#left my earplugs at home too so also deaf

[the-nerdy-fangirl]

love evanescence, unfortunately glad to see the LED bars going off stage. They made for cool effects but also I am blind

damn nobody in the muse fort worth tag… wya guys one ok rock slapped represent here y’all

[finnissilly]

Triple threat - dnd campaign updates (4)

The boys are back in town

Last part is here:

session 15? (I don’t remember):

We get to the silver dragons lair and he introduces himself as Avoraxx, tells us that his wrymling son Syle was taken by a bunch of circus people who he invited into his home in thinking they were just harmless adventurers and stuff but nope they steal his son.

He told us he’d reward us and whatnot if we rescued his son and then asked if we could help him by being “pest control” (harpies) and how they’d made their way into the mountain and made their nest and he was tired of hearing them in his walls.

So we went into the maze of the walls, and found our way to where the harpies were. We all made makeshift earplugs and tried climbing up this rocky wall to where they were- unfortunately. Blooper failed a stealth? Survival? (I don’t recall) check and fell on some ice stuff which made the harpies start to sing louder as we got up.

Orion and Miles (despite having advantage due to ear plugs) both got lured- Orion who thought he saw his little sister and Miles who thought he saw his brother and his best friend. The two started uncontrollably sobbing and going after these illusions of their family/friends.

Luckily Orion very soon was able to succeed a save as he bonked into a tabaxi skull and realized “oh shit wait a minute” as for Miles- that man almost got carried away by a harpy until Blooper was able to cast blindness/deafness on Miles, so he couldn’t hear the song anymore. (I rolled a 4 on my wisdom save and I was so happy to fail) after that- Orion and Miles basically beat the shit out of the harpies.

Blooper tried to help but he mainly remained idle during the fight. Also Blooper got really hurt during this fight too (I think he got down to like 16 HP)

Miles was able to kill the mother harpy and used one of the whistle arrows he’d gotten to scare off a majority of the other harpies to fly off.

After the mom died- all the harpies began circling at the top above the mountain, Blooper used thaumaturgy to yell “your mother is dead, leave”

And they did, everyone left and we made our way back to Avoraxx, who was very delighted that his pest problem was taken care of and gave us a small scoop of his horde as reward, and we noticed he was Messing with a crystal ball- but not knowing what to do with it, we all managed to persuade him into letting him give us the ball so we could mess with it to see what was up.

We all spoke at it in different languages until Blooper spoke primordial to it- and that woke it up. Which we realized that this ball is like a sentient person.

Avoraxx then tried talking to it but after not getting answers he just threw the ball off to the side and complained about how it “wasn’t doing what it’s made to do”

Anyway, he offered us the ball if we were able to bring back his son.

Session 16:

We climbed down the mountain and made camp before hearing a call for help, initially thinking it might be a trap but it wasn’t- we found a gnome (or dwarf I literally don’t remember) trapped under a tree, and helped him out.

His leg was pretty messed up and he was cold and tired.

We made him a makeshift brace for his leg and let him camp with us for the night.

He told us his group probably wasn’t far away and that he was apart of the merchants guild as well- except he was from the ivory city. (Main city) and that this was enough for him. He was done and wanted to go home and not do adventuring anymore.

We were able to find his camp and they gave us food and cold weather gear.

And asked if we could go out and find their survey team who was surveying right outside the underdark in exchange for gold.

We agreed and went to find them.

Upon reaching the site- the ground was very odd looking, like many many holes (like cheese basically) in a tundra.

Quickly finding a group of terrified people hiding in a hole telling us that something killed their friends.

We also actively while walking on the surface felt something moving below us.

We got them out the hole and saw a baby Remorhazes (I think that’s the name?) this fucker killed a survey team person in one round (it did like 26 damage on one attack and ate a guy)

Anyways, Orion turned into a small housecat and zoomed in the opposite direction of the group while Miles ran the other way.

Ofc this thing followed Miles, and Miles was face to face with this creature.

He just kept running and bookin it, but then it turned to the survey team who isn’t moving and easy weak targets.

Orion saw this going down and ran back by turning into a panther, able to save one of the members as he ran back.

We only were able to save one person, but all three of us were fine.

I don’t remember how Blooper got off the map. But he did somehow.

We then went back to the camp and told them what was up, they thought it was weird that this creature was this far out here as it’s too cold for them here.

Which we suspected since it was a BABY and that it was so far out- mom must’ve had like a ton of kids and they all just kept moving out as their colony got bigger. (Like wreck-it Ralph)

Session 17:

We started making our way back to Valica and on the journey were stopped as we found a group of people in like full armor and stuff- looking like they were gonna kill something extreme.

This elf on a horse came and talked to us about how we shouldn’t go to Valica because of the dragon attack and we explained we actually came from Valica and were now coming back- this guy was confused as he didn’t see us come up on the trail from Valica.

But he wished us luck on our journey back.

Turns out that was the prince Zalastar and he was leading a dragon hunt.

Anyway, made our way back to Valica and the town was recovering from the dragon attack. We went to talk to Korg and Og to tell them that we were okay and what was going on.

Og seemed to have a merchants guild badge and a rank higher than us in it because he was actively helping out.

Korg was happy to see us and surprised we weren’t dead, and ofc we explained the situations to both of them.

We went to the local jail to see the circus people, Orion decided to turn into a panther for this to terrify them more.

We go in, after a few questions and Orion making them shit themselves by just messing with them and living up to the “demon cat” allegations, as well as persuading the prisoners with drugs (mushrooms). We found that there was a head of the circus named Thaal and he’d probably know about what we wanted to know.

We then- found Vizorazz in the jail as well, who was very pissed at us until we explained “yeah man you were just kinda. There.” And we bailed him out of jail as he promised to give us gold, we got his stuff back for him and he took us to a back alley where he had a box with a pouch of barely any gold left which he was pissed at since he figured his drow druid crime partner- took his share (her name is Nala) but we took some of his remaining gold, and gave him one of the poisonous mushroom drugs as well. And he was off and promised us a favor.

We made it to the building where Thaal was assumed to be, it was basically an office space building and we very soon found him.

He was an air genasi kinda dressed like a clown.

He wasn’t giving us any information and we got really frustrated with him. Until Blooper basically bullied him into fighting us.

Which we *mainly* played on defense the whole fight.

Blooper got shot out of his office by an air? Wave? Thing? He got pushed out really hard and hit the railing before falling back into someone’s desk on the first floor.

Orion used his dagger like once or twice within the fight while Miles just punched the guy like once.

We couldn’t let him die since he had info we needed.

Blooper talked to the crowd about what’d happened (kinda deceiving them leaving out that he made fun of bro) anyways, a paladin came to help us in our fight.

Thaal tried to deceive the paladin and say like “they’re attacking me :(“ but, Orion cast charm person on him.

We’d explain later.

So paladin helped us out and actually ended up killing Thaal by complete accident (he used divine smite and his sword didn’t stop going) Miles called out for a cleric with revivify, and luckily since clerics were called when Blooper fuckin fell like a Dingus- clerics were already being called and Thaal was able to get revivified.

He said how “there’s nothing left after this life” and talked about becoming a slime person which.

Means he’s a lawful evil person.

We finally got out the information about the dragon and he told us the dragon was in Arinthia and boom Thaal gets in trouble for being responsible for the dragon attack.

Orion dispelled the charm as the guards were coming to arrest both the paladin and Thaal.

Orion said “I’m sorry… I didn’t know what else to do…” and tried explaining, the paladin understood but now he was getting arrested and he lost his job.

We felt bad so we decided to talk to the inquisitors the next day to plead his case and bail him out.

Turns out the inquisitor was apart of a organization that goes as far as torturing and killing the guilty. (Miles knows this because he is a criminal and had to deal with these guys before)

The inquisitor was a really buff tiefling woman and we pleaded his case the next day, explaining the whole situation and she got into some details about laws and spells and all that and we were able to get him out.

He was surprised to see us and we explained how we felt bad and wanted to help him out, we didn’t ask for anything in return but he felt in-debted to us. The only thing we asked was that he teach Orion how to use a scythe. (I completely forgot to mention we went to the ivory city. We went shopping there- that’s how Orion got his scythe. Miles got alcohol and we also heard about portals opening up north in Arinthia, also there was a big underdark mine in ivory city.)

The paladin was surprised that, that’s all we wanted from him.

He introduced himself as Theodrin but we all just call him Theo, and he’s a half elf paladin of Ilmator.

He started traveling with us and Miles asked if he’d ever met any other paladins and asked if he met a 5’5 drow paladin with a wooden prosthetic leg (referring to his brother) and Theo said yes- that he met someone with that description about a month ago, heading to Arinthia as he was looking for someone in the shadowfell and that he was really nice and helped Theo out with some bandits.

Sounded like an exact match for Miles’ younger brother.

Session 18:

We helped out at the merchants guild for a little bit before grabbing Theo and going to our journey to Arinthia, Theo also explained that he knew a silver dragon wouldn’t had done this, and we found out that Theo’s hyperfixation was on dragons so. Bro knows a lot about dragons.

Anyway, first day of traveling went fine.

Night went bad though.

As Miles was watching over the campsite, (4 hour nap was over) he saw someone shuffling just outside of his dark vision and then a lizardfolk tried to kill him from behind.

Fun.

Everyone else woke up and saw the fight goin down. I think Miles went to like 9 HP, bro wasn’t lookin too good.

Anyways after beating these two up, tying them up and taking their shit they explained how they were assassins hired to kill Miles and that they got an in from the merchants guild saying Miles was heading this way.

They figured it’d be easy but yk it’s a full on party of people, just just one guy.

Theo was happy at first saying how he “knew he joined the right adventuring party” since we didn’t kill these guys and stabilized them initially. But yk. Then finding out Miles is infact a wantef criminal on the run and wanted for (accidental) terrorism and stuff. Theo wasn’t happy about that and Blooper and Miles did try to explain what really went on after we set the two assassins go- (we took all their stuff though)

Miles went back to do a long rest (which luckily is only a 4 hour nap for him) because he was so low on health.

We talked some more to Theo about what really happened and asked him some more about Miles’ brother Kilo.

(Haha get it, Miles and Kilometers. I’m so funny)

We were about to pass by the main city again- ivory city and didn’t really want to go in since they gave Miles a hard time at first, but when we went in the second time Theo was able to quickly explain that we needed in and whatnot. (I think we came here to stock up on supplies) we then heard about a monster of some sort terrorizing the mines and preventing the people from generating any new minerals for trade and whatnot. But that was basically it.

We bought some tents and that was that.

Theo bought us all rooms, and we decided to open up the book that Quintillious gave to Orion.

We did show this book to Avoraxx and he told us that this was like a terrible book that even some gods have banned this book. That this book could rewrite time itself and the universe as we know it. That being said- we all tried to open it. Then it got to Orion, and he was able to open it but he fell through the book into like a pocket dimension from within the book.

Everything was dark and Orion then saw a pair of red eyes from the darkness.

Whatever this thing was- it was huge and it had extremely long fingers. And he was asking Orion for a way out. Which Orion didn’t want to do, and tried to leave multiple times but he was unsuccessful and this thing had now fused with Orion’s body. The two becoming one.

He gasped away from the book and slammed it on the ground and curled up in a ball yelling “get out of my head” Blooper and Miles were very confused as for their point of view just saw Orion casually reading a book and calmly saying “give me a minute-“ when asked what the book said.

Anyways so Orion is possessed.

Miles decided to stay the night with Orion because he only needs 4 hours sleep and Orion spoke about how he didn’t want to be alone.

Orion barely was able to sleep, having constant nightmares of this thing where, he wasn’t in his own body and in some kind of war where there were literally rivers of blood and people yelling at him which he understood somehow and just kept killing these creatures in this war.

He also- knew something about Orion as well.

This book, was told to be written by Vecna when he was alive and that’s all we know.

Also that when Orion spoke in abyssal to this book it kinda perked up. And now Orion was proficient in arcana.

Fun stuff.

Also during the night Miles saw Orion sit up- do a big stretch, bigger than he’s ever seen Orion do before before rolling over, smiling and going back to sleep.

Not ominous.

At all.

Next morning Theo questioned Orion’s behavior since he was so tired, and Theo asked if he was sick, which.

I guess is one way to put it.

Theo offered to make soup which- I love this man but Miles interjected by saying “not that kinda sick” which- Theo seemed to kinda? Get the idea?

Anyway. I think that was it for that session?

[phoenixthatsme]

Hi

I’m PhoenixThatsMe, but you can call me Phoenix.

I am a deaf/hard of hearing individual.

I have a moderately severe hearing loss in my right ear.

I’ve been this way since I was a 2020, and recently, I’ve come to struggle to accept my disability.

I have some pretty small reasons for struggling with my disability, like people literally asking me to take my hearing aid out and cover my ear, just to scream in it, or constantly having to have my left/good ear in peoples space so I can hear them.

However, the thing at the top of my list is the panic attacks I can get from being in loud rooms for too long. The best way to explain it, is that my left/good ear absorbs sound like a sponge absorbs water.

It creates a sound imbalance, and makes it feel like the world is about to collapse in on me. Tears burn in my eyes, and when I can’t control myself (because I’m annoyed with people in my class) I cry.

I hate it when I cry…it makes me feel so vulnerable and…powerless really. All because the sound is to much for me to hear.

I know that I can’t really control others around me, but I really hate it.

Schools been bad lately. Everyone’s somehow even louder than normal, and I don’t want to sound mean by telling them to shut it. I don’t want to be seen as bossy or controlling.

