#lissa's corner

[orangechickenpillow]

You know, Ezra and Cee's relationship is a fantastic example of what a father daughter (or even parent child) dynamic should look like. Minus the whole killing-her-biological-father part (even if he was an Ass™)

Ezra never -- not once pushed the blame on Cee. Even when, in his anger and pain (I mean, the girl literally shot him in the arm) it would have been easy for him to do so. He never did.

He tried to make her as comfortable as possible, all things considered -- trying to tell her she could trust him, that he'd look after her, even going so far as to voluntarily return her weapon to her so she'd feel more in control and secure.

And don't even get me started on their conversation post-amputation. He listened to her without interruption. He engaged with her in a genuinely thoughtful way. He offered her emotional advice, showed interest in the things she expressed excitement about, and never made her feel small for her emotions, but even encouraged them.

And the great thing is, Cee felt like she could tell him all of this. She felt that she could share her most important insterests, and even her creative endeavors, with him. And when she expressed doubt about these things, putting herself in an even more vulnerable position, he made her feel good about herself and built her up.

Ezra might have done some bad things, but he sure as hell is a great parental figure.

[hungermakesmonsters]

(Once Bitten) Twice Shy

Chapter Sixteen

Plot summary : Desperate to get away from your controlling family, you take a job in New York as a wealthy vampire's blood source. A million dollars awaits if you can make it through a year, but life with Billy Russo is not going to be as simple as you think.

Pairing : Billy Russo x Reader

Story Rating : R  Chapter Rating : PG

Warnings : [This is a fic for 18+ only, minors DNI] Smut and angst. All chapters will contain mentions of blood. Please check the warnings on each chapter if you choose to follow this story. 

Word Count : 4k

A/N : 😅😅😅

CHAPTER ONE | CHAPTER TWO | CHAPTER THREE | CHAPTER FOUR | CHAPTER FIVE | CHAPTER SIX | CHAPTER SEVEN | CHAPTER EIGHT | CHAPTER NINE | CHAPTER TEN | CHAPTER ELEVEN | CHAPTER TWELVE | CHAPTER THIRTEEN | CHAPTER FOURTEEN | CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MASTER LIST

Chapter Sixteen

You tried to wipe away your tears but your hand was trembling too much, and the moment you heard the elevator moving it only got worse. In the three minutes that followed your brief conversation with Lissa, you’d changed your mind at least a hundred times and you were already practising all the ways that you might tell her that you didn’t want to leave after all. 

You didn’t want to go, you didn’t want to leave Billy, but you knew you had to.

That thought was what would carry you through this difficult moment. You didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to turn his life more upside down than you had already. This was best for both of you.

By the time the doors slid open and Lissa stepped into the penthouse, you’d managed to force yourself into a calm and detached state, not wanting to make it any harder than it needed to be. Your suitcase was at her side and on top of it was the outfit you’d been wearing when you arrived, neatly folded for you.

Lissa was silent for a moment, taking a measure of you but, somehow, you kept your nerve.

“You’re aware that once you do this you will not be able to change your mind?” She asked, finally, as if she’d decided that you were serious about it.

“I am.”

“And you’re aware that you will receive no compensation for your time?”

“I know,” you answered, forcing the words past the lump in your throat.

“Are you sure you have everything that you wish to take with you? Once you leave, there is no coming back.”

It was then that you realised that there was something you wanted, something that you just couldn’t leave behind.

You quickly excused yourself, half-jogging back to your bedroom, taking your clothes with you. After quickly changing, you found yourself looking at your bed, your heart broke knowing that you couldn’t take the large bear with you, but you grabbed the stuffed beagle, Bill, and clutched it to your chest, trying to ignore the tears that were starting to well in the corners of your eyes.

You took a minute before stepping back out into the penthouse and facing Lissa again. She gave you a curious look when she noticed the stuffed toy but didn’t say anything.

“There’s something I need you to do for me before I go,” you said, barely managing to hold her cold gaze, “I need Karen Page’s phone number.”

“Of course,” Lissa answered, giving a wave of her hand towards the elevator.

For a second you froze, not wanting to move, not wanting to leave. All you could think about was Billy and how heartbroken he’d be when he realised you were gone. Even if it was for the best in the long run, there was no way of doing this without causing him pain and you hated yourself for that. But it was better to hurt him now than spend decades at his side only to slip away due to age or illness.

“I take it you didn’t discuss this with Mr Russo,” Lissa offered, watching you as you finally took a step and started towards the elevator.

“No, I didn’t.” Those three little words conveyed far more shame than you would have liked.

“It’s not my place to ask why but -” for the first time since you’d met her, Lissa seemed to be thinking twice about speaking her mind, “- I was starting to think you might actually make it through the whole year.”

You knew what she was trying to ask; she wanted to know what happened, she wanted to know what he’d done to finally push you over the edge. You’d made it past the six months mark though, by this point, you’d broken pretty much all of the rules.

“I thought the job would be easier than it is,” was all you dared to offer as the elevator doors slid shut, trying to distract yourself by shoving Bill the Beagle into the top of your suitcase, leaving his head poking out.

“As far as I’m aware, Mr Russo has been happy with your service, perhaps if you were speak to him -”

“No, please, I - I just want to leave.” you abruptly interrupted, before struck with an uncomfortable thought. “Have you spoken to him?”

“No. Staying has always been your choice and it is not Mr Russo’s place to try and influence that decision. I will however have to inform him of your resignation the moment you leave the building.”

If you didn’t know any better, you might have assumed that she was trying to talk you out of leaving, as if she could see through all the bullshit and knew exactly what was going on. Dread coiled in your stomach at the thought of him hearing the news from Lissa. You’d at least hoped you’d be able to ask Karen to be the one to drop the bombshell.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t at least like to wait until morning?” She asked a moment later. “If you need somewhere to stay or tickets arranged, I could -”

“No. It’s fine, Karen offered me a place to stay if I needed it.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the truth either; she had offered you a place, but you had no intention of staying there. 

