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wefoundloveunderthelight · 4 years ago

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Nowhere to Run by GleefullyCaptainSwan

Or on FF

Stacy's Tortured Crew: @teamhook @kmomof4 @stahlop @lfh1226-linda @ilovemesomekillianjones @itsfabianadocarmo @mariakov81 @qualitycoffeethings @zaharadessert @jonesfandomfanatic @jrob64 @natascha-ronin @tiganasummertree @xarandomdreamx @therooksshiningknight @batana54 @superchocovian @onceratheart18 @ultraluckycatnd @snowbellewells @karlyfr13s

The song referenced in this chapter is “We are Glass” by Thompson Square. You can hear the song here:

It’s a beautiful song and I felt it really summed up the characters in this story.

Chapter 10: We are Glass

Killian spent the next couple of weeks recovering in the hospital. He asked Robin to stay at his place to keep an eye on Emma and Henry, yet Emma spent most of her time next to his bed side when she wasn’t sitting in the corner of the room with Henry on her lap, teaching him his school lessons.

She told him how she had been teaching Henry everything she could while they were on the run. He could read and write, knew his arithmetic, and was an excellent artist. He found that even when he was tired, he would spend his time watching the two with reverence. Emma was a patient mother, but Henry was also an exceptional child.

“Did it hurt when you got shot?” The boy mused as he sat on the end of his bed, peeking up from between the cards in his hands.

“Aye. I would say it was pretty painful. Go fish, by the way.” He paused. “But the pain was replaced quickly by a sense of numbness, I guess, so I didn’t feel it long.” He stretched restlessly, looking down at his cards. “Have any 3’s?”

The boy narrowed his eyes, looking through his cards. “Go fish.” He smirked. “Do you think my dad is going to get out of prison and come after us again?”

Killian placed his cards against his chest. “I don’t think so lad. He’s going to have a trial. He has that right. The state will present its evidence, and he’ll face any consequences that he’s found guilty of. But you don’t have to worry, Henry. Even if he does get out, he’ll never get near you or your mom again.”

“But what about you? Who’s going to protect you?”

“Well, I’ve got Captain Nolan, and my partner Robin. Will and Belle…”

“And mom and me.” He said proudly.

Killian’s heart swelled. “You’d protect me? I’m honored.”

“Is Rogers ok?” His nose scrunched in worry.

“He’s staying with Will. He’s not a young pup anymore, so the old boy needed a lot of help getting better. But when they finally let me out of here, he’s gonna come back and live with me.”

“Will me and mom live with you?”

Killian swallowed nervously. He and Emma hadn’t talked about the future yet. There was still so much for them to resolve. Ten years was a long time to be apart, especially when the last time they had seen each other they were not in a good place.

“Your mom and I have a lot to talk about still.”

“Are you really married to my mom?” Continuing his barrage of questions.

He sighed. “Aye.”

“That must have been weird having her gone for ten years then. I bet you missed her.”

“More than all the stars in the world.”

“She used to tell me stories about you.” The boy said, his eyes wide as saucers.

“Did she now?” He mused.

“Sometimes you were a cop fighting bad guys, other times you were a swashbuckling pirate searching for treasure, and sometimes you were a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy sailing off on a ship to save the princess. Mom tells the best stories, but they were always about you.”

Killian’s eyes glassed over, bending his head to reach up and swipe at his face. “Your mother has quite the imagination, but I’m happy to be able to oblige for your entertainment.”

“Who’s hungry?” Emma’s voice filled the room as she came carrying a tray of food and drinks. “The doc says you are off your diet.”

Killian groaned happily as she sat the hamburger down on the tray in front of him. The first real food he would get to eat in weeks. He bit into the burger immediately, moaning loudly as soon as he tasted the meat on his tongue. Emma was staring at him, her mouth slightly agape. “Wut?” He said between chews.

“Nothing.” She said with an embarrassing glance away from him, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red. At least he still had some sort of effect on her, he thought.

“How did the call with Liam go?” She sat down in the chair next to him, pulling a grilled cheese sandwich into her hands.

“He was happy to hear that Neal is behind bars. He’s going to come visit soon when the girls are on holiday. He wanted me to tell you how gutted he was knowing everything you’ve been through.”

She shrugged, something she did often when he mentioned her past with Neal. “It will be nice to see him again. The girls must be so big now.”

“Aye. Twelve and sixteen now. He has his hands full for sure.”

She took a bite of her sandwich, watching Henry coloring at the end of Killian’s bed. “He’s not bothering you is he?”

“We were just playing a game of Go Fish. I think he cheats.” He whispered loudly, earning a complaint from Henry. Emma let out a pleasant laugh, something he was happy to earn from her.

“Doctor says you might get out of here tomorrow.”

“That’s my hope as well. I can’t wait to see Rogers.”

“I’m glad he’s alright. The old boy’s a survivor.” Emma mused.

“Aye, that he is.”

“I made an appointment for Henry and I to go see Dr. Hopper next week.” She said with a sad smile. “Figured I might need to talk through some things before we have to face Neal again at trial.”

“Hop’s a good man.”

“You know him?”

“Aye.” He nodded, not wanting to get into the fact that he knew him because he had been his patient, after Emma had left, when the world crumbled at his feet.

“I’ve been looking for a place to stay once you get released from the hospital. I know you’re going to need your bed to recover.”

Killian bit his lip. He knew they needed to discuss this. He didn’t want her to leave, but he also knew that they had a lot to work through if they were going to ever find their way back to each other. If she still wanted that.

“I can talk to Will. He had a vacancy across the hall from him a couple of weeks ago.”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

“Emma…”

“Hey there.” Killian stared at Emma’s face as David entered the room. “How ya feeling?” He turned, facing his boss.

“Doing great, going home tomorrow, I’ll be back on the streets before you know it.” He grinned cheekily.

“Yeah you’re taking some time off, buddy.”

“What?” He complained.

“Take a vacation, Killian. You’ve earned some time off. Robins got your cases locked down right now.”

“Cap, I’m fine.”

“It’s an order, Detective.” He walked over to Emma and smiled, she suddenly reached up and wrapped him into a hug.

“You look better.” He said softly.

“I feel better, I feel like I’ve gained ten pounds just eating three meals a day.” She chuckled, but both David and Killian glanced uncomfortably at each other.

“Hey, don’t do that. I’m fine.” She glared. “I don’t want you treating me any differently than you did when we were at the academy.” She winked up at David, “Still top of my class, sir.”

“It’s good to have you back Emma.” David smiled with a genuine air of happiness.

Three months later

Emma picked the shirt off the floor in Henry’s room, tossing it into the hamper. “Did you remember to pack a toothbrush?” The boy appeared from behind the doorway, poking his head into the room.

“Yup. It’s in the front pocket of my duffle.” He disappeared again and then reappeared. “Are you gonna be ok with this?”

Emma smiled at him. “Of course, I am, why would you ask that?”

“Cuz this is my first sleepover away from you that isn’t over at Killian’s.”

“I’ll be fine, Henry. I actually have plans tonight.”

He moved quickly into the room. “What kind of plans?”

She sat down on the bed. “I kinda have a date tonight.”

“Does Killian know?” He asked with a shocked look of disgust on his face.

“Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about before you left.” He sat down next to her. “My date is with Killian.”

He jumped up from the bed and pumped his arms in the air. “Yes.”

Emma laughed. “Does that mean you’re ok with this?”

“Of course, I am. Killian’s the best. He even lets me stay up until 11pm when I stay over at his place.”

“Well, I’ll have to talk to him about that, but I’m glad you like him.” She wrapped her arms around Henry’s waist and hugged him tightly. “I love you, buddy. I hope you have fun tonight. And if you need me at all, you know you can call me.” She tousled his hair and kissed his cheek.

There was a knock on the door and Henry pushed away from her. “Gotta go, love you mom.”

Emma looked around Henry’s room, pictures he had drawn hanging on the wall. Her favorite one was hanging above the bed. It was of her, Henry, Killian, and Rogers playing at the park.

As difficult as returning home had been, they had settled into a pretty simple life. Emma and Henry had moved into their own apartment in Will’s complex. It was nice to have a friendly face around now and then when she found herself getting anxious on nights when Henry was sleeping over at Killian’s or when she would wake from a terrifying dream.

Will was always gracious no matter the time she found herself standing in front of his door with a bottle of rum in her hands. He would always sit up with her and listen to her talk about the first thing that came to her mind, something Dr. Hopper had suggested she try to take her mind off her nightmares. She didn’t know when it happened but before she knew it, he had become one of her closest friends.

And then there was Killian.

She wasn’t surprised that Henry had latched onto him so quickly. Killian was great with him, always patient, always offering to assist him with whatever the boy required. Which was often a lot as he was a growing boy who was adjusting to the freedom of being able to go outside and roam. Killian made sure he found new foods for him to try, adventures to experience, even new clothes to wear on his first day at a real school. Watching him with her son, the joy on his face, had her falling in love with him all over again. Of course, she hadn’t told him that. She was nervous about moving too quickly with him. Dr. Hopper told her that was normal. She had experienced a trauma and loss that not many people would cope with.

In her last session, she told her therapist that she wanted to try again with Killian. She had spent the last three months trying to figure out what her life would become now that she was home. She needed to learn who Emma was before she could deal with being Mrs. Jones again.

Killian had presented her with their divorce papers, gave her the choice to sign them and start her life fresh. She put it off, telling him that she needed some time to think before she made any big decisions in her life. He was patient and told her he understood but Emma knew that if he had his way, he would rip them to shreds.

Emma was volunteering at a small clinic that Mary Margaret worked at on the weekends, talking to victims of domestic abuse and rape. Currently she was taking it slow, still not understanding her own trauma that she had endured enough to feel like she had all the answers, but just being there with them to let them know they weren’t alone, and that someone understood what they had gone through. It was freeing to Emma to be able to own her story, to not feel ashamed anymore.

Dr. Hopper told her that was a form of acceptance. Owning what happened to you, claiming it as your story. She would never be over what Neal had done to her, stealing her dignity, laying waste to her self-esteem. But she refused to be defined by it. She didn’t want to be Emma Swan, rape victim. She was Emma Jones, survivor.

Today was going to be another step in her journey. Killian was taking her on a date. She remembered his face as they were eating lunch, a short break during his shift.

“We should go out.” She said nonchalantly between bites.

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“Maybe, but I have to ask you a few questions first.” He raised his eyebrow, leaning forward for her to continue.

“Ask away.”

“I need to know if you ok going on a date with someone who is probably always going to be a little bit damaged.”

He shrugged, “Aren’t we all? I like to think I can absorb a little damage.”

“Ok then, last thing…” She grinned. “You gotta like kids or it’s a deal breaker.”

He laughed loudly, “Aye, I adore Henry.” He shrugged, “So, do I win a date with the beautiful woman who currently has a mayonnaise mustache?” He reached out, wiping the offending condiment from her lip, eliciting shockwaves through her body.

That was the moment she knew she was ready. She had felt excitement from his touch instead of withdrawing the moment he made contact.

He had insisted on being the one to plan the date, as much as she was sure she could still plan a night out, she had to admit that it took some of the pressure off. He wouldn’t tell her where they were going, only that it was somewhere she had been asking to go for a while and he felt she had earned it. Whatever that meant.

She slipped into the pink dress, pulling the straps over her shoulders. Looking in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. She looked feminine, happy, with a glint of hope in her eyes. The tears slipped onto her cheek; Neal had not stolen everything from her.

There was a knock on her door, a smile crept on her face. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and centering her mind. She was taking control of her life tonight.

Opening the door, she couldn’t control the shiver she felt when she saw him come into view. The man she fell in love with so many years ago was standing in front of her. Sure, he was older, the hint of grey kissing his hair, fine lines around his eyes, but he was even more gorgeous today than she remembered him all those years ago. This was the man who was willing to give up his life for her, loved her enough to save her, even if it meant he couldn’t have her.

“You look…”

“I know.” She giggled, accepting the rose he passed toward her. Her nose inhaled the fragrance of the flower, eyes glancing down his frame, the anticipation of the rest of their evening taking her to new heights.

“Shall we?”

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Patience is a virtue, love.” He winked.

She rolled her eyes but followed him out to his car. They drove in silence, her hands folded in her lap. The soft sounds of the radio playing through the car.

Trying to live and love,

With a heart that can't be broken,

Is like trying to see the light with eyes that can't be opened.

Yeah, we both carry baggage,

We picked up on our way, so if you love me do it gently,

And I will do the same.

Emma felt the tears sting her eyes. The lyrics breaking into her heart as she chanced a glance at the man sitting beside her, his eyes focused on the road, his jaw tensed, that familiar vein popping from the side of his neck. He never forgot her in all the time she had been gone. She knew how he felt about her. The way he loved her. He’d been so patient with her these last few months. Not pushing her either out the door or into his heart.

We may shine, we may shatter,

We may be picking up the pieces here on after,

We are fragile, we are human,

We are shaped by the light we let through us,

We break fast, cause we are glass.

'Cause we are glass.

He turned toward her, a smile ghosting on his lips that held onto hope. When she walked out the door ten years ago, she knew she still loved him, that she would always love the man who had risked everything for her. Now she knew that back then, before everything went to hell, she was being stubborn walking away, letting her fear of the unknown hold her captive.

I'll let you look inside me, through the stains and through the cracks,

And in the darkness of this moment,

You see the good and bad.

But try not to judge me, 'cause we've walked down different paths,

But it brought us here together, so I won't take that back.

She exhaled, a stray tear slipping against her cheek. She let it fall, not afraid of her emotions anymore. She had been stubborn; she should have known that they would have made anything work. Instead, she walked away and ended up in a hell she couldn’t control.

We might be oil and water, this could be a big mistake,

We might burn like gasoline and fire,

It's a chance we'll have to take.

Emma was ready to let go of all of that. To let go of the ten years she had been robbed of, to forget all the stubborn and foolish decisions that had gotten them to this moment. She wanted to reclaim her life. She wanted to take back what was owed to her.

We are glass.

The song referenced in this chapter is “We are Glass” by Thompson Square. You can hear the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPd1GIwjRFMIt’s a beautiful song and I felt it really summed up the characters in this story.

#stacy's fics #nowhere to run #killian jones #emma swan #captain swan #captain swan fics #captain swan au #captain swan modern au #emma jones

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imagines-mha · 4 years ago

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class 1-B and night routines

Monoma: if monoma doesn’t annoy at least 2 people per night he simply will not sleep. Wears the comfiest pyjamas- like a 100% cotton top and plaid pj bottoms and everyones so fuckin jealous. He tells everyone he has a 16 step self-care routine he does every night but he really just brushes his teeth and then sits on his phone for like 2 hours? Ike what do you GET out of lying???

Tetsutetsu: he thinks going to bed after 11pm is criminal. Literally doesn’t understand the cryptidcrew��️ who DONT MF SLEEP. Works out before bed which is 👌🏻👌🏻 OOF. Aw hes the type of friend to make everyone tea and toast and send them asmr videos if they cant sleep i love him. He usually spends his night dancing around with pony and working off all his ENERGY

Kendo: “yall im turning into bed i’m too tired for this shit” “kendo it’s 7pm”

My girl will retire to her room as early as she can (usually with the rest of the girls) and she just RELAXES. Like self-care to the max: paints her nails, watches tv, plans her tomorrow, showers. She’s usually asleep at 10pm and wakes up the next morning full energy I want what she has

Awase: he has the WORST sleep schedule like fr. Literally sits up on tiktok until 3am and he’s just like “oh shit i’m up at 7…” *continues scrolling* like bro GET UR ASS TO BED U HAVE TRAINING AT 6AM. His night routine ain’t anything special- he sleeps in sweats and always keeps his window open (although someone told him about banshees once and now hes lowkey terrified lmao)

Kaibara- the type to fall asleep on the sofa and wake up at 4 in the morning to find tsuburaba in the kitchen eating a full course meal and he just SIGHS and goes up to bed in the worst mood bc why tf are his friends so WEIRD. Likes to watch the stars and edit pictures before he sleeps- its so therapeutic to him and also productive so he’s winning

Rin- he drinks coffee every night after midnight and then goes “oh my fuck shit i just drank coffee why am i like this” like congrats u fuckin dumbass now u ain’t gonna sleep. And he never fuckin learns. Always does his hw at like 11pm, Also stays up way too late binge-watching star wars smh

Tsuburaba: he gets up every night and treats himself to a three-course meal in the kitchen no cap no sound awareness my man will be blending shit full blast at 2 in the morning. Usually falls asleep sitting at the kitchen table and he 👏🏻 needs 👏🏻 a 👏🏻 chiropractor 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Also always forgets to do his homework until everyone’s packing up to go to bed and hes like “please,, anyone,, the math?”. Shoda wants to punch him so bad

Ibara: the most well-structured person in the entire building. At 7pm she has her shower, at 8:30pm she goes to pray, at 9:30pm she journals and draws to calm her mind, and at 10pm she meditates until she falls asleep- which is usually 10:20pm.. Everyone wants her self control and independance like damn how does she FUNCTION. Also queen of vegan self-care remedies

Pony: girl is chaotic as fuck it’ll be like 10pm and rin’s like “yo pony can i copy the hw??” And shes like “WHAT HOMEWORK.” . *cue two idiots freaking tf out*. She’s always wearing matching pj sets and fluffy socks and loves sliding around in them like a dork. Dances every night before bed to tire herself out like shes just in the lounge deadass vibing to taylor swift and a new person joins her everytime . people would be dead without her

Kodai: movies every night or she won’t go to class the next morning. Shes always just sitting on her phone w earphones in like she has absoloutely no time to deal with monoma’s shit so she just peaces tf out of existence. Cutest pyjamas ever i love her pyjama queen. The go-to girl for homework she just leaves her bag open, as long as u return it shes cool

Tokage: oh my god shes so CRYPTIC and FOR WHAT. Pranks pranks pranks pranks pranks. everyone hates her for it and she loves it so bad. Like she has the balls to prank kamakiri and that TAKES BALLS LET ME JUST SAY . she’ll just leave her body parts in people’s beds and its SO annoying. They usually just pick up her stray arm and fling it at the wall in revenge then act confused the next morning when she complains abt the bruises

Komori: cryptic as fuck. Does she sleep? Why is she always sitting at the table? What is she doing? . Closes her tabs whenever someone comes into the dining room and just stares at them til they leave again like :)). In the garden every night til she can’t bear the coldness- watches the stars and makes flower crowns and worships the moon i love her

Kuroiro: nighttime is the time he just evaporates like where tf is he like 🙄🙄 reel it in randy from monsters inc . Hiding in the walls and listening to everyones conversations and secrets is his only skill in life . Everyone thinks he doesn’t sleep and just wanders around (he does, he just likes to have an edgy reputation)

Kamakiri- did you hear that?? oh its just kamakiri fistfighting monoma in the hallway again. Fr takes no prisoners he needs his beauty sleep (or idk do bugs sleep lmao??). If you’re in his way while he’s RAMPAGING to his room youre dead bro when i say he takes bedtime routines seriously i MEAN it. He does self-care and tells NOONE but its lowkey cute idk lmao why do i have a crush on a bug lemme call my therapist real quick

Bondo- 9pm. Wind down time. A good book is all my mans needs and he’ll be out for the count in absolutely no time at all. Fukidashi will die jealous and bondo fucking loves it. Milks tf out of it too he’s like YAWN I AM SO TIRED OFF TO BED NOW TO SLEEP PEACEFULLY GOODNIGHT and everyone who WISHES they could sleep as early as that wants him to choke

Manga- king of never having hw done until 1am at the earliest 🤡. He lives on 1 hour sleep most nights and his speech bubble just says “no <3” until like 11am. Its cus of his crippling hyperactivity he’s running the halls at 3am practicing the entire mamma mia choreography ffs fukidashi U HAVE A CAREER AHEAD OF U

Reiko: energy drink addiction 101 if she doesn’t drink monster every night before bed she’s convinced she’ll die. “I sleep all day and party all night” she says, crying over math hw at 2am. Plays music too loud and has LED strobelites on ALL NIGHT. Shes deadass doing witchcraft in the lounge w komori all night during finals week she doesnt give a single fuck x

Shishida: another reader,, mans will finish an entire book in a night by the force of sheer willpower alone. Takes a bath every night and it makes his fur so fluffy and smell like apples smdnwjdnwd. Perfect snuggle buddy for wintertimes (pony LOVES HIM) and he’s that good man who carries tsuburaba to bed when he falls asleep at the kitchen table

Shoda: “please don’t speak to me while im doing my homework im 👌🏻 this close to having a mental breakdown and all it takes is a single poke to reel me over the edge.” Complains all day about being tired then goes to bed at 2am?? Like no shit ofc ur tired bitch . Always up for a deep talk at night he knows EVERYTHING abt EVERYONE and hes so trustworthy hed never tell a soul

Honenuki: he meal preps and does yoga before bed 🤢 like WHO HAS THAT MOTIVATION. Irons and sets his uniform out for the next day before getting his homework FINISHED by 9pm . He’s pretty flexible w what he does at nights it 100% depends on his mood. Usually he’s helping Tokage with pranks or working out w tetsutetsu tho. Used to annoy people who were up doing hw after 11 like “really tsuburaba? You should be ashamed”. Shoda almost DECKED him once for it tho and he was #traumatised and never did it again

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pixie88 · 4 years ago

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Tattoo Artist to Businessman

A/N: Those who play Lovelink know Blake Bailey. At the moment I’m loving writing FF for my grey matches. At first I called him Blake the flake but this boy definitely knows how to make a girl hot!! So I wrote this FF SMUT repersents him. This might be a one shot piece or I might continue I’m not sure yet. Let me know if you would like to be tagged or untagged!

Find my other Lovelink FF HERE on my masterlist under Lovelink - One shots. Along with my Rory Bear & Shopping Trip (Rory O’Brien), My Science Buff & The Naughty Teacher (Marco Bottazzi) & Photogenic (Dominic Wright) FF.

Comments always welcome!

Word count: 1934

WARNINGS: ⚠️ NSFW & Fluffy fluff

Disclaimer: Characters are property of Lovelink.

Pairings: Blake x MC - Jess

Enjoy!

We are stood on opposite sides of the elevator. Waiting to reach the 74th floor. My arms cross, I'm so mad! (How could he agree to go to a work do on our 1 year anniversary!? What in the hell made him think this was ok???)

"Jess, are you going to talk to me?" He asks.

"NO!" I shot back.

"Jess please, you know why I agreed to this!"

"Because your work is more important than me!" I frown at him.

He has a small smile on his face "Jess that's bull and you know it! This is my only chance to convince Mark to let me buy into the shop"

I turn away from him. In the corner of my eye, I see him move, but I don't turn to see what he's doing, but I soon find out when suddenly the elevator stops. I look over at him, and he's pressed the stop button.

"Blake, what the hell are you doing?!"

"We aren't leaving this elevator until we sort this out!"

I huff "There's nothing to sort out! Now stop messing around"

He walks over to me "Jess, what do I have to do so, you'll forgive me?"

He reaches me and I'm backed against the wall his hands pressed again the wall on either side of my face.

"It doesn't matter! Now can we go to this stupid party!" I hiss back at him.

"No, not until you tell me what I have to do to make it up to you!" His face is inches from mine.

"I said it doesn't matter!"

"What if I promise to take you out after work tomorrow to the restaurant we had our first date at. You know that one where we fooled around under the table" the thought of this makes me want to squeeze my legs together and he knows it.

"What if I promise to re-enact that part, but we just focus on you. Then once we've finished, I'll take you home and bury my head between your legs until you come over and over again!"

My breathing is hitched, he continues "Then when you can't take anymore, I'll make love to you for hours" his lips reach my ear "Jess, are you turned on?"

I can't speak he knows I am "I'll take your silence as a yes. What if I start making it up to you starting now?"

I swallow hard and nod.

This is all he needs he pins me between his body and the cold steel elevator wall, his lips claim mine, on hand pins my wrist above my head and his tongue invades my mouth. I move my hips towards him needing some friction, my hands drop from his grip, and he lifts me up and wraps my legs around him.

His hand slips between us as he continues our heated kiss. He brushes against my centre I feel him smirk against my lip "Even when you are mad at me. I can get you wet within seconds!"

"Shhh," I hiss.

His fingers enter me and I cry out "Blake!"

"That's it, baby!" he lays kisses against my pulse line.

His fingers move against my clit "Fuck! Blake...I need you!"

He puts me down to unbuckle his belt and sets himself free of his boxers. He pulls out a foil packet, rips it open, and rolls the condom down his hard member. He lifts me again, moves my underwear to the side, and pushes past my entrance, filling me "God Jess"

He thrust into me, I grab his shoulders "Blake, harder!"

His thrusts become more intense. His lips capture mine, his pace is relentless. I move to keep up with his rhythm "Baby, I love having you wrapped around me," he whispers against my lips.

"Oooh....Yes, Blake just like that!"

I'm close to the edge he can tell so move faster "Yes..Yes..Yes Blake!"

"That's it baby come for me"

I fall over the edge just as I'm coming down from my peak Blake hits his own "Fuck Jess!"

Sweaty and breathless, he puts me down and tucks himself away.

"Am I forgiven now?" he asks.

