to the realm of death had come back...

I saw his mouth move slightly, as if trying to whisper out a name. MY name..?..

"..Y/n." I was brought back from my trance when I felt a servo touch my shoulder. Looking down at the owner of the hand, I was quite relieved to see Rung looking back up at me with concern evident across his faceplates. "What's wrong Y/n?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," I give a small smile to reassure him. I decided not to worry him about something like this, afterall, it could just be a side effect from that faulty quantum leap.

《 Rodimus' P.O.V. 》

There had a been a breach in the hull caused by the sudden quantum leap. We had 40 crew mates drifting across space that we had to save. We NEEDED to save. No way am I gonna leave MY crew behind.....Not this time.

After giving everyone a brief idea of what had happened and what needed to be done. I was preparing to leave for the mission - gathering back the 40 lost crew members, when my optics landed on a familiar Y/f/c bot. Is that...No. It can't be. Nope. Not real. She/he isn't real...is she/he?

She/he turned her/his helm in my direction and our optics met....it was her/him...But how..I..I thought she/he had...I thought she/he had died when our team was attacked back on Ki-Aleta...

But she/he was here, right here, on my ship, right in front of me...

I wanted to call out to her/him, but before I could I noticed a slightly smaller mech with an orange frame and slim built approach her/him. Their interactions reminded me of how we used to be like this back in the day. She/he was always there to lighten up the entire team even at the darkest times, no matter how tough or impossible a mission would seem, she/he never gave up. She/he always had our backs..My back. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel something more for her/him. I thought I had lost her/him back on Ki-Aleta. She's/he's here..I need to talk to her/him..

As I look back to see her/him and the orange mech making their way back to their quarters, I push back my thoughts of her/him and attempt to focus on current mission.

===============================

{ A time skip to when the Lost Lighters found a sparkeater aboard the ship, brought to you by Rung's adorable noodle arms }

===============================

《 Reader's P.O.V. 》

As I was sitting on the edge of the bridge in the Oil reservoir I couldn't help but let my thoughts run back to that Rodimus guy and this dreadful feeling of familiarity. He did remind me of someone though... Someone I'd rather forget about. His optics, I had a feeling like I'd seen them before, but I hadn't even met this guy...right?..

Though I was getting kinda suspicious of him being someone from my past. The similarity between the names. The way he had addressed the crew, the way he spoke, even his colour scheme was similar...so similar to an old friend..one that I was close to, one that I loved, one that I trusted....all just to see him leave me behind admist the enemy and the dead bodies of our team mates.

I had hoped that he would return, he might have just gone to get help. How silly...

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard the sound of emergency sirens going off. As I made my way out of the ship's oil reservoir, a voice on the hallway's comm informed everyone of a little inconvenience that had occured and advised everyone to find a room and lock themselves in for a short while...for safety reasons...

Just turning around the corner and witnessing the dead body of a crew member I sadly did not remember the name of, was enough to convince me that this was more than just a 'little inconvenience'. Approaching the dead body I did what any rational bot would do,

I poked it.

I flipped the dead body over and instantly wished I hadn't. This guy wasn't just plain old dead, he was completely sliced up. His brain module had been torn out, his chasis was ripped apart...But what horrified me the most was his damaged spark chamber. It was as if..as if something had clawed it's way through.

I nearly jumped when I heard the sound of the elevator door opening in the distance, followed by the sounds of rushing pedesteps. Leaning from behind the corner I saw Rung running down the hall with a blue bot, Skids as I remember, seconds later a Sparkeater running after them.

Wait..

.

.

A SPARKEATER?!

I moved out into the hallway and saw an elevator with the door ripped open. Inside there was a yellow and blue bot with a briefcase strapped to his arm looking back up at me from his place near the far back corner of the elevator, obviously terrified. Suddenly it hit me, there was a sparkeater on the loose...right now after Rung...

I turned around and tore down the hallway to where I saw them going. The Engine room, that's where I found them.

My eyes landed on the Sparkeater as it was rushing towards..towards..RUNG who was being held in place by Rodimus?!

Infuriated was an understatement. I was beyond that. HOW DARE HE?!

"NOOOO!!" I dashed towards them but before I could reach I felt someone stop me and hold me back in place as I continued to kick and move out of there grasp.

I had to do something. I wasn't gonna let anything happen to Rung. I couldn't.

Not only had he saved me, he was my closest friend. I couldn't just sit back and watch him die, I couldn't just not do anything. I couldn't LEAVE MY FRIEND.

Then I saw it, admist it all, the resemblance, the similarity. It was him..It was him all along...Hot Rod...and he was still ready to give up someone else to save himself.

I glared at Rodimus as he held Rung in place despite hearing him protest. HOW CAN HE DO THAT TO A CREW MATE?!

I kicked myself free from my captor but ended up getting hit behind the helm by someone. The last thing I saw before blacking out was Rung being shoved to the side.

===============================

When my optics onlined I came to realize that I was laying on a metal berth probably in the medical bay.

Slowly getting up I placed a servo behind my helm where I was hit.

"You're up early."

I snapped my helm towards the source of the sound, clearly not expecting anyone to be there before.

When my optics landed on the all-too-familiar flame design. "You..." I glared at him.I clenched my servos and through gritted dentae I tried to control my anger. "Where is he .?.."

"..I'm righ-"

"Not YOU. Where is RUNG!?" The scowl on my face probably showed him that I was not in the mood to joke around.

*sigh* "He's fine. He's in his

habsuite."

I nodded my helm slightly in acknowledgement.

He managed a small smile, "Your

new friend was quite stubborn.

He refused to leave and wanted

to stay in case you woke up.

Ratchet sent him to his habsuite."

My 'new friend'.?...

"Yup, he's like that. Doesn't like leaving his friends behind." I remarked, putting a subtle emphasis on 'leaving' and 'friends'.

His smile faltered as he turned his gaze away from me before he stared at me again, this time there was a sad look in his optics which almost made me soften before I remembered all he had done both to me as Hot Rod and to Rung as Rodimus and I hardened my glare further.

"I..I'm sorry Y/n. I kno-"

"What for? Letting others die? Prioritizing a stupid oracle over the lives of our friends? Abandoning us just to save yourself? Leaving me behind in Ki-Aleta between the enemy fires and the dead bodies of our fallen team mates?" Speaking those words it came back to me, all the pain, the hopelessness, the anger, the sadness..the betrayal...

"For all of them Y/n. I'm sorry.

I regret leaving you like that

but I had to do it."

I let out a dry chuckle at that,"Of course you had to."

"I was under strict orders Y/n.

Orders the rest of you didn't

know about."

"So?.. I thought we were a team. Do you realize if only you had informed us of these 'strict orders' before, we would have gone there better prepared. GIZMO AND DOWNLOAD WOULD STILL BE ALIVE!" I felt my voice waver at the mention of our long dead team mates.

"Y/n-"

"SAVE IT HOT ROD! Even when you had a chance, you chose to save yourself. When you left us..left ME behind, Rod, I was in denial. I still believed like a fool that you would come back. You'd be there. You wouldn't just abandon us like that. I kept hoping that you'll be back.....but I could only keep hoping so much. One day I realizd you weren't coming back. That was the day I realized we were all just acceptable losses to you, just collateral damage.."

I placed a servo across my optics to hide the Lubricants threatening to leave them, "..And to think I loved you..Trusted you with my life.."

"Y/n..Look, I know what I did was

wrong, but like I said, I was under

the strictest of orders.." He paused,

probably to see if I would interrupt

him or not, before speaking again, "I should've told all of you. I thought if I did then it would complicate the mission too much. But now, seeing how things turned out for all of us, it would have been better if I had."

"Rod..sto-"

"I went back."

I removed the servo covering my optics and looked at him. Instead of anger, there was slight shock mixed with sadness in them as I processed what he just said.."Huh..?.."

"I went back for you. All of you. I couldn't find anyone except Dealer. I thought you had died Y/n and it was my fault. I spent so many sleepless nights wondering all the different ways I could have saved you, all the different 'what ifs'. I was frustrated and angry at myself for letting you suffer that fate."

He reached his servo out for mine, holding it gently, softly as if I would break.

"I know..It's not much use saying sorry now. Nothing I say can ever excuse my actions, but please Y/n. Give me a chance. A chance to make up for all of it. I finally found you after so many eons, after I thought I lost you forever. Even though I know you hate me, just give me one chance to rebuild our trust and all that we had. Just one more chance to make things right. Hmm?"