I have an earplug that I put in my good ear when it gets unbearable, sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t. My teachers let me step out when it gets too loud, but because it’s a small school, there really isn’t a place that’s totally quiet. It helps sometimes though, but I’m still attacked on all sides by sound.

The worse thing about it, is going home, and feeling so dang tired. And alone. And frustrated.

It’s just the feeling that no one, no one understands what you’re going through.

It makes me feel like a nuisance, and sometimes I wish I didn’t have a disability.

But, I’m also a realist.

I’m not normal, and I will never be again.

I just wanna know if anyone else goes through a similar experience, and things I can do to help avoid breaking down. Some days are better than others.

[sleepyeye17]

This Machine Kills Dragons

Eddie and Max are friends. Lumax. Eddie is alive, and is a big brother figure. Max is blind. 

Words: 1,517

Eddie and Lucas walked back from the store, carrying bags of groceries for themselves and for Max’s mom. Max had been awake for about a month now, but her mom was as depressed as ever. Hopper was talking about taking her to the local AA meetings.

Lucas took out his earplugs as they left the busy main boulevard.

“How’s your tinnitus?” Eddie asked. Lucas had been struggling with ringing in his ears since the fight with Jason.

“It’s getting better,” Lucas said. “I have a fan going at night, which helps, and I wear earplugs if I know I’ll be somewhere loud, like the grocery store or the main street. The doctors are saying it will mostly go away with time.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

“Me too. It would suck if I was deaf and Max was blind. We’d have to figure out something new.”

“You guys could make it work. You could do morse code with tapping. That would be awesome.”

“Yeah. Or like, shaping letters on her hand. I could do that.”

“How’s it going with you and Max right now anyways?” Eddie asked. "You've been quiet about her lately. Which is unusual."

Lucas shrugged.

“I dunno. I still love her, but...”

Lucas kicked a rock. Eddie grimaced and hissed between his teeth.

“Don’t let her hear that tone. That sounds bad.”

“I know. It is bad. It wouldn’t be so bad if she would just talk to me. But there’s not much to talk about. She’s just in bed all day. So I go and I read to her, or I tell her about my day, but I want to hear about her . And right now, there’s not much for her to tell me. She says she isn’t bored, she’s just tired. But I don’t know.”

Eddie thought about this.

“You know, there was a point when I was a kid, when I stopped talking.”

“ You ?”

“I know, I know, now I never shut the fuck up. But this was a long time ago. I was little.”

“Okay.”

“That’s when my mom got me my first guitar. I was probably around ten. Things were bad at home. We had just moved to Hawkins. By playing guitar, I was able to, you know. Express things.”

“But Max doesn’t play guitar.”

Eddie grinned.

“Not yet.”

Max could feel the sun hot on her face. She wanted to call a nurse to close the curtains, but it was too much work. Everything was too much work. Pressing the button was too much work. Talking was too much work.

Her legs were still in casts, but her arms were in removable splints and slings. She’d thought that would make her feel better, but what could she do with her arms anyways? Draw? She was blind. All she could do now was press play on the Walkman, and she didn’t like the feeling of the headphones on her ears, cutting her off from her most valuable sense. Sometimes she did play her music out loud, but usually that was also just too much work.

There was a tap at the door, and all of Max's senses sprung into high alert. She bolted upright like a Jack-in-the-box.

“Hey, it’s cool, it’s just Eddie.”

She relaxed into wariness.

“Hi Eddie.”

Her voice was still hoarse from Vecna's chokehold.

“You hot? It feels hot in here.”

“Yeah.”

She heard the curtains being pulled and she was immediately more comfortable.

“I brought you something,” Eddie said. Max liked that Eddie never asked how she was feeling. He knew how she was feeling. Eddie had been released from the lab soon after she’d woken up from her coma, but he still came in once a week for his checkups, and he always stopped by to visit her when he did.

There was a hollow thunk, and Max jumped at the unexpected noise.

“Sorry,” Eddie said. “It’s a guitar. I brought you a guitar.”

Max leaned forward, curious.

“They let you bring Sweetheart into the hospital?”

Eddie chuckled.

“No. Besides, Sweetheart isn’t the kind of girl you learn on. This is an acoustic. It was my first, and I think it’s more your size.”

“I’m not that small,” Max argued.

“I know. I just have crazy noodle arms.”

Max smiled.

“Lucas told me that you get bored,” Eddie said. Max looked confused.

“He told you that? I didn’t tell him that. I don’t get bored.”

“Really? I used to get bored when I was recovering. I was just sitting here all day.”

“I don’t get bored. There’s stuff for me to do. They have someone teaching me braille. And physical therapy.”

“Lucas didn’t tell me about the braille.”

“No. I don’t really talk to him about that stuff.”

“Why not?”

“Because I haven’t actually been able to do anything. I still can’t tell an A from a K in braille, and all I do in physical therapy is bend my arms and lift quarter pound weights. I don’t have anything to say to him. I don’t do anything. What can I do? I get frustrated, because I want to tell him things, and, I dunno, entertain him, or whatever. He comes here all the time, and I just have nothing to say.”

“Well, after today you won’t have to say anything. Because you can play guitar instead.”

Max nodded.

“I’d like that.”

“How are your arms today?”

“Good. I can take off my splints.”

“You sure? We can start with just listening.”

Eddie had already talked to the physical therapist, who had approved short guitar lessons. Max was actually supposed to remove her splints more often than she did, and the PT was hoping that learning guitar might help her stay motivated in her stretching. But Eddie knew that Max would never agree to something just because it was good for her.

“I can do it.” She pulled the velcro splints off her arms. She was getting good at that.

“You ready?” he asked. “Can I put her in your lap?”

Max nodded, and she felt something large and cool bumping her thigh. She reached out, her hands running over the smooth curve of the wood. It was large, and her hands painted its shape as they traveled.

“Can I sit on your bed to show you?” Eddie asked.

“Okay.”

The bed dipped and Max scooted over to make room for him. Leather pressed against her arm.

“My mom gave me this guitar,” Eddie said. “She taught me how to play. It has words painted on it. Can you feel them?”

Max ran her fingers over the wood, and felt the texture change of thick dry paint.

“What does it say?”

“It says ‘this machine kills dragons.’”

“What does that mean?”

“In the 40s, the musician Woody Guthrie had ‘this machine kills fascists’ painted on his guitar. My mom was a big fan of his. And she liked fairytales. She couldn’t read or write very well, but she copied the words down and was really proud of them.”

“She sounds cool.”

“She was. She was a lot like you.”

“Blind?”

“No. Angry.” He didn’t give her time to consider this. “I’m going to move your hand. Is that okay?”

“Yeah.”

His hand came around hers. His hands were calloused, like Billy’s had been. He was similar to Billy in a lot of ways: impulsive, rebellious, and haunted by past abuse. But Eddie hadn’t let the abuse harden him. Sometimes Max wondered if Billy might have become more like Eddie if he’d lived long enough. She hoped so.

Eddie moved her hand to the neck of the guitar, over the strings.

“Just get to know her for now,” he said. “You should meet her naturally. You can’t see her, so learning is going to be different. I did a few practice sessions blindfolded, just to get the feeling of it.”

Max ran a fingernail over the fat E string, making it rasp.

“That’s called the fat E,” Eddie said. “The smallest string is called the high E.”

Eddie moved her hand over each string.

“It goes E, A, D, G, B, E,” he said.

“Why can’t they just be A B C D E F?” Max asked.

“Because musicians don’t know how to spell,” Eddie said. “You can remember it this way. Eddie—“ He plucked the low E . “-Ate-“ A . “-Dynamite-“ D . “-Good-“ G . “-Bye-“ B . “Eddie.” E .

Max grinned.

“Eddie ate dynamite, goodbye Eddie,” she repeated.

“It tasted terrible,” Eddie said.

Max laughed. It was an actual laugh, not just the fake giggles she attempted when the doctor made lame jokes.

“How about… Eddie And Demobats… Got Bad Ending.”

“Eddie And Dustin Give Badass Energy.”

“Eddie’s A Dinosaur. Go to Bed Early.”

“I’m not that old!” Eddie protested

“Eddie ate drugs. Got big eyes.”

“That’s a good one. You ready for the next lesson?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, this is called the nut. Hey! No laughing! That’s actually what it’s called!”

Lucas stood in the doorway to Max's room and watched her laugh. It was a rusty sound, and sounded painful, but it was there. It was music.

[onmykneesforhotdilfs]

Oooh i'm gonna with #3 please! And Valtor as a bartender.

He truly loathed his job.

The disgusting smell of cheap drinks spilled on the bar mixed with the stench of sweat and cheap perfume, from grinding bodies on the dancefloor and humping barely-legals in the corner, made him nauseous. The music was loud to the point his heartbeat developed arrhythmia whenever a bass boosted song played through the obnoxious sound system. To make matters worse, one of the speakers was set directly above the bar and Valtor was sick of buying earplugs every week, because if he didn’t use any protection, he’s pretty sure he would go deaf before he hit 40 and he once again cursed himself for forgetting them at home.

A particularly high note came on, and the crowd cheered while Valtor cringed as he felt the microscopic hairs in his ears, sensitive to high notes, shrivel up and die. He rolled his eyes as he spotted a tall blonde dragging taller brunette towards the restroom. Apparently, couples basically dry humping each other on the dancefloor and sucking their faces off in the corners wasn’t enough, so universe also decided to throw in a couple about to commit an indecent act in a public bathroom?

He was just about to call one of the bouncers when it hit him – he doesn’t care. Oh well. What can you do?

A woman, wearing something Valtor could only describe as lingerie, came to the bar and ordered a fruity cocktail and for the umpteenth time, he wondered how his life turned into this? How did he go from graduating on a prestigious college, having a stable job and a fiancée, to wiping down spit from the counter top on a Saturday night.

He used to be a successful attorney, his yearly salary reaching up to five-zero figure, a stable relationships, loving girlfriend and more, and yet, all of that collapsed under the enormous weight couple of words held.

His hands worked on autopilot, mixing the necessary drinks while his thoughts were miles away.

Now, whatever’s left of his past life lives in a small condo across the town and Valtor chuckled at the irony of life giving him lemons while he chopped one to mix it into the cocktail. He squeezed the juice out of the poor fruit, with probably more force than was necessary, getting some of it on his shirt in the process.

“What are you chuckling about?” The woman was leaning over the counter, her chest basically spilling out of her dress as she played with the ends of her dark hair.

Valtor raised an eyebrow as he bent down to retrieve one of the decorative umbrellas. “Nothing that would be of interest to you.” He saw her flinch in surprise at the rather sharp tone he unintentionally used. “Miss.” He added as an afterthought, hoping it would make him look less abrasive. Unhappy customers don’t tip well after all.

“Oh. Well maybe it does interest me. You’ll never know unless you try.” The woman smiled flirtatiously while her fingers continued twirling the strands of her hair. “I’m Mitzi, by the way.” She offered her hand to him.

Valtor only quirked an unamused eyebrow. “I don’t remember asking for your name.” The smile was quick to disappear from her face and she snatched her hand back like it’s been burned.

He closed his eyes as his tongue, once again, proved to be faster than his brain. It’s what got him into trouble a lot of times and this one might’ve just taken a cake because if the girl went to complain to his boss, he’d be in a world of shit. “I was trying to be nice, but it seems to me you’re too much of an asshole to appreciate it.” Mitzi gritted out with obvious false confidence because a fierce blush was very much present on her face. This obviously didn’t happen to her a lot.

First time for everything, Valtor thought.

“What I would really appreciate, Mitzi,” Don’t do it, “is if you could stop your 36C's, that you stuffed into a 34B bra, from spilling all over my counter.” You absolute moron! “I have to wipe it.”

Now you’ve done it.

Mitzi turned even reader, and Valtor wondered if he should start dialing an ambulance just in case, but she only snatched the drink he placed in front of her and threw a 5$ bill in his face. “Jerk!” And just like that, she was gone.

“Have a nice evening!” Drop dead.

He rolled his eyes and took a glass that needed wiping just to occupy his hands for a minute because he felt like a coiled string, just about to snap and burn everything in its path.

“I have to say,” girl’s voice reached him, “you just fixed my evening.” Valtor lowered the glass to the solid surface and turned to face the owner.

His brain short circuited.

Though her body was mostly obstructed by the counter, he could see that the navy blue slip dress she wore draped beautifully across her slender figure. She was also incredibly short that even standing up straight, in what Valtor assumed were ridiculously high heels, she was at least head and a half shorten than him. But the most obvious, and striking thing about her, was her red hair. Valtor never even thought that hair could be as vibrant as hers.

In his almost 35 years of life, Valtor has never seen someone as interesting as the girl standing in front of him.

When he finally shook himself out of his stupor, and when it became painfully obvious he was making her uncomfortable with his gawking (really, there was no other word for it), he smiled and spoke. “Well, I’m pleased to hear that because it will undoubtedly ruin my life.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about her reporting you.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Her ego is too big for her to accept she just got rejected.”

“You know her?”

There was something nostalgic in her smile. “I used to know her… or maybe I just thought I know her.”

Valtor observed the unusual girl in front of him. In his several years as a bartender and even before, he developed quite a knack for reading people. She seemed, to him at least, like one of those lost souls that recently had their world turned upside down but tried despite to appear normal. You and me both. “Would you like something to drink?”

Her head snapped up and her electric blue eyes met his. “Oh! Yes, um,” she fidgeted slightly, her hands wringing together and picking at her nails, “anything with vodka.”