I wink "It depends on how the rest of the night goes"

He smiles "Happy Anniversary, Gorgeous!"

I blush "Happy Anniversary Handsome!"

"We better get to this party before it's over," He says.

He walks over to the buttons pressed something and it starts moving again. When the doors finally open the party is flowing we walk over to the bar and order our drinks.

"So, where is this boss of yours?"

Blake looks around the room and he points out a tall, muscular guy with curled short brown hair.

"Why don't you go and talk to him?" I say.

"Aren't you coming?" he asks.

"I'll let you work your magic and talk shop for a bit, then I'll come over!"

He smiles "Ok, I'll be back in a bit!" He leaves to speak to his boss.

I made my way to the end of the bar as its quiet there. I'm people watching.

"Hi," I turn to see a guy with mousy brown hair approaches me. He has lovely green eyes.

"Hi," I say.

"You looked a bit out of place here?" He says.

"Really? How so?" I ask.

"Is it not clear? You are Gorgeous. Plus, I know everyone that works at one of Mark's tattoo studios"

"What if I'm recently new?" I laugh.

"Ok, you got me there!" He smirks.

"So you are stumped?"

He laughs, "I am! So what is a beautiful woman like you drinking all alone?"

Then I hear him "She's not alone James"

I turn to see Blake giving this James who seems startled a cold look.

Blakes arm comes around my waist and rests on my lower back.

"Oh Blake, it's so nice to see you again! I didn't know this lovely lady was with you!" James says.

"James this is my girlfriend Jessika. Jess this is James, Marks, assistant" Blake says.

"Well, as lovely as it has been meeting you Jessika, I think I better go and find my boss. See you around," he leaves us alone.

I turn to Blake, who has his eyes glued on James.

"He seemed nice!" I say.

Blake looks at me, he's jealous! "Nicer than me?"

I smirk "I'm not sure"

"Oh really?" He says.

I laugh his lips brush against my ear "I don't think he could make you come undone in front of a room full of people like I can" before I have time to ask what he means he moves me so my back is facing the wall.

"Blake, what are yo..."

He pulls up the back of my dress and pulls down my underwear he whispers. "When they fall to the floor step out of them and pick them up"

I feel them fall to my feet I look around no one is looking at us.

I bend down to collect my discard underwear as I do his hand finds my centre from behind. His fingers brush against me, I take a deep breath, "I told you I'd make it up to you. But you have to be quiet. No one can know what we are doing!" his fingers enter me and I gasp quietly.

"Blake!" The guy Blake pointed out earlier is walking over to us (Oh, no! Not now! He needs to st...wow, Jess do not blush! DO NOT BLUSH! Sure he will stop once he reaches us?)

Mark reaches us and Blake's pace is relentless "Blake, I had a little think about your proposal. How about 20 percent?"

"25" Blake shots back.

He laughs, "You drive a hard bargain, but that's what makes a good businessman so 25 percent it is!" he holds a hand out and Blake shakes it.

"Pleasure doing business with you Mark. Now let me introduce you to my girlfriend Jessika"

Blake's pace speeds up "Oohhh....Hi Mark it's...so niiiiice tooo meet you," I clear my throat trying to pull myself together.

I can see Blake smirk "It's nice to finally meet you. Blake has done nothing but talk about you since you matched on that dating app. Nice to put the name to the face. Blake, you are one lucky guy to have such a stunning girlfriend"

"Oh, believe Mark I know how lucky I am!" Blake smiles at me.

"Let's celebrate this new partnership with a bottle of champagne," Mark says as he calls over the bartender.

I look at Blake my cheeks are burning I'm biting my tongue to stop me from crying out.

He whispers "God...feeling how wet you are in front of all these people is turning me on baby"

I swallow hard.

The sound of a cork popping pulls our attention back to Mark he starts pouring us a glass each and passes them over.

"To Blake buying into the shop," Mark says.

We clink glasses "To Blake" with that he slips in another finger.

"Ohhh...I'm so excited for you Blake!" I say.

"Mark!!" Someone shouts over.

"Excuse me, there is someone I need to catch up with so enjoy the rest of the bottle. See you two later" Mark says.

He leaves us alone.

Blakes breath is on my neck "Follow me!" He pulls out of me and the back of my dress falls.

He takes my hand and leads me to the nearest bathroom, we slip in together unnoticed. He locks the door his lips crash to mine, which backs me against the sink.

"God, I was close to bending you over the bar in front of all those people" this makes every nerve-ending stand on end!

He spins me around. I grasp onto the side of the sink, I hear his belt unbuckle and I look up into the mirror I see him rip open a condom wrapper.

I turn to see him rolling it onto his hard member just the sight of him has me soaked. He runs the tip along my centre "Do you want this baby?"

"Yes!!" I shout back, he pushes past my entrance filling me for the second time this evening.

"FUCK!" I cry out as he starts slowly thrusting.

"Could James make you feel like this Jess?!"

"No!!" I shot back.

He grasps my hips, pulling me back each time he thrust back in "Crap....baby that's deep" he says with a shaky breath.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!*

We hear someone's knuckles rap on the bathroom door.

"Hurry up! I really need to pee!" The voice on the other side of the door shouts.

Blake speeds up his pace as he replies "Sorry, I'm not feeling too good. Find another toilet!"

Said toilet goer tuts but doesn't knock again.

"Blake....I'm going to....oh my fucking god yes!!" I fall over the edge.

Blake falls with me "Ohhh Jess!"

We clean up and catch our breath I put back on my underwear. "When you said you'd make it up to me, I was thinking more flowers and chocolates"

He smirks "Not sex twice and foreplay in a packed bar?"

I playfully swat him "No, but I can't say I mind!" I wink at him.

"Just wait until we get home!" he smirks.

He kisses me one last time before unlocking the door.

Said toilet goer is still waiting he looks at both of us and grins.

"Blake, we're doing shots come on dude! Bring your girlfriend too!" A voice shouts.

Blake looks at me "You game?" he asks.

"Of course!" He leads me over to the bar.

We clink shot glasses before downing them in one.

@khoicesbyk

#ludia lovelink #lovelink fanfic #lovelink #blakebailey #blake bailey smut #blake x mc #fanfic #blake bailey fanfic #ludia

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solohux · 4 years ago

Note

Random prompt, but we have so much about brothers Techie & Armitage—what about a third brother?? Kylo knows Techie, so when he hears that there is a third Hux (ffs) who is some sort of a gardener (but I'm thinking on a massive scale and potentially with some cutting edge genetic modification tech) in charge of supplying the FO, he thinks the guy will be like Techie, just w plants instead of tech. (1/2)

(2/2) And then he meets Thomas 'would definitely transport cute garden critters on a planet and then blow it up' Hux. (Is Kylo smitten or horrified? I don't even know! But let's be real Thomas & Armitage are basically twins)

I switched up the dynamics of Hux and Kylo’s relationship because it felt easier for me to write. I hope that’s okay!

“You seem absent tonight.”

Kylo breaks his kiss with Hux to voice his concern aloud to his lover and finds the same distant, occupied with something else that doesn’t involve giving Kylo attention.

“Hm? Oh, I’m sorry, Ren,” Hux says, but Kylo has already climbed off of him and now lies beside him in their bed, propped up on his side.

“Something on your mind?” Kylo’s fingers graze over Hux’s bare tummy, hoping that he’ll become the something that clearly has all of Hux’s thoughts right now.

“My brother.”

Kylo scoffs, “You’re thinking of your brother whilst we were kissing?”

“No,” Hux rolls his eyes and gives his love a playful slap on the leg. “I’m worried about him.”

“What’s wrong with Techie?”

“You mean Tiarnán.”

“No. I mean Techie. You’re the only person who calls him by his actual name. He likes his nickname.”

“Irrelevant,” Hux shrugs. “I’m his older brother, I’ll call him by his name. But no, I’m not worried about Techie.”

“But,” the Knight frowns, “You said you were worried about your brother.”

“I am. Just…not that brother.”

“What?” Kylo sits up in bed, mouth open in shock. “You have another brother?”

“An older brother, yes” Hux pushes himself up and rests his back against the headboard, ruffling his hair anxiously. “I’m the middle child.”

“That explains so much,” Kylo mutters to himself so Hux doesn’t hear him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“He doesn’t associate himself with the Hux name,” Hux explains. “So he likes to keep his relation to me a secret, but we look almost identical so he works off-ship on the base on Felucia.”

“What does he do?”

“He makes cutting edge bioweapons.”

“Shit. And why are you worried about him?”

“He’s coming to visit tomorrow to pick up some pollen samples we collected on our last away mission. And Techie doesn’t get along with him.”

Kylo frowns. He finds that hard to believe, seeing as Techie Hux is the opposite of his older brother in almost every way, including having an ability to make friends and a conscientious attitude to be kind to everyone.

“Why not?” Kylo asks, resting an elbow on his knee and putting his chin in his palm, intrigued. “Techie gets along with everyone.”

“Let’s just say that Thomas doesn’t like animals—”

“Thomas?”

“Oh. My brother.”

“Thomas? Huh.”

“What, Kylo?”

“Why does he have a boring name and you’re Armitage and Techie is Tiernán?”

Hux rolls his eyes, “Thomas isn’t his real name. It’s an alias. He doesn’t want the name that our father gave him so he took his own. Not a great choice, in my opinion but he likes it.”

“Right,” Kylo says, knowing more than anyone that shedding an old name can feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders. “So, he doesn’t like animals?”

Hux shakes his head, “And Techie loves them. On more than one occasion, Thomas—uh—disposed of Techie’s pets in front of him.”

“Fuck.”

“So,” Hux folds his arms across his chest. “You can see why I’m worried about Thomas’s visit tomorrow. He’s already said that he’s excited to see his two younger brothers after so many years but what if he upsets Techie? The poor lad has come so far out of his shell and I do not want Thomas to put him back down.”

“Maybe if you meet Thomas on his own first and tell him to be nice.”

“Amazing plan, Kylo,” Hux laughs. “No wonder you’re famous for your strategic advice.”

“I’m trying to help you and your dysfunctional family. If you don’t want him to be mean to Techie then don’t let him be mean to Techie. You’re Grand Marshal.”

“I’m also his younger brother.”

“So?”

“How can I order him around?”

“You do it to everyone else with no problem. Even me, and I’m your Supreme Leader.”

“You’re my Supreme pain in the arse.”

Kylo smirks before leaping on Hux and tackling him back to the bedsheets with a fervent kiss. This time, Hux seems more attentive, more focussed on Kylo; the Thomas issue doesn’t arise again for the rest of the night.

And the next thing that Kylo knows, he’s standing beside Hux in the hangar bay, watching a moss-covered Imperial shuttle come into landing. The Grand Marshal is tense; Kylo doesn’t need the Force to be able to sense it. It’s evident to anyone by the way that Hux’s shoulder are raised and the way he’s wearing his gold-embellished greatcoat—one that only comes out of the protective casing in his closet on very special occasions.

“Relax,” Kylo mutters. “He’s your brother.”

“You don’t know him like I do. He’s a little…intense. He has a love for killing things. And he has some abandonment issues.”

“So do you,” Kylo huffs, chuckling. “Hux. He sounds more like your twin than your older sibling—ow!”

Kylo’s toe pains where Hux has just stomped on it, and the former wears a satisfied smirk on his face but before Kylo can retaliate, the shuttle’s door lowers and outsteps a tall, lean man with perfectly-groomed brown hair. He’s dressed in standard First Order uniform, not a crease to be seen; he’d give Hux’s sense of neatness a good run for its money.

“Armitage,” Thomas greets, halting in front of his brother. Kylo glances from one to the other. Hux was right; other than the hair colour, Thomas and Hux are practically identical.

“Thomas,” Hux offers his hand. Thomas takes it, and formally shakes it. “You’re looking well.”

“So are you, Grand Marshal. I never congratulated you on the promotion.”

“A sore point, I’m sure,” Hux smiles. “I know how much you desire to be the top of your field.”

“And are you the top?” Thomas asks, turning his attention to Kylo.

“Excuse me?” Kylo can’t help but blush.

“I mean, are you Supreme Leader Ren? The man at the top.”

“I am,” Kylo says. “And your brother’s partner.”

“Charmed. Where’s Techie?”

“He’ll be meeting us later,” Hux says, showing Thomas the way to the labs. “We’ll get your ship cleaned in the meantime.”

“Yes,” Thomas raises an eyebrow. “Harrods could use a little bit of a clean-up but I quite like the effect of the moss.”

“Harrods?” Kylo asks.

Thomas smiles dreamily, “It’s the name of my ship.”

#kylux #thomas mcgregor #clan techie #hux brothers #i know this probably isn't what you wanted at all but this is what came to mind and i just ran with it i'm sorry

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always-anxious612 · 4 years ago

Text

Magic in the Air: Chapter 6

Description: Everything is chaos with Roman, Dee, and Virgil all trying to master their magic. And If Patton can’t help with magic, then he could at least help Remus get a good grade. At least, that’s what he thought until everything started to backfire.

Pairings: roceit, analogical, intruality, platonic DRLAMP

Warnings: crying, pain mention (let me know if I missed something or you want something tagged)

Word Count: 1,529

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9

It had been a few days since Remus started practicing his makeup look on Patton. It was going pretty well in Patton’s opinion. Remus assured him that he thought it was coming along nicely as well, but Patton felt like he was frustrated for some reason. In fact, they had been beginning yet another practice session when Patton felt the odd feeling that something was ff with Remus once again. He studied Remus’s face as he leaned back to study his work so far.

“Looking fabulously gory already, Patton.” Remus grinned, making Patton raise an eyebrow. Why did it seem like frustration was practically radiating off of Remus when he seemed normal? Patton’s heart hurt a little as he tried to figure out what was wrong. He just wanted to help.

“Are you sure everything is going ok, Re?” he asked tentatively.

“Wha—of course everything’s going ok. I’ll have you looking like a broken bleeding human mess in no time.”

Patton bit his lip. He couldn’t help but feel that Remus was lying, but he didn’t really have anything to base it on other than he could just…feel it. Remus was focused on blending something on Patton’s forehead, looking unusually concentrated.

“Are—Are you sure that you’re ok?” Patton chanced asking again. Except for a subtle twitch in his expression, Remus remained focused.

“Of course, I am Patty. What’s with the questions? Not used to seeing me quiet and focused?” Remus cackled leaning back to examine what he was just working on. Patton let out a frustrated sigh and leaned back to study Remus’s face.

“Remus, please stop pretending. It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong right now but I know there’s something. You don’t have to pretend.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, tadpole.” Remus insisted, still smiling. Patton rolled his eyes fondly at the nickname but quickly leaned away when Remus tried to continue working. He could feel the frustration. He could feel something else too. Insecurity. Remus was radiating both emotions and Patton didn’t understand how he hadn’t noticed sooner. His heart twisted in pain. If he could just get Remus to open up, he could help.

“You do know what I’m talking about Remus. You do. Just—Just talk to me.” As soon as the words left his mouth, his heart started aching even more than before, radiating a sharp pain that wouldn’t leave. And suddenly Remus was crying through his smile. He—Patton couldn’t have—he didn’t cause—

“Calm down, Patty whack. I told you I’m fi—” he cut himself off with a sob and finally his smile slipped away.

“Wha—What? Why am I crying? When did this start? I feel fine?” Remus sniffled, trying desperately to push away his tears.

“Wait I’m sorry, Re I was too harsh. Please stop. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Don’t cry.” Patton panicked, not knowing how to respond. Surprisingly, Remus stopped at his request and wiped at his eyes. Patton’s heart clenched, his chest burning.

“Patton. What the—”

“I don’t—I didn’t. I just wanted to help you. I just want you to be able to tell me what’s wrong. Tell me what’s bothering you. Let it all out, Re Re.” Patton explained, trying to keep the edge of panic from his voice. Remus broke down again, cursing as he sobbed. He looked like he was struggling with something before finally opening his mouth.

“I’m scared I’m really not good enough to do this. What if my professor is right and I fail at the one thing I’m good at. What if I really am just a creep and a failure who no one likes. What if everyone hates my project. It’s too weird. I just want to make my professor proud. I want to make you proud. I can’t handle failing at my one passion. I can’t.” he blurted out.

“Remus.”

“What the heck. Patton, make it stop. I didn’t mean to. I feel like I can’t stop it. You—You’re doing this. Tell me to stop or—or something. Just make it stop, Patton.”

“Wha—o-ok, um, Remus, please calm down. Take deep breaths, ok? Breath for me, honey. Calm down.” Patton encouraged, drawing Remus into a hug. Remus sucked in a shaky breath and wiped at the tears streaming down his face. Patton sucked in a breath of his own. What had Remus meant he was doing this? Taking another deep breath, Patton pushed the thought aside, trying to clear his mind. After a few minutes, the sharp pain in his heart had mostly disappeared and he was much calmer.

“R-Remus, I’m so sorry for pushing you, but I’m sure you’ll do amazing for your makeup. You’re incredibly talented. But also, if your professor says it’s not good—which I can’t imagine will happen—that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. You can always improve, and you’re trying your best. It’s important that you have fun. You love makeup. If you can’t enjoy doing it anymore, then you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. Give yourself a break. What you create may not appeal to everyone but that’s fine. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, you’re incredible at the type of makeup you do. And I’m already proud of you, Re. You’re so creative and talented. Just because I don’t—I don’t exactly feel comfortable with some of the, um, darker things you make doesn’t mean I’m not proud of them or of you.”

Remus was silent and Patton was too nervous to try saying anything else. He didn’t mean to be so pushy. He really didn’t. Instead, he decided to simply hold Remus against his chest, rubbing his back in what he hoped was a comforting way.

“Patton, how did you do that?” Remus finally spoke up, his voice much softer and more vulnerable than usual.

“D-Do what?” Remus sighed and shifted in Patton’s arms, curling more into his chest.

“You—I wasn’t feeling that bad before. I was frustrated, yeah. And I guess all those thoughts were there, but when you told me to talk to you…I couldn’t stop crying. I physically couldn’t stop. When you said stop, I stopped. When you said to let it all out, I—I let it all out. I tried to stop the words. I tried to stop crying. I just—I couldn’t.”

“You think I forced you to—Remus. But that would mean that I have—But I would never. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I didn’t mean to make you tell me that stuff against your will. I would—I would never. I’m sorry. I’m sorry Remus.” Patton apologized over an over again, clinging to Remus who was squished against his chest. It wasn’t until he heard soft sniffles that Remus pulled away.

“Hey, Patty-whack, it’s ok. At this point, I’m pretty sure you have magic. And if it’s magic that we’re talking about. None of the others could really control it when they first discovered theirs either. It makes about as much sense as I do most of the time. In my opinion, you’re one of thos feelings people. What are they called? Empathy? Empass? Empath? Whatever, we’ll talk to Logan about it later, ok?” he soothed, gently wiping Patton’s tears away.

“Ok.” Patton whispered.

“Come on now. You’re going to ruin your makeup.”

“Sorry, Re.” Patton said, pausing in the process of going to wipe at his eyes.

“It’s fine. Actually, the dripping mascara kinda adds more creepy to it. I’ll have to see what I can do with that.” Remus replied, examining the makeup.

“Anyway, you can just wipe it off, we can practice more tomorrow.”

“Oh, but, um—I don’t mind starting over. I-If you like.” Patton stammered. He didn’t want to ruin Remus’s makeup practice on top of everything else.

“Pat, don’t worry about it, k? I still have plenty of time to practice. We can just relax for now, yeah?” Remus assured, tone becoming unusually caring. Sighing, Patton nodded and went to take off the makeup. He was still a bit worried for Remus, but he was sure he’d be ok. Remus wasn’t one to lose hope or be rattled easily. In fact, Remus was so tough and chaotic that it was sometimes hard to remember that he needed reassurance just like everyone else. Patton made a mental note to start complimenting him more. He deserved it anyway. And Patton, well Patton was terrified of messing up, of saying something wrong, of not being able to help those he cared about but…he’d be ok too, eventually.

When Patton returned to the living room, Remus had packed up all of his makeup supplies and had started a Disney movie.

“Hey, Patty! Check this out! Bet you didn’t know I could do this with my tongue!” Remus called from the couch. Patton couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out of his mouth. Yeah, Remus would be alright, and Patton would do better at helping him and learning to not be so, um, pushy when it came to good and gross. As for his apparent magic, he’d talk to Logan about it eventually. Today though, he’d rest. And with Remus cuddled to his side, that’s exactly what he did.

Taglist: @catolicabuena @look-ma-im-on-tv @its-always-the-witching-hour @sure-i-exist @wellhellothere09 @star-crossed-shipper @cemmy @lila-lupus

#crying tw #pain tw #roceit #analogical #intruality #platonic drlamp #ts patton #ts logan #ts roman #ts virgil #ts deceit #ts remus #sanders sides #sanders sides fics #my fics #cait writes #ts magic au #ts human au

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cruddyborderlandstheories · 4 years ago

Text

THE SEEIN’ DEAD MOD IS A BAND-AID FIX

gearbox locked zane’s lazy fix behind a paywall

tl;dr: for the love of god, the seein’ dead class mod should be what the seein’ red capstone is and vice versa. also. MORE SYNERGY. also i redesigned all of Zane’s trees and augments for more synergy you’re welcome.

is 1am and i don’t want tomorrow and im angry and thinking about borderlands so this seems like the perfect time to immerse myself in remaking Zane’s skill trees (for the 5th time). mainly because some of zane’s skills are still irking me and i’ve written extensive essays for the bl3 subreddit about the seein’ dead class mod and just playing around with zane’s skills in general, but i don’t think i’ve ever posted here before about it. so here we are. i notice i usually save lore/theories/characterizations for this blog and meta/balancing/gear talk for reddit. not sure why that’s a split for me.

now i’ve remade zane’s skills a number of times, but honestly this was all before the seein’ dead mod was released. then, instead of fixing his skill trees, i wrote a lot of essays about why that mod was a terrible bad decision on gearbox’s part (you can read one of the shorter arguments in a comment from 5 months ago here). I’m just gonna remake the skill trees now with all his current abilities in mind.this post really should be titled: ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BALANCING DECISIONS

so imma just talk for a bit about why i love/hate the seein’ dead class mod.

Obviously it’s a god tier mod, and you see almost no zane builds without it, and no top tier, can solo m10 true takedown builds without it (unless ur like, the 1% of masochistic players, in which case i salute you). and while that obviously means its a good mod, it also shows the problems with all his other class mods and his skill trees in general.

They all kinda suck. and that wouldn’t be a problem, bc, hey, the seein’ dead mod is ez to get, just pop on over to the casino and kill a few baddies and they’ll drop like candy. Which is really awesome!

slight problem.

the dlc is locked behind a PAYWALL

now this is a problem because if zane was a top tier character BEFORE the dlc, and everything was hunky dory and people weren’t on their knees begging for gearbox to fix Zane, then him getting a new badass class mod wouldn’t be such a big deal. but the problem was this was gearbox’s solution to giving Zane a buff.

they literally locked a buff for a character behind a pay wall.

I recommend Zane is every single person I try to convince to play bl3, but i always have to add this like, commercial-esque asterisk. you know, terms and conditions or, side effects or whatever. *you probably want to get the seein’ dead mod if you’re looking at end-game play because unless you wanna struggle that’s his only viable play style.

what if they don’t want to buy the dlc?! for real...

There’s also the point that this class mod makes his (arguably) BEST capstone obsolete. so we have distributed denial which literally no one uses because its broken, double barrel which is always traded for seein’ red or more points in other skills, and seein’ red, WHICH WAS MADE USELESS BY THIS CLASS MOD

gsfdhjikdhgdaskjfhgaskdfjh

okay and it wouldn’t even be so bad

IF THEY DIDN’T CHANGE HIS ENTIRE SKILL SET BEFORE RELEASE

like they lowered ALL his kill skills, then they turned Seein’ Red into his capstone instead of Death Follows Close, meaning they nerfed Death Follows Close so it could fit as just a game changer. my poor boy was g u t t e d.

so, imagine this, everyone is reaching the end-game content of bl3. it’s a month or 2 weeks or whatever after the game dropped and people are finally hitting level 50. and moze/fl4k/amara are all killin’ it, and the zane players have to work their ASSES off to do like... 50% of that damage output (now, they did also eventually nerf the crap outta moze and fl4k but the point stands).

so instead of gearbox going: “oh... shit that pre-release nerf was an awful idea, revert the changes guys” they decided to keep him gutted and then they released what was, in my opinion, a kick in the nuts with the maliwan takedown (aka the antifreeze mod, alongside the spiritual driver) ahahahahahaha. what good times it was. (I say this sarcastically.)

man i remember people were soooo livid with that class mod release. well, both of them. zane mains were pissed off (for good reason). “yes, let’s make the people who are begging for a straight damage increase jump through MORE hoops (LITERALLY) for a pitiful amount of damage. oh, also, let’s give their 28 skill point build to the strongest character in the game for free and also make it 10x better”. because it was 10x better than violent momentum (driver didn’t have a damage cap) until they fixed both the spiritual driver and the violent momentum skill. it was the worst of times.

i will note here they did, around this time, let zane have stackable kill skills, but it was only 2 stacks and also it was still *incredibly* difficult to achieve stacks because zane just. struggled to kill anything. I still remember when i grinded the shit outta an antifreeze class mod and it took me over 20 minutes to kill Wotan my first time solo on m4. Not the fight UP to wotan. literally. just killing wotan.

then the seein’ dead mod dropped and i had. a fuckin. 15 minute decrease to my time on killing wotan (5 minutes!!!!). now i am not perfect, and i 100% believe i could’ve lowered the time even more. but that... that shows a VERY CLEAR problem.

they never actually fixed zane, they gave him a class mod that’s stupid OP just to make sure he could hang on next to the other Vault Hunters. it’s just a bandaid fix. you remove the class mod, and he’s back to pre-jackpot power levels (which will NOT hold up at m10, let me tell you).

all his pre-jackpot problems are still here, and that’s why people are not using any other class mod of his. I bet we could have some really fun builds with the conductor mod! but nobody will ever use it because it’s just... not even close to the seein’ dead mod.