"Rod.." I looked up at him. I saw the sincerity in his optics. No matter how much I tried, even after all that happened, I still couldn't hate him, my anger was slowly fading, giving way to sadness. The sight of our servos clasped together, drowned me in nostalgia.

"..I could never hate you..*sigh* It may take a while for us to go back to the way we used to be. Rod..I may be able to forgive with time but..but it's gonna be hard to forget.." He gave my servo a small reassuring squeeze. "But I'm willing to take a chance and start over."

I looked at him and saw relief mixed with happiness in his optics.

"I'll never abandon you..never again."

A small but genuine smile spread across my faceplates as I felt my spark warm up. The feelings for him, I had once buried within me started to resurface, slow yet steady.

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Aightttttt peeps so that was it with this one-shot. I hope you had fun reading this (I know it was kinda long and maybbbbe sort of all over the place, sooooo thank youuuuu for bearing all that.)

I'm open to all advices and suggestions, so please feel free to speak your mind on how I can improve.

Have a good day everyone~

[powermaknae]

In the Dark Part 3

Incubus! Yuta x Witch! Lily

Yuta leaves a life of wild partying and long nights to be with Lily, a witch with growing power.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

~Fantasy!au, sexual themes, some angst, blood play, power complex, fighting, drinking, demons

Word Count- 4K~

A/N: I’m sorry this took so long. I started uni again and just got really busy. But I hope you like it. It took a lot of effort. I really like how it turned out :}.

 The sky was dark against the neon lights of the club Yuta was stationary in. It had remained that way for days, after the pair emerged from Johnny’s nerd store. Yuta felt comfort in the corner at his reserved seat in his favorite club. He felt comfort but he was nowhere near content.

Lily had showed him her power, used it to help him, and it was highly amusing to him. But as he sat alone, accompanied only by several empty shot glasses, he couldn’t help letting his mind wander to the thought of her: Her childlike persona, soft skin, powerful demeaner. She was truly everything he desired.

He didn’t desire her like the woman he’d sucked dry the night before. No. It was so much more.

He gazed around at the crowd packing the popular night club, the clothes of many still sopping from the inclement weather. A few figures caught his attention, a group of college boys surrounding a very intoxicated girl. She was smaller than most of them but didn’t seem to notice the intention around her.

One of the boys flicked his hair out of his face as he peered over his shoulder in Yuta’s direction. He smirked before focusing back on the girl. Something about this boy was unsettling to Yuta.

Yuta was used to unsightly characters, ones of his own kind that were not nearly as skilled or experienced as he, and other creatures of similar nature with a much higher tendency for brutality, but he had never felt this unnerved.

He felt like the boy may have been a creature of familiarity, but Yuta couldn’t determine what, and that’s what was odd. He didn’t know.

After downing his last shot, he stood from his place and adjusted his dress pants before making his way to the door, trying to think no more of the feeling in the pit of his stomach. This party had become boring and he was in no mood to feed again tonight.

As he passed through the crowd, dodging body after body, the boy appeared beside him, checking his shoulder.

“My bad,” he sneered in an unexpected nasally tone. Yuta followed him from over his shoulder as he continued toward the exit, watching the next movements of the boy until he reached the door.

The streets were painted with wet streaks as the rain misted Yuta’s face. For a rainy night, he noted the unusual amount of civilians wandering the city. It was very odd indeed.

Every direction he turned his head, his eyes met a bystander. He couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that they were here for him. He felt for sure they could tell what he was, but what were they?

He picked up his pace, trying to remain inconspicuous without going into a panic. Frantically checking his surroundings, he hadn’t noticed a quickly approaching pedestrian and accidentally bumped into her arm as he passed. Her feet never slowed as she glanced behind her, giving Yuta a familiar smirk. He was close enough to her to see that the color of her irises were tinted purple.

Something unnatural was happening, he could feel it, and he needed to get to Lily as quickly as possible without being noticed.

He made a sharp turn down a confined alleyway with the intention of breaking into a sprint, turning his head over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t being followed. The air around him grew thicker as he attempted to pull himself forward, but he was blocked.

In the little light coming from the open streets, a large figure stood in his way, chuckling in an inhumanly deep voice.

Yuta was not one to let fear take over his senses, but he had to admit, he was afraid. Not afraid for his life but the fear of Lily’s, putting her in danger. This beast of a creature was after them and Yuta had to get to her somehow, before something else did.

********

In her small quiet home, Lily was anything but calm. The clash of thunder echoed through the walls as she carefully watched the surges of energy through the clouded sky. Her entire body ached, and her hands were shaky as she tried her best to make some chamomile to calm her senses.

The Book had not opened itself to her since she brought it home, but it spoke to her often, appeared in writing on the walls, and flowed with the cold breeze of the storm. The power it had placed upon her shoulders had taken a toll on her physical being.

She knew she had become much stronger. She could feel her ability growing within her, noticed how much she could withstand, but it had been days of nonstop training, and she felt much weaker than when it began.

The energy within her had changed, shifted, almost as much as the weather had. She somehow felt connected to it, like the change in magic had conjured the storm itself. She was much more powerful, but the energy she now possessed was difficult to control and resulted in several dents in the drywall.

She hadn’t spoken to Yuta in days. She missed him, but was terrified of what he might do if he found out the Protector had been broken. His demonic nature can be difficult to maneuver. Chaos cannot be controlled once set in motion and in the state she was in, he could have easily destroy everything she’s worth.

But now as she paced her living room floor, watching her hands shake uncontrollably trying best to contain her magic and sipping at her cup, she wondered where he had been, if he was doing alright, if he would come find her. She let her thoughts run with ideas to draw her attention away from the impending anxiety the storm had caused her.

Her feet had stopped moving momentarily when she heard a loud BANG at the front door. She jumped instinctively, stumbling backwards. Then from behind the door came a frantic, “Lily, please let me in. It’s me.”

She placed the warm cup on a coffee table nearby with surprisingly steady hands and waved her hand, rushing to the door as it swung open and banged against the wall. Standing slumped on her doorstep, leaning his weight against the frame, was a very weak, beaten and bloodied Yuta. Even when covered in bruises and gashes, his face still managed to glow.

She quickly pulled his arm around her shoulder, helping him hobble through the door. She sat him on the floor against the wall opposite the kitchen and rushed out of view. When she returned, she held a small bowl of warm water that had been sprinkled with peppermint oil and a washcloth draped over the side.

He gazed at her with big eyes as she moved the objects with such grace. The door was closed with a soft thud behind them, but the air from outside had made the room cold. Yuta shivered under Lily’s touch as she padded the patches of blood on his temple. His shirt had been massacred with gaping wounds underneath. Lily tended to those next, trying her best to stay calm.

Yuta winced at first, taking in sharp breaths, but as it subsided, he brought a soft hand to her cheek, caressing it gently. His fingers were freezing against her skin, partially due to his cold-blooded nature.

“It worked.” His voice was barely audible.

Lily was still shaking, but more out of fear. Yuta was strong enough to hold his own in a fight. What kind of creature could do this much damage and was it still after him?

Her face was stern as she glanced up in his large, sparkly eyes and said, “What happened? What did this to you?” She was so shaken that it was audible in her voice. Yuta pushed himself with his hand against the floor, sitting up a little straighter against the wall as his body went ridged.

“Lily~ something has changed.” “No shit…” She mumbled under her breath.

“I’m serious. I felt like they were watching me, following me. I tried to get to you but…”

“Yuta… Who’s they?”

“I- I don’t know… But they are not human. Some of them may be like me or other types of demons, but I can’t tell.”

“Did they do this to you?” Her eyes were getting puffy and she felt as if she’d burst into tears, but she fought it off.

“No. It was something else; something much bigger. I couldn’t fight-”

Before he could finish his sentence, he snapped his head towards the door. A distant thudding of very large footsteps was growing closer to their place of refuge.

Lily held completely still, focusing her entire attention on the thudding.

“Please tell me you didn’t lead it here,” she elevated her voice slightly, a tinge of annoyance in it.

“I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry. I just had to get to you before it found you.”

From outside, a booming roar shook the glass window and the two of them were almost completely consumed by fear.

“LILY BENNETT! COME OUT AND FACE YOUR TRUE SELF!” The tone of the roar was demonic, almost inaudible if it wasn’t quite so loud.

Yuta stood in his spot, using the wall for stability. Many of his wounds were already starting to heal at an inhuman rate, but he was still weak. Lily was moving towards the charmed door, ready to pull it open and face whatever it was that was looking for them.

