#laying on the floor screaming crying yelling he was SIXTEEN-

[sensesdialed]

hey do you guys wanna be upset

[echo-hiraeth]

Chiquitita - Marcus Moreno x F!Reader

Summary: While Marcus is a great dad, he isn’t always equipped to deal with the typical teenage girl problems. Luckily the reader is there and knows exactly what to do.

Warnings: nada, enjoy yourself boo

Masterlist

A/n: We reached 100 followers! So I wanted to provide you cuties with some fluff ;))

The door slammed shut just as it opened, Missy stomping her way up the stairs before you even had the chance to say hello. Marcus and you shared a look, both equally confused as to what the hell was going on.

“I’ll go check on her in a bit”, he announced pressing a kiss to your temple before getting up off the couch.

“Make sure to bring a peace offering, hun”, you taunted, not bothering to look up from your book.

He threw a magazine at you, tutting out a response before grabbing a pair of mugs, set on making some hot chocolate for the both of them.

Missy was sixteen now and the hormones had been a major adjustment for all three of you. While she’d always been a daddy’s girl, since actually hitting puberty the two of you seemed to be closer than ever before. You and Missy often had secluded girls-nights, aka nights where the two of you watched an array of cringey romance movies and gushed over the “hottest boy ever” together. These were the nights Marcus spent in your shared bedroom alone, not wanting to subject himself to Bridget Jones or Mamma Mia yet another time. In the mornings he’d often find the two of you passed out on the couch, contently smiling at the sight. Marcus had his life cut out for him, except for that one week a month.

“What was the boy’s name again, the one she had a crush on last week?”

You raised your hands in defence: “Hey, I swore to secrecy Moreno, I’m not gonna rat her out.”

“Not even for this?”, he joked, rubbing his hands over his upper body.

“Oh please, as if I can’t get that regardless.”

He sat back down next to you, a hand on your thigh as he let the back of his head rest on the couch. “I’m not good at this kind of thing, this is more your expertise.”

You leaned your head on his shoulder, letting out a heavy sigh. “I know.. but you’re the dad, you have to learn at some point.”

He groaned, playfully shoving you off of him as the microwave beeped. “Pray for me.”

Shaking your head, you listened to his footsteps on the wooden staircase, re-immersing yourself into your book once again. You managed to read four whole pages before you heard a door close, followed by Marcus’ familiar jog down the stairs.

“No success?”, you probed from the couch.

“Affirmative. You’re up.”

You put your book on the coffee table, giving him a wink before climbing the stairway yourself. The closer you got to her room the clearer the music. She was listening to “Driver’s License”, that one viral tiktok song about some boy breaking some poor girl’s heart. Oh boy. You took a deep breath, softly knocking on the door before creaking it open.

“Can I come in?”

She let out an even louder sob, letting herself fall back on the bed. You took it as a yes.

“Jake do you dirty?”, you questioned, laying down beside her.

Missy turned her head towards you, tears stained with black streaks from her smudged mascara.

“He’s a total dick”, she replied, emphasizing the last part.

You huffed out a dark chuckle, pulling her into your chest. “Ah, teenage boys. No brain and all head.”

She playfully slapped your arm, blushing at your stupid joke. “He led me on for weeks just to date Lucy.”

“Lucy as in third-hour-bio-Lucy?”, you asked, mentally thanking yourself for remembering all these stupid small details.

“Exactly!”

“What a bitch!” you groaned.

You both laughed in unison, sharing a look before you suddenly got up off the bed. Missy quirked a brow at you: “What are you doing?”

“Gimme the phone”, you ordered, extending a hand to you. “And get your ass off the bed.”

She did as she was told, unlocking the phone before handing it to you, getting up off the bed, giving you a puzzled look. “What the hell are we doing?”

“Heartbreak, but like the right way”, you said, scrolling through Spotify until you found what you were looking for. The first notes of Abba’s “Chiquitita” sounding through the speakers, both of your mouths curling into a grin.

“I can’t believe you’re a real fucking person sometimes”, Missy giggled as you sung along to the lyrics, busting out some of the most wicked dance moves.

“Hey! Less talking more singing!”

You grabbed a hold of her hands, just in time for the chorus to start, dragging her up the bed and starting to jump. Completely out of breath and giggling the two of you screamed the lyrics at the top of your lungs.

Chiquitita, you and I know

How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving

You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end

You will have no time for grieving

Chiquitita, you and I cry

But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you

Let me hear you sing once more like you did before

Sing a new song, Chiquitita

Try once more like you did before

Sing a new song, Chiquitita

Somewhere mid-chorus Marcus had walked into the room, the whole commotion drawing his attention away from whatever he was doing before. He looked at the two of you, screaming-laughing as you jumped up and down on the bed. A sea of pillows and stuffed animals had fallen victim to your shenanigans, splayed out across the floor. You had your backs towards him as you settled down, panting as you pulled the teenager against you, hugging her.

“Boys can be shitty.. but I promise sweetheart, they can be fucking great as well.”

“Hey! Language!”, Marcus warned, throwing Mr. Snuffles at your head.

“Dad! Go away!”, Missy yelled, hiding her face in embarrassment.

You pressed a sweet kiss to her head, whispering to her that she could come and talk whenever she liked before chasing Marcus out of the room. He spun around in the hallway, smirking at you as you closed the door behind you.

“Abba? You’re so old!”

[boxoftheskyking]

Something Good, Part Sixteen

I know this is late, and not to be That Guy, but it is the playoffs

In which there is music and Wei Ying is awkward

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen

--

Lan Wangji kicks him out of the kitchen, but kindly. 

“The children will be worried,” he says, nudging Wei Wuxian towards the door. “They didn’t see you last night. I will prepare breakfast, and you should wake them.”

So Wei Wuxian wakes them, just as he always does. It’s one of his favorite moments of the day and is the only thing that makes rising before five worthwhile. Sizhui and Jingyi always stumble over to him where he kneels, rubbing sleep out of their eyes and tumbling into his arms. He holds them for a long few seconds, feeling their warm little faces against his neck, their messy hair tickling his nose, their tiny fists pressed against his chest and shoulders.

“Are you dreaming, little ones?” he always whispers before picking them up and spinning them awake.

This morning he stays down on the floor with them for a long time. Jingyi starts snoring, a little whistling hum, which makes him laugh, which makes him cry. 

“Wei-qianbei,” Sizhui says when he lets them go. “Are you sad?”

“No, A-Yuan. No, I’m not sad.” He wipes his eyes. “Ha! Come on now, everyone. Breakfast! Breakfast! And I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” Ouyang Zizhen hops over, grinning down at him.

“Yes! Yes, come on. Up! Up! Hanguang Jun is making breakfast today!”

“Hanguang Jun can cook?” Su Meiling asks with her undershirt stuck over her head.

“Hanguang Jun can do everything,” Lan Ting says.

“Clothes! Clothes, now, come on.” Wei Wuxian gets Su Meiling sorted out and darts around tying sashes and pulling up boots.

Wen Ning stays back in his corner, dressing silently and staring at him, blank. Wei Wuxian, still a coward, sends all the children out before approaching him.

“Are you going to leave?” Wen Ning asks.

“No.”

“Are you going to change your mind?”

“I’m not going to leave unless they send me away. Unless you all want me to leave.”

Wen Ning nods. 

“Do you—” Wei Wuxian scratches his nose. They’re really only a few years apart. He suddenly feels like the young one, desperately seeking approval. “Do you want me to leave?”

There is a very, very long silence. Three years at least. Then Wen Ning throws himself forward, wrapping his arms around Wei Wuxian’s waist and pressing his forehead into his shoulder.

“No, no, please don’t go. Don’t go.”

“Aiyah, Wen Ning. They’ll have to fight me off.”

Wen Ning mumbles something into his shirt.

“What? Here, I can’t hear you.” He pulls the boy back by the shoulders.

“Why were you going to leave?”

Wei Wuxian chews on his lip. “I was wrong about something. I thought something had happened that would mean I couldn’t stay, but I was wrong. Now I know where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to do.”

“And what’s that?” He’s shrewd, this kid, gentle but iron underneath.  

“Look after you. For as long as you need it.”

“And Jiejie?”

“What Wen Qing does is her business. The junior disciples are mine.”

Wen Ning makes him wait for it, but finally a sunrise smile takes over his face.

“Okay?”

“Okay.” Wen Ning salutes him and dashes out the door to catch up with the others.

--

In the afternoon, the children quietly practice their brushwork. Lan Wangji doesn’t look like he’s been up all night, but he’s passed on teaching lessons and set them busy work instead. Wei Wuxian is leaning against the doorway and keeps jerking himself awake. They’re mostly very attentive, focused on their writing with furrowed brows, tips of tongues poking out from serious faces. Wei Wuxian doesn’t notice that Lan Wangji has left until he comes back with Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren. 

That wakes him up, trying to stand at attention and look responsible. The look Lan Xichen gives him is so kind and almost proud, it reminds him of Yanli and makes it very hard to not do something ridiculous like hug him. Lan Qiren is impossible to read. He doesn’t look completely furious or disgusted, so Wei Wuxian assumes he’s been told the whole story. 

Wei Wuxian opens his mouth to say something, can’t think of anything, and bows instead.

“Wei Wuxian,” Lan Qiren says. Wei Wuxian bows again. “I’m told you will be staying in Cloud Recesses.”

“If allowed by the Grandmaster, of course,” he says diplomatically.

“Hmf,” is all the response he gets. 

“We are honored by your continued service to our sect,” Lan Xichen says. Wei Wuxian scratches the back of his neck and barely stops himself from scuffing the toe of his boot against the floor.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says suddenly. Lan Xichen’s eyebrows raise and his lip curls up in surprise. Now Lan Qiren looks furious.

“Yes, Hanguang Jun?” Better to play it safe.

Lan Wangji says nothing more, just reaches into his sleeve and pulls out Chenqing, holding it out to him with his jaw set and shoulders straight. Wei Wuxian looks hastily around the room, wondering if a set of guards or angry villagers might burst through the windows. Nothing happens. The Sect Leader and Grandmaster also do nothing, though Lan Qiren’s face is nearly as red as Lin Biming’s. Wei Wuxian takes the flute from him, giving an awkward little half-smile, and then tucks it quickly away inside his shirt. 

“Wei-qianbei!” Lan Feifei pipes up. “Is that a flute?”

“Yes, Feifei, just a flute. Just a normal flute, for a normal man. To play normal music.”

“Will you teach us?”

“Oh, yes, teach us!” Lan Hua and Su Ming shout from the back of the room.

“Uh. I, uh . . . We’ll see.”

Lan Qiren storms out of the room. Lan Xichen smiles, bows to them, and follows, graceful as a summer breeze.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian hisses to him. “He may not be able to send me away, but he can still kill me with his mind.”

“Who?”

“Your uncle!”

“He can’t—”

“Never mind!” Wei Wuxian waves him off, suddenly feeling restless. “All right, disciples! You’ve all worked very diligently today, and you behaved so well during the festivities this week, how about we spend the rest of the day with the rabbits? Good, yes?”

Lan Wangji raises an eyebrow at him.

“Really, Lan Zhan, get your face under control,” Wei Wuxian mutters to him before heading out the door.

“I will see you this evening,” Lan Wangji says.

Wei Wuxian spins back around to him and pouts. “No bunnies for you?”

He shakes his head. “There is work to be done now that the guests have all left. But I will ask Madam Xiao to supervise dinner and bedtime tonight. Come to the Jingshi.”

Wei Wuxian looks at him for a long moment, waiting for some crack in his expression. “All right,” he says finally. “Deal.”

--

He spends the afternoon playing Chenqing for the children and the rabbits. When the children ask him “What song is that? Is it about something?” he makes up fantastical stories about cranes that turn into old women and children that grow in place of radish bulbs.

He’s hit the point of being awake for so long—and he’s realizing how little he’s been sleeping all week—that he’s tapped into a kind of manic energy. Part of it surely is being able to play music, freely, as much and as loud as he likes, for the first time in years. He lines the children up and tries to assign them each a little melody.

“Now, Yao Hualing, when I play this figure—” he blows a little trill— “then that means I’m calling you. Ready?”

He plays it again, and she hops up. Su Meiling hops up, too.

“No, A-Ling, this is you.” He plays a slightly different trill, and she frowns at him.

“I can’t tell the difference, Wei-qianbei.”

“Me neither!” Lan Yixian yells, hanging upside down from a tree branch.

Wei Wuxian sighs. “Well, we’ll call that a failed experiment. Who knows a song to teach to everyone?”

After a number of favorite songs sung too many times, and an intense argument over how many children Mother Chaochong has in the “real” version, it’s time to eat. He turns the children over to Madam Xiao and apologizes for the inconvenience. She just pinches his cheek, which makes the children scream with laughter.

When he gets to the Jingshi, the door is closed, and he’s not certain if Lan Wangji is around. He kicks some stones around on the pathway, nerves bubbling up inside his ribcage, until the door opens and Lan Wangji looks around, face worried.

“Lan Zhan!” he calls with completely false confidence. “Here I am! Are you going to play the gu—”

He loses his voice and his mouth goes completely dry when he gets to the doorway. Lan Wangji is dressed for bed, only wearing one layer of robes, hair down around his shoulders. It’s an odd sight when the sun hasn’t even started to go down yet.

“What—” he can’t think of what to ask, so he takes his boots off and holds them. Lan Wangji sits down on the bed, and Wei Wuxian is quite sure the skin on his cheeks is about to melt away.

“You haven’t slept.”

Wei Wuxian shakes his head.

“You should sleep.”

Wei Wuxian coughs. “I have a— I have a bed.”

“There are other people there, in the servants quarters. You won’t sleep well.”

“There’s other people here. I mean, you’re here.”

Lan Wangji’s brow furrows. “Would you like me to leave?”

“No!” Wei Wuxian shouts and drops his boots. “I mean. Unless you want to. But you’re not dressed, so that would be a scandal. What would everyone say? Wen Qing might see you, and then where would we be? Not—”

“Wei Ying.”

“Yes, Lan Zhan?”

“Come here. And sleep.”

He has some kind of hypnotizing powers. That’s the only explanation for how Wei Wuxian is suddenly next to him, one knee up on the bed.

“And what about you?”

“I will also sleep,” Lan Wangji says, as if it’s that simple. He rises and closes the door, then crawls onto the bed, settling near the wall. There is plenty of space. 

“There’s no way I’m going to sleep,” Wei Wuxian breathes. Lan Wangji just looks at him, a challenge, and far be it from Wei Wuxian to not meet a challenge. 

He lays down on his side and stares over at Lan Wangji. “I mean it, there’s no way—”

“Shh.”

Wei Wuxian glares at him, then squeezes his eyes shut as dramatically as possible.

He’s asleep before he can take another breath.

Part Seventeen

[oyesmendes]

at your pace - N.H.

a/n: this one. this is me, im stripping down my walls. i just felt like i had to write this for everyone to know that you’re not alone. sexual assault is not a joke. 

warnings: sexual assault, sexual harassment. 

- 

she knows she shouldn’t be doing this. The heat of the moment make out session where her legs were wrapped around Niall, his hands roaming her body and his tongue slipping into her mouth. it was all happening too quickly, he was carrying her to the couch, laying her down on softly. He was pressed up against her, sloppy kisses on her face down her neck. She was squirming a bit, not enough for him to notice though. Her mind brought her back to the past, the crying the screaming, the feeling of an unfamiliar hand on her body. but Niall is not a stranger! She tried to block those thoughts out, but when his hand slid up her thigh she pushed him off and shot up, her own arms wrapped around her body. He saw her curl into herself with a sort of fear in her eyes. did he read all the signs wrong? was she not teasing him? A million thoughts ran through his mind while she stood there shaking slightly. The flashbacks of her past - ones that she’s been trying so hard to forget, had suddenly come crashing down on her. The look on the faces of the men in her past, and that one incident on a train. She felt dirty, used and violated. Hot tears were streaming down her face as she struggled to breathe. Niall didn’t know what to do in the moment, and he grabbed her hand to pull her toward him. Wrong move. She shrieked, thrashing her wrist out of his hand. She curled on the floor for 2 seconds before she ran towards the kitchen sink, dry heaving and sobbing at the same time.

Normally, she would feel embarrassed for her actions, wanting nothing more than the other party to leave and never look back. But this time, something in her heart pull. She knew she was safe with Niall, heck she felt the safest with him than any other guy before. She wanted him to approach her, slowly, and take her into his arms. To show her that she was safe and she could trust him. Niall stood and watched her from a distance, his hands itching to help her but he knew better than to lunge forward and take her into his arms right now. He didn’t know what was going on. He walked towards her slowly when she slid to the ground, leaning against the cabinets behind her. Her breathing eased but her eyes were still squeezed shut, sweat dripping down her forehead. Niall sat next to her, making sure to keep his distance. She felt his presence, surely. No matter how messed up she was, she always felt Niall’s presence. That’s how she knew she was safe. He watched her chest rise and fall, and her forehead relax after a few minutes. Say something, Niall.

“Y/N, sweetheart” he called out, hands inching closer to hers. She heard his voice, and her toes uncurled themselves, shoulders brought down from her ears. Try again, please.

“Baby, can I touch you?” Yes. She opened her eyes, head turning so she could look at him. His face was full of worry, hands now in front of his lap when he saw her looking. He was trying his best, and so was she. She nodded. He let out a breath he was holding, a soft smile on his face. Niall inched closer to her, arms wrapping around her shoulders and he took her in. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and she buried her face into his chest. All her muscles were relaxed. Her movements were slow and intentional, hands tracing across her torso before she wrapped him in her embrace.

“M’sorry” she mumbled into his chest. He waited a few moments for her to look up at him and he shook his head.

“N’thing to be sorry about”

-

They moved from the kitchen floor to the couch now and she was sat facing Niall. He was leaning towards her, listening intently as she spoke.

“It happened on a train, I was sixteen and this guy he felt me up. The cabin was empty. I didn’t have anyone to help me…” her words faded and Niall didn’t even realise his fists was clenched. But he listened, blood boiling in his chest. She recounted the events, every small detail. It was scary how she could remember it all - the facial features of the man, how he moved his hands up her thigh and stared right into her eyes when she looked at him. She remembered how he didn’t flinch when she moved away, only following her movements so he could get closer.

“Then when I was 19, this guy he tried to take advantage of me. We were dating but- I never said yes! He pushed against me and tried to force me to make out with him and I-“ she was yelling, sobbing and a mess. Niall grabbed her wrists, firm but gentle at the same time.

“Hey hey hey, it’s okay” her eyes met his and she took in a breath. It had been years since she told anybody. She doesn’t even remember if she told anyone about the second incident. She was so afraid of what people would think, how they would pin the blame on her. But she knew Niall deserved to know. if she was going to love him even more than this, he deserved to know.

“You’re safe here, you’re safe with me.” He whispered, hands now cupping her face. She nodded slowly, intertwining her hands with his. This is why she did everything slow and intentional. Not because she was a tease, but she needed to know if her body was ready. She needed to know if there were going to be flashbacks that would scare her half to death. She needed to ease into things and not dive in wholeheartedly. This was her coping mechanism.

“Slow?” She looked up at him and he cocked his head like a confused puppy. She laughed, brushing her hands on his cheek. He nuzzled his face into her touch - so gentle, so meaningful.

“I need to take it slow” she repeated. He nodded, pressing his lips softly on her cheek. He was starting to learn, slow, meaningful kisses. This put a smile on her face and she kissed back.

“At your pace, petal”

[agerestorybits]

twin trouble

Turns out Remus wasn’t the only one that would shrink when they put off regressing too long. Something they all found out when both Remus and Roman had been working together non stop for two weeks during a creative burst.

Roman was working himself to exhaustion and Remus was holding back all the nastier stuff so he could be of service. As soon as they finished and got into their beds, they dropped.

Patton found Roman after a toddler Remus went streaking through the hallway naked. Logan caught him and wrestled him into a diaper and pants. Remus managed to take his shirt off. After the third time he took it off, Logan gave up.

Roman was just slightly bigger than Remus but not by much. He was still asleep when Patton found him. Patton stayed in there and waited for him to wake up instead of waking him in case he scared him.

When Roman woke up it was easy to get him dressed and down stairs for breakfast. He saw Remus was also small and got very excited. “Re!”

Remus looked up from his cereal. “Ro!”

He started to squirm down out of his seat before Logan stopped him, “Finish eating first.”

“Mkay!”

Patton put Roman down in the chair next to Remus and went to get Roman cereal. He returned to Remus trying to feed Roman his cereal and Roman going along with it.

“Logan! Why didn’t you stop him?” Patton asked, setting Roman’s bowl in front of him.

“I didn’t see any reason to upset Remus by telling him that he couldn’t share.” Logan said. “Isn’t that an important lesson for children?”

“Well..yes.” Patton relenanted as Roman dug into his food and Remus went back to eating his own.

As soon as they were finished they ran off to play. Roman better at walking than Remus was by quite a bit. So when Remus fell down Roman ran back to help him up before Logan could.

“Aaaw!” Patton said watching as Roman helped his brother up and then grabbed his hand so that he wouldn’t fall again. “Ok! Who wants to color?”

They sat down on the floor, each with a coloring book. Remus insisted on Logan sitting next to him. So Roman made Patton do the same thing for him.

It went like that for most of the day. Roman would do something then Remus would copy him or visa versa. It got to the point where they were just watching the other waiting for them to make the first move.

“It’s like a tiny showdown.” Virgil commented.

Patton laughed. “Any idea how long this will last?” He asked Logan.

“Well it took Remus over sixteen hours to revert back to normal. “I think we can expect something similar this time.”

Janus walked and took one look at the twins before turning and walking out again.