The elevator door opened and you stepped out in the atrium. Lissa handed you your phone which, surprisingly, still had charge. (Perhaps she’d kept it charged so it would be ready in case you ever needed to leave.) Then she gave you Karen’s number and wished you good luck. 

You felt sick as you slowly started towards the doors, suddenly terrified of the outside world and a life without Billy. You didn’t dare look back until you were outside and your stomach nearly turned itself inside out when you saw Lissa lifting her phone to her ear. All you could think about was Billy, how angry and devastated he would be to hear that you were gone.

Your own phone was buzzing non-stop, alert after alert from six months of messages, voicemails, missed calls and social media notifications. It was almost enough to make you switch the damned thing off again.

Taking a breath, you called Karen, briefly explaining the situation, and asking her to meet you at the bar she’d taken you to before hailing a taxi. On the ride there, your phone started to light up with an unknown number, over and over again. Your heart threatened to stop when you realised that it must be Billy. The number appeared over and over, then the text messages started, pleading with you to answer, asking you not to leave.

Karen was waiting for you outside Josie’s when you got out of the taxi, her arms folded across her chest, and the look on her face was anything but happy.

“What the fuck is going on?” She asked, looking at you and then at the suitcase at your side.

“I’m leaving, I just wanted -”

“I know that part,” she almost snapped, “Frank told me. He says Billy’s worried sick.”

Again, you found your stomach knotting, suddenly feeling sick. Maybe it had been a mistake to want to see Karen, maybe you should have just left town.

“Does he know we’re here?” You dared to ask, hoping that he wasn’t going to show up and stop you from leaving.

“No. I told them I’d talk to you but that if you really wanted to leave, I’d let you go,” she said, not exactly sounding happy about it.

The relief you felt was palpable and Karen seemed to notice. For a moment more she just stared at you before finally relenting and ushering you into the bar for a drink. 

You sat at a table by the window, aware from the noisier patrons, your eyes moving to the door every time that it opened. Karen sat opposite you, cradling a drink and waiting for you to start talking and, eventually, you did. You told her everything - everything that Billy had told you and everything that had happened between you - and she quietly listened, barely holding back the growing confusion on her face until you were finally done.

“So you fixed things with him, slept with him, told him you love him, and then you snuck away the moment he left for work?” She didn’t sound impressed, and when she put things that way, you couldn’t blame her.

“I don’t want to hurt him,” you tried to explain.

“I think it’s a little late for that.”

“You don’t understand...” you tried again, “you didn’t hear him when he told me how scared he was of losing me, how I was going to grow old and die, and how he’d be left on his own.”

“You’re leaving him on his own now,” she said, stating the obvious and making you feel worse. “And what about your family? What’s the actual plan here?”

“I... I don’t know,” you shrugged. “I’ve got enough to get a bus ticket out of the city and then... I guess I’ll just see where I end up.”

“You know there’s only one place you can end up if you do this. If the Maggia are looking for you -”

“I know,” your voice broke, “but what choice do I have? This thing with Billy, I can’t let it get any deeper. I can’t do that to him.”

“What about -”

Her phone started to ring and your heart stuttered when you saw his name on the screen. You looked at her with pleading eyes, but it didn’t stop her from answering the call. Your gaze dropped to the table as she started to speak.

“Yes, she’s here with me, she’s -” you could almost hear him frantically speaking over her, “- she’s safe. Yes, I’m -” she stopped and looked at you. “He wants to talk to you.”

Despite the way you shook your head, Karen still held out the phone to you. You refused for a few seconds before finally taking it from her.

“Billy...”

“Please don’t do this,” he pleaded.

“I can’t stay, I -”

“Whatever I did wrong, I’m sorry.” He said, and the hurt in his voice caused your eyes to well with tears. “I - I love you. I should’ve said it back, I should’ve just told you that -”

“No, Billy, it’s not that,” you interrupted.

“Then what? Why are you doing this?”

“Because you were right. I don’t want to be a vampire and I don’t want to make you watch me grow old and die,” you told him, trying to stay strong.

“I’d rather have you for sixty years than just six months. Please, hummingbird, I know what I’m getting myself into, we can -”

“I kissed Matt.” It fell from your lips and caused Billy to immediately fall silent and Karen to glare at you. Your cheeks warmed and your stomach continued to twist and churn, and you wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow you whole.

“What?” He finally asked.

“The night of the party, we kissed -” you sighed, “- I’ve broken all of your rules, Billy. All I’ve done since I’ve got here is cause problems for you and all your friends and I’m so tired of feeling like I’m in the way, like I can’t even look after myself.”

Your gaze was fixed on the table again, not wanting to see what Karen thought about any of this.

“No, you’re wrong. No one thinks that. I don’t think that. I can’t let you go. I won’t,” he tried to tell but all you could hear was your own heartbeat echoing in your ears, “I don’t care what you did. I’m coming to get you, I’m -”

“Goodbye, Billy.” 

Without further warning, you hung up, put the phone on the table and got to your feet.

“Where are you going?” Karen asked.

“You told him where we are, didn’t you?”

“What? You heard me talking to him, I never -”

“He said he’s coming to get me. I heard him getting into a car.” 

It shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did. Even though she’d always tried to be there for you, Karen was Billy’s friend before she was yours and you didn’t want to blame her for protecting him, but it stung. You’d wanted more time, you’d wanted to be able to say goodbye properly.

“Look, if this is really what you want, then I won’t let him take you back,” Karen told you. “But you should at least talk to him.”

“I just did,” you answered, hating how difficult this was becoming. “Please, just let me go. This is best for everyone.”

“Wait -”

“I’m sorry, Karen. I can’t,” you tried so damned hard to keep yourself from falling apart. “Please, don’t follow me.”