Behind her came his voice, “Lily, please don’t. I can’t lose you.” She didn’t turn to look him in the eye before she swung the door open and marched outside for the showdown of a lifetime.

For the first time in days, she was willing to let herself loose. Her eyes glowed a fiery hue and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She could already feel her fingertips tingle with every step she took.

The sky was almost a pitch black, making the surrounding difficult for any human to see. Her shoes were soaked through, but her hair remained unwavering in the storm, the rain unable to reach her.

In front of her stood a creature like no other, several feet taller than her, covered in muscle. It bared its teeth and claws at her, massive in size and terrifying to look at. It resembled something like an overgrown werewolf, but its eyes seemed familiar.

“Johnny?” Her voice was low against the sound of the pounding rain.

“NOT ANYMORE! I AM MARCHOSIAS, MARQUIS OF HELL! YOU HAVE UNLEASHED MY LEGIONS! NOW YOU SHALL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!”

He bellowed at her, preparing to charge. She mustered everything she had within, all the magic she’d been given, the power she possessed. Her feet were picked up off the ground as she pulled her energy through her limbs to her fingertips. They glowed against the stormy night sky, where magic manifested into a line of defense.

As the marquis charged her, Lily held out a strong hand. She was putting every ounce of her being into her protection. She forced a small beam away from her stable frame, but it was a weak effort and the beast reached her, pushing backwards by several yards, and knocking her onto the ground.

He ran at her again, snarling in the dark. She was ready for his approach this time and shot onto her feet with both arms outstretched. The beam was stronger and slowed the beast down significantly, but she quickly ran out of steam.

Marchosias had realized her weakness and was charging faster than ever, feeding off of the thought of his victory. With great haste, he swiped at her small figure with sloppy aim, leaving a gash across her jawline.

She winced as she lay aching on the muddy ground. Her sore body was covered in bruises as she felt the warm gash ooze. She could make out a low growl farther away from where she lay, but it wasn’t the beast.

Yuta had regained some of his strength and was fending off the beast, trying his best to buy Lily some time.

He threw a vase across the yard, smashing it against his opponent. He was frantically dealing as many blows to Marchosias’ chest and face as possible, eyes as black as the sky, egging him on for more.

Lily pulled herself back onto her feet, wobbly and shaken. Even though her entire body ached for rest, she pulled every ounce of energy into her small fingers, drawing the attention of both males.

Marchosias lunged into a sprint, reaching his large claws towards her, but in an instant, she had filled her entire body with powerful magic, using all the energy, magic, and pure adrenaline she had left.

She cried out in the surge, as her entire body blinded her opponent. It was almost as if the power had burst from the seams of her small figure, and in a flash, the creature withered in the beam, letting out a ungodly screech.

The flash had grown brighter and brighter, and the screech louder, until, finally, Lily collapsed into the mud, bleeding profusely from her wounds and the demon shriveled into the soil.

Yuta watched in horror from his position in the distance. Farther away, he could make out the cries of other demons. By banishing Marchosias, she had also destroyed his legions.

Hearing the wailing in the far-off distance had changed Yuta’s demeanor. His face contorted in discomfort, his limbs longed for stretching and his thirst for blood was growing with every second.

He could feel himself transforming as the screams of his people grew and Lily’s pulse became faint. His body felt like that of a body builder, growing stronger and stronger with every movement. The desire for blood was growing unbearable. He needed it. He began to stand up straight, changing his appearance, preparing for a night of insatiable desire and untamable lust. His shoulders were broad, his now shoulder length black hair matched the color of his soul, and all he could see was red as he let the demon in him take over.

Lily stayed, continuing to fight as death threatened to take her. Yuta had disappeared, leaving little trace and a badly injured witch to fend for her life.

********

The next morning was colder than normal, the remnants of a demon hoard still lingering in the city. The air was moist from all the rain, the sidewalks still sprinkled with puddles. All was quiet, the early morning birds were still in hiding and the people roaming the streets were silent aside from distant footsteps.

Yuta was startled awake by a group of pigeons that had gathered around him as he lay on a park bench. He sat up slowly, trying to get a grip of what all had happened.

His lips were stained red with blood as he touched his tongue to his upper lip, tasting the familiar taste of iron. He wiped what he could on his torn sleeve, staining the fabric, too.

His head was in a daze, trying his best to remember the events of the night before. He looked down at his hands, taking note of the marks and more red stains. He noticed that his fingernails were filthy, harboring dirt and grime underneath.

In a flood of memory, he remembered Lily: rushing to her house, fighting the Marquis, and watching him vanish. After that was a blur.

He stood from the bench scaring off the pigeons and looked for a sign to tell him where exactly he had ended up. “Culture Tech Park”.

“Damn. How did I end up on the opposite side of town?”

His footsteps wavered slightly as he began the walk back to Lily’s small house. The city felt gloomy as he walked. He held his head low, watching his feet move carefully.

When he arrived, clouded in exhaustion, he looked up to see the front lawn had been completely demolished. It wasn’t picture perfect before, but now all the foliage had been destroyed and the yard was entirely mud and dirt.

Lily lay in the same indentation as before, not having moved a single muscle since the previous night. Yuta rushed to her side, rolling her onto her back. Her hair was matted from the mud and her face was covered in dried blood that had dripped from her wounds.

Yuta dipped his ear to her mouth, listening for breathing or any sign that she was still alive.

Kneeling near her limp body, he held her face in his hand, wondering how to fix this. Tears started forming in his soft brown eyes as he let his hair fall into his face. He had never meant to bring this upon her.

Just as he started to cry over her weak body, a presence manifested above him and soon he was joined by a very stern, rigid individual with short black hair and a heavy coat. He removed it from his slim figure and laid it over top if her as he lowered himself to meet Yuta’s position.

“Let’s get her inside. It’s freezing out here,” was all he said before standing back up. Yuta pulled her into his arms, holding her legs in one and keeping her head close to his chest with the other.

He tried to stay out of the way as best he could. Doyoung had cleared the small kitchen table for Yuta to set Lily on while he worked. He pulled things from cabinets and moved as quickly as possible. It wasn’t hard to tell that Lily had been like this for some time and he wasn’t sure how much he had to work with.

He paid Yuta little attention as he chanted under his breathe, sprinkling oils and herbs all over her and cursing when she didn’t respond.

“Shouldn’t we take her to a hospital?” Yuta interjected from against the wall after witnessing several rounds of ritual.

“They can’t help her. It would only make it worse,” Doyoung muttered, frustrated and becoming frantic.

Finally, after many attempts to bring her back to functionality, Doyoung placed a stick of cinnamon next to her right ear and said an incantation into her left, as a last resort: A spell he had never had to use before. He tried to keep his voice from wavering in nervousness.

When he had finished, there was almost an immediate difference: Her cold hands were slowly getting warmer, and her skin was gaining color.

Doyoung let out a sigh of relief. “The worst is over. She’ll be okay.”

“So now what happens?” Yuta was still very unsure of what he had done.

“We clean her up and let her rest.” It was simple but Doyoung began to wipe the dried blood and mud from her face with a rag. Yuta joined him slowly, coving more ground between the two of them. He had never cared for someone this much: certainly not enough to wipe blood from their cheeks.

Once her wounds were sewn and her hair was its regular shade of sunshine, Doyoung carried her to her bedroom, were the walls reflected the gloomy morning. He tucked her into the soft sheets and closed the door behind him to let her rest.

Yuta, who was flush against the wall again, knew better than to ask questions, but he didn’t have to. It was Doyoung who inquired.

“An incubus, huh? What exactly are you doing here?”

“I- We- it’s complicated…”

“I see. You know, I can tell you have a strange bond with my sister. One formed in magic. It’s quite strong.”

Sister…, Yuta never knew Lily had a brother, she really hadn’t mentioned much of a family. He only knew her to live on the outskirts of the city in a small cottage, alone.

“So, what’re you then? And how did you know she needed help?” He broke away from the wall and meandered closer to where Doyoung was brewing a cup of coffee.

“I’m a witch doctor; a healer. I’ve been staying close in the area. Lily told me she had been courted by the Book of Spells, so I’ve been doing my best to keep an eye on her. I could sense that something was off about her, but it may have just been you.”

Doyoung was not particularly fond of demonic creatures. He had several encounters with them, but never took any interest in them like his sister. She befriended the monsters in her closet and Doyoung banished them.

“Did I do this?...” Yuta’s voice was soft as he opened a place of his heart he didn’t even know he had, to a complete stranger.

“No,” Doyoung reassured. “If anything, I’m glad you found her when you did. Who knows what she could’ve done if you hadn’t been here?”