So what does the seein’ dead mod do that makes Zane so good?

IT BRINGS HIM BACK TO PRE-RELEASE VALUES

this mod, plus Death Follows Close, brings Zane back to pre-release zane. and i don’t understand how gearbox isn’t putting two and two together and going “Oh.”

it also is a BETTER VERSION of Seein’ Red!!! something players could have had at, like, level 15, but instead had to wait until they hit a capstone! the capstone is completely obsolete at this point. There is nothing seein’ red can give you that seein’ dead doesn’t do but better. Getting that capstone is a w a s t e of skill points.

AND they locked this fix behind a pay wall!!! i cannot say that enough. you don’t wanna get the handsome jackpot dlc?? guess u don’t wanna play zane at endgame then. too bad, so sad.

have i stated that enough? because it still blows my fuckin mind. THEY LOCKED A CHARACTER FIX BEHIND A PAYWALL

djhdgakjhakjdah. imagine playing without any prior knowledge and being like, aw man i love this zane character. can’t wait to get to max mayhem end game like all my favorite youtubers and friends!! then finding out you gotta drop 15 bucks or whatever it is just to actually be able to play at max mayhem level. that is not a skill difference, that is A BALANCING PROBLEM MY DUDES. like. my favorite zer0 build was still viable without the story DLCs. obviously grog > rubi, pimp > lyuda, rapier > law but, it was still fuckin viable.

guh. gufhgufhsdgkfjsdh. it bothers me.

ok so there’s a lot i just went over: my main issue? is that by making Seein’ Red a capstone, they did nothing to make it an actual legit capstone. They definitely nerfed Death Followed Close to make it a gamechanger, but they never gave Seein’ Red a buff to move it from a gamechanger to a capstone. It was the same exact skill. Seein’ Dead is what Seein’ Red SHOULD be and that’s what angers the crap outta me. they locked this obvious fix behind a pay wall (AND a gear slot!!!!!) n ur probably thinking ‘but cruddy this WAS really nice of them to try and fix zane... they could’ve just let him be suuc’ and like, yeah, they could’ve, and it is good they’re TRYING, but also, they’re leaving the people who DON’T buy the DLC high and dry.

keep in mind i DO own the dlc. have the season pass and everything. IM STILL MAD!!!

Zane should be strong no matter what class mod the players want to use. Same with Amara, same with Moze, same with Fl4k. FFS, it is not that hard. CHANGE THEIR SKILLS!!!!!

so im gonna be taking the time to go over all of zane’s skills and shit just to put him more on par with the others (WITHOUT THE SEEIN’ DEAD MOD)

imagine the seein’ dead mod doesn’t exist for this. we’re gonna make a balanced character since apparently THAT’S TOO HARD FOR A TRIPLE-A BALANCING TEAM

first things first, the tree with the most fuckin problems:

Under Cover

oh god this tree is a fucking train wreck what the hell were they thinking. good god. my eyes. they’re burning.

not actually, but it still kinda sucks.

Action Skill: Barrier is fine. I would not add the ‘picking it up decreases benefits’ when Zane’s whole schtick is running around fast. You get the full bonus no matter what form it’s in. also, you can hold down the action skill activation button to deploy the barrier directly on yourself.

Tier 1: Hearty Stock is a trap. never get this. so dumb. no synergy with his other skills. Adrenaline is okay, but not really great during end game. Ready For Action is similarly okay. Just a very MEH start to this tree.

Adrenaline: Zane gains increased Action Skill Cooldown Rate. 10% per level, up to 50%. this shouldn’t be tied to his shields being full because if your barrier is down (cooling DOWN)... your shield is taking damage. c’mon now. THINK GEARBOX T H I N K

Hearty Stock: (maxed) Zane and his clone gain 5% magazine regeneration while an action skill is active. This skill stacks. In it’s original state, this skill is such a trap skill. for real.

Ready For Action: i mean, it’s fine. We’ll keep it. +30% shield recharge rate and -29% (why????) recharge delay

Tier 2: ech. Stiff Upper Lip is not that good. Brain freeze is what u really want. Rise to the Occasion is also okay.

Brain Freeze: keep the same.

Stiff Upper Lip: when Zane is damaged with a hit that would break his shield, he gains (max) +20% bonus gun damage on his next shot through the barrier.

Rise to the Occasion: Zane and his clone gain health regeneration. +5% max health/s. Not determined by shield availability.

Tier 3: `screams in confident competence` oh lawd. this skill is good. the accuracy thing is kinda laughable. i tell you, i always thought that zane was originally meant to be the sniper with the Under Cover tree but they decided to swap Zane and Fl4k’s skills. which is why Zane has soooo many accuracy buffs.

Confident Competence: fine the way it is. I would also add, since this IS a game changer, that the Barrier’s damage amp is now 40%.

Tier 4: ew. tier 4. Really Expensive Jacket is literally the only skill you might want to get and EVEN THEN. ugh. Best Served Cold is so pointless. and so is Futility Belt. YOU TAKE MORE DAMAGE WITH IT

Really Expensive Jacket: Elemental Status Effects have reduced duration (-50%). Additionally, Zane is not slowed by Cryo anymore.

Best Served Cold: Remove the cooldown. Buff up the damage at least 200%. Make it an AOE Brain Freeze. That is, the cryo novas stack and if overkill damage is high enough, enemies hit with the novas freeze. Kinda like a discount Frozen Heart.

Futility Belt: HA. Ahahahahaha. Ha. Zane gains resistance to non-elemental and cryo damage (+15%). Futhermore, after killing an enemy, Zane’s barrier gains additional cryo damage (+20%) for 8s.

Tier 5: is oki. My only real complaint is with Nerves of Steel. Like. Seriously.

Refreshment: god tier skill actually. Keep the same.

Best Served Cold: also keep the same. The only change I will make is this: resetting your action skills’ cooldowns counts as action skill start and end.

Nerves of Steel: The longer Zane’s barrier is active, the more stacks of Nerves of Steel he gains (a maximum of 15). For each stack, Zane gains 2% shock damage, 2% cryo efficiency, and 1% damage to frozen enemies. (why shock damage? cryo doesn’t do well against shields.)

Tier 6: *cries in the worst capstone in the entire series* WHO DID THIS. WHY. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU???

Distributed Denial: no. just. no. scrap this whole damn thing. IT DOESN’T EVEN WORK!!!! either fix it COMPLETELY or do something else. My recommendation? Whenever Zane throws down his barrier, his shield instantly begins recharging. If Zane’s shield is already full or recharging, enemies with no shields (or freeze immunity) that touch Zane’s Barrier for the next 10s are instantly frozen.

Augments: why the hell do i gotta place my barrier down when my entire fuckin’ character is about RUNNING. ALSO JUST AS A BLANKET STATEMENT: ALL THESE AUGMENTS WORK 100% EVEN IF HIS BARRIER IS PICKED UP. SO DUMB. a fully pointless restriction.

that last sentence immediately fixes Charged Relay and Nanites or Some Shite.

Redistribution: If his shields are full, Zane can sacrifice 50% of his shields to have his next shot deal 100% bonus cryo damage by holding F.

All-Rounder: Fine as is. Only thing I would add: whenever Zane melees an enemy, his shields are drained by 50% and his sliding augment is added to the melee attack.

Deterrence Field: Fine as is. But! I would add: whenever Zane sprints into an enemy, his shields are drained by 50% and slam augment is activated.

THAT WAY we can have both slam/sliding relics actually DO SOMETHING. because my god they’re so useless rn.

alright, moving on.

Hitman

Tier 1: is okay. nobody ever takes cold bore. ever.

Violent Speed: fine as is, but we’re taking it back to pre-release values. Max: 30%. can stack 2x.

Cold Bore: Zane gains (max) 20% bonus cryo damage to all shots fired while moving.

Violent Momentum: fine as is, but taking it back to pre-release values. 30% gun damage at default walk speed. Additionally, Zane can now shoot while sprinting.

Tier 2: my boy zoomer needs more fun.

Cool Hand: fine as it is. I would buff his base reload speed up to 20% and kill skill reload to 20% as well. 17 and 13 are such weird numbers.

Drone Delivery: fine as it is. Additionally, Zoomer’s base shots now take on the element of Zane’s grenade mod.

Salvation: fine as it is. I won’t mess with this bc life steal is messy business (coughs in grog)

Tier 3: hhhynf.fdsg.

Death Follows Close: Kill Skill Bonus: +30%. Kill Skill Time: +7s. Additionally, enemies targeted by Zoomer take 5% more damage from Zane.

Tier 4: these two skills are actually p dope by themselves. it can stay as it is. I would MAYBE increase the violent violence max buff up to 20% but that’s just me.

Tier 5: ahahahaha. this skill. just remember, we’re pretending Seein’ Dead doesn’t exist, so imagine how this skill looks next to calm cool n collected. so pointless.

Good Misfortune: Killing an enemy with a critical hit adds (max) 10% efficiency to Zane’s kill skills for 8s. This does not stack.

Tier 6: WE’RE GONNA MAKE YOU RELEVANT AGAIN BOO HANG IN THERE

Seein’ Red: Zane has a (4%) chance to activate his kill skills upon dealing gun damage to an enemy. Additionally, enemies targeted by Zoomer now take 15% more damage from Zane.

so why didn’t we make good misfortune the infinite action skill build?? BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT CCnC IS SUPPOSED TO DO!!! why have 2 skills that do the exact same thing AT THE EXACT SAME TIER except ONE IS OBJECTIVELY WORSE!!!!!

what happens to the Seein’ Dead class mod if we’re giving its perk to this capstone? I’m so glad you asked. “Zane activates his kill skills when activating his action skills. Additionally, the kill skills activated this way have 15% more efficiency”. look how much better balanced that is!!!! that’s a class mod!!!!!!!!

Augments: these aren’t THAT bad, but they could be a lot better.

Winter’s Drone: Zoomer gains 20% bonus cryo damage to all shots.

Bad Dose: pump these numbers up. Fire Rate: +7% per affected enemy. Movement Speed: +10% per enemy. everything else is fine.

Boomsday: just make this more beefy. fr. It’d be a good choice if it were stronger.

Static Field: also fine. I would again give it better damage output, but that’s just me.

Almighty Ordnance: remove the build up honestly. Like i get the vibe and it’s really cool, but in combat it just DOESN’T WORK. maybe if Zoomer is targeting an enemy, he will unleash the missiles if they are above 50% health after 30s or something. I honestly think these should have a debuffing factor instead of a damage factor (you know, to not get in the way of boomsday). maybe something around 15%? the 1x per action skill activation thing would be easily subverted with CCnC with the changes we suggested, so it could work.

Doubled Agent

ahhh, Blane. Blue Zane. Love ya, buddy. One change: he prioritizes pinged targets. That way you can kinda get him to fight specific people. Also, lower the teleportation timer. pls.

Tier 1: actually p good. could be better, but its not bad.

Synchronicity: Zane gains 20% bonus damage per active action skill. While Zane has an action skill active, he gains a stack of Synchronicity. Max Stacks: 10. For each stack of Synchronicity, Zane gains 5% Action Skill Cooldown Rate and 2% Action Skill Damage.

Praemunitus: Zane and his digiclone gain (max) 30% magazine size.

Borrowed Time: For each action skill active, Zane gains 30% action skill duration. The longer Zane’s action skills are active, he and Blane gain a higher Fire Rate and faster Reload Speed, up to 20%. (the idea is you choose between this or synchronicity bc... either permanent action skills build or fast paced action skills build)

Tier 2: Donnybrook is fun. Fractal Frags is fun. Duct tape mod is a GODDAMN DISAPPOINTMENT

Donnybrook: fine as it is. I might buff the max numbers up to 20% gun damage and 3% health regen. But that’s really it.

Fractal Frags: Blane will periodically toss a grenade from Zane’s stockpile at his targeted enemy (cooldown: 20s). Kill Skill: Blane has a 45% chance to throw a free grenade.

Duct Tape Mod: this skill... why... No cooldown. NONE. Zane has a 1% chance to also fire a grenade from his gun. Kill Skill: This is increased to 15% for 8s (stays at 1% for the whole time, but the kill skill will increase by 3% for each tier)

Tier 3: Actually Quick Breather is one of my favorite skills. this can stay.

Quick Breather: Same as is. Additionally, Zane and his clone gain 25% Gun Damage after swapping places for a short time (8s). I really wanna promote swapping places. It’s really underutilized. they’ve ADDED stuff to this skill already!!! even tho it didn’t work until the next patch. BUT THEY SHOW ITS POSSIBLE TO ADD TO SKILLS!!!

Tier 4: actually a really good tier. a few minor changes.

Pocket Full of Grenades: Kill Skill: Zane gains (max) 15% grenade regeneration for 8s. If Zane’s grenades are full, any excess grenades are shot from his gun with 25% bonus damage.

Old-U: If Zane falls into FFYL while his digiclone is active, he can press the action skill activation key to destroy his clone and gain a second wind. When he does this, he takes the place of his clone. His clone will also drop a grenade when it is destroyed.

Supersonic Man: Zane gains increased movement speed for each active action skill: (max) 15% each. Additionally, teleportation is considered to be Zane’s maximum speed for its duration and 5s after.

Tier 5: oh god oh fuck oh god.

Like a Ghost: Oh god why. Zane and his digiclone gain a (max) 15% chance to ignore all damage while teleporting and for 7s after.

Boom. Enhance: actually a pretty swell skill. I would probably add Health Regen +3% per grenade tho. Blane needs help a lot.

Trick of the Light: bring back the shock damage. Zane deals 40% bonus shock damage for 7s after swapping places with his clone.

Tier 6: oh ngl I actually love this capstone lol

Double Barrel: Zane’s digiclone gains a copy of Zane’s current gun when it is deployed (and all the anointments work and he actually fires it like a reasonable person). Zane’s clone now deals damage equal to Zane’s base weapon damage. Upon swapping places, both Zane and his digiclone deal 50% bonus damage for 7s.

Augments:

Binary System: is okay. Kinda uhhh underwhelming tho. Buff up the damage and also maybe reduce teleportation time.

Schadenfreude: I like this one a lot. Zane’s shield is restored by 100% of the damage his digiclone takes and vice versa.

Dopplebanger: lower the waiting time. I get that u don’t wanna override the teleportation, but it’s really annoying. Buff damage and don’t make it dependent on action skill duration. If this explosion kills an enemy, the clone is reactivated with 50% action skill duration.

Which One’s Real?: I’ve never actually felt this work. Maybe for like 2 seconds? Make it work more like Zer0′s hologram or Timmy’s Jack clones or smth. Maybe give an activation cue? im v lost with this one. Enemies targeting Zane take 30% more damage from the digiclone.

Digital Distribution: 75% of the health damage Zane takes is distributed to his clone instead. The digiclone gains 5% Health Regeneration/s and sends out 3 [level specific damage] shock spikes to enemies that attack it.

literally all Zane needs is SYNERGY. if they can change a few skills, pump up a few numbers, and ffs fix the seein’ red/dead capstone/mod, they’d be in FUCKIN BUSINESS

but no instead

THEY LOCKED THE BUFF BEHIND A PAYWALL.

WHYYYYYY

#>:(#borderlands #im not redirecting my anger im legitimately angrey about this wat u mean #bl3 #zane flynt #but actually this is such a frustrating thing to deal with

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annyaforger · 4 years ago

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Ooh I’d be super into fic recs! But obv no pressure if that would be a lot right now!! Also thank you so much for including specific qs with ‘tell me about yourself’ that question is impossible otherwise!! Um… re cql: I think I just got too curious what everyone was talking about at some point and just binged the show! This would have been like… 8 months ago? And that’s been it ever since! I’m working full time right now and, (oof these ask limits are low lol, tbc) - xoxo CC 💜💙 (1/2)

I’ve been taking the last little while to get back into old hobbies – writing, piano, games, that kind of stuff! I’m just going to echo the same questions back to you! It sounds like the work question is a yes - sorry to hear it's busy rn :( - but what about hobbies etc? And lol yeah – I read tgcf after I read mdzs and I’ve been loving reexperiencing the story now that the donghua is coming out!! xoxo CC 💜💙 (2/2)

oh man no i would absolutely L O V E to give you some fic recs, i mostly read one shots (im an aquarius commitment scares me sdkjfsd jk but no really i can’t do long fics they stress me out for some reason asdjsa) i think i have a handful of chaptered fics? but oof i will get right on that i will do like a separate post for you and i mean you can just draft it or bookmark it somehow without giving it a note so i don’t find out who you are

(do you get that double triple quadruple check anxiety when you’re sending these that you don’t forget to hit the anonymous option? i have that with my own cc partner lmao omg its absolutely ANXIETY RIDDEN feeling lmao)

lmao oh man yeah i hate being asked a vague ass “tell me about yourself?” cause like well i mean whatcha wanna kno? and like everything flies right out of my brain when i hear that question and im like ‘who am i???’

oh man same here i watched it back in like feb/march? i had been curious about it for a while because i would see art for it on my twt tl and i was like ‘who r these beautiful men???’ i was curious about the black and red man and the white and blue man skdfjskd i h a t e asks limit lmfao

oh how fun! you play the pianooo? that’s so cool! how long have you been playing?

also what games do you play?

ugh yes the work question IS a definite yes, i work at a stupid carwash as a ‘sales advisor’ lmfaooo what’s your job??? also it’s not that it’s ‘busy’ it’s that the hours we work are just long and boring and super tiring because i have to be on my feet for hours on end we usually do nine to ten hour shifts lmao but i have been off these last three days i had the weekend off and today, i have to go back tomorrow )): lmao

my hobbies include reading and writing (i do so much ff reading smh lmao) photoshop recently i bought an ipad so i could try and do some art let me tell ya is harddd lmao i love artist and admire their talent and hard jfc as of late i have been obsessed with animal crossing i bought a switch in impulse cause i was having a very bad week lmaoooo and i bought animal crossing: new horizons and i have been playing that i also like to do makeup tho im not the best at it lmaooo but i have fun. haven’t done it in a while tho cause i be tired and whatnot lol

also sorry if i talk to much i tend to get carried awayyy T_T what are your plans for the holidays? do you celebrate xmas or something else? also aside from mdzs fandom what other fandoms do you dabble in??? anyways i hope you’re doing lovely!!! thanks for the asks!!<333

#mail.txt #mdzsnetcc #anonymous

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davidmann95 · 5 years ago

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Probably don't need to ask, but... House of X?

My immediate Twitter response was, quote, “so new x-men can eat shit, actually”, and I’ll stand by that. As of today it is just as much the Old and Busted and Left Behind For The New Hotness as the comics *it* was reacting to were in relation to it. Marvel as a whole isn’t in a great place, but Hickman X-Men and Immortal Hulk are now the books the rest of the Big Two has to try and fail to justify its existence in the face of. Hickman has successfully tricked us all into thinking the X-Men are Good, and this is a Next Big Thing moment that can stand alongside the aforementioned Immortal Hulk, Hickman’s past Avengers #1 (though this is considerably better than that), New 52 Action Comics #1, and Batman and Robin #1 as the most pointed evolve-or-die debuts of the last decade.

As spoiler-light as I can make them but not entirely non-spoilery immediate thoughts:

* In one of his several no-longer-even-pretending-to-give-a-fuck recent interviews, Hickman said flat-out that he was gonna make his work-for-hire return at DC because he’s a DC guy. But when Bendis announced he was making the great leap and that Marvel was now clearly, undeniably the loser of the moment between the Big Two, he immediately dialed them and said he’d come back if they let him do literally whatever he wanted with the X-Men because he knew they weren’t in a place to refuse his whims in the way DC would be. That means every Marvel fuck-up of the last few years was worth it, because that is the only possible way this comic could have happened.

* So fun fact: when this was announced I was actually a little disappointed that Larraz was the artist. Additional fun fact: I am a fool.

* AW YEAH GIMMIE THEM FUCKIN GRAAAAAAPHS, BAY-BEE. This isn’t petty-ante Avengers-scale nifty logo pages, this is Manhattan Projects, verging on Black Monday Murders-level shit.

* People are already reacting with “is this an evil X-Men kinda deal where they’ll have to learn the folly of this new way?”, and I think this is designed to engender those kinds of vibes because the issue is framed from an intimidated human perspective, but anyone who seriously thinks that is incredibly boring. Anyone on the other hand who’s complained about superhero stories where the villains are clearly entirely right but happen to also be mass-murderers so that the questions posed can be essentially dodged: this is the book for you. This isn’t yet a story about questioning what has to be done to ensure the new and vulnerable see tomorrow - if it’s even going to be that at all - this is about doing it and the rest of the world reacting.

* That being said something is UP with Charlie.

* In the proud tradition of Hickman subtly picking up incredibly cool ideas Mark Millar had but never actually did anything of substance with, mutantkind having its own language is one of his from Ultimate X-Men.

* “Actually, Sophie’s my human name. I’m thinking of taking another.” is quietly one of my favorite bits in here.

* Wolverine’s two panels. That is all. Wow. If ever there was a line in the sand that We Are Doing Something Different Now.

* Flipped out twice over at what’s going on with the apparent villains of the piece, with my favorite analysis of it so far being this.

* Last I heard about Sabertooth (which granted was quite some time ago) he wasn’t like this. Was his AXIS inversion ever undone on-page?

* The bit with the FF is as much Hickman consigning his own past work to the dustbin of history as the reveal of how many years are left is a declaration that this is the next step past New X-Men.

* Magneto has four mic-drop lines in four pages to close us out. Hot damn. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt an industry-wide seismic shift from a single issue before in the way I have with this, taking the X-Men from the cast-off braindead joke of the genre that they have been since 2015 to the biggest thing in it literally overnight.

#House of X #X Men #Jonathan Hickman #Pepe Larraz #Marte Gracia #Clayton Cowles #Tom Muller #Opinion

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lockdownuk · 4 years ago

Text

Lockdown Diary Part 3

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 61: Writing this in the afternoon on day 62. An exercise driven day. Two walks and stair climb as usual plus I popped round Jeff’s early evening. First time I’ve been to his house, 1 Garden Row, Elmington. It’s further than I thought so, with walking there an back, I managed a daily total of 14km. It was good to see him and have a social (but social-distanced) beer. When I got home, @9:45pm, I made thai green chicken curry, watch The Report (a great, if worrying film) and then TikTok-ed until gone 5am!

Day 62: Typing this on day 64! Beer round Karen’s. Missed Sam’s quiz.

Day 63: Typing this on day 64! Beer round Karen’s. Again! Well, it is bank holiday Monday! Had dirty pizza for tea and watched The Heat. Again! It is the most piss funny film.

Day 64: Well, I have been feeling guilty about treatung the bank holiday w/e l;ike a bank holiday w/e. It’s dawned on me that that guilt is way too self-disiciplned. I got up about midday, usual two walks and stair climb but that’s it. I need to clean the house from top to bottom, get on top of my online courses, get the garden done, get the car fixed, go shopping…fucking hell - if only I had the time…

Day 65: Today I swapped Amazon prime free trial for about the 5th time in my life. Same card and address - will they get wind of my skullduggery. This is all so I can finish watching Hunters and catch Homecoming S2. I went shopping at Asda near Raunds. I wish I hadn’t, it’s no good for a comprehensive shop. Received an email from RCI inviting me to a Zoom meeting with Pal Mulcahy for a business update. I fear the worst. And it’s at 10:00am, FFS!

Day 66: Logged in an attended zoom forum with Paul Mulcahy and over 250 RCI staff this morning. The message was that there is going to be redundancies. I expected this and expected to fall victim. All staff that are going to be put through cionsultation would be contacted today. I however wasn’t! Very, very surpised. meanwhile, Nick Reilly asked to connect via LinkedIn (including become a LinkedIn staff team member - that’s new to me so I’ll see what it is but I accepted the invitation) Later, I WhatsApp-ed him and asked who has been affected from IT. All he could tell me was no one on Jon Rodger’s team is under threat. Also, Mark C emailed - I’ll respond tomorrow. I got up at 09:00ish and had my mornming walk before the 10:00am meeting. I am now, at 09:30pm, fucking knackered. Dinner and then bed, methinks but not before one more episdoe of Hunters!

Day 67: Typing on Day 68. Got pretty drunk last night. I’ve got blisters from walking (new boots) so I don’t think I’ll walk tomorrow (well, today!).