She tried to say something, but you didn’t wait to hear it. You headed for the door.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, you almost walked into someone. Or, rather they almost walked into you.

”In a hurry?” 

The voice sparked a glimmer of recognition in you, a memory that you could only half remember. When you looked, your stomach turned itself inside out.

”Oh, so you do remember me?” Krista smiled, her hand wrapping around your arm. “Come on now, let’s not make a scene.”

At first you tried to pull away from her, but then her eyes caught yours and she spoke again. Everything around you seemed to melt away and, soon enough, it felt like Krista was the only other person in the whole wide world, and the only thing you wanted to do was whatever she asked you to.

”You want to come with me,” she told you, her tone soothing, convincing. “You want me to take you away from all of your problems. You want to be free of this whole mess.”

As much as you wanted to fight it, you found yourself stepping towards the curb, your suitcase and purse quickly abandoned as you were ushered into the back of a limousine before you came to your senses and realised what a mistake you’d made.

“I told you there was nowhere you could run that I wouldn’t find you,” he smiled at you as Krista closed the door behind you and watched as the limo pulled away from the curb, leaving you trapped with him.

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

He’d been staring at the clock for over an hour and, every time he looked away, he was sure it skipped back a couple of minutes. Frank was still talking. He’d been talking non-stop since he’d first walked in Billy’s office, starting with the boring financial stuff and then going on to trying to update him on a couple of Anvil’s on-going missions.

But Billy didn’t care about any of that. 

All he could think about was you, picturing you curled up in his bed, waiting for him to get home.

He was thinking about the way you’d moaned his name, how good it had felt to come inside you, and how much he was looking forward to doing it all over and over again.

“You even listenin’ to me?” Frank barked, jolting Billy from his thoughts.

“Yeah, Frankie, the senator wants security for his fundraiser,” Billy answered, resisting the urge to roll his eyes and affect a smart-ass tone about it. “And congressman Steven’s is -”

His heart threatened to stop the moment his phone lit up with Lissa’s name. He couldn’t think why she’d be calling, unless something had happened.

Had you been hurt? Were you sick? Panic and dread warred inside of him as he answered the phone, but nothing prepared him for what came next. He answered frantically, nothing giving her a chance to speak at first, asking if something had happened, if something was wrong.

Lissa explained the situation, telling him that you’d left.

Billy was beside himself at the news.

“You didn’t try to stop her?” He demanded, ignoring the look that Frank was giving him from across the room.

“My job is to ensure that the letter of the law is followed in these arrangements, you know I am not allowed to hold people against their wills,” Lissa answered back curtly. “I did, however, ensure that she had Ms Page’s number.”

“Karen? She’s gone to Karen?”

Mention of Karen suddenly had Frank’s attention.

Lissa started to say something but Billy quickly cut her off, thanking her for letting him know and quickly hanging up.

“The fuck’s goin’ on, Bill?” Frank asked, and Billy quickly explained.

“Call Karen, find out where the hell she is,” he told his friend, his desperation quickly prompting Frank into action.

While Frank tried to get through to Karen, Billy found your number on your employment records and started to call you, getting nothing but a full voicemail. Then he started to text.

Please, let’s talk about this.

Don’t leave me.

I don’t want you to go.

Why are you doing this?

Please, talk to me.

“Karen won’t tell me where they’re meetin’,” Frank sighed, “says she wants to talk to her first and find out what’s goin’ on.”

“Can we track her phone?”

“I’m not lettin’ you track Karen’s phone, Bill. You outta your fuckin’ mind?” 

“Damn right I’m out of my mind,” Billy snapped. “I can’t lose her. I’m not going to lose her. Not now.”

He kept trying to call you, kept sending messages, thinking over all the places that you might end up. Eventually, he tried calling Karen and was genuinely shocked when she answered. In the background he could hear the tell tale sounds of a bar; people talking, music, and the clatter of a pool table.

“Is she with you? Is she okay? Is she safe? Has she told you what’s going on?” Billy didn’t give Karen any time to answer. “You’re at that place in Hell’s Kitchen, aren’t you? The place with the pool tables - the one you and Murdock go to. Josie’s.”

And, a second later, Karen said yes.

“Put her on, let me talk to her. Please, Karen,” he pleaded. “I need to talk to her.”

He was already halfway out of his office when he heard your voice, and the conversation that followed caused his chest to ache. No matter what he said, you seemed set on leaving him, and Billy couldn’t let you. He couldn’t just give up without a fight.

He didn’t even realise that Frank was following him to the parking lot until you hung up on him.

“Don’t you dare try to talk me out of this, Frankie,” Billy warned as he got into his car.

“I’m just comin’ along to make sure you don’t do anythin’ stupid.”

It didn’t take long to reach Josie’s. You’d only been gone five minutes by the time he got there. Both men were rushing towards the door, hoping that, somehow, Karen had managed to keep you there, but Billy stopped in the street. Something caught his attention; an abandoned suitcase and purse by the curb.

“Bill, what’s -” Frank started, watching Billy veer off.

“This is hers,” he said.

“How can you tell?” 

His heart almost stopped completely when he tugged Bill the Beagle out of the case.

“I gave her this.”

Frantically, he started looking up and down the street, trying to figure out where you might have gone and why you might have left your things behind. It didn’t make sense. Nothing made sense. 

He barely heard Frank muttering something about Karen before charging into the bar to look for her.

Billy tried calling your phone, only for it to start ringing in your abandoned purse and he knew that there was no way that you would willingly leave your things like this. There was no way you’d take the stuff beagle from the penthouse if you didn’t want it anymore.

His ears started to ring, a sense of panic filling him. He’d lost you. You were gone and he was pretty sure that something bad had happened to you. He clutched the stuffed toy to his chest as his vision started to tunnel.

You were gone.

You were gone.

“No,” he muttered, “no-no-no...”