Remus got bored of their game of copycat and waddled over to Logan. He held his arms up, “Up!”

Logan picked him up. Remus yawned and laid his head down on Logan’s shoulder, a tiny arm hugging his throat.

“It looks like nap time.” Logan said.

Roman pouted, “But..I wanna play with Re!”

“Remus needs to sleep now.” Patton said gently.

Roman shook his head, “No! Re!”

Remus started and looked around confused. He had almost fallen asleep. Tears appeared in his eyes.

“Shh. it’s ok.” Logan said, swaying a bit.

“Put him down!” Roman yelled at Logan.

“Roman you need to calm down this isn’t...ow!” Roman kicked Logan’s leg.

Patton picked him up, “Ok. It’s time out, time mister.”

Roman screamed and kicked his legs. Remus started bawling.

Logan left the room to calm him down better. Roman yelling no the whole time.

Patton det him down in the corner, Roman tried to dart past him to follow Logan. Patton blocked him.

“No no no! Re!” Roman yelled, crying reaching for his brother.

“He’s going to take a nap now. He’s tired.” Patton explained.

“Give him back! RE!”

Patton looked up at Virgil for help.

“Ok. You can see him but you have to be really quiet.” Virgil blurted out.

“I see Re?” Roman said breathing heavily.

“IF you are quiet.” Patton whispered the last word to get the point across.

Patton picked him up again and they went to Logan’s room.

Remus was laying on Logan’s bed asleep. Logan raised an eyebrow at Patton.

“Shouldn’t you say something to Logan?” Patton asked the boy.

Roman looked away from Remus, “Sorry…Can I see Re now?”

“Quiet. Don’t wake him.” Patton said setting Roman down.

Roman walked over and peeked over the edge of the bed at his brother before climbing up onto the bed next to him and laying down. He put a hand over Remus’s closed one and just watched him.

Logan nodded to Patton who smiled before leaving. Roman drifted off to sleep next to his brother.

---

“Remus give that back!” Roman yelled bigger again.

Remus laughed as he jumped over the couch and took off up the stairs. Roman tan a hand through his hair. “I can not stand him!”

Patton, Virgil, and Logan shared a look before bursting out laughing.

Roman looked at him, “What?”

They laughed harder at his offend expression.

---

“This is a bad idea.” Virgil warned.

“Please! It’s just for a couple hours.” Patton insisted. “Logan can’t watch both of them on his own!” Virgil looked over to where Remus and Roman sat together with Logan on the floor.

“What about Janus?” Virgil hated to suggest it but Janus would probably be better at it then he was.

“I’ve got to go!” Patton said sinking out into the real world to help Thomas. He sent a thumbs up as he left.

Virgil took a breath. This was fine! He was just back up in case something went wrong. It was fine! Logan would be doing most of the work.

And he did! Until Thomas summoned him too.

“I’ll be back as quickly as possible.” He promised handing him a sleepy Remus.

Remus immediately panicked and reached for Logan. He was squirming so much Virgil was scared he’d drop him. “Can’t you just take him with you?”

Logan felt the pull of the summon again before he glanced back at a drying Remus. “Fine!” He grabbed Remus and then they were both gone.

Virgil sighed in relief. He just had one of them to watch now. This was ok. Roman was just playing with a puzzle on the floor.

Virgil sat down close by and watched him as Roman sat with his tongue stuck up focusing on putting the puzzle together. As soon as he put the last piece in Virgil clapped, “Good job!”

Roman looked up at him beaming before he turned around, “Re look it’s done!...Re?” He looked around confused as where his brother and Logan had been before there was just air.

“Roman it’s fine.” Virgil said, trying to calm the rising panic in Roman.

“Where’s Re?” Roman asked standing up. He looked around again, “RE!”

Shit! Virgil had forgotten about how panicked Roman got last time Remus left the room when they were both regressed.

“It’s ok. He’s just with Logan.” Virgil said.

Roman looked at him, “Why? Did we do something bad again? I didn’t mean it!” Roman cried. Again? “You did do anything bad.” Virgil promised.

“But they took Re! And I...I didn’t mean to be bad! I’ll be good! I want Re!” Roman cried.

Virgil hugged him which did nothing for the anxiety rising in the boy. Why did he think if he was bad then…

Oh.

When they were younger they were separated. That fear of separation must only come out when he was little. “Wait here for a second ok?” Virgil asked.

Roman looked at him confused but nodded.

Virgil sunk out into the real world.

“Virgil! Why are you here I didn’t-” Thomas started.

“Who’s watching Roman?” Patton and Logan asked at the same time.

“Can’t talk. Need this.” He said grabbing Remus from Logan and sinking out.

He showed back up and was tackled by Roman. “RE!”

Remus woke up a little and looked at his brother, “Ro?”

Roman hugged his brother like his life depended on it. “I’m sorry. They won’t take you again!...right?” Roman asked looking up at Virgil.

“No one is going to separate you two again.” Virgil promised.

---

It was another hour or two before Remus reverted back to normal. Roman stayed little. Virgil held his breath at this.

“Re?” Roman asked looking up at his brother. Remus blinked, “Do I look like that too?”

“Well..yeah.” Virgil said.

Remus put a hand to his face, “The mustache?”

“Not there. Sorry.” Virgil said.

Remus sighed in disappointment before looking down as Roman tugged on his pant leg. “Re?”

“Yeah?”

“You gotta leave now?” Roman asked.

Virgil frantically shook his head. Remus shook his head, “No I can stay. Do you want to play something?”

Virgil sighed in relief. “Piggy back ride?”

Remus smiled, “Sure kid.”

Virgil made a note to tell Logan and Patton about never separating the twins when Roman was regressed again.

[depressedkakashihatake-fics]

Moving Forward

General

1649 Words

For: @wargraymon0709​

This kind of took on a life of its own and ended up being sort of a more sad fic so...i apologize.

Voices linger in the air. Silent whispers that he tried desperately to make sense of, only to have one of the doctor’s walk in and close the door, making it impossible for him to decipher what’s being said.

“Hatake-san,” Her words are meant to catch his attention, but he doesn’t bother to look up. Eyes locked on the Tanto that Lord Third had left with him during a short visit. “I have a few questions to ask you before we release you. Do you think you’re able to answer them?”

Taking a deep breath, Kakashi stuffed down all of the emotions boiling up inside of him and turned his attention up to the doctor. “What kind of questions?” He asked with a calm voice. Something that she didn’t seem to be expecting, judging by the look of surprise on her face.

Basic questions follow.

How are you feeling? He lies. No one needs to hear about that. They don’t actually care, why would they? He’s just the son of a shamed shinobi who took his own life. They wouldn’t notice if he disappeared into the night never to be seen again.

Have you had any thoughts about harming yourself? That one feels like a low hit. The only reason his father chose to do this was because of the way everyone was treating him. One failed mission and suddenly everyone hated him.

Hurting himself wouldn’t do him any good.

He had to prove himself. Show the village and everyone who had scolded his father that he wasn’t like him.

 Show them that he was better. A good, strong, successful shinobi.

“Hatake-san?” snapping out of his thoughts, Kakashi focused on the doctor once more. “Is everything alright? You seem distracted.”

His heart told him to scream. To kick and cry and throw the biggest fit anyone had ever seen in their lives because only an idiot would think that he wasn’t distracted. That he wasn’t currently reliving that moment over and over again in his mind. 

As if he couldn’t still feel that sticky, gooey blood on his hands even though Choza-San had helped him wash it all off a few hours ago when he arrived at the hospital with his teammates. 

His mind told him to stop, though. To take a deep breath and push it all down. Just like he had been doing ever since he walked into Lord Thirds office to inform him about what had happened while his father’s blood stained his hands and his heart ached in his chest. 

“I’m fine.” He chokes on the words, and his teeth scream at him to grab something to gnaw on. A habit of his to help him focus and calm down in high stress situations. Unfortunately, there’s nothing. Well, except…

Glancing back down at his fathers tanto he debated using it as a chew toy for a moment. It wouldn’t be the first time he had done it, and it would help him in this situation just as it had when he was a little kid. 

No.

Giving his head a shake, he pulled the Tanto close to his chest.

Of all the things he could gnaw on, this wasn’t one of them. Not anymore. There was no one in the village who would fix the hilt anymore if he ruined it with his teeth. Where once the blacksmiths of the village would clamber over each other for the chance to just hold the white fangs tanto, now they would scuff at the thought of even looking at it.

He had to take care of it. Keep it in proper, fictioning condition if he wanted to be able to use it when he was finally made a genin. 

A sharp knock on the door caught his attention. Looking up he watched as the door opened with a slight creek and Shikaku-san stepped into the room. The look on his face matches the one that Kakashi’s pretty sure he’s wearing as well.

The appearance of a shinobi. Strong and controlled even in the face of tragedy. Although, Kakashi’s certain that Shikaku is far more convincing than him because the doctor doesn’t seem to question the sixteen year old for a moment when he tells her that he’ll be taking over. She just nods her head and leaves the room with no argument.

Something that he wished he had the ability to make people do. Maybe then they would leave him alone more often.

“Come on,” Shikaku’s words are sharp. An order with no room for argument, and before he realizes what he’s doing Kakashi jumps off of the bed he was sitting on and starts to walk towards the older man. He’s half way there when he realizes what’s going on and stops in his tracks. “Don’t make me explain it kid. I just spent ten minutes telling my old man to stuff his stupid opinion on this. I don’t want to argue with anyone else.”

Tightening his fingers around his fathers Tanto, Kakashi straightened his back and glared up at the older man. It wasn’t that he wanted an argument. An explanation would be just fine.

At least then someone would have bothered to explain something to him tonight instead of just treating him like a child.

“What a drag,” Shikaku turned his eyes up to the ceiling with a groan. “Fine. You’re staying at my place kid. I’m not going to let you go back to an empty house. Especially not when-”

He doesn’t need Shikaku to finish his sentence. Just thinking about going back to that house sends shivers down his spine. The place probably stinks of blood, and even if someone has already come in to clean up the mess he’s certain all he’ll see when he walks into the living room is his fathers dead body laying in a pool of his own blood.

Heck, he’s not even at home and that’s already all he can see. Even when he tries not to focus on it, it’s right there in front of him. Cemented in his memory forever.

Still, he refuses to let Shikaku see the hurt deep inside of his soul. If he knows what Kakashi’s thinking, how he’s feeling, he’ll never accept him as a shinobi. Shinobi don’t show weakness. They don’t crumble because of loss.

So he keeps it to himself and turns his gaze away from Shikaku. 

“I don’t need your pity, old man.” he grumbled under his breath, cringing when a hand came down into his hair. For a second he expects to be hit, or at least yelled at. After all, he’s being rude to a Jonin and that’s unacceptable behaviour for someone who wants to be a shinobi of the leaf village.

Instead, nothing happens.

“We’ll pick up some clothes for you in the morning,” Shikaku continues as if Kakashi hadn’t said anything. “Now come on. It’s late and I want to get at least some sleep tonight.”

With that said Shikaku turned towards the door and started to walk away, leaving Kakashi standing there with his fathers tanto still clutched close to his chest and no idea what to do next. Was he supposed to just listen and follow Shikaku? Was that the right thing to do? Or should he argue and say he can take care of himself. That he has to take care of himself.

After all, who else is going to take care of him when the entire village hates him already because of his fathers actions?

“Are you coming?” Shikaku asked, raising an eyebrow when Kakashi looked up at him. “Come on. I’m not leaving you here. Sensei would kill me if i did.”

“Sensei…” the word is a whisper when he speaks. Barely audible but just enough to catch Shikaku’s attention as Kakashi holds his fathers tanto out in front of him and stares down at it. 

Before he knows what’s happening, his knees give out under him, sending him crashing down to the floor. Curling into himself, he pulled the tanto close once more and buried his face into his knees.

He’s not really sure what happens after that. The rest of the world fades away around him as the anger and sadness finally take over, tears running down his face. All of the questions he refused to ask before suddenly come flooding from his mouth. A montra of ‘why’s’ and ‘how’s’ one after the other.

Suddenly it feels like too much for him to handle. He had been doing so well too, playing the strong soldier. Refusing to break.

Why was it now that he couldn’t seem to hold himself together anymore.

“Hey,” that same stupid hand returned to his hair, a soft sad look greeting him when he looked up from his knees. “It’s ok. You’re not alone.”

Funny, he certainly felt alone right now. Even with someone standing right in front of him there was an empty space in his heart that ached. Like a pain he had never felt before, taking over completely as he thought about his father.

How he’d never get to see him again. Hear his voice calling out to him, hold his hand, listen to him tell him all about when he was younger, or the things he had taught his students when they were still genin. 

How the last thing he had ever said to his father was ‘why didn’t you just do the mission?’ in an angry bitter voice after hearing villagers insult his father for days. 

He was alone, and he hated it. Pleaded with the universe to turn back time and give him a second chance. To let him keep his father by his side so he didn’t have to feel this unbearable emptiness deep inside of him. 

“Take your time, kid,” Shikaku whispers, a hint of weariness in his voice. “We’ll head out when you’re ready.”

[romansleftshoulderpad]

Straight for the Castle

Words: 2,950

Ship: Romantic Dukeceit

Warnings: Regicide mentioned more than once, dead parents, mentions of killing, it’s implied one of the sides is dead but if this thing gets a part two than I’m promising you he isn’t, sympathetic Deceit + Remus, blood mention, scars mention, Hell mention, the chorus is only used in halves the first two times because I have learned why I do not stray from my usual format for song fics

Tags: @fandermom @patchworkofstars @poisonedapples @hogwarts-my-love @opaque-puppet @omni-hamiltrash @darling-elm @jynxlovesluck @localtransgrape @no-one-remembers-achmed 

---

Sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise

The war had been a brutal one. The royal family had been brutally attacked and beaten as soldiers from a rival burned down the city. Their armies fought back but no one could have prepared for this sudden of an invasion- especially not one this size. Not on Christmas day.

“Over here,” Virgil, the prince’s personal guard yelled as he helped the twin boys from their room. They were just two months shy of their fourteenth birthday. They were terrified. “I know a secret passageway,” Virgil said. “Be brave little princes for me, won’t you?”

Roman might’ve cried, though Remus can hardly remember anything but the flames throughout the city and the sudden screams from down the hall where he would later spot the king and queen laying side by side in a pool of the very blood that ran through him and his brother.

They snuck through a tunnel in the walls, breathing in the dank and musty air and choking on cobwebs. Virgil wore a scarf that covered his nose and mouth. He was immune to the choking and coughing that plagued both princes.

Remus doesn’t think about the tunnel. He doesn’t think about his parents or his little sister that was taken. He doesn’t wonder if she’s still alive. He doesn’t think about the smoke in the air or the blood and ash that covered the city streets as they escaped.

But he does remember Virgil yelling “RUN” and the two boys splitting up. He turned his head and saw soldiers grabbing Virgil. He struggled as they threw him into a prison cart. He saw Roman running into the burning city as he ran into the woods.

He saw Roman running into the city. He saw Roman running. He saw Roman.

After that night, Remus never saw his brother again.

Both princes kept running.

Remus doesn’t know what happened to Roman. Some days he wonders if knowing is worth being hurt all over again. Remus kept running. He kept running. He kept running.

Remus kept running.

Tired of all these cameras flashing, sick of being poised.

Remus lived in the woods for years. He kept living. He kept running. He never looked back over his shoulder ever again, for he knew that all that laid back there was blood, ash, and smoke.

He found himself far beyond the edge of the capital after five years. He was outside of the kingdom after ten. Then again after fifteen. The kingdom that had taken over just kept growing. The more Remus ran the more his past stalked him like a hunter.

Remus remembered the flames. He refused to be prey ever again.

Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it

It was a year later when he met Ethan, a man shrouded in mystery who had been designated too hazardous and chancy to be part of any real civilization. When he found a feral man lost in the woods, he only had a few questions, none of which involved his past.

The two moved in together, in a small cabin Ethan had either built or stolen. His story changed every time.

But perhaps that’s what initially drew Remus to Ethan was that they were both outsiders. They had no family so they found a family in each other.

But what really convinced Remus to stick around was how Ethan was unhesitatingly down with regicide.

Already choking on my pride, so there’s no use crying about it

“Ethan,” Remus said, through a sip of coffee. His hands were shaking against the porcelain and he was afraid it might break. “There’s something I need to tell you. A-About my past. About why I’m here.”

“Remus, I thought we agreed that’s not necc-”

“No, I- I want to tell you. I need to tell you.” He put his cup down and met Ethan’s eyes. “Because I need you to help me get revenge.”

I’m heading straight for the castle

“Prince?” Ethan asked. “No, they- they killed the entire royal family.”

“Not me. Not Roman.”

“How did you-?” “I ran. I snuck out of the castle and I ran. For so long I ran un- until I met you.” Remus could feel his heart beating against his throat. “Because of you, I stopped having to run. And with you, I’ll never have to run ever again.”

“You’re asking quite a lot from me, Remus.”

“I know. And I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think we had a fighting chance.”

Ethan took a deep breath. He slid out from his chair and kneeled on the floor in front of Remus. He looked up with a dastardly grin. “Anything for you, your royal highness.”

They’re gonna make me their queen

“Alright, if we’re going to do this, we need to make sure it can work.” He dumped a handful of maps and scrolls onto the table. “I know that castle like the back of my hand.”

“And?” Ethan asked.

“And I know the tunnels too.”

“Perfect.”

And there’s an old man sitting on the throne that’s saying that I probably shouldn’t be so mean.

“We leave at midnight. In a week’s time, we take back the throne.”

Oh, all of these minutes passing, sick of feeling used.

Ethan could still remember the day he got kicked out.

And the day he finally ran away.

If you wanna break these walls down, you’re gonna get bruised.

He hid the scars on his face. He hid his magic, vowing never to use it again. After how his powers- how he- had been exploited, how could he? His parents had disowned him for being too powerful. He ran away from the puppeteer for being too weak.

He wouldn’t be a puppet.

He wouldn’t be used for a show or for pulling rabbits out of a hat.

He swore off human contact. He found a dead man’s retirement home and he buried the body. He taught himself to fish and caught all his meals from that point on. Eventually, he’d also learn how to hunt deeper in the woods.

But then he met Remus. And his promise of spending forever alone seeped through his grip like grains of sand.

It wasn’t instantaneous, of course, Ethan had to know he was trustworthy. Remus was practically feral, one with nature in far too many ways. But he had spent his whole life running. That was something Ethan could respect. That was something Ethan could understand.

Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it. Already choking on my pride, so there’s no use crying about it.

The two of them had found- well, stolen- a wagon from the nearby city. However, it had no horse to pull it, and a horse is a much harder thing to steal. Ethan took a deep breath as he broke one more vow, all in Remus’s name.  

“Since you’ve told me something about your past, your highness, I think it’s only fair I do the same.”

“Ethan, you don’t have to-”

He pressed his hands against the wood. He concentrated, feeling the energy flow through his skin. He hadn’t used magic in so long the feeling was almost foreign. His skin was buzzing and tingling. The cart began to move forward and Ethan promptly fell back, his head hitting the seat.

“Ethan!” Remus yelled, reaching out for him.

Ethan weakly raised his hand, waving it dismissively. “I’ll be fine.” His eyes slipped closed. “I’m just... a little tired.” As he drifted off to sleep, the magic continued pushing them forward. Remus pulled Ethan close, letting the magician’s head fall on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around him like a blanket. He would stay awake, watchful and protecting, in case anyone tried to come in between them. He would protect Ethan with his life before taking the unlawful king’s.

I’m headed straight for the castle. They’ve got the kingdom locked up.

They found themselves taking shifts, one sleeping while the other watched for any potential threats. They had both said it was for protection but to say there was nothing more would be to go back on their new promise to be open with each other.

Remus was sound asleep, tucked under Ethan’s arm when they approached the edge of the kingdom. Ethan ran his fingers through Remus’s hair, shaking him lightly. “Look,” he whispered, “revenge is in your grasp, your highness.”

“Our grasp,” Remus corrected, slowly opening his eyes. “We’re in this together, remember?”

Ethan blushed and tried to keep a straight face. “Of course, your highness. Together.”

“You don’t have to call me ‘your highness’ you know. I haven’t been a prince in sixteen years.”

“On the contrary, your highness, I don’t think I can stop.”

Remus laughed and pressed a kiss to Ethan’s face, his lips brushing against the scar that connected the corner of his mouth to his cheekbone. “You old sap.”

Ethan’s blush grew and he turned to face Remus, his eyes wide with shock. Their noses brushed and he felt he might faint. His eyes fell towards Remus’s mouth and his heart trembled with fear and excitement. In a life of solitude and confinement, was this what it felt like to fall in love?

“We’re one step closer to victory.”

“One step closer to your reign.” Ethan swallowed his heart. “Your highness.”

And there’s an old man sitting on a throne that’s saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

Flags hung in the city. Thousands of flags celebrating the king that had destroyed Remus’s life. Destroyed his family and burnt citizens into the soil that was merely swept off of the ground.

He kept his eyes on the prize.

Straight for the castle

He jumped off the wagon as Ethan withdrew his magic from it. “Hey,” Ethan whispered, touching his shoulder lightly. His touch was full of magic, it felt like static electricity against his skin. “Are you okay?”

There’s no use crying about it

“I’m fine,” Remus lied.

There’s no use crying about it

The screams and fire cackling echoed through his mind. The heat resurfaced to his face and the tears of fallen children threatened to fall from his eyes.

There’s no use crying about it

“Let’s go, Ethan.”