Day 68: I did fuck all today. Got up after 1pm, no walking. I did manage to clean the bathroom (and smash my little mirror) and do my 26 stair climb. I am typing at 9pm and I feel whacked!

Day 69: I have an abscess. It’s not too painful (today) but I am going to call the dentist tomorrow (Monday). I think antibiotics are in order. I watched a film, which I actually started yesterday, called The Voices starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arteton and Anna Kendrick. Fuuuuuuuuuuuucking weird. The closing credits are the most bizarre, in context, I’ve ever seen. But, in general, a very good film. Back to normal exercise regime today plus hovered the hall and stairs. Get me. It’ll be interetingh to see my Google Fit figures for May tomorrow.

Day 70: Contacted the dentist who advised salt water rinsing and ibuprofen. But, tbf, it’s a lot better today and the swelling has gone right down. The dentist I called was the Oundle House (Rodericks) one. I was not hopeful since last time I saw them they referred me to their Northampton clinic for root canal work which was quoted at over £600. However, the dentist was very nice, had my x-ray to hand from that last visit and seemed more interested in making sure I’m OK than gaining a paying customer. He still wants to see me when possible though! I must mention the weather. It has been glorious weather nearly every day throughout May (it’s June 1st today). Seriously sunny and like a holiday every day. The news mentioned it today - the level of sunshine throughout the transition from spring to summer is unprecedented, apparently. My T shirt tan is, quite frankly, ridiculous!

Day 71: Today’s ‘must mention’ is what’s going on in the US and it’s not particularly related to Trump. There was a black man killed while under arrest. George Floyd died Monday 25th May (8 days ago) A policeman, who knelt on his neck for minutes while he complained of not being able to breathe, has been charged with murder. Now there are riots and curfews and military intervention all over the country. It’s similar to the English riots of 2011. It’s worrying, sad, scary and not what the fight against the pandemic needs. Most of all, it’s racism rearing its ugly head yet again. I’ve had a normal-ish day. received an email from Jim checking in, talked to a recruiter about a promising job lead (although the hours are 8-5 which I am not happy about), talked to Barry across the road and sent Barzzy a WhatsApp. And I logged in Shaw Academy and started lesson one of module 2 of web Design. It’s been a while, so long overdue, but I only did about 15 minutes. Must try harder / do better! As I type, late (10:10pm) I have dinner cooking and a strange pain in my left side and am in the middle of No Country for Old Men. Don’t think I’ve seen it since the cinema (13 years!)

Day 72: As soon as (well, within a couple of days) I mention the weather, it turns. It’s rained a little and is a lot cooler (15° rather than mid-20s). Much better for walking, I have to say. I finished Hunters today (Amazon Prime series). While I enjoyed it, it got too surreal at the end. It is loosely based on the real story of Nazi hunters in the US in 1977 but the straying from loosely based to down-right ridiculous fiction annoyed me. If it goes to S2, I will watch it, however. Received some of my rental deposit back today (the law changed so that only 5 weeks rent can be demanded as deposit). Over £600. Nice.

Day 73: I made a short video for Marc and Clare’s 26th wedding anniversary. I ‘dressed up’ for it. I enjoyed doing it and I think it was appreciated.

Day 74: Typing on Day 75 for no other reason than I couldn’t be bothered on day 74! I received a letter either today or the day before (well, yesterday or the previous day!) from Mr Minos at the eye clinic informing me that, while there is some stuff going on in both eyes (garnered from the photo scans done at the last hospital appointment), he wants to see me in three months. Always a refief when that happens. Been getting into two series on Amazon: Alex Rider and Modern Love. One is a male Hanna, the other is soppy affairs of the heart based on real life stories (from essays written in the NY Times). Both enjoyable for totally different reasons.

Day 75: Lazyish day. Well, not really, just that I only went for one walk, alebit 6km andI got pissed on. Wehn the rain hit, it was also fucking freezing! Some of the clouds were stunning today, made for great photos. As I type, it’s 21:12, I’m listening the wonderful Phoebe Bridgiers. Now, I’m gonna make some tea and sup a few ales, I reckon.

Day 76: Done lots of walking today (over 13,000 steps) I made sausage casserole with too much chilli (scotch bonnet and birdeye). I had an online (fb) debate with Sam over whether the George Floyd murder was a racial.

Day 77: Received a new (used) wing mirror for the car. £18 with delivery, I reckon that’s a bargain. I cashed in £20 from Prolific as well, so I’m satisfied at the financial full-circle. Dropped the car off at Barnwell (Nene Valley Body Shop) and walked back - 7km. Just about to dive into tea - finishing the blazing hot sausage casserole from yesterday. Then I’m going to do some more Rubik’s cube practice with my recently acquired GoCube.

Day 78: Lots of daily walking, 26 stair climb, press-up and late nights watching TikTok (gone 3am this morning) are making for a constantly knackered Tim Stubbs. Today I made veg soup and cooked up some meatballs. Both are delish. How did I ever to learn how to conjure up such stuff? The Rubik’s cube learning is coming along except that I need good daylight to distinguish between the yellow and white faces on the flipping thing!

Day 79: Listening to Radio 6 most the day and the news is making for dire listening. Forecast of severe recession, especially if there is a second peak of the virus, which I think there will be. Plus, an offshoot of the George Floyd murder and the #BlackLivesMatter movement, institutions and town councils are being lobbied by campaigners to remove statues of anyone associated with things like slavery (one was toppled in Bristol at the w/e) and rename buildings etc. that were named after historical characters with any links to something that now is deemed wrong or offensive. I agree with it but it’s not pleasant to hear amongst other bleak news. Walked to Barnwell to collect my car - front trim reseated and new wing mirror fitted, £20 - bargain (I source the replacement wing mirror). But, also, forked out £165 on car tax! Cleaned the lounge from top to bottom. Knackering!

Day 80: Chatted with Dad and Rita - he’s pissed off with the slavery backlash but otherwise they are both OK. I saw Baz in the Tesco queue where I mentioned my disgust at the Thursday market being allowed (I found I could not maintain 2m at all times just walking to Tesco’s!) and that I really don’t want to catch Covid19 as I will probably die. Maybe a bit dramatic but he messaged me later today to say he’d been thinking on what I said and offered to shop for me. I replied that I am OK to shop but am scared at how people are taking things so much less seriously than when lockdown started yet the virus is still out there just as it was then! I am very touched at his massage. I thoroughly cleaned the bedroom and changed the bedclothes today. House work really knackers me out!

Day 81: Spare room cleaned today. Not much else to type about. It’s Friday, I making curried mince and I don’t feel like a beer. How I’ve changed!

Day 82: I did have beers last night. Ended up going to bed with daylight and dawn chorus for company. Today, when I woke, gone 1pm, I have been greeted by what can only be described as thoroughly depressing news from every quarter. This includes violence in the capital, further virus outbreak in Beijing. Fog’s political posts on FB make for depressing (but vaild) reading. I’m feeling thoroughly fed up today. Not even music can lift my mood…

…but, I am currently listening to Craig Charles on BBCR6 and, I have to say, he’s putting in quite an exceptional effort - there may be hope that my mood might lift, even at gone 8pm! I might have a beer or two and grab something postivity and enjoyment from the day after all.

Day 83: Another late one last night but up before noon today. Started watching something called Condor on Sky One. It’s OK - there’s stuff I wanna waytch on Amazon Prime but, more often than not, it keeps telling me there’s ‘a problem’ when I try to play anything. Pissing me off. I just checked and I have two weeks of the initial 12 of furlough to go. I shall started asking the questions about what might happen on the Connections website.

Day 84: Typing this on Day 85. On the way back from dropping off some shoes for Sean Davies at his brother’s (martin) I met Karen and she said why not pop round for a beer so I did. Certainly not used to a drink on a Monday so that, and the genral upheaval to my evening, while good fun and a nice change, put pay to my usual diary entry! I sorted Amazon Prime out by leaving the TV turned off for over an hour. Day 85: Tim did the garden today and it looks great. The pipes in the bathroom have been knocking loudly, on and off, for a couple of weeks now. Last night, they were so loud that today I took it upon myself to resolve it or ring Woodfords. So, having turned off the water, run the taps dry to get rid of any trapped air and then turned the water back on slowly, I discoved it’s the cistern and its pipes. Woodfords are arranging Corvee to visit. Meanwhile, leaving the water turned off at least stops the noise which is, otherwise, costant and unbearable! I emailed HR a couple of days ago about what’s happening in a couple of weeks time in terms of furlough when the 12 weeks will be up. Sue Cockimngs got back to me attaching an email Deryn sent on 15th May which I never received. Basically, they’ll extend furlough if need be and an update should be forthcoming late May/early June. Well, that time has passed, so who knows what is going to happen. The furlough scheme (CJRS) has been changed by the govenment, I’ve read, and it looks like any new people would have to have been furloughed by June 10th (it’s the 16th today) so no furlough rotation, which is annoying. The CJRS ends 1st October with employer contributions required from 1st August - that’s D-Day as far as I am concerned….so job hunting will have to step up a notch! Day 86: Pete’s birthday and he bought himself the same speaker as me. When I asked if it lived up to his expectations he mentioned it’s better through WiFi than Bluetooth. That confused me as I haven’t got WiFi available on mine…..long story short, I bought the wrong fucking speaker. I got a AudioPro AddOn T10 instead of C10. To say I am fucked off is an understatement. To think I was so pleased at the cheap price I paid. Now I feel like I have wasted €200. Bollocks.

Day 87: Finished Alex Rider last night. Another series that started off so well and ended a litte weak but, overall, not bad. I’ve started keeping strange meal times…lunch very late (4pm) and dinner really late (11pm). I need to sort it ‘cos it’s playing havoc with my sugar levels. I had a huge hypo while having my second walk today, second day on the trot that’s happened. My late dinner was Chinese chicked curry with a quarter of a scotch bonnet and two birdeye chillies. Delish.

Day 88: I have managed to be bitten yesterday or the day before on one of my walks. There are strange, itchy lumps on my right inner forearm. And I do mean itchy. I trimmed my sideburns today, I was very pissed off with them. My hair looks just a little less shit. I did a shop at Tesco in Corby today. Mainly booze as follows: 20 cans Sam Miguel £18 18 cans Stella £15 20 bottles Bud £10 8 cans Tyskie £9 3 lrg bottles Warsteiner £5 £57 Bargain.

Day 89: Lazy day. One short walk and usual stair climb. Howard and Sue popped round to give me a pressie - bottle of Monkey Shoulder. I’m building up quite a collection of whisky!

Day 90: Dad called and we chatted for an hour or so. I had to apologise for not sending a father’s day card! Dan messaged me and offered to pay for a pizza delivery which I declined.

Football has started again this past week…Prem and Championship only. L1 and L2 season was cut short and Posh missed out on the play-offs by one place. As I type, Everton v Liverpool is on Sky Sports on a Sunday evening - it’s very strange with no crowd. There’s crowd noise being played thorugh the tannoy.

#Diary #Tumblr diary #lockdown #covid19 #lockdownuk

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wefoundloveunderthelight · 3 years ago

Text

Skyline Manor by GleefullyCaptainSwan Chapter 2/13

Read on AO3: | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Or on FF

Stacy's Tortured Crew: @teamhook @kmomof4 @stahlop @lfh1226-linda @ilovemesomekillianjones @itsfabianadocarmo @mariakov81 @qualitycoffeethings @zaharadessert @jrob64 @jonesfandomfanatic @natascha-ronin @tiganasummertree @xarandomdreamx @therooksshiningknight @batana54 @superchocovian @onceratheart18 @ultraluckycatnd @snowbellewells @karlyfr13s @the-darkdragonfly

Chapter 2: The Swan Thief

“Do I really have to go to dad’s tonight? I was gonna help Will with all the planning for the barbeque!” Henry was packing his clothes into his small suitcase that he used on the weekends he spent with his dad.

“Yes, this is his weekend, and you know it’s important that you spend time with him.”

“I know, I get it.” He groaned. “But can I still see Will before dad gets here?”

“Alright, but don’t be late getting back, your dad will be here in less than an hour. You know how much he hates to wait.”

“That’s because he gets uncomfortable being around you for longer than two minutes.”

Emma laughed. “Well, let’s not make him uncomfortable then.”

As soon as his mother walked out of his room, he reached into his drawer to pull out the notebook he kept so well guarded. He stuffed it into his backpack and zipped it shut. Carrying his stuff, he tossed everything down by the door and slipped into the hall.

Instead of heading across the hall to Will’s, he walked next door and knocked on 4C. Looking around anxiously, he waited for an answer. As he was about to give up, the door opened, Killian stood in front of him, his hair disheveled with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Morning, lad. Everything alright?”

Henry glanced down the hall toward his apartment. “Yup, just checking in to see how your first night went.”

“Are you some sort of welcoming committee?” He joked.

“Nah, did Ruby come by yet?”

“Ruby?” He said with a twitch of his lip and a look of confusion on his face, obviously she hadn’t invited him to the barbeque yet. God, no one ever did anything urgently around here.

He heard a bark from behind the man and a dog came skipping out from one of the rooms. “Cool dog.” He exclaimed, slipping under Killian’s arm, and entering the apartment.

“Why don’t you come in and say hello to the dog.” The man said sarcastically before pausing with a sigh. “His name’s Smee.”

“Hey Smee. I’m Henry.” He looked up at Killian. “Anyway, I stopped by to invite you to a barbeque, since apparently Ruby hasn’t done it yet. And by the looks of the place, you might need somewhere to eat.” He looked around at the empty apartment.

“Yeah, my stuff is supposed to arrive tomorrow. So, what’s this barbeque you’re going on about?”

“It’s an annual thing we do here, barbeque on the roof to welcome summer. Everyone comes and it’s a good place to meet all the neighbors. You can bring a friend or girlfriend…”

“Ah, well, I don’t have a girlfriend, but I suppose I can bring a date.”

No girlfriend. “So, you’re single?”

“You’re pretty nosey for a kid.”

“Mom says I’m curious. You should meet her; her name is Emma.”

“I think I met her boyfriend yesterday. Graham I believe.”

“Oh him, yeah. He’s a security guard for old people.” Henry said, brushing off the question.

“I beg your pardon?”

Henry ignored the question, not wanting to get into any discussion with him about Graham. “So, you’ll come to the barbeque?”

The man laughed. “Well, I don’t suppose you give me much choice, lad.”

“Awesome, I’ll let Ruby and Will know.”

“Is Ruby your little friend’s mom?”

Henry shrugged, “Ruby doesn’t have kids.”

Killian just shook his head, “Alright, well I need to get to work, so I guess I’ll be seeing you at this barbeque.”

“Oh, where do you work?”

The man narrowed his eyes. “Do you work for the CIA or something?”

“I bet you work on a boat.” Henry mused.

“Bloody hell kid.” The man’s eyes widened.

“I knew it.” Henry cheered as he patted the dog on the head and walked to the door. “It was the anchor keychain. And you seem like a boat guy.” He shrugged, stepping out into the hall. “See ya later, Killian.”

The door shut behind him and the grin on his face grew wide. He knew he was a Captain. He just knew it. He ran back to his apartment, turning back quickly to knock on Will’s door.

“Oi, I thought you went to Neal’s today.” The man answered with just a pair of shorts on. “You know I sleep in on Saturday’s.”

“Sorry, just wanted to tell you that 4C is coming to the barbeque.”

“Bloody hell, I didn’t even talk to Ruby yet, how did he know?”

“I invited him, we’re friends.” He said with a shrug, turning and entering his apartment, closing the door behind him. As soon as he did both of his parents turned around from the spot they were standing.

“There he is. I told you he would be on time.” His mother said with an icy tone.

“Hey kid, you ready to go?” His dad walked toward him, grabbing his bag from the floor.

“Yup.” He wrapped his arms around his mom and hugged her. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Love you, kiddo.”

“You too mom.” He squeezed her tightly and then gripped his backpack, turning to his father who nervously shifted toward the door.

“I’ll have him back by 7pm tomorrow. See ya then, Ems.” He paused, then opened the door, ushering Henry into the hall.

“Be good, Henry.” His mother hollered after him.

“Hold the elevator.” Henry looked up as his father called toward the man at the end of the hall. Henry smiled when he recognized Killian.

“Hey, Killian.” Henry greeted him happily as he entered and stood next to him.

“Hello again, lad.”

“This is my dad, Neal.” He said, staring back at his dad. “Dad, this is Killian, he just moved in next door.”

“Perfect.” His dad mumbled under his breath. “Why isn’t it ever an old lady?”

“Sorry, Mate, what did you say?” Killian inquired.

“I said, nice to meet you.” His father lied. Henry wanted to laugh at the man’s immediate reaction to Killian. His dad always seemed to be intimidated by other men, especially if they were anywhere near his mom.

He had long since given up the childish notion of his parent’s getting back together. While he was sure his dad still had an interest in his mom, he had overheard enough conversations between them where his mother had made it clear that there was no future between them.

His mother never said a negative thing about her father to him, but he was old enough to know that his dad wasn’t exactly husband material. He had heard Ruby refer to Neal as a “grown child” when she and his mom had returned from one of their “girl’s night out” parties.

The elevator arrived at the ground floor and Henry parted ways with Killian with a wave, climbing into his dad’s truck for the drive across town. His dad lived in the city, preferring to be in what he referred to as the hustle and bustle of the big wigs or something equally as stupid as that sounded.

As soon as he got to his room, he pulled out his notebook scribbling excitedly after the events of the afternoon.

Captain Jones strutted through the town of Bostonia, observing the townsfolk as they scurried around preparing for the annual ball. Occasionally he caught the eye of a maiden milling about, sizing up his options for the evening. He had been summoned by the King on an urgent yet delicate matter, one that required him to be discreet regarding the reason for his visit.

As he approached the castle, a guard gestured to him and immediately escorted him to the back of the castle, he was led into the garden and told that the King would be with him shortly. Killian had never been to Skyline Manor before, he was unfamiliar with the town of Bostonia, and its inhabitants.

“Captain Jones.” He turned and saw a man striding toward him. Surely this was King David. He bowed, then stood to meet the man’s eyes.

“Your Highness, I came as soon as I got word of your request.”

“I appreciate your expedience, as well as your discretion in this delicate situation.”

“I fear I do not know the details of why you have summoned me.”

The King caught the eye of his guard and nodded slightly, the man stepped inside the castle walls, leaving them alone. “I am not sure if you are aware of my sister’s situation.” Killian nodded that he did not know the situation that the man was speaking of. “Princess Emma is to choose a husband at the upcoming ball.”

“I am not looking for a wife.” Killian said with a slight chuckle.

The King laughed heartily. “No, no. My sister is being courted by a dear friend of mine, Duke Humbert. It is my hope that she will choose him to marry on this night.”

“Then I truly am confused as to why I have been summoned.”

“I don’t want anything to distract my sister from her suitor. However,…” He leaned toward the Captain. “Have you heard of The Swan Thief?”

“Aye, he is renowned throughout the lands. No one knows his true identity, yet he has managed to lighten the purses of many a kingdom. The rumor is that he has a reputation of sullying plenty of fair maidens in his wake.”

“Including my sister.” He said quietly. “Many years ago, my sister placed her misguided trust in him when he was but a young man, he deceived her, and she was left with a son. Obviously, the scandal of an unwed Princess suddenly finding herself with child would have brought dishonor on our kingdom and thus Princess Emma hid away until Sir Henry was born. Our people were told that Sir Henry’s father died and abandoned him, his pockets full from the kingdom’s coffers and Princess Emma took pity on the boy and raised him as her own.”

“And what of the boy? Does he know of his origins?”

“Sir Henry knows that he is the son of Princess Emma and that if the truth came out, it would be dangerous for both he and his mother.”

“My apologies, your highness. Your sister’s virtue aside, how does this involve me?”

“I have it on good word that The Swan Thief plans to disrupt the ball this evening.”

“He is in town?”

“Yes, my wife, Queen Margaret has received a special jewel from the Queen of Arendelle. I believe he will attempt to steal this item.”

“And you would like me to stop the man? Why me, I’m certain you have very capable guards?”

“You have a certain reputation, one that has reached the shores of Bostonia. You are the most feared Captain in all the realms, and you always catch your man.”

“For the right price.” The Captain added.

“Yes, and I believe you will find this price to be most pleasing.”

“And all you require of me is to capture this Swan Thief in order to take my payment?”

“Discreetly, yes. I do not wish my sister or my nephew to know of his presence. His being here would be most unpleasant for the festivities and my sister.”

“And where will I find this Swan Thief?”

“I believe he is on his way to the castle, even as we have this conversation.”

“And you will divulge to me his true identity?”

“His name is Neal Baelfire.”

~*~

Emma spent the rest of the evening nervously cleaning the apartment. She was never prepared for Henry to go to Neal’s. Half the time he would call and cancel hours before Henry’s was to leave, other times he would show up thirty minutes early wanting to know why he wasn’t ready to go.

As much as she wanted her son to have a relationship with his father, she hated the fact that she had to share him at all.

Her front door opened, and her best friend Will came bounding through the room. “Do you have beer over here?”

“I thought it was BYOB tonight?”

“It is, but I forgot to go shopping because I slept in.”

“Which one was it, did you forget to go shopping or sleep in?”

He laughed nervously, “Which one gets me beer?”

“Why do I love you so much?”

“Because I’m handsome and I put up with you?” He jumped over the back of her couch and landed on the cushions below him.

“How old are you?”

“Come on Em, please?”

The door swung open, and Ruby walked in with a twelve pack of beer and a bottle of rum in her hand. “Let’s get this party started.”

“My hero.” Will exclaimed, jumping up to unload Ruby of her treasures.

“I figured you would forget again.” She said with a roll of her eyes.

“I knew you loved me.” He said lovingly, kissing Ruby on the cheek.

“Eww, you know we’re never gonna happen right?” Ruby shoved him toward the kitchen.

“Only in my dreams, lass.” He teased in their usual ritual.

“Where’s Graham?”

“He gets off at eight, he’ll be here in a bit.”

“Is that when they put the old people to bed?” Will laughed.

“You’re as bad as Henry.” Emma groaned. “He has a great job.”

“I know. I’m kidding, Emma. It’s just…sometimes he’s a bit…”

“Wooden? Boring? Predictable?” Ruby chimed in.

“You guys are terrible friends.” She complained. “He’s a really nice guy and I like him a lot.”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door and Emma gave them both a warning glance before she opened the door. However, it wasn’t Graham at the door but the new neighbor she had seen in the hall the night before.

“Hello, sorry to bother you, lass, I’m your new neighbor. Killian Jones.” Emma tried not to stare, she really did, but the voice was mesmerizing and his eyes kept drawing her in, suddenly she found herself unable to blink. “Hello?” He repeated and she shook herself out of her trance.

“Sorry, yeah, I’m Emma.”

“My stuff is still being delivered and the moving company lost a few of my boxes. You wouldn’t happen to have a bowl I could borrow?”

“Um, sure, yes I mean. One second.” She turned around and wandered into the kitchen, looking through her cabinets for a bowl.

“So, you’re the mysterious Jones in 4C?” Will questioned the newcomer. “Henry told me he invited you to the barbeque next weekend.”

Emma’s head snapped toward Killian. Her son invited him to the barbeque?

“Um yes, the lad is very friendly.” He said with a tone of discomfort.

“Here you go.” She offered the bowl toward him.

“Thank you, love.” He responded and she felt as if her tongue was swelling in her mouth causing her to be unable to speak.

“Uh yeah, no problem.”

“I’ll bring it back tomorrow, if that’s alright.”

“Of course.”

“Well, enjoy your evening.” He turned to leave before Ruby crowded behind her.

“You like poker or alcohol?” Emma turned and glared at her friend. “We’re having an adult night.” She announced with her tongue practically hanging out of her mouth.

“Oh, well, I’m making dinner for my date, actually. But thanks for the invite. Perhaps another time.” He said with a smirk that made Emma’s heart race.

“You’re welcome any time at my place. I’m just across the hall at 4D.” Emma shoved her friend backwards into the apartment.

“Thanks again.” He smiled and Emma slammed the door shut quickly.

“Oh my God, Ruby, I’m surprised you didn’t throw your bra at him and start screaming his name.”

“Did you see that man? Damn.” Ruby sighed.

Emma bit her lip, she had to admit the man was easy on the eyes, but he did just say that he was making dinner for a date. And oh my God, she had a boyfriend. Greg or Garret… her brain was suddenly going blank.

~*~

Killian walked back to his apartment in a haze. So that was Henry’s mother. He had only caught a glimpse of her when he saw her in the hall previously, but up close she was almost intoxicating. It was a true shame that she was attached to the man he had met previously.

He opened the door to his apartment, Belle standing at the counter stirring the pasta on the stove. “Did they have a bowl.”

“Aye.”

“Oh great, it’s always nice to have good neighbors.”

They finished preparing dinner, sitting down at the table with Belle to enjoy their hard work. “I forgot to mention that I was invited to a barbeque this weekend, care to join me.”

“Who invited you?”

“Apparently I moved in right before the annual barbeque. Henry, the lad next door invited me.”

“You got invited by a kid?”

“Aye, odd child, very curious. Possibly working undercover for the CIA.” Killian joked.

