#it's made p clear that he's a coward and that he's quick to run away so actually committing to her would b a nice way to wrap things up

[sylphwing]

hm. i do not like chilshi 🤔

[greyeyedmonster-18]

the pact (pt. 2)

read part 1 here

what if james had been the only one to die on October 31st? what if Lily did as he said and took harry and ran?

sirius attempts to reconcile with the weight of raising james's kid(s) and the weight of doing this life without his best friend.

quick cw in there for loss of appetite/mentions of grief/depression

about 2k.

The tiny flat he had shared with Remus for the past two years had stopped feeling like home about 6 months ago as a dark storm brewed outside, and rain poured over their four walls., leaking through the ceiling. Sirius had started sleeping on the couch and Remus had stopped coming home altogether, blaming it on nights with the pack, when they both knew things were simply falling apart. The shower head was broken, the floorboards creaked, the windows didn’t shut all the way—the charm the tiny, rundown eyesore of a flat once had (similar to the way Remus’s socks on the floor and inability to make a decision had stolen Sirius’s heart once upon a time) disappeared in the blink of an eye. Which was perhaps a good thing. Because Sirius’s only home had ever really been James, and that was gone too. So it was astonishingly easy to move Lily and Harry into Number 12, a place he hated, a place he swore he would never go back to, after a few days of dusting, and clearing out the dark magic.

There was no place safer. Sirius knew that.

Take care of my kid, Sirius. Take care of Lily.

No one could come and go into Grimmauld Place as they pleased, even if they knew where it was, the house able to detect Black Magic and everyone else was unworthy. Yet Sirius was allowed to pass through the words, unworthy of the last name Black,  unworthy of the title Godfather, James seeing the best and the brightest when there was nothing but broken.

Lily had unraveled entirely, laying in bed, unmoving as her husband on the floor of Godrics Hollow. The lights were kept off in her bedroom, and the faucets were left running by magic to mask the sound of tears and to wash away a stubborn grief stain left on the carpet. Sirius had gotten the dark magic out, a few charms here and there without breaking a sweat, but grief was a different beast entirely. Everywhere Sirius turned, there were still, lifeless bodies. Lily only moving to use the loo, or else down the nutrition Potions Sirius put at her bedside table three times a day to keep the baby healthy. Remus only moving for Order meetings, from his bedroom—their bedroom—to the dining room, to the kitchen, and back. It made Sirius roll his eyes, and he hated himself for it.

Lily who had ran.

Remus who had ran as well, using Harry and Lily as a pointed excuse to stay at Number 12 with Sirius when before he couldn’t have gotten far enough away. Using mourning as tool for separation between them, even after an olive branch made of bitten fingernails had been extended.

Sirius was surrounded by cowards, save a one and a half year old who was brave enough to cry. Brave enough to ask for things, for James, brave enough to say things out loud that no one else wanted to and feel his emotions when Sirius had to master how to shove them back down.

“Dada?” Harry asked, calming down from another fit of crying after breakfast, now sitting on Sirius’s lap, head, clutching Sirius’s hands with his own.

“He’s…not here, my love. I’m so sorry.”

“Mama?”

“Mama’s sleeping right now…” He managed, trying to conceal his tone for the benefit of his godson. In another life it would’ve been said with contempt and bitterness, Sirius closing the door to Lily’s bedroom after every check-in, shaking his head in dismay, and then almost immediately feeling guilty about it. Because it was an impossible choice. Sirius knew that, and there was Harry to think about.

Harry was mostly all he thought about these days, to keep his mind from going past the threshold of no return. To keep himself from reaching for a bottle the same way he did when Regulus died, or when Mr. and Mrs. Potter died.

But the worst part of Sirius…perhaps the part of him that cared more about James than anyone else in the entire world, including himself, thought Lily should’ve tried something. Maybe Harry would have been okay, from the vague ideas of Horcruxes being thrown around Order meetings now, something of a plan forming a little too late and Sirius bit his tongue then too. Rolled his eyes. Muttered under his breath. Excused himself to go check on Harry when Harry didn’t need to be checked. Maybe James would’ve stood a damn chance if someone was by his side, instead of leaving.

Cowardice never sat well with Sirius, and here he was in a house full of them.

“Dada?”

“I’m sorry,” Sirius muttered again, kissing Harry on top of the head, and this time, Harry’s face began to crumple, green eyes filling with tears. Sirius stood up immediately, knowing the quickest want to calm down a Potter was to keep moving.

James, let’s just…go for a walk, it can be a fast one, but I’m not running in these jeans. We’ll figure this out.

“Lets take a walk, mon petit amour…” Sirius paced rhythmically around the halls of Number 12 to the sound of his godsons cries, and the low hum of running water. Soon there would be another set of footsteps from Remus joining them, offering to take a shift with Harry, offering to start dinner, offering, offering, offering things he couldn’t fulfill.

Sirius climbed into bed that night after checking on Lily, and shutting off the faucets, making sure she took all the potions on the night table. Harry was sound asleep, for now, in his crib across the hall and Sirius watched him through the two-way mirror, Remus next to him.

“He’s not going anywhere…”

“You don’t know that,” Sirius responded, voice harsher than he intended it to be. Maybe.

“Baby…”

“What, Remus?”

“I don’t know…why you’re so mad…I know it’s what you tend to do instead of being—”

Sad.

“No, you don’t get to do that, save your fucking armchair psychiatry for someone who still has a fuck left to hear it,” Sirius said, putting the mirror down on the night stand and looking at Remus, “Don’t tell me how I’m supposed to feel about any of this because we know damn well that there’s a fucking baby in this and his mother isn’t—”

“She’s grieving.”

“And what am I? You think this is fun for me?”

Remus sighed, “I didn’t say that, Sirius.”

“And while we’re at it, don’t pretend that you know me. You’ve been… halfway across the fucking world for the past six months, longer maybe—”

“And where were you?” Remus asked back, “Like you were any closer.”

“Waiting for you.”

“Bullocks. That stopped too.”

Harrys cries started from down the hall and Sirius sighed, throwing the blankets off his lap and across the bed. Sirius had made a joke about it initially, how much Harry slept and how the parenting books he had read with James never mentioned the tiny traits that could be inherited. Sirius had laughed in the mornings, when James would call him through the mirror, anxiously dancing about waiting for his newborn to wake up, or his wife to wake up so he would have something to do. Now Harry slept an hour at a time, startling awake and screaming, calling for James and having Sirius come instead.

“I’ll see you in the morning…” Sirius muttered, grabbing his mirror.

“Bring him in here,” Remus sat up in bed as well.

“What?”

“Harry. Bring him in here.”

Sirius ran a hand over his hair, “Moons…I’m tired, I don’t—”

“You’re not doing this alone, baby, I don’t care how big of a tantrum you throw or how angry you are at me and the world for taking out your best friend,” Remus said firmly, “But I’m still here, or trying to be, and I know that doesn’t mean shit to you at the moment--"

"Don't put words in my mouth."

“Okay then bring Harry in here,” Remus repeated for the third time.

Moony’s it for you, I know it, mate. He’s been it for you since your first kiss. If you make it through this war, then you’ll make it through anything… Just say sorry. And give him that ring you picked out.

Sirius let out another sigh and left the bedroom.

Offerings.

Promises, promises, promises tying themselves in knots around every part of Sirius.

He picked Harry out of his crib, arms reaching out and gripping fistfuls of Sirius’s hair that he had forgotten to tie back.

“Shh, you’re okay, you’re okay,” Sirius soothed, running his hand over Harry’s back, kissing him on the side of the head. “Actually that’s not true at all, is it? No one’s okay…not Mama, not your Uncle Moony…not me,” Sirius admitted for the first time, pressing his cheek against Harry’s head as he rocked back and forth on his feet. To dampen the wails before walking down the hall, not wanting to disturb Lily. Not wanting to bother her. “I don’t know if we will be either…suppose that’s okay though. What do you say, babe, live a life that’s just okay? That might be the best I can do without your Dad.”

“Dada?”

“Yeah…suppose we try though…even if we’re a little sad…and a little mad? I’d be mad if I were you, babe. Stuck with me...” Sirius could feel Harry’s wet cheek in the crook of his neck and started moving out of the bedroom, down the hall, and into the big bedroom, with the big bed. Remus awake and waiting as promised.

“You came back.”

“You think I wouldn’t?”

--

“Lily, he’s been asking for you…” Sirius tried sitting at the foot of her bed.

“I know.”

“So…lets get up, shower, change—”

“This isn’t a we situation, Sirius, and I am tired.”

“And I’m not?”

“He was my husband.”

Sirius bit back the phrase on his tongue that sounded like and I loved him first in three different languages, choosing to put a hand on Lily’s shoulder instead. “He’s your son, and he’s asking for you. It’s been a month, Lils.”

“No it hasn’t--  your, your birthday?”

“Twenty-one really fucking sucked.”

“It’s…a month?” Lily rolled over, looking at Sirius bleary eyed.

“Just over.”

“I…what.” Red hair was in knots, Lily’s face thinner than it had been despite all the potions and the small meals Sirius had been bringing after having big meals left untouched. Pink nails that Lily always took such care to maintain, even in her early days of pregnancy when she was vomiting every morning and every night, chipped and broken and grown out. “The baby.”

“The baby,” Sirius confirmed, “This is a we situation.”

“James was supposed to be here. What am I going to do?”

“I’ve been asking myself the same thing and I haven’t found an answer. I’ll let you know if I do.”

“…How are you so…okay?”

I’m not. But someone had to be and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be you.

Every time Sirius wanted to yell at Lily, he heard James.

Every single time Sirius wanted to just rip the bedding off of Lily and dump her unceremoniously into the goddamn shower or drag her to a fucking Healers appointment, he heard James and a stupid fucking promise Sirius no longer wanted to keep.

He would rather it not be a we situation too.

But taking care of Lily, making sure her life was good, making sure she was okay was part of the pact. Even if he blamed her, with everything in his body, for not taking care of his best friend.

Sirius gave a weak smile, “It…gets easier,” he lied.

“There’s…hope?”

“Harry makes it feel like that.”

Lily sighed and sat up slowly, muscles weak from not moving for so long. “…Can you bring him here?”

continue to part 3

[seijorhi]

Final Girl

Kuroo Tetsurou, Bokuto Koutarou & Akaashi Keiji x Female Reader

And please check out the incredible fanart @lausterdomyamong created for this fic here 💕💕💕

TW blood, gore, violence, minor character death, implied non-con, pregnancy mentions, nsfw

Your lungs are burning. 

You haven’t run like this in years, your thighs are screaming at you for a reprieve. With every step it feels like the soles of your bare feet are splitting open but you can’t stop, not for a single second.

You can’t stop. You can’t stop. 

Keep running.

It’s dark, and you can barely see.

Stumbling like newborn foal through the thick undergrowth, tripping over the roots that catch at your feet. Your legs are scratched and bleeding, and there’s a nasty scrape along your arm from where you’d fallen and tried to cushion the blow, but you shove it all down and you keep running.

You can’t hear much over the sounds of your laboured breaths and your own heartbeat hammering away inside of your ears, but you know you must be making a racket. Branches breaking, leaves crunching underfoot as you clumsily dash through the woods - keep running, keep going.

Being quiet won’t save you if they catch up.

The loud whoops and the hyena like laughter that echo out through the trees behind you spur you onwards. Faster, you have to run faster.

This is nothing but a game to them. 

“Wait- wait, just stop for a sec… do you hear that?”

You sigh, rolling your eyes as you scoot closer to his bedroll, “Really, babe? The campfire stories weren’t enough for you? Do you not want me to sleep at all on this trip?”

There’s a teasing little grin on your face, not that your boyfriend can see it in the darkness of your tent. You expect him to laugh, grab you by the waist and pull you under him - make some quip about his wicked intentions of not letting you sleep a wink, but he doesn’t.

He stiffens, pushing himself back upright onto his palms, head cocked to the side like a dog listening for the faintest hint whisper of a sound.

“Babe-”

“Shh!” he hisses, and it’s more shock than anything else that has your mouth falling shut. His hand reaches across to grab yours in the darkness and he squeezes it just once. An apology maybe, or a reassurance that you’re still there with him. “Can you hear that? I think… I think there’s someone out there.”

You swallow uneasily, goosebumps prickling at your skin. If this is part of some stupid joke, you’re gonna kick him out of this tent and make him bunk with his friends for the rest of the trip. He’s never been one for mean spirited pranks, but this is freaking you out.

“It’s probably just one of the guys-” or an animal, or the wind, or his own overactive imagination. You guys are out in the middle of the woods after all. 

“I’m gonna go out and check,” he whispers, pulling his hand from yours and pressing a quick kiss against your cheek. “Stay here.”

There’s a road, a long stretch of winding highway that you’d driven along for what felt like hours when you’d first arrived with your friends. There’s no possible way for you to know if you’re going in the right direction, but if you can just make it there, then-

The thick scent of smoke invades your nose and for you falter - just for a split second - searching for the source. There, maybe two hundred yards away to your left, you spot the orange glow flickering between the trees and your stomach lurches.

Dark figures flit through the clearing, maybe a dozen of them, half illuminated by the bonfire. You can hear their laughter, the shouts and drunken revelry as they party the night away. They don’t have a care in the world, and why should they? Real monsters belong in horror movies and scary stories, not lurking in the shadows of the woods. 

Leave them.

The vicious thought takes you by surprise, but for one awful moment, you consider it. The promise of fresh new toys to rip apart and break, drunk and blissfully unaware, surely that would be enough to tempt them away. You’re just one girl… 

(The truth, the one that sits heavy in your stomach, whispers that you know better than to believe they’ll ever let you get away.)

Your heart pounds against your ribs, your legs unwittingly slowing down. You don’t have time for indecision; it’s them or you.

If leaving them to the wolves meant that you walked away from this, if you could make it back home-

There’s a shout, a scream that rips through the crisp autumn night before it cuts off with an abrupt gurgle. A loud thud followed by a laugh you don’t recognise - one that sends a chill running down your spine. More voices, more screams. Footsteps and a splatter of something dark and viscous against the side of your tent.

There’s a hoot and a chuckle, closer this time, and you hear a sob that’s all too familiar. Pleading. 

Your friend begging for her life.

“Shh, shh, shhh. Aw c’mon sweetheart, don’t be like that.”

Another hiccuping sob. “Please… p-please I don’t wanna die…”

“Kuroo-”

There’s a petulant huff, a loud voice interjecting, “s’no fun when they’re just sitting there.”

Kneeling frozen in your tent with one hand clamped tightly over your mouth to stifle your own terrified cries, you squeeze your eyes shut, not daring to draw breath. 

Somebody sighs - the first one, you think. “Y’know, I think Bokuto has a point… Do you like games, sweetheart?”

There’s no response - at least not one that you can hear - but she must have nodded, because the voice continues, “Glad to hear it! Tell you what, we’re gonna play a little game, and if you win, we’ll let you go! Sounds fair, right?”