There’s no use crying about it 

They marched onwards

I’m heading straight for the castle

It was surprisingly easy to get to the back of the castle’s property, just west of the gardens. Remus tried to remember, he shut his eyes tight and, for the first time in years, let himself think about his brother and his parents. He thought about Virgil and his little sister. He pressed his fingertips against the brick and tugged at one of them, opening a small hole in the wall.

“Come on,” he whispered.

“You’re crying.”

“We’re getting revenge.”

They trekked forward. Ethan quietly looped their fingertips, holding on tight to Remus’s hand. They stopped and he heard Remus take a sharp breath. It was so dark they could hardly see a thing. “It’s okay to be upset. I can’t pretend I know what it was like that night, but I can be here for you now. And- And if this is the last time we see each other again, I have to say I-”

“Don’t.”

Ethan blinked, taken aback. “What?”

“Don’t say it, don’t think it,” Remus said. “If I- If I think of you like that- Ethan, I can’t lose you.”

“You won’t. I promise you won’t.”

They wanna make me their queen

They snuck into the old princes’ bedroom through an entrance behind the kingdom’s flag. It had been only touched by time. Remus reached out for an old teddy bear that had been laying on the ground. His button eyes were nearly fallen off and his cardboard crown had been destroyed. “This was Roman’s,” he explained. “He could never fall asleep without him.”

“I’m sure you’re brother is still out there. Maybe once you reclaim the throne, he’ll come back.”

Remus looked up at him, his cheeks flush red with the ghosts of tears still staining his skin. He had been crying in the tunnel. “I hope he doesn’t, deep down. I hope he’s out there, not thinking about this horrible night. He saw much more of it than I did.”

“Let’s go make sure no one ever sees a night like that ever again.”

And there’s an old man sitting on the throne that’s saying that I probably shouldn’t be so mean. I’m heading straight for the castle.

Remus unsheathed his dagger and the two snuck out of the bedroom. They had made it maybe ten feet out before stumbling upon nearly thirty armed guards. “HALT!” they yelled charging towards them.

“Get behind me!” Ethan yelled, sending a powerful blast of magic in front of him. Every guard shot back, most of them injured and a few dead. Ethan stole their weapons and marched onwards.

“You didn’t tell me you could do that,” Remus said.

Ethan turned around, his eyes were glowing white and a new scar sat across the bridge of his nose. “There’s a lot of things I haven’t told you.”

“Can I tell you that I am very turned on right now?”

Ethan laughed and turned back to the mission. “Maybe later.”

They’ve got the kingdom locked up And there’s an old man sitting on the throne that’s saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut.

As they approached the throne room, Remus returned his dagger to its sheath, instructing Ethan to hide his weapons in whatever way he could. The guards inside pointed their spears and swords at them, but they didn’t seem to know about the dead guards only a few rooms away.

“We wish no harm,” Remus lied. “Only a council with His Majesty.”

The king looked upon them. His crown hid a balding head and his beard hid the wrinkled face of a murderer. Remus’s blood boiled, calming only when he felt Ethan’s hand on his back. He had to remember why they were here. He bowed. “Your Majesty, I am Prince Remus. You killed my entire family and half of our capital when you took this kingdom.”

Ethan set off another blast of magic to his sides, knocking out several guards but nowhere near enough. A scar went through his right eye. He handed a sword to Remus and they fought off the guards in a blur of metal and blood. Somehow (probably through Ethan’s magic) both of them were able to get through unscathed. Ethan sent one last bear of magic, just enough to hold the king down to his throne, and collapsed on the ground.

Remus walked up to the struggling king, slowly and deliberately. He took his dagger and held it to the light. “A beautiful thing, isn’t it? I got it from my father. You remember him, right? He was sitting on this very throne when you took the blood from his veins and the life from his eyes.” He leaned over the king, their faces merely inches apart as he whispered, “which is exactly what I’m going to do to you.”

“You’ll go to Hell for this!” The king yelled.

Remus drove his dagger through the king’s chest, stepping away from the blood to avoid staining his clothes. “Then I’ll see you there, where I shall destroy you again and again and again until you know even a smidgen of the agony I have been faced with for sixteen years.” He took the crown off of the king’s head as he let out his last breath. Placing the crown upon his head, Remus proclaimed, “Long live the king.”

Straight for the castle. They’re gonna make me their queen. And there’s an old man sitting on the throne that’s saying that I probably shouldn’t be so mean.

Remus took the throne with Ethan by his side. They had a wedding shortly thereafter which Remus had claimed was to officially split their power, but their affection behind closed doors said otherwise.

Ethan hadn’t used any powerful magic since they took the throne, as it had caused him to go blind in one eye and he feared losing anything else. But Remus would kiss his scars and tell him how much he adored his “brave little magician.”

It was the night after Ethan’s crowing when he pressed his head against Remus’s and smoothed out his husband’s coat. “Now will you kiss me properly?”

“As you wish, your highness.”

“You know, you really don’t need to call me that.”

Remus hummed and wrapped his arms around Ethan’s neck. “On the contrary, your highness, I don’t think I can stop.” He leaned in and pressed their lips together. He could feel Ethan’s heart racing against his own. It was so soft and simple and Remus smiled into it. He could show Ethan magic, those powerful sparks that brought them here now against his lips. He could show him over a decade fighting against the wilderness. He could break him apart.

But Remus stayed soft and gentle. He pressed his hand against Ethan’s heart time and time again. After all they had fought for, being gentle was what they needed. Together.

I'm headed straight for the castle They've got the kingdom locked up And there's an old man sitting on the throne that’s saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

They say upon their thrones, equal in size and power, and interlocked their fingers as they watched the sunrise over the kingdom they would rebuild and restore.

Straight for the castle

[abloomntime]

A Bloom In Time Ch9 Fixing One Problem At A Time

-Small Time Skip-

THREE. HOURS.

They had been sitting there for a little over three hours reading this boring book on moon phases, what rock mineral and gases the stars and moon was made up off, how the Moon Penguins inhabited it, Star constallations. The whole works. But that wasn't counting Snatcher's annoyance at the kiddo's annoying stops. First she had to stop to help them pathetically crawl to the bed, which admittedly was better than the floor and at least they could throw the blanket around their shoulders as some defense against the cold, but that wasn't the point. Then she had to go upstairs to investigate a weird, which turned out to be some kind of lady in an apron behind the locked doors. A maid like Moonjumper had suggested most likely, or perhaps one of the royal cooks. Who knows? He's never bothered going in there assuming it was holding something crazier than the graffitied walls, and barely came here anyways. So why should it have concerned him? Not like he could've reversed whoever was locked in there anyways. He absolutely HATED everything about this right now-

"PRIIIIIINCE!!! MY PRINCE!! LET ME OOOOOUUUUUTTT!! YOU CANNOT KEEP ME FROM YOU!! YOUR BELOVED PRINCESSS!!! COME BACK TO ME!!"

Oh yeah. Did he mention Vanessa woke up bout half an hour ago and started screeching her lungs off calling for him? Yeah. Snatcher did his best to ignore the stupid yelling by forcibly reading the book, annoyed and anger bubbling under the surface. Meanwhile Moonjumper was panicking in their head and was worried she'd bust open the door and get to them....HA!! Fat chance. She was too weak to do anything but scream annoyingly and that door wasn't budging anytime soon. Once n a while he'd call out to Hattie in the hallway and check up on the progress, he hadn't done that in a bit so he might as well do it again. The storm outside didn't stop as the snowflakes still swirled around and lightning struck every so often, but it was a bit lighter. Must've been early morning at least. Snatcher made them turn a scowl to the doorway.

"HEY!! Are you done YET!? Im getting a little....Scratch that! A LOT annoyed at Ms. Pecking Loudmouth over there!"

"ALMOST!! I have ten more pieces to go! It's not easy to put them back together," she yelled back from the hallway.

"Well hurry it up, will ya?! I'm getting cold feet!! Literally and metaphorically!!" He grumbled annoyed and looked back to the book forcing himself to read about the gravity and air orbiting the moon from the Subconia planet to allow Moon Penguins and other people to breath on the moon and at least 55 miles within the planet's reach-

"PPPPPRRRRRIIIIINNNNCCCEEE!!!!! PHILIP!!!"

"OH SHUT UP YOU STUPID PECK NECK-!!!"

"I'M DONE!!," the child happily proclaimed from the hall interrupting anymore shouting and footsteps came rushing into the bedroom door they were in.

"YOU ARE!?" Immediately the book was dropped to their feet among the papers and their head snapped to the doorway as she ran in holding the precious magical hourglass in her hands. The beautiful sparkling blue sand lit up the little girl's precious proud face that if he weren't in such a dire situation MIGHT have thought was cute as she jumped onto the bed and hoped over to him holding it up. They stared at her for a little while before Snatcher snapped back up to her face. "WELL?! Whatcha waiting for kid?! Summer? Get to reversing us and let's get the PECK outta here before she remembers how to ice stuff again!!" "I QUITE agree, Sweetheart!! Let us make our leave of this place and NEVER come back!!"

Hattie nodded with understanding and looked down to the precious objects only she could semi-work. Good thing she had LOTS of practice already reversing things from all those time rifts she had to fix. Holding the small time piece up Snatcher and Moonjumper watched fascinated as it flew up in the air and slowly started to spin.....Which got faster....And faster.....AND FASTER!! Until it looked like a mini blue glowing tornado as it spun so fast, the blue light and energy waving off it got stronger and stronger until Hattie slammed her eyes shut and looked away when a giant BOOM!! Was resent off! A giant energy wave of light and energy game from the time piece, enough for her to stumble and fall onto her back on the bed. Her hat falling over her face. The giant flash also blinding her. Sending more chills down her spine. As soon as it came it left, and she groaned. After a few seconds, leaning back up again. Pushing her hat back and using her other hand to reach up and rub her eyes. Snatcher didn't fair much better. Glass and sparkling blue sand caught their reflections in their sparkles, energy gathering up and then-.....White. The energy was so bright he had to turn his head away to avoid it, the energy wave knocking him back to the floor and everything going black. .......But it was like something snapped off him. All the weight. All the weird weakness. ....GONE!! Instead he felt....POWERFUL!! BIG!! RECONNECTING WITH ALL THAT MAGIC AND ENERGY AND THE MANY SOULS UNDER HIS COMMAND!! HE. FELT. COMPLETE AGAIN!! WITH NO ONE ATTACHED TO HIM EITHER!! The frightening figure of a sixteen foot ghost rose above the child as she finished rubbing her eyes and blinked up at him. The ghost stared down at his three clawed hands, a dangerously menacing evil grin on his face as he stared at the ghostly purple hands, a bright blue flame suddenly appearing in both lighting up his already glowing yello eyes and mouth. If Hattie was any normal person she would've ran for her life, but instead she smiled seeing him back to his old noodle self and quickly crawled along the bed to grab the time piece that fell by her feet as Snatcher laughed.

"AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHH!!!! YES!!" He lifted his hands up higher. "NEVER AGAIN!!"

"Does that mean you won't take my time pieces anymore?," Hattie asked giving him a suspicious look.

"Trust me, Kid. You can dump those things into the sun for all I care. I am NEVER laying a hand on one again." He sighed and with a snap the blue flames disappeared-

"MY PRIIIIINCE!!!" Hattie jumped at the suddenly loud voice and Snatcher growled snapping his head towards the sound. They had both momentarily forgotten about Vanessa after changing Snatcher back, but now she was back to being dead too......She could easily walk through the barricaded doors just as easily as Snatcher or Moonjumper could. She couldn't hurt Snatcher. He was just as equally if not MORE powerful than her with all the souls he's collected and without a curse that prevented him from leaving the manor unlike her. Plus he was already dead....But she could most definitely hurt the small child looking completely SCARED at the sounds of her. The thought of anyone laying a hand on HIS girl made the fluff around his chest and neck bristle up more in rage as he growled and sensed her prescence inching closer. "PHILIIIIIPPP!! COME BACK TO ME!!!"

"W-Who's Philip? AH!!" She had to grip the time piece hard to her with one hand and grab her hat from falling off with the other as Snatcher snatched her up in his arms and snarled at the bedroom doorway.

"Never mind that! Now do exactly as I say! Hang on to that magical glass and close your eyes!"

She didn't have to be told twice as her knuckles turned white gripping the hat and time piece to herself and gulped down the lump in her throat as Snatcher floated over to the hallway and looked out. Immediately catching the attention of the once again ghostly Vanessa who hissed and pointed her hand at them.

"YOU?! WHERE IS HE!? YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM MEEEEE?!," She shrieked making Hattie completely shake in the snarling ghost's hold and pull her hat down over her eyes. Vanessa shrieked some kind of incoherent screech and charged for them. Snatcher was NOT in the mood to be dealing with a crazy peckneck, not while his little girl was in danger! The dark purple ghost easily shot out above her near the ceiling out of her reach and made for the set of stairs that lead down to the first floor. Hugging the shivering girl to his soft chest. Vanessa lashed out at them missing Hattie by a couple inches and still screeched when Snatcher shot down the stairs with her chasing behind but he was too fast for her. "BRING ME BACK MY PRINNNNCE!!!"

The long ghost moved like a snake in the twisting and turning corners easily and diving down the stairs leading into the celler-......Before absolutely stopping. Still with a snarl, Snatcher snapped his head to the two lightly clanking chains. ...Him hanging there. Crying for forgivness. Not being able to escape- WITH A SCREECH OF HIS OWN THE AMOUNT OF FANGS SHOWING DOUBLED AND HE DARTED RIGHT FOR THEM!! ONE OF THE CLAWED HANDS REACHING OUT AND WITH A CRUNCH SOUND SUNK RIGHT INTO THE BASE OF WHERE ONE OF THE CHAINS WERE BOLTED TO THE WALL!! FUELED BY ANGER AND BEING OUT OF IT!! THE SNATCHER SAW RED AND WITH MORE CRUNCHING SOUNDS PULLED THOSE CHAINS FROM THE WALL!! Pieces of the wall came off with the two chains as Snatcher raged pulled them out one after the other with the force of a thousand Vanessas. The rock pieces and chains splashed into the water below with metal clanging noises from the chains as Snatcher watched with a snarl.

"PRINCE!!!"

Snatcher briefly snapped his head behind him at the stairs before clutching the still spooked child with both hands and again shot out the celler doors. He knew Vanessa couldn't leave the manor but he didn't know if she could enter the celler, but he wasn't staying to find out. The cold air blasting him and the little girl making her shiver more as he bulleted up, up, UP like some rocket. Flying high above the mansion and through the top of the ice dome, he momentarily looked around and down at his surroundings from way up high before settling on looking to the left and turning his body to shoot down, down, down. The air still cold and hard, but got warm quickly. His fluff and hattie's hair flying around wildly as he took them down and ended up landing some where randomly in his swamp. The ghost proceeded to start zig zagging through the trees, slithering in the air like a sea serpent still clutching the child to him protectively.

"W-W-What a-about Uncle M-Moon?!," Hattie finally shouted out daring to lift one corner of her hat off to peek up at him. "Isn't he still back there?!"

"Don't worry about him!," SNatcher stated bluntly, "That old peckneck can take care of himself! Besides it's morning already! He's probably back in that horizon prison until nighttime again!!"

He'll be fine. The Horizon was probably as far as one could from Vanessa being on another plain of existance. As he slithered between the trees he gradually began to slow down, but never stopped, even when he entered the burning part of his forest and casually floated along he never stopped, still tightly holding Hattie to himself in a protective hold. But she had stopped shivering and pushed the hat back on her head, her hands relaxing their grip on the time piece but still holding onto it. She coughed every so often from the smoke around them, and didn't like the heat too much, but she'd rather have herself in the clutches of Snatcher flying throw a burning cursed forest, than a frozen statue in Vanessa's creepy house forever. Now that this problem was solved they could relax. ....Well, for now at least. As he continued to float past everything he finally looked down to the little girl looking around at her surroundings......And frowned guiltly.

"Uh....Hey, Kiddo. How uh...How are you hanging in there?"

She looked up to him and smiled. "A lot better now that we're not near that crazy peckneck! And I got this!" She held up the sparkling object smiling more. "Hey! Thanks for saving me back there! I didn't know you were that fast!" Her eyes sparkled with childhood fun making him smile a little.

"Heh....Well, I have to be fast if I want to get to all my traps in someone stepped in them. A spider always catches the fly!"

She looked confused for a moment. "I thought the big spiders around here were ghosts like you too."

"Well....They are but...I-It's just a figure of speech, Kid." A small silence settled over the two as Hattie took off her hat and shoved the time piece in it before putting it back on her head, he still smiled at her a bit....before that frown came back along with a guilty feeling. ".....Hey, Hattie." She snapped her head up to him hearing her name and he slightly looked away. "....Im not...Good at saying this buuuut....I might be sorta, a little, almost sorry about...the whole borrowing without asking thing. Maybe."

She stared at him for a little longer before giving him that usually smug face making him groan and her giggle. What a soon-da-ray! "I'll forgive you, but only if you stay out of my vault."

He chuckled. "Trust me. I NEVER want to touch one of those things again. You can have them"

She nodded. "Good. Cuz I would've fought you again and won if you didn't give it back."

he chuckled. "You do pack a whallop don't ya?" Sure she did. She wacked Vanessa once and it was enough to knock her unconscious for a little over three hours. But all that aside. It was good to be back in his usual form again. He felt SO much better like this, but his happy smile was short lived when he saw the sight. They just broke through the burning tree line and the child coughed a few more times before shaking her head glad to be rid of the smoke smell and heat when he froze and stared ahead of them at him home. "WHAT THE PECK?!"

A couple of his minions were giggling and had four Mafia men backed against a tree as they all cowered away from the giggling spirits. One dweller with a white mask with long ears was holding the random old man and swaying him back and forth as if playing as he shouted for it to let go. Then ...Hey! It was the researchers. Mr. Tim was holding one of the Subconites up and seeming to be studying it as it wriggled around and demanded to be put back down. Thor was INSIDE SNATCHER'S HOME looking at everything with a magnifying glass, while Mr. Oldster was snoring fast asleep in Snatcher's arm chair. Two minions were giggling as another dweller in a fox mask was drawing on his sleeping face using their long body to hold some kind of chalk. Rough Patch seemed to be the only one who wasn't causing trouble as he just slept underneath Snatcher's chair curled up to look like a bush randomly growing under it. But they all stopped hearing Snatcher's yell and looked up. The King Ghost stared at them all for a second before scowling further and lowering his arms to drop Hattie onto her feet and pointing inside of his home. At the same time Mr. Tim dropped the minion and the dweller dropped the old man.

"YOU AND YOU!! GET OUT OF MY HOME AND STOP TOUCHING MY THINGS BEFORE I DEVOUR YOUR SOULS AND LEAVE NOTHING LEFT BUT YOUR SAD EXCUSE FOR FASHION!!" Thor immediately did so, fumbling with the magfifying glass and quickly grabbing his sleeping partner who fell and started cursing a bit being woken from his nap but Thor dragged him away seeing Snatcher float to his home just in time for them to literally fall out and into the small water moat that surrounded it. Snatcher watching annoyed but also amuzed at it. "Now. ALL OF YOU GET THE PECK OUT OF MY FOREST AND DONT EVER COME BACK OR I'LL-"

"They can't!" Snatcher looked over as Hattie bounded over to them as Thor and Oldster dragged themselves out of the water. What did she mean now? "They're stranded here! Your forest is far away from EVERYTHING!!"

"Hmph. That's kinda the point kiddo. I like my privacy. Can't you just take them?"

"No! I don't have my umbrella, and even if I could, you said I can't have strangers on my ship!"

He opened his mouth...but closed his grumbling. He JUST wanted to take it easy for a little bit. "Well what do YOU suggest? I can't teleport them half way across the world, Kid."

She smiled. "Conductor can pick them up!" She then pointed in a direction. "His train runs by your forest everyday, can't you just take them to the train station?"

He rose what would be considered a brow at him and sighed. "Kid. That's three miles away through a part of a desert. You want me to take all these dummies to a train station, through a desert, for three miles?? What's wrong with you doing it?"

"I have to return the you know what that YOU took!" She scowled and crossed her arms.

Oh....That. "Why don't I return it?"

"Fat chance! And you promised you wouldn't touch them anymore remember?" He scowled a bit but she jumped up on the vine and bounded towards him before reaching up and tugging on his hand. "PLEASE!! I promise I'll really, really forgive you!!"

He stilled stared at her with a scowl before groaning. "You're not going to leave me alone until I do it are you?.....Fine, FINE!!" He tugged his hand away from her. "But this talk is NOT over!" He snapped his head to all the other men who jumped at his frown. "ALL RIGHT!! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!! STAND UP!! AND GET MARCHING!! IM PECKING TAKING YOU TO A BLOODY TRAIN STATION AND WE ARE NOT STOPPING UNTIL WE GET THERE!! .....WELL GET GOING!!" He pointed a claw down a dirt path and immediately the group of men got stepping Thor and Oldster tripping over one another to get out of the water.

"I say, I think you grew more cranky than the last time I encountered you. Too bad I couldn't find research a ghost's habitate."

"I can give you a REAL up close view if you want."

"Uh...N-No. Im fine...But pray tell, where is that young fellow and the lovely young lady. We were forced by that little girl with the powerful umbrella to lock the poor dear in a bathroom."

Snatcher scowled further at Vanessa being called a 'poor gal' but Hattie spoke up before he could. "Uh....M-My dad and.....m-mom..." He could see and hear her inwardly cringe. H A R D. At that. "Are fine. T-They were taken back home, a-and my .....'Mom' freaks out a lot."