He nodded and turned his back on her to find a bottle of the best vodka the club had to offer. He didn’t know why he suddenly paid so much attention to what he’s mixing into drinks but something pulled him towards this girl like gravity and he was too weak to resist it. “Straight?” He asked without turning around.

“Ummm, that’s a bit personal don’t you think? I mean, I just met you.” Valtor stopped what he was doing and turned his head so she could see the confused frown on his face. “I don’t even know your name. As far as I know you could be a serial killer.”

It downed on Valtor what she was talking about and he chuckled at her adorable rant. “I meant the Vodka.”

Her lips shaped into a silent “O" and he saw how her neck and face turned red from embarrassed. She moaned and buried her face into her hands. “Oh God, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He picked the bottle and turned back around so he was facing her. He extended his unoccupied hand across the counter top. “I’m Valtor.”

She shook his hand, her hand incredibly small in his huge one, blush still present on her cheeks. “Bloom. And yes, straight vodka is fine.”

“I’ve only seen Russians drink vodka by itself.”

“I’m quarter Russian. My mom’s dad is from Russia.” Valtor nodded along as he fixed her a drink.

“Impressive.”

“it’s really not. It only made me the laughing stock of the entire class.” She took the glass filled with clear liquid, their fingers brushing together on accident, and Valtor felt a spark rushing up his nerve endings. “But, I can drink most people under the table so I guess I should be grateful.”

Humor was obviously one of the things she used to deflect the pain and trauma bullying inevitably caused. “Your hair is very… unusual. Natural?”

She nodded. “Yup. This is one of the things I inherited from grandpa.”

“Sorry if that made you uncomfortable, it wasn’t my intention.”

“No no, don’t worry.” Her lips wrapped around the edge of the glass as she took a sip and closed her eyes to savor the feeling of burning liquid sliding down her throat. “It’s actually one of the nicest things someone has said to me about my hair.”

Valtor looked at her with a small smirk on his face. “That bad, huh?”

“You don’t want to know.” Bloom tilted the glass and took a large swing of the drink, only a small amount remaining at the bottom. “What about you?”

Valtor shrugged. “What about me?”

“You have an unusual hair too.”

Indeed. His long strawberry blond hair was tied in a ponytail, but unlike herself, he loved his hair and didn’t particularly give a damn what anybody else thought about it. “I don’t really care about somebody else’s opinion and neither should you.”

“I’ve stopped that long time ago.” Valtor nodded towards her almost empty glass and she slid it towards him for a refill. “But you know, scars remain.”

He nodded. “That I do know.” Valtor saw another guy coming up to the bar so he excused himself. As soon as he moved away from her, the unpleasant sensations that accompany prolonged presence in a loud room came rushing back like a rogue train and Valtor felt the onsets of a headache forming. He served the guy and returned to Bloom who was now nursing her drink instead of knocking it back like the first time.

“So what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?”

She quirked one eyebrow. “A girl like me?”

“Not to be rude, but this doesn’t seem like your cup of tea.”

She laughed. “It’s my friend’s birthday. She dragged me here against my will while promising she’ll stay with me the entire time. It took me turning around for her to vanish without a trace with her boyfriend.”

“That friend of yours,” he started, “wouldn’t happen to be a tall blonde dragging a brunette with her?”

“That’s her.”

Valtor made a face. “I don’t think you’ll be seeing a lot of her tonight.” His eyes slid to the direction of the restroom.

Bloom followed his gaze and she groaned when she saw where her friend went to. “Not this again.”

“Again? This happens a lot?”

“Unfortunately, it happens more than I would like to.” She rubbed her forehead.

“Right,” he drawled, “because who doesn’t like seeing their friends going at it.” Sarcasm was dripping from his words.

“How long have they been in there?” She asked while looking at her wrist watch.

“Fifteen minutes or so.”

“Damn animals. I’m never coming to the club with her again.”

An amused chuckle escaped him. “That’s not the first time you’ve said that, am I right?”

She smiled and took a sip of vodka. “Nope.”

Just as he opened his mouth to ask her another question, her blonde friend wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Valtor’s eyebrow did a backflip. How she managed to avoid detection while leaving the bathroom was beyond him.

“Damn Bloom, I leave you alone for five minutes and you’re already seducing hot bartenders!”

“Stella! First of all, I am not seducing anybody,” Maybe not intentionally, “secondly, it’s been almost twenty minutes and thirdly, what happened to your promise of not ditching me? And the moment I turn around, you’re already gone?”

Stella, if Valtor heeard correctly, giggled. “Oh live a little Bloom. Besides, it’s not like you were in a bad company.” Her eyes ran over Valtor’s form. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind taking a bite out of that.” She ogled Valtor like a piece of chocolate cake.

“I’m standing right here.”

“Okay, that’s enough for today! We’re going home.” Bloom grabbed her purse and was about to pull out her wallet when Valtor raised his arm to stop her.

“It’s on the house.”

“But Blooooom,” There was really no words to describe the sound that exited blonde’s mouth, “we just got here.”

“The fact that you're talking about having a threesome with a stranger says enough about your state.”

“I’m pretty sure Brandon wouldn’t mind.”

“Okay, time out. Let’s go.” She turned towards Valtor, a small card between her fingers. She leaned over the counter while one of her arms stayed behind, supporting her friend. “Thank you.” She slipped the card into his hand. “Call me if you wanna talk sometimes.” And with that, she spun on her heel and dragged Stella towards the exit.

Valtor stood in shock, not knowing how to react for a few minutes, staring at the business card in his hands.

Bloom Peters MD.

He shook his head, hand safely pocketing the precious cargo before he picked up the glass she’s been drinking from and turning around to wash it. The sound of retching caused him to turn around in time to see some wasted man empty the content of his stomach on an obnoxious red carpet. The stench of vomit mixed with other delightful aromas and Valtor was once again reminded how much he hated his job.

[lunarianillusion]

a change in fate

a maribat fanfic

Chapter 03

Timothy really wanted to know who thought it was a good idea to put Guy Gardner on monitor duty, because this was clearly not a prank.

Let’s backtrack a bit, the young alpha had gone out after having put all his stuff at his new loft, to go and gather information. He had done some research beforehand on the internet but the blog that had started out decently had turned into nothing but a gossip site. He had not been as thorough as he normally was since he was still a bit skeptical of the situation. He also needed to get a coffee machine.

He had just walked through a few blocks when a loud explosion penetrated the air and made his ears ring like a train conductor was whistling directly into his ears. It took a minute to stop but that did not stop him from scouting the surroundings for the source of the explosion.

He found it in the form of a horrendously colour coordinated person with a large neon orange helmet on top of a circle form glider a few streets away. An akuma. It was real.

He pulled up his hood before slipping into the shadows, like he was trained to and pulled out his hidden utility belt. The Bat pack ways will not be leaving him anytime soon. He then quickly took to the rooftops, applying a scent blocker and ear plugs along the way, towards the danger zone.

Upon arriving on the danger zone another explosion rung loudly through the air making Tim very grateful for the special function earplugs he put in. He took to perch on one of the higher rooftops to observe the situation. By the looks of it the two Parisian heroes had already arrived, but he was not impressed by what he saw. Rather disappointed if not disgusted.

First the akuma; The male threw golden balls, that he got from a metal backpack, that exploded upon impact. Though the explosions them self were small and would only leave any physical damage if they exploded a foot away from you. They had already destroyed some parts of the surrounding buildings though. The explosions were however very loud, as he found out himself and it would be a miracle if the bystanders weren’t deaf by the end of it.

Then came the heroes, if you could even call them that.

Chat Noir was acting like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum over not getting his favourite toy. He kept on trying to trip the new ladybug up while screaming and whining at her to tell were the real ladybug was. Or he was taunting the akuma, who in turn threw more bombs that the mangy cat dodged but then those bombs got dangerously close to the civilians that were still in the area. Did he not realize that his actions could get people killed like that? Was this a game to him and did not like the rules of?

Then there was the new ladybug at first, she had his sympathies for chat trying to trip her up on every possible occasion. That changed when he saw how she subtly led the akuma to the bystanders, bringing them into danger, only to ‘save’ them at the last moment. Oh, how that made Timothy’s blood boil.

He made these observations within a few seconds and he quickly sprang from his perch and into the action. He was not going to let the innocent bystanders become unnecessarily injured by their ‘heroes’ reckless actions, if he could help it.

The moment he safely hit the ground he bolted to a small group of civilians, that were desperately clutching their ears. He placed his hand on the back of the smallest of the group and gaining the attention of the surrounding people. They looked at him with utterly confused and scared looks. Likely they were tourists given by their attire. He motioned for them to follow him, since they would not be able to hear him over the explosions and ringing, and swiftly guided them away from the danger.

Once he got them far enough from the danger zone, picking some more bystanders along the way, he motioned for them to book it out of dodge. Then went to get any left behind stragglers out. There was only one left and the child had gone to hide behind some of the rubble. Looking around frantically and calling out for help as tears run down their cheeks.

He began to run towards the young pup, only to watch in horror as one of the bombs exploded at the base of the rubble. The bomb having been intended for Chat noir who had dodged to the side without a care and allowed the rubble to crush the scared pup underneath. The terrified look would be haunting Tim’s nightmares to come, as blood pooled from underneath the rock. A small hand was sticking out as if desperately reaching out for safety.

Chat noir should be eternally grateful that hawkmoth is only capable of akumatizing one person at a time without aid. Otherwise they would have a super-powered ex-robin on his tail.

It was time to stop this madness. His secrecy might become compromised but so be it. Taking out his grappling gun he took to get a better vantage and knock the immediate danger of his glider. Then he had to destroy the backpack to keep the Akuma  from getting or making any more bombs. Grabbing several explosive birdarangs he took aim.

“IN COMING!!!”

A blue blur of a person slammed feet first into the akuma’s back. Knocking the akuma off their glider and crashing onto the ground, creating a spiderweb patterning on the ground. A loud crack rang through the air as the metal backpack shattered.

The person clad in blue rolled upon impact over the akuma and then flipped backward creating some distance between the two of them, then taking on a battle stance and giving Tim the chance to examine them.

The female was clad in a dark blue tunic and matching leggings with thigh high boots. Around her waist she wore a silver cloth belt and light blue faded skirt that was open in the front and had a peacock motif, given by the fuchsia eyes at the tips of the skirt. Her blue tipped hair was pulled into a messy braided ponytail with two feathers sticking out. Her weapon, a fan, was poised and ready to attack.

The akuma stands back up and lets out a fierce snarl but the unknown female was unfazed by it. She only narrowed her rose coloured eyes into an ice-cold glare, that sent shivers down the spines of all who were watching. The akuma sent their glider to attack the blue clad female, but she easily jumped over it and used their fan too slice through the glider itself. Then she sprinted to her target with great speed. He tried to defend themselves but with their atrocious combat abilities, blue easily throws them over her shoulder before slamming the bud of her fan onto the helmet splitting it in two. Final someone competent has shown up.

A sickly looking black butterfly flew out of the helmet and the peacock themed person turned to the new L.B.  “Ladybug! Purify it!” she commanded shocking said ‘hero’ into action. The spotted girl stumbled a bit and had to throw her yoyo out for a second time before being able to catch the butterfly and then letting it go, now as a healthy-looking white butterfly. She only then then summoned her lucky charm, a bow, and threw it into the air calling out to her power. The bow transformed into a large swarm of ladybugs that went around restoring the wreckage back to its original state and brought back those that lost their life. Like in the videos from the tabloid blog.

Seeing the young child, that had just been crushed, alive and look around absolutely confused brought the Gothamite a certain feeling of wonder and overwhelming dread. Because if these heroes could reverse death how many had already died.

A strange black and purple goop surrounded the akuma bringing the hidden alpha’s attention back to him and the blue clad female. Once the goop receded in the place of the akuma now sat a teenage boy with mousy hair and a pair of round glasses on their face and was looking around completely confused. The peacock theme hero sat infront of the boy and began to talk to him. She seemed to be comforting the boy, but Timothy was too far away to hear what she was saying.

As he saw Chat and LB advance on the two however, he decided it to be best to listen in and gain some first-hand information. He also had a prominent theory running through his head upon having observed unknown hero’s combative skills and actions and needed to see if he was correct.

As the akuma victim was taking away to a therapist, hopefully, the blue clad hero turned to the so-called heroes of Paris. Before she could get a word out however Chat Noir lunged at her with a yell to call out his own power. Luckily though the peafowl easily grabbed the cat boy’s wrist and redirected him into destroying a nearby café chair. Before hurling him to the ground and knocking the wind out of him, but not letting go of his wrist.

“Are you going to attack every person that is not ‘your’ ladybug and is trying to help,” she spoke in a voice that sounded so done with the world. Chat let out a hiss. “I am not going to fall for your lies Mayura,” the blond snapped.

“Do not ever align me with the likes of Mayura,” the bluenette hissed in return, voice filled with a cold malice that made the boy feel a shiver. “I do not expect you to trust me right now, but at least give me a chance to prove myself,” She spoke more calmly now as she helped Chat noir back on his feet, before taking a few steps back.

“How did you even acquire the peacock miraculous?” Ladybug asked skeptically, her eyes glaring into the other girl. Who did not seem to care.

“It was intrusted to me and I was told to use it for the good of Paris. Which I intend to do, no matter what. Paris is my home and Hawkmoth has been tormenting it for too long,” She spoke with conviction her own rose-coloured eyes alight with fire. “Now I belief I should introduce myself. You may call me Blue Royal” She said while placing here fan over her heart and bow her head ever so slightly.