He could practically feel the thing inside of him clawing and trying to get out. You were his and you were gone. Someone had taken what was his and he would tear down the whole fucking city to get you back

A hand on his shoulder pulled him back from the brink, but it didn’t stop him from snarling, from grabbing Frank by the collar and shoving him backwards, lashing out for the sake of lashing out.

And then he saw Karen.

“Where is she?” His tone was sharp enough to cause her to step back. 

A moment later Frank had him by the throat, forcing him back.

“Get your shit together,” he told Billy, keeping a tight grip while Billy thrashed against him.

“Where is she?” He snarled again.

“I don’t know,” Karen answered, holding up her hands in surrender, trying to soothe him. “But we’re going to find her, okay?”

Billy kept squirming, kept fighting against Frank, desperate to rip and tear and shred his way across the city until you were safely in his arms again. Frank shook him, pushing him back until he was pressed against his car.

“You’re wastin’ time fuckin’ about like this, Bill,” he told him, “you want to save her, then you’re gonna have to calm the fuck down an' think rationally.”

Part of Billy knew that Frank was right, but the noise in his head felt too loud. He forced a couple of deep breaths, knowing that he couldn’t help you if he couldn’t figure out where you were.

“Fine,” he snapped. “I’m fine. Let me go.”

Reluctantly, Frank let him go, but his eyes stayed fixed on Billy, watching his every move. Everyone knew that he wasn’t entirely back in control, but they all seemed to agree that they couldn’t waste any more time if they wanted to find you.

“What happened?” Billy asked, and Karen quickly recounted everything that had happened and everything you had told her.

“She asked me not to follow, so I didn’t,” Karen said. “I thought she was going to head to the bus station, but there’s no way she’d leave without her things, unless -”

She fell instantly silent, leaving both men staring at her.

“Unless what?” Billy prompted, his sharp tone earning him an equally sharp look of warning from Frank.

“She asked me not to tell you...”

“Karen, c’mon, she might be in danger,” Frank prompted before Billy could lose his temper again.

Karen sighed. “The guy that’s been claiming to be her fiance, he’s part of the Maggia.”

“What?” Billy dared to take a step forward, but immediately stopped when Frank tensed.

“Her parents owe him money. He wanted her as a partial payment. She didn’t want you to know,” She explained. “She didn't say a lot, but I know she’s scared of him.”

Billy felt sick. It felt like the world was spinning too fast and he was barely hanging on. All the little comments you’d made about not having a choice with this other guy slowly playing over in his mind. He had to get you back.

He had to kill whoever had taken you.

“How are we gonna find this prick?” Frank asked.

“I have an idea,” Karen offered, “but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card, handing it to Billy.

“Agent Dinah Madani, Homeland Security?” Billy read out. “Why the fuck do you have some Homeland agent’s card?”

“It’s a long fucking story and we really don’t have time for it,” Karen answered.

End Note : Sorry to keep ending things on cliffhangers. I'm not entirely doing it on purpose (just mostly). Thanks so much for all the lovely comments on the last chapter, I haven't had time to reply to things yet I'll hopefully try to do that later. As I said last week, I've been busy this week so I'm really behind 😅 As always thank you so much for reading/liking/commenting/reblogging and generally screaming about all of Billy and readers bad choices throughout this. Hope you have a great weekend!!

Let me know if you'd like to be tagged in future chapters! If tagging doesn't work for some reason (aka Tumblr being dumb) I post most Fridays around 7:30 gmt.

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[bittrlys]

The Dragon Prince season 6 is like watching people write themselves into a corner in real time. Exciting! Massive spoilers ahead, of course.

THE GOOD

Opening on Aaravos crying was a very strong choice, this is the actual 'Mystery of Aaravos' type content I've been waiting for

Terry picking up Viren while they're excited about him being alive is very cute

As ever, Terry being extremely ride or die is 👍

Terry taking care of Claudia was very sweet; Terry cutting Claudia's hair and Claudia's new haircut in general. Cute.

Viren and Claudia on the beach, "No parent wants their child to suffer for them." Oof.

In general, I was quite happy with everything Viren, Claudia, and even Soren, and I actually wrote a note of "i hate soren" at the start because I thought we were gearing up for another season of him just being a bad joke machine with no real character or feelings to speak of. But then they gave him, like, actual pathos! They let him interact with people in a way that feels human! They let him be resentful and complicated! Wow! Magefam is so back baby!

Viren trying to reconcile with Soren and be a better example for Claudia really got to me. His final sacrifice (OMG CRIMINAL BY FIONA APPLE JUST CAME ON SHUFFLE.......WHAT I NEED IS A GOOD DEFENSE CUS I'M FEELING LIKE A CRIMINAL.......AND I NEED TO BE REDEEMED TO THE ONE I'VE SINNED AGAINST.....) is tied so strongly to his children and that feels like a natural place to leave his character. Now, I've been saying forever that he was going to get a redemption via death, and figured Aaravos would be the one pulling the trigger, so none of that surprised me, but I thought the actual execution was generally good. I do have some more negative thoughts but I'll save those for later.

Viren is very good at justifying himself, and I like that you see him falling back into that, at times struggling with it, at times not even catching himself doing it. It feels very real. At the same time, I don't think he's ever seen himself as a hero, so it was interesting to let him go out on such a heroic note.

Viren's kind of abuse-coded (not actually abusive, IMO, but I understand if this makes people uncomfortable in a similar way) act of forcing Lissa to cry into the vial is interesting. It echoes him taking Sarai's last breath.

Him writing out his whole confession on this subject and then burning it because he realized it was only going to do him good was also very nice.

Though I wish Claudia had stuck by her 'I'm going solo' guns a little longer, I still think there's something to how she is so incapable of being alone, of thinking for herself, and desperately seeks direction. She is literally just like her dad, and it makes them both easy targets for Aaravos.