“We’ll even give you a headstart, just cause we’re nice guys! Whad'ya reckon ‘Kaashi? A minute? Two?”

There’s a short silence, filled only by the sounds of her ragged whimpering. “Two,” the second one - ‘Kaashi - decides. His voice is deadpan, smooth, cold and blunt, but there’s an underlying current of something excitable - the barest hint that he’s not quite as disinterested as he sounds. “She won’t get away.”

No.

You veer, sprinting towards the camp. 

The others died while you hid like a fucking coward, too scared to do anything to help them (it wouldn’t have made a difference, but you should have tried) you can’t do this again. 

You can only imagine how you must look, a strange woman sprinting out of the woods, barefoot, your nightgown torn and filthy, blood streaking your skin. You can pinpoint the moment that they catch sight of you, one of the guys doing a double take and jerking so badly he almost falls off the log he’s perched on. “What the fuck?!”

Another turns, eyes wide and gaping, “Dude, she’s fucking pre-”

“RUN!” you bellow, just in time to see an axe arc through the air beside you and embed itself smack bang in the centre of his skull with a sickening thud.

“Now that’s a bullseye!” Bokuto hollers, maybe thirty feet behind you and gaining quickly. “Didja see that, Akaashi?”

Screams erupt from the other campers, scrambling frantically to their feet as their friend collapses lifelessly to the ground, blood still spurting gruesomely from his wound. 

“Don’t go gettin’ cocky now, the night’s still young,” Kuroo drawls, swinging his baseball bat - the dark wood flecked with dried blood, rusted nails crudely hammered through the barrel - experimentally through the air a few times. “And last I counted, I was still two up on you.”

There’s no time to humour the fear that rips through you like wildfire. You grab the nearest camper - a girl not much older than yourself, staring wide eyed and trembling at the body in front of her - and yank her forward with you. “Run,” you hiss again.

The others scatter, drunk and clumsy - a split second too slow. 

A boot lands on the fallen tree stump, its owner springing gracefully over it. Akaashi’s machete gleams in the moonlight, sweeping gracefully like an extension of his arm as he slices downwards. Blood sprays, drenching his front, and another body falls to the ground - this one missing half a face. 

It’s brutal. Chaotic. 

Ruthless. 

You can’t look back, you can’t help them. The girl is screaming at you, yelling words you can’t hear, trying fruitlessly to tug her wrist out of your grip, but you don’t relent. You don’t slow down, not even as dread fills your stomach and tears burn unshed in your eyes. You can’t help the others - not as Kuroo’s bat comes swinging out of the darkness, tearing flesh and muscle from bone, not when Bo yanks his axe from his victim’s head with a foot planted on his chest, immediately giving chase to another with a wild grin, not when Akaashi’s machete, slick with blood, cuts through her friends like butter - but you can save her.

Just one person- 

“Kitten, come back and play!” Kuroo shouts after you with a sickeningly fond chuckle.

- so long as you don’t stop running.

The camp is eerily quiet, even the crickets have stopped. You have no idea how long ago they left to hunt down your friend, how long you’ve sat, sobbing in silence, too scared to breathe, waiting to see if they’d come back. 

Your friends are dead. Your boyfriend is dead. 

You don’t realise how badly you’re shaking until you try and move - almost falling flat on your face when your arms give out. They’re gone, but every noise, no matter how muted, feels deafening and you try not to flinch as you drag yourself towards the mouth of the tent. You don’t have time to prepare yourself for the carnage waiting for you across the camp ground, you can’t think about the fact that people you love have been torn apart and murdered while you cowered away frozen in fear.

The grip you have on your emotions, your sanity, is fragile, but in your terrified hysteria, you understand one very important thing - they could come back at any moment, and you cannot be here when that happens. 

You cannot stop and cry for your friends, you cannot afford to break down when you see their bodies hacked up and scattered around you - you won’t even look - you just have to take the car keys fisted in your right hand, get to your boyfriend’s truck and get the fuck away from this nightmare as quickly as those wheels can take you. 

Crawling on your hands and knees you slowly pry open the tent flap, biting your lip and wincing at the quiet hiss of the zipper. 

The cold night air hits you like a slap in the face, but it’s nothing compared to the overwhelming coppery tang of blood that settles on the tip of your tongue as you breathe it in. You bite down on your whimper, squeezing your eyes shut and forcing your leaden limbs to move - you can’t afford to stop now, you have to get away.

You won’t look, you won’t look, you won’t-

“I was wondering when you’d finally show yourself.”

Ice douses your system, your heart lurching. Your eyes shoot open, darting towards the source of the voice - there, leaning calmly against the thick trunk of a tree only a few feet away from you is a man. Tall and slender, with dark hair and delicate features, you’d probably go so far as to call him pretty if it wasn’t for the blood splattered garishly across his pale skin and the teasing grin tugging at his lips. 

Absolute terror renders you helpless as he pushes away from the tree and takes a single, calculated step towards you. “Kuroo and Bokuto won’t be long, they’re just finishing up with your friend.” His pretty smirk widens as your eyes well up with tears and a gasping sob finally rips its way free from your chest, “but I don’t think they’ll mind if we get started without them.”

You’re following the well trodden path, praying to god that it’ll lead you back to the road, to any kind of safety. The shouts and screams behind you died out a few minutes ago, but you can’t let yourself think about what that means - it’ll only slow you down and you’re so close.

“Wait, wait, stop! We ha-have to go back!” the girl cries, trying once again to pull you to a stop. “My friends-”

“I’m sorry,” you pant, glancing across at her - and you are. Her eyes are wide and terrified, swimming in a pain you know all too well. It’s selfish and cruel, and it’ll tear her apart just like it has you, but if you let her go now… “It’s too late for them, we need to keep-”

“Baby, you know you can’t hide from us!”

Bokuto. Your heart seizes just as the girl shrieks, and you risk a glance over your shoulder, slowing just a faction. 

They’re closing in, all three of them, less than twenty yards away.

Panic and desperation bite at your nerves - you can’t let them catch you, not now, not when you’re almost free. But your body is aching, your muscles on fire and your stamina is shot to pieces. You’re on your last legs and they know it. They don’t even have to run anymore, they’ve worn you down completely - it’s a miracle you’re still standing.

And it’s childish and petulant, but you just want to scream and cry and yell and beat your fists against the ground because it’s not fucking fair!

You were so close.

Your grip around her wrist slackens just a touch, and the girl takes the opportunity to rip her hand free from yours. You expect her to run, to flee like a bat out of hell and leave you crumpled in the dust, but instead she turns to you with a withering glare, “This is all your fault. You brought them here. You did this.”

The accusation hits you like a slap, but before you can even open your mouth to protest (she’s not wrong, you know she’s not wrong) she grabs you by the shoulders and with all the strength she has left, shoves you back in the path of your pursuers. You stumble from the force of the blow, not expecting it, and for a moment you feel yourself start to fall, instinctively curling in on yourself to protect your belly-

Strong arms catch you before you can hit the ground, pulling you against a warm, muscular chest. “Gotcha,” Kuroo breathes, his tongue darting out to lick at the blood splattered across your cheek.

Vaguely, you register Bokuto’s low, furious growl as he launches forward, his axe raised high. The sharp, piercing screams are cut off quickly - violently - as he buries it in her neck with a snarl. He swings again and her head tumbles clean off to bounce across the forest floor, but he keeps going, swinging again and again and again until her body is nothing but a bloody, mangled mess for the animals to scavenge. 

Your vision blurs, and it takes you a moment to realise that it’s tears welling up in your eyes as Kuroo’s hands run up and down your sides, drifting protectively across the gentle swell of your stomach. “You did good, kitten,” he coos, Akaashi and Bokuto coming up either side of you. “But it’s time to come home now, don’tcha think?”

A hand cups your cheek, drawing you to meet Akaashi’s twisted, lovesick expression, “Gotta reward our pretty little girl for playing her role so well,” he murmurs, his thumb gently stroking the delicate skin. 

“Maybe we can fuck another kid into her,” Bokuto adds with a grin, his previous rage all but forgotten, sated along with his bloodlust thanks to the butchered corpse lying a few yard away. His golden eyes, half lidded and burning with lust, flicker across your face for just a moment, drinking in every last drop of crushing defeat and despair before his lips crash down on yours in a savage, bloody kiss.

This was nothing but a game to them - one you never had a chance in hell of winning. 

[rogue-durin-16]

THE KEEPER (Part I/II)

Summary: When a mysterious person threatens the heir's life, the service of a personal guard is required to keep him safe until the foe is found. Fíli, who doesn't take the matter very seriously, only sees it as an chance to spend more time with certain knight.

Pairing: Fíli x Reader

Genre: angst-fluff

Tags:

Permanent taglist: @queenofmankind @randomparanoid @karlthecat15722 @thebutchersdaughtersblog

Warnings: a little angst, probably some typos

A/N: am I deliberately ignoring the canonical end of The Hobbit? Maybe so. PSA my phone died and i just got a new one; I'm still getting used to typing with it, that's why I haven't updated in more than a week. It's also why you'll probably find typos here, but I hope you enjoy this nonetheless <3.

Part II

Rogue-durin-16 masterlist

I sighed at the music that echoed through the pillared halls of Erebor and managed to sneak into my room. Staying isolated while the whole kingdom was partying made my immature side, the one who would run down to the celebration in the blink of an eye, come to the surface, burying my common sense in its way.

"Must I tie you down to the lamppost?" Luckily, I had the most efficient keeper in the entire Royal Guard to remind me what I could and couldn't do.

"Would it kill you to relax?" I teased, though I had gotten her memo and was already moving away from my door.

"Probably." She replied, sparing me a quick glance with raised eyebrows. "Likely, it would kill you too." I rolled my eyes at her. "That's rather the point."

As a new idea crossed my mind, a smile flashed across my face "I'll risk it." I said, moving to stand in front of her, and held out a hand. "Dance with me?"

"No?" her tone expressed perfectly her incredulity at my words.

"Y/n I'm so bored, please, indulge me." her eyes opened widely, throwing daggers at me as I removed her sword and started to tug her towards me. "No one will attempt to kill me here."

"We don't know that." she retorted, though she didn't stop me from placing one hand on her waist and the other up in the air holding hers.

"Yes we do." I hummed, starting to sway at the rhythm of the music, quieted down due to the distance between us and the great halls. "We're in my chambers."

"will you remind me why aren't you at the party?" she inquired intently.

"Because of Thorin's paranoia?" I feigned innocence as I pretended to doubt the answer.

"Wrong." I pouted and she shook her head. "Someone sent you a death threat." I huffed, pulling away from her to spin her around. "You should take it seriously." I dramatically groaned, pulling her back to me. "Fíli." I couldn't help but grin.

It took me quite a while —almost a year— to convince her to call me by my name and not by my title.

"There is nothing to worry about," I stated, earning a tired sigh from her. We had been having that same back and forth for a week —it had started as soon as she had been assigned that task, in which I might have had a hand. "Because you are here to protect me."

"Something I can't quite do if I'm dancing."

"I said I'll risk it" i repeated with raised eyebrows.

It was then that she finally started to relax in my arms, not before letting out a sigh of defeat accompanied by an eyeroll though. Her beautiful eyes drifted off me to get lost somewhere at my left; took that opportunity to let my poor façade down and stared at her mesmerized as if she was the Arkenstone.

It's not as if I didn't make it quite obvious that I fancied her —actually, that was an understatement— but often my feelings were accompanied by a joking tone to spare my heart from Y/n's genuine reply.

A strong knock made us jump away from each other and rush to get our respective weapons. "Fíli?" My shoulders relaxed when Nori's voice reached us, but just as I stepped to open the door, Y/n tugged my arm to stand behind her. "Calm down, will you?" The dwarf requested, offended at Y/n's hostility whilst letting him pass.

"I tried telling her, but she won't listen." Y/n huffed and I winked at her. "What is it?"

"Thorin wants to move you to another room until this is sorted out." My eyes widened at his words. Now the whole matter was starting to look like a tempest in a teacup. "Dwalin offered to exchange chambers with you."

"You're all exaggerating." Y/n joined Nori in his task of picking up the necessary. "This is ridiculous!" Both of them were now running around the room, completely ignoring me. "I can defend myself!" Y/n, now at the doorframe, motioned me to follow her out of the room. "I refuse to leave my room just because a coward sent—"

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

"Force wasn't necessary." I grumbled, throwing myself over my back to the king sized bed. It wasn't as comfortable as mine.

"In fact," she gave me an intent look, taking off her light armor and mesh, and throwing them over a stone bench. "it was."

I propped myself up with my forearms, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I stared at Y/n. "What are you doing?"

"Getting ready to sleep?" She replied, leaving her sword as close to her as possible, in case she had to reach for it.

"In that chair?"

"Yes?" Now she was the one who frowned confused. "Where else?" With eyebrows raised, I motioned at the large, empty space on the bed. "No?"

"There's enough room left for you and your sword." She snorted as if I was joking —which I partially was but not entirely. "We're both grownups are we not?" Her eyes pierced through me giving me that look. "It wouldn't be the first time that we sleep together anyway."

"We are not to repeat that." She stated.

"Y/n? Y/n." I kicked her leg through my blanket and hers, making her gasp and consecutively turn to meet me with an annoyed gaze. "Don't give me that look."

"You just kicked me." She hissed in the same quiet tone I was speaking.

"Because you're shivering."

She completely spun around so now we were face to face. "That's not a valid reason to kick me."

"I was trying to get your attention." Before she could complain again, I rushed the words out of my mouth. "Sleep with me." She slightly scooted away, surely taken aback by my suggestion. "I'm freezing too." I added, which wasn't a lie, just an exaggeration.

Before I knew it, we were laying together with both blankets over us, our legs interlaced, and our faces way too close.

"this is the most uncomfortable position we could have chosen, is it not?" I laughed, refusing to let my cheeks redden.

She laughed too, in the same way I had. "Any suggestions?"

"maybe..." I started guiding her, searching for another posture. "Maybe... Like this? or-"

I was cut off by her quiet laughter, now genuine and contagious, as she had ended up with her torso over mine. "I don't think this is better." She caged me so she could prop herself and move; and she propped herself, but didn't move.

The muffled chuckles had died the moment our gazes met. Both of us parted our lips in an attempt to say something, but none spoke.

With our eyes locked, my hands carefully traveled up her thighs whilst one of hers hesitantly caressed my cheek.

As if we had silently agreed on it, we both leaned into each other and let our lips share a ghostlike kiss that left me yearning for more. It was the reason why I unconsciously lifted myself, trying to capture Y/n's lips when she pulled away.

I snapped out of it when my forehead met hers and her hands rested on my chest. It was the strangest sensation; seeing the regret in her orbs at the same time as I felt her body refraining itself from returning to me.