The other heroes wanted to interrogate her more, but a beeping sound stopped  them. A timer. “A month trial period, for both of you, at the end we will meet on Saturday at midnight on the top of the Eifel tower. We will decide how to proceed afterwards,” Chat Noir stated. Gaining an affronted gasp from ladybug.

“Why am I being put on a trial period!” She exclaimed.

“Because you refuse to tell us any information about what happened and where the real Ladybug is! If she were here, we would have no need for you or this hero wannabe,” Chat Noir yelled back in frustration. Tim’s eye twitched in annoyance. ‘You did not do much to help the situation either.’ Timothy thought bitterly and the sentiment seemed to resonate with Royal, given by the way she glared at the two when they weren’t looking.

The two children wanted to argue some more but the beeping sound interrupted them once more. Good they might have turned into an akuma themselves if they continued. Just as the news crew, along with miss tabloid, entered the area the ladybug and cat ‘heroes’ left the scene. They immediately tried to swarm to Blue Royal, but to everyone slight surprise her skirt unfurled from her waist into two large wings. The wings beet down as she jumped into the air leaving gobsmacked reporters and curious Gothamite in her wake.

Though Timothy could have gone in pursue, he decided it best to lay contact at a later time. He got some information to process and work on.

He also really needed coffee.

taglist:

@moonlightstar64, @iloontjeboontje, @mickylikesstuff, @scribblinggraveyard, @faunrasthewinterelf, @myazael, @incredulous-reader

Authors note: special thank you to @moonlightstar64 for helping me with how to tag people. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and happy holidays.

[lu-undy]

May we have the homeymoon then?

Yis! Here is an idea of the honeymoon! I hope you’ll like it!

"Ah, you are finally awake, good morning, you lazy kangaroo." 

Mundy dragged his feet to the kitchen and dropped himself on the chair next to -

"Oh wait… I still have the ring…" He said, more to himself than to Lucien, staring at his own hand hovering in front of his eyes. The feeling of the silver ring between his fingers was still new.

"Oui, you are supposed to keep it for as long as we are both breathing on this Earth, you know?" Lucien joked as he poured the coffee for Mundy. 

"Wait… We're really married?" 

"I really hope you were fully aware and convinced when you said 'Je le veux' yesterday…" Lucien teased.

[I do.]

"Oh, love!"

"Oof-Mundy!"

Mundy had pulled Lucien off his chair and made him sit on his lap, cuddling him like he would a teddy bear. 

"We're really married!" 

"Oui, oof! Mundy, too strong, too strong!"

"Oh, sorry…" Mundy eased his hug on his now husband. 

"Merci, mon Dieu, your hugs could kill me!"

"I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to hurt you…" 

Lucien smiled and put his lips on Mundy's, his fingers sliding between his brown locks of hair. Mundy leaned back on his seat completely. 

"Hmmm… I'm the happiest man alive, darl'." 

"We are two." Lucien answered as he laced his arms around Mundy's neck and leaned his head on the Aussie's shoulder.

"So…" Mundy took a sip of his coffee, an arm still around Lucien's waist. "Any plans for today?" 

"As a matter of fact, oui, I do have a plan for today and you are part of it."

"As I should, eh. This ring here says it!"

They exchanged a smile and Lucien grabbed a toast. He spread butter on it and got it close to Mundy's lips. He bit into it enthusiastically.

"Hm-mh!" 

"I guess that was a thanks."

Mundy nodded with a smile.

"Mundy?" 

"Yeah?" He put his mug down for a second. 

"Do you know what comes after a wedding?" 

"Oh yeah, yesterday night was a real treat, love. And it lasted for so long… I think it's the best night I've ever spent with someone, ever."

"Well, first, I indeed hope it was. But that wasn't what I meant, mon amour. What comes after a wedding and the wedding night?" 

"Uuh…" Mundy's eyes shot up as if he was visibly searching through the drawers and cupboards in his head. "Being happy?" 

Lucien chuckled at how clueless his husband was. 

"I meant the honeymoon, mon amour."

"Oh, ah… I see… Wait, so what?" 

"Put your hand in the pocket of my gown." Lucien said and Mundy obeyed. He pulled two plane tickets. 

"What the hell are you doing with those?" 

"I am taking you on a honeymoon. Our honeymoon." 

"What?! Where?!" Mundy tried to open the tickets to see but Lucien stole them off his very fingers. 

"You will see when you arrive there." Lucien answered and as Mundy tried to get his hands on the tickets, he got them further still. "Uh, uh, uh! No need to try. This is a surprise. We are due to leave Paris today, so let's prepare a suitcase and off we go." 

"When is the flight exactly?" 

"In barely enough time for us to make it!" Lucien said, climbing down his husband's lap. "Now, follow me!" 

They got a change and Lucien noticed that Mundy was standing in front of his pile of clothes in the cupboard, doing nothing else but staring and frowning. 

"Something is the matter? We don't have much time, mon amour."

"No I… I just don't know what to wear, I mean, are we going somewhere hot or…?" 

"Put on whatever you would usually." Lucien said.

"Well, that means poloshirt…"

Before they exited the flat, with their suitcase ready, Lucien grabbed Mundy's wrist and pulled. 

"What?" 

"Embrasse-moi."

[Kiss me.]

The next thing he knew, Mundy's lips were pushed by Lucien's but when he withdrew, the Frenchman removed his aviator glasses and replaced them with black ones. He also put a white cane in Mundy's hand and he put earplugs on him. 

"What the hell?!"

Lucien removed one, just for Mundy to hear him. 

"Those aren't sunglasses, I can't even see the tip of my bloody nose with them!" Mundy exclaimed.

"That is the point, I will reveal where we are when we get there, and if you dare even just think about removing those earplugs or the glasses, I swear I will make you eat them all."

"Wait, so I'm blind and deaf until we get there?!"

"Correct." Lucien put the second earplug and guided his husband outside. 

About an hour later, they were both in the airport. Mundy had felt the sun on his skin and the seats of the taxi they went on. But God knew where they were going… Later still, he passed security checks and boarded the plane. Lucien was next to him, he could smell his expensive perfume. Mundy bent on his side, looking for Lucien's ear and whispered.

"Lu'?"

"You are supposed to be deaf and as a consequence, you cannot know how to speak, Mundy." 

"I love you." 

Lucien's eyes snapped wide under the surprise but then, his usual serene smile came back. 

"So do I." 

Mundy heard the muffled noises of the captain of the plane speaking, then the safety instructions. After that, he felt some fabric on his hand, Lucien's jacket no doubt. He was about to put it between his legs but Lucien held it back. Mundy was confused… until he felt his husband's hand slither under the jacket and on Mundy's thigh. They held hands, out of everyone's sight and Mundy blushed under the glasses. Their fingers slid between each other's, and Mundy relaxed. Wherever Lucien was taking him, he had made absolutely sure it would be one hell of a surprise. 

"Lu'?"

"What?"

They whispered again. 

"How long's this gonna take?" 

"We have about eight hours left, here, lean your head on my shoulder and you get some sleep." 

"Eight hours?!" 

"Oui, and don't be so loud, half of the plane is already asleep."

"Bloody hell… Alright, I'll sleep. You wake me up when we get there, eh?" 

"Non, I will go and enjoy my honeymoon with the next kangaroo man I will see." Lucien teased. 

"You…"

"Shh… Now, sleep." 

Mundy leaned his head on Lucien's shoulder and did as he was told. He spent the rest of the flight sleeping as deeply as a log on his husband's shoulder.

"Mundy?" 

Eight hours later, the Aussie opened his eyes before realising that yes, the glasses were still there and he still couldn't see a thing… 

"Are you awake, mon amour?"

"Yeah… Did you sleep?"

"Un peu. Let me guide you out…"

[A bit.]

And then stairs and long walks and lifts, again and again until finally Lucien stopped and Mundy could feel the heat of the air outside of the airport. 

"We out?"

"Oui, we are." Lucien removes Mundy's earplugs. "Mundy?" 

"Yeah?" 

"Do you have any idea where you are?" 

Mundy listened carefully. Cars passing by, buses… He sniffed as it was the last sense he could use. 

"Doesn't smell of the seawater too much, so not somewhere along a coast…"

"Anything else?" 

"It's hotter than Paris so someplace south?"

"Indeed, it is further South from France altogether. Anything else?" 

"No, not really…"

"Mundy, there are two people in front of you. No, don't take your glasses off. Can you guess who came to the airport for you?"

"I don't even know where I am!"

"Fine, give me the cane now. Bien. And now, remove your glasses."

As he did so, Mundy's eyes snapped wide. 

"Bloody hell!"

"Welcome home, son." 

Mundy threw himself in his parents arms under Lucien's loving eyes. 

"Are we in Australia then?" 

"Oui, we are."

"Are we going home?" Mundy asked his parents.

"Well, Micky, your friend here told us you had something to tell us that was very important and that you should be the one deciding if you wanted to go home or stay somewhere else." Mundy's mother explained. She was a short lady, quite old but her face radiated kindness and benevolence at her son. 

"Oh, uh, what d'you want me to tell them, Lu'?" 

"Well, maybe tell them who I am." 

"You organised all this and you didn't tell them?!" 

"Non, I just said I was a dear friend of yours and that we worked together for Mann Co."

"Tell us, Micky." Mundy's father insisted as he put a hand on his son's shoulder. He was old too, which wasn't surprising. But he was tall and thin, and wore a pair of glasses. His hair had almost completely gone off his head and the few locks that remained were grey and white. 

"Well, I don't know how to say this… Mom, Dad, this is Lucien, I call him Lu'. He uh… He and I, we… I mean…"

"Oh my God! Congratulations, Micky!" Mundy's mother came to her son and wrapped her arms around his stomach, her son was so much taller than her!

"What? What is it?" Mundy's father asked. 

"Mike!" Mundy's mother answered. "Look at his hand, haven't you noticed?"

"Oh, bugger!" Mike's eyes went to Mundy's ring finger and it snapped in his head. "Congrats, son! Come here!" The embrace repeated. 

"But wait, Lu', you said you were takin' me to our honeymoon…?"

"It cannot be a honeymoon before you tell your parents about us." Lucien simply answered. "I know they count a lot for you and you have been missing them." 

"Oh, Lord…!" Mundy was panting, still looking keenly at his parents as he had missed them a lot. "But wait, what's the plan now?"

"I have a hotel room booked for us somewhere you will appreciate, but if you want to spend time with your parents first, it is up to you." Lucien said. 

"I'm quite tired actually…" Mundy turned to his parents. "D'you mind if I come and see ya tomorrow or somethin'? I just need a shower and some sleep." 

"Of course not, Micky." Mundy's mother said as she pushed herself to the tip of her toes and stroked his cheek. "You go and get your rest. And if it's your honeymoon, then you should think of you two first."

"And you're here in Australia now, son," Mike added, "so it'll be easy to see each other. Come with the mister tomorrow, we'll have a good chat and I'll ask your mum here to bake us somethin' nice."

"Mike, the doctor said you should watch your sugar…" Mundy's mother said. 

"Caroline, it's not for me, it's for Micky!" Mike winked at his son as if his wife couldn't see him and they all smiled. 

"Right, we'll leave you here. See you…!" Caroline concluded, as she hugged Mundy and Lucien before turning away. Mike shook their hands and left. 

Lucien and Mundy went to get a taxi and were on their way to the hotel Lucien had booked.

"You're a lunatic, Lu', an absolute mad bloke.” Mundy said to his husband.

"I love you too, Micky." Lucien answered, with a smirk. “I didn’t know you had a nickname.”

“Only my parents use it.”

“I shall not use it, don’t worry.”

“You could if you wanted.”

“Non.”

“Why?”

Lucien chuckled before answering. 

"I can't call you the same as your parents do. Besides, I don't like 'Micky'."

"Oh?" Mundy's disappointment was audible. 

"It sounds too English." Lucien added with a wink. 

"Pfff…" Mundy chuckled. 

The taxi stopped and Mundy exited it. He raised his head following the impressive column of glass windows of the building in front of him. 

"Woah… Is that the place?" Mundy's head was still looking up, his jaw open in awe. He removed his glasses as if to see better.

Meanwhile, the taxi driver had given them back their luggage and drove off, leaving the two men on the pavement. 

"Oui. This is the hotel, mon amour, why?" 

"It's bloody massive!"

"It's only the best I could find. Come along." Lucien started moving. 

"Uh-wait, the suitcase!" Mundy said and Lucien chuckled. He got closer to him and took him by the hand. Mundy blushed so hard he felt the sweat drip instantaneously. Lucien wasn't one to care about what people would say around him, the odd looks they would receive.

"Don't be ridiculous, mon chaton. Let's go."

[My kitten]

Mundy entered the hotel confused and dragged by his husband's hand. After stopping at the reception to get their keys, they hopped in a lift. Mundy wanted to talk to Lucien but the hotel employee in his red and golden uniform standing there with them prevented him from doing so. 

A few minutes later, they were finally in their room. 

"Lu'... What the hell is this…?" 

It wasn't a room at all. It was a suite. It was a house. It was a palace. 

"Their best suite." He simply answered with a smirk. 

Mundy took his time looking at every wall, every bit of ceiling and all the furniture. It was all extremely modern and classy. The colours were kept to black and white with touches of grey and beige. 

"Lu', what the hell is this place…?" Mundy repeated going in the bathroom and exiting again. 

Lucien observed him coming and going, a smile on his lips. 