Like, Viren being such a force that Claudia easily followed him, then Claudia being such a force that Soren and Terry both easily followed her, and Aaravos being a supreme force Viren and Claudia both easily follow because at heart, they're more followers than leaders despite the force of their personalities and ambitions -- it's interesting.

Aaravos using Sol Regem to casually destroy a kingdom and kill Viren just as a small step in his plan is pretty fun. We love a grandiose villain!

Looking forward to Claudia and Aaravos. She's in some ways even more unequipped than Viren to handle Aaravos's manipulations, but at the same time, she's a lot more unpredictable than Viren. If this leads up to a confrontation between them, I think that could be really cool.

Aaravos tragic backstory with deleted child was really not on my bingo card at all -- I never thought 'noble revenge' would be his motivation. I like how this parallels him to Viren.

Aaravos crying enough to fill a sea is great imagery

The lore of the startouch elves being actual stars that descend is SO COOL. This is like, the first bit of worldbuilding in this show that's actually seriously impressed me. I love it.

Actual lore as to why humans don't have magic. Well. Not entirely. But it's better than what we had.

I liked Amaya and Janai's wedding looks. Cute.

Janai like Ehe I'll bring out my armies after I get married 😜 is funny. She isn't a very good queen but she is the moment! The gossip blogs would love her.

Ezran eating shit and not having his """diplomacy""" work out. LMAO.

SOL REGEM DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Kinda getting a y'know vibe from Soren and Corvus. I wouldn't mind that. I like that Corvus feels a little more tolerant of Soren than everyone else. It's funny Soren is like finally I'm away from my shit family but his new friends don't seem to care about him at all. Go and be totally free of all this, dude, or get a boyfriend.

Runaan back just when I was starting to think this show really hates gay males.

Rayla correcting her assumption about the sex of the diary's author was cute with the voice over changing. (cont...)

THE BAD

(... cont.) Did unfortunately then make it feel like "Had to be a woman because the author will be pining for a man."

Why is Zym STILL just a dog. Bro. It's like if all through Avatar you had to be aware Appa was going to be king someday. STOP BARKING.

Waiting for the whole cast to become vegetarians and somehow I suspect that will not be happening

When Claudia is listing the spell ingredients she could harvest from that cat thing I was just desperate to have Terry go, "Well, some of those could be ethically harvested, right?"

I find prophecies fairly corny as a writing tool and I get why they're going there -- predicted futures are the source of the anti-human oppression -- but still, I sighed.

Luna Tenebris putting a collar on her pet feels like, weird, right? Right? Right? She's not human and dragons otherwise seem so Respect all magical creatures. (Allegedly.) What is the uneven treatment of animals in this universe.

Naming your episode Red Wedding and I don't see a bloodbath ... oh, come on.

That ramble about ships from Caleb. Shudder.

Jeez, who is Rayla going to save? Her uncle who is an actual character or her backstory parents who are obviously happy and at peace? God forbid one of our main heroes has an actual hard choice to make.

Related: Caleb's 5 second rehab from dark magic.

Making his inner truth being about one other person is ... well ....

Cutting from Viren's rapidly cooling corpse to Lujanne receiving a sensual back massage was certainly a Choice.

Viren missing his wife THIS MUCH when he's barely mentioned her up to now was a little weird. I honestly think they saw the homoerotic interpretations of the very intense dynamics he had with Harrow and Aaravos and have been steadily backpedalling from that. Don't get me wrong, I can believe he loved her and he misses her, but the degree of it feels totally unearned.

I get children's media will have mascots for the children, normally I don't mind them, but dear god this show is hitting critical mass on annoying sidekicks (Zym counts as a very big one and he's already nigh unbearable.)

THE UGLY

I can imagine that the descendants of the human children Leola granted magic to are now able to do magic naturally and this could be the lore behind either Caleb or Ezran's abilities. I actually don't mind this as finally being in-universe explanation for this disparity that isn't just 'they want it more' or whatever, but it doesn't help this show's "Better People Are Born Better" messaging. Now, in that vein ...

King Ezran is a KING. Have we mentioned this? He's a king. He's divinely ordained to be above everyone else. You must show him respect because he's KING. Even Rayla emphasizes what a KING he is. BOW BEFORE HIM.

Ezran's idea of """diplomacy""" is just going "Be nice, please." (Followed by a threat LMAO.) "Go live somewhere else." WHERE. What if they try to occupy territory that isn't theirs? Xadian society seems quite separated and territorial. Ezran doesn't consider this. He doesn't consider anything. He has no actual diplomatic skills because he never offers anything, he just expects people to listen to him because he's KING.

You know in Parasite when they're like Of course the rich people are nice, they can afford to be? When Ezran was going I'm a king and I can choose kindness I was like, You're king because of an accident of your birth, and all your privilege and people looking out for you allows you to operate the way you do.

(Janai having an evil brother who is Not The True Heir To The Throne and Trying To Steal It is just part of the show's overall obsession with this narrative -- see also Viren coming from a less privileged background.)

Of course it's still funny to see Ezran be continuously characterized as So Compassionate, So Loving but when it comes to say, Not burning his own people alive or Extending the hand of kindness to one of his oldest childhood friends or her father, he just turns that shit off. This could be interesting hypocrisy if I thought the show was trying to intentionally paint him this way, instead of just wanting him to not be a total pushover because he's THE KING!!! ALL BOW BEFORE THE KING!!!!

The unbelievable frustration caused by a scene where Claudia is begging to not have to use dark magic -- Terry coming in and saving the day with natural magic -- Claudia staring at the peaceful solution and realizing she needs to change -- BUT IT'S STILL A FUNDAMENTAL DISPARITY IN HOW HUMANS CAN EXIST IN THIS WORLD? Is Claudia supposed to die because dark magic is too wrong to use? Now we have the reveal that humans are being actively denied magic I'm hesitantly hopeful they may get some justice in this regard, but it doesn't change the reality of humans right now. What are humans supposed to do? Rely on others for help? Oh, sure, most of the elves and dragons we meet now are just so nice and helpful to humans, because of the show's 'bad apple' approach to prejudice I've mentioned before, but we know that wasn't always the case.