“Is she… evil? Is that why I like her so much?” His eyes went wide as the words flowed out of him. He never admitted to liking her.

Doyoung was unphased by the comment. “It’s possible. The Book of Spells certainly doesn’t court heroes.”

Yuta thought about the idea for a moment. Why was she willing to touch a demon, to befriend one, even care for someone like him? What was he to her? And what was she to him?

But thoughts were interrupted by Doyoung’s matter-of-fact nature. “I don’t think you are all evil, either. In fact, I think you and Lily balance. She could’ve become something much worse than Marchosias, but you were here to bring her back.”

They were silent now, in thoughts and words, just sitting awkwardly while Doyoung sipped at a cup of coffee, until he finally rose from his seat by the window and placed the mug in the sink before turning back to face Yuta.

“Take care of her. I know you will treat her well.”

And with that he opened the front door and vanished in the blink of an eye.

The small house was quiet, entirely. It was almost uncomfortably quiet for Yuta as he stood looking around at the aftermath of Doyoung’s power. Bloody rags were littered all over the floor along with wasted herbs and spices.

He felt overwhelmed, looking at the events of the day, so he opened the unstable door and sat on the porch step to think. The first thing he notice was that yard had been restored, was green and lush again. The indent in the ground where Lily was found had been filled.

It looked as though nothing had happened. The windchimes clanked together once more as a soft breeze filled the moist air. The flower beds in the windowsills were filled with color again as the gray of the sky began to fade.

How long will she take?

He sat and pondered on the porch step until the sun began to set and the star became visible. His head was less cloudy now and he was able to think clearly once more, only thinking about Lily’s wellbeing.

He stood from his sentinel post and shifted to go back inside, hoping that it would welcome him as she did. Upon reentry, the mess had been cleaned and placed in its rightful home. It was spotless from top to bottom. He glanced up to find his favorite scent had been replaced above the door frames.

He was careful to keep his footsteps light as he made his was to her bedroom, where he saw her under the bright stars of the night sky. She looked as beautiful as anything he’d ever seen, all comfy and cozy in her soft bed.

He slipped in next to her under the covers, careful not to wake her. Her caressed her exposed shoulder with the pads of his fingers, truly feeling her for the first time.

He closed his eyes and took her hand as he projected himself into her dreams. There he saw the two of them together, living a happy life full of wholesome enjoyment and passionate desire. There they would remain as the world was at peace once again.

[cafeinthemoon]

To Where the Water Take Me - Chapter II

Title:  To Where the Water Take Me

Genre: Fanfiction | Fantasy!AU

Pairing: Tobirama Senju x Yua (Ofc)

Rating: Teen | up

Word count: 2703

Chapter (s): 2/?

Warnings: minor injury

Read the previous chapter here: Chapter 1

Symbols: ⭕ | ➕ | 💛 | ▶▶

Chapter 2 - Gratitude

The seaman explained the situation in a deep, clear voice that both surprised and interested the girl.

- I am not afraid of you and I can perfectly understand what you are saying, girl of the land. I am grateful for what you did for me despite not having the obligation to do so. However, though I am aware of its unsettling appearance, this injury in my chest is the least of my problems. It was a result of an altercation I had with someone of my own people, and with this seaweed I managed to find during my escape it could be properly treated. But… – he then seemed to regain his courage and looked the girl in the eye – My face was also injured during the fight, as you can see, and I cannot take off my protector and treat the bruise until I go back to the deep sea and find a quiet place to do it in particular.

Even with the strangeness of the situation, Yua could sense through his tone and manners that he was not joking; despite her lack of knowledge about his people’s standards regarding education, it was clear that he must have received the finest one. Among her people, he would be certainly taken as a noble man; it was obvious that he wasn’t from the lower classes, if such thing existed in his world.

Still, she didn’t understand why he would need to find a hideout just to treat an injury on his face. That was illogical in all senses.

- I’m sorry – she started – But I don’t understand why you cannot take it off here and now. We could treat your injury as we did with the other.

He stared at the girl with something between embarrassment and annoyance, as someone who had to explain something obvious like as a social rule to someone but then remembered that the person came from another land where the said rule didn’t exist.

- In fact, I could not expect that someone from the land would know about such things – he sighed – Listen. I serve as Commander of the regiments responsible for guarding the gates and the territories connected to our Village, hidden in the depths of the sea. My forehead protector is a symbol of honor, a reminder of my purpose. I hope you do not feel offended by the way I am going to put things, girl, but it cannot be taken off in front of any people. I can only show myself without it to the closest people in my life, or to my own reflection.

She reflected on this.

- The closest people in your life… such as your relatives, or a spouse?

- Exactly.

Yua thought of this for a moment. So, not wearing that protector was like being naked in front of a stranger. It wasn’t something she would submit herself to; so why would she demand such thing from him, even though the rules of the sea didn’t apply to the land? But he still needed to treat that bruise, and his current conditions wouldn’t allow him to go too far without help.

The girl decided to reasonate with him.

- I wouldn’t want you to do anything embarrassing, of course – with her fingers, she put her hair behind her ear – But you see, we are alone here, and for all purposes and intents, your social etiquette is strange to me, so it wouldn’t make a difference if I saw you without your protector.

He frowned and his cheeks’ skin changed its tone to a green shade. Judging by the color of his blood, she understood that as a reaction equal to the human blush.

- Are you saying this because you are really oblivious to our culture – he started in a harsh tone – Or is it an excuse to satisfy some fetish of yours?

Yua opened her mouth, but no words left it. Did she really hear what she thought she heard? A sudden irritation grew inside her, and with much effort she managed to not give him a rude reply.

- I just did you a favor and this is what I receive for it? Suspicions? – she sighed and then hoped her own cheeks would not blush with what she was going to say next – Just to make things clear, whether you are wearing your forehead protector or not doesn’t make any difference to me because I am seeing everything I could expected to see from you right now – and looking at him up to down, to the edges of his tail – To me you are already naked.

If the seaman was already embarrassed before, now he stared at Yua with a scandalized look. In a nervous gesture he shook his tail, splashing wet sand and salty water to all directions; the girl protected her eyes with her hands.

- How can you say something so outrageous?! – he almost screamed in indignation – An honored individual of the sea people would never leave his house without being properly dressed!

Yua was still confused.

- But you are wearing no clothing at all!

Now the merman was about to lose his hope in her and her people.

- It seems that I will have to explain everything to you, then – his exasperation couldn’t be hidden.

- If you don’t want it, you don’t have to – she replied, not hiding her impatience.

But he explained it anyway.

- It might not seem like this to you, but the scales the cover the lower side of our bodies work as a natural protection. They are extensions directly grown out of our sensitive skin. It spares us from injuries, the damage of extreme environments and the inconveniences that bother you men of the land, who have to cover yourselves up with fabric, sometimes taken from other living creatures.

Yua stood in silence for a moment. In those words there were much information for one to process at once. First, the concept of being naked was something completely different to their people, even more than she expected. Second, while she knew nothing about his species regarding this, he seemed to have a reasonable knowledge of hers. That didn’t sound fair to her.

- Well, excuse me if I wasn’t expecting to have my people’s habits discussed and judged by the person who I just helped – she gathered the remaining seaweed and offered it to him – You can take this back now. Since you don’t need me anymore, you can just go back to your home and take care of yourself.

He didn’t take the plant, though. When Yua raised her eyes to him, she saw no more irritation in his traits now. When he spoke again, his tone was low and composed.

- Well, you are right. Perhaps I was too rigid towards you and your people. Allow me to apologize for my behavior.

And before the girl could find proper words to respond, she held her breath.

The sea man, so proud and secure about himself just a moment ago, bent down and put his hands on his face; when they moved away, they were holding the protector. He washed the blood on the sea water and looked at her. Yua could see his entire face for the first time. And it left her speechless.

Looking at his face was like looking at the sea itself if it had the face of a living being; it was a physical manifestation of the ocean. Despite the similarities with a human face, calling it human felt wrong, inappropriate, for the more she looked, less humanity she saw in him, this one being replaced with something else, for which she couldn’t find a name.

The red lines on his chin and cheeks were longer than she first imagined, almost touching his jawline, both steady and delicate in its shape as a combination of the wild and the rational sides of his nature, and the same pattern was found in the rest of his traits: his eyes, with their narrow, perspicacious format, his firm nose and his mouth with fine lips, almost as pale as the rest of his skin. The seaman was both old and young, abstract and sentient, unique as an individual and part of the water.