"Mon amour, it will soon be dinner time. Are you hungry?" 

[My love]

"I… I don't know…" Mundy pushed the two doors for the living room and gasped. 

"What the-?!"

Lucien walked behind him and stopped next to him. 

"You like the view? We are on the last floor of the hotel." Lucien took Mundy's hand in his and they walked to the windows. Well, the entire wall on that side was windowed, such that they could enjoy the sight of the entire city in front of them. 

"It's bloody gorgeous…" Mundy put his fingertips on the glass. 

The sky was getting darker but the line at the horizon was still shyly golden. Lucien snuggled against his husband, and Mundy wrapped an arm around him. 

"So, how do you like this surprise trip so far?" Lucien asked. 

"Look luv', it's… It's just wild… It's a lot to take in… Two days ago I was still single. Now I'm married and on the other face of Earth, at the top of the tallest building I've ever been on…"

"You are forgetting the time I took you to dinner in the Tour Eiffel." 

"Ah, was it higher?" 

"Not the restaurant, but when we took the lift and went at the very top, oui, we were higher than this." 

"Ah, I see… But still, it's a lot to take in." 

"May I make a suggestion, to soothe your nerves?" Lucien looked up and Mundy nodded. 

"Yeah, sure." 

"What about a warm bath together?"

Mundy's shoulders sank as even the thought of it made him relax.

"Yeah, that'd be good I think." 

Lucien turned on his heels and a few seconds after, Mundy could hear the water running. 

"Still in front of the window?"

Mundy turned and saw his husband next to him, wearing nothing but a red bath robe. 

"Yeah, I got lost in thought a bit, sorry." 

Lucien smiled. That was always a side of Mundy that he had liked, the daydreamer, the young boy who used to watch the stars at night and grew up to still watch his surroundings with the same innocence, the same naivety.

"Here, go and get yourself comfortable." Lucien handed him his bathrobe. "I'll be in the bath waiting, d'accord?"

[Alright?]

"Right." 

Lucien headed back to the bathroom. The water had risen to a reasonable level. He touched it and the temperature was delicious, if slightly hot, but it would cool down, so that was perfect. The red robe slid to the floor and he slipped in.

Soon, the door opened again. 

"Oh, wow… You can't just prepare a simple bath, can you?" Mundy asked with a smile.

"It is simple. A few candles, bubbles, a few rose petals… What is hard in this? Now please, turn the light off and join me. I have missed you terribly."

Mundy flipped the switch off. 

"You've missed me? I haven't been away for long…" His bathrobe slid down and Mundy almost heard his husband gasp in anticipation. 

"It felt too long. Come here." 

Mundy slipped in the water, delicately breaching through the foam of scented bubbles and sat between his husband's legs, leaning his back on Lucien's chest. 

"Water's hot." He said. 

"Too hot?" 

"Nah, you're too hot, luv'." 

Lucien smirked. 

"So are you… Hmmm…" Lucien purred as he closed his eyes to enjoy the embrace with his husband.

"Lu'?"

"Hm?" 

"Thanks."

"For what?" 

"All this." 

"It's our honeymoon, it's thanks to us that this is happening. Don't thank just me." Lucien answered as his hands slithered around Mundy's torso, hugging him dearly. 

"Hmmm… Still, luv'... You're amazing."

Lucien smiled. He knew he was the type to spoil his lover and it was all the more so true with his now husband. He let his hands roam on Mundy's sides, his chest, through the thick short hairs there, underwater. He felt his chest rise and fall slower and more amply. Mundy took Lucien's left hand and guided it to his mouth. He kissed his knuckles almost reverently, his eyes closed for each little proof of affection. Lucien's head lolled back and rested on the edge of the bath. He was drowning in the delicateness of Mundy's pecks.

"Oh, Mundy…" He cooed.

Mundy slid his strong fingers between Lucien’s and let their hands sink through the bubbles and underwater again. 

"Love, I… Your hands… If you continue…" 

Mundy was struggling to speak. Lucien's right hand was caressing his thighs, his inner thighs, and it tickled him in a way that didn't fail to arouse him. The Frenchman was also lapping gently at Mundy's neck, on the side, and he felt the Aussie clench his hold on his left hand. 

"What will happen if I continue…?" Lucien whispered right in Mundy's ear and left a peck on the shell of his ear. Mundy rasped.

"L-love… You turn me-a-ah..."

Lucien snickered evilly as his hand closed between Mundy's thighs. The Aussie's breath broke out of any sync as he frowned, struggling against a body that started to betray how he craved more of his husband. 

"Let us dry ourselves and move to the bedroom, mon loup…"

[My wolf…]

The Australian night was spent very hotly, sweat dripping off of them as they threw away all the bed covers. The night was hot, they were steaming and they couldn't have dreamt of a better way to spend their honeymoon, clawing into each other's skins.

[marvinswriting]

Loud

prompt: my dog hates the fireworks on 4th of july, do you think tinies (cough, janis, cough) hate it too?

my poor bby, and yeah, probably ALSO I GOT THIS ASK LIKE, JULY SECOND BUT IM HERE POSTING IT NOW AND THAT'S CALLED PUTTING IN THE WORK TO FINISH MY WIPS INSTEAD OF STARTING A NEW ONE, its a rare occurrence.

Fourth of July is a shitty holiday if you ask Janis. Why do you need to set off loud fireworks just to brag about freedom? And why do fireworks have to be so loud? Surely you can design them to be just as pretty but a little quieter.

She was with Damian, Cady, Aaron, and the plastics. They were at the Heron's because Cady's neighbors did some cool firework shows. 

Janis never left the house for the fourth of July. Some years she'd hang out with Damian, but he knew how much she hated the fireworks so most times she stayed home, in bed. 

Unfortunately, this year she had been cornered by Regina and Aaron begging her to come. She doesn't know why she said yes, but as she sat in the palms of Damian's hands as they all watched the sky grow dim, she was mentally preparing for the worst. 

Janis could tell Regina was nervous too. Something Janis distinctly remembered when she was plastic, that Regina George hates fireworks. Maybe as much as Janis. The two of them would hang inside together the whole day, earplugs in and music blasting.

But Regina for the most part seemed to have outgrown that.

Janis, on the other hand, did not. She had an arm wrapped around Damian's finger as the group watched the sunset. 

Janis knew Damian was worried about her tonight. It had been a while since she had been with a group for fourth of July. And not to mention the fireworks were only across the street this time. 

Janis tried not to think of it as she tuned into the conversation going on around her. 

Aaron was complaining about how he should have gotten earplugs and the three tinies were gonna go deaf. Janis laughed a bit, nodding. 

The group continues on with their talks and Janis only half listened. 

The sunset slowly faded away to navy blue swirls mixed into dark clouds. 

Janis watched Regina get tense and it made her feel a bit better that she wasn't the only one freaking out about this a bit. 

The first familiar hiss took all of that confidence away as Janis ducked down behind Damian's curled fingers. He laughed softly, cupping his hands more, allowing her to sink down further.

There was a loud boom, followed by bright and beautiful colors, and for a second Janis though it would be okay. She lifter herself further out from behind Damian's fingers, watching the bright colors fizz away. From her house, all she can hear are the pops, no real beauty.

But then more came. One after the other loud bangs all around.

It was a lot.

Janis's head hurt. 

She could vaguely hear Regina ask Karen to take her inside and Janis knew she should do the same, but she was too concentrated on the forever ringing in her ears.

The pretty flashing lights all around her suddenly meant nothing. 

Too much noise.

Too many flickering colors.

Too many people cheering.

The hand beneath Janis shifted as Damian placed her silently in his pocket. She dipped into the pocket without protest, trying to escape the overload of noises and sights and-

Her head was spinning and her ears were ringing. 

Sombody needs to invent quiet fireworks.

"Janis?"

It was quieter. 

Damian had followed Karen inside. 

Janis popped her head out, cringing as another bang sounded from outside. 

Damian's hand scooped her out, placing her onto the table next to Regina. "You okay?"

Janis couldn't tell if it was her heart or her head that was pounding. It very well could be both. The counter beneath her felt cool, but not as cold as the airconditioning. It was a harsh contrast to the heat outside. Each boom made Janis curl up on herself a little more but- it was better in here by far.

"Yeah." She said after a while. 

"Why did we do this." Regina groaned. 

"It was literally your idea!" Janis said turning to the girl.

Damian laughed. "If they can still fight with each other, they'll be fine."

As if the world was out to directly contradict his point, a series of loud booms went off, one after the other. 

Janis stiffened, trying not to jump with each noise. She knew she wasn't in danger, yet her fight or flight was kicking in hard. 

It felt as though her brain was trying to concentrate on everything at once. 

The ac had kicked on again, a cold breeze blowing past Janis.

Regina was mumbling something about a headache. 

The front door opened, Cady's voice filling the room.

Janis was staring at the surface beneath her, trying to memorize the pattern in the counter. To concentrate on anything other than the noise.

Damian was talking, maybe to her, maybe not. 

Aaron was placed on the counter next to her and Regina.

There were still booms. 

The counter was tiled, small little pieces of polished stone sat underneath Janis.

Another boom.

The rocks were all warm neutral colors.

Three more quick booms.

They were all uniformly square-shaped.

Everyone was talking.

It wasn't working.

The room felt like it was lacking air. Every deep breath Janis took wasn't nearly as filling as it should be. 

A familiar hand slipped underneath her. Janis didn't fight it. She knew it was Damian without looking up. She was worried about other things. 

She shut her eyes, trying to will the headache to go away. She could feel Damian hold her close and walk somewhere, but the motion just made her nauseous. 

This is why she stays home.

Fucking Regina, convincing her this would be a good idea.

Wherever Damian went was quieter, but the headache was still there.

Janis could hear a ghost boom echo through her head.

She should be in bed right now.

Texting Damian, under the blankets, earbuds in. 

Janis leaned closer to Damian's chest, gripping his shirt tightly. She tried to concentrate on the fabric in her hands, ignoring the buzz in her head, the way the world spun when she opened her eyes. She focused on the shirt Damian was wearing. The way it felt gathered in her fists, and against her face. 

Damian was humming. 

Its the first thing she noticed once her breathing felt normal.

She couldn't hear the fireworks over the soft hum coming from Damian. 

She didn't know what song or tune it was, but it was nice. 

Janis looked around. They were in Cady's room, Karen and Regina were there too. Karen was holding Regina in her hands while sitting on Cady's bed. Damian stood by the doorway. 

"Cady and Aaron are still downstairs," Karen says when she notices Janis looking over. "It's quieter up here, volume emoji, shh face emoji."

"You okay, Jan?" Damian asks, holding her up so she's eye level. "Things got unbearably loud for Karen and I, I can only imagine how you guys felt."

Regina groans in response. Janis let out a breath laugh. "Yeah, me too, Gina."

Damian smiles. "Wanna leave for the night? You can stay with me."

Janis thought about it for a moment. It wasn't late, but she was coming down from her adrenaline high fast, and the crash was inevitable. 

"Sure." She said finally.

Damian nods before shifting Janis so she was cupped to his chest with one hand. They both said their goodbyes to Karen and Regina, who didn't seem to be doing much better than Janis, before Damian head downstairs. Aaron, being the lucky bitch, seemed fine, but both he and Cady were understanding as they left. 

As Damian made way to his car, Janis already felt her eyelids get heavy. There were still fireworks going off, but they were in the distance, not directly outside. Damian was humming again and Janis couldn't help but smile. 

Yeah, fourth of July sucks. And yeah, today was no exception to past years, but that didn't mean the night couldn't end great. The gang can find a time to hang out altogether when there's not an overwhelming amount of loud noises. For now, falling asleep with Damian didn't seem like the worst idea for the books.

not the best ive ever done but hey,,, its content lmao

tag list <3 @realmisspolarbear @musicallygt @smallsoysauce @sourishlemons

[amarauder]

the burdens of reality - sodapop curtis x reader

PAIRING; Sodapop Curtis x Reader

DATE; May 23rd, 2019

WORD COUNT; 4831

WARNING; angst, lots of triggers, mentions of anxiety attacks, heartbreak, death, lack of self-confidence-but this is only in the first part. Also, bad words.

A/N; You know those Authors Notes that talk about how this is a horrible one shot and they apologize but then you read it and you're like 'what the hell were they talking about earlier? i'd kill to write this good?' I'm sure you've all stumbled upon at least one of them-even if you don't know it. I hate to break it to you though, this is not one of them. This One Shot is actually shitty, like laughable shitty. I originally actually had a plot for this one shot but i don't even know what the hell happened. Also, Sodapop's personality is so screwed up and nothing like him.

I would rewrite it but if I look at this damned thing one more time I might punch myself. So, I hope you don't judge my writing on this one one shot because i promise i am usually better at this and i want you to actually enjoy reading my works.

TRAILER; in which the love of a boy's life returns to their hometown.

-

College was always busy, the corridors always bustling with students either rushing to get to class or dip before the bell rang. The occasional teacher would sometimes be thrown into the mix, the most commonly seen teacher was Professor Hatwell.  He was Y/N's Psychology Professor as well as advisor. By far, the man was Y/N's favorite professor there, he always seemed to know what to say or what to do whenever she would talk to him about whatever was stressing her out.

Most people thought it was weird to have such a close connection with a teacher, but Y/N didn't worry about it too much. It wasn't like they were the ones discussing different topics with the Professor.

However, the one thing Y/N didn't like about Hatwell was his tardiness. The man never seemed to be on time ever. He didn't seem to care much about how late he was either. But it drove Y/N crazy sometimes, crazy enough that she had ranted about it to her friends.