"... would it be so bad?"

Y/n opened her mouth like a fish out of water. "It would be worse. I thought I made clear that this" she finally spoke, motioning between me and her "cannot happen."

"Well, this time we're not sleeping in the woods." I reasoned, deliberately ignoring the pang in my chest. "So there is no reason for it to happen again. Now" I patted the matress. "Sleep with me."

After a moment of meditation, she gave in and lay down, throwing the soft furs over her.

Silence.

"This is uncomfortable." She spoke, both of our bodies stiff and our eyes on the ceiling.

"It is."

Silence.

"Okay, take the bed." I finally said, attempting to get off it and move to the chair, just to be tugged back by her hands.

"Don't you dare." Before I could argue, she scooted closer and I had to force myself to relax when she laid her head on my chest because I could make it even more uncomfortable if I didn't do so. "No kissing this time." She teased.

"Yes ma'am." I replied with a chuckle, wrapping my arms around her.

It didn't take long for either of us to fall asleep.

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

READER'S P. O. V.

I woke up to Fíli and Kíli's hushed voices, and I instantly jolted up, entering a kind of alert mode that only the two brothers were able to get me into.

"What are you doing?" Kíli's eyes went from his brother to me, and back to his brother. "What is it?" Instead of giving me a reply, the younger prince nodded at the blond one and exited the room. "What on Durin's beard was that?" I inquired, suspicious.

"I was telling him where I was going." Replied, sheathing his blade.

"You are not going anywhere."

"I am going out."

"No you're not." I commanded, already dreading it would be in vain.

"To Dale." He was speaking so casually, as if he wasn't about to disobey direct orders from our king and to get me in trouble in the process.

"Fíli."

"I need fresh air!" His voice became slightly louder in desperation.

"Go to the damn balcony!" I replied, mirroring his tone as I threw the furs off me.

"I'm going out."

"Well, I'm staying here." I firmly stated, not willing to give in just yet.

"Then I'm going out alone." And with that, he left. "Until this afternoon!"

"What even-" after going through a moment of shock, I got up and put on my boots, only being able to grab my sword and belt before rushing out of the room.

"Oh so you are coming?" He teased, literally strutting along the hallway, not bothering on slowing down the pace for me to be able to buckle my belt and sword around my waist without struggling.

"You're impossible." I yanked his arm to stop his walking.

With my attention on the belt I didn't notice how close he had gotten, so when his hands appeared in front of my eyes, pulling away mine, I had to stop myself from gasping. "You have always loved challenges." He pointed out, taking care of securing the belt around me.

"Not when I have to keep the challenge safe." He pulled at the leather clothing to make sure it was okay, and then held my hand to prompt me to resume the walk. "I don't even have my armor on."

"You won't need it." He assured me, not allowing me to go back before sneaking us out of the mountain.

This would surely end terribly.

[woulddieforperrytheplatypus]

P&F/GF AU: AT2D Edition! It all begins at the end (ironically enough) of the episode Not What He Seems, where Mabel doesn't press the portal's deactivation button, but as a result, she, Dipper, Stan and Soos get sucked into the portal and arrive at the Second Dimension, where Ford is a Resistance member. Before they can meet the Author, the group meet Phineas, Ferb and Perry shortly after they escaped from Platyborg for the first time, and the story continues as you see it!

WAIT I LOVE THIS? okay hang on lemme think about it for a minute how does this work...

- He doubts they're gonna find Ford, so Stan decides against explaining everything. Whatever half-assed excuse he gives is good enough for Soos and Mabel, but Dipper still doesn't trust him. Part of Stan wants to come clean, but he's convinced that if he admits he accidentally shoved his brother into another dimension for thirty years, he's going to lose not just Dipper but Soos and Mabel too.

- They run into Phineas, Ferb, and Perry on the street, and during that brief awkward moment where no one's sure if they just got caught, Mabel sees Perry and picks him up and gives him a hug. Perry does not appreciate it.

- Candace walks in on the Phineas/Ferb/Phineas/Ferb/Dipper/Mabel/Stan/Soos party to tell them to shut up — it's not Doofensday, after all — and instead of turning around and walking away, she freaks the fuck out because what is Ford fucking Pines doing here? She made it very clear when she and Ford agreed to lead the Resistance together that he needs to leave her family alone.

- How the fuck does Stan explain that he's not Ford without telling the kids that he has a secret brother whose identity he stole?

- Wait, hold the fucking phone. Ford is here?

- Idk how Stan gets out of that one, but somehow he convinces Candace to take them to the Resistance base

- Perry hears the news update and sneaks off to turn himself in. He has to listen not just to Phineas chew him out for leaving again, but to Mabel's tearful "You can't leave! What if you get hurt! It's not safe for a platypus out there by themselves!" too and the guilt sinks in real quick.

- The moment Ford walks through the door, everyone's brains malfunction. Why the fuck are there two of them?

- Stan goes in for a hug, and Ford opts to beat the shit out of him instead

- Cue A Tale of Two Stans

- Candace y33ts herself through the portal again and she has a lot of catch-up to do

- Mabel refuses to let Phineas and Ferb go save Perry without her. Dipper refuses to let Mabel go without him. Stan refuses to let them go at all, but he can't really stop them so he decides to join them

- Ford tries to stop them because this is far too dangerous for kids, and Stan would somehow fuck it up; fucking things up is what he does best, after all.

- Stan gives a very passionate speech about the fact that Mabel and Dipper are his great niece and great nephew, and if they want to save that platypus, he's helping them save that platypus, god dammit! And if Ford doesn't like that, it sure does suck to suck, but he's more than welcome to hide out in the Resistance base like a coward if he really wants to. Stan is taking his kids and he's taking Phineas and Ferb, and they're going to save Mabel's new friend platypus whether he likes it or not. It wouldn't be the first time Ford turned his back his family, after all.

- Yes, Stan does succeed in guilting Ford into coming along so now they have a guide.

- But 2D Phineas and Ferb also guilt Candace into going with them (so they can sneak aboard the mine cart) which means Ford didn't have to come at all lol sucks to be Stan

- When they rescue Perry, it's Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Perry, Soos, Dipper, and Mabel in the back cart fighting off Normbots. 2D Candace has to cut the back carts loose if she wants to get her brothers and Ford back safely. Without a moment of hesitation, Stan jumps out of his cart and runs straight for the kids. Ford thinks he's just being an idiot at first, but 2D Candace makes a comment to her brothers about family being the most important thing there is, and Ford feels a pang of guilt because he really just left his family to die :(

- "Now you have no choice but to fix my machine!" "No." "That wasn't one of your choices!"

- He also tries to get Stan to fix the machine. It doesn't seem to be planning out at first, but the moment 2D Doof threatens the kids, Stan jumps in and tells them he'll fix the machine if they leave the kids (and the platypus) alone

- Stan cannot, in fact, fix the machine; it's a very different machine than the portal he built through dimensions, and he's not entirely sure what the fuck is going on here.

- Poke the Goozim with a Stick time!

- Stan gives a heartfelt apology to Dipper, Mabel, and Soos for getting them into this. Ford happens to sneak in at that exact moment, and it's a very emotional moment for him because it reminds him of when Stan broke Ford's science project and tried to apologize, only to get thrown out of the house. If there's one thing he has to admire about his brother, it's that Stan's always ready to apologize, even when his mistakes are accidents. That's right, we're leading up to a sibling bonding moment

- 2D Candace and Ford swoop in and distract 2D Doof, giving everyone else the chance to escape. Somehow Ford ends up hopping through dimensions with them for no reason other than I want him to

- Perry gives Phineas and collar and peaces out

- They all head to the Flynn-Fletchers' where the homing device leads them to Perry's lair. Phineas, Ferb, Dipper, and Mabel all fit, but the bigger people are stuck upstairs. Stan and Ford spend the whole time arguing.

- At some point during the robot riot, Ford gets taken down. Stan thinks he's unconscious and probably dying, and he is pissed because he did not spend 30 fucking years trying to get that guy back to their dimension for him to die within the first hour. He takes out a whole bunch of robots in a fit of rage, with absolutely no idea that Ford is okay and watching the whole time (because he's not okay enough to fight; everything hurts and he craves death) which is yet another realization that maybe Stan's not quite as bad as he thought

- Once again, it's Choo Choo who saves the day

- Stan/Ford makeup session!

- And then it's time to head back to Gravity Falls before Monogram can erase their memories because we gotta leave the possibility of them meeting again and everyone lives happily ever after!

[tigsousa]

INTRODUCING TIGS… @gallagherintro​​

⌠ CHAY SUEDE, 22, CISMALE, HE/HIS ⌡ welcome back to gallagher academy, THIAGO “TIGS” SOUSA! according to their records, they’re a FIRST year, specializing in UNDECIDED; and they DID NOT go to a spy prep high school. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of (a shittier silver chain than connell’s, eDgY shirts with missing buttons, book rolled into back pocket, flipping everyone off, rolled cigarette tucked behind ear, bruised eyes or just bags?). when it’s the (aquarius)’s birthday on 20/01/1998, they always request their COCO POPS from the school’s chefs. looks like they’re well on their way to graduation.

INSPO:

liam gallagher

BIO

grew up in a pretty rough and dangerous neighbourhood in dc, filled with Street Rats

parents: irresponsible, violent, addicts, basically only kept him for the benefits. home life was pretty miserable where he picked up most of his traits and habits.

but at one point it got so bad, his grandma reported them and took him in. they served some time in jail. he doesn’t know what they’re up to now, doesn’t care to find out either.

no one’s perfect -- his dad obvs gets it from somewhere -- but his grandma's love doesn’t make him cry. 

but he was an ungrateful lil shit ! so after a big argument, he left her and ran away/taken to LANDAN with a gang of grifters he met on da streetz for some gigs and what he thought would be Big Money

street fights were a common occurrence re: snatch *mickey o’neil vc* i’ll fight ya for it … if dc is here he learned how to fight, london is where he learned to fight dirty

the gang began to pull cons on a Bigger Scale until they got caught ! he was a Big Coward and ran away … but was sent back to the u s of a with 0 money lol (was p traumatic actually! ppl got killed! it still haunts him!)

came back 2 grandma n said sry a bajillion times n they made up

gma works as a housekeeper for a big time politician fam in d.c. and would get a few smol jobs for him as a pool boy or whatever else rich ppl have

but then his gma got ill and they don’t have medical insurance or da money for treatment so he dropped outta school and continued 2 swindle, in d.c. or where the money was tbh

gd thing about d.c. is politicians and they have lots of money !!!

it felt weird to scam people by himself. he wasn’t used to working alone so he started off small: hung out in bars, targeted politicians. end up in a hotel - they paid for it. long story short he got enough ammo to blackmail them into giving him $$ or he’d sell photos/videos to journalists ... n we all know how homophobic politicians are :clown emoji:

newayz … one of the cons ended up being a trap (fffff). they knew about his lil tricks n wanted to use him so proposed a deal: they’d pay for his gma’s everything, put her in the best hosp, pay off debts, send him to a good school which would secure his future !! in return they wouldn’t hand him over 2 da popo, clear his record, but he’d work for them + blackmails their opponents to strong arm them into votes or w/e

obvs he said yes bc he luvs his gma ..

PERSONALITY

Edgy n Cockney

has a dog called amigo

eats cereal out of the box for breakfast lunch n dinna xx it’s vegan xx

talks rly slowly, super lazy, as if he’s high 25/8

had 2 grow up quick so he is Mature but wasn’t allowed/able to Process all of his Shit so acts out + has childish tendencies (shock!)

super selfish + looks out for himself First … soz it just how it be it’s nothing personal

prefers to ruin things on his own terms so he is unforch #TeamFuckThingsUp

likes breaking thangs, likes burning thangs, likes gettin into fites .. For Fun !

rly just does what he wants regardless of whether it hurts other ppl – doesn’t rly care abt right/wrong .. aloof/detached/boner 4 nihilism yada yada

maybe that’s due to him liking d.c. coke a lot … a coping mechanism<3 microdosing mostly<3

if u get over all of that lol then he has a Deep side n has a lot of thots (which will b hard for me but o well) can be caring etc.

anti govt, anti rich, fuck da system a la vincent cassel in la haine etc. etc.

surprisingly Smort, likes 2 read + retains info like a sponge, good at exams without rly trying, will happily take exams for $$

likes getting to know ppl tho not out of genuine interest but also won’t say shit about himself

everyone at gallagher is stupid smart n kinda show offy abt it … highkey grinds his gears because he rly hates rich ppl and the govt and will fight u on it

will rationalise himself being at gallagher by saying he’ll destroy the system from inside out !!! lol ye rite

prefers to sit at the back, blend into the background, do his own thing

never chases after anything so if he does be suss

big fan of documentaries - louis theroux daddy

CONNECTIONS

friends: prefers 2 b more lowkey, more of a small chill group of ~pals than big groups of dumbos re: bros chat.

ex-friends: gimme platonic heartbreak! he has a tendency 2 fucc things up on purpose and will not hesitate to burn bridges 2 hide in da smoke (deep)

flings: type to kick u out bc he sleeps better alone and won’t hit u up for at least a week … no hard feelings</3

ex-flings: no emosh capacity for a full on relationship but it could’ve ended for a lot of messy reasons !! makes me laff

exes? he doesn’t rly believe in monogamy i’m sry . probs would’ve messed ur chara around a bit :// or mb it could’ve been legit srs i o n o

fre/enemies: he just … has 0 loyalties tbh so

met ur match: someone who just runs circles around him + plays his game better than he does ! its Messy !

senator’s kids: ur chara’s parent the one who took tigs in! probs shud be a Baddie tho

i cleaned ur pool: mayhaps he was ur pool boy one (1) summer + stole some of ur shit, maybe they got along, maybe they hate each other

pot head gang: talking about conspiracy theories on da rooftop at 2am pls ty

anti-painkiller: someone who is feeling shitty so hits him up to feel even worse . this cud become soft tbh . extra Spice if she wants 2 keep it a secret

underlined the good bits: based on dis lil nugget but instead of saving mankind make it taking down the government lol or a lil discussion or legit anythinnnn :-) bonus points if they dk each other :-)

why didn’t u ask me to stick around?: *peyton sawyer vc* erry1 alwayz leaves … n so did he !

the worst best partner: they were forced 2 partner up together but they rly rile each other up but lowkey werk well together and got a smashing grade ! he doesn’t care abt grades so probs someone who is a Show Off so he gets Aggro

if any of these fit ur chara/u vibin wit em, holla + we can go from there: uno, two, three, three and a half, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten point five, and most importantly: ot3 !!!!! and another one

[jumpchain-drop]

Chapter 1.1: 0.0 Years

“….aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

CRASH!

I landed in a face-down belly flop. It hurt, but somehow I don’t think I was injured. Still took a minute to get up.

“Again…?” I moaned.