All of this was sensed by Yua in an instant. But she didn’t have enough time to deliberate: the new stream of blood falling from the injury and staining his skin shook her out of her contemplation and urged her to work. She took the seaweed and with the same gentleness as before, she covered the injury, which was more superficial than the one on his chest judging by the less frequent hisses from his part. She waited for a wave to approach them, put her hands under the water and cleaned the remaining drops of blood from his face.

Finally, she stated that her work was finished. Nothing lasted from the medicine that time. The girl washed her hands when a new wave reached their spot and shook them before trying to dry them in her already soaked clothes.

She observed in silence while he put back his protector, hiding the treated injury. When he asked if there was something wrong, she startled a bit, then smiled.

- Nothing. It’s just that… You’re beautiful.

He stared at her in silence; if trying to assimilate what she just said or surprised with the girl’s honesty, only he could tell. However, the bluish shade that came up to his cheeks convinced her that he was experiencing a combination of these two feelings.

The seaman looked away, affecting irritation.

- A silly concept of beauty, this one. It’s always expected that the highest ranked representatives of our Hidden Village’s Security show themselves in a presentable way.

At that point, Yua was no longer willing to argue over superfluous matters. It was obvious that this man had an elevated opinion of himself and that his current circumstances must have been a strike in his pride, which explained his salty manners since their first words were exchanged. From now on, his mood would be appeased as his injuries heal. In the end, she even started to find it funny.

- If it’s something so silly, there’s no use in getting irritated over it, right? – she laughed, then sighed – It was just a compliment. Why don’t you just accept it and move on?

He looked at Yua as if her suggestion was something that he could never think of by himself.

- Well, if it makes you content – he nodded in a ceremonial way – I accept your compliment. Thank you for finding me… beautiful.

The girl laughed even harder at his formality. But that time it didn’t seem to bother him.

Her apron, still in his hands and once white, was now entirely blue. He raised it and apologized for the staining it. She assured him there was no problem and explained that she had others as good as that one at home.

- You can keep it with you or get rid of it. Do as you please – she shrugged.

He glanced over his shoulder, to the sea, and raised one hand. It didn’t go unnoticed to her that the gesture made by him was similar to the common hand seals used by human shinobi. So the use of those arts were familiar to the people of the sea too?

At his gesture, a significant amount of water separated itself from the waves and ran toward them. Yua considered standing up and moving back, but the water calmed down even before reaching them. It raised to his hand’s reach, covered it and fell off, blending with the small waves as a part of them and leaving something white, shiny on it. He covered the object between his palms for a second, then he showed it to the girl.

It was a shell.

- I cannot remove the stains of your piece of fabric, but I can make amends for it – he offered the shell to her – Please, accept it as my apologies.

When Yua looked closer to the shell, she noticed a small pattern upon its polished surface. It was a mark. She turned to him, seeking for an explanation.

- I’ve put one of my seals on it. This seal is an essential part of my teleportation technique. If you ever need my help, you can hold it under the sea water. I will sense the seal’s location and come for you.

The girl didn’t know what to think of feel about that. She did nothing but a small favor to a person in need. Was her gesture worthy of such a debt?

She decided to refuse the offer.

- I’m sorry, but I can’t accept it – she showed her palms to punctuate her refusal – I’m happy that I was able to help you, but that’s too much! I can’t demand something like this from you!

He insisted.

- Listen. We, who live in the depths of the sea, have experienced war and violence during our whole recent history. Because of this, moments of peace and kind gestures like yours are valuable to us, and we do what we can to keep them in memory. This shell is a sign of our philosophy – he held the shell out to her for the second time – It is the appropriate way to show my gratitude for your time and effort in taking care of my injuries. So, please, accept it.

Yua looked at the shell again. She observed its elegant shape, the white bright on its surface dividing itself in thousands of colored rays at the pale light of that cloudy morning, and imagined what it would look like if it was directly touched by the sun. She had to agree with him: that single jewel of the ocean, so small in his hands, was indeed the perfect representation of one’s gratitude; if gentleness could be transformed into something concrete, it would certainly resemble that shell.

The seaman, seeing her hesitation, smiled.

- It is just a gift – and repeating her own words – Why don’t you just accept it and move on?

Finally, she raised her hands, her palms turned up, and let him put the shell upon them. She looked at it for a moment, then turned to him again.

- I can’t even describe its beauty. We don’t see things like this everyday on the land – and with a smile – Thank you.

He nodded, as if he felt that he could finally be in peace now that she said yes to his offer.

Yua looked ahead of him, to the waves.

- So… Do you need help to go back to the water?

- No – he looked over his shoulder, and part of the grin on his mouth was visible to her – I am not dead yet.

- What are you going to do? – she raised an eyebrow.

When he looked at the girl again, the grin turned into a genuine smile.

- I am going to ask you to stand up and take a few steps away from the water, girl of the land. It is for your own good.

She obeyed, despite her confusion. And what she saw made her feel glad that she did it.

The seaman united his palms and closed his eyes. The small, calm waves rolling near his spot started to rise and combine with each other, forming a large swirl that revolved around his spot.

It was an impressive sight. The air surrounding the swirl became so agitated, spreading salty drops to all directions, that she was forced to cover her eyes for a moment. When she was able to look again, she saw the seaman’s face through the water wall and opened her mouth in surprise: the image was clear; there was no sign of the blurry that should be expected when one sees something through agitated waters.

Yua didn’t hear anything but the sound of the swirl, but she could swear that the seaman’s lips moved to form the words “thank you” while she was looking, right before disappearing behind a wave.

[booklover41802]

Could you do another one where Cardan forces Jude back to Elfhame? But this time it’s 5 years after her banishment and she‘a happily married with a child. And Cardan confronts her about this and it again leads to greater angst?

Angst is your request, angst is what I deliver :)

Thank you for the ask, love!

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Jude

At seven in the morning, all Jude wanted to do was snuggle into the sheets with her husband for an extra minute before the children woke up. However, her husband, Sam, was currently fast asleep, drool pooling out onto his pillow. She studied him, looking at his sleep mussed russet hair, and dark brown skin. He was perfect, save the drool dripping out of his mouth. With one finger Jude gently reached out to wipe it away, accidentally sticking her finger in his mouth as he shifted in his sleep. Sam’s chocolate brown eyes opened sleepily, amused at the predicament. “This wasn’t how I thought I’d start my morning, but I’m not complaining,” he murmured, proceeding to flick his tongue against her skin. Bastard. She hissed, quickly pulling her finger out before he got any more ideas. “There was drool seeping out of your mouth! I only intended to wipe it away as a courtesy gesture!” Huffing to herself, she promptly flipped over to the other side of the bed. Behind her she heard Sam chuckle, and then the sound of the mattress squeaking as he moved closer to her. His arms wrapped around her middle, pulling her close to him. Though they were both clothed, the embrace felt very intimate as he rested his chin on her head. “Mi corazón, have I told you lately how much I love you?” A grin slowly began to spread across Jude’s face. “And how much you need to shower?” And just like that, she scowled. As if knowing how her facial expression changed, his hands came up to run down her shoulders, lightly, sending pinpricks of ecstasy flowing through her. The gentle contact was her favorite part of the morning, when it was just Sam and Jude, and no children. “I jest, I jest! You smell heavenly.” Emphasizing his point, he inhaled near her hairline. “Just like wildflowers and sunshine.” His hands stopped near her elbows, drawing small circles round and round. Closing her eyes, she focused solely on Sam, wanting to enjoy every moment. “The sun doesn’t have a smell.” “Untrue, you are what I imagine the sun smells like. You are the center of my world. And I suppose it doesn’t hurt that you’re hot enough to be the sun.” Jude groaned and shoved herself out of his arms, glaring down at him. “That was the worst pick-up line I have ever heard.” “I don’t need to pick you up, you’re already mine.” He blew her a kiss. Rolling her eyes, Jude opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by the sound of running footsteps outside of the bedroom. The door slowly opened up, revealing Jude’s three children, still in their night clothes, with wide eyes. Her eldest, Ronan, determined himself the leader to speak up. The twins, Sofia and Ava, huddled behind their elder brother, seemingly terrified of something. Before Ronan responded, Jude got a terrible feeling in her chest. A feeling that her past was coming back to haunt her. And that history was about to repeat itself. “Darlings, why do you look like deer caught in the headlights?” Her husband asked, now sitting up, throwing his legs over the side to go to their children. He was, thankfully, wearing pants. Jude was frozen in place, her mind racing as to how he had found them. How had he discovered where she lived? Vivi didn’t even know. “A strange man is at the door,” Ronan said in a hushed tone. It was Cardan. She knew it. It was too early for this shit. She uttered a string of curse words not meant for young ears.