"I don't understand why you are having a cow about it, Y/N. I would kill for my other professors to be late every class. Majority of mine get there an hour early! Who has time for that?" Tammy said as they rounded the corner. The girl had always been lazy in her academics, but she was usually understanding about most topics Y/N would bring up to complain about. She didn't understand why Tammy would always clam up or shut the conversation down whenever she brought up her Psychology's teacher's name.

"I'm not having a cow about it! I'm just annoyed! I had to wait an entire half hour outside his office yesterday!"

"What were you doing there?"

"I needed to talk to him."

"About what?"

"Why are you being so nosy?"

The girl sighed before stopping in her steps so abruptly Y/N would have kept walking if she hadn't been apprehensive about her next sentence. Tammy quickly looked over both of her shoulders before pulling Y/N closer to the stone walls of the building, "Look," she said, looking at Y/N so seriously it almost worried her, "You know I'm not one to listen to gossip-"

She already knew where this was going, Y/N wasn't deaf either, she heard the whispers about her relationship with the professor, "Tammy-"

"No, you need to listen. I'm not one to listen or give a shit about what anyone says but rumors can get deadly. Take it from me, my reputation was ruined by some insecure prick who got rejected one too many times. But this, this could end up a lot worse than some snotty comments and snide. Professor Hatwell could lose his job and you could get expelled. So, tell me honestly, are you screwing him?"

"Tammy, come on."

"Answer me."

"No, I would never. I just like to make good relationships with my teachers."

"I know," Tammy sighed and looked guilty for a second, "But we aren't in Kindergarten anymore, we can't go around hugging and hanging out with our teachers like we used too. It raises suspicion." Y/N looked away from Tammy for a while, letting all of the new information sink in. It was hard to hear that Tammy didn't trust her, she was her best friend afterall. But, the more rational side of Y/N, also knew it was just because she was concerned for her well-being. "I just... Be careful, okay? I don't know what I'd do if you left me in this hell hole."

Y/N cracked a smile at her friend's antics, before rolling her eyes, "You're paying a lot of money for this hell hole."

"I know. that's why it's called school, not jail."

Snorting at her last comment, Y/N pushed away from the wall and continued onto her way to class. They both had Psychology together, one of the only classes they shared. Thanks to Y/N's whining and begging Tammy to take a class that didn't have anything to do with Politics.

"You know, I think when I become President of the United States, the first thing I'll do is eliminate schools."

"Is this all part of your plan to take over the world?" Y/N asked as they walked through the door. The whole time after the talk, she had grown nervous. She couldn't pinpoint why exactly, but she had a feeling that Tammy really put things in perspective for her. If people's gossiping out of hand, she could get sent home and Y/N never wanted to go back to Tusla ever again.

She needed to nip this in the bud as soon as possible.

She needed a boyfriend.

"Hey," Tammy whispered bringing Y/N back to the present, "Look at the front."

Following her friend's orders, she looked down to see a collection of Professors conversing with each other, with Hatwell in the middle. "I can't believe he's early. Something must have gone very wrong."

She started to get even more worried. She wasn't worried about Tammy's last comment or the coversation they had earlier, or the reasoning behind Hatwell's earliness. What she was worried about was the fact that they kept looking back at her, repeatedly. Almost like they were discussing about her.

-

The first thing Y/N noticed was the buzzing of the air conditioning. Her face felt white hot even though she knew she must be as pale as a ghost. She was shaking like a leaf, judging by her facial expression, she knew exactly what Tammy was going to say next

"They were talking about you."

The noise got louder. Her ears picked up some voices that didn't belong to Tammy's.

"Actually, they were discussing more about your brother than you."

The buzzing got louder, along with the voices. She could hear them clearly now, along with a faint screaming coming from a young girl.

"They want to send you home."

Y/N felt dizzy, so dizzy that she had to grip her arms on her chair to keep the world from spinning.

"They said that there had been an accident."

There was an iron taste in her mouth, and from the stinging pain coming from her bottom lip, she realized that she had bit some of the skin off.

"A bomb went off where your brother was stationed at. He had gotten out alright, thanks to a friend who saved him. But he had passed away later on at the hospital."

The buzzing was unbearable now, along with the shouting voices. The screaming had deafened slightly, but that was only because the voices seemed to have over-powered it. She wondered who it was coming from, they certainly didn't have anything to scream about-not like Y/N did. Her mouth was dry and her tongue felt like sandpaper, a stark contrast to her bleeding lip.

"They are having a funeral service next weekend, but your Mother wants you back early. Golly, Y/N, I'm so sorry. "

The world suddenly came back into focus, like strobe lights  blinking brightly, blinding her momentarily. The buzzing and the voices diminished within seconds. Her dizziness went along with it. But the pain from her lips and dryness of her mouth didn't. They seemed to never go away-not after what happened in Tulsa all those years ago.

Although, the screaming had gotten worse, she had to cover her ears in an attempt to save her hearing. But that didn't help at all, she had a feeling that even the earplugs her Mother used to wear to block out her Father's snores.

She realized soon later, who had been screaming. It had been herself.

-

Liveliness was a curious thing. It seemed to have developed a habit of disappearing when she most desired it, but reappearing when Y/N didn't notice it.

It was funny how she seemed to only treasure things once they were gone.

Her room looked the exact same when she had left. Her pictures hadn't moved, dust had even collected onto them. There was the same red thread on the comforter that only got bigger and bigger every time she picked at it. Her robe still hung at the hook on her wall, along with her slippers sitting next to the bed.

The only difference was the feel of her room, it wasn't the same as it felt previously. The room had lost the homey feeling and instead had been replaced by an eerily stillness.

She sighed and sat up in her bed, she had arrived late last night. It had been a hard night, the second she walked into the house she was reminded of why she had left. Her Mother was sitting on the counter, a glass of whiskey in her hand, as she cried her eyes out. Her Father stood next to her staring into space, he had a tick in his jaw that hadn't been there the last time she saw him.

That day she left for college was also the day they had taken Gary away for war.

Blinking her thoughts away, she looked down at the thread in her hands and played with it some more. She tried to ignore the way her hands were shaking so much that she couldn't even tie a knot, but after a few tries she let out a sound that was in between a whimper and a sigh of annoyance. She dropped the string and instead gripped and pulled on her hair as she tried to get her emotions in check.

She took in the shakiest breath she had ever taken before taking her hands out of her hand and instead put them into fists and pressed them against her closed eyes. Her lip trembled as she felt the aching in her heart return, worse than ever. The following day after finding out the news, she had been in denial. It was hard not to expect for things to not be the same as they always were when she got home.

She could still see her brother wrapping her inside a warm hug the moment she walked through the door. She had been just a child then, the ripe age of sixteen. She would expect a small scolding from him before asking how Sodapop was. Then, he would make them both hot chocolate or lemonade if it was a warm night and they would talk until there was nothing left to say.

He had been her very best friend and she missed him more than ever. A gasp escaped her lips as she tried to catch her breath after trying to hold in sobs, "It's okay, it's okay, it's okay," she whispered to herself in a hoarse voice, "You're okay, you're okay, you're okay. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry."

The words had become a mantra over time, she used to whisper them to Sodapop when he would come over in tears and gasping for air. She had realized pretty quickly that her best friend suffered from anxiety attacks and it broke her heart, more so than when they had broken apart.

"Y/N!" She heard her Mother call from down the hall, "Breakfast is ready, darling!"

She nodded her head, before clearing her throat and yelling back once she realized that she couldn't see her nod. She took in a deep breath and stretched, she needed to ignore her thoughts and if getting herself distracted required rollerskating around town while juggling three balls then so be it.

Thoughts were deathly in times like this.

Hopping off her bed, she put her robe over her nightdress and started to take out her curlers. Once they were all out, she took a quick look in the mirror to run her fingers through the tight curls to turn them into soft waves.

She walked down the hall, sprinting past her brother's old room. She was thankful that her Mother had shut the door. Just as she finished bounding down the stairs with one foot-it had become a tradition of her brother's to do that on his first night back from College. Now that he was gone, she took the liberty to do it for him-the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Y/N hollered. She swung open the door wondering who on Earth would be at her house this early in the morning.

There, standing in the doorway, was the last person she wanted and expected to see. Sodapop leaned against the wall of the doorway, swinging her Father's keys in one finger. He hadn't seen her yet, and Y/N took that time to school her features into a normal expression.

His face was ashen as he stared at her, the look in his eyes almost made her whimper. His lips were parted slightly and she heard him take in a sharp intake of breath. His eyes took in her appearance greedily, she took the time to do the same. She hadn't realized how much she had missed him.

Though, when he looked up and she saw his facial expression, she almost wished she had kept her own. Maybe then he wouldn't be looking at her like she was dog shit, though she was dog shit. After what she had done to him, the girl had sometimes believed she was dog shit.

He cleared his throat and looked away. She must have been staring. Blushing and copying his actions, she waited for him to speak up, "Umm, I need to speak to Mr. L/N."

Y/N scoffed, her mind was screaming at her to bring out of the stubborn part of her and demand to know why he was talking to her this way, but her heart, her poor, poor heart. It hadn't been made for this kind of pain all in one day. It just wanted to either run from the pain or ease it. She didn't want to know what it had in mind to help ease the pain.

"Sure, I'll go grab him." Y/N turned around quickly and took in a deep breath, she needed to calm herself down. She could already feel the tears starting to gather, the aching and throbbing of her heart was starting to get unbearable, "You can come in, the drawing room is open. You still remember where it is?"

She saw Soda nod out of the corner of her eye. Quickly walking into the kitchen and slamming the door behind her, she took in a deep breath while sliding down it.

She didn't know how long she had sat there for, but by the time her sobs had finally condensed into sniffles she saw her Father walk into the room. She opened her mouth to tell him to go address Soda in the other room, but she missed her chance when she saw the devil himself walk in the room.

"Are you alright, darling?" her Father asked, then turned to Sodapop who was staring at her with such a such an obvious confusion, she almost wished he could try to hide it. "She took her brother's death pretty hard. They used to be best friends you know."

"He is," she whispered to him, "He still is my best friend. He will always be my best friend." Her Father walked right past her, not even bothering to discuss the words she had finally relieved to the world. Sodapop, ever the gentleman, had instead offered a hand to help her get up. Her eyes furrowed as she stared at the hand, wondering what was the catch behind his change of attitude. Her limp hand took his own as she lifted her up. She quickly brushed her tears away and muttered a weak thanks, she almost wanted to kick herself for thinking about Sodapop's supposed 'double sided actions', the man had always been too kind for his own good.

"Now, Mr.Curtis, would you like a beer or a" her Father hesitated for a second and Y/N almost blurted out the well known joke, "it seems like we only have beer or water."

"A water is fine, sir. Thank you."

"Daddy," Y/N called and tightened her robe around herself. "Theresa has already made breakfast and Mother is expecting me, may i excuse myself?"

"Yes, yes, just a moment." He said and handed Sodapop a water before side-hugging the man, "I would like you to meet Sodapop Curtis. He was the hero who saved Gary."

Y/N wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Of course it had to be him. He couldn't have let anyone else save her brother. Golly, she even would have preferred one of the men her Mother tried to set her up with. Smiling polietly at her Father she said, "We went to school together, Daddy. It's nice to see you again, Mr.Curtis. How do you do?"

Placing her hands behind her back, she dug her nails into the palm of her hand. It was the only thing keeping her grounded. "Good, thank you for asking. Nice weather we are having aren't we?"

Staring at him silently, she narrowed her eyes before looking away. When they had been good friends, she remembered running into Soda plenty at the Gas Station and dealing with rude girls. But one thing that had always stood out to her was him mentioning how he had developed a habit of asking people about the weather when he hated them.

Ignoring the sickening feeling in her stomach, she gave him a small smile that she was sure looked more like a grimace and left the room.

The voices wouldn't leave her head even after she had left the room. She felt like a mindless robot, she hadn't realized she had entered the dining room until she felt an arm snake around her waist. Looking down, she was surprised to see Timothy grinning up at her. She gave him the smallest smile, feeling only her cheeks rise she forced herself to bring the corners of her lips up. Her Mother's stare dug into her side profile but she didn't care much. Her mind was occupied with other worries than her Mother's desperate attempt to get her married as early as possible and stop the independence she was learning-thanks to college.

"What do you think you are wearing?" She heard her Mother's voice, but it sounded distant as if she was listening to a record but she was in a separate room. It wasn't until she felt a tug on her nightdress did she look to her Mother, "Why don't you go make yourself decent?"

Pursing her lips, she left the room with quick but short steps. She was exhausted, leaning on her last bit of ferocity to keep her going. Feeling trapped was never fun, especially with her least favorite people on Earth keeping her inside the cage they called a home.

"Y/N!" She turned around to see Sodapop walking towards her.

Scoffing quietly and wiping her disgusted expression from her face she turned towards him, "If you're here to lecture me, I don't want to hear it."

"I just wanted to say that I hope you know I didn't save him because of you, I saved him because he was a good man."

"Thanks for that, Curtis. Everything is so much clearer now."

He made a face at her comment, one that she knew only meant he wasn't finished yet. "Listen, Soda, I will be forever thankful you saved my brother. But why tell me that?" Pausing for a second she waited to hear any words from him. But when none came, she continued, "It's just, it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than me."

"The whole world doesn't revolve around you."

"I'm not stupid. I'm just wondering why you are acting so defensive."