Thor looked confused but a growl from Snatcher was enough for him to shut up, grab Mr. Oldster, and start dragging him to catch up with the others. Snatcher starting to float behind them, but looked at Hattie one more time. "Go HOME. And stay there until I come back. ....And remember. NO talking about any embarrassing crawling to anyone! That includes Bow and your funny vacuum cleaner." Hattie nodded and Snatcher turned back around to follow the retreating group. "COME ON!! MARCH, MARCH, MARCH!! If you all hurry you might be able to catch the afternoon train run! If not, it makes another round at night! But as soon as you're all at the station Im DONE!! AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE ANY OF YOU HEAR AGAIN DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND HEAR ME?!"

"Geez, Newbie. What took you and Boss so long?," one of the minions asked tilting her head at her. "Minion Number Twelve's been missing for a long time, but he showed back up with a whole bunch of weirdos and a cat. And then he said the boss told him to keep them here and wait for his orders."

Hattie just shrugged and pulled off her hat. Reaching back inside and pulling out the sparkling hourglass and smiling at it. Time to go home and put this back where it belonged. With the others locked away safely FOREVER!! Holding it up with one hand, she waved bye to the Subconites watching her and felt that same light headed as she vanished from the forest in a flash of blue-white light. A moment later of high sped traveling she landed on firm ground inside a very familiar looking control room inside a very familiar looking ship. Smiling, she looked around the place but didn't see Bow anywhere. Maybe she went back to bed, she did look really tired-

"oW! MY CircUIT BoArD!!," a familiar robotic voice sounded out as she felt something bump against her foot.

She looked down and happily smiled at Rumbi as he went around her. Bending down to pat him a few times, before looking back up towards the vault. Only she knew the code to it and it was in her home language which no one else knew or rea, so that was a plus. One she got close enough, she placed the time piece under one arm and using the other, she used the other to type in strange symbols into the keypad on the bottom of the vault door. It beeped a few times before a giant DING noise came from it and a robotic voice said 'Access Granted. Welcome'. The lock unbolted with a giant click and she grabbed the handle, with a giant grunt, she pulled the heavy duty door open. IT. MADE. A. HUUUUUUUUGE. CREAKING NOISE THAT ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SHIP!! She opened it just enough for her to peek in and smile at the hundreds of sparkling time pieces, all identical to one another and sparkling with that magic sand. Carefully she tossed the small hourglass with all the others and backed out from the door, with another grunt and LOUD creaking noise, it sealed back shut and the lock clicked loudly back in place. To her satisfaction the monitor screen showing the count of hourglasses went from 999 to exactly the even number of 1,000 time pieces accounted for. All safely back inside the vault. With a sigh, she turned back around and made her way back down the ramp. Never thought she'd be so tired in the morning but all she wanted to do right now, was take a long nap on her bed or pillow mountain. But she looked up when the WHOOSH noise of a door opening sounded out, and she blinked seeing Bow walk in towards her. Bow blinked at her for a moment before rushing up to her.

"HATTIE!!" She stopped a few feet in front her giving a worried look. "I heard the vault open! Are you ok?! Where's Snatcher!? Did you get the magic glass thingy back!? Who's that weird but nice lady in your bed room?!"

Hattie blinked at the sudden amount of questions but only blinked and asked one back. "There's a lady in my bedroom?"

"YES!!" Bow threw her hands up. "She said a witch teleported her here and she's been doing nothing but using your blanket and reading your story books for HOURS!!"

She stared blankly at Bow for a long moment, before her memory slapped her in the face and her hands reached up to touch her cheeks for a moment. "OH MY GOSH!! POPPY!! I COMPLETELY FORGOT!!" Not saying anything else, she ran past Bow who Blinked and quickly ran after her back through the bedroom door and down the long child sized hallway towards the bedroom, once the two girls made out the other side of the door into the bedroom Hattie immediately saw the older woman. Poppy had taken her blanket off the bed and was sitting cross-legged on the soft mattress with it wrapped around her. Her plain black shoes, which were still soaking wet from the celler water, was left by the bed soaking the carpet underneath. In her hands was Hattie's favorite fairytale book 'Starella and the Milky Way Prince' which Poppy was reading but stopped and looked up once the children came in. Hattie immediately ran over to her. "IM SORRY!! I didn't mean to take so long, I swear! "

Poppy immediately held her hands up at the child's distress. "What? No, no. Sweetie, it's ok. Your friend was really nice and gave me some cookies so I think we can call it even." She smiled and Hattie now noticed she had an accent. It sounded similar to Cooking Cat's with her country voice. "But if I may ask, why did you take so long?"

Hattie groaned. "I had to put my time piece back together and then Snatcher had to rescue me from Vanessa, and then we flew REALLY fast, and then I had to convince him to take everyone to the train station and I completely forgot you were here and now I gotta find out what to do-"

Poppy held up her hands again. "Hey, hey. Slow down there. What do you mean train station? And where's your dad?...No. More importantly what sea are we on? Are we near the Nyakuza Islands or something?"

Hattie blinked at her. "No. You're in my space ship. In outer space. I'm an 'alien'....I asked Snatcher what an 'alien' was once, and he said aliens were space travelers...So Im an alien with a space ship!", she stated proudly.

"So....It is true...." She looked around the room for a bit, not sure what to feel. "Aliens do exist...and I really am in...o-o-outer space?" The girls nodded and she shook her head. "I thought your friend here was just playing a game. But.....wow...I guess that would explain the whole, not a witch thing and why your lamp doesn't use a candle....But why were you in the Queen's home? Were you trying to invade our kingdom?"

Hattie rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone keep asking me if Im invading them?...Whatever invading means." She gave Poppy a slightly annoyed look. "No. Snatcher stole a time Piece and broke it, and brought everyone back to life and I had to fix it!"

Poppy blinked again in even more confusion, "What's a....'time peice'?"

"......Maybe I should start from the beginning. " The small child went over and jumped onto the bed beside Poppy and gazed up at her for a moment in thought before sighing. "Ok. Snatcher said Im not supposed to talk to strangers.....But for some reason you look REALLY familiar, so I guess you're not a stranger??" She questioned her own sense for a moment before shaking her head again and smiling. "Well, you see a long time ago, I climbed into this space ship my dead grandpa made for me but my mom hated him because she was supposed to take over being Ceo of Time...Whatever that is, like the rest of my family did, but she said no. And she didn't want me traveling in space because she was really sick and needed me buuuut-....." She looked sideways considering telling her the rest, but for some reason she felt compelled to. I mean, practically everyone on this world already knew of the alien saving them from the crazy blonde kid with the hourglasses, except for Empress and maybe that Captain Walrus guy. SO really what was the harm? "Well I accidentally let all my time pieces fall on this planet and I had to go get them back-"

"What IS a time piece?"

"Oh. They're these magic hourglass things that can control time, but they're too dangerous to use, they also power my ship! I had to fix a LOT of stuff. And then I went home and-......" She again frowned and looked down. Her hands fiddling with the clip of her came. "M-My...mom...wasn't around anymore....I don't know where she went cuz I couldn't find her....But then I realized I was missing some more time pieces!" She looked back up to her after a moment with another little smile. "But that means I got to come back! And then I sunk a ship TOTALLY on accident, fought a whole bunch of crazy cats, OH!! And Snatcher gave me a whole bunch of clothes after I agreed to his death wish contracts! And now he's sort of kinda my dad....Which is COOL!! Cuz who else has a ghost dad!! Even if he is grumpier than Conductor."

"H-Hold on there a little bit, Sugar." Poppy lifted a hand up to her spinning and confused head trying to process this whole story thrown at her. Most of it DIDNT make sense since she still didn't know the most of the story. It sounded more like a story fabricated by a child's imagination like when she used to watch all the children play pretend at the town square while she sold her flowers. "So...L-Let me try to get SOME things straight....Your family is....gone." She didn't want to say dead to upset the child or anything. "And you're an alien?.....Ok. I think I can believe and get THAT part. But these magic hourglasses??" She hoped she was getting that right. She still could barely believe there was such a thing. "Power your ship with magic or something. And you now live here. And your father is a.......ghost??" Hattie nodded. Her father was a.....spirit? "Are you sure you're not a witch? I thought only those with great supernatural power could communicate with spirits and the dead. L-Like the old village fortune teller."

Hattie rose and shook her head. "I don't think so. Cuz everyone can see Snatcher. He's like this big loud mouth and he screams 'FOOOOOOLL!!' a lot, and haunts this forest."

"W-Well, he must be a very powerful ghost to do that. I mean I think he would be, I've never heard of any spirit like that. Or heard any news about cursed hourglasses, or a haunted forest. You must live far away from the Subonit and Subconette Kingdoms." Does that mean the man with the strange brown hair she briefly saw from under the blanket was that ghost? Did she really see and hear a ghost?! Well, she didn't know, he wasn't facing her and she didn't stop to see who he was. She was more worried about escaping before she was locked away again by that weird monster....Speaking of which, how did they get they get past her? How did this CHILD get past her. She still looked at Hattie confused. "How did you get past that shadow monster? I didn't see her anywhere when you rescued me. Does that mean she left the mansion?..ARE THE PEOPLE OK?!"

Hattie blinked and leaned away when Poppy gave her an extremely worried look and to Poppy's added panic and worry shook her tiny head. "They were all ice statues and ghosts. I'm sorry."

"W-WHAT?! N-NO!! NO THAT CAN'T BE TRUE!!" Those hands reached up quickly to grab her pretty red hair, her sharp movements making the storybook tumble out of her lap and onto the floor, both girls blinked at it before giving Poppy worried looks as the older woman took deeper breaths. "H-HOW!? HOW COULD ALL OF THIS HAVE HAPPENED?!"

"Queen Vanessa cursed everyone?" Hattie shrugged. "Im not sure how she did it, but Snatcher says she went really pecking bonkers and cursed everyone to freeze a long time ago."

"....." She slowly looked to her with wide eyes. "....QUEEN Vanessa?! You mean our b-beloved and k-kind queen?! S-Surely you must be mistaken. She's a-always been so nice if not a little strange, are you sure you're not mixing her up?"

The little girl scowled and crossed her arms. "I know a crazy person when I see one! I see LOTS of crazy people all the time. Some are scary crazy like Snatcher or Conductor but they're not THAT bad. But Vanessa is PECKING INSANE!! She tried to freeze me lots of times!"

"B-But....why?" Those blue eyes looked down at her hands unmoving as her brain STILL couldn't believe anything she was being told. She was always a nice person. Her friend, the prince, always said so. Sure she did a LOT of weird and sometimes questionable things, like banning bacon in the kingdom, or practicing hairstyles on her fiancé, but she always looked so happy whenever she saw her. And the children loved her, and so did the Prince who always said nothing but kind things about her. How did she-.....How COULD she? Surely this little alien must've been mistaken. She was from a far away place after all. "H-How....?"

The two little girls exchanged a look before looking at Poppy with pity. "I...I don't really know HOW? Snatcher said her black magic ate her soul up turning her into an ice witch, I think that's what he said. She got really mad because she was jealous I think, and then went crazy and froze everything!!....Well, except for Snatcher's forest. He has really strong fire powers."

"B-But....." She just shook her head. Nothing made ANY sense. "T-This doesn't make ANY sense!! I mean...I didn't think she'd-.....D-Does this mean the one who locked me up was-.....HOW COULD ALL OF THIS HAPPEN IN ONE DAY!?" She gripped her head harder. "SURELY!! N-NO ONE GOT FROZEN THIS FAST!!! I W-WAS FINE THIS MORNING!!"

"No you weren't. You were frozen like everyone else." Innocent confusion was on Hattie's face when Poppy snapped her panicked so confused head to her.

"WHAT?!"

"Snatcher tried to get Vanessa lost by throwing one of my time pieces at her." She crossed her arms and pouted a bit oblivious to the grown woman's panicked face. "There was a lot of frozen people in there for a really long time and came back to life when his wish backfired."

"How long were you in there, Miss?," Bow asked politely looking up at Poppy with a tilted head,

Poppy just sat there blankly for a long moment before shaking her head. "I-I don't remember. I-It must've been at least a D-day or day and a half!! I blacked out for a little bit after it g-got really cold!! All I remember is getting dragged up there by two giant knights, and then......Queen Vanessa..." It was STILL so weird and unbeleivable. She couldn't believe what she was even saying. "Blamed me for committing some kind of treason to the royal family, I can't remember exactly what she said, my memory is too fuzzy, and then I was l-locked upstairs. All I can remember after that is you rescuing me."

A small silence passed among the three girls sitting there, before Bow hummed and rubbed her chin. "You said you knew Vanessa?"

"W-Well...N-No. She never came by my shop, I only saw her once or twice when she visited the village. ....And I guess now as a monster of some kind."....Hattie's eyes suddenly became wide with some kind of realization and again the girls exchanged some kind of look catching her eye. "W-What?....W-Why are you making those faces?"

"You said you were alive before everything froze right?"

"Yes....W-Why?"

"Miss Poppy.....That happened a thousand years ago. You've been frozen for a long time."

[angelliev]

Lover Boy - JJ Maybank x OC - Part Sixteen - Fatherly Instincts

Word Count: 1.9K

Summary: The day takes an unexpected turn for Aria and Jennifer, while JJ becomes more protective of Aria and his unborn child.

Warnings: Pregnancy, birth, cursing, car accident, driving under the influence, sexual innuendos, and a little angst. 

A/N: I am so sorry I haven’t posted in a while! Life has been catching up to me lately and I’ve been sick for the past few days, but I’m up and ready to bounce back into action. Also important note, please for the love of JJ’s sweet face, don’t drive under the influence. It’s not safe and not only would you be risking your own life, but you’d be putting others in danger as well, which is not fair. Anyways, I hope you enjoy, I promise to make the one longer, and stay safe out there my lovies. (Not my GIF. Credits to the owner. Not my show or characters.)

Lover Boy Series Masterlist

2 Months

My eyes never left the evident baby bump belonging to my sister. I couldn’t help but think of how I’ll be in her same position in just a matter of a few months. The pregnancy had truly changed Jennifer. Her eyes have turned so soft, her petite and slightly swollen hand never left her bump, and she always had a warm smile spread across her face. As of now, the two of us are loading the car with our shopping bags. “What do you think of this one?” She holds up a baby blue onesie. Yep, she’s having a boy. She and Andrew have named him Levi. He’s due any day now. The couple is very excited for the arrival of their newborn. I have just recently met Andrew. He decided to fly out here from Boston to meet the family. Claude wasn’t too pleased obviously; my mom and brother however were ecstatic to meet the fiancé.

“I love it. He’ll look adorable in anything.” I reassure her. “I just hope I’ll still look good afterwards. I’ll have to work my ass off that’s for sure.” She chuckles. I nervously laugh thinking about the aftermath of birth. I think that’s one of the many things I seemed to be worried about. I just want the whole pregnancy and birth to go smoothly. My sister sees the concerned expression on my face.

“You know you can always talk to me about this stuff, right?”  She squeezed my arm lovingly as I continued to drive. “I know.” I whisper. “What’s bothering you sis?” She asked, earning a sigh from me. “JJ and I are just really nervous about this whole thing. We have no experience with kids. All of this is just very new to us. I think it’s really getting to JJ.” I say. “What do you mean?” She asked, confused. “He’s scared that he’s not going to be a good dad.” I mutter. “Aria, JJ is not his dad okay? JJ loves you, and he’ll make a great dad. I see the way he is around you. He’s grown so protective of you.” This made me laugh. “Tell me about it. He won’t let me bend over to pick up anything, even though I’m not that far along.” The two of us laugh. It’s kind of sweet to see JJ like that. Most times when we cuddle, he always has his head laying on my stomach and just smiles.

“Aria, look out!” Jennifer’s voice breaks the comfortable silence. My head whips to what she was warning me about. A speeding car had run the red light, giving me barely any time to respond. The powerful and harsh impact triggers the airbags to go off. My seatbelt hugs my body uncomfortably. The airbag impacts my face as if someone had kicked me in the face or chest. Our surprised screams fill the car and glass goes flying.

Groans had slipped past our lips from the pain of the impact. I reach over taking my sister’s hand. “Jennifer! Are you okay?! Is the baby okay?!” I asked frantically. I hadn’t even noticed that my other hand had instinctively clutched my stomach. A cold fearful shiver goes down my spine. Is my baby okay? “We’re okay, I think. Oh shit!” My sister had exclaimed looking down. I followed her gaze to find that her long skirt was drenched. It then clicked. Her water had broken. Shit…

“Okay, fuck. Shit. Where’s my phone? Crap! Is that guy okay?!” My mind was running a thousand miles per hour, I hadn’t even thought of the speeding driver. My eyes scan the other vehicle, where I recognize a rather unconscious familiar face. Luke Maybank. My breath had come to a halt for a moment, as if my heart was stuck in my throat. I didn’t even hear my sister on the phone with the authorities.

The sound of her painful groans had finally snapped me out of my daze. It then hit me that she was having contractions. “Please hurry! This baby is coming now!” Beads of sweat began to form on her flushed face. I acted fast by jumping out of the car and ran to her side, where I unbuckled her seat belt, before I pushed the seat further back into the vehicle, and adjusted close to horizontal. “Just hang in there.” I attempt to comfort her as she experiences another contraction.

My head kept whipping back and forth between the cars, debating on what I should do next. “Wait here. I need to check on him. Yell for me if you need anything!” I demand as I run to Luke’s unconscious side. As soon as I opened the door, a wave of alcohol had approached my nostrils. His breath had reeked of beer. “Asshole.” I muttered quietly under my breath as I checked his pulse. I was grateful to find that he did indeed have one. He let out a few gruff groans as he stirred, making me feel a pit in my stomach. I could only pray that he wouldn’t wake up to find me, at least until authorities arrived. I situate his neck in a more comfortable position.

An ear-piercing scream erupts from my sister, in result I rush back to her side. Her tear stained face was painted with pain. “They should be here soon. Just hold on for a little bit longer.” I encouraged her. “I can’t! This baby is coming now!” She cried. On cue, the sound of sirens had reached the area, signaling that the ambulance had finally arrived. Paramedics jump out to assist Jennifer and Luke.

“What’s wrong?” Asked the paramedic. “She’s in labor. The baby is coming like right now.” I explained the situation. “How far along is she?” He asked as Jennifer was placed on the stretcher. “Thirty-nine weeks.” I answered following, refusing to leave my sister’s side as we entered the back of the truck. Once we’re situated the driver takes off while the paramedic assists Jennifer who lays there in pain. I sit there in shock as she is guided throughout the birth. She squeezed my hand deadly tight, never letting go. Words of encouragement escaped my mouth as she continued to push. The wretched smell had left me nauseous. It took everything in me not to throw up right there in the back of the ambulance truck. All of the sudden, a shrieking little cry had entered the atmosphere. The little squeals had filled the vehicle.

“Good job! You did it!” I had congratulated my sister, who was now crying tears of joy to see her newborn son. She immediately comforted him with sweet whispers as he cried. I couldn’t help but admire the newborn boy as we drove to the hospital. My hand found its way back to my stomach, thinking about my very own growing inside me.

I lay and listen to the sounds of beeping around me while the doctor examined my baby with the ultrasound. That’s when I see a rather frantic JJ bolt into the room. He engulfs me into a tight and protective hug. I could feel his body slightly shaking. “Are you okay?” He took my face in the palm of his jittery hands. “I’m fine.” I reassure him. “Is the baby okay?” His hands move to my stomach. Before I could say anything, the doctor had answered his question. “The baby is okay and healthy. Still has a heartbeat.” This made JJ release a relieved breath.

“You guys scared me to death. How’s your sister and the baby?” He asked. “They’re both okay. They’re just running a quick check to make sure everything is okay with Levi.” He just holds me close. “There is something I need to tell you though…” I whisper. He looks at me concerned. “The driver who hit us, it was your dad.” I scanned his face. His eyebrows had furrowed and his eyes were beginning to turn dark with fury.

“Was he drinking?” He asked through his gritted teeth. I had hesitated to answer. I could already see just how disappointed he was of his father. “Yes.” I answer timidly. JJ runs his hands through his hair all frustrated. “Where is he?” He asked the doctor. “If you go down the hall, about five doors, you’ll see him with a couple of officers.” They explained. JJ mumbles a thanks and leaves a kiss on my head before leaving the room. I sigh to myself. Hoping that nothing happens.

My mom enters the room with a relieved expression on her face. “We’re okay mom.” I stopped her before she could bombard me with questions. “You guys had us worried sick. Where’s JJ?” She asked, noticing he wasn’t present. “He left about a minute ago to see his dad down the hall.” “His dad? I thought the two weren’t talking anymore. What’s he doing here?” She asked cluelessly. “Mom, Luke was the one who hit us. He was drinking and driving. Speaking of, I should probably make sure JJ doesn’t do anything stupid.” I huff getting up before exiting the room.

But of course, I was too late. I could already hear the commotion coming from the next room. When I enter to find out what’s happening, I see a furious Luke attempting to fight his way out of the police officer’s grasp. “You stupid fucking piece of shit! I told you not to get that bitch pregnant! I told you! I fucking told you!” His ferocious yells could be heard throughout the floor. My heart had once again sunk to the bottom of my stomach, knowing that people had just heard what he had said.

“Tell me what you’re gonna do boy! What are you gonna do huh? You think you have what it takes to be a parent? That baby won’t last a day with you. Not when all you do is get a high and fuck your girl.” I take a hold of JJ’s hand, trying to lead him out of the room. “Don’t listen to him baby. He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.” I whisper into his ear. His fingers interlock with mine when he faces his dad.