Cardan

For the first time in five years, Cardan was about to see his wife. He nervously checked his reflection in the window, making sure his hair was perfect. This day would be perfect. Jude would return to Elfhame with him, and then they could rule together, as High King and Queen. Without his Jude, he was unbelievably lost. He couldn’t handle the pressures of court if she was not by his side. He had even brought a crown for her, as an apology. Cardan hoped she still loved him, otherwise this was about to be very awkward. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the little boy who had answered the door. The boy resembled him, and around five years old. Was the boy… no that was impossible. It was only one time. It didn’t happen that fast. At least, that’s what he’d been told Cardan was spared from his thoughts as the front door opened, and Jude’s stormy face greeted him. She looked beautiful with her rumpled blouse, hastily thrown on bottoms and sleep mussed hair, exactly like the sun. Terrible and enthralling all at once, and if you got too close, you’d get burned. “What are you doing here, Cardan.” Behind her, three children gathered around her legs, and farther back in the room, he saw a man with a worried expression on his bland human face. “To see you, what other reason would I have for visiting the mortal lands.” There was a tug on the hem of his tunic. He looked down to see the boy looking up at him with wide, black eyes. His eyes. “Mister, are you a prince? I’ve read all about them in books and you have a crown.” Cardan smiled indulgently at the child. “Better than a Prince. I’m a King. Would you like to try my crown on?” “Yes!” “No, you will do no such thing, Ronan,” Jude snapped, pushing the kid behind her. As soon as the child’s name slipped out of Jude’s mouth, horror entered her expression. As if she didn’t want him to know. As if it was meant to be a secret. Taking a step closer, so they were mere inches apart, Cardan cocked his head, peering into Jude’s brown eyes, noticing how much older and wiser they seemed. And happier. “May I come in?” “Can he, mommy? Please?” Ronan begged behind them. Jude stared him straight in the face, unwilling to back down. It was just one of the many things he loved about her. “If I say I’m sorry, will you let me cross the threshold?” All emotion was wiped clean from her face at his words. “You destroyed my life, and you think saying sorry will fix it?” She breathed under her breath, so quiet he had to strain his ears, “No. You may not.” Her expression turned fierce, a mother bear protecting what she loved from an intruder. Him. The man he had seen in the shadows earlier now stepped forwards, placing a hand on Jude’s shoulder. “Leave my wife alone, haven’t you done enough damage to her?” Wife. His wife. This was about to get interesting. Cardan flicked his gaze to Jude, noticing how she shut her eyes at her husband’s words. “Your wife? My, my, Jude, you’ve certainly been busy. And here I thought you already exchanged vows.” “Cardan, please-” “I thought you loved me.” There was silence now, from both of them. Jude merely opened the door wider, a defeated slump to her shoulders. The boy, Ronan, cheered when Cardan stepped over the threshold. “Jude, I don’t like this,” her husband said, in an annoyingly worried tone. Cardan smirked at the man, the man who dared called Jude his wife. “You don’t have to. You’ll be out of the picture soon enough.” Cardan looked around the home, noting the family portraits, the wedding photos, the warmth radiating out of the walls. It felt like a place where family didn’t stab each other in the back at the first opportunity. Literally. The man stepped in front of Jude, pushing her behind him, as though she needed protection. If anything, he was the one who needed protection. He was willing to bet the man didn’t know the half of Jude’s past. The bloodthirsty Queen who manipulated every situation to her advantage to gain more power, her ambitions flying higher with each passing day. “If you harm Jude, or my children, you will regret ever coming here.” His children, so there was no way that the boy was his. Cardan was oddly disappointed. “I’m leaving with Jude or I’m not leaving at all.” He turned his head towards his Jude. “Darling, won’t you come home with me?” He stretched out a hand to the woman who held the shambles of his heart. Jude crossed her arms. “I cannot. I’m banished, or have you forgotten that as you conveniently failed to remember how deeply you betrayed me at the first opportunity?” Here came the fun part, where he revealed everything in front of Jude’s husband. His lips stretched wide, teeth gleaming in the low lighting. “You seem to have forgotten the vows we exchanged, and how we consummated it that night.” Her husband looked on stonily. Cardan examined his nails. “Marriage to a King is no small thing, in fact, there’s a little thing that allows you to be elevated. You, my dearest Jude, are the Queen. Your bag of tricks finally ran out and I picked up the remnants. I learned from you, you see. You only need to be pardoned by the crown. With your marriage to me, you are Queen.” “If you’re a Queen, mommy, does that mean I’m a prince?” Ronan excitedly asked from his place beside Jude. Jude looked at Cardan with no emotion, stroking the top of her son’s head. “Yes, I suppose it does. Having a King and Queen for parents often does that.” “Yes! I can’t wait to tell the kids at school!” Cardan felt the blood drain from his face as his suspicions were confirmed. “Are-are you saying what I think you’re saying?” The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The kids seemed oblivious to all. “Ronan is your son. Ava and Sofia are not.” “Jude, is it wise to tell him that? Who knows what he’ll do with that information.” “Sam-” Jude started. “What is one child to me? I care nothing for him, only my Jude.” Sam snarled, getting right up in Cardan’s face. “Jude isn’t yours. She never was, and never will be. The sooner you understand that, the sooner you can leave my family alone.” The fool had no idea to whom he was speaking. He wondered just how much she had revealed to him. Surely she hadn’t told him everything. Jude didn’t let people in like that. Once she had let him in, and he had used the opportunity to show her they were evenly matched, mind-mind. Jude’s hand snaked around Sam’s arm, drawing him away from Cardan. “Sam, can you give us a moment alone, please.” Her husband looked into Jude’s face and found her pleading eyes looking back at him. He loosed a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “This wasn’t what I thought marriage would be like. Sofia, Ava, Ronan, come with me for a moment.” He left the room with the kids in tow and shut the door to a bedroom. Now it was just him and Jude. Endless words rose up between them, as though they were two figures on a broken bridge with Cardan trying to fix it, while Jude laughed at him. “Do you love him?” Silence greeted him. Only the children’s giggles from behind the door alerted Cardan that he was, not, in fact, in a graveyard. The silence was as haunting as a ghost’s final resting place. The way she stared at him, as if she didn’t know him, hurt Cardan more than he thought it would. Jealousy was a festering wound, the more you picked at it, the more it bled. “Yes, very much. While I’ve been away from Faerie, I never realized how different it was here. It was a shock to find that I quite liked the Mortal Lands and found no sorrow that I was to stay here. At first it seemed like a punishment, but now it has been a blessing.” Jude took on a love-struck expression that made Cardan sick to his stomach. “Did you ever love me?” He asked softly under his breath, daring to lightly run his fingers down her face. Her eyelids fluttered in response to his touch. Angling his head to study her, he wondered at how easily she could turn her emotions on and off like a lightswitch. “Love is a dangerous word.” Jude reached up and clutched his hand. At first, endearing, but as her grip began to tighten, Cardan knew he was about to see the wrath of Jude Durate. She opened her eyes, where he met only a razor sharp focus. “If I told you I only used you for power, what would you say? If I told you I loved you so much that I feared my heart would burst, what would you say?” His fingers strained to escape her iron-clad grip. Any harder and she would break his bones. “Does it matter what I felt? You certainly didn’t seem to take that into consideration when you humiliated me in front of the Court. What difference did it make to you, when you are the High King, and no one matters but you. Let me tell you this, I did love you. Once.” His fingers snapped. A broken cry escaped his lips, though she didn’t seem to hear it, not as she was lost in her passionate speech. As she raised up on her toes to whisper in his ear, Cardan wondered how he ever thought he could match her. “It was a mistake. You were my biggest mistake.” She released his hand and stepped back, arms crossed. Cardan staggered back, clutching his broken hand to his chest. “I still love you. All the stars have winked out in your absence, I beg you to return so that the shadows may disperse. You are the only source of light in my life. Please, return with me.” There was no emotion on her face, wiped clean like a blank canvas. “You have no one to blame but yourself.” The door cracked open and the twins bolted out, laughing as they proudly carried an object in their hands, staggering with the weight. It looked like… a sword. And not just any sword, Nightfell. Jude’s choice of weapon. Sam hurriedly dashed out behind them with a panicked expression on his face. “Ava! Sofia! What have I told you about playing with weapons? They’re too dangerous for young hands.” He plucked it from their hands, sighing as he went. As if realizing he had an audience, he looked up at the two of them, in close proximity, and he just looked… tired. Placing the sword out of reach from the twins, he slowly bent his head and swallowed. “Sam,” Jude whispered. Sam raised his head up and looked at Jude with a sad smile. “If you go with him, I understand why you would want to. He’s a Faerie in a magical land from fairytales, the place where you grew up. If you wish to go, I won’t stop you. After all, what can I offer you other than my heart? Do you not wish to be waited on hand and foot at a castle, versus working yourself to the bone in our small home?” Jude’s eyes began to water, and forgetting as though Cardan was even there, she rushed into Sam’s arms, burying herself against his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around her, his head resting on the top of her hair. “All I ever wanted was you. I love you. I’m not ever leaving, not for the memory of the childhood that scarred me in more ways than one.” She pulled back to look into his eyes. Cardan’s jealous heart rose up into his throat, red entering his vision. He was about to do something very stupid. “You are my home, no matter where we go. It is not Faerie, not anymore.” Cardan’s uninjured hand began to creep towards his jacket, where he stored a hidden dagger. A dagger that was sharp enough to pierce a heart. He’d been training with the Court of Shadows these past few years, and his aim was impeccable. So as the two lovers held each other in their arms, Cardan flung the knife as fast and as hard as he could for Sam’s chest. If he was gone, Jude would have no choice but to return with him. But Jude saw the knife coming. She flung herself in the path of the dagger, where it landed true, into her heart. Cardan’s world narrowed to the blood pouring out of her chest, staining the white blouse she had donned. Distantly he walked over to her in a trance, not seeing how her husband’s face went white with anger, nor the children screaming, drenched in their mother’s blood as they rushed around her. Sam gripped Cardan’s lapels with his hand, yelling in his face. Cardan didn’t hear him, his focus was on his darling Jude, bleeding out onto the floor. Cardan did the thing that was natural for him. He pulled another knife out and stabbed the man in the small of his back. If he was going to destroy himself, the other man was going with him. Sam slumped to the floor at Jude’s feet, his eyes glassy, unseeing. Already his hair was soaking up the blood pooling out from Jude. The children were crying, begging their father to wake up. Cardan had broken this family. He knelt next to Jude and held her icy-cold palm in his. Miraculously, she was still alive. “I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t mean- this wasn’t supposed to happen. We were going to be happy together. You and me, just like it’s always been. That’s all I wanted,” Cardan’s voice broke, tears now pouring out in great rivulets down his skin. With great difficulty, Jude opened her mouth. “You were never the villain in my story, Cardan. You have always held goodness in your heart. You must go on, as it seems that my tale has come to an end.” She stretched up her blood-stricken hand to his hair. “When we were younger, I fell in love with the boy who showed kindness in the smallest of ways. Though you say your heart is but embers, don’t let the light go out.” Her children were still crowded around their father, tears pouring down their little faces. “ All I ask is that you don’t bury me in Faerie. I want to be laid to rest next to my parents. And please, take care of my children. Don’t give them the childhood I had. Ronan is my legacy, as he is yours, and the heir to the Greenbriar throne.” Jude coughed, specks of red flying out. “Make sure they don’t forget me.” With trembling hands, Cardan moved his fingers to her face and cupped her cheek. “You’re not going to die. I-I can save you! Hold on!” He shoved every healing spell he knew into her chest, light wildly flaring out of his touch, not noticing how she had gone still, or the garden that had erupted under his touch, flowers of every kind sprouting up from the wood flooring. Before long, the house was overtaken by greenery and Jude’s final resting place was a garden of Cardan’s own creation. “Just… one… more. Stay with me!” Finally he looked at her, and saw the unnatural stillness of death. She was gone. His light died, as the darkness crept in once more. Jude Durate, High Queen of Elfhame, Queen of his heart, was dead. His darling Jude was gone, and it was his fault. He glanced over at her children who were looking at him with heartbroken expressions, like lost little lambs in a den of wolves. “Sorry doesn’t really help here, does it.” Cardan didn’t expect them to answer him, and they didn’t. “Come with me, and I will show you a place full of magic, where fairytales come to life. You can wear the finest clothing available, and sit on a throne. You will be elevated to royalty.” He offered them a hand, a hand still caked in their mother’s blood. Cautiously, but unsure of any other lifeline, and drawn in by his words, they took his hand. Biting back the terror and fear of what his life now meant, he brought Jude’s lifeless body with. Despite her words, Jude was to be buried at the Greenbriar mausoleum, where all the Queens before her dwelled. Against her final wishes perhaps, but he did not wish for her to be so far away. One final, selfish desire. Cardan brought the children to Jude’s old rooms at the palace, where he called for Tatterfell, who dressed and bathed the children. She promised to look after them while he went to give Jude a proper burial. Someone had cleaned her up, so that blood did not cake her skin, her clothing no longer torn. She was a Queen he could not reach, as she was lost to the void of the Afterlife, a star in the sky winking down at him. He placed her sword in her hands and as she was entombed, Cardan vowed to himself he would make Faerie a better place in Jude’s memory. From that day forward, it was decreed a crime against the crown to abuse mortals and glamour them against their will. Any found guilty immediately faced Cardan, where they met no mercy. The offenders were quickly put to death. No mortal would ever suffer the fate of Jude again. Every Sunday of the month, Cardan visited Jude, and told her everything she had missed. Every detail, no matter how small, echoed in the walls of the mausoleum. And as the years passed by, Cardan made sure Ronan, Sofia, and Ava were given the best treatment and education the crown could offer. He raised them as his own children, but never kept their past a secret. They knew Cardan had killed their parents. Sofia and Ava were willing to forgive Cardan as they got older, as they were much too young to fully remember. But Ronan was always distant. Some days he was warm and friendly towards him, others, an impassive stone. Cardan didn’t blame him. Cardan hated himself more than ever, and slowly let the grief devour him. He even refused to let his hand fully heal, as a reminder of the cost of jealousy. Though he was a just ruler to his subjects, he never let himself forget what he had done. He made sure Jude was never forgotten. Statues were erected in her honor, her would-be crown seated on the throne next to his, as a reminder that the Mortal Queen still lived. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ronan