I was in the middle of the desert. The sun was high up and blazing down with full force. Thankfully I have a hat on now. Also a backpack. Felt pretty heavy. Thankfully I was still in some version of my original outfit, with long sleeves and pants that covered enough skin to keep it from getting burnt. There’s some mountains in the distance, but otherwise the only thing breaking up the forever-long barren landscape is some diner or gas station place, not too terribly far away.

Also I felt like a lot shorter. Later I would learn I was regressed back to twelve years old.

Wanted to check my bag out, but also wanted to be fine with my vitamin D levels for awhile, so I started walking for the diner station.

The hot sand gave way to hot asphalt, which probably would’ve been hotter were it not so faded. A few cars and a couple motorcycles were in the parking lot around the diner. Thankfully, there was a place I can sit in the building’s shadow. No one else seemed to be around at the moment; presumably the inside has air conditioning.

I took the backpack off my back and take a look through its contents. A flip-top phone-like device; the screen says “Pokégear.” I think to check my own pockets; they’re empty except my chapstick and a thick wad of strange paper bills with a “P” symbol on them. So, I guess I still have a phone. There’s another small electronic – a Pokédex, looks like the Unova model. Three green-and-purple spray bottles and five red-and-white balls; Potions and Poké Balls. A laminated Trainer Card with my name and picture on it, registered by the Unovan Pokémon League as a trainer starting a couple months ago.

So apparently I was supposed to have an adventure in the world of Pokémon. Funny; Mad Max wasn’t far from my first guess. It occurs to me I’m in Orre. Don’t remember this exact place, though. I never got far in that game.

There’s some other things here too. A key attached to a Master Ball keychain. A small laptop computer (though the diner’s wi-fi is secured). And was that…? Why the heck do I have a collapsible billy club?

I was still looking at the thing in my hand, thinking that, when I heard some sort of distant screech. I look up.

A bit into the desert, out of nowhere, there was a large flock of blue creatures with purple wings, circling in the air.

The hell’s a bunch of Zubat doing in the middle of the desert, I remember thinking.

That’s when I saw what they were circling around: a plant-like lump, mostly green but with plenty of brown shades.

Gheeze, they were like vultures! What were they even hunting…? It occurred to me to pull out the Pokédex and turn it on, pointing it towards the thing the Zubat were circling around. Even at this distance, it managed to detect what species the poor creature was.

A Turtwig…?! Out here in the middle of the desert…?!

Something just switched on. I was never much of a hero before, more of a coward, but I didn’t want to see what they were going to do to that Turtwig.

In moments, my backpack was closed on my back, everything back inside except the billy club, fully unfolded.

And I ran in yelling like a lunatic.

The next minute I burst through the door of the diner and slammed it shut behind me, producing several thunks as the Zubat swarm barreled into it before they could change course. “Quick!” I shouted to whoever was at the counter. “This Turtwig needs water!”

A few hours passed as I nursed for the Turtwig back to health. Thankfully the diner only charged for the Potions I bought from them with just a bit of the money I have, because she drank a lot of water. Oh yeah, the Turtwig turned out to be female. According to the ‘Dex, Turtwig shells are made of hard soil, growing harder if watered, and feeling slightly moist if they’re healthy. Well, her shell was getting harder. I also had something to eat, pigs-in-a-blanket (though they called it “Mankey in a Wrap”), to keep my strength up while doing it.

During that time, people were going in and out without any Zubat leaking through, so I assumed they buzzed off somewhere.

Eventually, she regained consciousness. She looked up at me with fond eyes. Who knows what she must have gone through, being a Grass-type in Orre’s harsh climate. She nuzzled into my hand when I tried to pet her. I bought her a couple Oran Berries to fill up on.

“That your Turtwig?” the guy at the counter asked.

“No, I found her outside,” I replied. “Think she’s wild?”

“Pokémon like that ain’t wild ‘round here. Probably abandoned.”

“Even someplace as harsh as this…?”

“Never underestimate humankind’s ability to hurt, kid.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that.

For a while she got off the table and sat in my lap as I did a better check of my things. I decided against bringing the laptop out in some seedy-looking place as this. There was, however, something in my bag I didn’t notice before. Tucked behind the laptop was a notebook with a massive word “JUMP” on the cover, with a spiral binding and a mechanical pencil tucked into it. I opened the first page to see there was already writing on it.

Layer 1:

You have 10 years in this world.

Time is paused wherever you left.

Your motorcycle is nearby.

You keep your perks and gear afterward.

You may only keep 6 Pokémon afterward, one of which must be the first Pokémon you catch. The rest stay behind.

Entertain me.

Was this written by the owner of that voice in the cylinder? Asshole.

“Hey, kid. Catch.”

I looked up just in time for a Poké Ball to hit my forehead. “Ouch!”

“Hey, sorry, I said catch,” the guy at the counter said.

“My hands were busy,” I said with a wince, putting everything away. I picked the ball up. “A Poké Ball?”

“For your Turtwig. On the house.”

“For… But she’s not...”

“I can see she’s taken a shine to you,” he said. “She might as well be.”

I looked down at her to see her looking up at me. After a second, I hold the ball up to her. She nosed the button on the front and, in a flash of light, she vanished into it.

Beep. Beep. Beep. CLICK.

So… I guess my first Pokemon’s a Turtwig. Could’ve been worse. Could’ve been a Magikarp.

I decide it’s time for me to go. After making sure I’m fully stocked on food and water and everything’s packed safely away, I start to walk out.

“Hey, kid.”

I give the guy at the counter one last look.

“Be careful out there, OK? There’s these punks running around, Team Snagem. They can make Poké Balls that can steal Pokémon from trainers. You keep your new friend safe, OK?”

Team Snagem is an issue? I’m not fully solid on the timeline. I mean, I watched this loud guy do a Let’s Play of both games, but why the hell am I remembering that now?

I gave him a nod and said, “I will.” Then I go outside. Still no Zubat in sight.

The closest city here seems a really long way to walk there. Then I remembered the notebook mentioned I had a motorcycle. I look around the parking lot and notice this unassuming bike in the shade. It had a decal sticker of a Master Ball on it.

I pulled out the key that was in my bag, got on, and put it in the ignition. The engine turned.

I put on the helmet in the little storage compartment on the back and, somehow knowing how to drive a motorcycle, I set off into the desert.

“Entertain me…?” Fuck that guy, he took away ten years of my life. Even if time on Earth was frozen, I would be mentally ten years older when I got back. Plus I left Earth by dropping through a hole. What is this guy’s deal anyway? Whatever. Fuck this, I thought, I need to find someplace to survive around here.

Me and Terra.

That’s my Turtwig’s nickname now. Just in case that wasn’t clear.

[littlewolf651]

A Fae’s Cries

Based on a TC Fae AU that was created in @teamdoesminecraft ‘s TC Discord server. Seriously, check out that server, it’s brilliant.

Not my AU idea. To be honest I can’t remember who even came up with the idea anymore. A lot of people contributed to it.

Sorry for the tag Angie, only one I’ll give.

---

The forest was awake with a low moaning and wailing noise, a song that hung heavy with pain and misery. It was not how Ty wanted to experience his morning walk. The irritating noise was scaring off humans. He may not care for humans bothering him, but he was hungry dammit! He continued to walk and tried to drown out the noise before a familiar tiny voice yelled in his ear. “Ty!”

Ty gave the barest flicker of a jump at the loud noise and turned to the small blue pixie in front of him “This better be good, or I’m shoving your tiny ass back in the lantern.” He warned Jason, as per usual, barely bat an eyelid at that “Ty we need your help!” “We? Who’s we?” Ty’s question was quickly answered when he felt an arm wrap around him and pull him down a little. Adam grinned up at Ty with bright gold eyes “Eyy big guy! How’s the weather up there?” Ty should’ve guessed the gancanagh would bother him, the idiot didn’t have anything better to do on most days when he wasn’t sleeping with complete morons. “Ugh, why do you want to bother me now? I’ve told you a hundred times I’m not going to help you seduce anyone by having you ‘save them’ from me. You bring anyone near me, and I will eat them.” He warned. “It’s not that! And you will come around in the idea, mark my words. Surely you’ve heard all the crying!” Adam retorted Ty pushed the smaller fae off him and made him drop back to the ground “Let me guess, that was your doing?” Jason flew in his face “No! Mitch and Jerome found where it’s coming from. We don’t know what it is though.” “Have you checked?” “Well, Uh, we were hoping you would.” “And why would I do that? Can’t Mitch and Jerome do that? They’re already there.” “Yeah, but if it’s something bad then your face could scare it off!” Adam added before he cried out as Ty kicked his shin harshly. “You’re not going to leave me alone until I do this huh?” Ty grumbled, irritation clear in his voice. “Nope!” Both faes grinned, popping the p and making Ty wonder if he could shove both of them in his lantern. “Fine. Where is this stupid noise coming from?” Adam and Jason smiled happily at his agreement, and they both lead the way through the forest to the source of the noise. — The first thing Ty saw was Mitch and Jerome watching from behind trees, staring at a large hollow log in the centre of the trees. Clearly, the log was amplifying the sound of whatever was crying inside. It was undoubtedly louder now than before. Mitch had tried to lower his head to get a view inside the log, but it only made the noise louder, so the dullahan was quick to retrieve his head and hide again. Cowards. “Ty! You came!” Jerome gave a toothy grin at the sight of the grindylow arriving with Adam and Jason. “Whatever. You’ll keep bugging me if I don’t.” Ty grumbled and set his lantern down by the log. He noticed from the corner of his eyes that the other fae were all hidden behind the trees, watching. If this were a prank, Ty would make sure they all regretted it. He looked in the log and saw... a kid? Yeah. Inside the log was a small boy. He couldn’t have been older than ten, sitting curling up in the log crying. He had dishevelled brown hair that hung around his neck and scratches all over his pale skin, no doubt from running in the forest or from being attacked by some forest creature. He had brown eyes that were red from the endless stream of tears and cheeks red from the cold. He was barefoot and wearing an oversized nightshirt. He clung tightly to a worn-out teddy bear like it was his only protection from the big bad world. Ty’s first thought was this must be some human boy that got lost in the woods from his family, or perhaps he was running away. He even considered that maybe this kid had been taken from his home, replaced by a changeling and now was left here to die or be eaten by someone like him. Then the boy noticed him. Fuck, what was Ty supposed to do? Try to seem friendly? Maybe make him stop crying? He gave a small fanged smile to the kid “Uh, Hey kid... uh, you wanna come-“ He was barely through his sentence when the kid screamed. This wasn’t just any scream, Ty had heard plenty of screams in his immortal life. But this scream. It pierced his ears like a hot knife in butter, it was like something had jammed a hot spike into his ears and brain. Ty actually had to recoil out with a howl of pain, covering his ears in an attempt to block out the sound. The rest of the fae were no better, on their knees and covering their ears with cries of pain. It was so bad Jason even flew into a tree accidentally and had to be caught by Adam when he fell. When the kid stopped screaming, he went back to whimpering. The other fae were quiet as they tried to compose themselves and got their bearings before Mitch voices most of their thoughts “What in the ever-living fuck was that?!” Ty stood and cleaned his robes of dirt “It’s a fucking banshee you idiots.” He snapped “No human can scream like that and certainly no other fae can. He’s just a kid, probably doesn’t even know what he is.” Jerome tilted his head “I mean, if he’s only a kid, then we should be able to calm him down right?” Before the other’s could protest, the faoladh when to the log broke part of the log open with his paws to fit his head in and stuck his head in to give a toothy grin and pant similar to a dog would. The reaction was instantaneous. The kid screamed even louder than before and tried to frantically crawl out of the log to get away from the large wolf. Everyone covered their ears again as Ty shouted “Dammit Jerome! Get the fuck away from him!” Mitch and Adam helped to pull Jerome away from the terrified banshee. The kid stopped screaming once he couldn’t see Jerome and crawled out of the log and bolted to Ty. He crawled under the others large purple cloak and clung to his leg, shaking like a leaf. Ty was taken aback by that and looked down at the small kid “Uh...” Jason snickered softly “I think he likes you.” “He screamed in my face!” “Yeah, but you’re not Jerome.” Ty couldn’t argue with that, the kid clearly was more scared of Jerome than of him. “Pick him up already idiot,” Adam told him. Ty glared at Adam at that, he hated being told what to do but nonetheless, reached down and picked the small kid up. The boy sniffled and sneezed before he clung to Ty’s robes tightly, his breathing starting to finally calm down now.  Ty tensely reached a hand and pat his back to help the boy calm down “Uh... what’s your name kid?” “S-Se... Seto.” The boy finally managed to sniffle out. “He speaks!” Adam smiled. Jason kicked Adam’s ear, which felt to Adam more like someone had flicked his ear. The pixie flew up and placed a hand on Seto’s head, the small banshee looking up at Jason with a childlike fascination. He almost touched the pixie before Jason moved to stand on Seto’s hand “He’s burning up. He needs rest and a place to stay.” Ty huffed “Fine. Who’s gonna take him?” Ty realised all eyes were on him “Oh no. No no no no! I can’t look after a kid!” “Dude, you’re the only one he actually likes right now, Jason’s home is too small, and you want him to stay with me?” Adam demanded Ty opened his mouth to argue, but upon finding he didn't know what to argue, he growled in annoyance “Ugh, Fine. But only for a little bit.” He grumbled. At that, Ty grabbed his lantern and began the walk back to him home, for once, allowing the others to follow him back in case the kid did anything else. Thankfully all Seto did was fall asleep in Ty’s arms, still clinging to his teddy bear and Ty’s robes. It was kinda cute. God Ty hoped this didn’t ruin his reputation as the scariest fae in the forest.

[whatwashernameagain]

I’m dying to be with you - Chapter 6

Warnings: fear of death, anxiety

Masterpost

____________________________

Logan paced up and down in front of Patton’s room like a mindless, caged animal, his steps loud in the quiet stillness of a hospital mostly asleep. His thoughts were a hazy mess, tumbling around his skull with the pounding of his trapped, worried heart. It ached and hurt. Once again, he had to place a palm over the suffering organ as the fear turned to a real, physical ache. Psychogenic pain, his mind helpfully supplied. Likely caused by the shock of a reported collapse of one of his patients, or more specifically, by the prolonged and now amplified fear of the death of the man he cared for more than almost any other in the world.

Patton.

The ache intensified.

Patton had collapsed.

He gasped, clutching his chest tighter.

Their time was running out and he did not know what to do about it. He was useless. A coward. He did not even go inside and attempt to comfort him in whatever inept way he could. He yearned to be close to him and yet the door between them, the distance between himself and his patient that he so desperately wanted to be more with, felt like a massive chasm he did not know how to cross. He did not know how to live with himself anymore.

His whole body flinched as the door he had been pacing in front of opened.

Patton.