A flash of hurt washed through his features and Y/N wished she could take that comment back. They both knew he had every right to act however he wanted and deserved no harsh words from her. If anything, she was jealous of his self control. If she had been in his position, she would have refused contact with him, no matter the consequences. But Soda had never been like her, something she admired about him greatly.

"I'm just wondering why you are acting like nothing happened. Why you are acting like you never cheated on me? Are you really that ashamed by your actions?"

She choose not to answer and instead put her attention into the man poking his head out the front door, "Hey, Pepsi Cola! We gotta hit the gravel before-Oh. Well, nevermind the devil has already arrived."

"Nice to see you again too, Steve." She said before turning back to the man beside her. She wasn't in the mood to receive any crap Steve would give her. "I just thought you would be a little more understanding after you received my letter. But no matter, I don't blame you for behaving this way. Lord knows how I would act." Watching the boys stare at her blankly, she choose to make her leave. It was already too awkward inside her home, she didn't need them to make it worse. "Well, goodbye boys. I hope you have a good life."

"Wait! Y/N!"

"Yes?"

"What letter?" Sodapop asked, his hand reached out to touch her own before retracting after realizing what he had been doing.

She stared at him for a few seconds as if wondering his sanity. She knew she sent the letter out to him, she had taken plenty of time drafting out the letter an planning how she could mail it out without her parents witnessing it. Except she hadn't been successful, she knew her Mother had seen her. But Y/N had thought that her Mother hadn't even known she was near the mailbox. The woman had been driving into the driveway right when the envelope slid through the slit.

But what if she had saw?

What if she knew and somehow got the letter before he could receive it?

"Oh my god," she whispered to herself, feeling dizzier and dizzier as her thoughts raced through her head. She reached out for a chair to sit in but missed and instead fell into someone's arms instead. Her Father stood above her, holding her armpits with disdain.

"I will be right back," he said directing it to Soda and Steve, "Take care of her until I come back."

They nodded and gently set her down in a chair a few feet away form where her Father had been holding her. Steve had been a little more rough, but she had expected that. "Y/N," she looked to Sodapop, "What letter?"

"If you didn't recieve it, you never will read it. I'm sorry."

"Yes, he will." She looked over his shoulder to see her Father walking towards them and holding a yellow box.

Her breath hitched as nerves shot through her. She found herself wildly shaking her head, "Father, no. Please, no. If you have any respect for me, any at all, please, please return the box to it's rightful place."

He handed it to Soda without a word or a glance her way. She felt dizzy and overwhelmed and so so out of control. Y/N wondered why now, of all times she had finally lost it. She could name more memories she had of watching her life be ruined in front of her eyes, thanks to her parents but she had kept her mouth shut.

Sodapop hesitated before opening it, looking at her pleading and begging form. She had begun to walk towards him with tears streaming down her face before she stopped herself. He had already opened the box and knew it was no use to snatch it out of his hands now.

She walked towards him and peeked over his shoulder with her hands wrapped around her waist as silent sobs escaped her lips.

The first thing she saw was a picture of her and Sodapop dancing together. It had been taken by Steve, Sodapop had grabbed her in the middle of the DX and started to dance with her. Customers had been in the store, walking around and shopping but he didn't care and had instead twired her around the store.

She remembered writing a poem on the back of the picture, and reached out to grab it. She flipped the picture around and saw that it was still there.

There's a boy with sun-soaked eyes and the smell of gasoline around his collar. his laugh shakes you like running barefoot through a pine forest. you trade kisses for dreams before you realize it. he fades, like the dreams of yesterday and you realize you were recklessly in.

sunshine looks good on him, golden sun and bronze freckles, arrogant but strangely alive, like half healed scars, reminders of the stars that you love so much.

a broken mess of human bones and you feel home, you feel safe because you know that feeling all too well. he speaks to you in poetry, all soul aching until you curl up into your bed and shut the world out, ignore his calls.

a red-stained mouth that tastes of cherries and wine, shocked gasps from frozen fingertips on your warm skin, he's dangerous and his smile is razor-sharp, peaked white teeth glimmering in the mid-summer sun.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She turned to Sodapop who had tears streaming down his face, he had always been one to show his emotions. Something she both loved and hated, hated only because she had developed a habit of crying whenever he did.

She took her lower lip between her teeth and fought her tears, she couldn't cry again. Not now, she hadn't even realized she had stopped crying. Taking in a deep breath she remembered all that she had written in the letter. She had written about how she loved him with all her heart and how much it hurt her to hurt him this way. About how she didn't have a choice. They were evil, her parents were evil. They were either going to send her off with some boy or push it back and let her go off to college and follow her dreams-as long as she made her non existent love that she held for Timothy look real. She told how that she thought it would be less painful for him, but she was selfish and had to tell him the truth. She couldn't bare the thought of him looking at her the way he looked at her now but she also needed the freedom.

She didn't have a choice, she never got a choice.

"I did, I tried. But, I never get to make a decision in this house and-"

"It doesn't matter," he whispered, she hadn't realized how close he was until now. His eyes gazed at her the way they used too and suddenly she was on cloud nine again. Far, far away from everyone else, just him and her in their own little bubble and she loved it.

His reciprocated love had been the one thing she had been thankful during the time she had it.

"Yes, it does." she whispered back, she didn't know why they were whispering. But she didn't really care either, reality was fake. It all was fake, except for him.

-

A/N; I hate the ending, I hate the start, I hate everything about this one shot. But I am just so done with this stupid thing. Ugh, hopefully the next one will be better. I am sorry about this. It was supposed to be better and I was supposed to write an aftermath part. Maybe I will later, but not today.

[hellomissmabel]

Champion

MASTERLIST

Pairings: Loki x witch!reader

Warnings: Brief mention of nudity but other than that, very safe

Word count: 3k

Summary: What happened after Loki got tossed onto Sakaar? How did he get so familiar with the Grandmaster? Maybe it has something to do with a certain young lady?

A/N: My prompt was “Not in the middle of a mission.” Written for @true-queen-of-mischief!

You didn’t hear the loud thud that accompanied the strange figure falling from one of the holes in the sky, but it did raise enough concern for you to fly over to the foreigner surrounded by the scrap of Sakaar. It’s a dark-haired man in what appears to be some kind of traditional clothing. Putting the ship down at a safe distance, you descend the ship and walk over to him.

As the man notices that you’re approaching, he dusts himself off and takes in his surroundings. Scoffing softly, his green eyes focus on the shy blush on your face. “Where am I?”

His eyes are enthralling and intricate, like the skin of a snake in the last rays of moonlight before dawn. With a warm smile, you tell him he’s in Sakaar. “My name is Y/N.”

“Loki Laufeyson. Prince of Asgard, God of Mischief,” he introduces himself with a haughty grin. “Please take me to your king so I can return home.”

“You’re not a very charming person, are you?,” you giggle softly while you beckon him with you back to the ship. “Alright, I’ll take you to the Grandmaster, but not in the middle of a mission. So please just wait in the ship until I’m finished.”

Loki tries to keep up with your steady pace and narrows his eyes at you when you mention you’re on a mission. “And what exactly does this mission entail?”

Mounting the ship again and back up to the control room, you gesture for the dark-haired man to take the seat of your co-pilot. “Ever flown a ship like this?” Loki shakes his head and lets his eyes wander over all the buttons and handles. You point a couple things out to him and then sit down yourself, firing up the engine.

“My mission…,” you hum while pulling up the ship and flying back to the inner city. “Was the find a toy for the Grandmaster’s champion.”

“A toy?” Loki’s eyebrows knit together and he mumbles under his breath. “What kind of champion wants a toy?”

The flight back to the city is short and soon you land on your usual spot, guiding a clueless Loki from the hangar to the quest rooms. “You can stay in this one. My room is one floor up, the second on the left. Don’t forget, okay?! I wouldn’t wanna enter the other rooms if I were you or you might…”

You weigh your words carefully as you can’t exactly tell a complete stranger that your father hosts orgies in those rooms from time to time. “Disturb a party.”

“Alright,” Loki agrees in a confused voice, “Why are you being so nice to me? For all you know, I might be a ruthless killer on the run for a bunch of mercenaries.”

“Nah, you’re not.” Giving the dark-haired man a kind smile, you leave him to inspect the room while you head up to the top floor. There a certain gigantic green giant claps his hands in excitement as you open the gates to his penthouse suite.

“Hi there, Greenie,” you greet him with a big bear hug. “I’ve got you a new toy!” Searching your bag for the metal that you found at the scrap yard in the shape of a dog, you show it to the champion who bursts into a fit of hearty laughter. In another life, it might’ve been a robotic dog for children. In its next life, it’ll be a trinket for the Hulk.

“HULK LIKES PRESENT!,” he exclaims loudly while twirling you around in his enormous hands.

When he puts you down on your own two feet again, you rest your hand on his arm and say goodbye. Navigating back to Loki’s room, you can’t find him anywhere on this floor so you decide to head back to your own floor. And just as Loki is about to knock on your door, you turn around the corner and call out for him. “C’mon, you wanted to see the Grandmaster, this is your chance.”

Loki comes up to you, turning his head slightly over his shoulder when loud music reverberates against the walls of the adjoining rooms. “How did you mission go?,” he asks with obvious curiosity.

“Yeah, happy ending,” you smile up at the man. “Can I ask you a question?” Loki is a little taken aback by this but you’ve already been very kind to him, so why wouldn’t he return the favour? He kind of takes a liking to you. “Are you a witch?”

Loki stops in his tracks and searches your eyes. “What makes you say that?”

Shrugging with one shoulder, you continue your route towards the elevators which eventually bring you to the Grandmaster’s throne room. “You dress like one.”

Rolling his eyes at you with a loud groan, followed by a deep sigh, Loki eventually runs his hands through his hair with a breathy laugh. “You’re not the first one to say so. And no, I am not a witch.”

You follow the crowd of giggling girls and boasting boys that also make their way to the party the Grandmaster is throwing – again. “He loves to host parties and such. It’s his favourite pass-time,” you comment on the matter as you see Loki’s judging look in his eyes.

At the end of the mass there are flashing lights and booming music, and you put in some earplugs to make sure you don’t go deaf. When you offer him your spare earplugs, he declines politely. “There’s the Grandmaster.” You point towards a middle-aged man in colourful clothing, throwing his hands up in the air when he notices you’ve arrived.

“Y/N!!!!,” he screams at the top of his lungs with a large amount of fervour. “My sweetheart!” Wrapping his arms around you in a tight embrace, the Grandmaster kisses your hair tenderly. “My darling daughter, did you find what you were looking for?”

Loki’s mouth falls open when he hears the Grandmaster call you by your first name, but he is even more astonished when he finds out you’re actually his daughter. All this time he’s been in the presence of the key to his survival. A princess – sort of.

Taking a bow, Loki introduces himself to the Grandmaster, who quickly waves away his courtesy. “Oh please, a friend of my daughter is a friend of mine. Tell me, Y/N, where did you find this handsome stranger?”

Picking up two drinks from a waiter, the Grandmaster passes one to Loki and one to you. “He fell from the sky,” Y/N says to her father who is very much amused by this.

“Oh my…,” he gasps dramatically, “Did it hurt when you fell out of the sky?”

Yet before Loki can answer, someone else tears away the man’s attention and he excuses himself, kissing his daughter on the cheek one last time before disappearing into the crowd. “Is he always like that? So…” Loki makes wild gestures with his hands to imitate your father and you lick your lips with a smug smile.

“Yeah, that’s my father. My mom was also very lively and she had her whims, but my dad has always been more theatrical.”

You find an empty spot on one of the cushioned seats close to the Grandmaster’s throne, where you can talk without being interrupted too much. “My father told me that one day she just showed up, much like you. It was a passionate and fiery romance, but short-lived.”

Your voice grows silent and Loki rests his hand on your hand, squeezing sympathetically. It makes him think back at Frigga, his own mother which he lost in the fight against the Dark Elves.

“Yeah, well, she never came back. She promised she’d come back to Sakaar after finding her family, but she didn’t…,” you finish your story and Loki’s heart shatters in a million little pieces. For a brief minute, he forgets he is still holding your hand. His touch is soft and his eyes are tender, but his expression is an enigma. You just can’t get a read on him.

You are glowing a little under his gaze, a soft pink blush tinting your cheeks. “Thank you for being so kind, Y/N.” Loki leans in a little closer, brushing away a stray strand of hair behind your ear with his free hand.

“PARTYYYYYYYYYY!” The intimate bubble surrounding you and Loki pops immediately when the crowd cheers as your father chugs down at least a gallon of alcohol in record time.

Exhaling sharply in embarrassment, you get up from your seat and grabs one of the waiter’s shoulder. “Please make sure he doesn’t end up puking everything out at the end of the day,” you plead in a concerned voice. The woman nods and you return to Loki, who is intrigued by the display of affection for your father.

“Does he have something to celebrate or…?”

“Yeah, his champion, the one I mentioned earlier, he’s got a new contender. One of the scrappers brought in a new potential fighter,” you explain casually, taking a sip of your too sweet drink. “If you stick around for a while, maybe you can accompany me to one of the fights?”

You hope he’ll say yes, as you’ve never really had many friends or the few friends you had never really stuck around long enough. They’re your friends because they want a favour from you that usually involves your father, the Grandmaster. Other than that, you’re just too kind for your own good as people tend to take a lot of advantage from you. However, with Loki, you think it’s different.