Fifteen years after Jude’s death, his father sat in his room, looking into the flames of the fireplace with a blank expression. Ronan crouched in front of him, searching for the father who had raised him and given him a childhood away from the corruption of Court. But no matter how many times Ronan said his name, or pleaded with him, he would not rise. Under his breath he kept repeating, “Forgive me, my Darling Jude. Forgive me. I cannot forgive myself.” Again and again and again until his voice grew hoarse, but even then, he continued the mantra without pause, not even for food or water. Day by day he wasted away until he was a shell of who he used to be. He ignored all signs of life, until the last day, when four days had passed, and his father moved his gaze to Ronan. “You have her smile, and her kindness. I’m thankful I got to see them again.” Then promptly slumped in the chair, eyes looking forever towards the fire, begging for forgiveness. Suddenly Ronan was five years old again, and screaming for Sam and his mother to wake up. He saw the blood coating the walls of their small home, and the garden that had sprouted as Cardan attempted to save his mother. But here he was, aged twenty, and an orphan once again. Grief and guilt had killed as surely as a blade. Ronan was immediately declared the High King and took up his father’s mantle and legacy. He would never forget the man who read him stories long past his bedtime, nor the woman who taught him to never give up. His parents, the High King and Queen, left him a clear road to follow, and he took it, in their honor. Neither would ever be forgotten to the rot of time, he would make sure of it.

Tags: @illyrian-bookworm, @highladyofstoriesandmusic, @webcraft4eveh, @captainthefangirlofhp

[treatian]

The Chronicles of the Dark One: Breaking the Curse

Chapter 59: How to Break a Curse

He watched.

He had to watch. Because if they got their hands on the potion, then they'd take it right to Henry, and while the potion would work on the boy, it wasn't meant for him. He had to intercept that potion before they could use it. One way or another, he would. With Emma leading the charge, alone, he figured she would have come back to him once she realized that the egg was locked. Who else would have the key except he who crafted it? From there it would have been easy to fend the girl off, take the potion, and run, figuratively speaking. But with Regina in the mix…that changed everything.

Fortunately for him, he had time to think. Why they did it, he couldn't bring himself to even try and fathom, but instead of heading straight to the library, they turned and walked in the opposite direction. A moment later, he saw Emma's bug drive by. Where they were going when the library was right across the street, he hadn't a clue. But he tried to keep himself calm. If they'd thought of another plan, then it would fail. One way or another, they'd come back to the library. They'd have no choice but to try and vanquish the dragon.