“Aww, you made a friend your own age.” She teased.

“Very funny.”

“I’m serious though, it’s nice. Maybe he doesn’t have any other friends around here.”

“Not true, he said his best friend lives across the hall. I think he said his name was Will.”

“Well, I think it’s sweet.”

“You think everything is sweet, lass.” He teased.

“I think you’re sweet.” She blushed and he tried to ignore the smile on her face and the way she stared at him with emotion in her eyes.

“You wound me, French. I may be dashing, dare I say devilishly handsome even, but sweet? You take that back, woman.” He chased her down the hall toward the bedroom, capturing his prize as he dragged her into the darkened room.

~*~

When Henry returned home the next evening, he found his mother lying on the couch, her sleep mask over her face. “Mom?”

His dad dropped his bag on the ground loudly and Emma jumped from the couch. “Oh hey, what time is it?”

“It’s 7pm.” Neal announced. “Are you sick?”

“Not really, no. Headache.” She groaned. “Did you have fun, kid?”

Henry glanced at his dad and lied. “Loads, we watched Pokémon and ate pizza.”

His mother started to laugh, and Henry narrowed his eyes. She immediately recognized his warning. “Well, that’s great. Sounds fun.”

“I’ll uh guess I’ll see you in a couple weeks.” His dad announced, and Henry wrapped his arms around his waist before taking off down the hall toward his room as he shouted his goodbye.

He stopped at his door, listening to his parents talking softly in the other room.

“So, about the next visit. I have to…” His dad started before his mom cut him off.

“Seriously, Neal?”

“I’m going out of town for a couple of weeks. Business.”

Henry rolled his eyes. He was pretty sure the business he was talking about was a dark-haired woman with big boobs that his dad had spent all weekend facetiming.

“Did you tell him already?”

“I was kind of hoping you would just let him know.”

“Of course you were.” He mother said flatly.

“I just hate seeing the disappointment on his face.”

“Maybe try not disappointing him so often then.”

Henry sighed and quietly closed his bedroom door. He tossed his bag into his closet and slammed himself down onto his bed with a thud. Digging into his backpack he pulled out the old notebook and scanned through the last words he had put on paper. Biting his lip, he grabbed his pencil.

Neal Baelfire sat alone in a darkened corner of the Thirsty Lion tavern in the port of Bostonia. The busty red haired bar wench sauntered over to him with a cold mug of beer, slamming it on the table as the suds poured down the sides of his glass.

“Anything else I can get you?” She cooed.

“How bout some company?” He offered. “Perhaps just the two of us?”

“You payin’?” She said with a drawl.

“You got a room here? I need a place to stay.” He asked, dropping a cloth bag onto the table, the sound of coins clanging together bringing a smile to her face.

“Let me get you a key, sugar.”

As the woman retreated, Neal watched the portly man on the other side of the bar, drinking his pint alone. The man was always on time, never a moment late. His plan was falling into place. Soon he would take what he needed, what was owed to him. He would be able to afford the life of luxury that was denied him, that she had kept him from. Once he had the ice diamond, he could afford a new life, far away from Bostonia.

Once he had the ice diamond, he would have his son again.

#skyline manor #stacy's fics #killian jones #emma swan #captain swan #captain swan fics #captain swan au #captain swan modern au

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breaniebree · 4 years ago

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Hey :) do you have a list of your favourite hinny fanfics?? I've been struggling to find any good ones for a while and I would love some recommendations ♡♡

Hi, Anon!

I do have a list. I’ll send the link here for you!

HP Fanfic Recs

A lot of people have been asking me for some great fanfiction recommendations so I am going to post some of my favourites down below for anyone interested (and with the ships people have asked for).

Hinny (Harry and Ginny):

Catch Her Snitch by Pottermum (ff and Ao3) — https://archiveofourown.org/works/14124723/chapters/32547897

One shots and Snippets based on artwork and headcanons from blvnk-art on Tumbler, and dialogue from ‘it’s-hp-bitch’s and incorrect hp quotes on Tumbler, with a bit of Pottermum added to the mix too.

17, Clumsy, and Shy by Velvethopefics (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13470939/1/17-Clumsy-and-Shy

Originally written pre-HBP, this is my little tale of what could have been. Harry finds out what being 17 is all about. And Ginny gets to help. An Irish Goddess and a new prophecy go along for the ride. It is a Coming of Age story with intrigue, magic and love.

In Essence: Undivided by Velvethopefics (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13507826/1/In-Essence-Undivided

The sequel to 17, Clumsy, & Shy. Harry begins his final year as he and Ginny embark on a new relationship filled with danger, mystery and plenty of Voldemort shenanigans to keep them hopping. New friends and new bonds are made, and some old friends are lost.

Covert Love by celtics534 (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13485599/1/Covert-Love

To serve and protect. That’s what Harry was there for. He had been sent undercover to protect Ginny Weasley from a mad man. Not to fall in love with her. But how couldn’t he? She was everything anyone could want, and clearly her stalker agreed.

An Unexpected Christmas Present by The DA is dressed to the nines (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5476481/1/An-Unexpected-Christmas-Present

Has anyone else wondered why Ginny wasn’t mentioned at Slughorn’s Christmas party? How would Harry react when finding her there and dressed to perfection? M for typical teenage boy thoughts.

World of SS Potter Series by SSHenry (SIYE) — Nine part series that first got me into Hinny fanfiction back in the early 2000s. A few of the stories say incomplete but they are complete just not closed off on the site.

Summer of the Serpent: Ginny Weasley survived the Chamber of Secrets, but will she survive the summer surprises and discovery that follows? — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=5097

The Forgotten Girl: Ginny Weasley survived the Chamber of Secrets and the summer of revelation and discovery that followed, but how will she deal with her newfound powers? — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=5244

Life is But a Dream: What was the real reason that Harry didn’t want to get off the train at the end of OotP? — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=5326

Towards Tomorrow: Harry’s back at the Dursley’s and is hearing voices that have nothing to do with Voldemort. Hermione spent the summer with Krum, but will that be enough to spur Ron into telling her how he really feels? And what secrets is Ginny hiding? — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=5138

Ron Knows: A companion piece to chapter ten of Towards Tomorrow. — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=9483

Today the Tempest: Voldemort’s powers are increasing, but so are Harry’s. The final confrontation draws ever closer in this seventh year fiction featuring all your favourite characters. — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=5616

Facing the Future: The Revenge of the Lime Green Bowler Hat: Voldemort is dead, but evil never truly dies. Plenty of challenges await Harry, Ginny and all of those who survived the final battle. A Post-Hogwarts fic that brings together all your favourite characters as they attempt to rebuild their world. — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=6571

Facing the Future 2: Underhill: Voldemort may be gone but evil never dies. Only Ginny can unravel the tangle of hatred and deceit that has brought the Order of the Phoenix to its knees. But she is running out of time, for when one goes Underhill, one’s magic doesn’t work and nothing is as it seems. — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=9080

Timepiece: Voldemort is gone — or is he? Is it possible for the Dark Lord to reach into the future and play the ultimate mind trick on The Boy Who Lived? — http://www.siye.co.uk/viewstory.php?sid=9440

Oh, Harry by My Dear Professor McGonagall (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7186412/1/Oh-Harry

A series of one-shots from the beautifully intertwined and magical lives of Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter.

It’s Not Easy Being Green, It Could Be Nicer Being Red by deadwoodpecker (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13148263/1/It-s-Not-Easy-Being-Green-It-Could-Be-Nicer-Being-Red

Harry and Ginny steer toward a relationship. Please enjoy this fluffy little story.

Noticing by TheDistantDusk (Ao3) — https://archiveofourown.org/works/15936890/chapters/37161587

Ginny suddenly realizes two things, in very quick succession: One, that Harry has never really looked at her that closely before, and two, that he is absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, doing that. Right now. This is the story of how Harry comes to notice her… but more importantly, it’s the story of how Ginny comes to notice that he noticed.

Never Trust Five-Year-Olds by HecateA (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13431734/1/Never-Trust-Five-Year-Olds

It takes about five seconds for Teddy to gain Ginny’s trust and three for him to lose it again. Luckily, this is one secret worth sharing. One-shot.

Lips Long Parching by Annerb (Ao3) — https://archiveofourown.org/works/18374087

Going solo to her ex’s wedding is not exactly Ginny’s idea of a good time, but thanks to a smuggled flask and a rather sullen Harry Potter, it’s about to get a lot more interesting.

Can’t Get You Out of My Head by jenorama (Ao3) — https://archiveofourown.org/works/20081326

Harry and Ginny share several sunlit days together. If only he’d wake up.

Years To Talk by blvnk (Ao3) — https://archiveofourown.org/works/17454332/chapters/41099423

“There would be time to talk later, hours and days and maybe years in which to talk.” Various moments of Harry and Ginny’s talk… around four walls, or less.

In Case of Emergency by lilyevansJan30 (ff) — https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13096373/1/In-Case-of-Emergency

Harry and Ginny thought they were doing the right thing when they broke up, but what happens when dark forces seem to be conspiring to both keep them together — and kill them?

13 notes · View notes

shipmistress9 · 6 years ago

Text

FTLOAP - 36.5 - Interlude 4: Late Insight

Fandom: HTTYD

Theme: Hiccstrid - Medieval-style AU - Romance - Angst/Hurt/Comfort

Summary: Reduced to little more than a stable boy, Hiccup, despite his noble birth, has few prospects for more in life. But when he meets a girl who came to look at the horses, being a stable boy might not be enough anymore. Together, they have tough choices to make and great risks to navigate if they want to survive and be together.

Rating: Explicit

FF-net - AO3 -

Discord-server for discussions and questions

Part 1: Prologue; Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11;

Part 2: Chapter 12; Chapter 13; Chapter 14; Interlude 1; Chapter 15; Chapter 16; Chapter 17; Chapter 18; Chapter 19; Chapter 20; Chapter 21; Chapter 22; Chapter 23; Chapter 24; Chapter 25; Chapter 26; Interlude 2; Chapter 27: Chapter 28 ; Chapter 29 ; Chapter 30; Chapter 31; Chapter 32; Interlude 3; Bonus 1; Chapter 33

Part 3: Chapter 34; Chapter 35; Chapter 36

Alpha/Co-author: @athingofvikings

. – * – _ . o O o . _ – * – .

AN: I'll be honest and say... the reactions to the last chapter completely blew me away! There were some great reactions, on FFnet, on AO3, and on Tumblr, thank you all so very very much! That's what makes all the struggles and hardships of writing worth the while! :)

Now, I know you're all eager to know what happens next with Astrid and that announcement. But before we go back there in the next chapter, here's another interlude, and I guess many of you can guess who's POV we're getting. There's been quite some anger and hate coming up after the previous chapter for the King but also for Daniel, and I hope I can disperse at least part of that... They don't mean bad...

. o O o .

…so I am glad to inform you that the construction work on the fortress of Redpeak proceeds as planned. Thanks to Uncle Spitelout’s help with organizing the logistics and his recommendations on more people to help, we were able to start with the alterations even sooner than I had hoped. By now, a part of those alterations are already underway and the preparations for the remainder are complete. I trust in the overseers’ capability to supervise their execution. Thus I am confident in being able to return to the castle as planned once this last mission is complete.

Daniel reviewed the lines he'd just written and nodded to himself before sealing the paper with wax. It was just a short note, to be delivered by pigeon, and there were many points he would have liked to add, but hadn’t due to the limited space. But he couldn’t change it, and it wouldn't be long until his return to the capital anyway.

Sighing, he thought about all the things that would await him there. The report and a renewed expression of gratitude to Spitelout, because without his help, none of his current work would have worked out as effortlessly as it had. But there were also other, less pleasant duties awaiting him.

Like investigating the death of the former Count Ravenledge, for example. Even though Daniel had received the message weeks ago, shortly after his arrival in Westhill, it still irked him. By all accounts, the old man had been found dead in his cell the morning after Daniel had left the capital, letting him escape the slow and public death he’d been sentenced to as part of justice for his crimes. Even more worrisomely, the report suspected poison. With how secluded and securely the man had been guarded, Daniel could only think of one sensible explanation that didn’t involve their entire personal security having been compromised: his father had arranged for it. It also explained why the former count had agreed to confess after stonewalling: because he'd gotten a new offer, a quicker death in exchange for information. Daniel could see the… the merit in this decision, even as he didn't like it. They had needed that information far more than they'd needed another public execution. But it irked him that he hadn't been included in the plan. His father had probably thought he would be against it, would have demanded justice for the people of Ravenledge. Well, he would have been right, but still. Not knowing about the plan had made Daniel give a promise he felt more and more reluctant to keep with every day.

He had promised not to treat Angus, Harold's older brother, any differently, despite the crimes his father and brother had committed. It had been an easy promise at that time. Nothing in the reports they’d received indicated that Angus, who’d left his family in early years to receive extended education as a squire and a nobleman, had been involved in any of those crimes. But since Daniel’s return to Westhill, the young man had changed. Not enough to warrant disciplining him, but it was still obvious that he was upset about losing his birthright to title and land.

With another heavy sigh, he rubbed his face. He knew all too well that focusing on this problem – no matter how real it may be – only had one purpose right now. It was to distract him from what he really worried about upon his return to the castle: how Astrid would react when she saw him. For the umpteenth time this evening he glanced at the calendar on his small travel desk, and his heart sank. This wasn’t the first year he couldn’t be there for his sister’s birthday, what with him being a knight for two years now and a squire for many years before that. It had always pained him to not celebrate this day with her, but this year, it was so much worse. Because he knew this year was different. Maybe it was right now that their father held his speech; about the anniversary to their grandfather’s birthday, the planned festivities, and all the other made-up reasons they’d come up with to mask the real event.

Astrid’s upcoming wedding, and the time before where her suitors were supposed to compete for her favour.

It was a sickening plan, but it would certainly be effective. The prospect of the Princess’s hand in marriage would be a potent bait, potent enough to lure out even the most hesitant conspirators, and by the time they realised that the accidental deaths were only hitting the enemies of the Crown, it would be too late. But it pained Daniel to use something that was supposed to be a happy day for his sister for such a purpose, and the only solace he could find in any of this was that she would still get to choose.

It meant that not that much would change, or might even change to her advantage. He still put all his hopes in Eret, in that he and Astrid would finally be able to look beyond their sibling bond and see how good they would be for each other. But if there was someone else among the guests they’d invited, another nobleman that caught her interest, then she would be free to choose him instead. That was good, wasn’t it? It gave her more freedom than she ever could have hoped for, and the fact that all this would come two years sooner than expected wasn’t really that bad… right?

Groaning, Daniel let his head drop onto the table. She would hate it! He knew Astrid too well to fool himself on this. She would hate being used like this. She would hate being reduced to just the royal figurehead, nothing but a puppet in this scheme. And she would hate that she had no say whatsoever in this decision that so immensely changed her entire life. Maybe it wouldn’t change all that much in the end if she chose Eret as he hoped, but still.

“Is anything the matter, my Lord?”

Daniel sat up straight in an instant, looking up at the young man who had entered his private tent.

“Milburn,” he greeted his squire, buying time to recompose himself. “Yes, everything’s fine. I… just finished the letter for the King.”

Without a word of explanation needed he handed the folded and sealed paper over, and Milburn directly walked over to where the last of his carrier pigeons was waiting in its cage. It took him only a minute to fix the paper to the bird’s leg, whereupon he went to the tent’s entrance and let it loose.

“I brought you the reports from the scouts,” Milburn said as he returned, handing him a letter, probably from the captain of his guard. “It looks like the area is clear of any Malarian raiders. There’s one group of bandits operating in this general area, but they aren’t big enough to pose a threat to us. Nothing should get in the way of tomorrow’s trip to that outpost.”

Daniel nodded mutely. He hadn’t expected anything else, but it was still good to have the confirmation.

“So, now that this is dealt with…” Milburn began hesitantly. “May I ask what is bothering you, Milord? Anything I can do to help? Get you a mug of ale, for example?”

Smiling weakly, Daniel let out a snort. For two years now, Milburn had been his squire, but it still surprised him on a regular basis how good an observer the young man was. “No ale, thank you. It’s really nothing of importance, just…” he paused, considering options, then let out a heavy sigh. By now, secrecy wasn’t important anymore. Tomorrow, all the previously spread letters would become public declarations, announcing the eighty-one days of festivities and the Princess’s wedding as the crowning highlight. Telling his squire now beforehand wouldn’t do any damage anymore – the official part and his own worries, at least.

“Actually, you’re right,” he said ruefully. “There is something bothering me, but it’s nothing you can help me with.”

Milburn, easily able to interpret his master’s tone of voice, quickly seated himself on a stool, and watched Daniel in anticipation. It wasn’t often that Daniel could talk about official or personal topics with him, but when he did, Milburn was always eager to listen and often even able to help with a good piece of advice. Daniel doubted that he would ever become a skilled fighter, but he certainly would become a good advisor in a few years.

“It’s nothing… heavily important for the Kingdom,” he began slowly. “I’m mainly worried about my sister.”

Frowning, Milburn cocked his head? “The Princess? Why? Did something happen to her?”

The reaction made Daniel smile inwardly. If he hadn’t known better, he might have thought the lad had a crush on Astrid. But knowing that women weren’t of any interest to him meant that his honest concern was merely born of politeness and the tentative friendship they had developed over the years.

“No, nothing happened to her. Not as far as I know at least; she should be fine. But it’s her birthday–” Milburn nodded knowingly, “–and the King will make a big announcement today. You’ll hear all about it in the next few days, but in the end, it all boils down to her marrying in less than two months. And I’m worried how she’ll take the news. She didn’t know about this plan beforehand, so as to not trouble her. But with no time to get used to it, I fear it’s going to be a shock to her. Announcing her wedding without even knowing who her husband is going to be, and even two years earlier than is customary…” he trailed off, shaking his head. No, she wouldn’t like it, and it truly pained him that she would have to go through this and that he wasn’t there to help her.

“You don’t know who she’ll marry?” Milburn asked, a little incredulously. “How’s that possible?”

“It… it’s complicated,” Daniel sighed, unable to explain the whole scheme to lure out their enemies. “All that’s certain is that she’ll have to choose her husband-to-be from a group of selected noblemen.” Of which she barely knows anyone, he added inwardly, scowling.

Milburn’s sudden laughter took him completely by surprise. Daniel looked up, puzzled by this reaction, and tried to make sense of it.

“I-I’m sorry, Milord,” he gasped, visibly fighting to pull himself together but failing miserably. “It’s just… it isn’t even funny, but… but I’ve heard so much and… and… Oh, Gods, I’m so sorry.”

Daniel watched in bewilderment until his squire had calmed down enough to speak clearly again.

“I’m truly sorry, please believe me. I didn’t mean to laugh about a topic that upsets you so much, Milord. And I’m sorry for your sister as well, that can’t be an easy time for her. I was just laughing, because… well, I know of at least one person who will be absolutely heartbroken about the news.”

Daniel snorted. “Oh?” he asked, not really interested. Aside from her status, Astrid had grown into a beautiful woman. He wasn’t blind, after all. He was used to hearing about people being infatuated with her.

But Milburn’s enthusiasm was unwavering. “Oh, yes,” he went on, chuckling again. “You see, the guards you brought with you from the castle were talking about it a lot. Well, probably not to you, I guess, but, well… Apparently, there’s been this new fellow around the castle? And whenever he’s around the Princess, he can’t take his eyes off her. From what I heard, it goes far beyond a normal crush, he even frequents an Ástir playing the role of the Princess. He never grew past the point of endearing puppy adoration though, not disturbing at all, they said, or they would have dealt with him already, and some say he’s even friends with the Princess, though that’s just a rumour. Either way, he’s going to be devastated when he hears about this. Ah, but I better not laugh too much about this, or meeting him come summer is going to be awkward,” he added, chuckling in slight embarrassment. Then he looked at Daniel. “Sir? Is... everything all right?”

Daniel had listened to the whole speech with growing alarm. Had there been someone stalking Astrid without him knowing about it? Hearing that his men would have dealt with the man if he’d gone too far was reassuring, but still. He was still wondering who this man could be when Milburn's last addition made him look up in confusion. “You expect to meet this man? How? Is he one of the new recruits? We don’t even know where those will be going yet.”

“Oh, I know,” Milburn nodded, grinning. “But I expect to be working in close proximity with this one. As I understand, you and the ducal heirs are going to form a team, right? So I expect to spend a lot of time with Sir Eret’s squire.”

Daniel blinked. He blinked again. And then it was his turn to burst out laughing. “You’re talking about Hiccup?” he gasped out, disbelievingly. Oh, sure, there had been a time when he’d hoped for this option; it would have solved two problems at once. But by now, that hope was long gone.

“Uh, yes, that was his name.” Milburn nodded, clearly surprised by his master’s reaction.

Shaking his head as his amusement simmered down, Daniel sighed. “Believe me, Hiccup doesn’t have a crush on my sister. I can confirm the rumours: he and the Princess indeed became good friends over the winter. But his heart belongs to someone else. He’d told us about her once, you see? I’ve never seen a man that much in love before. I mean… I might have been a little intoxicated at that time, but I still remember enough. That dazed smile and the enthusiasm with which he’d talked about his beloved. No, be assured, there’s no place in his heart for anyone else.”

Milburn cocked his head. “Are you sure? I mean, no offence, Milord, and you certainly know him better, but the men were all pretty convinced he only has eyes for your sister. Ah, well, but if he told you who his love is then they must be mistaken. Less funny but also less awkward, and better for him anyway.” He shrugged.

“Actually, he never…” Daniel began, but trailed off again, his mind suddenly working with rapid speed.

Hiccup had never told them who his beloved was. Only that he would need to convince her father and brother of his worth before he could marry her… A picture was forming in Daniel’s mind, but it didn’t make much sense yet. That… couldn’t be, could it? Yes, Hiccup was seeing Cami, but not because she played the part of the Princess, but because they were friends. On that point, the rumours already were wrong. But what about the rest? What about Hiccup looking at Astrid more than most others, enough to draw the attention of the guards? If he’d had a crush on Astrid, then he probably would have hidden that from him and Eret. But from others? There would have been no need.

Could it be? Daniel sifted through his memories, trying to remember what Hiccup had said about his beloved.

She’s amazing! I only met her after we got here, but it already feels as if we’ve known each other forever. She’s so beautiful, her eyes gleaming as bright as the sky, and her hair… her soft skin, and those sweet lips. I could spend all day kissing her. But she’s so much more than just beautiful, also kind and funny, witty and smart, strong and brave. So brave… And I love her. Gods, I do. I love her so much.

Daniel swallowed, hard. It fit… He hadn’t even wasted one thought about this back then, but the description, vague as it was, certainly fitted to his sister. Was Hiccup in love with Astrid? Was she the one he wanted to marry, whose family he had to convince? But how was Astrid thinking about all this, what did that mean for her? Had he brought danger into her life by involving Hiccup into their activities? Had he brought another unwanted admirer who would upset her with his advances? But no… Daniel clearly remembered Hiccup’s words in the tavern that night.

“I want to marry her. And I will marry her one day. She’s the one for me, I know it.”

“So she feels the same?”

“Amazingly, she does.”

Yes, those had only been his words. Sure, he’d gotten to know Hiccup as nothing but honest and honourable, but could he trust him in this? Could it be that Astrid felt the same? With these thoughts, another picture rose to his mind’s eye. The picture of Astrid hugging Hiccup tight at the Grand Blot. At that time, Daniel had been stunned by her seeking this kind of closeness to a man, so shortly after Harold’s assault, and then the fear in her eyes afterwards had convinced him that it must have been nothing but a thoughtless reaction. But when he thought about it now… It was remarkable how easily and naturally the motion had come, how she’d seemed to know exactly where to place her arms. How relaxed and at ease she’d been in that moment. And the fear… it hadn’t been directed at Hiccup, Daniel realised with a start. It had been directed at him!

“Oh dear Gods,” he breathed as everything clicked into place. With unseeing eyes he gazed into the distance as his mind raced through the weeks they’d spend together. Astrid had been so different. He’d written that off to Eret’s presence and the horses, but even with those explanations, the changes in her behaviour had surprised him. But if she’d fallen in love, for real, it all made sense. Her cheerful mood, her dreamy smiles, her enthusiasm and occasional distractedness. All that made sense when she and Hiccup had been in love all this time.

He gasped out a laugh, a disbelieving smile on his face. This was everything he’d hoped for. His beloved sister, happy and cared for by a man who truly loved her, a man he respected. And a new purpose for a friend who’d lost everything.

But why hadn’t she told him? Why had they kept it a secret? She used to tell him everything…

The answer came to Daniel with a painful sting. The fear in Astrid’s eyes. She’d been afraid of him, of his reaction. And after Harold’s assault, that even made sense in a way. Daniel would have punished everyone who would have dared to lay hand on her, and he even remembered how he’d warned Hiccup to not touch her again on that first night. But did she really believe he’d do anything if she was happy? Again, he tried to go through past events in his mind, how Astrid begging for mercy had only made things worse, how he’d sworn to himself to more trust in his own judgement in the future, and realised… Yes, she did believe that. And to his own disgrace, he couldn’t even say that he blamed her.