It’s raining outside for the very first time since Loki came to Sakaar. The sheets are wrapped comfortably and snugly around her body while her chest rises softly as she inhales deeply before puffing out a small breath of air. He wasn’t able to keep his distance from her for long and after a week or so, Loki fell for the Grandmaster’s daughter. Apart from all the usual intrigues that surround him, and aside from the fact that being close to Y/N is beneficial for his survival, he really did take a fancy to her.

“Loki… come back to bed. Rain isn’t as interesting as a naked woman,” Y/N murmurs sleepily while prying one eye open to gaze at her lover.

Crawling back into bed with a heavy sigh, Loki pretends to be annoyed by her comment. He presses a chaste kiss to her temple and Y/N rests her head on his bare chest, her fingertips playing with his long, black locks. “I think I’m in love with you.”

Smiling down at her warmly, Loki reciprocates her feelings even though he’s never truly been the sentimental type. “I think so, too.”

“What?” Y/N’s eyebrows knit together. “You think that it’s true that I think I’m in love with you?” Her face breaks into a big smile as a fit of giggles fills the room.

“I think I love you, too, Y/N,” Loki confesses seriously, hoping he’s not lying through his teeth. He has only ever known motherly and brotherly love, lustful love and old love. But never anything like this.

She cradles his cheeks in her hands and kisses him sweetly, rolling out of his embrace and sitting up at the edge of the bed. “C’mon, Loki, we’ve gotta go.”

Loki rolls his eyes at her whimsical nature, something she inherited from her parents. “First you want me to come back to bed and cuddle with you, and now you tell me it’s time to go?”

In her full, naked glory, Y/N walks to the other side of the bed to stand in front of Loki, her hands perched on her hips. “Yes. I didn’t know it was already this late. My father expects us for another party. He’s got a new potential champion.”

“Another one…,” Loki grumbles quietly so Y/N won’t notice he’s getting vastly annoyed by all the parties her father throws in honour of another potential champion. Nobody wins against the Hulk, but to the people of Sakaar, even a defeat is considered to be of the utmost entertainment.

“Loki…,” Y/N whines in a girly voice, picking up on Loki’s reluctance to meet the new guy. “You know you’ll always be my champion, right?”

This prompts a hearty chuckle from Loki’s lips. Y/N will never seize to amaze him. “Yes, I know, darling. I know.”

You quickly change into your robes and head upstairs to the Grandmaster’s party. Again there is loud music and lots of unfamiliar faces, people falling in and out of the Grandmaster’s favour every second. You see Y/N’s father is already talking animatedly to a man strapped to a chair. The man’s voice is vaguely familiar, ringing an alarm bell in Loki’s mind.

Upon closer inspection, his fear is confirmed. It is in fact Thor, tied to the Grandmaster’s chair. His eyes follow the scrapper’s movements and the woman comes to collect her reward. Whispering an apology into Y/N’s ear, Loki intends to slip away before Thor notices his presence. Alas, Thor catches Loki’s swift movements from the corner of his eye and calls out his name.

“Loki! Loki, brother!”

“You know this man?,” Y/N queries, mimicking the voice of the Grandmaster as he asks the same question.

“He’s merely a distant relative…,” Loki attempts to argue with the Grandmaster, but Thor keeps interjecting with “No, he’s my brother!” and “Well, technically he’s adopted but… I’ve always considered him as my brother!”

Eventually the Grandmaster waves Thor off and tells him to get prepped for his first fight. Loki exhales a relieved breath, but his trouble is only starting. The Grandmaster continues his festivities, but Y/N isn’t going to let it pass this easily.

She catches Loki on his way to your joint room, grabbing his arm fiercely. “I wanna know what’s going on,” she pressures her dark-haired lover. “That man really is your brother, right?”

Loki is afraid to turn around, as the truth will undoubtedly be visible in his eyes. But he can’t lie to Y/N, clearly she already knows the truth. “Yes,” he eventually concedes with a regretful sigh.

Taking a couple steps closer, you come eye to eye with Loki. “You lied to me. All this time you lied to me.” At first, her eyes shine with betrayal, an ardent desire to kick Loki’s ass. But then something switches in that pretty mind of hers and she laughs, sweetly and knowingly.

Y/N snaps her fingers and suddenly Loki’s under a spell. His feet try to move but his muscles are frozen. Only his lips are allowed to speak under Y/N’s incantation. “You’re a witch? Y/N, was your mother a witch?”

As Loki already knows the answer to that question, you fire back with another question. “You are going to leave me, just like my mother.”

“Baby,” Loki attempts to reason with Y/N, but she doesn’t want to hear it and lifts the spell so Loki tumbles to the floor once he regains movement in his muscles again. His arms catch his fall but when he get back on his feet, Y/N is already at the end of the hallway, angrily rushing back to your bedroom.

The God rushes towards her but he just misses her, the door slammed right in his face. “Y/N, sweetheart, please don’t be like this. I never said you couldn’t come with me. Please, join me, Y/N.” It’s quiet for a while after Loki has spoken those words, until eventually she yells back a simple ‘no’. “Perhaps we can even figure out what happened to your mom…,” he tries a second time.

There’s movement behind the door, some stumbling and rushing, before she swings the door open and throws some of his clothes at him. “Sakaar is my home, you idiot!”

Y/N then moves back to the closet to collet more clothes she wishes to throw at the God of Mischief, but he quickly appears in front of her and grabs her shoulders. “Y/N, will you please stop this. I love you!”

Y/N gazes up at Loki, her mind reeling. “What did you just say?”

“Oh, don’t make me repeat it, darling. You heard me loud and clear.” Sighing in mild frustration, Loki still repeats his ‘I love you’ and a noticeable change in Y/N’s eyes gives his heart hope. “I need to get off this planet, Y/N.”

“Why?,” Y/N argues with Loki, taking one small step towards Loki so their chests are almost pressed to each other. “If you don’t get along with your brother, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of. He’ll take on the Hulk in an hour or so after they’ve finished prepping him. Nobody wins from the Hulk.”

She’s got a point, causing Loki to reconsider his flight. Y/N senses this and nudges Loki’s nose with her own, apologising softly for her erratic behaviour. “You’re the only one I’ve ever told about my mother. My father never talks about it. They all think she died. And so… when you said you were going to leave… I freaked out.”

Cupping her face in his slender hands, Loki brings her lips to his in a chaste but warm kiss. “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”

“So you’ll stay?,” she queries with big, doe eyes. “Thor won’t win and if he does, my dad will surely keep him as a trophy.”

He grimaces a little at the thought of having Thor imprisoned as the Grandmaster’s prime choice of entertainment. Maybe he should win, so he can get the hell out of here and leave Loki be. “Yeah, I’ll stay.” Loki’s tongue smoothly conquers the words, even though they weigh heavy on his heart.

The part Frigga left in him is telling Loki to keep an eye on Thor, and so he will. But for now, he will spend some more time with his beloved Y/N. And as her eyes and features soften and she beckons him into her arms, Loki already starts to forget about his worries.

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[joshuazev]

On Joan Allen:

I worked a catering event today at Ziegfeld Ballroom in midtown that was an opening night party for Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical.  The inside of the normally straightforward looking space but was fully decorated in Spongbob paraphernalia with jellyfish hanging from the sky, bright colors everywhere, and lights under every table to give the feeling that we were all underwater.  I didn’t know too much about the musical or that there were even plans to create it, but as of late I’ve heard from many actor friends as well as critics and through word of mouth that the musical far exceeds the expectations that anyone had.  Going into the night I had no idea what to expect and when I got there I was worried that maybe I had chosen the wrong event to work.  Catering is one of those jobs that has extreme positives and negatives.  The pay is usually really good.  The people are usually really nice that you’re working with.  However, the work can be very inconsistent and there are some jobs you’ll work where the organization and people in charge are lacking in many ways.  It was a late start to most of our days and for the first few hours there was a lot of standing around and waiting to be told what to do.  A lot of people didn’t care—it was an opportunity to get paid to do nothing.  Others were getting restless and wanted to put their services to the test, but were disappointed that there wasn’t anything to be done for so long.  

When the setup stations were completed and looked suitable enough for guests the staff dispersed and got ready for the arrivals.  The word was there would be 1000 people at this event, but the way the beginning went some of us were joking that nobody was coming.  This wasn’t a normal event in that it wasn’t a sit down dinner and it wasn’t just a cocktail party.  There were three stations in various corners of the hall: one miscellaneous station upstairs, a sushi/desert station downstairs, and Italian station, as well.  It was kind of unbelievable how it went from being dead inside to absolute madness.  The second after someone told us that doors were opening there were floods of guests filtering throughout the space, looking ravenous for the food we had to offer.  I think that I expected my station (the desert one) to be pretty slow until the end, but it started just as strong as all of the other ones.  We had pineapple pops, marshmallow pops, brownies and cupcakes, some of which were Spongebob themed.  Many shied away from us though and resorted to taking pictures of the detailed layout.  It was obvious that Spongebob fever (all of them had just gotten back from the opening) was still very much in the air.  Ten minutes after the doors opened the line extended to the dance floor, plates were being run in from the area outside, and people were filling their platters with somewhat confusing assortments of sushi and sweets.  

Several interactions stood out during the night.  One woman later on told me that she was the daughter of the voice of Patrick, the starfish from the show.  She was so excited at how everything was turning out and was just as surprised as all the critics and patrons of the show that it was doing so well.  We conversed for a little bit longer and she ended up leaving to go dance with a fresh plate of sugary subjects nearby.  One woman towards the end of my shift asked me to get her coffee.  I honored her request even though we weren’t offering it to everyone and came back with a tray of regular coffee, milk, and some sugar.  I think she was a little drunk because she was very very appreciative, almost unnecessarily so.  I was just doing my job, but she was convinced I had gone above and beyond to help her out.  When her coffee was passed on and I went to go return the tray, she yelled, “I LOVE YOU!” and while I appreciated the kind words I felt slightly awkward, so I replied with a “…Thank you!”  The myriad of different interactions one is bound to have during these events is extensive.  It’s always such a cool observation lesson when you’re working these events.  I mean, it’s like people watching.  It’s always interesting to watch people honor and disregard certain etiquette.  For example, when there are napkins, plates, and tongs available, the amount of people that kind of go out of their way to pig out and utilize none of the items is always way more than you think.

Besides the high volume of all the commotion there was a dance floor very close.  The DJ was actually pretty good (there were a couple).  I have so much respect for people willing to play the great songs of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  The audience was pretty tame too, so I think it ended up being a good decision.  We heard everything from Sam Cooke to Dion, from Jay-Z to TLC, from Marvin Gaye to Shout, and from Icona Pop to Bruno Mars.  People of all ages, young kids and older men and women were having a great time.  Part of me wonders whether most of the people could hear anything at all, though.  The music was so loud that my ears were ringing instantly.  It was at a volume where you kind of sort of had to flinch when certain instruments hit because the ear drums just couldn’t take it.  In between breaks of giving my ears a rest, one of my friends working showed up out of nowhere with earplugs in her ears.  I wasn’t exactly envious that she was protecting her hearing, but I was reminded of how my mom always used to (and still does) recommend that I bring some earplugs with me to concerts and places that I know are going to be super loud because it’s not good for my ears to be in such a loud environment.  That’s my mom for you.  Always looking out for my well being, even regarding the things that I take for granted like working at a place that has a DJ with loud speakers.  Next time I might just have to have a fresh pack of earplugs on me.  

At one point of the event there was a taller blond woman, middle aged it looked like to me, that came over to our station to pick up some sweets.  I was by myself—not because it wasn’t crowded anymore, but there was a little bit of a lull, I guess.  The closer she got the more I subtly started squinting because I couldn’t help but feel like I had known this woman or had seen her before.  Then, as she neared closer, I realized who it was and I got so excited because I had always been a fan of her work.  It was Joan Allen, who I recognized from movies like “Searching for Bobby Fiscer” and the “Bourne” series, and “Room” and many others like “The Ice Storm” and “The Crucible.”  She is a fine actor indeed and in a sort of quieter voice I told her that I loved her work.  She was appreciative of the comment, picked up what she needed and made her way.  I wouldn’t have been surprised if a bunch of people knew who she was, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if nobody had recognized her, at all.  She blended in with the surroundings so effortlessly and she looked so wonderfully modest that she kind of camouflaged into the space.  I watched as she went from my section to go get down in the middle of the dance floor.  It seemed like she was by herself at the beginning, but she must have known some people or been a great dancer because she was vibing with the music and getting down, even as the songs jumped from genre to genre.

Hours later, when people began to filter out, Joan returned to the table to drop off her wine glass and also was talking to this woman in a bright yellow suit (it seemed Spongebob themed).  She was a little tipsy, for sure.  She moved slower, she swayed a bit, and the once natural walk in her heels was becoming a little bit of a struggle.  She left and I felt so proud that I had said something, even though I wish I could have added more specificity—that Searching for Bobby Fischer was and still is one of my favorite movies today.  Maybe one day I’ll get to tell her.  The songs got louder and louder and the night waned on.  At 1 o’clock, plenty of people still dancing and eating, I left to go check out and try and head home as fast as I could.  I was tired.  The train station was semi crowded, but certain sections were vacant because of the people cleaning the subway platforms.  The A train took a long 15 minutes to arrive before swooping all of us up and dropping us off at our scheduled destinations.  Loud conversations were resuming next to me, while I drifted off and way in the back some kid was screaming and screaming without so much as the minimum effort from the mom to try and chill the kid out.  This was the “let the kid talk himself to silence” method, clearly.  Clearly, it didn’t work.  I thought my ears were done for the night, but that kid reached pitches that even a deaf person could hear.  Another day gone.