The slender young man stood in the doorway, blinking against the cold, sterile light of the hallway. His soft tresses were disheveled, his small body wrapped in a too large, crimson wool cardigan that had clearly been borrowed from Roman. Logan stared in shock at his lovely, freckled face, before he realized how he had been caught. A shameful flush heated his cheeks. Patton ought to be able to rely on his professionalism, he was the best cardiologist and heart surgeon in the area, he must not frighten Patton with his erratic behavior, he-

A delicate hand caught hold of his larger one, intertwining their fingers without hesitation. Logan felt like the floor was dropping out from under him, like he was flying. He marveled at this young man’s courage. While he had been pacing and over-analyzing, too afraid to even step into the room without an excuse to hide behind, Patton had bridged the gap between then in his effortless, fearless way. He had never seen him look afraid. How Logan admired him.

Gaining a small amount of courage from the contact, he enveloped the pale hand more securely in his own, warming the cool fingers and daring to caress the back of his hand. His blood was rushing in his ears like a fierce river. He was not supposed to touch his patient this way, was not supposed to like it, and yet he wanted so much more. He wanted to wrap Patton in his arms and shield him from the world with his body, take away all of his fears and worries and heal him.

He was not being a good doctor to him, unable to help and additionally craving him like a dying man thirsted for water – he could not get enough. And still he was afraid of giving up his care to a colleague for the chance to court Patton. The lingering hope that he could help him, save him somehow, would not let him slack in his duty.

Patton was still holding his hand – enjoying the caress, perhaps? Logan could only guess. If he were to look up now, Patton would see the tears he so desperately tried to blink away, the loss of control, the utter unprofessionality that made him a failure of a doctor.

The warm wool socks clumsily knitted in rainbow colors adorning his feet blurred before his vision, turning to smears of bright color. Patton’s feet and fingers were often cold due to his poor circulation. Another stab to his heat.

Still patient and ever kind, the young man stepped closer, into his doctor’s line of vision. “Walk with me, doctor?”

He had no excuses left, swallowed back tears, nodded, followed his lead. Anywhere.

Patton spent a lot of time here. Too much. He knew his way around and led them through silent corridors, up a staircase – outside.

The balcony on the roof of the building was deserted, empty of furniture and people, opening to the velvety night sky filled with twinkling stars. He had never been up here.

Silence enveloped them like a dark curtain, muffling the world around them with cool light and the clear night-air. Patton was quiet, waiting. He knew when to simply listen.

Even though Logan could barely look, the way the moonlight illuminated his pale, freckled skin caught his attention through the corner of his eye. He swallowed hard, trying to chase away his nerves and misery and yearling to step closer, to pull this man in, to hold on. He felt so ethereal in the moonlight, almost unreal. The irrational fear that he would turn into smoke and starlight and be blown away by the softest gust of wind before his very eyes made his chest constrict. What was wrong with him?! His hand tightened around the soft one in his grasp. As the silence stretched, Logan started squirming. He was not good with loaded silences, the tension between them made him want to talk, to fill it somehow.

He clenches his jaw, felt his teeth grinding into each other. His pulse was too quick, his mind in turmoil. Something was clawing against his throat, trying to escape. He desperately attempted to wrangle his emotions under control. Patton needed someone he could trust. He could do it. He knew he could. He’d breathe through his nose and hold onto the pieces of himself that were threatening to bust apart at the seams and spill all the sweet and bitter things he kept hidden, he would-

“Why won’t you take this seriously?!”

The works burst out of him with no hope of containing them. His voice was shaking, his body quivering with the useless effort to hold on to his composure. Patton unraveled him.

“What?” He asked, innocently confused. His light blue eyes were large and honest, like he had nothing to hide and no fear of his emotions.

“Your condition, your- I don’t-” Shuddering and gasping for breath among the tears rising to the surface, among his mind screaming at him not to do this to Patton, he wiped his eyes roughly. The question broke past all of his defenses. How could he be so calm when the life of the purest person on the world, his life, was about to end?! Logan could not sleep, could barely eat, hardly think with the threat of Patton’s loss hanging over him. Something inside of him was certain the world would turn to dry and bitter dust once the source of light would be gone, that all the color would be leeched from his vision and he would be left in cold and gray without this man he had crashed in love with. How could it had come to this? Why did it have to be Patton? Could it not have been him instead? The only person who would miss him was the resilient, brave nurse in his care – who cared for him – and he would soon be in the arms of this exasperating man even Logan could not help but adore, happy and loved. He ached with the unfairness of the fact that it had to be Patton instead of him. Patton, who for some reason had not cried for himself once, who smiled for everyone, even now.

“And what good would that do?” The former councilor’s voice was gentle instead of offended. “Of course I could spend my days crying in my room, but that would only make you sad.” He added earnestly.

Logan felt like he choked on Patton’s words. “Me?!” He asked brokenly. How could he still put everyone else first?

“Yes! You, silly! I don’t want to see people I care about become sad because of me, I only want to bring you joy! But it’s about me too. Why would I waste my time crying when I have so much left to do? So much life to live, no matter how much time I still have, there are years – decades I could fill with beautiful things.”

He leaned closer, wiping away a tear that had fallen without the doctor’s consent. His touch was light as a feather, his eyes bright with passion. Logan was caught aback by the fire in his eyes.

“The people that care for me have cried more than enough already. I’d much rather they stay close...” He whispered. His palm cupped Logan’s cheek, making his breath catch and heat pool in his body. “…and enjoy those beautiful things with me.”

He looked deeply into his attractive doctor’s eyes, feeling brave and strong, like he always did in his presence. Patton’s little hummingbird heart was soaring. It was as strong as ever, pressed so close to the tall man before him, beating like little wings against his ribs. It made elation and eagerness pump through his veins. It was possible – all of the things Patton had dreamed about, he could feel it.

“Do you care about me too?” He asked softly, hopefully. Despite his enthusiastic heart, he was afraid of the answer. It would almost be too good to be true! This man who was so caring and intelligent and made Patton feel so alive – could he really feel the same?

Defeated by the weight of the truth, the power of his affection, Logan bowed his head – and nodded.

A squeal almost burst his eardrums as he was knocked back by the force of the little body jumping into his arms. Patton was almost thrumming with happiness. It pushed its way past Logan’s defenses, forced the pleasure and love he felt to unravel and spread through his limbs. It was a strange contrast to the iron weight in his chest, threatening to drag him down.

He wrapped his arms around Patton, allowing himself one more step out of line, and hugged him to his body. He fit perfectly, his face hidden in his neck, his smooth cheek against Logan’s, his breath on his skin. The certainty that he was where he belonged. He would reclaim the restrictive mantle of his responsibility for this man’s health once again in a few minutes, be professional and distant and serve him as well as he could, but for now, he would memorize everything about his sweet smell, the curve of his spine under his palm, the way he melted into him with such complete trust. He gained strength from their connection, however brief it might be, and would use it to rebuild his shields.

Patton had other plans though.

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

Next Chapter

[ahrorha]

Flame of Winter

Finally, some time to relax and much earned sweetness. (Idiot) Solas(I totally agree with your Raven) better has to patch things up or else I will kick his.... oh wait this is my own fanfic ;p

Warning: contains glistening elf.

Also, the number of chapters has changed because I have merged some of my first chapters.

I hope I can keep my writing up, have done a lot of pre-work on the next chapters. Crossing fingers that my writing mood stays like this.

Chapter 16

Solas felt terrible. He had killed one of his oldest friends, one of the very few he had left. One of the few who truly knew him. Who knew what he had been through, what he had done. Wisdom had always been was there for him, the one who he could always turn to for advice. Now she was gone, and it hurt. He felt alone, alone in his quest, in his purpose, in this altered world he had created.

Hidden away in an elven ruin, he spent his days asleep, searching the Fade far and wide, for any trace of her. Hoping that some part of her had survived. He found only faint traces of her energy, her purpose. Someday something new would form from them, but it would never be the same spirit again. Their shared experiences and friendship would remain only his memories, as so many things that had disappeared from this world.

As focused as he was to find his lost friend, Eirlana was never far from his mind. He felt guilty how he had treated her, how he had hurt her and left her behind. He had allowed his anger to overwhelm him. His control had slipped, and a dark part of himself had resurfaced, something he thought he had left in the past. At that moment he could see his own reflection in Eirlana's eyes, his ugly, violent, hateful side. The look she gave him was burned into his mind. Like a coward he ran away, leaving her abandoned. After all that she had done for him, what she meant to him, he had stabbed her in the back. He had violated the trust she had so willingly given him.

Solas sighed, almost a week had passed since then. Gliding his hand through the water, he hoped she would forgive him, though deep in his heart he knew he didn't deserve it. Satisfied with his preparations he took his hart at the reigns and headed towards the Inquisitor's camp. It was time he returned.

.

They had made good progress for one day. Finally, they were heading back to Skyhold, and Eirlana was relieved they left the nightmares of the Exalted Planes behind them. It had been hard seeing the horrible acts committed by both humans and elves alike in the brutality of that war.

In her tent, Eirlana rolled out both her and Solas' blankets and furs. 'Just in case.' she thought. Knowing it was more logical that, if he was ready to return, he would head to Skyhold. Her fingers slipped through the fur, hoping he was all right. Shaking off her worries she quickly changed into a more comfortable pair of leggings and a simple shirt. She paused a moment and decided to spend some more time at the fire before going to sleep.

It was a beautiful clear night, the reflection of a half moon sparkled in the river and lighted the hilly grassland. Draping a shawl around her shoulder against the chill Eirlana sat down and let her senses drift. She almost jumped to her feet when she detected Solas, he was close and moving towards them.

Noticing her leaving the camp Varric asked. “Where are you going Snowflake?”

“I need to....” she shuffled with her legs, pretending nature was calling.

Both he and Iron Bull had become more vigilant since she had been attacked.

“I won't go far.” she tried to assure them. “And if you hear something explode you know what to do.”

Getting the hint he was acting too protective, Varric laughed. “Just leave something for us. Be careful.”

Aided by her elven sight, Eirlana moved quickly through the dark. She had to be quick and warn him.

Just having left the ruins, Solas froze when he heard movement. His heart skipped a beat when he recognised Eirlana running towards him. “Vhenan? What...”

Before he could say more, she pressed her fingers against his lips, shushing him.

“Listen.” Eirlana whispered out of breath. “We haven't much time. I told them we went for a ride to see ruins in the morning sun. We found the mages battling a spirit and tried to stop them. It went wrong the spirit turned, killed the mages, and we ended its suffering. You were upset they also used dark magic to torture spirits, just like the pits we found. You left angry, needing some time alone.” Knowing she had to return before the others would look for her, she ran back. “Give me some time.”

On her way back she struggled to keep her emotions under control. Slowing down she forced her breathing back to normal. He was back. Soon they could talk.

“There she is.” Iron Bull called to her when she joined them again. Several comments and laughs about ladies always taking longer were exchanged, before Varric was glared down by Cassandra. He should know better then to ask if she really was a lady.

.

Hearing her brief instruction, Solas stared dumbfounded after Eirlana. He already prepared himself to defend his actions of trying to save his friend and his killing of the mages, but she had covered up his violent outburst. She had told a story close enough to the truth to be believable and yielded him the least amount of trouble. He was grateful she had lied for him, but also regretted that he had put her in a situation that she felt she needed to.

After enough time had passed, Solas continued his path. A group of patrolling guards were the first to spot him, and they accompanied him. Upon entering the camp, he noticed not everyone was pleased to see him, especially Ryan seemed to be cross with him.

“SOLAS!” Almost knocking over Varric's drink, Eirlana jumped to her feet and rushed to him. Letting her emotions free she flew into his arms.

Stumbling by her enthusiasm, Solas had to half catch her. Holding her in a tight embrace, he told her.

“I am sorry vhenan. I am so sorry.”

They let go of each other after Ryan cleared his throat next to them. “Solas we need to talk.”

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he followed Ryan to receive his scolding. After he apologised for his action and promising it wouldn't happen again, he returned. Only now he noticed how exhausted everyone looked, especially Eirlana, who had dark circles under her eyes. He wanted to get her away from here. Ignoring Varric, who looked like he wanted to have a stern word with him, he pulled her to her feet and towards their tent.

Expecting he wanted to talk more privately, she followed him. To her confusion, he started to roll up their blankets and furs, packing them.

“What are you doing?”

“I have something prepared for us.” he said and continued.

Not understanding what he meant, Eirlana went quiet. Her initial relief that he was back made way for her pent-up emotions and stress. There was too much she had been through this past week.

Noticing her shift in mood Solas stopped and crouched towards her. He cupped her face and sat with her. “What is wrong?”

“What is wrong?” a mocking laugh escaped her. “Do you really have to ask? You were gone. I was worried sick. I didn't know where you were. If you were all right. When or if you were coming back.” Her frustration and anger came spilling out. “You left me. Left me here in the middle of.... of all this” she swung her arms around. Irritated that he just carried on as if nothing had happened.

Hearing, the hurt he had done, in her wavering voice Solas hung his head. Normally not lost for words he didn't know what to say. “Vhenan...”

“I... You didn't have to grieve alone.” of all the things, this was maybe what hurt her the most. That he chose to be alone rather than let her be there for him.

“I am so sorry vhenan.” he took her into his arms. “I didn't know what to do. It has been so long since I could trust someone.”

Buried against his chest, she took a deep breath. Slowly calming down. “Where did you go?”

“At first I just rode for hours, until I came upon some abandoned ruins far away from any road or farm. I dreamed there, searching for any trace of her.”

Knowing who he meant she raised her head and looked at him hopefully. “Did you find her.”

Lowering his eyes, he shook his head. “Her purpose has survived, but it will never be her again.”

.

By the time they slipped out of the tent, the rest had already gone to sleep. Only Iron Bull was still awake. He frowned when he saw Solas getting his mount. “And where do you think you are going?”

“To those ruins.” Solas pointed towards some ruins visible in the distance, not too far away.

Iron Bull wasn't satisfied. “I don't want the same shit like last time happen again.” He pointed at Eirlana. “If you aren't taking her somewhere nice I won't let you go.”

“That I can promise you.” he pressed a kiss on Eirlana's head. “I have a lot to make up to her.”

“You know he will be pissed if he finds out.”

“I know.” Solas smiled at him and rode with Eirlana towards the ruins.

.

Leaving the hart outside to graze, they entered the old elven bathhouse. Though it lay in ruins, traces of the beautiful mosaics of plants, flowers and birds were still visible. On his way back Solas had disrupted here some Venatori in their digging efforts for lost treasures. Seeing one of the baths was intact, he got an idea. He wanted to do something for Eirlana, to apologise for his actions. With the aid of a little magic, he managed to make the bath working again.

In amazement, Eirlana looked around. Shallow stairs let into the deep basin filled with clear water. Warmed by the heating stones Solas had reactivated, small wisps of steam escaped its surface. A few glowing orbs hovered in the air like fireflies, casting a warm, cosy light around them. It was lovely. The broken down arches gave a magnificent view of the river, where once was a roof countless stars sparkled in the sky.