“I love this baby more than you have ever loved me. And you will never get to meet them. If you ever come near my kid, you’ll regret it. For all I care, you’re already dead to me.” JJ spit, his words came as a shock to my mother and I. And with that, he took me by the hand before rushing out of the room. Once we gain distance from the room, he lets out a frustrated sigh.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that babe. I’m so sorry for everything with the car accident, getting you kicked out, and worrying you. I’m so sorry for,” I stop him from rambling by crashing my lips against his in a sweet and comforting kiss. Our bodies melted against each other. All the worry and stress had exhaled from my body, leaving me in bliss as his lips moved in sync with mine, until we pulled away for air.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You know that right?” I asked looking into his ocean eyes. He had just nodded his head. “C’mon lover boy. Let’s go home. I’m going to make you dinner, give you a massage and give you some head.” I whispered into his ear, making him smile giddily. “I can’t argue with that.” He said before quickly rushing me out of the hospital, eager to get home…

[woossexyponytail]

Shadow Born Chapter 1 The start of the End.

masterlist

My alarm rang loudly around the room, sighing I turned over looking at the time seeing that it was nine o'clock, I groaned hitting my head back in my pillow ignoring the horrible sound. A pillow hit me in the back of the head as I quickly turned around.

"Really Yunho!?" I yelled to my younger brother who was across the room in his own bed glearing at me.

"Turn that thing off" he told me turning around pulling his covers back over himself. I rolled my eyes at him leaning over to turn off the alarm.

"Wake up my lovelys it's time for breakfast" auntie yelled probably from the kitchen, I got up from my bed going over to my closet and picking up some clothes and walking in to the bathroom.

After getting changed I walked back in to my bedroom seeing my brother still in bed, I rolled my eyes grabbing the pillow that was still laying on the floor and throwing it back to Yunho.

"Get up you lazy bum, auntie made breakfast" I told him walking out the room, hearing him groan at the thought of getting up.

Getting to the kitchen auntie was standing by the stove making scrambled eggs and bacon, I walked over to the small table taking a seat.

"Oh good morning my lovely little dove, how did you sleep?" My auntie asked looking over at me, "Great auntie" I smiled as Stolas my cat familiar jumped up meowing at me.

I smiled at him remembering last year for my sixteenth birthday I had to summon a familiar.

*Flash Back*

I was sitting in the living room watching tv with Yunho while auntie was out shopping, the door unlocked as we heard auntie walking in to the apartment.

"You alright my little doves, oh Yn you need to pick a familiar before your dark baptism. The Council sent the registry." She said handing me a book then walked over to the kitchen.

"I've, uh, indicated a few suitable options. Now, there's a very handsome hedgehog, a noble-looking raven. Vinegar Tom would happily welcome another snake." Vinegar Tom hissed from his spot in the cage.

"About that, Auntie. Instead of picking a familiar out of a book, which is so, I don't know, dehumanizing-" I was interrupted by Yunho.

"I thought familiars are goblins who have taken on the shape of animals to better serve their shadow masters?" He asked, I ignored him and turned back to auntie.

"But I've been practicing a summoning spell I found in the Demonomicon, and what if I put it out there that I'm looking for a familiar, and see if anyone wants to volunteer?" I told her laying my head on the back of the sofa.

"Oh I think that's a charming idea." She said smiling putting the shopping away and giggled to herself.

❖ ── ✦ ──『✙』── ✦ ── ❖

I stood in the middle of the forest with a a bell and a candle, lighting the flame I slowly swang it around.

"Spirits of the forest, I pronounce my intentions to thee. Come forth and seek me, and equal we will be. Not master and servant, but familiar to familiar, to share our knowledge, our spirit, and our traits. And now, spirits, we will wait." I said blowing out the candle.

❖ ── ✦ ──『✙』── ✦ ── ❖

I was getting ready for bed, Yunho was sitting on his bed playing on his phone, soft music played from the tv in the living room.

In a second the peace was interrupted by the window slamming open and a gust of wind blew in.

"Oh, no. What now?" I said walking over to the window looking around outside, Yunho looked up from his phone. I closed the window, then the curtains.

"Yn" a rasping male voice said, I quickly turned around looking around the room but saw nothing, Yunho stood up panicked eyes searching for the person.

"Who Who are you?" Yunho's voice shaked nervous about what was happening, we heard rasping whispers around the room.

"Show yourself." I said sternly then a huge black shadow figure came out of it's hidding place from the closet door, Yunho screamed then dropped hidding behind his bed.

"I heard you calling in the woods. And I came." It said disappearing behind the door again, then out walked a black cat.

"Aw! Such a pretty kitty" I said picking the cat up and stroking him, the cat started purring as I placed him on my bed, Yunho got up from the floor staring at the cat with wide eyes.

"So that's why the register is normally used, terrifying" Yunho said dropping down on his bed rubbing his face. I just chuckled at him as I quickly turned the light off so we could get some sleep.

*End of Flash back*

"Good morning auntie" Yunho said walking in to the kitchen and taking a seat next to me, Salem Yunho's fox familiar jumped on his lap taking some food from the table.

"Oh good morning my second lovely little dove" she said walking over to put the food down on our plates.

"How did you sleep?" Auntie asked Yunho giving him some extra food for him, Yunho thanked her then sighed.

"I barely slept, auntie I can't believe summer vacation is almost over" he told auntie, I shock my head at him.

"Rabbit's feet, under your pillow tonight, you'll sleep like the dead" auntie told him sitting down herself.

"I've got some exciting news for you two" auntie said giggling as she started eating I looked at Yunho as he looked back confused.

"Uh auntie? The news?" Yunho asked looking at her, she put her fork down on to the table, folding her hands she leaned on them smiling brightly at us.

"Well, on Friday we're moving! How exciting!!!" She said clapping her hands together.

"Wait moving? Where?" I asked panicing noticing Yunho was as well, auntie frowned looking down.

"Uh well to a small town called Jeonju, you both were born there, I promised myself that once you both turn sixteen that we'll move back. And you can't deny living in this two bedroom apartment doesn't really fit for us anymore.

Don't you want your own rooms? Or look we've got four large families living here along with my spiders it's a bit crowded in here." She said.

"What about our life here, our friends?" Yunho asked getting upset, I rubbed his shoulder as he started to cry.

"Hey hey, it will be alright you will make new friends" auntie said I looked down at the table.

"Yeah, but be honest auntie, where can we find shadow born to date, leaving Seonghwa and Mingi we can't do that" I told her, she smiled sadly at me.

"You could always do long distance?" She suggests Yunho and I looked back at one another not really believing her.

"When are we going to move?" Yunho asked, auntie smiled standing up and taking her now empty plate to wash it up.

"Friday, so you have a couple of days left to say goodbye to your friends, now don't you have to meet your friends now? Go on have fun" she said shooing us out the door.

❖ ── ✦ ──『✙』── ✦ ── ❖

We were walking to the caffe both having earphones in not really wanting to talk about the news, I heard Yunho sigh so I pulled out one earphone looking over at him.

"Are you ok?" I asked as I slowed down Yunho stopped pulling both of his earphones out looking at the ground not saying anything for a little while.

"Not really, I don't want to move, why is auntie being so selfish?" He asked I sighed that seemed like the hundredth time, we started walking again.

"Auntie thinks it's best that we move back, and it was her home too she moved because of us, she must miss it" I told him getting near the coffeeshop.

We saw two tall guys standing infront of the building talking, turning around they looked at us Seonghwa smiled at me while Mingi waved his hands dramatically.

"Hey guys! How's your morning so far?" Mingi asked giving Yunho a peck on the cheek, Seonghwa put his arm around my shoulder kissing my forehead.

"Not so good, we've got some bad news" I told them as we walked in to the building, Seonghwa squeezed my shoulder.

"Auntie told us that we're moving on Friday we've got a couple of days left here" Yunho said, Seonghwa bit his lip pulling me in to a hug, while Mingi bear hugged Yunho.

We ordered and sat down together Seonghwa and I sat down talking about anything other then the whole moving ordeal.

❖ ── ✦ ──『✙』── ✦ ── ❖

I made my way to the mall walking around with Seonghwa hand in hand, Yunho and Mingi already left, satan knows where.

I told Seonghwa that I needed the toilet quickly, running to the bathroom. I was stopped by two girls that I really didn't want to see, Jennie and Rose.

Sighing not really wanting to deal with these two, trying to walk pass them they stood refusing me to enter.

"Do you two mind I need to go to the bathroom" I told them sighing not wanting to talk with them, they both looked at each other then to me giggling.

"A little birdie told us that your moving, we like to say good riddance" Jennie said laughing now, they walked up close to me putting their lips near my ears.

"Non auferetur tibi maledicam vos manducare salutem et sanitatem vestram" they both chanted then ran away, I watched them run off.

"What the heaven, damn Succub*tches" I whispered as I quickly ran to the bathroom hopping to wash the hex off of me.

"If truly I am cursed today, let water wash the hex away. If truly I am cursed today, let water wash the hex away." I repeat over and over hopping Seonghwa isn't bored waiting.

❖ ── ✦ ──『✙』── ✦ ── ❖

Yunho and Mingi finally found us after a few hours we walked out and decided to go back to the apartment.

Walking through the door we were greeted by auntie bubbly personality like always.

"Oh hello my darlings how was your today?" Auntie asked while she put her book down that she was reading.

"Jennie and Rose hex me today but I washed it off" I told Auntie as I shrugged, her eyes widened standing up and running to the kitchen and coming back with an egg an bowl.

"Naah not on my watch Break an egg, please, miss. Better safe than sorry." She told me handing the egg over, I sighed grabbing it and hitting it against the bowl. The egg was red, which meant a blood curse which means my wash didn't work.

"Oh. I was right. That is a blood curse. Oh, it's lingering. So, untreated, that is gonna eat slowly away at your health, your will, and your sanity. So, a regimen of salt water baths, reversing candles for a couple of weeks, and that will do the trick, I think. All right, off you go." She shooed me away as I walked to the bathroom.

❖ ── ✦ ──『✙』── ✦ ── ❖

Sadly it turned Friday I stood in my shared bedroom with Yunho both of us slowly packing up are last stuff in to the boxes, Seonghwa and Mingi both helping us out.

"So why are we packing like normal humans instead of clicking our fingers and magically pack?" Mingi asked as he was putting some books in to a box.

"Because auntie said once we are packed we are heading off, do you want to spend five minutes with me or a few more hours?" Yunho said looking over at Mingi who just pouted.

"You won't move on right away right?" He asked Yunho looking shyly at the ground, Yunho walked up to him and kissing him on the head.

"Of course not don't be stupid, stupid" they laughed and hugged each other, I looked over at Seonghwa while he smiled back at me.

"So you two decided what's happening with your relationship?" Mingi asked, I looked over at Seonghwa frowning, knowing I would have to tell him, now or never.

"Uh actually I was thinking we would break up" I whispered watching Seonghwa frown at me, Mingi's mouth hung open in shock Yunho grabbed his wrist mumbling something about snacks.

"You want to break up?" Seonghwa asked walking closer to me, I just nodded not wanting to look at him feeling guilty.

"It's alright Yn, we've been drifting apart for a few months now, it's fine" Seonghwa smiled sweetly at me grabbing my face and kissing my forehead.

"I'll miss you" he said rubbing my cheek then walked out of the bedroom, hearing the front door open and close knowing his gone for good, I felt guilty but it was mutual.

Yunho walked in to the room a sad smile on his face as he came up to me and pulled me in to a bear hug.

The boxes were placed in the moving vans and the car, I sat in the front seat auntie in the drivers seat and Yunho in the back.

"You two ready?" Auntie asked looking over at the both of us, I looked over at Yunho as he looked back at me, we nodded at each other then to auntie ready to start our new life.

[untaemedqueen]

Deaths House on the Hill

Min Yoongi Vampire!AU

5.

Screams rip at your throat, your blood feeling as if it was turning to hot tar in your veins as your body falls limp underneath you. "Same as it always it." Jimin utters from his lounge chair. His hair falling into his eyes as he lays backwards staring at the ceiling. He hated when this happens to you, whichever you, you are at the time. You were his rock in every decade, his best friend in this pathetic unceasing life. This century was so pointless without you, sure he had Taehyung and Jeongguk but he needed you too. Here you were, and you would be his rock to lean on again. Maybe this time you could stay.

Yoongi lays your limp body down in the chaise lounge. He sits Indian style at its foot. His head perches atop his clasped hands. "Now, we wait." He whispers with baited breath.

"It never takes this long." Taehyung murmurs nervously as he stands about you, your eyes behind your eyelids darting back and forth watching something. "She's gaining memories as far back as the sixteen hundreds. That takes some time." Namjoon says as he sips from his cup, the blood and bourbon concoction glide down his throat before looking at you. "She's dealt with so much in each life. Life can grant her an extra half hour." Jeongguk whispers. He too couldn't wait for you to be you again. He missed his Noona. "What if she isn't Byul this time? What if she's someone different?" Hoseok asks as your body twitches wildly before becoming still once more. "That's not how it works, her soul is reborn within a new person. She's still the same Byul within even if she looks differently every one hundred years." Seokjin clarifies his younger brother. Hoseok hums in understand nodding his head. "Why doesn't she just become one of us. Then her and Jinsoo could always stay with us." Yoongi's head snaps up at the mention of the name. "Because it is not what Byul has wanted." He utters quietly making silence creep through the room. "But to be reborn every so often to meet the same fate? Isn't it too much heartbreak?" Jimin asks, the rooms silence breaks as Yoongi stands in front of Jimin. His superhuman speed taking over him as he bares his fangs. Making Jimin shrug, no hint of fear in him as he stares at his older brother. "You think I want to watch her die?! Over and over again? To be riddled with this unrelenting guilt that travels with me every minute of every day during this eternal hell of night?!" He yells loudly, the glass on the bar shaking slightly at the sharp reverberations in the air. You whimper in your frozen state and a second passes before Yoongi is kneeling next to you. "Byul was always one for the drama." Namjoon hisses, his voice wrapped in admiration of their long lost friend.

You stare at the images flashing across your mind, you were you and yet all these other women with tragic ends were you too. But, the baby, now, the baby was always the same. Always born exactly the same, same expressions, same spitting image of Yoongi. Yoongi, he was in almost every memory. Oh, how you loved him, how he brought out the best of you in every situation you went through. The way you were once running through the forest, the forest you had grown to love. The forest that was inhabited with so many different types of species that led to your death. The way you were chased, Jinsoo in hand as other humans tried to murder your half-human baby. The way you sat with the seven as you drank the poison, the plague slowly killing you. Everything always led to death, you were never afraid. But was it worth it? Was dying thousands of times worth it? You always made it clear to Yoongi that you wouldn't turn. Being a human was just to exciting. But, all the lives you've lived, all the deaths, all the heartache from before you know who you are in each sad sack of a human, it wasn't worth it anymore.

The seven men stare at you as your veins begin to turn black. "She's coming~" Jimin sings creepily as he claps, a cataclysmic boom resonates within your mind as your body comes back to life, jolting with raw hot energy that begins in your heart and travels to your head. Your toes wiggle and your eyes snap open. The color of your veins turning back to the greenish blue they were prior to this basement meeting. Your eyes snap open and you stare at the ceiling, “Byul?” Yoongi whisper and you look up at him. His face in the back of your mind and you smile at him. A smile filled with warmth and love as you sit up. “Yoongi.” A sobbing noise comes from his throat as he grabs your hands. “Oh, my little bird.” You smile as his forehead connects with your clasped hands. He still loved you, just as much as the day he met you. You kiss the top of his head before looking around. “My boys.” You say with a smile, “If I could cry, I would.” Jeongguk whispers as Jimin gets up. He sniffles quietly before running to you. He hugs you from behind burying his face in your hair. “Chimmy.” You say fondly as you feel drops on your shoulder, “Don’t cry, it’ll make you sick.” You say pushing him off your shoulder to look at his face. He looks down at you, blood trickling from his eyes as he sobs. Yoongi looks up before chuckling, “What a terrible ability to have.” Jimin wipes at his cheeks childishly with the back of his hand, the blood smearing across his pale white skin. “I missed you.” He pouts before sitting on the floor next to you and laying his head on your thigh. “I know, but I’m back... again.” You look at Yoongi before smiling gently. You were home now, always back to Sumneun. No matter where the person came from that your soul inhabited, they would always find their way here for you. “Byul.” You tilt your head towards Taehyung, “I don’t like Byul so much anymore. Y/N. I like that.” You say petting Jimin’s head. “You do? That’s strange.” Yoongi says rubbing the back of your hands with your thumb. You hum in agreement, “Things are different this time around. This body has a lot of interesting takes on life that seem to be agreeable.” Hoseok sits up in his chaise lounge. “Like?” “Just her attitude with life. Seems very easy to agree with.” “She didn’t seem like a very happy, go lucky person.” Namjoon says with a laugh and you nod. “True, I like her ways of going about life, and her ways of thinking though.” Yoongi clears his throat before standing. “So we’ll go with Y/N? This time around?” He asks walking to the bar. “Yeah, I think that’d be great.” You smile at everyone before patting Jimin’s head to get off as you stand. “I’ll go and change. Y/N is great but her clothing, it’s just a bit too depressing for me.” You see Yoongi’s smile through the glass wall of the bar and you light up inside. He was absolutely the most handsome thing on this planet, you were so happy he was all yours.

You step back into the sept and notice it empty. “Hello?” You call to your group of friends. “Upstairs, noona!” Jeongguk calls. You groan at the familiar large winding staircase, you look down at your shoes. They were first edition Ferragamos from 1927. They were starting to get worn out, you’ve had them for so long. Your fashion had changed many times over the thousands of times you’d been reborn. Your closet was a jumble of fashion choices and you loved every piece in your extensive collection. Today was a long black silk gown that trailed down to the floor, a long slit shows off your left leg as you fix your ruby amulet. “They never wait.” You mumble descending the stairs in your every year reborn outfit.

You finally ascend the stairs with the last uttering of curses before folding your arms. “You never wait for me.” You complain as you look at them in their thrones. “Over hundreds of years, you expect us to have changed?” You scoff before stretching out over a pew. "Is it too much to wait for someone as they change? You live forever." Jimin chuckles before standing up. "Shall we get to the arrival celebration?" Hoseok asks looking at the large clock on the wall between two of the stained glass windows. Everyone nods before standing. You look around the familiar church before sighing happily. You were happy to be home and this time you would not have to leave again. Whether Yoongi knew it or not.

The empty pews sadden you, you remember a time when they were filled with the residents of Kyulryung as they came to ask for favors from the seven undead men that run this town. Before the veil came over the town, this was the towns center. Now it's just a scary story, a place that scares children into being good for their parents or the 'demons' will get them. It's been this new way for hundreds of years and it saddens you to the bone. "Get Y/N's throne." Yoongi instructs as he stands straightening his suit jacket. Taehyung is gone in a flash and without breaking a sweat carries back your throne from the attic. As he sets it down, you notice how dusty the chair was. Spiderwebs clinging to the bottom of the arms. You frown as he wipes them away, a hundred years is a long time to have been gone. “Eidetic! Here we come!” Jeongguk cheers as your fingers rub over the leather fabric of the throne’s arm. Yoongi is next to you in a second. His hand finding its place on the small of your back. “You look ravishing.” He whispers lowly, his cold breath making you shiver. You smile over your shoulder, “As do you.” He hums in satisfaction before watching everyone leave, his eyes dwindling on the now dark stain glass windows that tell the tails of all eight of you. “Let’s hope Jinsoo comes soon.” Yoongi whispers staring at the stained glass window of you three. "That's on you." You whisper back making Yoongi laugh. "This new body of yours, I like it very much." He smiles his fangs dropping as the tip of his tongue ghosts over his teeth. "I cannot wait to ravage it." You laugh loudly as he pulls you with him towards the church doorway. "With Y/N back we can really go back to normal." You hear Seokjin say as you exit the church. "Now we have to slow walk everywhere again." Jimin teases nudging your ribs as he cards his fingers through his pitch black hair. "This is a very normal speed." You comment as you walk through the front graveyard. All empty graves, of course, the would be inhabitants standing by your side. "What was this bodies life like?" Hoseok asks curiously as you fill up the sidewalk. The walk to Eidetic was a long one, you had plenty of time to indulge their questions. "She was miserable, absolutely depressed. It's sad actually." You can feel the raw pain and sorrow in the back of your mind. "Nothing went well for her. I mean, even her brother was murdered! She lived with her brother in foster care homes all her life and was always treated poorly. It's sad." "Wow. That is depressing." Jeongguk mumbles as you stride past your house. "How did you know it was me?" You ask as you eye your neighbor Jiyeon's house carefully. "You just smelt like you, somehow. And, also you broke out of my ability. Only something you could do." Namjoon explains tucking his hands into his suit pants pockets. "Not to mention you drank from my drink and caused a huge commotion at Eidetic." Jimin laughs and you roll your eyes. "You should have stopped me that could seriously mess up a hosts brain." You chide your best friend. "The good old magic of time worked on you too. You had to see yourself walking around like a hazed zombie. It was creepy." You turn your head to Yoongi eyes narrowing as Taehyung talks. He holds his hands up defenselessly, "I wanted to know if it was really you. This host would have had a fucking fit and ran off if she could think freely." You sigh before tucking your arm under his, your cheek hitting his forearm. "So you missed me?" You mumble to your man. He looks down at you with soft eyes. "Every second of every day, I did." "After you went the last time, hyung slept for nine years." Jimin says as you continue your stroll. "Those nine years were boring." Seokjin mutters making you giggle.

The walk was comfortable but you began to tire, your feet especially. You stop for a third time fixing your heels before huffing out. "Shall we actually walk this time?" Yoongi asks expectantly, he was an impatient man. You look at the other guys and they shrug. "Sure, let's walk." You whisper as Yoongi scoops you up bridal style. Yoongi looks around quickly before he starts running, you duck your head into his neck as he enters the forest next to the road. "Mind your face, little bird." Yoongi whispers as the air around you becomes bitter cold in the wind. Your hair flying wildly as the boys whoop and cheer around you.