“What have I done?” he muttered, face buried in his hands. If Astrid didn’t trust him enough, then that was on him alone, he knew that. But if he’d known, he would have done everything to support them. Talk to their father, provide Hiccup with enough influence to make him eligible. It wouldn’t have been easy, but surely possible, somehow. It had to be. But now, it was too late, he realised with a start. The announcement was made, the group of suitors already picked. Astrid was to marry one of the invited men – and Hiccup wasn’t one of them. If only she’d told him!

But no, it was not too late! Daniel refused to believe that. His father was the King, for Odin’s sake! That had to count for something. And he had promised to support Hiccup in convincing his beloved’s family.

Hastily, he reached for another sheet of paper and his pencil, startling his squire with his sudden activeness. “Milburn, get another pigeon ready. I need to write another letter to my father.” There had to be something they could do. Maybe they could make Hiccup a baron or even a count. Or he could become an advisor of some rank, just putting him into any position that would make it acceptable for Astrid to choose him if that was what she wanted. If there was a chance for her to marry for love, then Daniel would do everything to make it possible.

He started to scribble a few quick lines to his father, explaining the situation and asking for his help, when Milburn clearing his throat drew his attention. The lad was still sitting on his stool, unmoving and with a look of discomfort on his face.

“I-I’m sorry, Milord,” he said in an apologetic voice. “But you can’t send another carrier pigeon; I just sent our last one off.” He shrugged helplessly, looking truly miserable for being unable to follow his command.

“Oh, for the…” Daniel cursed. He brought his fist to the table, making the simple construction tremble. No, no, no, this couldn’t be happening! Astrid’s happiness was too important to him; he just couldn’t give up. Not now, not if there was a chance that what he’d just put together was true.

But it wasn’t too late yet. There were still weeks before Astrid was to decide on a betrothed. With a grim expression and a stern face, he said, “Go, and tell the men they are to pack their things tonight already. We set out as soon as possible in the morning.”

Milburn stood up, nodding in understanding, but hesitated nonetheless. “Of course. But may I ask for the reason of this change of plan? I assume the men would react better to this news if they also got a brief explanation.”

Daniel nodded. “Calling this last mission off when we’re already so close to our goal would be stupid,” he replied grimly. “But as soon as it’s done, we’re heading back to the next fortification. I need to get hold of a carrier pigeon to the castle as soon as possible, and I won’t tolerate being held up by laziness.”

Milburn nodded and left the tent without another word, and Daniel stared at his resolutely clenched fists. He wasn’t happy about this delay, felt as if every day of waiting might be too much. But there was nothing he could do about it, and sending this letter with a delay of three or four days would certainly still be enough.

Wouldn’t it?

. o O o .

So, a short one this week, but one that answered some questions from earlier, I think. And probably posed some new ones. As always, I'd be happy to hear about your thoughts and reactions. ;)

And I want to put a warning here. I don't want to switch to a solid two-weeks-schedule just yet, but I want to say that it's possible that two-weeks-gaps may happen more often in the future. If so, then there will always be a warning here.

Next Chapter

#For The Love Of A Princess #FTLOAP #Hiccstrid #fanfiction #hiccstrid fanfiction #Hiccup and Astrid #Hiccstrid Medieval AU #medieval au #hiccstrid royal au #Royalty AU #angst #fluff #romance

18 notes · View notes

internetdetectives · 5 years ago

Text

11/14/19 - Chat with The Producer

ReturnedFaith 11:59 AM: "hello Internet Coomtectives”

ReturnedFaith 11:59 AM: "I heard you're all quite the murderous lot”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:00 PM: "we arent actually the coomtectives”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:00 PM: "more like detectives”

Xenquility 12:00 PM: "We mean well”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:00 PM: "the murderous lot?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:00 PM: "nani?”

ReturnedFaith 12:00 PM: "someone died last night, didn't they?”

ReturnedFaith 12:00 PM: "or technically not last night”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:01 PM: "okay CANONMOMENT”

ReturnedFaith 12:01 PM: "I guess "murder" is subjective in this case”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:01 PM: "yeah last nigth a friend of us died”

ReturnedFaith 12:02 PM: "yeah”

ReturnedFaith 12:02 PM: "I was watching”

ReturnedFaith 12:02 PM: "rest in peace kaiden”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:02 PM: "oh nice”

Xenquility 12:02 PM: "Kaiden?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:02 PM: "Wait WHAT”

ReturnedFaith 12:02 PM: "im kidding”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:02 PM: "ffs my heart”

ReturnedFaith 12:02 PM: "yuuki was "killed" ""again""”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:03 PM: "alrigth yea”

ReturnedFaith 12:03 PM: "but in reality it was something that could not be avoided “

MonikaBOT 12:03 PM: "Do you understand reality?”

ReturnedFaith 12:03 PM: "since it already had happened”

ReturnedFaith 12:03 PM: "hello monika”

Xenquility 12:03 PM: "Dov will love you”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:03 PM: "i mean yeah, thats how time loops work”

Xenquility 12:03 PM: "You one of SKM's lot?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:03 PM: "if a thing happens there is no way to stop it as it is gonna happen”

ReturnedFaith 12:03 PM: "im not really sure if id call it time in this case”

ReturnedFaith 12:03 PM: "but i guess it kinda is”

ReturnedFaith 12:03 PM: "no, im not affiliated with SKM”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:04 PM: "alrigth”

ReturnedFaith 12:04 PM: "I'm a member of BUP's group”

Xenquility 12:04 PM: "Of course”

Xenquility 12:04 PM: "Well, welcome”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:04 PM: "nice”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:04 PM: "welcome”

ReturnedFaith 12:04 PM: "but dont worry”

ReturnedFaith 12:04 PM: "im not going to kill anyone”

SayoriBOT 12:04 PM: "Can we change the topic to something more wholesome please?”

Xenquility 12:05 PM: "What are your motives then?”

ReturnedFaith 12:05 PM: "I don't have that sort of power, though I guess I could put in a request if I really wanted”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:05 PM: "put a request?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:05 PM: "wildest office in the paralellos”

ReturnedFaith 12:05 PM: "my motives are”

ReturnedFaith 12:05 PM: "I am bored and just wanna chat”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:06 PM: "well then”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:06 PM: "lets chat”

ReturnedFaith 12:06 PM: "it's not a very organized office, though”

Xenquility 12:06 PM: "That's nice to hear”

Xenquility 12:06 PM: "What exactly do you produce?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:06 PM: "okay i really got a stupid question”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:06 PM: "nvm”

ReturnedFaith 12:07 PM: "ask”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:07 PM: "i migth kill someone with this”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:07 PM: "no thanks”

/Mr. Circle\ 12:07 PM: "This guy doesn't donkey kong”

ReturnedFaith 12:07 PM: "also I produce a variety for things for BUP”

ReturnedFaith 12:07 PM: "as I said, I don't have the power to kill”

ReturnedFaith 12:08 PM: "but BUP does”

ReturnedFaith 12:08 PM: ":diddy:”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:08 PM: "do you make beats?”

ReturnedFaith 12:08 PM: "to some extent”

Xenquility 12:09 PM: "So you really don't want to bring down the moon OR kill anyone?”

ReturnedFaith 12:09 PM: "I'm not a music producer, though I have made one or two short tracks in the past”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:09 PM: "migth i ask you the name of those tracks, really like music, i migth know them”

ReturnedFaith 12:09 PM: "bringing down the moon would be an unfortunate ending”

ReturnedFaith 12:09 PM: "its not my wish”

Xenquility 12:09 PM: "Nice to finally have someone who isn't either being hunted by moon people, is a moon person, or wants to kill anyone”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:10 PM: "tru”

Xenquility 12:10 PM: "Have we interacted with you before?”

ReturnedFaith 12:10 PM: "they dont have names, I simply create and ship them as I do other things that are needed”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:11 PM: "neat”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:11 PM: "you seem chill dude”

ReturnedFaith 12:11 PM: "and yes, you have”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:11 PM: "wait”

ReturnedFaith 12:11 PM: "I am a good guy”

ReturnedFaith 12:11 PM: ":wink:”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:11 PM: "ffs”

Xenquility 12:11 PM: "I'm guessing you won't be able to tell us when we interacted with you”

ReturnedFaith 12:11 PM: "right now”

Xenquility 12:11 PM: "(Other than right now)”

ReturnedFaith 12:11 PM: "right then”

Xenquility 12:12 PM: "(other than today)”

ReturnedFaith 12:12 PM: "tomorrow”

Xenquility 12:12 PM: "(That isn't in the future)”

ReturnedFaith 12:12 PM: "two tomorrow's yesterday”

Xenquility 12:12 PM: "That's still tomorrow”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:12 PM: "oh yea timefucks”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:12 PM: "this is my jam”

ReturnedFaith 12:12 PM: "what is today but yesterday's tomorrow?”

Xenquility 12:13 PM: "Today”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:13 PM: ":cmonbruh:”

ReturnedFaith 12:13 PM: "time shit is confusing, i know”

ReturnedFaith 12:13 PM: "but only when you don't have all of the details”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:14 PM: "exactly”

Xenquility 12:14 PM: "Hey, we don't have any punishments for asking questions anymore, right?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:14 PM: "like fucking dr strange must be the wokest nigga in the galaxy”

ReturnedFaith 12:14 PM: "no”

Xenquility 12:14 PM: "Sweet”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:14 PM: "he knows ALL the time shit”

ReturnedFaith 12:14 PM: "unless BUP decides to return and starts going mental”

ReturnedFaith 12:14 PM: "but I can't answer very much”

ReturnedFaith 12:14 PM: "well, I can, but I'd rather not”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:15 PM: "are you like that super chill dude in the office that hates the boss but loves his mates?”

Xenquility 12:15 PM: "Did you just insinuate he hates bup”

Xenquility 12:15 PM: "DEATH”

ReturnedFaith 12:15 PM: "I guess”

ReturnedFaith 12:15 PM: "oops”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:15 PM: "lmao”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:15 PM: "dw”

ReturnedFaith 12:15 PM: "I'm kinda more like the temp”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:16 PM: "cool”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:16 PM: "you seem cool”

ReturnedFaith 12:16 PM: "we've all been very busy lately”

Xenquility 12:17 PM: "Ay quick question, what time is it for you?”

ReturnedFaith 12:17 PM: "especially myself”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:17 PM: "yo i bet his time is like”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:17 PM: "no time”

ReturnedFaith 12:17 PM: "it is around noon”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:17 PM: "oh”

Xenquility 12:17 PM: "So est”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:17 PM: "here is almost evening”

Xenquility 12:17 PM: "All I can find from arg at 11:28 is him talking about gay body types lmao”

ReturnedFaith 12:17 PM: "sounds like him”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:17 PM: "shithappens.com”

Xenquility 12:17 PM: "What were you quoting?”

ReturnedFaith 12:18 PM: "that was my mistake”

ReturnedFaith 12:18 PM: "i was attempting to copy something else”

Xenquility 12:18 PM: "Ah okay”

ReturnedFaith 12:18 PM: "or was it?”

ReturnedFaith 12:18 PM: "ooh”

ReturnedFaith 12:18 PM: "(still have to be a little mysterious)”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:18 PM: "ooooooh”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:18 PM: "oh rigth you are supposed to be a spooky tech guy”

ReturnedFaith 12:19 PM: "(regulations, you know)”

Xenquility 12:19 PM: "So, have we previously interacted with everyone on BUP's team?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:19 PM: "xen you already know the answer”

Xenquility 12:19 PM: "I do?”

ReturnedFaith 12:19 PM: "not everyone”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:20 PM: "oh”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:20 PM: "fuck you are the less predecible guy ive met”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:20 PM: "congrats”

ReturnedFaith 12:20 PM: "thanks i suppose”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:20 PM: "i thougth you were gonna say some confusing time shit lol”

ReturnedFaith 12:21 PM: "you will come to remember them in time”

ReturnedFaith 12:21 PM: "does that work”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:21 PM: "are there a lot more of BUP guys?”

ARGdov 12:21 PM: "oh so this mut be the new person”

ARGdov 12:21 PM: "hello”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:21 PM: "ayy dov”

ARGdov 12:21 PM: "heyo”

ReturnedFaith 12:21 PM: "theres about sevenish?”

ReturnedFaith 12:21 PM: "but thats not like an exact number”

ARGdov 12:21 PM: "...theres 7 of you”

ARGdov 12:21 PM: "wow ok then”

ReturnedFaith 12:21 PM: "some come and go”

Azura 12:22 PM: "What tf is going on in here”

Xenquility 12:22 PM: "Is Bup that broker of nokturnal guy from the Kaiden RP video”

ReturnedFaith 12:22 PM: "hello azura”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:22 PM: "ay azura this is producer”

ReturnedFaith 12:22 PM: "Bup is Bup”

Azura 12:22 PM: "Hewwo,,,”

ReturnedFaith 12:22 PM: "if I tell you more about Bup he will smite me”

ReturnedFaith 12:22 PM: "then i will be out of a job”

Xenquility 12:22 PM: "Azura is a massive coomer”

ReturnedFaith 12:22 PM: "so I've heard”

Azura 12:23 PM: "HEY NOW”

Azura 12:23 PM: "Dont slander me”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:23 PM: "smite like... litterally smite?”

ReturnedFaith 12:23 PM: "I imagine hearing that there are about seven of us is quite the headache”

ReturnedFaith 12:23 PM: "but it's really not that complicated”

ReturnedFaith 12:23 PM: "or I guess kinda it is”

Xenquility 12:23 PM: "I mean, if we already know who you guys are it can't be that bad”

ARGdov 12:23 PM: "so like”

ARGdov 12:23 PM: "actually nah Im not gonna ask”

ARGdov 12:23 PM: "Im not gonna get a straight answer”

ReturnedFaith 12:24 PM: "lose your bloodthirst?”

ARGdov 12:24 PM: "pffff”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:24 PM: "yo dov did you really did a bomb plans 3.0 last nigth”

ARGdov 12:24 PM: "great to see word about thats gone around”

ARGdov 12:24 PM: "I did not”

ReturnedFaith 12:24 PM: "word gets around fast in the "office"”

Xenquility 12:24 PM: "It''s canon Dov was right”

ARGdov 12:24 PM: "if anything this was bomb plans 2.0 cause the runes thing couldve got a lot worse”

Xenquility 12:24 PM: "Dov was destined to do it”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "and yeah”

ReturnedFaith 12:25 PM: "-looks into the camera-”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "I couldnt have not done it because it had already happened, in a way”

Xenquility 12:25 PM: "Kill switch and runes add up to 1”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "hey now!”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "the kill switch was the right call”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "also”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:25 PM: "-seinfield theme starts playin'-”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "I didnt end up being the only vote”

Xenquility 12:25 PM: ":)”

ARGdov 12:25 PM: "the thing glitched temporarily so no one else could vote but it got fixed quickly so others could”

ReturnedFaith 12:26 PM: "let him who is without sin cast the first stone”

ARGdov 12:26 PM: "granted for like 5 mintues it seemed like I'd offed Luna or whoever”

ReturnedFaith 12:26 PM: "unless it is argdov”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:26 PM: "lmao”

ARGdov 12:26 PM: "pfff”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:26 PM: "oh oh i know what to do”

ARGdov 12:26 PM: "just as well that Ive never read the new testament”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:26 PM: "Vibe check!”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:26 PM: "-hands you a toad-”

ARGdov 12:26 PM: "take toad”

ARGdov 12:26 PM: "?”

ReturnedFaith 12:26 PM: "give it to Bup”

ReturnedFaith 12:26 PM: "they love toads”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:27 PM: "t h e y ?”

ARGdov 12:27 PM: "yes I had a feelin”

ReturnedFaith 12:27 PM: "wait wrong toad probably”

ARGdov 12:27 PM: "true”

ARGdov 12:27 PM: "we're talking about froglike beings”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:27 PM: "yea”

ARGdov 12:27 PM: "that damn toad profile picture threw me off I gotta say”

ReturnedFaith 12:27 PM: "yeah I dont think ghost will want to keep that once they regain control”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:28 PM: "yo dov drop the toad already he is tired”

ARGdov 12:28 PM: "oh sorry”

ARGdov 12:28 PM: "lets toad go”

ARGdov 12:28 PM: "by froggo”

ReturnedFaith 12:28 PM: "splat”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:28 PM: "i hope ghost changes his password after this”

ReturnedFaith 12:28 PM: "it wouldnt matter”

Xenquility 12:28 PM: "Excuse me ghost is a strong independent woman”

ARGdov 12:28 PM: "actually yeah Im wondering what ghostbabels up to now”

ReturnedFaith 12:28 PM: "oh right”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:28 PM: "i bet his pasword was something like: 12345BABEL”

Xenquility 12:28 PM: "56709IDIDDLEDKIDS”

ARGdov 12:29 PM: "pfff”

ARGdov 12:29 PM: "I hope not, he was smarter than that”

ReturnedFaith 12:29 PM: "howd you guess mugen's password”

Xenquility 12:29 PM: "gg”

ARGdov 12:29 PM: "....how do you know who Mugen is”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:29 PM: "howd u know mugen”

Xenquility 12:29 PM: "HE IS MUGEN”

ReturnedFaith 12:29 PM: "I've interacted with him on several occasions”

Xenquility 12:29 PM: "BUM BUM BUM”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:29 PM: "lmao”

ARGdov 12:29 PM: "wait what”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:29 PM: "i told ya fucking mugen did moon rituals”

ReturnedFaith 12:29 PM: "he frequents our office”

ARGdov 12:29 PM: "why on earth would you speak to him hes not in the group anymore and he sucks”

ReturnedFaith 12:29 PM: "delivering pizza”

ARGdov 12:29 PM: ".ahahahahha”

ReturnedFaith 12:29 PM: "im kidding”

ARGdov 12:30 PM: "yeah I gathered”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:30 PM: "plot twist bup is mugen”

ReturnedFaith 12:30 PM: "I havent spoken with him in some time”

ARGdov 12:30 PM: "plot twist Bup is nobody we've met before”

Xenquility 12:30 PM: "Plot twist Bup can't actually kill anyone which is why he chose Yuuki”

SayoriBOT 12:30 PM: "Can we change the topic to something more wholesome please?”

Xenquility 12:30 PM: "because she's already dead”

ARGdov 12:30 PM: "oh piss of sayori”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:30 PM: "omae wa mou”

ARGdov 12:30 PM: "I mean, he might not be able to”

ARGdov 12:30 PM: "but I wouldnt want to risk that again”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:31 PM: "bros im trying to get the source code of a HS character infobox but it is massive”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:31 PM: "mine is CSS becuase im fucking useless”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:31 PM: "and it isnt even code”

ARGdov 12:31 PM: "also intereting thing I just noticed”

ARGdov 12:31 PM: "@ReturnedFaith is there any particular meaning behind your proper discord username?”

ARGdov 12:31 PM: "its "Returned Faith"”

ReturnedFaith 12:33 PM: "yeah”

ReturnedFaith 12:33 PM: "because again”

ReturnedFaith 12:33 PM: "I gotta be at least a little mysterious”

ARGdov 12:33 PM: "fair I suppose”

Xenquility 12:33 PM: "what if these guys were like”

Xenquility 12:33 PM: "Hope and her friends from the Truth arc”

ARGdov 12:33 PM: "but Im taking the clues I can find”

ARGdov 12:33 PM: "ahahaha”

ARGdov 12:33 PM: "that would be something”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:33 PM: "yeah sorry about me dont reading the wiki yet”

ARGdov 12:33 PM: "we dont even know what happened to them”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:33 PM: "who was hope exactly?”

Xenquility 12:33 PM: "Exactly”

ARGdov 12:34 PM: "Ill explain in PM: "s”

Wolfcat 12:34 PM: "argdov is a meanie”

Xenquility 12:34 PM: "which was why they are definitely them”

SayoriBOT 12:34 PM: "Do we have a meanie in the server? If so, please stop.”

ReturnedFaith 12:34 PM: "BUP is usually pretty chill but he can be strict at times”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:34 PM: "i mean he vibin”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:34 PM: "but he killin too”

Wolfcat 12:34 PM: "s_feed :bottle:”

SayoriBOT 12:34 PM: "Ptoo ptoo! This isn't food, you meanie!”

Wolfcat 12:34 PM: "s_feed :baby_bottle:”

SayoriBOT 12:34 PM: "Hey! I'm not a baby!”

Wolfcat 12:34 PM: "be quiet”

ARGdov 12:34 PM: "Im not a meanie :c”

SayoriBOT 12:34 PM: "Cease your bulli, you meanie!”

Xenquility 12:35 PM: "dov is the antithesis of a meanie”

ARGdov 12:35 PM: "no you”

SayoriBOT 12:35 PM: "Cease your bulli, you meanie!”

ARGdov 12:35 PM: "shh”

Wolfcat 12:35 PM: "You're not a meanie”

SayoriBOT 12:35 PM: "Cease your bulli, you meanie!”

Wolfcat 12:35 PM: "You're just a murderer”

ARGdov 12:35 PM: "OH PLEASE”

ARGdov 12:35 PM: "THIS WHOLE GROUP HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN A FEW DEAGTHS”

Xenquility 12:35 PM: "stop bullying dov”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:35 PM: "i didnt kill anyone”

Xenquility 12:35 PM: "SLINKY”

ARGdov 12:35 PM: "remember when we fucking drowned a man in a fucking stormdrain”

Xenquility 12:35 PM: "YOU PLAYED THE ELEGY TWICE”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:35 PM: "BUT I DIDNT KILL ANYONE”

ARGdov 12:36 PM: "remember when we accidentally got someone hit with a rock and then they died?”

ARGdov 12:36 PM: "remember when someone submitted the song of healing during the truth arc?”

ReturnedFaith 12:36 PM: "hey”

ReturnedFaith 12:36 PM: "helper got better”

ARGdov 12:36 PM: "he did”

ReturnedFaith 12:36 PM: "at least”

ARGdov 12:36 PM: "in fact plenty of people have gotten better”

ARGdov 12:36 PM: "and Yukis not gone”

Xenquility 12:36 PM: "I mean”

ARGdov 12:36 PM: "shes just been "condemned to a lfietime of stockholm syndrome" presumably trapped in the depths of AO”

Xenquility 12:37 PM: "that's debatable”

ARGdov 12:37 PM: "which is kind of awful but shes not totally gone”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:37 PM: "gonna do some quick homework brb”

ARGdov 12:37 PM: "actually who in this game HAS been totally been killed?”

ARGdov 12:37 PM: "like, with no digital spirit lingerin on”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:37 PM: "john”

Xenquility 12:37 PM: "Anyways we can't exactly do anything about yuuki so we should probably focus on literally anything else”

ARGdov 12:37 PM: "uh not true, actually”

ARGdov 12:37 PM: "tenebris took over John”

Xenquility 12:37 PM: "Actually John's body is still around”

DensO Burton 12:37 PM: "Mugen”

ARGdov 12:37 PM: "his soul, that is”

Xenquility 12:38 PM: "He's a deuro”

ARGdov 12:38 PM: "and so it might still be out there somewhere”

ReturnedFaith 12:38 PM: "johns is both here and gone at the same time on multiple levels”

ARGdov 12:38 PM: "once someone is digitized it seems like they dont just fade away”

Xenquility 12:42 PM: "Nice to finally see a guy we know about”

ARGdov 12:42 PM: "weve not spoken to him in fucking ages as well”

ARGdov 12:42 PM: "like, since 2016”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:43 PM: "also wasn't skm like super chill too?”

ARGdov 12:43 PM: "he was p great”

ARGdov 12:43 PM: "he called regiminis "regimipiss"”

ARGdov 12:43 PM: "he was a salty bro”

Xenquility 12:43 PM: "He's the only guy I've seen in jid that has canonically said, "XD"”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "ahahhaha”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "he said "XD" therefore he must be p great”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "but yeah no he was good”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:44 PM: "XD”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "I wonder what hes been up to”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "like he's still involved in this shit to an extent”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "and hes apparently working with a team of hackers now”

ARGdov 12:44 PM: "which Im glad to hear. He was working almost entirely on his own when we last spoke to him”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:45 PM: "i mean he broke into tylers hoese bc someone gavehis mask to him”

ARGdov 12:46 PM: "true”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:47 PM: "finished homework woo”

ARGdov 12:47 PM: "nice”

ARGdov 12:47 PM: "Im just starting rip”

ARGdov 12:47 PM: "also does the producer not have permissions to chat or has he just gone quiet?”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:48 PM: "idk”

Xenquility 12:48 PM: "Gone quiet”

ReturnedFaith 12:48 PM: "XD”

ReturnedFaith 12:48 PM: "Yes sorry im here”

ARGdov 12:48 PM: "ah ok”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:48 PM: "fuck yea”

ReturnedFaith 12:48 PM: "SKM always was a fun one”

ARGdov 12:48 PM: "hes a good guy”

Jos 12:49 PM: "Skm used LOL XD LMAO”

ARGdov 12:49 PM: "Ive no clue what the fuck hes been up to recently”

Xenquility 12:49 PM: "Wow what a way to steal the "XD" award from SKM”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:49 PM: "okay prod, so you seem to know a lot of info about all this”

ARGdov 12:49 PM: "I guess he escpaed whatever occured at the lunar spire”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:49 PM: "how”

ReturnedFaith 12:49 PM: "I've been watching it for a long time”

Jos 12:49 PM: "Hello guys irs ya boy SKM XDDD the forums are broke again LOL patrem being annoying about it”

Jos 12:49 PM: "Rhats skm”

ReturnedFaith 12:49 PM: "though ill admit i have no idea where SKM is currently”

/Mr. Circle\ 12:50 PM: "skm is not the only one to have uttered the forbidden emoji”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:50 PM: "so lets say you have about the same info that we have”

ARGdov 12:50 PM: "BUP said SKMs working with some hackers”

Jos 12:50 PM: "How do i know he is cannon?”