Not far from the bath a small fire burned, Solas spread out their furs and blankets next to it, and unpacked the towels and soaps he had brought. It was luck that the Inquisitor had chosen to camp near this place. He noticed that his various wards, to protect them, were still active. With everything in place, he hoped this would become a night to remember. He wanted to show her how much he cared about her, how precious she was to him. To spend one night alone with her, away from prying eyes, to forget what had brought them here.

.

With only his leggings on, Solas waded into the water. “Join me vhenan.”

Eirlana started to blush, only now realising that he wanted to bathe with her. A little flustered she removed her shawl and leggings. Not feeling comfortable enough about being seen naked she kept her shirt on. With Solas already swimming she stepped into the delightfully warm water. As she went deeper, her shirt started to billow. Not wanting to be more exposed, she held it down and dipped her body under the water so it would stick to her skin.

Solas swam towards her when she staid on the stairs. After a few strokes, he rose out of the water.

Eirlana felt her stomach flutter as the water pearled of his broad shoulders and taut muscles. His wet skin glistening under the light of the glowing orbs. He was beautiful.

His breath stuck as he stepped closer. Her wet shirt was moulded to her curves and had become translucent. He could see the outline of her breast perfectly, with her dark nipples that had stiffened in the night air. He smirked when he caught her staring back, and looking away quickly. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who enjoyed the view. His desires inflamed, he took hold of her and pulled her deeper into the water.

“Solas! I can't swim.” she exclaimed.

“Then you have to hold on.” he grinned and continued swimming.

“Solas.” She clung to him, laughing nervously when her feet couldn't reach the bottom.

Holding her waist, he helped her stay afloat. “Relax. You won't sink. Just peddle with your feet.”

It didn't take long before she got more comfortable. Soon the air was filled with the sound of them splashing, laughing, giggling and her squealing whenever he let go of her.

.

Floating close together, Eirlana's arms rested around Solas' neck. Looking deep into his eyes, she brushed her lips against his. “I missed you.” and kissed him.

Solas pulled her closer, savouring the kiss. He exhaled deeply when they parted. “I missed you too.”

Her braid had become undone, and her hair floated in the water like fine silk, almost glowing in the unique light of the moon. Stroking her cheek, his hands wandered down her neck. His fingers slipped under her choker and opened its clasp, uncovering her burns. He traced them softly with his fingers.

“You are so beautiful.”

Another blush flushed Eirlana's face. Gazing into his eyes, she could only see his affection and admiration. She knew her body was a roadmap of the abuse she had suffered. Not that she thought she was ugly, but being called beautiful? Before she could object Solas captured her lips again. Feeling his love, his body moving against hers, Eirlana gave in. Her hands began to roam over his shoulders and back.

Enjoying her fingers gliding over his wet skin, Solas hummed in pleasure and deepened their kiss. Underwater their legs brushed more against each other. Sensing his growing arousal, Solas told himself to calm down, that he needed to take things slow. Just then her nails scraped teasingly over his shoulder blades. The wolf in him howled, pushing him to let his impulses take over. Nipping her lips playfully, his hand slipped under her shirt caressing her stomach. He felt her freeze up immediately.

Solas cursed himself; he had pushed her too far. This was not why he brought her here.

Instinctively Eirlana led go of him, covering herself with her arms. Her fear intensified when she saw his eyes. His pupils were dilated, making them dark, smouldering with desire and want. Part of her mind screamed at her, to flee, to get away. At the same time, she knew it was okay, that this was Solas, that there was nothing to fear.

“Sorry I....” in part she resented her reaction, but she knew she wasn't ready for this. The guilt and shame she felt made it only worse.

“It is alright.” Solas pulled her with him to the stairs so they could sit down. There he held her and stroked her head, assuring her that it was okay until she calmed down.

.

To break the awkward moment, Solas handed Eirlana the soap and hair-oil so they could wash. Initially, he had planned to help her with that, but he knew she needed a little more time. After they had finished, he sat with his back against the edge, and he beckoned her to join him. With his arms lying securely around her, and her head resting against his shoulder, they sat quietly gazing at the stars above them. Peacefully they listened to the sounds of the night drifting over the planes. The calls of the halla, the bats hunting above their heads and the occasional howl of a wolf in the distance.

“What are you thinking about?” Solas asked her after a while, his face brushing against hers.

“That they are some things, that luckily even we can't change.”

“What do you mean?”

She pointed to the night sky. “We come and go, empires rise and fall, but the stars keep watching over us unchanged. If we had been alive eight hundred years ago, we wouldn't see anything different.” she twisted her body towards him and giggled. “Do you know how lucky we are? Can you imagine how crowded it would have been back then at a night like this? We wouldn't have had the luxury of being alone.”

Solas had to laugh, wondering how she could be so optimistic. Even among a sea of destruction, she was able to find beauty or see something positive. His arms still securely around her he leaned forward.

“Oh, I don't know about that.” he whispered in her ear.

His voice sounded deep and full of promise, making Eirlana shudder lightly as goosebumps spread down her spine. Not buying his claim she challenged him. “You really think not a dozen other couple's would have come up with the same brilliant idea as you?”

“I would have simply taken you to my own baths.”

“Your own?” Sceptically, she raised an eyebrow. But the bold and confident look he gave her, told her he wasn't joking. The strange perception she sometimes got about him returned. Making her want to question who he was or where he came from. She had heard the same story as the others. That he came from a small village far to the north, but unlike the others, she had been there. In his search of forgotten knowledge, her former master had brought her to almost every ruin in the Imperium he could find. She knew there was nothing out there but old stones, where Solas claimed his village was. Not for the first time, she thought he harboured secrets that went farther and deeper, then would be necessary for a 'simple' apostate to hide his identity, his past. His fluidity in Elvhen and his careful phrasing whenever he indicated time. She opened her mouth and saw his eyes tense up as if he knew he had said too much.

'How old are you?' was the first the question that lay on her lips but kept unspoken.

Solas cursed himself; he had slipped up. Comfortable and at ease, he had let his guard down. It was not his first time, and he knew she already suspected that he was different. Already having several half-truths prepared, he anxiously waited for what she would say next.

Eirlana could feel his tension. Whatever he was hiding he wasn't ready to share it with her jet.

“A own bath. That would be nice.” She smiled and leaned back against him. When Solas began to relax again, she knew she had made the right decision. Even if her assumption was correct and he was one of the survivors that had awakened, it could be dangerous for him if people would discover it. Like no other, she knew that some things are better to be kept secret and hidden away, especially from the humans. It was also possible he was protecting others. Believing he would confide in her someday, she took hold of his hand. Entangling it with her own, she raised it out of the water and kissed it. “Thank you, for coming back.”

Closing his eyes, Solas held her tightly. Pressing his lips to her temple, he wished he wasn't the lord of deception. That not millennia of secrets rested on his shoulders. That one day he could tell her the truth.

“Thank you for being who you are.” he whispered to her.

.

Slowly Solas let go of her, and his hands wandered lightly up her arms. Brushing his lips along her neck, he placed soft kisses down to her shoulder. Eirlana sighed and tilted her head. She didn't notice his fingers tugged at the top strings of her shirt, opening it and slipping it off her shoulders. She froze again, holding onto her shirt, she looked over her shoulder at him.

He could see her apprehension in her eyes. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he mumbled. “Don't worry vhenan. Nothing is going to happen.”

With little pressure, his hands started to move, massaging the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders. Little by little she relaxed, but he could tell how tired and stressed out she was. He wanted to show her how precious she was, make her feel loved without the tension of sex hanging like a sword above them. To show her that there was nothing to fear.

She squeaked when his hand moved under her legs and lifted her out of the water.

Before Eirlana could object Solas carried her to where he had laid out their towels. Giving her space to shed her wet clothes, Solas hastily dried himself off and changed into a pair of dry leggings. After stoking the fire and rearranging their blankets, he turned back to her.

Wrapped in a towel, and her wet clothes spread out over a fallen pillar, she was wringing out her hair.

“Here let me.” With a little of his magic, he created warm air, helping her hair dry a little. With practice, she quickly brushed it and secured it back into her usual braid.

“Solas?” Eirlana exclaimed as he picked her up again. “I can walk you know.”

“Oh I know.” he laughed at her and carried her to their fur bedding next to the fire.

“Please lay down on your stomach.”

Curious at what he was planning she lay down. Enjoying the heat of the fire against her skin, she listened to him shuffling behind her. A blanket was spread out over her, covering her from the waist down. Kneeling beside her Solas tugged lightly at her towel, unwrapping her body.

“Solas what...”

He brushed her cheek. “Please vhenan. You have nothing to worry about.” he reassured her.

Trusting him, she let him pull the towel away. Nervously she waited, feeling vulnerable and exposed. He paused a moment, seeing for the first time the full extent of the scars she had gained from her captivity and years of enslavement. Though they shared the same living space, he had always been careful to give her the privacy she required. It angered him. How could anyone do this? Especially to her. Her back and arms were covered with a criss-cross of small and more prominent scars, from burns, cuts, beatings and whiplashes. Some of them were old, slowly fading away. Others were still dark and angry red.

.

Solas noticed Eirlana began to fidget as he stared at her back. Setting his anger aside he took the flower-scented oil and let it drip over her spine. He had to smile when she gasped at the cold liquid flowed over her skin. Warming his hands with a little magic, he set to work. Aided by the oil his hands glided over her back, caressing her body. With ease he began to knead her overworked muscles, his fingers and thumbs slowly increasing pressure whenever he found a knot.

With her head resting on her hands, Eirlana let out a groan. Gradually she felt the warmth of his hands and the oil seeping into her body, removing a tension she didn't know she carried with her. Closing her eyes, she surrendered and indulged herself.

It had been a while since Solas had done this, but his fingers quickly remembered. It felt wonderful to touch her skin, to feel her trust. She looked absolutely breathtaking in the warm glow of the fire, and he wanted to worship every part of her. The soft moans escaping her lips were music to his ears, and her pale skin was starting to glow beautifully in a healthy pink. In intervals he released healing magic at places where she had the worst scars, hoping it would help a little. Having finished with her back, he pressed several kisses on her shoulder. He laughed when she made a sleepy and satisfied murmur. Covering her with her shawl, he folded the blanket up and started to work down her legs.

Eirlana was dosing off, feeling warm, safe and enjoying every stroke of Solas' hands. She inhaled deeply when he reached her feet. Curling her toes, she hummed in pleasure when his fingers glided over her callous soles and slipped between her toes. She felt her body tingle when he bent her feet and pressed down on certain points.

Solas drank in every sigh and moan she made. He was glad he had taken the time to arrange this.

Having massaged everything, she would be comfortable with, Solas noticed Eirlana was struggling to stay awake. After making sure her shawl was still wrapped securely around her, he unfolded the blanket and tugged her in. Like a cat she stretched, smiling fondly at him with her eyes half closed. Moving quickly Solas dispelled the orbs of light, checked the wards one last time, attended the fire and hung their clothes to dry.

Eirlana waited and raised their blanket when he had finished so he could slip in with her.

With hooded eyes, she mumbled “That was wonderful.” and kissed him tenderly. Half asleep she nestled herself against his warm torso. A shudder spread through Solas, feeling her partially naked body against his skin. She took his breath away; her parted lips inviting him to taste her. Her strange form of innocence was sometimes difficult to handle, how she could be so oblivious to the desires she enticed. Wishing he had thought about a change of clothes for her, and glad his leggings were somewhat hiding his arousal, he draped his arm around her.

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he whispered. “Ar lath ma.”

At that moment the world became smaller. It centred around their small fire. For a brief moment, Fen'harel didn't exist. There was only her and him. Content and at peace the wolf fell asleep...

.

Ar lath ma -  I love you

.

Some explanation of Eirlana's knowledge about the ancient elves.  

Based on finding a whole bunch of ancient elves at the temple of Mythal, Solas conversation with Abelas and the existence of Felassan. I concluded that there are more ancient elves alive, either in uthenera or walking around keeping a low profile. Having seen a lot of ancient elven places Eirlana has discovered elves that were still asleep, hidden away from the outside world, like those at the temple of Mythal. This is the reason she is not totally freaked out by the idea Solas is much older then anyone thinks. With the knowledge of uthenera being obscure at best, she, of course, doesn't suspect just how old Solas really is. With the line between legends and the truth obscured, especially in the Fade, she only knows the basics of uthenera, and that its practice was lost, like so many other things.

[ilyasvieltrevelyanshepard]

Polaris

First work I publish here! I’m thinking of continuing it with a bit of smut, time will see :P http://archiveofourown.org/works/11679621

Storm clouds dotted the sky above Kadara Port when the Tempest reaches it. They have been running around the cluster searching for stealing probes. The team need a bit of R&R, and Kadar is the closest area with a bar. Hope is not very happy about the situation, but she doesn't have the heart to make her team endure another week on the ship just for fear of seeing Reyes again. Fucking Reyes Vidal.

Their last meeting has been a tense one, just after the incident in the caves where she discovered that he was, in fact, the Charlatan. She broke with him in his dark corner on the Tartarus, and she had felt broken and empty since then. She is lucky, the system is still a mess, and she had her hands full of work and important things to do, but the nights… The nights are filled with what ifs and doubts.

The group is already gathered on the cargo bay. Even Gil had decided to join them for a while, only Suvi and Kalo will remain on the ship. Vetra made Hope promise to give it a try and get some fun with them, promising her to maintain Liam and Jaal away from her.

When she joins them beside the Nomad, Cora is already making faces. She never liked the Port, and after Reyes’ incident, she even hates it more. Hope is still zipping up her jacket when Drack hit her shoulder, making her stutter. “Come on, kid. Try to have some fun. I can share some of my private stashes with you if you need it.”

Peebee laughs at her other side, while Cora just crosses her arms, facing Drack. “You are not going to poison the Pathfinder, old man. Maintain the ryncol on your glass.”

Vetra leaves her office then, raising her hands. “Enough, you too. Tonight she isn't the Pathfinder, and we are not her team. We are a group of friends with a high need for fun. If she wants to drink ryncol until she can't walk, let her be.”

Hope smiles to her. The turian has turned soon enough to her best friend. Her mind is even quicker than hers, and she had a heart greater than the Nexus. When Vetra extends a hand, Hope takes it and let her guide the team to the Kralla’s Song, where Umi has been saving the table beside the windows for them. Someone has sent a couple of bottles of whiskey for them, and even when they knew who has been, no one said a word about it. An hour later, they stand to order more alcohol, having finished with the whiskey, the ryncol and the turian wine. Sara was at the bar with Vetra when a group of humans nears them. “You, Nexus scum. You will pay for Sloane’s death!” Umi shrugs, muttering a ‘Try not to break my bar, please’, before moving away from them.