Within minutes you were at the treeline of the small forest. "See how quick that was?" Namjoon asks with a laugh. You roll your eyes before fixing your dress. "Come." Yoongi calls out as he tucks your arm through his. Screams of laughter echo from the opposite block as you walk towards the fateful bar. "Children." Seokjin scoffs watching two people fuck on the corner. The girl pushed up against the red brick building, her head lulling back in the throes of pleasure. She had bite marks all over her neck. "I'll be damned if it isn't hot though." Hoseok whispers before clearing his throat and fixing his collar. "She's bitten." You say loudly, Yoongi rubs your arm, "We are not the only children of the night these days in Sumneun. There are others, but they listen to the rules. This is still our home, it is respected." The man turns his head towards you eight. His eyes blood red along with his mouth as blood drips from his lips to his stomach. He bows his head before going back to his task at hand. "He'll kill her at this rate." You say as Yoongi pulls you towards the bar. "The veil is stronger now. No need to worry." You scoff as the bar comes into view. “I’m not worried about us, I’m worried about that girl, that isn’t what Kyulryung is about, we aren’t in the business of murdering residents.” You say stopping short. Yoongi sighs before kissing your forehead. His cold lips against your skin make you shiver and in a second he was gone. “It’s good to have you back.” Namjoon says leaning against the wall as you all wait for Yoongi. “He was letting this place slip into oblivion without you.” Seokjin announces from the back of the group. You tilt your head, how could he just leave his villages to fall in ruin? Did he miss you that much? “With fire comes the water to burn it out.” Taehyung says pointing at you. You were the water to Yoongi’s fire. He would burn as bright and as hot as the sun but you were there to level out the scales. “Remember when hyung first met Y/N?” Yoongi returns giving you a small smile. “Shall we?” He asks holding his hand out for you. He was perfection that time preserved just for you. You take his hand, your fingers intertwining with his. His cold skin smooth and comfortable against yours. “You were saying?” Yoongi asks staring straight ahead. “We were talking about when you and Y/N first met.” Yoongi opens his mouth understanding. “The best day of my forever existence? I remember that day like it was yesterday.” You smirk as you step up the familiar bar steps. The door opening for you as you step in. “Byul.” The doorman bows to you with a wide smile, his fangs receding as you look him over. “Heechul.” You whisper with a nod. Your eyes glance around the bar before they land on the painting. “Why’d you give me the head of a raven?” “Because ravens have the largest brain out of many birds, and you always fly back to me.” Yoongi whispers in your ear as you ascend the steps to the top floor of the bar. “Madam.” You smile widely and bow as Gisung hands you a drink. Heechul brings a second arm chair up the steps before placing it next to the lone chair. “Home.” You groan happily as you sit in your chair. Gisung fixes his handlebar mustache before placing a tray of drinks on the table. “Welcome back, madam.” He is gone in an instant as all the guys make themselves comfortable on the U shaped couch. “Let the arrival festivities begin.” Yoongi says raising his glass high. You smile at him as you all lift your glasses. “The Queen of Kyulryung has returned!” Hoseok cheers. You take a sip of your drink before leaning back crossing your legs. And, this time you would not leave again. 

[bythieves-a]

SNAPSHOTS OF MODERN VIC. ( based on the story im writing about him ! many of the usual tw’s apply. )

you’re only thirteen the first time things become too much. a shadow in your school, no one there would even know you exist, if it weren’t for the smell of stolen cigarettes that follows you around. a short thing, with your mother-ruffled hair, the sleeves of an old, tattered, black coat stop just before your fingertips; and all your shirts are hand-me-downs——you think they were your dads. you wouldn’t really know. but your mother puts a ‘lucky flower’ in your coat pocket, every day, and that makes each school day bearable.

the baggy clothes make it easier to steal snacks after school, the darker make it easier to disappear. you hardly even go to class; the teachers don’t notice you, anyways. until they do——the children that do see you love to remark on what you lack; on money, on fathers, on new clothes, on lunch. one comment becomes too many and you’re in the office; don’t call my mum, you plead, you practically beg, she’s working. i can’t take her away from work. but they do. there’s no one else to call. it feels like robbing your mother of money. the embarrassment of taking her away.

when you’re home, you hit your lowest; lock yourself in your room and cry until morning. your chest is so heavy. such a mild dilemma, not the worst thing you’ll face, yet you find you can’t breathe because of it. why does everything hurt so much?

*

sixteen years old and your favorite spot has become a bridge; you sit with your legs swinging through the rail, watching the water flow below you, sound of cars rushing behind you--------the honking horns make you jump. you reek of cigarettes and fireball, when you come here, concealed bottle half-empty and hidden between your legs. arms and chin lean on the railing, tears flowing yet often concealed by a rainstorm you never bother to notice. 

she’s so convinced he’ll come back. you hate yelling at her, but it hurts, to live sixteen years without someone, and watch your mother continue to set a place at the table for him each night. maybe tonight. its never tonight. and its your fault, you know that--------your mother would be happier without you, her drunken, drop-out, thieving son; she’d still have walter. she’d still have money. you don’t realize you’re her only joy. 

the jacket you wear over a torn prince t-shirt is black denim, finally your size, the cuffs and collar lined with a fake-feeling, puffy sort of fur. its your favorite jacket, it keeps you warm--------but you find a picture of your parents together, and note your father wearing one of the same style. you never wear that jacket again.

*

you’re not sure why you cry on the plane to america, but you do. perhaps its homesickness. the change, the sudden wave of how different everything will be. its overwhelming. amos scoffed when he saw you, in your sweatpants and band shirts---------what? you’d asked. its just a plane ride. sat between him and your anxious mother, you hold her hand and wonder if he might do the same; its better not to try, you decide. he might just think you’re strange.

does he have weapons? he must. amos always has a knife, somehow. but how would he bring it here? maybe he’ll teach you that, someday. you’d like him to. he’d like you to stop crying.

*

smiling boy leaning against the counter of your pawn shop; everything feels better, now. amos has made you a partner in crime, his right hand man--------this cover-up is yours as much as it is his, and sometimes you wonder if you make him proud. you’ve grown into yourself; dark hair tickles at the tips of your ears when you let it get too long, you don white button-ups with two buttons always undone, and a long tan trenchcoat is the one thing you’re never seen without--------though, when you’re home you dress the way you always have; a steely dan tshirt has become your favorite, and it never takes you long to break out sweatpants after a days work. you lay on the floor like that and play guitar; mother likes to stand in the doorway and listen, sometimes.

there are knives on you, everywhere. they rattle against the phone in your pocket when it buzzes; you have two friends now who send you pictures of their cat, and they’re so normal, far different from the thief tommy you occupy your nights with---------but you enjoy them. they’re a taste of the life you wanted, as a child. but you think now that life might bore you, if you tried it. its not like you’re good at anything else, anyways. you and amos both know that.

*

your memory is coming in flashes, in blinks of light and sound tearing through the gaps of nothing, the times where you don’t know where you are, what you’re doing-------what time is it? have i eaten today? where’s mama? 

the last thing you remember is the funeral. you tried to cry into amos’ arms, but he pushed you away; knocked you to the ground. get it together. m’not yer dad, kid. he left you crying on your knees before her grave--------but now, suddenly, you’re walking into your friend’s apartment. they’re each holding one of your arms; adrien looks worried, like he’s been crying. ray says something to you, but you don’t understand. you say okay, anyways. 

then you’re on the couch with tea in your hand; you look at your phone and start crying. you haven’t been home in hours. mum would have texted you, by now. your chest is heavy again. you’re dizzy. adrien takes your phone and sets it away. you think he might have kissed your forehead, too.

*

the bottle of mum’s pain killers is empty, now. you don’t remember waking up. something burns. you’re screaming at your father in your doorway, but you don’t remember him knocking. ray looks mortified. she’s leaving today. wheres she going? italy? germany? please take care of yourself, she mutters into a tightened hug. wheres your father gone? she mentions him--------he must have been real. 

you don’t remember the party, you don’t remember coming home, but you remember being warm. it felt like mama was back. you want to feel like that again. 

* 

adrien tries to take you out for christmas, but he has to bring you home. all the children were outside playing in the snow with their parents. mama liked to take christmas walks to look at all the lights. you can’t breathe again, so he holds you for the rest of the day, he pets your hair, kisses your head. its almost feels ok. 

* 

you watch the new year’s ball drop from the discomfort of a hospital bed. you still don’t remember much, but you remember screaming. you remember amos sitting nearby-----was that two days ago? he threatened you. walt was here, too. you threw a flower vase at him. the nurses won’t let you have flowers in the room, anymore. they’re watching you like hawks; better act like you’re alright, so they’ll let you out of here.

you check yourself out early. there’s no reason for you to be there. amos will get mad if you’re gone any longer. your father yells at you when you get home. why is he there? leave me alone. 

* 

the park bench is cold. you don’t remember running here, but you know amos was yelling at you. you haven’t brushed your hair in days. your tears feel like they’re freezing to your cheeks. distant police sirens. are they for you? your chest tightens------but they breeze past the park. you can’t stop shaking. your head hurts. 

walts with you, suddenly, sitting on the bench beside you. he’s put your head in his lap, he’s been muttering things to you the whole time. how long has he been here? please, he says, the first thing you’re able to make out; let me get you home, i know you hate me, but let me be your dad for ten fucking minutes. you’re a mess, kid. 

you’ve never spoken to him without screaming, before, but this time you let him. he helps you up, puts his coat around your shoulders. its the same one as in the photos, but older, it has holes in it. he keeps an arm around you the whole way home, lies you down on your couch, drapes mum’s couch blanket over you. he makes you a grilled cheese, complains about the spoiled groceries in your fridge. it feels nice. he should have been here to do this twenty three years ago.

*

for the first time since you’ve known him, you think amos is going to kill you. he’d never do that, you’ve always been so sure; but this time there’s rage in his eyes, they look hollow and dead---------you’ve seen this look before, its always followed by the snapping of bones. you can’t get that sound out of your head. you saved tommy from this look, once, but he’s not here to do the same. it hurts. you’re supposed to be partners, you trusted him with your life, but he’s going to kill you. oh, god, he’s going to kill me.

but he doesn’t get the chance. bent over from a kick to the ribs, the second you’re out of line with his head you hear a shot--------suddenly you’re covered in blood, but its not your own, and amos has a hole in his head. when he drops, you’re faced with your father stood nearby; shaking, out of breath, mortified-------holding a gun. jesus christ, he whispers.

dad? you sound helpless. you’ve never called him that, before. 

[saxonspud]

Remember me

Soulmates will always find one another

It was dark, that much I knew. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I should be afraid, but I didn't know why.

The dark right now was the least of my worries. I was cold, I was naked and I couldn’t move. Not because I was restrained in anyway, but because I had no strength. I could move my arms and legs, but I couldn’t sit up, or even roll over for that matter. I felt something wet and sticky on the floor, it smelt funny, I recognised the smell. A faint trace of iron that clung to my taste buds when I sniffed the air. I was laying in a pool of blood.

But none of that scared me the most, even though it probably should have.

What scared me was I couldn't remember how I got here, what had happened or who I was.

I heard a loud bang, it startled me. I wasn't sure if I should try and be quiet, or call out for help. I tried to call out, but my mouth couldn't seem to make the words, so I just screamed, then I started to cry.

I heard voices, deep gruff voices. Light came cascading into the room as the door was opened. It was too bright, it hurt my eyes. I screamed louder, and cried harder.

“Hosea, Dutch! It’s a baby,” the gruff voice yelled.

It was too loud, I kept screaming, in my head telling him to stop shouting, but it kept coming out of my mouth as a scream, a wail or a cry.

I opened my eyes as a shadow crept across me, blocking out some of the light, making it bearable. Then I wished I had kept my eyes closed.

A boy leaned over me, he was young, sixteen or seventeen at most, but still big. He seemed familiar. Why was he so big. I looked at my hand, covered in red goo. It wasn't that he was big, it was because I was small. I looked at my baby hands, then started to scream louder, and cry harder.

What had happened to me, I knew stuff, I could recognise voices, recognise smells, tastes.

I screwed my eyes closed willing myself to remember, but I couldn’t, making me even more distressed.

The boy just stared at me, then looked over his shoulder.

“it wont stop screaming!” He huffed.

The boy stepped away, he was going to leave me. I moved my arms and legs, and cried louder.

Then someone else leant over me.

“It’s ok little one,” he whispered.

His hands scooped me up, they were huge. My head was held with one hand and my body with the other. His hands were so warm. He gently shushed me. I was so tiny, I suddenly realised why I couldn't talk, hell I couldn't even support my own head! I was a baby. But how?

“Go see if you can find a blanket, Arthur,” the man whispered.

I stopped screaming, and looked at the man’s face who was holding me. He was older, with blonde hair.

Then I heard another voice, much deeper.

“what the hell happened here?” he asked.

I started to cry again.

I saw the other man’s face, as he looked down at me. He had dark hair, and dark eyes. He looked kind of sad. He held his little finger out. I stopped crying, and I grabbed it in my hand. I pulled it towards my mouth. Suddenly realising how hungry I was.

“She’s not very old is she, Hosea?” the dark haired man whispered, as I sucked on his finger.

The man who was holding me, he must be Hosea, shook his head, “a day or so, I’m guessing.”

“The woman must be her mother, she not been dead long,” the dark haired man whispered.

I started to cry again, the finger wasn't easing the emptiness in my stomach.

“Whatcha gonna do with it,” Arthur asked, as he handed Hosea a blanket.

I cried harder, he was too noisy.

“Try and talk a bit quieter, son. She’s only a baby, she has sensitive ears.” the dark haired man whispered, sternly.

“Sorry, Dutch,” Arthur whispered.

He grabbed the blanket, “Give her here, Hosea.”

Dutch draped the blanket over his arm, and Hosea gently put me on top of it. Dutch then wrapped the blanket round me, nursing me in the crook of his arm.

“Lets get back home, then we can clean her up a bit and see if we can find something to feed her with,” he whispered.

He gently rocked me, stroking my cheek with his finger, until I stopped crying.

I wondered if the shock of what happened, had brought back memories of a previous life.

The three men, looked strangely familiar. Maybe I should stop trying to remember, and concentrate on being a baby.

That was easier said than done. A baby shouldn’t know the smell of blood, or to be afraid of the dark, or even know what a horse is. I knew, as soon as we walked out of the cabin. Once I was close enough to focus. I saw the horses.

As Dutch carried me towards his horse, I had that same feeling of familiarity. The horse turned its head, sniffing towards me. It quietly nickered. As though it recognised me.

Hosea looked at Dutch, “how very odd,” he commented.

Dutch looked down at my face, then at his horse, then back to me.

“Very odd indeed,” he whispered.

Babies sleep a lot, I knew that too. Despite being hungry, the warmth of the blanket and the rocking sensation of the horse, soon lulled me to sleep.

That was until the horse stopped, then my eyes opened and I started to cry. My tummy hurt from being empty for too long.

Dutch tried to sooth me with his little finger, letting me suckle on it, but when no food was forthcoming, my wails continued.

As he walked away from the horses, I heard a woman’s voice.

“Is that a baby? What are you doing with a baby?” She questioned.

Dutch carried me over to the woman, she cooed when she saw me.

“We found her in a cabin we were robbing, someone got there first, killed her mama and left her to starve to death. Guess they couldn’t bring themselves to kill a babe!” Dutch whispered.

Dutch handed me to the woman, I wanted to be with him, he was warm and he made me feel safe. I screamed and cried, trying to kick my legs and arms, but they were wrapped up in the blanket.

“Hush now, sweetheart,” the woman soothed, “lets get you cleaned up and fed.”

I was carried inside, similar to the place I had left, but no horrible smell of blood.

“Arthur, heat me up some water, and then fetch me the rest of the milk from this morning,” she barked.

I screamed, she was being loud like Arthur.

“Susan, she’s a little noise sensitive,” Hosea chided.

I looked at the woman, and she nodded, “I’m sorry sweetheart, was I too loud.” she whispered, as she rocked me.

The boy, Arthur, came along with some things and put them on the table, with a loud thud. When I looked at him, he looked grumpy.

“It’s gonna be trouble,” he huffed, but not too loudly. He’d already been told off for that.

Susan started to feed me some milk, by dripping it off the end of a spoon, into my mouth. Once I had been fed, I didn't feel the need to cry anymore. She unwrapped me from the blanket, and put me on her shoulder, gently patting and rubbing my back until I burped.

Some things I found unsettling, vestiges of left over memories from my former life. Others I didn't really care about. Worse for me was not being able to tell them what I wanted. But all, with the exception of the boy they called Arthur, seemed kind.

Once I was fed, Susan cleaned me up, until I had no more of my mother’s blood on me. Something inside told me that I should be sad, but I didn't feel it. My first memory of being a baby, was being found by the three men. I didn't even remember my mothers face, which was probably for the best.

Susan looked at me, and smiled. “We should take her to the doctor in the morning, he’ll be able to find her a good family,” she stated.

“No that ain’t gonna happen!” Dutch growled.

His voice was loud, and I started to cry.

He immediately came over, and took me from Susan. His hands, if anything were larger than Hosea’s. He held me out in front of him, supporting my head in one hand, whilst holding the rest of me in the other.

His thumb gently rubbing circles on my back with his thumb.

“This little girl belongs with us, I know it,” he whispered, and gently kissed my forehead.

I cooed happily.

“Dutch? Is this wise?” Hosea asked.

Dutch looked at me and smiled, “It may not be wise, but it’s right.”

Hosea walked over and stood next to Dutch, gazing down at me.

“Well tomorrow, we better go into town and get some baby supplies, and we better give her a name!” Hosea chuckled.

Dutch put me in the crook of his arm, leaving his other hand free. He gently touched my nose with his forefinger.

“What do you think, cutie pie, what would be a good name for you?” he whispered.

I tried to grab his finger, but my focus was still a bit off.

He brought his hand, closer to mine, so that I could grab one of his fingers.

“Such a clever little girl, aren't you?” Dutch cooed, and blew a raspberry on my belly.

I gurgled, and kicked my legs.

“You’re gonna be daddies special little girl, aren’t you?” Dutch cooed.

Hosea frowned, “Dutch?”

Dutch smiled, for the first time in nine months, since losing his beloved Annabelle.

“She’s a gift, Hosea.” he hesitated, “Annabelle,” Dutch’s voice cracked, “she always said that if we had a little girl, she wanted to call her Anastasia. So...” Dutch’s voice trailed off.

I looked up at Dutch’s face, Annabelle? Why was that name so familiar. Why did his eyes look so sad.

I wanted to tell him everything would be ok, but it just came out as a gurgle.

Dutch smiled, and gently started rocking me in his arm.

“I think my little Anastasia needs a nap,” he whispered.

My eyes started to feel heavy. The warmth of Dutch’s hands and his soothing voice, gently lulled me to sleep.

[shadeandadidas]

I was wondering if you were gonna still post the continuation of that Elippo fic ? No pressure / not trying to rush , just wanna make sure I don’t miss it if you’re still planning on posting it

I know! We had some minor delays on account of studying and life, but here go with the continuation of THIS ELIPPO FIC.

——-

Filippo feels…

Well Filippo doesn’t really know if he’s felt much of anything recently. 

The first week– when Elia left him alone in his apartment with a half-eaten, meticulously chosen meal and a half-empty bottle of wine– is kind of a blur. 

He and Elia had been apart for longer than a week when they were whatever. Granted, not much recently, but one week wasn’t such a stress. But then the next week hit and Filippo just felt weird. Like he’d see something in the park or hear a funny joke and his thumb would immediately flit to Elia’s contact icon to…

To what? Tell him? Let him know that he was thinking about him? To want to share bits of his day with him?

Whatever it was, he couldn’t do that anymore. Which was… whatever. It was fine– it was–it was Elia’s choice because he wanted more than Filippo was willing to give.

It was fine. 

Two days after Elia left, Filippo had called Marti. He had begged him to talk sense into Elia, to make him understand that what he and Filippo had was the best of every world. They could be together without being together. Without the rules. Elia could be who he wanted to be and fuck who he wanted to fuck and at the end of the day, they could come home to each other. So just please, Marti, talk to him and tell him.. tell him that I don’t… just talk to him and make him understand.

Marti had, in the nicest way possible, told Filippo to fuck off. 

That was day two and now Filippo is on day thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and he’s going out of his mind. 

He can’t sleep, he’s prickly to the point that he made Elenora cry and that just added weight to his already sinking chest and all he wants to do it get on the phone and rant to Elia, scream at Elia, hold Elia.

He just wants Elia. 

Which is a problem, because Filippo? He doesn’t want people. He doesn’t need people. They need him– that’s how it’s been since he was as old as he can remember and he watched his parents walk in and out of his and Elenora’s life without much care.

It’s how it’s been since he was sixteen years old and in love with a boy who ended up choosing someone else.

He goes to a club once, on day nine. He doesn’t know why, god knows he didn’t feel like it. But he did it to prove to himself that he could. Every boy reminded him of Elia somehow– every single one. They reminded him, whether they were tangled up with Filippo on the dance floor, or not even looking at him at the bar, of how much Elia not being there bothered him. Fucking any of them was out of the question.

On day sixteen, he calls Elia.

“What do you want from me?” Filippo says into the phone after Elia’s tired, weary, unhappy, (is he getting enough sleep?) greeting. “Is it exclusivity? I can– I can do that. What do you want that I haven’t given you?”

The other end of the phone is silent for a long time, before Elia responds. “I want you. All of you like you have all of me. Can you give me that?”