So he watched and waited and plotted and planned.

And finally, about an hour before sunrise, he saw Emma Swan walk to the library and stand at the front entrance. She had the sword with her. He saw her gaze over into the shop just once as she waited, but he'd been expecting that and already had himself well hidden among the shadows and shelves, so he'd be difficult to make out at that distance. Once Regina showed up, she unlocked the building, and the two of them entered alone.

Showtime.

He took his cane, made sure a length of rope was hidden in his sleeve, and a roll of duct tape wasn't noticeable on his wrist, then put his gun in his jacket pocket. He made sure that things were ready when he returned because he was certain that when he did, he wouldn't have much time. Once he was positive preparations were made, he left the shop and walked across the street. The boarded-up and papered windows on the library meant that he didn't have to worry about being seen, and the darkness outside meant that he didn't have to worry too much about his shadow being cast either.

He stayed at the main doors to the lobby and listened. Inside it was quiet, no crank of machinery, no footsteps on the floor, no voices. His entire plan hinged on Regina sending Emma down alone while she waited upstairs. If he got anything wrong, if he opened that door and there was no one there, or it was Emma instead of Regina, his plan might not work, and he'd need to think of something else as he went along. He hoped he was right.

After a few minutes of waiting and listening to quiet, he held his breath and opened the door.

"What are you doing here?"

He managed to hold in his sigh of relief as he found Regina standing by the side of the open elevator shaft, waiting for the signal to lift it from Emma below. It was perfect, just perfect only…how much time did he have. He figured Emma would go down the elevator; that was a minute or two. She'd need a minute to find the dragon, then another to be shocked that it was real. She'd probably use another few minutes fighting her instinct to hide from it before she gave in and fought back; that could be anywhere from two to seven minutes. Then she'd need another two minutes to come back up…well…one minute and forty seconds if his plan worked. He had maybe ten minutes, and he'd already spent at least three outside. Seven minutes left at best. He had to get on with it.

"Just checking on progress and seeing that Miss. Swan does her job, of course."

Regina huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. She watched him saunter through the abandoned library, appearing as though he'd merely found a chair to rest upon himself. That was what he wanted it to look like, at least.

"About that…you and I are going to have to have a nice talk when all this is over about what exactly her 'job' is and why you brought her here in the first place. Why create a Curse you intended to be broken, Rumple?"

"Those are all excellent questions. And I'm sure it'll be a lovely little chat, but first…why don't you take a seat, Your Majesty," he offered, tapping the back of the chair for her. When she rolled her eyes at him, an obvious refusal, he reached into his pocket for his gun. He made sure it made an audible and identifiable "click."

Regina went still with something like fear and shock, and then she straightened her back, realizing what was happening. "You've got to be joking."

"Not at all," he whispered. "Take…a seat!" he ordered, growled at her, through clenched teeth keeping the gun carefully aimed at her. Still, she made no move to sit, but rather looked around as if for something to defend herself with. He let out a low chuckle. "We both know you've got nothing to use against me. You've used up the last of your magic here, remember, " he pointed out before motioning to the gun in his hand. "Fortunately, for me, this will still do plenty of damage."

She let out a heavy sigh, then looked up at him and sneered before moving toward him and falling into the seat. She automatically put her hands behind the back of the chair, expecting the rope he pulled free.

"Gold, I swear-"

"Convenient to find you up here," he interrupted as he tied. "I'm not surprised you didn't show her where the emergency controls were; just let her go down there by herself to face the beast. What exactly was the plan, Your Majesty? Trap her in an elevator shaft? Get her to pass you the potion so she can pull herself up? Leave with the potion yourself. Be a hero?"

"Funny, you know it so well it's almost like it's your plan."

"Perhaps it is," he shrugged, finishing his work and stepping away from her. It was close enough anyway, up until the last bit.

"What do you want with that potion? What will it really do?"

"Exactly what I said it would, break any curse."

"But not Henry's!"

He smiled. He hadn't lied to Booth. True Love's Kiss could break any curse. Even in this cursed state everyone found themselves in. Magic was in this world. It was what was keeping the Curse in place. Something small meant the magic wouldn't be absorbed by the Curse, which was probably how Regina had gotten by and how he'd been able to use a few simple spells and potions over the years. But with something big, the Curse would leech onto whatever magic was there, absorb it for itself and use it to keep itself running. True Love's Kiss, on the other hand, that powerful pulse of magic he'd first felt when Prince Charming had kissed Snow White, he had no doubt that was powerful enough to overwhelm the Curse, to give it too much magic to absorb. It would temporarily and break the Sleeping Curse that held Henry hostage. It might even…

A powerful infusion of Light Magic from True Love's Kiss that could not be easily absorbed by the Dark Curse…it might even be powerful enough to overwhelm it all together. And break it.

So that was how it would be done. It all came down to True Love's Kiss. He'd never been given a vision of how the Curse would break, only had the knowledge that the Savior would break it. And now, as everything seemed to line up so perfectly, it was so brilliantly clear that this was it, this was how it would be done. True Love's Kiss…

But it had to be True Love. If it wasn't, then there was no luck. Fortunately, considering how Emma had reacted to Henry being cursed, the limits she was willing to pass in order to get him back…it was True Love. Love between a parent and a child. And Regina hadn't been able to break it. What did that say about their relationship?

"You've had the power to do that all along, dearie."

"How?" she snarled.

He only smiled and shook his head at her ignorance. Only a minute or two left. He had other things to do.

"Tell me how?!"

"If I have to tell you, it'll never work," he answered before tearing a piece of tape off of the roll he'd brought with him and moving toward her to place it over her mouth.

"No!" Regina cried before moving her head out of the way foolishly as if a few quick movements could stop it. "No! I have something you want!" she screamed suddenly. "I have something precious of yours. You don't even know…I'll give it to you! If you just help-"

He didn't listen to her. The moment she turned back to him, he lunged and fit the tape over her mouth. "You've tried that once before, Your Majesty," he reminded her. "Didn't work then. It won't work now." The only thing precious to him now was Baelfire. It was she who didn't know that no matter what she thought she had, it was nothing compared to his own son. Especially not when he knew that there was something that would get him back, and it was on its way up…now.

Suddenly a light on the elevator flashed on, and he felt his stomach jump. It was light to let the operator know that it was safe to raise the lift. So he did. He threw the switch as Regina had meant to and recalled it. But when the lift was perhaps a floor or two below, he shut it off abruptly. Regina whined. He turned to glance at her, to throw her a warning, but she didn't see. She was too busy trying to get her hands loose.

"Regina!" Emma called up the lift. "What the hell was that? Regina!"

Regina whined again, but clearly, the girl couldn't hear her. This was the part where her suspicion of her was going to come in very handy.

"Miss Swan?" he called, innocently poking his head into the open shaft and looking down at her. "You got it?"

"Mr. Gold," the Savior cried, looking up at him. Thank the gods…clutched against her chest was a golden egg that he hadn't seen in a very long time. She'd done it. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to check on you. I'm glad I did. Regina abandoned you and sabotaged the elevator," he lied as Regina made strangled muffled sounds against her bonds.

"What?" she cried before looking around the caged lift. "I'm coming up!"

He watched as she delicately balanced the egg on the top of the ragged lift in a way that would have made him nervous, even if his main goal wasn't to have her toss it up to him so he could take it and run.

"Now, there's…there's no time for this. You can't possibly scale the wall and carry that."

"Yeah? Well, I can try," she called, climbing up onto the top.

"No, you can't," he insisted, even though she was doing just fine thus far. "Just toss it up," he urged as she looked up at him sadly. He straightened his back, trying hard to look as tall as possible so that she felt as small as possible and found no other choice but to do as he said. He smiled down at her reassuringly and placed a hand over his chest. "Your boy's going to be fine. I promise. We're running out of time. Toss it up."

He wasn't lying. And least that's what he told himself. Henry was Cursed, this magic would help him, but there was another kind of magic that would help him, magic that she possessed. She'd figure that out. He knew it.

Finally, Emma nodded and swallowed hard. "You hold on to it. I'll be right up," she said.

Then she tossed the egg up to him. He caught it easily in one hand. He looked it over, recognizing his own work. If he'd had the key with him, he would have checked for the potion, but seeing as how the key was safely in his office and the egg was undamaged, he didn't feel the need to. Nor did he feel the urge to free Regina as he turned and left quickly, listening to Emma calling his name all the way out.