With a sigh, Hope turns to face them, the alcohol making her feel braggy. “I only count eight of you. Do you want to call some friends?”

The first one launches himself against her with a ‘Nexus bitch’ in his mouth. Hope dodges him easily, using his energy to crush his face against the counter. The group on the table are cheering and clapping. One of them takes off a knife from his boot, making her laugh. The concealed Asari sword she always wears when walking around Kadara is more than twice longer than his knife, and when she takes it off, she gives him a lopsided grin. “Mine is bigger, you moron.”

After that, the fight ends quickly. Two of them charged against Vetra, how breaks the nose of the first and dislodges booth arms of the second. Hope activates her powers, launching a vortex over the far end of the group, raising them from the ground and leaving them floating on air. Charging against the one with the knife, she hits his chest with booth fist, hard enough to feel the breaking of bones under her knuckles. Disappearing and reappearing behind the one that remains on his feet, she put her sword on his neck. “Your tyrant master has gone. You need to learn who gives the order now.”

Umi has called for some help, and as soon as the knees of the men in front of her touch the floor, the door opens, and Keema appears, followed by a group of Angaran and Humans. “Good night, Pathfinder. I see that you had your own Welcome party. Mind if I join?”

“Hello, Keema. Nice to see you. Suit yourself. We have a lot of idiots to play with, choose the one you like more, I'm not picky.”

The group is quickly shackled and take away from the bar, leaving the area almost untouched. The smear of blood on the counter the only signal of their struggle after they repositioned the few chairs that her attack had moved. Umi serves her another shot of whiskey with a soft smile. “Thanks for doing it without breaking anything this time, Ryder.”

Hope drinks it in a long gulp, the heat of it burning her insides. “I'm still paying for the last one, don't want to add more debts to my tab.”

Drack’s voice reaches her, “Thehehehehehe, that was a good fight, kid.”

Keema moves near the table, exchange pleasantries with them before sitting beside Jaal, intent clear on her body language. Vetra turns to face her, mandibles flapping while she purrs softly. “The night is getting better and better, Hope!”

She nods, ordering the alcohol they wanted to order before the brawl. She lets Vetra move the bottles to the table while she takes another shot with Umi. The barmaid moves closer to her, whispering just for her. “You haven't seen Reyes yet, right?” Her answer is a shake of her head before she downs the glass. “Well, I know I'm talking out of place, but Reyes has been good to me since we reached this place, and your breakup-- let's say he is not himself since then.”

“He buried his own grave when he lied to me.”

Umi refills her glass, crossing her arms in front of her after putting the bottle down. “Everyone has a secret, Hope. I'm sure you have one too, like every single soul in this cluster.”

She drowns the shot in a single gulp. “Maybe, but it didn't hurt less for knowing it, Umi.” When Vetra returns beside her, she feels the mood has changed and is less than surprised when Hope says the next words. “I'm going back to the Tempest after a short walk. Have fun here.”

Before Cora can open her mouth, Vetra turned to the table. “Let her be, Harper. She can take care of herself out there.” The other woman just grunts to her before returning her attention to nurse her glass. Hope squeezes Vetra's hand softly before waving to them. She will send Umi the credits they spend tomorrow morning.

Climbing the stairs to the door, she opens it with her omni before stepping outside, the cold air of the night making goose bumps appears on her skin. She walks to the railway near the stairs, leaning on them and enjoying the cold breeze while she enjoys the view. The moon glows brightly in Kadara, and its light shines on the lakes’ surfaces. Thanks to its light, Hope can see someone sitting on one of the platforms of the Port. She didn’t need to come close to say who it was. Reyes is drinking alone, resting his back in a crate with a leg hanging over the edge. She feels as if someone was grasping her heart and squeezing it. It's been almost two months since they moved in opposite directions after the cave incident. They had exchanged a couple of cold emails, talking about the Port and the outpost, but nothing more. She knows it was her fault. He tried to contact her via vidcomm for days, and she had ignored his calls, nursing her heart alone in her quarters and trying to glue it back together. Sadly for her, it didn’t work. She feels as heartbroken and hollow as the day she left the Tartarus after breaking with him. What to do? Her masochist side wants to go there and say ‘hi’, but her coward part didn’t want to give him the chance to talk her back to his side. She is looking in his general direction, worrying a nail between her teeth. Suddenly, a movement on her periphery catches her eyes, and she finds him watching her and waving a hand. Hope blushes, returning the gesture timidly before running from him with the tail between legs. With a quick pace, she almost runs to the door that leads to the docks, wanting nothing more than to hide inside the Tempest. When the door opens, and she moves closer to the ship access, a gasp leaves her when she finds Reyes waiting for her near the door. “Hello, Reyes. Do you want anything?” Her tone is cold and measured, even when she is fighting the worse inner war of her life on the inside.

He sighs before moving closer to her. “I want a lot of things, Hope. But I can't have them. I came to give you a present, and then I will leave you alone because is obvious that you don't want company, at least mine.”

Hope has to lower her gaze, his voice is doing something with her heart, and she didn't want for him to see it. “I'm just tired, Reyes.”

Moving a hand, he captures hers and moves it until it rested between them. Searching inside of his pocket, he picks off a little pendant depicting the Ursa Minor. A little jewel has been added to it to be the Polaris star, hanging from the rest with a short chain. Putting it in her hand, he closes her fingers around it, moving his free hand to cup her face. “You always will be my Polar Star, my north in this crazy galaxy.” He takes a step back, letting his hand fall to his side. “Rest well.” He walks away from her, turning just before the door closes behind him. “Goodbye, Hope.”

Hope is fighting back the tears when Suvi opens the door and walks to her, hugging her without saying a word. The tears begin to flow as soon as she wraps her arms around Suvi. The young scientist just holds her, hands caressing her hair and back. When Hope starts to recover her breath, Suvi moves to arm's distance from her, hands still grasping her shoulders. “I called Vetra as soon as I saw him here. She will be here ve--” just then the doors behind them open again and soon another set of arms wraps around her.

Hope leans against her best friend, head resting on her shoulder. “Sorry for disturbing your free night.”

“Yeah, yeah. Is not like I wasn't starting to get bored of hearing Drack tell his war stories, again.” Suvi is still with them, and the young scientist tilts her head signalling the door before moving inside. Vetra pushes Hope until she starts to move, bringing her inside until they reach her quarters. She walks directly to the bed, falling into it face first, hands still closed in fists. Vetra locks the door behind her, moving to the SAM node on the desk. “SAM, can you show me the recording of the last interaction between Reyes and the Pathfinder?”

The AI didn't ask Hope’s permission for this, showing Vetra a first person point of view of her moments since she left Kralla’s Song. “I have some readings of her and Mister Vidal, too.”

“No need, thank you, SAM.” Vetra returns to the bed, sitting on it and forcing Hope to lay on her back. “Let me see it.”

Hope opens her fingers, hand trembling when she shows the jewel to Vetra. The turian picks it up, the pendant hanging from the chain. The silhouette of the Ursa minus done in some dark metal, shining under the ambient light. A short chain at the end of it leads to a white jewel. The design is beautiful, almost as its meaning. Vetra recovers Hope’s hand and pushes her up until they are sitting one in front of the other. She hangs the pendant just in front of her face. “After this, do you still doubt him?”

Hope raises a hand, taking the little jewel between her fingers. “I doubt myself, Vetra. I don’t believe I can survive another lie. I’m still licking my wounds from the last one.”

Vetra gives Hope the pendant back and cups her face in her hands, talons scratching her scalp softly. “What do you think he has been doing the past weeks? Keema says that he only leaves his office at nights and has turned himself into a workaholic.”

“Ruling a planet can be stressful.”

She tries to sound angry while moving away from Vetra’s grasp, but she has always been of the resilient type, and follows her movement, still cupping her face and making her look directly into her eyes. “Can you stop being the Pathfinder for a moment, Hope? We are fighting to give a place to live and prosper to all the people on the Nexus. Can you try to save a little corner of it for yourself?” Vetra let her face go, leaning her hands on her shoulders. “What did your mother told you before she died?”

“To fall in love. To find someone who can look at me like Dad looked to her.”

Vetra raises her head with a finger on her chin. “And that you did, my friend. Now stop being the stubborn Pathfinder and let’s Hope to go and be happy with the man she loves.”

“But--”

Raising her from the bed, Vetra picks her in her arms, moving to the door. “No but here, Hope. You will have a chat with Reyes tonight. I will take you to his door myself if I have to.” When Vetra senses a pat on her back, she puts her down but remains stubbornly positioned in front of her. “Spirits! You have been in love with him almost from the first moment you set your eyes on him! You can throw yourself against an Architect without batting an eyelid, but you are afraid to talk with a man who is clearly in love with you?”

Hope is still grasping the pendant in her hand, and she lowers her gaze to look at it for a second. “And what can I say to him, Vetra? I left him. I ignored him for weeks, only answering his official calls, avoiding any direct contact--”

With a push on her shoulder, Vetra starts to move her again to the door. “And even after all this, he came to see you and give you a present with more meaning that you want to believe.”

“Everyone hates him. I will have a hard time on the Tempest if I do what you ask for.”

Still pushing her outside the room, Vetra just laughs. “That’s not true at the very least, Hope. Maybe Cora hates him, but she hates everyone who plays outside of her rulebooks. And Liam, well, he is just jealous, but he likes how Reyes deals with the problems. Gil wants to bang him, and Peebee too. Lexi loved the smile he put on your face before the cave. Suvi likes him too. He sent her a bag of Angaran tea as soon as you talked with him about her addiction. Kalo is Kalo and didn’t count. Drack respects him, and that’s a big thing for the old man. And for myself, I knew him from before the long journey. I can’t hate him for doing what was necessary.” Hope didn’t look very convinced by her words. “I will deal with Cora and Liam, don’t worry about that. Remember that I control the kitchen supplies. No beer and no chocolate for them if they didn’t let you be on this.”

Hope has to laugh at her words. “You are a cruel woman, my friend. But even if I can force myself to go and talk to him, I don’t know where to find him.”

SAM joins the conversation just then. “I have used the sensors of the Tempest to find him, Ryder. He is in an apartment near here. Sending the directions to your omnitool.”

Hope just sighs, taking another look at her hand before changing her focus to the door. “Do you really think he will accept me again?”

Vetra’s mandibles trembled with a little purr, “Spirits, you can’t be that blind, right? SAM, project the moment when he talks to her after giving her the jewel. No need for sound.” A clear image of Reyes appears on the big screen near the door. He is looking at her with something she can’t identify, but his grin turns to a sad one when he moves away from her. “See? Why can’t you see it? I’m not even human and can recognise the feeling.”

With a last look to the screen, Hope faces the door with a sigh. “Fine. I’ll go and talk with him. Wish me luck.”

“Girl, you didn’t need luck for that. Go and pathfind the way to his heart!”

Hope giggles to her, “You need to stop talking about me with Sid. Thanks, Vetra. For all.”

Vetra opens the door and walks with her to the cargo bay. “You are more than welcome, my friend. See you in the morning.”

The door closed behind her, leaving her in the darkness of the docks. Taking a deep breath, she opens the screen of her omnitool. SAM directions show clearly on it. ‘I don’t have anything to lose…’ After another breath, she starts to go down the ramp, moving to the docks’ door. The apartment is near the Headquarters, and she makes a quick job of the distance, spending only a couple of minutes to reach the door. Once in front of it, her heart starts to hammer in her chest like crazy. ‘I can do it. Whatever happens, at least I will have some kind of closure.’ Raising her free hand, she knocks at the door and starts to worry her lower lip when the seconds move away, and no answer came from the inside. She knocks again, and after a minute without a reply, she lets go a defeated sigh before turning to go.

Hope is a couple of steps away when the door opens, a shirtless Reyes on the doorframe with a surprised frown on his face. “You came.” She is munching her nails with a nervousness he never saw on her. “Please, come inside. I suppose you want to talk.”

With a nod, she follows him inside, locking the door behind her. The apartment is not a big one. It has a little kitchenette with a tiny table for two, a big bed and a door at the wall that must be the bathroom. He sits on the bed, waiting for her to choose a place. She decides to remain standing in front of him. A minute or two passed with the room filled with silence, and their gazes fixed on one another. Taking a deep breath while the words of her mother resound on her brain, she raises her hand and let the pendant fall, chain fixed between her fingers. “Do you mean it?”

“I do.”

She closes her eyes and lowers the hand. “Why now?”

Hope can hear him sighing and shifting on the bed. “Because after falling for you through the void, through stars and dark space, I hit the ground and finally accepted that I’m in love with you.” He sees her catching her breath while he continues. “I know that I destroyed what we have, but wanted to let you know that you were, are, and will be, someone very dear to me. You make me want to be a better man, and to be worthy of you, I decided to use your light to navigate in my own darkness.”

A shackling sob leaves her, and a second after he ends talking, Reyes finds himself pinned against the bed by a crying Hope. His arms move immediately to her back, hugging her like he wanted to do for the long weeks they stayed apart. After almost ten minutes of crying, Hope finally calm herself enough to talk to him, still laying on his chest. “Walking away from you has been one of the hardest things I ever did. It felt like someone was pulling from my heart with every step. But I tried to steel myself, thinking about how you lied to me about who you were all this time--”

Reyes cuts her words with a finger on her lips. “I never lied about who I was with you, who I wanted to be. In fact, I never was more ‘me’ than with you. I had hide things, of course I did it, and how sorry I am for doing it. But I wanted you to like me, just Reyes, dreamed of you loving me for who I am.”

Hope sits back on her heels, cleaning her tears-stained cheeks with her scarf. “Here.” She moves the pendant in front of his face. “Is not a formal present if you didn’t put it around my neck.”

Taking the jewel on his hands, Reyes sits beside her, while she gives him her back to help him. Hope has taken off her scarf, opening the zip of the jacket a bit. She can feel the pendant touching her skin and the soft caress of his fingers when he closes the chain around her neck. Moving a hand to touch the little jewel, she closes her eyes. “I spent the past weeks trying to prepare myself for when I crash against the reality of having lost you, knowing that it was entirely my fault. You opened your heart to me in that cave, and my answer was a bitter one, unleashing against you all the venom I had received from Sloane. You call me your light, but you are my haven. The lighthouse I need to survive in the vastness of the space. I’ve been running away from you, thinking that I destroyed the only chance I will get to be happy on this cluster.”

Reyes wraps his arms around her, kissing her temple lovingly. “I had enough time away from you to think about what I want, what I crave, what I need. And the only answer is you.”

Turning in his arms, Hope closes the distance to his mouth, caressing his lips softly with hers. “I love you, Reyes Vidal.”

Reyes’ hand moves to her nape, fingers interlacing with her hair. “Te quiero, Hope Ryder.” And he puts his heart and soul in their first true kiss, one intertwined with feelings and maybe some regrets, but with a sweet aftertaste of dreams and plans.