ARGdov 12:50 PM: "when I asked what on he said "on their computers"”

ReturnedFaith 12:50 PM: "thats right”

ReturnedFaith 12:50 PM: "Hina”

/Mr. Circle\ 12:50 PM: "hina616 has also XD'd”

ReturnedFaith 12:50 PM: "poor little Hina”

/Mr. Circle\ 12:50 PM: "oh fuck you beat me to it”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:51 PM: "Who*”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:51 PM: "woo was hina?”

ReturnedFaith 12:51 PM: "quiet, gamejacker”

/Mr. Circle\ 12:51 PM: "meta”

ReturnedFaith 12:51 PM: "Hina was a Lunar Child”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:51 PM: "meta”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:51 PM: "alrite”

Jos 12:52 PM: "How do I know you are cannon Producer”

ReturnedFaith 12:52 PM: "I guess you don't”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:52 PM: "meta”

ARGdov 12:52 PM: "I dont remember hina”

ARGdov 12:52 PM: "but then I cant keep track of everything”

ReturnedFaith 12:53 PM: "she is rather forgettable”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:53 PM: "neat”

ReturnedFaith 12:54 PM: "in the grand scheme of things, that is”

ReturnedFaith 12:54 PM: "out of the rest of them, she was probably the most memorable”

Xenquility 12:55 PM: "Oh producer”

Xenquility 12:55 PM: "Are you and bup male or female”

ARGdov 12:55 PM: "rip”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:56 PM: "are you assuming they are Gender Binary?”

Xenquility 12:56 PM: "Yes”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:56 PM: "TRIGGERED”

/Mr. Circle\ 12:56 PM: "That's a Funny Joke”

ReturnedFaith 12:56 PM: "I'm not sure about BUP, but for myself”

ReturnedFaith 12:56 PM: "I prefer male”

ARGdov 12:57 PM: ".....”

ARGdov 12:57 PM: "wow”

otherLiam 12:57 PM: "who’s this now”

Xenquility 12:57 PM: "Male ocol”

ARGdov 12:57 PM: "thats an old fucking joke”

Xenquility 12:57 PM: "*cool”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:57 PM: "- Go apeshit i guess”

ARGdov 12:57 PM: "someone who works with BUP”

otherLiam 12:57 PM: "oh cool”

Xenquility 12:57 PM: "If Bup is female I'm sticking to my theory about them being Hope and her friends lmao”

ARGdov 12:57 PM: "yup”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:57 PM: "yeah he is super chill”

Xenquility 12:57 PM: "This guy doesn't want to kill anyone he's great”

ARGdov 12:58 PM: "he hasnt threatened to kill anyone so thats a plus”

otherLiam 12:59 PM: "i mean bup didnt really threaten either. more like just laid out the consequences for losing”

Slinky Stinks△ 12:59 PM: "- It is I, dave strider homesuck free Vector PNG 2019”

Sheena0 12:59 PM: "is there a consequence if we win tho?”

ReturnedFaith 12:59 PM: "He is more experienced”

ReturnedFaith 12:59 PM: "but I dont really have as many responsibilities”

ReturnedFaith 12:59 PM: "so I'm free to be a bit more loose”

ReturnedFaith 12:59 PM: "but I will have to get back to work soon”

otherLiam 1:00 PM: "what exactly is your work?”

ReturnedFaith 1:00 PM: "Producing”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:00 PM: "yea he produces”

ReturnedFaith 1:00 PM: "providing BUP and others with whatever they need”

/Mr. Circle\ 1:00 PM: "this guy produces”

otherLiam 1:01 PM: "what do they need now?”

ARGdov 1:01 PM: "they need the d”

ReturnedFaith 1:01 PM: "things”

ARGdov 1:01 PM: "like I said”

ReturnedFaith 1:01 PM: "but no really”

ARGdov 1:01 PM: "the d”

ReturnedFaith 1:01 PM: "they need a lot of stuff”

ReturnedFaith 1:01 PM: "including the d”

ARGdov 1:01 PM: "I, too am in need of....things”

ReturnedFaith 1:01 PM: "and stuff?”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:01 PM: "CONFIRMED”

ARGdov 1:01 PM: "welp Im glad we have one thing in common then”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:01 PM: "bup needs the d”

otherLiam 1:01 PM: "dov stop bein horny on main”

ARGdov 1:02 PM: "pffff”

ARGdov 1:02 PM: "trust me this isnt me being horny”

/Mr. Circle\ 1:02 PM: "dov only has main to be horny on”

ReturnedFaith 1:02 PM: "if they require the d, then Im afraid I must provide”

ARGdov 1:02 PM: "that as well”

ARGdov 1:02 PM: "welp”

Xenquility 1:02 PM: "Oh god”

Xenquility 1:02 PM: "Hot”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:02 PM: "prod, provide your d”

Xenquility 1:02 PM: "Can I join you guys”

ARGdov 1:02 PM: "if they need a lot of things they must be preparing for something”

ReturnedFaith 1:02 PM: "I dont work for you, traitor”

otherLiam 1:02 PM: "(also sorry for goin off on you yesterday dov)”

ARGdov 1:02 PM: "(its cool lol)”

/Mr. Circle\ 1:02 PM: "may we please have d?”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:03 PM: "(Nigga who u called traitor)”

Xenquility 1:03 PM: "If you guys are providing d Ill join”

ARGdov 1:03 PM: "man ok I did not intend to derail this with shitposting lol”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:03 PM: "so”

ARGdov 1:03 PM: "either way, like I just said”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:03 PM: "do we provide the d?”

Ross the Claus 🎄 1:03 PM: "heard something about someone producing a d”

ARGdov 1:03 PM: "they need things (potentially including the d) to do...something”

ARGdov 1:03 PM: "potentially a ritual?”

ARGdov 1:03 PM: "who knows”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:04 PM: "now its when the d means: DESTRUCTIVE LASERGUN”

otherLiam 1:04 PM: "man who knows anything”

Ross the Claus 🎄 1:04 PM: "Ritual involving the d. Sounds about right for this arg”

ARGdov 1:04 PM: "I love performing rituals with my d”

otherLiam 1:05 PM: "we dunno who these guys are, what theyre tryin to do or if we should even be trying to stop them”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:05 PM: "nah girl i cant go out with u tonigth, i gotta perform theritual with my d”

ARGdov 1:05 PM: "shh”

otherLiam 1:05 PM: "hell maybe we want them to succeed”

ARGdov 1:05 PM: "I dont trust anyone who has the kind of power BUP currently has”

otherLiam 1:05 PM: "maybe them doing their thing will fuck with our other enemies”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:05 PM: "nah m8”

Xenquility 1:05 PM: "I wanna get :BUP:ed with their d”

ARGdov 1:05 PM: "Im not trusting anyone except for potentially SKM”

otherLiam 1:05 PM: "who knows”

ReturnedFaith 1:05 PM: "since you asked nicely”

ReturnedFaith 1:05 PM: ((A distorted D image is posted))

Slinky Stinks△ 1:05 PM: "producer has 10 times less the power that bup has”

Sheena0 1:06 PM: "i kinda feel we need to figure them out first then go to understanding their reason”

Xenquility 1:06 PM: "THE D”

Xenquility 1:06 PM: "YES”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:06 PM: "THE D”

ARGdov 1:06 PM: "Im still thinking about this”

otherLiam 1:06 PM: "Producer is now my favorite”

ARGdov 1:06 PM: "why would I have a different discord account to be horny on lol”

otherLiam 1:06 PM: "“main” isnt your discord account, it’s the chat you’re in”

ReturnedFaith 1:07 PM: "now i need to get back to work”

ARGdov 1:07 PM: "ah fair”

ReturnedFaith 1:07 PM: "for real”

ARGdov 1:07 PM: "well Im in other groups”

ReturnedFaith 1:07 PM: "bye for now”

ARGdov 1:07 PM: "but rest assured”

Slinky Stinks△ 1:07 PM: "wait prod”

otherLiam 1:07 PM: "have fun producer”

ReturnedFaith 1:07 PM: "whats up traitor”

ARGdov 1:07 PM: "if I was being horny on main you'd all tell me to leave”

otherLiam 1:07 PM: "ooo shit”

ARGdov 1:07 PM: "anyways, bye producer”

1 note · View note

artistic-writer · 6 years ago

Text

Alii dimidium Lunam (The Other Half of the Moon) - CS Werewolf AU - Ch 20

itle: Alii dimidium Lunam (The Other Half of the Moon) by @artistic-writer artwork by @cocohook38 & @artistic-writer

Rating: E (overall rating) for explicit sexual content, language and themes throughout. Trigger warnings will follow and be added as they are needed to avoid spoilers.

Art by @cocohook38 - Poster - Emma - David - Killian - James - Walsh - Graham - Liam - Brennan - Ruby

Chapter Art by @cocohook38 - Ch1 - Ch2 - Ch3 - Ch4 (NSFW) - Ch5

Art by @artistic-writer - 1 - 2 - 3 -

Also on: AO3 - FF

A/N: Slight delay with this one - sorry guys! This chapter is a little bit of lightheartedness in the gloom. I thought you guys deserved a little :)

Massive thanks to my wonderful betas, @hookedonapirate who is one of the best beta’s this fandom has to offer - I seriously love her guys, and she deserves all the good things <3 <3 and @kmomof4 to whom this fic is also gifted for her birthday and for creating the @cssns Thank you to my crew, @hollyethecurious @resident-of-storybrooke @courtorderedcake @doodlelolly0910 and special thanks to @killian-whump @killianmesmalls and @sherlockianwhovian for how they helped with the last few chapters. And to @flipperbrain who drew THIS piece of art for this fic in December, before it was even written!

Taglist: @cssns @resident-of-storybrooke @hollyethecurious @kmomof4 @hookedonapirate @winterbaby89@courtorderedcake @initiala @cocohook38 @branlovesouat @teamhook @snidgetsafan @sherlockianwhovian @shireness-says @wingedlioness @lenfaz @therooksshiningknight@ilovemesomekillianjones @bmbbcs4evr @blowmiakisscolin @deathbycaptainswan @onceuponaprincessworld @chinawoodfan @seriouslyhooked @snowbellewells @wordsmith-storyweaver @jennjenn615 @delightfully-difficult-pirate @doodlelolly0910 @tiganasummertree @hookedmom@thejollyroger-writer @rachie1940 @unworried-corsair @cs-forlife

Want to be tagged/untagged? TELL ME HERE

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Not long after their conversation, Killian had heard from his father, who assured them both that he would know the time and date of the attack before the end of the day. He was confident it was not imminent. The Neverland wolves were not ready, still training all day and all night, and James was predictable anyway. Brennan had said that he always let the wolves go out the night before an attack, to blow off steam and prepare themselves, but so far had not instructed them to do so.

“So, we have tonight,” Killian told Emma softly, his eyes flitting over her figure as she sat on the other end of Liam’s couch. They had tried to stay apart as much as possible, restraining themselves, and he offered her a small smile when she caught him looking at her. “By tomorrow my father will know more and we can head back to Misthaven.”

“Only tonight?” Emma said sadly.

Killian nodded, giving her a short nod. “Don’t worry, we’ll make the most of it.”

“Don’t talk like this is our last night together,” Emma said curtly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” Killian began, but Emma cut him off with one of her adorable rants.

“Because this isn’t, Jones. I swear, if you think I am willing to give up what makes my heart feel so complete, you have another thing coming.” Emma exhaled hard, a pink tinge to her cheeks.

“You’re cute when you rant,” Killian told her with a smile, the distance between them still too large.

“I mean it,” Emma told him firmly, sinking further into the cushions. They enveloped her body like a pseudo hug, a poor substitute for the wolf two seats over, but it was all she could endure right now. It wasn’t just Killian who was fighting his urges, but they had agreed that if they worked together, they could manage. Maybe.

“Emma,” Killian said her name like it was everything, and she met his sympathetic gaze with a sigh. “We have to be realistic. We both know what’s going to happen when we go to Misthaven, so if tonight is all we have, we need to make it count.”

“As good as the sex is,” Emma smirked, her lips curving into a grin as she recalled the feeling of having Killian over every inch of her body. “I don’t want our time together to be a reminder of what we could potentially lose.”

“I understand,” Killian nodded in agreement, wetting his lips with his tongue. Emma was right. Again. He had to live in the now and stop treating their future like it wasn’t going to happen at all.

“I just want to spend time with you, like a normal couple, cuddling, playing games, just…” Emma blew out a breath, her frustration evident.

“I know,” Killian agreed tenderly.

“Now I know you are half human, I am almost in love with the idea of getting to know that side just as much as I am in love with your wolf.” Emma flopped her head back and rolled it sideways, catching Killian watching her babble with a reassuring smile.

“I’m a very boring human,” Killian told her affectionately, leaning his elbow on the back of Liam’s plush couch and resting his head on his hand. His fingers flexed in the back of his hair, lightly scratching his head.

“Is it too much to ask the universe to give us this one break?” Emma growled, ignoring his attempts at easing her anxiety, head rolling back on the couch and her eyes pinching closed.

“No, love,” Killian interjected gently. Emma looked back over to him and he gave her that boyish smile again that made her melt. “So cute when you rant,” he repeated, his grin widening and his cheeks almost touching his eyes.

“I’m still not happy,” Emma grumbled, folding her arms over her chest. She had replaced her blouse with one of Liam’s old t-shirts due to their earlier haste in disrobing, and Killian had promised to replace her clothes when everything was over with. Emma dearly wished to believe him but was struggling to accept his nonchalant attitude.

“It will be okay,” Killian promised her yet again, desperate to reach out for her hand. “Though I’m not happy about the length of this couch,” he smirked, casting a furiously aggravated glance over the offending cushions between them.

“Killian, we can’t,” Emma half whined, half laughed, hating the words as they left her mouth. “You can’t control yourself,” she accused with a playful grin.

“I can’t control myself?” He laughed. “Might I remind you that my back is still throbbing from how hard you jumped me when I got back earlier.” Emma blushed under his stare.

“This is absolutely the worst time to be in heat,” she huffed, dropping her gaze to her legs, tucked up close to her body in an attempt to make herself as small as possible.

“I wish I could help,” Killian said gently, his hand twitching beside his body and fingers flexing out towards hers.

“You could try being a little more unattractive,” Emma teased.

Killian gasped, raising an eyebrow at her and then, unable to resist any longer, he crept along the length of the couch on his knees. He supported his weight with his hand on the back of the furniture, inhaling Emma’s musk as he neared her, her divine flavor like a fragrant flower in his nostrils. “I am wounded,” he grinned, shaking his head, sinking down beside her and resting a hand to the curve of her thigh. It wasn’t much, but it was enough contact to fend off the wolf for now. “I could say the same thing about you. Even your wolf form would help ease my temptation.”

Emma narrowed her eyes at him, poking the inside of her cheek as she contemplated his words. He was right, either way they did it. If one of them was in wolf form, and the other in human form, the pull would be easier to control. Humans were not inherently attracted to canines and vice versa. It was the perfect plan. Killian spied her face, deep in thought, and twisted his mouth into a pout.

“What did I say?” He quizzed her suspiciously. His other hand found the back of her head, stroking through her tresses automatically, his fingertips brushing the soft skin of her neck through her locks. “What are you thinking?”

“Wolf form!” Emma said simply, slapping her legs. She jumped to her feet, watched by a confused Killian who was pushed aside. She stalked to the bedroom and he waited on the couch, hearing a muffled commotion. He shuffled to the edge of the seat, feet bobbing on the floor, ready to accept her explanation, but instead, he was met with silence.

“Emma?” Killian called out, his voice uncertain.

The silence was broken suddenly by the gentle tapping on nails on the hardwood floor, the only sound that gave Emma away as she approached the door frame. She peered around the jamb, ears pricked high on her head and if Killian didn’t know any better he would say she was blushing at him, nervously avoiding stepping out into the lounge. She gave him a look, a questioning glance that had him relaxing instantly, dipping her head in submission of his next words.

“Much better,” he told her, arm extended out towards her and his shoulders relaxing as the need to ravage her all but disappeared.

Emma began to wag her tail, ears folding flat on her head as she approached him, eager to finally feel his hands on her skin. Killian obliged instantly, digging his fingers into her pelt until he felt the warmth of her skin on his, raking his nails through her fur as he stroked her with nothing but affection. Emma’s fur was soft on his digits, softer than any wolf pelt he had ever known, and it danced with a mixture of hues that made her even more beautiful in wolf form.

Emma nuzzled her head into his hands like a pet dog who hadn’t seen its owner for a time, a happy, puppy-like whine escaping her maw as he obliged her request for contact and petted her lovingly. She felt all of her worries leave her, every thought of home and her family fading away into nothing. She would return home, and it would be soon, but for right now, she was exactly where she needed to be.

“We need food,” Killian suddenly exclaimed. Much to her annoyance, Killian stopped stroking his fingers through her fur and Emma sat back on her haunches, cocking her head to one side. “Liam has no food in this place,” he told her and as he rose to his feet, she skidded backwards against the gripless flooring, eager to avoid getting stepped on.

Killian made his way to the kitchen to confirm what he had already known and Emma trotted after him obediently. Killian pulled open every cupboard, mumbling to himself about his good for nothing brother as he found a drawer stuffed full of nothing but takeout menus, whilst Emma sat at the threshold to the kitchen and watched him intently. He slammed the drawer closed and looked over to her wolf form as he sighed, her ears stiffening to alert when he did so.

“We could go shopping?” he offered and Emma gave him a disgruntled whine. “Of course,” he agreed in realistation. She wouldn’t be able to go inside with him but the idea of a huge, wolf like dog creature accompanying him to the local store was tickling him. “You could sit outside and wait?” he suggested and Emma leapt to her feet, growling low in protest of his idea. “Come on,” he coaxed, stepping towards her. “I’ll be quick. In and out. We won’t be gone long.”

Killian’s playful grin had Emma barking at him, her deep, canine boom telling him in no uncertain terms how she hated his idea already. She spun in a circle, tail swishing over the length of her spine, jaws agape as she panted at him with an exaggerated sigh.

“Maybe not for you,” he shrugged, answering her question without falter. “But I’ll be having fun.”

Emma barked again, a grumbling growl following her bay. Killian moved in front of her, sinking to his knee and ruffling his hands through the ruff of fur around her neck. She licked her lips, avoiding his eye contact as he tried to hold her gaze. Her green eyes shone so vibrantly in her wolf form that he was lost for a second, simply staring into her almond shaped eyes. Emma gruffly wiggled from his grasp again, her annoyance very telling as she hopped out of his reach.

“Okay, I’ll go alone,” Killian told her, relenting to her reluctance.

Emma barked at him again, her tone more high pitched and desperate. She didn’t stop, her squeaky yapping like that of a much smaller animal. Killian looked at her and sighed, planting his hands on his hips and his brow knitting together in confusion when she finally stopped and sat down in front of him once more and began pawing at his knee over and over.

“Alright, alright, I won’t go alone.” Emma stopped her clawing, huge paw resting on his knee, tilting her head to one side again, her tail halting it's waving over her back. “You can be my protection,” he smiled at her, watching her jump to her feet and spin on the spot excitedly.

Emma took off towards the door like a domestic dog about to go for a walk, nudging the door handle with her nose and looking back to the man following her. Killian stopped by the couch to pull on his boots, still sitting at the side of the furniture where he had discarded them, and listened to Emma’s whine by the exit. She lifted a leg and began clawing at the door, finally lifting herself onto her hind legs and pounding the door handle with an onslaught of powerful hits.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Killian teased as he reached the door and she stopped, dropping to all fours and giving him a cheeky, wolfish grin. He looked at the claw marks in the door, clearly freshly made, and winced, smoothing his hand over the gouge marks with a chuckle. Liam was going to kill him. “I’m sure he won’t even notice,” he shrugged, pulling the door open and letting Emma rush past him out of the loft.

Emma had never walked down the street as a wolf before, let alone in broad daylight. She stuck to Killian’s side, her shoulders brushing his thigh each time he put one foot in front of the other, her tongue lolling out to one side. There were humans everywhere, more than she had anticipated, and she kept a close eye on everyone as they passed. Not that she really had to. They all seemed very interested in the handsome man walking his overly large shepherd like dog.

When they reached the store on the corner, less than two blocks from Liam’s loft, a familiar face appeared in front of them. It was a woman; Emma recognised her from when she had passed them on the other side of the street, who had taken it upon herself to drag her near elderly mother and her small, inquisitive child over to their side of the street. She was older than Killian but it clearly didn’t bother her as she made her way towards them, having already double back on herself to get another look at Killian.

Emma emitted a low growl and Killian turned instantly, first in anticipation of finding a Neverland wolf, but then calming when he noticed it was just a threesome of human females, Emma’s growl one of jealousy. He smirked, straightening his back and tucking one hand into his pocket as the other caressed Emma’s skull, his fingers kneading her head gently.

“Easy,” he teased and Emma looked up to give him a deadpan stare. He was faking a smile, a very human trait, and as they came closer, the high pitched squeal of the small child, no older than about six, pierced through Emma’s ears.

“OH MY GOD! LOOK AT THE DOG!” She screeched, tugging her mother’s hand towards Emma.

“Now, honey, that’s not how you approach a dog,” the grandmother said, giving Emma a wary glance. She looked her over, peering through the glasses balanced on the end of her nose. “Especially one so big,” she commented idly, her eyes narrowed.

“I’m sorry,” the mother apologised to Killian, suddenly forgetting she should be watching her child and letting the girls hand slip from hers. She changed her body language instantly, leaning casually on one hip, tossing her curled, brown hair over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. “She saw your dog and wanted to come and say hi. I hope that is okay?” She wondered out loud.

“Of course,” Killian smiled, scratching behind Emma’s ear with a single finger. She looked up to him and huffed a breath, sitting down on the blazing hot pavement and beginning to pant. “She’s very friendly.”

“What’s her name?” The little girl asked quickly, her face inches from Emma’s as she studied the ‘big dog’ in front of her, a little reluctant to actually get too close.

“Emma,” Killian said sweetly, and Emma tilted her head to give him another look. The bastard was enjoying this.

“Aww, that’s adorable,” the mother said again, not taking her eyes from the man in front of her. Emma watched as her gaze flickered up and down his torso, her bottom lip, bright pink from her lipstick almost too obvious as it rolled under her teeth.

“Isn’t she?” Killian looked down at his companion again, giving her a wink.

“What breed is she?” The grandmother asked suspiciously.

“A lupine hybrid,” Killian grinned. It wasn’t a lie.

“Like with a wolf?” The little girl took a step back, pulling her hands to her chest.

“Yeah, like a wolf,” Killian nodded.

“Is she dangerous?” the old lady questioned dubiously.

“Will she bite?” the little girl asked at the same time.

“No,” he chuckled, shaking his head. The little girl watched in fascination as Killian leaned forward, rubbing his hands over the side of Emma’s massive head and smoothing his fingers down the side of her muzzle. He wrapped his fingers around her snout, tipping her head backwards and planting a very human kiss to her nose with an audible smack. “She’s a good girl,” he cooed, putting on a baby voice and crushing his lips to the side of her softly furred muzzle.

“Does she do any tricks?” The little girl asked quickly, her rapid fire questions starting to grate on Emma. She hoped, pleading with her eyes, that Killian would say no. As much fun as he was having, she was not, and her ears sagged a little on her head.

“Sweetie, of course she doesn’t,” the mother laughed, a fake chortle tumbling out of her throat in a high pitched screech. It was awful, the most painful sound Emma had ever heard, but her discomfort was short lived and replaced with jealousy when the mother casually laid her hand on Killian’s bicep. “Right, Mr…?” she prompted, feeling the curve of his muscle through his shirt.

His gaze dropped to the woman’s hand on his arm and he suddenly felt more than uncomfortable. He blushed, much to the mother’s amusement it seemed, and she gave him a hungry grin. Before he had time to respond, the woman was barged out of the way as Emma jumped up at Killian and protectively rested her paws on his shoulders. She wagged her tail, more for show, and Killian planted his hands on her ribcage, stroking them through her fur.

“See, even the dog thinks you’re a slut, Janice,” the grandmother quipped spitefully with a roll of her eyes.

“Mom!” she screeched, her cheeks pinking.

“Don’t worry, girl,” Killian said gently, stroking the sides of Emma’s face and ignoring the domestic squabble between the women. “I only have eyes for you.” Emma’s tail began another rhythmic wag and Killian smiled at her longingly. He knew she understood him, felt her heart as if it were his own, and he also understood her frustration with this situation. “In and out,” he told her softly, letting her push off his shoulders as she jumped down to the floor.