Like, this actual reminder that the difference in power between a single dragon and a human settlement, and unlike the last time we're on the side of humans this time so you can better appreciate the horror of it ... it's depressing to feel like "Only by grace of your betters do you survive." It's echoes of Janai's 'forgiveness' of the human who put out the fire of that elf who assaulted her. "Aren't you lucky we're so NICE?"

This is all compounded by what I meant at the start of my review, that they've written themselves into a corner, especially wrt dark magic. In universe Soren sees no choice but to ask his father to do dark magic, something all the characters scold each other for constantly. Out of universe, the writers had a huge fuck off dragon come along to commit genocide against the humans and the only realistic solution is .... having Viren do dark magic, something the narrative constantly reinforces as bad. They ultimately frame this act as heroic, and according to a writer (I believe) on the discord, he speaks the spell forward to represent how this act of inherent good overcomes the "inherent evil" of dark magic (quotation marks theirs, interestingly.) I think the writers, for the most part, clearly like Viren and Claudia a lot, and like giving them 'big moments' with dark magic ... but this is part of the reason why the show has continuously reinforced a NEED for dark magic without giving any viable solution for the average human who doesn't have natural magical powers or is friends with dragons and elves like our main heroes. Ultimately, it feels hypocritical of the show to keep going on about the evil of dark magic (now very firmly an addiction metaphor) while having no solution for humans in tricky situations that aren't "magic you and only you can do, for some reason" or "queen dragon who somehow still isn't dead dear god coming to save you" or, y'know, "dark magic." Only one of these is really viable for the average person.

Like, you make it an addiction metaphor, but where's the alternative? Vampires need to drink blood to survive but vampire series often show vampires refusing to drink human blood as an addiction metaphor ... they drink animal blood instead, or something, and you get the metaphor. Right now, in TDP, it's either, do dark magic and suffer, or don't do dark magic and ... suffer more? Okay. I'm not saying life has to be fair or that there isn't value in accepting loss, but when Viren scolds Kpp'Ar for having all his fun with dark magic and then very callously dismissing Viren's fear for his son, I felt that. Viren isn't begging for a beer here. He's begging to save his son. Addiction metaphors need to match the scale and reality of what is being shown to you.

Sorry, I'm now going to harp on more about the Your Betters Are Born Better stuff now because I was actually enjoying (you know, tearfully so) Viren's death until his final lines. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GASPED!!!!!!!! HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!!! Like, let me get it out of the way, I get it echoes his last exchange to Harrow and his loyalty to Harrow is tied to his loyalty to Katolis, and they're saying "He was power hungry but now he is acting in a way that is purely, totally selfless for maybe the first time in his life," which is fine. The problem is, I have sat through six seasons of this show kissing royal ass. I have seen Aanya (shudder) mock him for not being a real noble-born ruler. I have seen Ezran's divine authority be reinforced time and again, and seen Viren throw himself submissively before his King to submit to his judgement as King, not as someone he once hurt. I have been reminded time and again that less privileged people who want the power necessary to succeed in a world biased against them are power-hungry lunatics unless they submit themselves enough to the Supreme Order of the world. So to have Viren's last words be him reinforcing that the most heroic thing he can ever be is A LOYAL SERVANT is just ... horrible. If they'd just kept the framing of Viren's death on his love for his family, it would have been way, way better.

Altogether I uh guess the season was mostly fine. They actually did a better job tying disparate narratives together with common themes which I appreciate. I liked the magefam stuff. I hope Soren eventually learns the stuff Viren chose not to tell him. I hope there's realistic forward growth on the attitude towards dark magic and why humans feel they need it, like some acknowledgement that Katolis was only saved because of Viren (make that two nations he has explicitly saved.) Maybe even Ezran can take a break from being unbearably sanctimonious to properly acknowledge his sacrifice. That would be nice!

I really hope humans get some justice for how they've been actively denied a valuable resource. It seems a self-fulfilling prophecy (they punished Leola for giving humans magic, this made Aaravos go darksided, Aaravos gave humans dark magic, humans are very set against the magical community for the way they've been treated so they're more callous about using dark magic) so I hope the ultimate lesson won't be "humans don't deserve this" but "humans only ended up here because they were treated like they don't deserve it, but they do, by right of existing as beings in this world." If Callum (+ Ezran) end the series as the only or some of the only humans with magic powers, I'm going to eat drywall.

[emsgwenstan]

Holding onto our family pt.2.

{Larissa Weems x fem niece reader} pt.1 here

Thank you to you guys who recommended I do a p2 I wasn’t going to I was just gonna leave it as a one shot, sorry if this isn’t up to your expectations so in advance I’m sorry :/

Words: 4K? Idk.

Warnings: alcohol, swearing.

Note/summary: everything is strictly platonic! Just these two babies.

Still standing in the door way with shock plastered to your features, tears rolling down your face and the smallest smile tugging at the corner of your lips, Larissa grasped your shoulders and pushed you back slowly into her office closing the door behind her. You couldn’t stop staring at her and smelling her perfume, the same one she’s used since you saved up and brought a bottle when you were 10 for Mother’s Day one year.

“I know it’s a lot to take in darling… are you ok?” She asked taking your chin between her fingers making you stare into her eyes. “Yeah…” you croaked. She’s here… She’s home. “Come on beautiful, a tea should calm those nerves.” She whispered placing another kiss to your forehead and taking your hand pulling you towards her quarters. “Lissa… I’m going to need something far stronger than tea.” You said trailing behind her. “Wine or whiskey my dear?” She asked with a chuckle. “Whiskey.” You said knowingly due to the extremity of this situation. She led you to the small kitchenette and let go of your hand to open the overhead cabinet retrieving two tumblers and a crystal decanter full of high end alcohol.