[pinkcaseotakadl]

Diabolik lovers Lost Eden: Sakamaki prologue ~translation~

This translation was made by: @ariadnasmtk Y gracias a @rabbaniworld que hizo los monólogos :3 Muchas gracias chicas! Place: Outside the Sakamaki Mansion.

Yui: (Fuu…Today was exhausting as well.) Yui: (Now that I finished that small exam I had, I’m going to take a bath and go to sleep.)

*Raven sounds*

Yui: (Ah! The ravens are gathering at the roof of the mansion.) *Raven sounds* Yui: (There isn’t just one or two, being in flocks like this is very mysterious…) Yui: (The ravens come when there’s death, it gives me a bad sensation.) Yui: (…I’ll just hurry and enter the house.) *Raven sounds* *More raven sounds* Ayato: Yo, Chichinashi! *Screen vibrates* Yui: WA! Ayato: Hehehe, coward. Why are you so scared? Yui:  Haaa… Yui:  (If he comes out of nowhere is obvious I’ll get scared. But most importantly…) Yui: Ayato-kun, there’s a lot of crows on the roof… Ayato: Ah? *Crows sounds* Ayato: Huu~um. Is there a problem with that? Yui: (If I told him it looks creepy Ayato probably wouldn’t understand…) Ayato: Nos that I think about it, crows eat death meat, right. Yui: Moo, don’t say that… Yui: (But is really suspicious. I hope they aren’t at the balcony as well…) Yui:  Eh? Yui:  (They left the roof. How….?) *Wind sound* Ayato: Nn? What, they left. Yui:  Yes. But, didn’t you hear their wingbeat or something similar? (There was no sound, they disappear.) Ayato: Oh, yes, that’s right. They gave a bad spine, right? It’s better this way. Yui: (True, but…No, Ayato-kun is correct.)

Yui: (I’ll just forget what just happen and enter the house.) *Yui and Ayato enters the mansion* *Place: Sakamaki Mansion* Yui: (Fuu. Once inside I feel relieved somehow…) *Ayato’s theme song* Ayato: …Hold on. *Ayato grabs Yui and screen vibrates violently* Yui:  Wa! *Ayato approaches* Yui: (Ayato-kun is grabbing me?!) Ayato: Because I talked about this nonsense my throat feels dry…So, give me your blood. Yui:  Eh? Ayato: Is your fault for having such a delicious smell, you know? Yui:  Please don’t, stop it…! *Somebody opens the door* Shu: …You’re noisy. *Shu throws Ayato* Ayato: WOH?! (Tchüss Ayato xD @fyeahdialovers) Yui: T-Thank you… Shu: …Why are you thanking me? Get inside. Yui:  I’m sorry. *Sound* Ayato: Hey, Shu! Don’t mess with me! Don’t interfere! Shu: You’re annoying. Stay there on the ground. *Shu leaves* Yui: (I think it would be better to follow Shu-san obediently.) *Yui follows Shu inside* *Place: Sakamaki living room* Shu: …… Yui: Was school taking long?

Shu: On the contrary. School ended early, so I took the limousine to the mall and bought a CD. Yui: (So that’s why we returned home by foot…) Shu: But most importantly, would you stop now. Yui:  Eh? Shu: Exposing your body in a place like this, you really are a lewd woman. Yui: *blushing* Y-You’re wrong! That’s because Ayato-kun forced me to do it. Shu: I wonder… *Shu approaches* Shu: It’s your fault for letting your guards down… *Yui resists* Yui: P-Please stop! Shu: Hehehe….?! Yui: (…Eh?) *Shu moves away* Shu: ….. Yui: Em, something’s wrong? Shu: It gave me the impression someone was at the stairs. Yui: Eh? Shu: ….. *Shu walks to the stairs* Yui: (I didn’t sense anything, but Shu said he did…how strange.) Yui:  …There’s someone in the house? Shu: No…could it be my imagination? In that case… *Reiji arrives* Reiji: So you have arrived. Yui: Yes. Welcome home Reiji-san. Reiji: I came home a while ago, so I could cut down the dry flowers. I’ll decorate the dining room with new ones. Yui:  I see. Shu: The others have arrived? Reiji: I don’t know. Probably… *Ayato enters running* Ayato: SHU! You bastard, take responsibility of what you’ve done! Shu: Ha? Ayato: A moment ago when you threw me, I hit my head! It still hurts! Shu: As if I know. Ayato: Ah?! You can see a bump in Ore-sama’s head, can you? Shu: I don’t see any and I don’t care. Ayato: HAA!? Reiji: My, my. You, could you please take this bouquet of flowers? Yui: Yes…? Reiji: Help me arrange the flowers, please. Wait for me in the kitchen, I’ll bring a vase. Yui: Understood. —Vanish— *Place: Kitchen* *Water running* Yui: (I’ll fill the vase with water and I’ll place the flowers…) *Yui cuts the steams* Yui:  (With this it’ll be ready. I need to cut them, is better if I do them one by one.) *Cutting sounds* Yui: (What a pleasant scent…it should be ready know.) ???: It’s a beautiful flower. (OMG! <3) *Music stops* Yui: Hm? Yui: (Just now…I heard voice I don’t know…) ???: Fufu. Nice to meet you. My name is…

*Reiji arrives* NO REIJI---!

Reiji: Sorry to make you wait. Yui: R-Reiji-san! There’s someone next to me…! Reiji: What are you saying? There’s no one there Yui: Eh? Yui: (But…I heard it pretty clear…how is it possible?) Reiji: You’re making such a disconcerted face. What a strange girl. But most importantly, have you finish preparing the vase? Yui: Eh…I’ll hurry and finish it. *Water running* *Cutting sounds* Yui: (I still hear that voice in my head…I can’t calm down.) *Yui cuts her finger* Yui: Ouch! Yui: (I have a cut in my finger…) Reiji: …It is because you aren’t paying attention. Yui: I-I’m sorry Reiji: Let me see… *Reiji gets closer* Yui: (Eh…) Reiji: Nn *kiss* (?!) Yui: *blushes* (Ah…!) Reiji: …This way will heal faster, please refrain from misunderstanding. Yui: (I-It’s true. Please calm down Yui, calm down.) *Reiji moves away* Reiji: For a reason you’re nervous. Are you alright? Yui: Yes…J-Just now there was nobody here, right? Reiji: That’s correct. If it really bothers you, what really happened? Yui: There was someone behind me. But it disappeared instantly… Reiji: Could it be some type of joke from any of my brothers? Yui: It could be, however…You know who else besides Ayato-kun and Shu-san has already arrived? Reiji: I was the first one to come home. Then it was Ayato, Shu and you. Yui: (Which means that what sensed Shu-san a while ago wasn’t any of the others?) Reiji: …It looks that there’s something else that keeps bothering you. Yui: (I can’t do anything if I’m the only one that is worrying, I should tell Reiji-san.) Yui: The truth is… —Vanish— Yui: …That’s why I thought there was someone else beside us. Reiji: I can not sense any other presence. The only ones that are here is you, the others and me. Yui: I see… Reiji: Could it be that you’re thinking it too much? I’ll make you some tea, calm down. *Sound* Yui: Thank you very much.

*Kanato arrives* Kanato: So here’s where you were…You won’t escape. Yui: Eh? Kanato: Where are my sweets?…You ate them, didn’t you? Yui: EH? You’re mistaken! Reiji: What is going on here? Kanato: My cake and sweets that were in my room went missing. I was thinking on eating them later. Yui: Wait. I’ve had just arrived. I couldn’t have gone to Kanato-kun’s room, could I? Kanato: …Then who was it? Yui: I don’t know… Reiji: Could it be that you ate them and forgot? Kanato: There’s no way I’ve forgotten. I bought the cake at the Mekai….I won’t forgive who ever did this. Reiji: I will prepare some pudding if you want. Should I call you when they’re ready? Kanato: …Well then. Reiji: Then, I’ll make some for you. You need something sweet to calm yourself. Yui:Thank you very much. But I haven't finished the flowers… Reiji: I’ll take care of it. *whispering* …Just take Kanato out of here. I won’t be able to concentrate with him here. Yui: (I see…) Kanato: Let’s get going. *Place: dinning room *Kanato’s theme song* Kanato: ….. You don’t want it? Yui: No…You can have if you want it. Kanato: Very well then. I’ll eat it for you. Kanato: ….*eating* Yui: (Kanatp-kun is very calm. However, what is happening here?) Kanato: …Those candies that they stole me, they were pudding flavor. Yui: I see… Kanato: The pudding is really delicious, but it finishes real quick. That’s why the candies were better…! Kanato: I don’t know who did it, but once I found the thief I won’t forgive him. Yui: (I should confess that the present situation is threatening… who may have done this.) Yui: (But the only ones that were here were Reiji-san, Shu-san, Ayato-kun and me.) Yui: (No one else…)

*Flashback*

???: Fufu. Nice to meet you. My name is…

*End of Flashback* Yui: (……It can’t be.) Kanato: ….. Yui: Ah, Kanato-kun, you have caramel in the corner of your mouth. Yui: (Let’s see…a napkin) Yui: …Here, clean yourself with this. Kanato: …I’ve told you… Yui: Eh? Kanato: I’ve told you many times don’t treat me like a child, I’m I right? *Kanato toses Yui's hand away* Yui: Ah, I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention. Kanato: Then, compensate with something more mature. For example… *Kanato gets closer* Kanato: This way, why you don’t clean it with your mouth? …You can do it, right? Yui: *blushes* (I-I can’t do it!) *Loud noise* *Screen vibrates* Yui: Kya!? Kanato: That came from the second floor. Yui: W-What happened? Kanato: It’s just Subaru who’s doing a mess like always. Don’t mind it, let’s proceed. Yui: Eh? Yui: (Is it possible that… I need to go and find out…) Yui: I’m really worry, I’ll go and see what happened. *Yui stands up and runs* RUN RUUUUUUN Kanato: Hmph…*continues eating* —Vanish— *Place: second floor* Yui: (I can’t stop having this bad sensation. As I thought, someone is in the house…) Yui: (Many mysterious things have happened for being just a product of my imagination.) Yui: (Let’s see…Subaru-kun’s room os over here…) *Door slam* Subaru: BASTARD, what are you doing!

*Screen vibrates* Yui: *blush* Wa? Subaru: Ha? Why you…Ch, did you see somebody leaving my room? Yui: No, I didn’t, but… Subaru: Then, TELL ME WHERE HE ESCAPED TO! *Subaru leaves and screen shakes* Yui: EHH? Even  if you say so… Subaru: …When I came in, there was someone in my room. And even worse, he was looking inside my coffin. Subaru: Whoever did it. I won’t forgive him for sure! Yui: (It’s reasonable to get angry for something like this.) Subaru: Hey, you really didn't see anything? Yui: No, but the truth is… —Vanish— Yui: (I still can’t understand the actual situation so I told him everything…Would he believe me?) Subaru: There’s no way a stranger would enter this house… Why are you so worried? Yui: But… Subaru: Ch…however, when I turned around there was a presence…it was strange. Yui: Eh? Subaru: I can’t exactly put it in words. But not being able to catch him makes me shiver (I did what I could >.<) Music stops and Laito appears* Laito: Huuum~ It looks you’re having a fun conversation you two~ Include me as well~ *Laito’s theme song* Laito: When you say “shiver”, you did it in the coffin, did you? Subaru: Haa?! That’s not it! Laito: Waking up and play in the coffin, just as expected from Bitch-chan. (whut?!) Yui: Eh?! Is a misunderstanding! Laito: Again and again~…Yes, yes, I knew a moment like this would happen when you’ll get curious~ *Laito get closer* Laito: But you know, if you want to play in a closed room you just need to seek me out. We could make fun things? Subaru: Bastard…WHAT ARE YOU SAYING! *Subaru hits the wall* Laito: Ah~Ah~, relax. Would Reiji get angry and scold you again? Subaru: Tch…who’s at fault… Laito: Seriously, it always happens when I tease you… Then, what’s this strange presence is about? Yui: You were listening? Laito: Of course. Would you tell me detailed? Yui: All right. Well… —Vanish— Laito: Mm~ …I see. Well, there’s just one reason for an intruder to come into this house. Yui: Eh…? *Laito gets closer* Laito: That reason is…you Bitch-chan. Yui: Me? Laito: Yes. The only reason for that presence for being here is to kidnap you Bitch-chan, don’t you think? Yui: But…the moment I heard that voice it didn’t look like I was the target… Laito: Nfu, but that’s the most intriguing part. The intruder became interested in you the moment he saw you. So he couldn’t do anything and came? Laito: So you became curious of them and when you get closer…he can eat you. Laito: Because you’re delicious in many ways~ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Yui: (That’s true, all this time I kept worrying for it. Maybe I’m thinking to much…) Yui: (What should I do, for a reason I’m feeling more calm…) *Sound of broken glass* Ayato: Shu, you bastard! Don’t throw things around! You’re making me another bump! Shu: Ha? There’s no way I could have thrown that. Ayato: The who threw this dish?! Reiji: That was… part of my precious collection! Yui: …. *Laito moves away* Laito: It looks like something happened downstairs…Something wrong, so let’s find out. Subaru: Tch…now what. *Place: Living room Yui: (Ah…there’s two beautiful dishes broken.) Laito: There’s no way Shu could have thrown this. Yui: (That’s right. Then I was right…someone entered the house…) Kanato: Ah…I found my candies envelopes. The criminal was…Subaru! Subaru: Ge, why I had them in my pocket! It’s a coincidence! Kanato: SILENCE! Yui: (As I thought this is strange. Very strange…) ???: Hahaha. You really are idiots….Don’t disappoint me, okey?

Yui: ?! Yui: (Who spoke…just now…?) Reiji: It looks like…We allowed a stranger enter the house. Ayato: Shit, HEY. If you’re there DON’T HIDE AND SHOW YOURSELF! Subaru: Ch…Where you are! I’ll destroy you! Kanato: My candy…Please give them back. Laito: It looks like he escaped. Shu: ….What a drag. Yui: (Could it be, this was made by someone of the Makai…?) —Vanish— Monologue:

Ever since KarlHeinz-san disappeared, The demos world was left without a king, In the midst of the mess and confusion. The equilibrium which was kept by the mighty power, Because of the supremacy conflict in the era of Demon Clans Coloring the what stands Those Demon Clans are: Vampire Wolf Adlers Vibora Those 4 Demon Clans. Besides those, you have the ones who have all those bloods A Clan called the First Bloods also exist. They are on guard In the past the vampires bring the seat of the ruler Trying to recover, everywhere in the Demon World It seems that all is on the move.

-End of monologue-

Yui: (the moment that person's familiars reported to us was a huge surprise) Yui: (it gives me the impression that terrible things will happen from now on, but... I hope we'll be all right.)  Yui: (that's right, if they inherit KarlHeinz-san's power then...) 

~End of Sakamaki prologue~