“Can I pet her?” the small girl said, looking up to Killian a little more confidently now that he had been so close to the huge dog’s mouth.

“Sure,” Killian smirked. “I’m just popping inside, but feel free.”

The small girl almost squealed with glee, her grandmother waiting with her as her mother stalked Killian into the store. The automatic doors slid open and a wave of cool air flooded out toward where Emma sat, her neck craning to watch her mate disappear around the corner with another woman.

Emma felt helpless. There could be anyone inside, and Killian could be in real danger without her, but to keep under the radar, she was relegated to acting the part of his pet in broad daylight. She hadn’t minded until the woman known as ‘Janice’ had put her hands on him, putting Emma in a positional dilemma. She couldn’t growl, the old lady already had her under a keen observation, clearly not buying Killian’s hybrid story.

“He won't be long,” the little girl assured her innocently. She patted Emma on the head hard, a little too hard, her stiffened hand smoothing the fur between Emma’s ears awkwardly. “Maybe he’ll get you a treat,” she smiled.

Emma whined, a canine reaction she couldn’t stop as she felt suddenly empty. Was this what it felt like to dogs when humans left their pets unattended? It was awful, the whole world disappearing from her mind. All she could focus on was Killian inside a store with a strange woman drooling over him like he were a piece of meat. God, she hated humans sometimes.

“Don’t cry,” the little girl soothed, her chubby little fingers sliding down to Emma’s neck. The girl was sweet, her chubby cheeks actually a little adorable and Emma took her eyes off the doors for a second to look at her. The girl seemed to like that and grinned back, a broad gap-toothed grin that would have had human Emma laughing joyfully. Her tail swished against the ground and she lifted her paw, offering it to the little girl who struggled to grab it with two hands. “A trick!” the little girl screamed at her grandmother who was busy chatting to another woman her own age. “She did a trick!”

“Yeah, honey, that’s great,” she droned, not turning around once.

Emma felt sorry for the girl. She was excited to find something she really had a passion for, in this case, dogs, and it seemed that no one in her life shared her enthusiasm. Emma wondered if she had a pet at home, but surmised most likely not. The little girl was dressed like a pageant contestant, wearing a little pink dress that was far too short for her, glittery shoes and her hair in tightly curled pigtails. She looked the epitome of uncomfortable and Emma, for a split second, understood her clear need to please her family at her own emotional expense.

The little girl dropped her head and Emma’s paw, unable to hold it up any longer, and Emma noticed immediately that her smile had faded away. Her hand found Emma’s fur again, tussling the hairs around her neck slowly, as if in thought, and Emma shifted her seated weight forward until she was almost touching the little girl’s face. The little girl looked at her, directly into Emma’s vibrant green eyes and without any prompting, launched at the canine before her.

Emma had never been hugged in wolf form by a human before, but she had heard that the human race found comfort in animals. Dogs especially were supposed to be relaxing, a good source of relief when feeling frustrated, and she had heard that studies showed that stroking a dog could lower a human’s blood pressure. Emma felt the little girl sigh, burying her face into the reddish hairs around Emma’s neck, clutching her pelt in her little fingers.

Just as the little girl and Emma parted, the automatic doors slid open and Killian walked out. He nudged his head sideways, motioning for Emma to follow him quickly and when she jumped to her feet, she noticed that there was no Janice in tow. Somehow, Kilian had managed to ditch the cougar of a woman somewhere in the store and had made a speedy exit after paying for his popcorn and an overly large dog bone.

Emma trotted alongside him, her gait quickened to match his strides, tongue lolling out of one side of her mouth. She looked up at him and he gave her a look of desperation, silently pleading her with his eyes to hurry away from the store as quickly as her legs would carry her. When they rounded the corner, into the shadow of the opposing building, Killian slowed a little and began to laugh.

“I know too much about Janice,” he laughed nervously, rolling his eyes at Emma. She barked playfully, bouncing beside him as he cast one last glance over his shoulder. “Come on, let’s get back to the loft, before she works out I’m gone.”

Their walk home had been uneventful and even though the sight of a huge hound accompanying a handsome man was the stuff of many a women’s daydream, they made it back to Liam’s loft without further incident. Emma was relieved to get in the door, nudging it open with her snout and out of Killian’s hand as he clutched at the groceries that threatened to fall from his arms.

“Hey!” He scolded her lightly, catching the door before it hit the wall behind as it swung open. Liam was already going to be annoyed about the door, they didn’t need to add a hole in the wall to his list of things he was going to invoice them for. “Easy,” Killian said softly and Emma raised a wolf eyebrow in his direction, shaking dramatically. Tiny bits of broken fur danced around her, sinking down to the floor unnoticed.

He laughed, shutting the door behind him and making his way through to the kitchen area. He deposited the popcorn and unnecessarily large ham bone on the counter, smirking when he remembered what he had purchased. He held it up, the smell of oven baked jerky style meat filling his nostrils. Emma cocked her head sideways, giving him a knowing look.

“I had to buy something for you,” he sympathised, looking a bit sheepish. “Janice was adamant.” Emma groaned, her maw closing and her ears flopping sideways when she tilted her head in the other direction. “You’re right,” Killian agreed with her ‘really?’ stare, spinning on his heels and stepping on the pedal to Liam’s trash can. The lid flew open and he tossed the bone in the trash. “Bad form, but don’t worry, I got you popcorn too.”

The sound of rustling packets echoed through the loft as Killian made his way to the couch. He toed off his boots near to the couch, popcorn and beer in his hands and inched past Emma’s wolf form, sinking onto the couch cushions with a flop. He leaned forward and grabbed the remote from the coffee table between them and the TV, Liam’s modest wall mounted flat screen turning on with a buzz.

“So, I didn’t know if you’d want salt, sweet, or salt and sweet,” Killian said quickly, indicating each of the flavours of popcorn as he fell back into the cushions. Emma sniffed at each, not really knowing, pushing at the crunchy sounding bags with her nose. She gave him a trusting look, the warm green of her eyes something he could gaze upon all evening, and heaved a sigh. She didn’t know, having never tried anything but her mother’s simple buttered popcorn that she always found bland and tasteless. “That’s what I thought you’d say, so we’ll just try all three.”

Killian patted the couch cushion beside him and without hesitation, Emma jumped into the space. The previously semi solid block of foam gave under her weight, dipping the seat where her feet were and making the couch frame creak. Ignoring her attempts to get comfy beside him, Killian reached for one of the bags of popcorn, pulling the edges and enjoying the buttery smell as it burst open.

“Salt first,” he told her, diving his hand into the bag and pulling out a single piece of the popped corn. Emma had sat beside him by now, arranging her tail so it was beside her and not crushed at the back of the cushions, and she watched the yellow piece of corn come her way. Killian held it out to her as she sniffed at it, her nose twitching from side to side, licking it tentatively before she nibbled on the tiny piece comically.

Killian laughed at her antics, rolling the piece around in his fingertips. “You have to eat the whole thing,” he told her sweetly and Emma shook her head, snorting her disgust. “No? Not a fan of salt?” Killian arched his brow and Emma swiped at it, slapping her huge padded paw into his hand and sending the offending piece of popcorn flying to the floor. Killian laughed, bopping her nose playfully. “Let’s try sweet then. I know you have a sweet tooth, love.”

He rolled the top of the salted bag down, sealing it closed with the provided sticker. Then he reached for the next bag, the sweet one, and as he pulled the top edges apart, the smell of lightly roasted caramel and sugar filled their senses. Emma’s tail began a thumping motion against the couch in her excitement and Killian’s lips twitched into a coy smirk. “Careful, love,” he teased, using a crooked finger to tickle under her chin. “You’re drooling.”

Emma smacked her lips together, tongue swiping around her maw as if she had been denied food her entire life. It never ceased to fascinate Killian how, in wolf form, despite being mostly human, there were just some canine quirks and urges a werewolf could never hide. Emma flopped down onto her belly, her elbows sinking into the gap between the couch cushions and rested her head on Killian’s lap. He moved the bag, looking down at her pleading eyes.

“Oh, Emma,” he said with an accusatory tone. “Don’t look at me like that!” His voice was smooth, like he was talking to a child, and he all but begged her to stop her dejected dog routine. “Here,” he relented, stuffing a hand into the bag and pulling it out laden with the sweet treat. Emma jumped back up into a sit, a soft whine escaping her maw as she panted enthusiastically and waited for Killian’s hand to reach her face, already in love with sweet popcorn from the smell alone, but gobbling it down just to make sure.

“I think sweet popcorn is a winner,” Killian told her with a chuckle, Emma’s tongue swishing around her whiskers for any last trace of the sugary coating that may have stuck there.

The evening wore on, Killian in human form and Emma in wolf form, both of them enjoying each others company but the threat that loomed over Misthaven weighing heavy on both their minds. With Emma in wolf form, it made it easy for Killian to focus, strategize and make sure he was ready. There would be no room for error, during the battle or after, and should he survive the former, he was almost certain he would not survive the latter.

The TV flickered from the images alone, the sound shut completely off as he lay the length of the couch and stared blankly at the images in front of him. Emma was asleep, moulded to the contours of his body in her wolf guise, almost the same length as Killian was on the couch. She was heavy but he did not mind, enjoying the heft of her body as she gently snored. One of Killian’s hands was behind his head, propping it up further than the single pillow he was lying on would allow, and the other was idling in Emma’s fur.

Killian hadn’t even realised he was stroking Emma until she sighed in her sleep, letting out a groan. He watched her twitch, eyelids flickering under her eyelids and her lips curling into a snarl every so often. She huffed, blowing air out of the side of her lips with a puppy like squeak that made Killian wonder what she was dreaming of and if she was okay. He knew the dream world as a wolf was different to that of humans, mainly consisting of images of running and predatory behaviours, but he couldn’t help but ponder if the dream they shared was currently plaguing his love.

“Shhh,” he soothed, pulling her velvet soft ear through his fingers, stroking the extremity in a gentle motion. He repeated his action when Emma’s claws flexed into his shoulders, a sure sign she was distressed in her reverie. “Shh, Emma, I’m right here,” he whispered to her tenderly, lips almost touching her ear. Her fur tickled at his mouth and Emma let out an almighty sigh, stilling on his chest.

She stirred, not waking, but moved to nudge her snout further up under his chin. She curled her body in tighter, tucking her tail between her back legs and she did so with a stiffening stretch, relaxing back into her sleep a second later. Killian’s eyes fluttered closed, his eyelids heavy from lack of sleep and simply unable to stay awake any longer, he drifted off as well.

The groan Emma emitted as she shifted back to her human form roused Killian from his sleep. The loft was pitch black, the TV long since having turned itself off, and there was no sound from the street outside. Not that he wouldn’t have heard the unmistakable sound of a shift, or even just Emma’s soft whimpers as she transformed back into a human, gloriously naked and still sprawled out over his chest.

It took him a few seconds to focus his watery gaze and when he did, Emma was staring back at him with a subtle pink tinge to her cheeks. Her chin rested on his chest, her golden hair like the paradox of sunshine at midnight tumbling down the sides of her head and framing her beautiful face. He gave her a welcoming smile, reassuring her instantly that her shift hadn’t hurt him in any way or embarrassed him.

“Hi,” she whispered softly, raking her hand through her hair and rolling the joints of her shoulders this way and then that until the bones cracked under her skin.

“Hey,” Killian whispered back and before he had time to do anything else, his hand had found the luxury of Emma’s skin, ghosting over her ribcage and coming to a rest on her hip. “I missed you,” he smirked. Emma was naked, and as much as he was trying, her scent was invasive and his body stirred to life at the exact moment his brain registered her aroma on his tongue.

“I’ve been right here,” Emma told him coyly, raising her eyebrow at him. She shifted her weight until she was sitting upright and across his hips, her hands planted firmly on his t-shirt clad chest, and the seam of his jeans rubbing against her bare sex. It made her nipples tighten into hard nubs on her perfectly shaped breasts and Killian couldn’t help but notice, biting his bottom lip.

“Not like this,” he declared, arousal clear in his voice. His eyes followed his hands as they skated over her skin, memorising every inch of her flesh like he might never see it again. The jutting of her hips caught his attention and he kneaded the slightly spongy skin there, his fingernails leaving light indents in her skin. “I like you like this.”

Emma laughed shyly, covering herself with her arms, much to Killian’s disapproval. “How can you be so sweet and innocent one second, rubbing my ears until I fall asleep and then…”

“What, love?” Killian growled darkly, taking in the sight of her naked form once more when he pulled her arms away from her chest and he could see her nipples straining for his attentions. He grinned. “So horny?”

“Exactly,” Emma smirked.

“Wolf heat or not, you’re amazing, Emma. You do things to me,” Killian smirked, biting his tongue between his teeth and bouncing her on his lap. Emma let out a gasp, hands falling back onto his chest to balance herself and make sure she didn’t fall sideways off the couch.

“So I can feel,” Emma purred, leaning forward and almost whispering the words against his lips. Killian’s hands skimmed over her arms and Emma couldn’t help but caress his pointed ears, fascinated by their shape and tracing the outline with her fingertip. “But we shouldn’t,” she said with a sigh, sitting back upright and blowing out a frustrated breath.

“What?” Killian cried incredulously. “Why would you say that?” He knew why, but it didn’t stop him voicing his sexual frustrations. “I know you want it too,” he grinned, his bottom lip between his teeth. He looked up at the naked woman on his lap, grinding herself against his jean clad length with the most salacious grin on her face he had ever seen. “Tell me I’m wrong,” he challenged, hands on her thighs where his fingertips were dancing over her skin.

“Oh, you’re not wrong,” Emma sighed, eyes fluttering closed when Killian’s hands skimmed up the inside of her thigh.

“You want me,” Killian droned seductively.

“I want you,” Emma sighed again, her fingers clutching at his shirt when his thumb brushed over the apex of her thighs and her clit began to throb. “I guess we need to pass the time somehow,” Emma whimpered, rolling her hips against Killian’s thumb.

Being in wolf form had been perfect, but had left both of them with so many pent up urges, that they didn’t even feel like themselves right now. They were slaves to their animal natures, Emma’s soft whimpers like music to Killian’s ears as he tortured her clit with the barest of touches.

“Is that a yes?” Killian teased, watching her face contort with pleasure as she slid her hands across the ridges of her ribs, almost, but not quite touching her own nipples. The sight of her touching herself was immense, something that made Killian grow even harder in his underwear, the fabric rubbing his engorged tip almost painfully.

“Fuck it,” Emma growled, slamming her hand into Killian’s chest. It took him by surprise and he pulled his hands from her sex. Emma balled the material of his t-shirt up in her fists and yanked hard, pulling him into an upright sit and crushed her lips to his. “Yes. That’s a yes,” Emma sighed against his open mouth, relaxing into his embrace when Killian wrapped his arms around her torso and his hands roamed her back.

Killian’s fingers dug into her shoulder blades, holding her to him and letting her rub herself against his length, her motions teasing him to the edge. His manhood ached, a deep, painful throb down in his abdomen, the thrill of Emma’s dominance something he would never tire of. As a male, he was inherently commanding, but damn if he didn’t like to be controlled by the she-wolf currently working herself into a frenzy.

“I love it when you’re in charge,” Killian panted, his hands skimming down her back and slipping between her cheeks. Emma gasped a little, lifting herself up so he could feel how wet she was. “So wet,” Killian growled, slipping his fingers through her folds from behind, teasing a finger over her opening as she ground her clit against his jeans. Their foreheads were touching, faces pressed together and Emma arched her chest into his, the cotton of his t-shirt rubbing her begging nipples and her hands roughly clutching his sleep messed hair as she nodded.

Emma grinned slyly, licking his lips as she pulled her mouth from his. Killian chased after her mouth eagerly, but Emma grabbed his jaw and held him at bay. Her hooded stare flicked over his features, hair ruffled and cheeks flushed red. She just smirked, imagining his pretty lips between her legs, tongue ravaging her clit until she came.

“You want the bad wolf?” Emma purred seductively and Killian nodded his head in her hands.

“I want her,” he gulped, his erection painful in the confines of his jeans. Emma shifted her weight, well aware of the pain it would cause him, and Killian winced, groaning through gritted teeth.

Emma felt the muscles of his jaw tick under her fingertips and grinned. She reached down between their bodies, popping the button on Killian’s jeans in one deft move, relishing in the way he moaned in relief. “You think you can handle her again?” Emma ran her tongue along the seam of his bottom lip, nibbling the plump flesh between her teeth and biting down, gently tugging his lip before sucking the pain away. Killian ground out another wrecked groan and shuddered, his eyes fluttering closed as he focused all of his energy on not coming in his pants. “Do you?” Emma repeated her question, lightly slapping his face.

Emma got her answer, but it wasn’t in words. Killian gathered her up in his arms, his biceps straining under his shirt as he pushed himself to his feet and Emma wrapped her legs around his waist, clutching the back of his head for balance. It was pitch black in the loft but Killian could see, they both could, and he expertly made his way through the gauntlet of furniture towards Liam’s bedroom.

Emma giggled in his arms, finding his mouth once more and teasing his tongue with hers as she kissed him, hard. Killian made the bed just in time, losing his grip on Emma’s poker hot skin and throwing her onto the mattress. She squealed excitedly, clawing her way towards the headboard and biting her finger, teasing the tip of it around her lips as she gave Killian a salacious look.

“Looks like someone else’s bad wolf has come out to play,” Emma smirked sexily.

Killian growled, his eyes the darkest shade of grey-blue Emma had ever seen them. He shed his jeans quickly at the foot of the bed, stalking around the side and never taking his eyes off the prize in front of him. Emma smiled coyly, sucking the tip of her finger into her mouth and then scooting to the edge of the bed to greet Killian’s now rock hard erection, poking out proudly from under the edge of his t-shirt.

Killian threaded his hands into Emma’s hair, cradling the back of her skull in his hand and guiding himself into her mouth. There was no hesitation, Emma meeting him mid thrust with her tongue flat to the underside of his cock and her nimble fingers kneading the tightness in his balls. He sighed, knees shaking a little as Emma relaxed her throat, taking him to the very back of her mouth and swallowing around him.

Emma sucked his length, replacing her hot, wet mouth with her hand when she needed to breathe, stroking him languidly and teasing her palm over his sensitive tip. Killian brushed her hair back, holding it away from her face so he could watch her lathe his length with her tongue, lips forming a tight suction around him each time he disappeared into her mouth. His grip tightened on her hair and Emma smiled, feeling him harden even more when he hit the back of her throat and her gag reflex clamped around his tip.

“Fuck,” he hissed, pistoning his hips into her mouth even harder. He held her face in place, fucking her mouth with quick, shallow thrusts that dragged his tip along the ridges of the roof of her mouth and made her teeth lightly scrape his length. When Emma gagged, her body heaving forward and her fingernails digging into his thigh, he released her with a content grunt.

Emma pulled her head back, releasing him with a pop and Killian let his hold relax, looking down into her watery eyes in awe. “I thought you wanted the bad wolf?” Emma purred, licking the tip of her tongue along the underside of his head. His erection was so hard it was almost purple and if he didn’t come soon he thought he was going to explode.

Killian grabbed Emma’s ankle, swinging her body sideways so she was sprawled across the width of the bed on her front and her feet were touching his lightly haired thighs. Emma laughed excitedly, her skin buzzing in anticipation of his next move, tossing her hair over her shoulder and casting a glance his way. He took a hold of both of her feet, dragging her towards him a little more, his huge palm slapping the flesh of her behind hard.

Emma cried out on a gasping breath, her buttocks clenching and her grin widening. Killian’s hair had become a little damp from sweat and he struck Emma again in exactly the same place, delighting in the way she tensed away from him and a red, hand-shaped welt appeared on her creamy, white globe. Emma gave him a raised eyebrow, the apples of her cheeks almost touching her eyes as she smiled at him with a glint in her emerald greens.

“He’s already here,” Killian growled darkly, looking down at the thick length in his hand, the velvety skin shifting up and down as he stroked himself. “You want him?”

“Yes,” Emma whined, almost begging. She squeezed her thighs together for a little friction, thrusting her pelvis into a ripple in the duvet cover, anything to relieve the ache between her legs.

“You think you can handle him?” Killian teased idly, reaching into the bedside drawer and pulling out a little silver foil packet. It was their last one and Killian silently thanked whoever was watching over them for making sure with all of their other escapades they hadn’t used them all.

Emma chuckled, his words an echo of hers earlier, their roles reversed but not for the worse. She raised herself up on all fours, shuffling to the edge of the bed as he sheathed himself in the latex condom, rubbing herself against the tightness of his balls playfully. Killian hissed at the searing hotness against his skin and began to ooze inside of the condom when he rubbed his length between the cheeks of Emma’s behind.

They were so worked up, wound so tightly, neither of them was going to last much longer. They were at the behest of their sexual desires, two wolves with nothing to lose but each other, and as Killian lined himself up and sank into Emma’s molten core, all of their roleplay faded away. There didn’t need to be an alpha in the bedroom. There was no need for dominance with them, just love, pure and simple, and their whole demeanour changed instantly.

“Turn over, love,” Killian insisted gently, helping Emma onto her back. She complied willingly, brushing the hair from her face and letting him pick her up and move her into the middle of the bed. They stayed intimately connected, Emma’s muscles gripping his length as they moved and Killian took a second to shed his shirt so that they were both naked.

“Are you okay?” Emma asked softly, gasping when he began to move inside of her again.

“Of course,” Killian assured her, wrapping her legs around his waist and making sure he was seated perfectly inside of her as he laid his body down over her own. “I just want to make love to you.” He had stilled, eyes flitting over her flustered features and he could feel the thrall of Emma’s arousal coursing through his senses, urging him to pound into her with abandon until he was lost forever, but he resisted, cock twitching inside of her as he awaited her response, fingertips brushing a stray strand of hair from her brow.

“No one has ever made love to me before,” Emma smiled, her hand finding the side of his face and cupping his cheek in her hand.

“Well, then, may I be the first?” Killian’s sudden nervousness made Emma blush, her sweet smile stretching from ear to ear on her face. She nodded, her voiceless reply prompting his long, slow movements, his hips rolling into her and teasing the bundle of nerves between her legs on each thrust.

There was almost no space between them, Emma’s breasts flattened by Killian’s bulk, his elbows beside her head and hands stroking through her hair lovingly. His lips found hers again and he kissed her, deep, deliberate swipes of his tongue that mirrored his hips, Emma’s tongue meeting his like the roll of her own hips. A sheen of sweat began to appear on their bodies and their heavy panting had turned the room humid, neither of them even realising.

Killian made sure to take his time, what little resolve he had left, and could feel every ripple and ridge inside Emma as he pulled out and then sank back into her warmth each time. She was wet, practically soaking the duvet where she lay and he glided in with ease each time. Emma whimpered at the peak of each of his thrusts, her moans gobbled up by his mouth on hers and without warning, stinging tears sprang from her eyelids and rolled down the side of her face.

Killian noticed her breath hitch but didn’t stop his ministrations, kissing her harder to reassure her that they would be okay. Neither of them knew what tomorrow was going to bring, or if Killian would still be alive by the week's end, so if this moment was all they had, they had to make it last. Killian’s thumb smoothed over her cheek, wiping away her tears and he began doubling his efforts in chasing her orgasm, angling his hips just so when he heard her make the sound he had come to recognise as an indication of her impending release.

“Shhh, love, It’s going to be okay.” He rolled his hips harder, bumping her clit with his pubic bone, holding her legs to his hips when they began to shake. She was close. He could feel her muscles begin to pinch at his length, drawing his own climax from him, but he didn’t want to come yet. He wanted to make love, show Emma that she was the most precious thing to him and that he had meant every single word he had said.

He would fight for her, for them, and he would give her forever. If they had that long.

Emma pulled her lips from his suddenly, her breathing too shallow and she clutched the back of his head, holding his damp forehead against hers as her body began to shudder beneath him. She locked her feet behind his back, getting the right angle that way, her muscles fluttering inside of her as Killian’s girth coaxed her release from her with each thrust.

“Come for me, Emma,” Killian begged, his words nothing more than a whispered breath in her ear. “Let me feel you fall.” His beard tickled her chin as he kissed her again, needing to feel her lips on his before he fell with her.

With a stuttering moan, Emma went rigid, her orgasm ripping through every cell in her body like nothing she had ever felt before. It was different, not as intense, but no less pleasurable that any release she had experienced before. She went deaf, all sound replaced with a low frequency buzz and she felt Killian jerk his hips sporadically, his own climax following seconds after hers.

When the tingle of her euphoria ebbed away and her hearing returned, Killian was kissing her collarbone and holding her as closely as he could without crushing her. Emma’s hands skimmed over the expanse of his back, his muscles rippling under her touch, the charm necklace he wore stuck between their bodies and unmoving when Emma’s fingers pulled the chain around his neck.

“I promise to always love you,” Killian panted against her skin between open mouthed kisses. “Nothing can make me stop.”

“Forever,” Emma breathed, fingers tickling the hair at the base of his neck.

“Forever,” Killian repeated, seizing her lips once more.

#alii dimidium lunam #adl #werewolf au #cs au #cs fic #cs ff #wolves of misthaven #temporary dog au #ch 20 #to warm your cockles

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