This time, Filippo doesn’t answer. He doesn’t answer the question and he doesn’t answer the sad, sad sigh right before Elia hangs up the phone. Filippo lays in bed a long time that night staring up at the ceiling with his phone over his heart. 

Day seventeen has Filippo sitting on the patio of a nice lunch restaurant with Marti and Nico. Neither mention Elia, or ask about his relationship with Elia, or make any pointed comments that could somehow relate to Elia and yet, watching the two of them sitting together, playing off of each other, even when speaking directly to Filippo?

It makes him desperately want Elia.

“Doesn’t it bother you, giving up everything?” Filippo gestures between the two with his fork, eyes guarded by dark sunglasses, “Not even just the freedom, but like… part of yourself.”

Marti looks at him like he’s crazy, “Part of myself? Bro, when you love someone, you’re not giving up part of yourself. You’re just taking someone else along for the ride.”

Day nineteen is a little hazy because of all of the booze he consumed because he woke up in the morning and automatically reached over to poke Elia until he turned off the alarm. He laid back in his pillows (they were losing the scene of Elia’s shampoo and it was making Filippo panic) and gave himself the morning to think, the night to drink, and the late night to let a couple of tears free. He knew going to sleep, as addled as his brain was, that he may have miscalculated. 

He may have really fucked up.

Flowers, chocolates, booze? What do you give someone when you want them to… take you back? When you want to renegotiate, when you want them. He thinks on it all day twenty. What would Elia want? 

What does Elia want?

Filippo paces his room when he realizes the answer. 

Day twenty-one, more like night twenty-one, has Filippo’s inside churning and heart bursting with something he hadn’t felt in a few weeks— hope.

Elia answers the door in a threadbare cotton shirt and jeans. He’s barefoot and doesn’t have his earrings in. From the crack of space between Elia and the door, Filippo can hear the other boys yelling at the TV, yelling at each other, yelling at Elia.

Great, more people to hear him put himself on the line. 

Elia quickly shut the door and leaves them both standing out in the hallway. Filippo waved his bare hands in the air and takes a breath.

“I used to wet the bed until I was nine years old.” Filippo winced at the way Elia’s expressive eyebrows shoot up. He continues on, explaining more quickly, “I talked to a therapist years later and he said it probably stemmed from my fear of abandonment. My parents, probably, I don’t really know or care. When I reached my teen years, I kind of went wild. I did a lot of really, really reckless stuff. I believed when boys said they wanted me and then they left.”

Elia reached out a hand and Filippo took a step back, vibrating with every second, “I stopped wanting things, so I wouldn’t get mad when I didn’t get them. I haven’t really wanted much for a long time. But… but I want you. I want you.” 

“Wanting me isn’t the same as–”

“Loving you?”

Elia pauses a blinks, ‘I– well, I meant–like, letting me in and…”

“What do you want to know, Elia? Tell me. I will tell you everything and I’ll, I’ll do whatever you want, I just– I miss you a lot. I miss you everyday when I wake up and have to go to sleep alone. I miss you when I have no one I want to text and I miss– I miss my person, okay? Friend, boyfriend, partner, everything you are to me, okay? I just miss you and I want you.”

Elia let out a slow breath, “I can’t– you can’t just do this for someone, you know? It’s not organic, I don’t want to force you to be–”

He was just not getting it. And that was frustrating because Elia needs to get it. Elia needs to get this, because Elia always got that what they were to each other is more that Filippo got. Elia got that, so now Elia needs to get this. 

“Hey, cazzo, are you not listening to me?” Filippo stepped a little closer to Elia, laid his palms on Elia’s neck like Elia loved, could feel his pulse thrumming a mile a minute beneath his skin, “I want you. In whatever way you want me, I’ll take that too.”

Elia let out a startled laugh, and damn if that wasn’t good to hear. Like music, like fucking home. “Yeah… um yeah okay. Okay. Let me just.”

He stepped out of Filippo’s embrace and opened the door to his apartment. All at once, the small blonde one topped over and landed at their feet. The other boys, Gio with his curly hair and Marti with his puppy eyes, jolted forward but caught themselves before they tumbled after their friend. 

Elia groaned, “Really? Alright assholes, everyone needs to leave right now. Get out, out, out.”

They shuffle to leave was a quick one, with Marti at the rear clapping Filippo on the shoulder as he passed him by the doorway.

Elia opened the door a little wider, “Do you–I mean maybe we could have dinner? Get back on the same page maybe?”

Filippo let out a breath and stepped in the door.

[gauntie-o-dimm]

Lambert | Injuries

Prompt: “Let me patch up your wounds.”

Word count: 2100+ Warnings: Smut, swearing, blood

I had disliked the idea of the Witchers heading out at midnight to kill some Basilisk that had been spotted nearby and ransacked several villages from its inhabitants, but they wouldn't listen to my protests. It had been sixteen hours since they had left Kaer Morhen, and I didn't like the delay one bit. They were with three, they could have returned long ago. Terrible scenarios played through my head, torturing me with flashes of what could've happened. What could've happened to Lambert, to be more exact. If I closed my eyes, I could see him laying right there, made cold by that bloody monster. Pacing back and forth through the halls while nervously chewing on my lip, I spent the day looking out of the windows that faced the lower courtyard, near the gate. I didn't know how Yennefer could be so calm in all this. What if something had really happened on the way? My stomach made nonstop flips, tears about to spill over the brims of my eyes every few moments. 'Stop being so neurotic, (Y/n). I am sure they are fine.' The raven-haired sorceress didn't even look up from the book she was reading as I entered the halls. She took a nonchalant swig from her wine.'How can you possibly know that?!' I cried out, running my hands through my hair. 'I know Geralt and the Witchers longer than today. They will manage. The Basilisk might just be a bit tough.' I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest as I tapped my foot onto the ground impatiently. 'If anything happens to Lambert, I will never forgive myself for not stopping him yesterday night.' Yen let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. 'How often do I have to repeat myself? Put some trust into them and you'll see there is nothing to cry about.' I shook my head, pacing towards my bedroom. 'You're useless in supporting me, you know that? Even though you go to exact the same thing right now, you should be frightened!'

The sound of doors opening echoed through the halls, making us look up. Yen gave me a smirk. 'See, I told you you had to have some faith in them.' Geralt barged in, the large head of a Basilisk in his hand. Yennefer let out a sound of disapproval. 'What did I tell you about bringing those bloody things inside?' The White Wolf gave her a small smirk. 'That's no way to greet me.' I greeted him with a small nod as soon as he saw me. 'Good evening, (Y/n). If you are looking for Lambert, he is on his way here, he's wounded.' I gasped, rushing towards the entrance. I pushed open the door, almost walking into the two Witchers. Lambert was leaning onto Eskel, limping visibly as a stained rag was wrapped around his leg. 'Lambert...' He looked up at me, the pain in his eyes clear as day. '(Y/n).' His voice almost broke as he failed to make another step, nearly falling to the floor. 'Fuck, you should patch him up (Y/n)...' Eskel said. I nodded. 'Let me patch you up your wounds, Lambert. Bring him to my room. I will fetch some first aid stuff.' Eskel hummed in agreement and I ran to the armory, where bandages were stored in case someone managed to cut themselves up during the training. I grabbed a few before making my way to the kitchen, taking a bottle of alcohol from the counter. Some Mandrake had to serve as a way to clean out the wound. As I entered my room soon after, Lambert was already seated in a chair, his leg stretched out, a bucket under his nose. The room smelled of vomit, probably he had thrown up from the pain. 'We need to get off his pants,' I stated, 'even though it might hurt.' Eskel gave me a quick nod. 'You do one since, I will do the other.' 'Of course.' I put down the supplies, grabbing one side of his trousers. 'One, two... Three!' Lambert let out a cry as we pulled down his pants. 'I'm sorry baby...' I muttered, sighing in sorrow. It hurt me seeing him like this. He was clearly in pain. 'I will leave you two be.' 'Thanks, Eskel.' I said. 'Anytime.' He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him. 'I'm so sorry, (Y/n). I know you said we shouldn't go, but...' 'Hush, it's OK Lambert. No need to apologize.' I knelt down, inspecting his wound closer up. 'Shit, the Basilisk got you pretty bad, huh?' I didn't get a response other than a deep sigh. 'I know. Here, I don't think I need to puke anymore.' He handed me the bucket. 'Thanks. I will cherish it forever.' Lambert gave me a small smile. 'You're very welcome.' I put it at the other side of the room before returning to him. 'This will hurt a bit.' I said while crouching down in front of him, grabbing the bottle of Mandrake, taking off the cork. 'Brace yourself.' He nodded, swallowing visibly.

Lambert flinched as I poured some of the alcohol over his wound, hissing through is teeth in pain. I quickly pulled back, looking at him concernedly. 'Sorry! Are you alright?' He nodded another time, digging his nails into the armrests of the chair. I continued cleaning the wound, biting my lip as several curses left Lambert's tongue. 'Shit, I'm sorry babe.' I told him, reaching for the bandage that I had to wrap around his wound now. 'I have to be annoying for a little longer now, but it will be better soon. Hold on.' Lamberts leg spasmed as soon as I touched the wound, the Witcher crying out in pain. 'Fucking hell, sorry (Y/n).' he muttered, taking deep breaths. 'It's worse than I thought it was. The thing clawed you pretty deep, hm?' He gave me a small nod, trying to gather himself again. 'It could even have hit a nerve or two. Sure I hope not so.' I pressed the back of my hand to his forehead, withdrawing instantly. 'Oh dear, you are burning hot.' Lambert chuckled through the pain that was visible on his face. 'I know.' I rolled my eyes and couldn't fight back a smirk. Even in this state of misery, Lambert could joke around.

'Still, I have to wrap it up before dirt and dust will come in it and cause infection. You should sleep, and if your fever isn't over by tomorrow, we should see a herbalist, perhaps a surgeon. I am sure Regis could help out here.' Lambert nodded and readied himself for the agony that was to come. His muscles tensed as soon as my fingertips hit the skin around the gash. 'Relax, Lambert.' I tried to hush him, taking the long white gauze in order to wrap it around him. This time, I had to fight the urge to withdraw from him to stop his hurt. I had to do this before it would become worse. Lambert let out another yell that was probably audible in all of Kaer Morhen. 'That takes care of that.' I said as I knotted the ends together tightly. Lambert let out a relieved sound, still looking at his leg worriedly. 'Just rest now, get some sleep, and you will be able to walk again soon.' He weakly nodded as another expression spread over his face, his gaze darkening. 'Can I get you something? A potion, some drink?' I asked him, a bit confused at this sudden change. He didn't answer, instead he chewed on his bottom lip. 'Lambert?' He shook his head. 'N-No, nothing, thank you.' I saw him swallow visibly. My brow knitted together as realization hit me that I was still knelt down between his legs. My breath hitched in my throat as I slowly let my eyes wander to the hard lump in his loincloth. 'Do you really have a boner, now?' I whispered. Lambert let out an embarrassed hum. 'Mind to take care of it? Might relax me.' I let out a light laugh, looking over my shoulder to see if the door was locked. 'Why ever the hell not? Would love to help you out, in fact. Anything for my boy.'

I cupped his member, feeling it jerk against my palm as soon as I touched it. Lambert hissed, but not in pain this time. 'You like that?' He nodded, his bottom lip sliding between his teeth. I rubbed against the bulge, Lambert trying to buck his hips without forcing his wounded leg to tense too much. The fabric of his briefs was damp with precum that had already escaped him. I licked across the cotton, making him throw back his head. I nuzzled against his covered member, biting down playfully for I loved seeing him so hot and flustered because of my touch. 'Fuck...' he muttered, his cat-like eyes locking with mine. I could taste the salty flavor of the liquids that had already oozed from the head of his cock, a warm spot welling up between my legs. But this wasn't about me. This was about Lambert needing to find some way to relax, and he deserved it. I decided I had been teasing him for enough now, hooking my fingers around the edges of his loincloth to pull it down carefully, trying to not touch the bandage around his leg. His manhood stood up straight and proud, glistening wet and twitching as I wrapped a hand around it, tugging at it a few times. I spied Lambert's face for a response, finding his gaze which screamed admiration. 'Go on...' Lambert urged as I kept giving small tugs, touching the head in the process. I latched the heat of my mouth onto his tip, my tongue coated in saliva twirling across it. I felt it jerk in my hand, throbbing veins pressing against my palm. I stroked up and down slowly, spreading the mix of precum and spit all over the base. A relieved sigh left Lambert as his fingers found my (h/c) locks, playing with the strands as I started to bob my head, lewd noises that varied between sucking and nearly gagging filling the room.

I nipped at the head, giving tiny licks, driving Lambert crazy. My hand went up between his legs to massage his scrotum in order to bring him more pleasure. Moans escaped Lambert's lips, deep, vibrating ones that sent shivers down my spine, my slit dripping right now. I took in his entire cock, a strangled sound emitting from my throat. My nose touched a little patch of dark pubic hair and I nuzzled against it to make sure his entire member was engulfed by my mouth. I felt the pulsing of it on my tongue, which was flatly pressed against the tip now. I pulled back, gasping for air as strings of saliva connected me to his cock. I smirked at Lambert's troubled reaction, he was so close to his release yet I had withdrawn myself from his thumping manhood. 'P-Please...' he mumbled with a voice filled with desperation. 'Did you just beg?' '(Y/n), I--' 'It is not very often that you beg. Perhaps I should give it to you to reward you for it, hm?' I raised an eyebrow, my index finger stroking his tip, which was about to explode. Lambert let out a loud groan as I teased him again, pressing tiny kisses against the base. 'Alright,' I sighed, inhaling through my nose deeply as my tongue swirled against him. 'I guess it's time, then.' He did not foresee my hand wrapping around his length, pumping him with great speed, Growls erupted from his mouth, his cock spasming as he released his pleasure. The hot, white and creamy fluid filled my mouth. Lambert's fingers clawed in my hair, trying to fuck my face for a few thrusts. He trembled, too weak to sit up straight. I swallowed his seed, wiping the remains off with my sleeve. 'Thank you...' Lambert whispered as I stood up, straightening my armor. 'Anytime, darling.' I took his underwear, putting it on him again. His cock was swollen and wet, satisfied as I pulled the cotton over it again. Lambert sighed, his breaths still uneven. 'I'd love to do something back, dear, but I am just too exhausted.' I smiled, leaning forward to press a kiss on his forehead. 'Pay me back later, let's get you to bed first.' He smiled. 'I'd like nothing better.'

The following morning, I was greeted with a brunette head between my legs.

[abloomntime]

A Bloom In Time Ch9

-Small Time Skip-

THREE. HOURS.

They had been sitting there for a little over three hours reading this boring book on moon phases, what rock mineral and gases the stars and moon was made up off, how the Moon Penguins inhabited it, Star constallations. The whole works. But that wasn't counting Snatcher's annoyance at the kiddo's annoying stops. First she had to stop to help them pathetically crawl to the bed, which admittedly was better than the floor and at least they could throw the blanket around their shoulders as some defense against the cold, but that wasn't the point. Then she had to go upstairs to investigate a weird, which turned out to be some kind of lady in an apron behind the locked doors. A maid like Moonjumper had suggested most likely, or perhaps one of the royal cooks. Who knows? He's never bothered going in there assuming it was holding something crazier than the graffitied walls, and barely came here anyways. So why should it have concerned him? Not like he could've reversed whoever was locked in there anyways. He absolutely HATED everything about this right now-

"PRIIIIIINCE!!! MY PRINCE!! LET ME OOOOOUUUUUTTT!! YOU CANNOT KEEP ME FROM YOU!! YOUR BELOVED PRINCESSS!!! COME BACK TO ME!!"

Oh yeah. Did he mention Vanessa woke up bout half an hour ago and started screeching her lungs off calling for him? Yeah. Snatcher did his best to ignore the stupid yelling by forcibly reading the book, annoyed and anger bubbling under the surface. Meanwhile Moonjumper was panicking in their head and was worried she'd bust open the door and get to them....HA!! Fat chance. She was too weak to do anything but scream annoyingly and that door wasn't budging anytime soon. Once n a while he'd call out to Hattie in the hallway and check up on the progress, he hadn't done that in a bit so he might as well do it again. The storm outside didn't stop as the snowflakes still swirled around and lightning struck every so often, but it was a bit lighter. Must've been early morning at least. Snatcher made them turn a scowl to the doorway.

"HEY!! Are you done YET!? Im getting a little....Scratch that! A LOT annoyed at Ms. Pecking Loudmouth over there!"

"ALMOST!! I have ten more pieces to go! It's not easy to put them back together," she yelled back from the hallway.

"Well hurry it up, will ya?! I'm getting cold feet!! Literally and metaphorically!!" He grumbled annoyed and looked back to the book forcing himself to read about the gravity and air orbiting the moon from the Subconia planet to allow Moon Penguins and other people to breath on the moon and at least 55 miles within the planet's reach-

"PPPPPRRRRRIIIIINNNNCCCEEE!!!!! PHILIP!!!"

"OH SHUT UP YOU STUPID PECK NECK-!!!"

"I'M DONE!!," the child happily proclaimed from the hall interrupting anymore shouting and footsteps came rushing into the bedroom door they were in.

"YOU ARE!?" Immediately the book was dropped to their feet among the papers and their head snapped to the doorway as she ran in holding the precious magical hourglass in her hands. The beautiful sparkling blue sand lit up the little girl's precious proud face that if he weren't in such a dire situation MIGHT have thought was cute as she jumped onto the bed and hoped over to him holding it up. They stared at her for a little while before Snatcher snapped back up to her face. "WELL?! Whatcha waiting for kid?! Summer? Get to reversing us and let's get the PECK outta here before she remembers how to ice stuff again!!" "I QUITE agree, Sweetheart!! Let us make our leave of this place and NEVER come back!!"

Hattie nodded with understanding and looked down to the precious objects only she could semi-work. Good thing she had LOTS of practice already reversing things from all those time rifts she had to fix. Holding the small time piece up Snatcher and Moonjumper watched fascinated as it flew up in the air and slowly started to spin.....Which got faster....And faster.....AND FASTER!! Until it looked like a mini blue glowing tornado as it spun so fast, the blue light and energy waving off it got stronger and stronger until Hattie slammed her eyes shut and looked away when a giant BOOM!! Was resent off! A giant energy wave of light and energy game from the time piece, enough for her to stumble and fall onto her back on the bed. Her hat falling over her face. The giant flash also blinding her. Sending more chills down her spine. As soon as it came it left, and she groaned. After a few seconds, leaning back up again. Pushing her hat back and using her other hand to reach up and rub her eyes. Snatcher didn't fair much better. Glass and sparkling blue sand caught their reflections in their sparkles, energy gathering up and then-.....White. The energy was so bright  he had to turn his head away to avoid it, the energy wave knocking him back to the floor and everything going black. .......But it was like something snapped off him. All the weight. All the weird weakness. ....GONE!! Instead he felt....POWERFUL!! BIG!! RECONNECTING WITH ALL THAT MAGIC AND ENERGY AND THE MANY SOULS UNDER HIS COMMAND!! HE. FELT. COMPLETE AGAIN!! WITH NO ONE ATTACHED TO HIM EITHER!! The frightening figure of a sixteen foot ghost rose above the child as she finished rubbing her eyes and blinked up at him. The ghost stared down at his three clawed hands, a dangerously menacing evil grin on his face as he stared at the ghostly purple hands, a bright blue flame suddenly appearing in both lighting up his already glowing yello eyes and mouth. If Hattie was any normal person she would've ran for her life, but instead she smiled seeing him back to his old noodle self and quickly crawled along the bed to grab the time piece that fell by her feet as Snatcher laughed.

"AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHH!!!! YES!!" He lifted his hands up higher. "NEVER AGAIN!!"

"Does that mean you won't take my time pieces anymore?," Hattie asked giving him a suspicious look.

"Trust me, Kid. You can dump those things into the sun for all I care. I am NEVER laying a hand on one again." He sighed and with a snap the blue flames disappeared-

"MY PRIIIIINCE!!!" Hattie jumped at the suddenly loud voice and Snatcher growled snapping his head towards the sound. They had both momentarily forgotten about Vanessa after changing Snatcher back, but now she was back to being dead too......She could easily walk through the barricaded doors just as easily as Snatcher or Moonjumper could. She couldn't hurt Snatcher. He was just as equally if not MORE powerful than her with all the souls he's collected and without a curse that prevented him from leaving the manor unlike her. Plus he was already dead....But she could most definitely hurt the small child looking completely SCARED at the sounds of her. The thought of anyone laying a hand on HIS girl made the fluff around his chest and neck bristle up more in rage as he growled and sensed her prescence inching closer. "PHILIIIIIPPP!! COME BACK TO ME!!!"

"W-Who's Philip? AH!!" She had to grip the time piece hard to her with one hand and grab her hat from falling off with the other as Snatcher snatched her up in his arms and snarled at the bedroom doorway.

"Never mind that! Now do exactly as I say! Hang on to that magical glass and close your eyes!"

She didn't have to be told twice as her knuckles turned white gripping the hat and time piece to herself and gulped down the lump in her throat as Snatcher floated over to the hallway and looked out. Immediately catching the attention of the once again ghostly Vanessa who hissed and pointed her hand at them.

"YOU?! WHERE IS HE!? YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM MEEEEE?!," She shrieked making Hattie completely shake in the snarling ghost's hold and pull her hat down over her eyes. Vanessa shrieked some kind of incoherent screech and charged for them. Snatcher was NOT in the mood to be dealing with a crazy peckneck, not while his little girl was in danger! The dark purple ghost easily shot out above her near the ceiling out of her reach and made for the set of stairs that lead down to the first floor. Hugging the shivering girl to his soft chest. Vanessa lashed out at them missing Hattie by a couple inches and still screeched when Snatcher shot down the stairs with her chasing behind but he was too fast for her. "BRING ME BACK MY PRINNNNCE!!!"