She was silent while she poured the liquid into the glasses, you wrapped your arms around her waist from behind and buried your head into her shoulder. Larissa let out a small ‘oof’ at the force of your hold giggling a little spinning around in your grasp. “Oh little one, it’s alright.” She cooed softly. She was right of course it was ok, she’s here, she’s home. You tug down on her waist like a child and drag her to the floor, your knees giving way the second you bent them. Larissa followed your lead and gracefully fell down with you, wrapping her own arms around your shoulders pressing you into her chest.

“Don’t you dare leave me again.” You mumbled. Larissa sighed and stroked your hair. “My darling girl… I never really left, I’m not going anywhere.” She hummed. “What happened? Where were you? How are you here? Lissa are you…you know…you?” You asked quickly sitting up a bit to examine her with a slight glare. “Yes honey I’m me…and…before you ask, you accidentally put red socks in with your uniform and it turned your pristine white blouses pink.” You smiled widely at her words, when you left school you made sure to plan a safety question in case you ever came across another shapeshifter with bad intentions. “But what happened to you?” You asked.

Larissa slouched against the base cupboard and raised her arms to pick up the glasses resting on the counter above her head, she gave one to you and looked as though she didn’t want to talk about it, but you didn’t care, you needed answers. She put the glass to her ruby lips and threw back the alcohol in one go. “Well… I was poisoned, I’m sure you know that by now, and I died… for a few minutes anyway.” She said unfazed staring blankly behind you. “Oh my god.” You breathed taking a sip of liquor. “Mmmm.” She agreed nodding.

“How are you here?” You asked less frantically. She sighed again “When I woke, I was on the floor of the observatory alone… it took me a while to get myself out of there, my legs were numb and I could hardly move, I almost fainted a few times but I managed to make it into my office and collect a few things, I was far to weak to help the students and once I knew that everything that happened was over and they were safe, I left town for a while and laid low in Burlington.” She said pouring another whisky for herself, topping up yours while she was at it.

“You must have been fucking terrified.” You say letting the events soak in. Larissa expectedly gave you a look before you both said the word ‘language’ in unison, it brought a smile to her face at how predictable you know she is. “But…you’re right, It was fucking terrifying, now I have to explain to hundreds of people that I’m still alive and completely fit to continue as headmistress.” She muttered downing the second glass yet again. You giggled a little at her explicit response and instant visible relief when she drank. “You are fit, you’re the only person who can manage this school, I’ll do everything I can to make sure it stays that way.” You said fully serious, because you were, there is no way anyone can handle what she does, many can’t even comprehend what she does, you know that she makes difficult and somewhat uncomfortable decisions for the sake of the school’s expense and reputation, you think everyone else would be to selfish to put nevermore before themselves, besides this was out of her hands she’s the victim after all, not the instigator.

Larissa only smiled in response as well as stroking from the top of your head to the side of your cheek giving her best toothy grin, yet you still see right through her, the damage that Mari- Laurel gates caused, you see it with Enid too, her poor scars from defending Wednesday, you never bring it up because you don’t think she wants a reminder that her skin is tainted with the memories of that horrific night. Just like that tears welled in your eyes again, you try blinking them away but they continue to fall stinging from the previous path they followed. “Oh sweetheart, what’s wrong?” She asked placing her cup on the floor. “You were gone. You were taken from me. I-…you were dead and I had nothing!” you sobbed breathlessly breaking down In front of her.

Larissa’s own tears fell into her lap and the crease between her brows deepened. “I’m sorry, little one.” She whispered wholeheartedly tracing the shapes of your face gently. “I never meant to frighten you dear.” She smiled but it quickly faded when your body wreaked with more uncontrollable sobs. “You’re all I have, you are the only important person to me and you were gone, a piece of me was ripped away.” You squeak using your hands to help explain better. “I know.” She cried. “You’re not my aunt Larissa. You’re my mother….You. Are. My. Mum.” You punctuated to make sure your statement made some kind of impact.

Larissa smiled and nodded, she sniffed and wiped her eyes smudging mascara across her faint crows feet. “I never thought of you as my niece y/n, not my brother’s child, not ever a burden… you’ve always been my daughter, my special little girl.” She whispered cupping your cheeks and pressing her forehead to yours. It feels like everything is going to be ok, it feels like everything is as it was, but different in a way, it feels like everything is in its rightful place as it should be, because she’s here, she’s home.

“What happens now?” You asked. “What do you mean, honey?” She wondered. “Like, what’s the plan from here?” She looked puzzled and wasn’t sure herself. “Right now? I don’t care. All I want is to be with you my sweet, ok? That’s all that matters we can figure the rest of the mess out tomorrow.” She stated. The buzz from the alcohol started to warm up your body, absentmindedly you curl up into her lap wanting to be completely engulfed by her. “Can I sleep with you tonight?” You asked quietly, it’s been years since you did, the last time you stayed in the same bed was when you had a series of nightmares for a month when you were still a student at nevermore, the other option is to go hunt for a vacant dormitory, that would definitely raise questions though.

“You don’t even need to ask that, little one.” She whispered into your hair. You moved back and stood up slowly offering a hand to Larissa, she placed her hands in yours and rose with a few pops of her joints and groans from sitting on the floor. It’s nearing 1:00am and it’s still hard to distinguish if this is really happening or if it’s my mind deluding me from pain. “I could use a shower…” she says softly, removing a piece of hair out of your eyes that had fallen from the thrown up bun. “No you deserve a bath, let me run it for you!” You said energetically, leaving her to go to the bathroom. “Ooo wait!- lavender, rose or bergamot?… for essential oils?” You ask excitedly happy to be able to do something for her again.