The long ghost moved like a snake in the twisting and turning corners easily and diving down the stairs leading into the celler-......Before absolutely stopping. Still with a snarl, Snatcher snapped his head to the two lightly clanking chains. ...Him hanging there. Crying for forgivness. Not being able to escape- WITH A SCREECH OF HIS OWN THE AMOUNT OF FANGS SHOWING DOUBLED AND HE DARTED RIGHT FOR THEM!! ONE OF THE CLAWED HANDS REACHING OUT AND WITH A CRUNCH SOUND SUNK RIGHT INTO THE BASE OF WHERE ONE OF THE CHAINS WERE BOLTED TO THE WALL!! FUELED BY ANGER AND BEING OUT OF IT!! THE SNATCHER SAW RED AND WITH MORE CRUNCHING SOUNDS PULLED THOSE CHAINS FROM THE WALL!! Pieces of the wall came off with the two chains as Snatcher raged pulled them out one after the other with the force of a thousand Vanessas. The rock pieces and chains splashed into the water below with metal clanging noises from the chains as Snatcher watched with a snarl.

"PRINCE!!!"

Snatcher briefly snapped his head behind him at the stairs before clutching the still spooked child with both hands and again shot out the celler doors. He knew Vanessa couldn't leave the manor but he didn't know if she could enter the celler, but he wasn't staying to find out. The cold air blasting him and the little girl making her shiver more as he bulleted up, up, UP like some rocket. Flying high above the mansion and through the top of the ice dome, he momentarily looked around and down at his surroundings from way up high before settling on looking to the left and turning his body to shoot down, down, down. The air still cold and hard, but got warm quickly. His fluff and hattie's hair flying around wildly as he took them down and ended up landing some where randomly in his swamp. The ghost proceeded to start zig zagging through the trees, slithering in the air like a sea serpent still clutching the child to him protectively.

"W-W-What a-about Uncle M-Moon?!," Hattie finally shouted out daring to lift one corner of her hat off to peek up at him. "Isn't he still back there?!"

"Don't worry about him!," SNatcher stated bluntly, "That old peckneck can take care of himself! Besides it's morning already! He's probably back in that horizon prison until nighttime again!!"

He'll be fine. The Horizon was probably as far as one could from Vanessa being on another plain of existance. As he slithered between the trees he gradually began to slow down, but never stopped, even when he entered the burning part of his forest and casually floated along he never stopped, still tightly holding Hattie to himself in a protective hold. But she had stopped shivering and pushed the hat back on her head, her hands relaxing their grip on the time piece but still holding onto it. She coughed every so often from the smoke around them, and didn't like the heat too much, but she'd rather have herself in the clutches of Snatcher flying throw a burning cursed forest, than a frozen statue in Vanessa's creepy house forever. Now that this problem was solved they could relax. ....Well, for now at least. As he continued to float past everything he finally looked down to the little girl looking around at her surroundings......And frowned guiltly.

"Uh....Hey, Kiddo. How uh...How are you hanging in there?"

She looked up to him and smiled. "A lot better now that we're not near that crazy peckneck! And I got this!" She held up the sparkling object smiling more. "Hey! Thanks for saving me back there! I didn't know you were that fast!" Her eyes sparkled with childhood fun making him smile a little.

"Heh....Well, I have to be fast if I want to get to all my traps in someone stepped in them. A spider always catches the fly!"

She looked confused for a moment. "I thought the big spiders around here were ghosts like you too."

"Well....They are but...I-It's just a figure of speech, Kid." A small silence settled over the two as Hattie took off her hat and shoved the time piece in it before putting it back on her head, he still smiled at her a bit....before that frown came back along with a guilty feeling. ".....Hey, Hattie." She snapped her head up to him hearing her name and he slightly looked away. "....Im not...Good at saying this buuuut....I might be sorta, a little, almost sorry about...the whole borrowing without asking thing. Maybe."

She stared at him for a little longer before giving him that usually smug face making him groan and her giggle. What a soon-da-ray! "I'll forgive you, but only if you stay out of my vault."

He chuckled. "Trust me. I NEVER want to touch one of those things again. You can have them"

She nodded. "Good. Cuz I would've fought you again and won if you didn't give it back."

he chuckled. "You do pack a whallop don't ya?" Sure she did. She wacked Vanessa once and it was enough to knock her unconscious for a little over three hours. But all that aside. It was good to be back in his usual form again. He felt SO much better like this, but his happy smile was short lived when he saw the sight. They just broke through the burning tree line and the child coughed a few more times before shaking her head glad to be rid of the smoke smell and heat when  he froze and stared ahead of them at him home. "WHAT THE PECK?!"

A couple of his minions were giggling and had four Mafia men backed against a tree as they all cowered away from the giggling spirits. One dweller with a white mask with long ears was holding the random old man and swaying him back and forth as if playing as he shouted for it to let go. Then ...Hey! It was the researchers. Mr. Tim was holding one of the Subconites up and seeming to be studying it as it wriggled around and demanded to be put back down. Thor was INSIDE SNATCHER'S HOME looking at everything with a magnifying glass, while Mr. Oldster was snoring fast asleep in Snatcher's arm chair. Two minions were giggling as another dweller in a fox mask was drawing on his sleeping face using their long body to hold some kind of chalk. Rough Patch seemed to be the only one who wasn't causing trouble as he just slept underneath Snatcher's chair curled up to look like a bush randomly growing under it. But they all stopped hearing Snatcher's yell and looked up. The King Ghost stared at them all for a second before scowling further and lowering his arms to drop Hattie onto her feet and pointing inside of his home. At the same time Mr. Tim dropped the minion and the dweller dropped the old man.

"YOU AND YOU!! GET OUT OF MY HOME AND STOP TOUCHING MY THINGS BEFORE I DEVOUR YOUR SOULS AND LEAVE NOTHING LEFT BUT YOUR SAD EXCUSE FOR FASHION!!" Thor immediately did so, fumbling with the magfifying glass and quickly grabbing his sleeping partner who fell and started cursing a bit being woken from his nap but Thor dragged him away seeing Snatcher float to his home just in time for them to literally fall out and into the small water moat that surrounded it. Snatcher watching annoyed but also amuzed at it. "Now. ALL OF YOU GET THE PECK OUT OF MY FOREST AND DONT EVER COME BACK OR I'LL-"

"They can't!" Snatcher looked over as Hattie bounded over to them as Thor and Oldster dragged themselves out of the water. What did she mean now? "They're stranded here! Your forest is far away from EVERYTHING!!"

"Hmph. That's kinda the point kiddo. I like my privacy. Can't you just take them?"

"No! I don't have my umbrella, and even if I could, you said I can't have strangers on my ship!"

He opened his mouth...but closed his grumbling. He JUST wanted to take it easy for a little bit. "Well what do YOU suggest? I can't teleport them half way across the world, Kid."

She smiled. "Conductor can pick them up!" She then pointed in a direction. "His train runs by your forest everyday, can't you just take them to the train station?"

He rose what would be considered a brow at him and sighed. "Kid. That's three miles away through a part of a desert. You want me to take all these dummies to a train station, through a desert, for three miles?? What's wrong with you doing it?"

"I have to return the you know what that YOU took!" She scowled and crossed her arms.

Oh....That. "Why don't I return it?"

"Fat chance! And you promised you wouldn't touch them anymore remember?" He scowled a bit but she jumped up on the vine and bounded towards him before reaching up and tugging on his hand. "PLEASE!! I promise I'll really, really forgive you!!"

He stilled stared at her with a scowl before groaning. "You're not going to leave me alone until I do it are you?.....Fine, FINE!!" He tugged his hand away from her. "But this talk is NOT over!" He snapped his head to all the other men who jumped at his frown. "ALL RIGHT!! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!! STAND UP!! AND GET MARCHING!! IM PECKING TAKING YOU TO A BLOODY TRAIN STATION AND WE ARE NOT STOPPING UNTIL WE GET THERE!! .....WELL GET GOING!!" He pointed a claw down a dirt path and immediately the group of men got stepping Thor and Oldster tripping over one another to get out of the water.

"I say, I think you grew more cranky than the last time I encountered you. Too bad I couldn't find research a ghost's habitate."

"I can give you a REAL up close view if you want."

"Uh...N-No. Im fine...But pray tell, where is that young fellow and the lovely young lady. We were forced by that little girl with the powerful umbrella to lock the poor dear in a bathroom."

Snatcher scowled further at Vanessa being called a 'poor gal' but Hattie spoke up before he could. "Uh....M-My dad and.....m-mom..." He could see and hear her inwardly cringe. H A R D. At that. "Are fine. T-They were taken back home, a-and my .....'Mom' freaks out a lot."

Thor looked confused but a growl from Snatcher was enough for him to shut up, grab Mr. Oldster, and start dragging him to catch up with the others. Snatcher starting to float behind them, but looked at Hattie one more time. "Go HOME. And stay there until I come back. ....And remember. NO talking about any embarrassing crawling to anyone! That includes Bow and your funny vacuum cleaner." Hattie nodded and Snatcher turned back around to follow the retreating group. "COME ON!! MARCH, MARCH, MARCH!! If you all hurry you might be able to catch the afternoon train run! If not, it makes another round at night! But as soon as you're all at the station Im DONE!! AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE ANY OF YOU HEAR AGAIN DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND HEAR ME?!"

"Geez, Newbie. What took you and Boss so long?," one of the minions asked tilting her head at her. "Minion Number Twelve's been missing for a long time, but he showed back up with a whole bunch of weirdos and a cat. And then he said the boss told him to keep them here and wait for his orders."

Hattie just shrugged and pulled off her hat. Reaching back inside and pulling out the sparkling hourglass and smiling at it. Time to go home and put this back where it belonged. With the others locked away safely FOREVER!! Holding it up  with one hand, she waved bye to the Subconites watching her and felt that same light headed as she vanished from the forest in a flash of blue-white light. A moment later of high sped traveling she landed on firm ground inside a very familiar looking control room inside a very familiar looking ship. Smiling, she looked around the place but didn't see Bow anywhere. Maybe she went back to bed, she did look really tired-

"oW! MY CircUIT BoArD!!," a familiar robotic voice sounded out as she felt something bump against her foot.

She looked down and happily smiled at Rumbi as he went around her. Bending down to pat him a few times, before looking back up towards the vault. Only she knew the code to it and it was in her home language which no one else knew or rea, so that was a plus. One she got close enough, she placed the time piece under one arm and using the other, she used the other to type in strange symbols into the keypad on the bottom of the vault door. It beeped a few times before a giant DING noise came from it and a robotic voice said 'Access Granted. Welcome'. The lock unbolted with a giant click and she grabbed the handle, with a giant grunt, she pulled the heavy duty door open. IT. MADE. A. HUUUUUUUUGE. CREAKING NOISE THAT ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SHIP!! She opened it just enough for her to peek in and smile at the hundreds of sparkling time pieces, all identical to one another and sparkling with that magic sand. Carefully she tossed the small hourglass with all the others and backed out from the door, with another grunt and LOUD creaking noise, it sealed back shut and the lock clicked loudly back in place. To her satisfaction the monitor screen showing the count of hourglasses went from 999 to exactly the even number of 1,000 time pieces accounted for. All safely back inside the vault. With a sigh, she turned back around and made her way back down the ramp. Never thought she'd be so tired in the morning but all she wanted to do right now, was take a long nap on her bed or pillow mountain. But she looked up when the WHOOSH noise of a door opening sounded out, and she blinked seeing Bow walk in towards her. Bow blinked at her for a moment before rushing up to her.

"HATTIE!!" She stopped a few feet in front her giving a worried look. "I heard the vault open! Are you ok?! Where's Snatcher!? Did you get the magic glass thingy back!? Who's that weird but nice lady in your bed room?!"

Hattie blinked at the sudden amount of questions but only blinked and asked one back. "There's a lady in my bedroom?"

"YES!!" Bow threw her hands up. "She said a witch teleported her here and she's been doing nothing but using your blanket and reading your story books for HOURS!!"

She stared blankly at Bow for a long moment, before her memory slapped her in the face and her hands reached up to touch her cheeks for a moment. "OH MY GOSH!! POPPY!! I COMPLETELY FORGOT!!" Not saying anything else, she ran past Bow who Blinked and quickly ran after her back through the bedroom door and down the long child sized hallway towards the bedroom, once the two girls made out the other side of the door into the bedroom Hattie immediately saw the older woman. Poppy had taken her blanket off the bed and was sitting cross-legged on the soft mattress with it wrapped around her. Her plain black shoes, which were still soaking wet from the celler water, was left by the bed soaking the carpet underneath. In her hands was Hattie's favorite fairytale book 'Starella and the Milky Way Prince' which Poppy was reading but stopped and looked up once the children came in. Hattie immediately ran over to her. "IM SORRY!! I didn't mean to take so long, I swear! "

Poppy immediately held her hands up at the child's distress. "What? No, no. Sweetie, it's ok. Your friend was really nice and gave me some cookies so I think we can call it even." She smiled and Hattie now noticed she had an accent. It sounded similar to Cooking Cat's with her country voice. "But if I may ask, why did you take so long?"

Hattie groaned. "I had to put my time piece back together and then Snatcher had to rescue me from Vanessa, and then we flew REALLY fast, and then I had to convince him to take everyone to the train station and I completely forgot you were here and now I gotta find out what to do-"

Poppy held up her hands again. "Hey, hey. Slow down there. What do you mean train station? And where's your dad?...No. More importantly what sea are we on? Are we near the Nyakuza Islands or something?"

Hattie blinked at her. "No. You're in my space ship. In outer space. I'm an 'alien'....I asked Snatcher what an 'alien' was once, and he said aliens were space travelers...So Im an alien with a space ship!", she stated proudly.

"So....It is true...." She looked around the room for a bit, not sure what to feel. "Aliens do exist...and I really am in...o-o-outer space?" The girls nodded and she shook her head. "I thought your friend here was just playing a game. But.....wow...I guess that would explain the whole, not a witch thing and why your lamp doesn't use a candle....But why were you in the Queen's home? Were you trying to invade our kingdom?"

Hattie rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone keep asking me if Im invading them?...Whatever invading means." She gave Poppy a slightly annoyed look. "No. Snatcher stole a time Piece and broke it, and brought everyone back to life and I had to fix it!"

Poppy blinked again in even more confusion, "What's a....'time peice'?"

"......Maybe I should start from the beginning. " The small child went over and jumped onto the bed beside Poppy and gazed up at her for a moment in thought before sighing. "Ok. Snatcher said Im not supposed to talk to strangers.....But for some reason you look REALLY familiar, so I guess you're not a stranger??" She questioned her own sense for a moment before shaking her head again and smiling. "Well, you see a long time ago, I climbed into this space ship my dead grandpa made for me but my mom hated him because she was supposed to take over being Ceo of Time...Whatever that is, like the rest of my family did, but she said no. And she didn't want me traveling in space because she was really sick and needed me buuuut-....." She looked sideways considering telling her the rest, but for some reason she felt compelled to. I mean, practically everyone on this world already knew of the alien saving them from the crazy blonde kid with the hourglasses, except for Empress and maybe that Captain Walrus guy. SO really what was the harm? "Well I accidentally let all my time pieces fall on this planet and I had to go get them back-"

"What IS a time piece?"

"Oh. They're these magic hourglass things that can control time, but they're too dangerous to use, they also power my ship! I had to fix a LOT of stuff. And then I went home and-......" She again frowned and looked down. Her hands fiddling with the clip of her came. "M-My...mom...wasn't around anymore....I don't know where she went cuz I couldn't find her....But then I realized I was missing some more time pieces!" She looked back up to her after a moment with another little smile. "But that means I got to come back! And then I sunk a ship TOTALLY on accident, fought a whole bunch of crazy cats, OH!! And Snatcher gave me a whole bunch of clothes after I agreed to his death wish contracts! And now he's sort of kinda my dad....Which is COOL!! Cuz who else has a ghost dad!! Even if he is grumpier than Conductor."

"H-Hold on there a little bit, Sugar." Poppy lifted a hand up to her spinning and confused head trying to process this whole story thrown at her. Most of it DIDNT make sense since she still didn't know the most of the story. It sounded more like a story fabricated by a child's imagination like when she used to watch all the children play pretend at the town square while she sold her flowers. "So...L-Let me try to get SOME things straight....Your family is....gone." She didn't want to say dead to upset the child or anything. "And you're an alien?.....Ok. I think I can believe and get THAT part. But these magic hourglasses??" She hoped she was getting that right. She still could barely believe there was such a thing. "Power your ship with magic or something. And you now live here. And your father is a.......ghost??" Hattie nodded. Her father was a.....spirit? "Are you sure you're not a witch? I thought only those with great supernatural power could communicate with spirits and the dead. L-Like the old village fortune teller."

Hattie rose and shook her head. "I don't think so. Cuz everyone can see Snatcher. He's like this big loud mouth and he screams 'FOOOOOOLL!!' a lot, and haunts this forest."

"W-Well, he must be a very powerful ghost to do that. I mean I think he would be, I've never heard of any spirit like that. Or heard any news about cursed hourglasses, or a haunted forest. You must live far away from the Subonit and Subconette Kingdoms." Does that mean the man with the strange brown hair she briefly saw from under the blanket was that ghost? Did she really see and hear a ghost?! Well, she didn't know, he wasn't facing her and she didn't stop to see who he was. She was more worried about escaping before she was locked away again by that weird monster....Speaking of which, how did they get they get past her? How did this CHILD get past her. She still looked at Hattie confused. "How did you get past that shadow monster? I didn't see her anywhere when you rescued me. Does that mean she left the mansion?..ARE THE PEOPLE OK?!"

Hattie blinked and leaned away when Poppy gave her an extremely worried look and to Poppy's added panic and worry shook her tiny head. "They were all ice statues and ghosts. I'm sorry."

"W-WHAT?! N-NO!! NO THAT CAN'T BE TRUE!!" Those hands reached up quickly to grab her pretty red hair, her sharp movements making the storybook tumble out of her lap and onto the floor, both girls blinked at it before giving Poppy worried looks as the older woman took deeper breaths. "H-HOW!? HOW COULD ALL OF THIS HAVE HAPPENED?!"

"Queen Vanessa cursed everyone?" Hattie shrugged. "Im not sure how she did it, but Snatcher says she went really pecking bonkers and cursed everyone to freeze a long time ago."

"....." She slowly looked to her with wide eyes. "....QUEEN Vanessa?! You mean our b-beloved and k-kind queen?! S-Surely you must be mistaken. She's a-always been so nice if not a little strange, are you sure you're not mixing her up?"

The little girl scowled and crossed her arms. "I know a crazy person when I see one! I see LOTS of crazy people all the time. Some are scary crazy like Snatcher or Conductor but they're not THAT bad. But Vanessa is PECKING INSANE!! She tried to freeze me lots of times!"

"B-But....why?" Those blue eyes looked down at her hands unmoving as  her brain STILL couldn't believe anything she was being told. She was always a nice person. Her friend, the prince, always said so. Sure she did a LOT of weird and sometimes questionable things, like banning bacon in the kingdom, or practicing hairstyles on her fiancé, but she always looked so happy whenever she saw her. And the children loved her, and so did the Prince who always said nothing but kind things about her. How did she-.....How COULD she? Surely this little alien must've been mistaken. She was from a far away place after all. "H-How....?"

The two little girls exchanged a look before looking at Poppy with pity. "I...I don't really know HOW? Snatcher said her black magic ate her soul up turning her into an ice witch, I think that's what he said. She got really mad because she was jealous I think, and then went crazy and froze everything!!....Well, except for Snatcher's forest. He has really strong fire powers."

"B-But....." She just shook her head. Nothing made ANY sense. "T-This doesn't make ANY sense!! I mean...I didn't think she'd-.....D-Does this mean the one who locked me up was-.....HOW COULD ALL OF THIS HAPPEN IN ONE DAY!?" She gripped her head harder. "SURELY!! N-NO ONE GOT FROZEN THIS FAST!!! I W-WAS FINE THIS MORNING!!"

"No you weren't. You were frozen like everyone else." Innocent confusion was on Hattie's face when Poppy snapped her panicked so confused head to her.

"WHAT?!"

"Snatcher tried to get Vanessa lost by throwing one of my time pieces at her." She crossed her arms and pouted a bit oblivious to the grown woman's panicked face. "There was a lot of frozen people in there for a really long time and came back to life when his wish backfired."

"How long were you in there, Miss?," Bow asked politely looking up at Poppy with a tilted head,

Poppy just sat there blankly for a long moment before shaking her head. "I-I don't remember. I-It must've been at least a D-day or day and a half!! I blacked out for a little bit after it g-got really cold!! All I remember is getting dragged up there by two giant knights, and then......Queen Vanessa..." It was STILL so weird and unbeleivable. She couldn't believe what she was even saying. "Blamed me for committing some kind of treason to the royal family, I can't remember exactly what she said, my memory is too fuzzy, and then I was l-locked upstairs. All I can remember after that is you rescuing me."

A small silence passed among the three girls sitting there, before Bow hummed and rubbed her chin. "You said you knew Vanessa?"

"W-Well...N-No. She never came by my shop, I only saw her once or twice when she visited the village. ....And I guess now as a monster of some kind."....Hattie's eyes suddenly became wide with some kind of realization and again the girls exchanged some kind of look catching her eye. "W-What?....W-Why are you making those faces?"

"You said you were alive before everything froze right?"

"Yes....W-Why?"

"Miss Poppy.....That happened a thousand years ago. You've been frozen for a long time."