“What ever you please darling.” She giggled, her brows raise and a grin finds its way to her lips, Larissa knows that if you want to do something there’s no room for argument, to the point you will have an essay in your brain of all the pros and cons to list for her. The whole time you were in the bathroom Larissa downed 3 more glasses of whiskey before placing it back on the top shelf, She walked over to her bed that’s left unmade because it’s been occupied by you and ran her hands over the luxurious silk sheets, she all but twirled around the room happy to be home, alive and with her 23 year old not so baby girl.

Happy with your job, you exited the bathroom and Larissa was no where in site. Panic set in your bones. No, she’s here. The room felt like it was expanding and you were the only person in the world, searching for her in the closet, on her balcony and possibly on the other side of the bed on the floor she wasn’t there. “Are you ok my sweet?” Her voice rang from behind you and relief spread back through your body, you turned to face her, she was closing the door to her office baring a bottle of wine. “Jesus don’t do that!” You exclaimed. “Do what?” She questioned pacing slowly towards you. “Leave… especially without telling me.” You warned giving her a playful but sincere glare.

You turned off the lights in the bathroom and lit candles around the tub, bubbles filled all around the top of the bath and it smelled heavenly, the rose scent is what you opted with. “It’s done lissa!” You called out turning off the water. Larissa made her way into the bathroom and thanked you quietly, you stepped back out into the room and walked over to the kitchenette again to pull down two wine glasses and walk back to the bathroom door and knock. “You decent enough?” You asked. “Yes darling.” She said.

You opened the door and closed it behind yourself. Larissa was sitting in the water with bubbles shielding all of her body apart from her shoulders and collar bones. “Do mind if I sit with you for a while?” You asked, placing the glasses on the tile floor, sitting down on the mat and opening the bottle. “Of course you can.” She cooed. You were both silent for a while taking turns sipping the slightly bitter velvet liquid. Larissa had her head resting on the porcelain rim and the wine glass dangling from her fingertips, she’s free from make up now and her hair is taken out spilling over the tub’s edge. “Your hair’s longer.” You said rolling the glass into your chest to lean forward and run your fingers through her platinum tresses. “So is yours dear.” She replied lulling her head to the side facing your amber licked skin from candle light.

“It’s been two years…” you remarked sadly feeling guilty for the length of time you hadn’t seen her physically. “Far too long.” She mumbled. “Well it’s not going to happen again I can assure that.” You stated sternly. “Don’t dwell on it y/n, we’re here now.” She replied. Silence fell over the two of you again and you busied yourself by fiddling your hands picking lint of Larissa’s clothes and tossing them back into the washing hamper. “Can I ask why you didn’t contact me?” You whispered looking at her waiting for an answer.

Larissa licked her lips and thought of a response. “I didn’t think you knew what happened, i didn’t believe that anyone would have known to get in contact with you, so I planned on telling you about this whole situation when I somehow found a way to reveal myself back to school society, but clearly that didn’t work. I came back tonight to see if I could get back into my office without being seen, that’s when I heard you talking with Melanie, your voice… I knew, I couldn’t run from you and leave you alone with no explanation.” You nodded along with her words and understood what she meant.

“Why did you run?” You asked. She sat up a bit, placed her glass on the floor and swallowed thickly. “I had to mourn my own “death” and take a little bit of time to rest, recover, process it, come to terms with the fact that things are going to be different. Imagine what the sheriffs going to say when I magically waltz my way back into society… I had you to protect as well. I couldn’t be reckless to get you involved in such appalling circumstances.” She said dipping her finger in water collecting bubbles and tapping the tip of your nose in a humorous, lighthearted manner. You couldn’t help the small giggle that erupted from your throat as you wiped the bubbles away feigning disgust.

You rested you head on the edge of the bath and let down your wavy blond hair finding comfort in having her so close. Larissa stroked your hair behind your ears and hummed in delight. “I remember when you loved me playing with your hair… when you were very small, I’d sit you on my lap and put in these hair ties in that had these iridescent plastic balls on them, you had a blue one and purple one, and they hardly stayed in your hair but you insisted to have them in… you had little white ringlets on either side of your head because you would throw a fit if I didn’t do it like that.” She reminisced playing with soft hair around your neck.

“I remember that, I see you still have the hair clips too, I also remember when your hair was short, reaching to you jaw and how I would mess it up all the time…but you would just shift it to look tidy again and that infuriated me.” You laughed. Larissa giggled and looked at you like you hung the stars. After a while and when the water turned lukewarm you left her alone and went and snuggled into bed. For the rest of the night you lay on her chest hearing her heart beating and listening to her soft humming. The last thing you remember before succumbing to sleep were the words I love you.

The next morning you made her breakfast in bed and started to work out a plan for ‘her return’ Larissa was a bundle of nervous energy, she stumbled over her words and spaced out a few times during the conversation but ultimately the plan was going to be set in motion. The day just consisted of the two of you lounging around her rooms and talking and talking and more talking, it’s always been like that, you can go a while without speaking and pick up like you saw each other just the day prior. Luckily nobody caught on to anything, Enid burst into her office at one point to show you her new blog post about one of the couples in nevermore. You kindly reprimanded her for not knocking but was able to usher her back out before Larissa walked out unaware of her presence.

The day has finally come for Larissa to make her entrance and the both of you felt nervous to say the least, poor thing could hardly move. “Will you let me do your make up lissa?” You asked hopefully. Larissa stared at you blankly before eventually nodding. She was still in her emerald green night slip bare of any added detail, her lashes a brilliant blond, skin pale and shoulders freckled. You envy her natural beauty, although you are both similar in appearance you can’t beat the original. You situated her on the floor near the vanity while you took the stool, her legs crossed, hands politely intertwined in her lap and posture perfectly straight, apart from her rigid shoulders.

She sat still for 45 minutes not moving a muscle, you took your time perfectly applying each layer of make up from coating every lash in a deep blue mascara, to laying on the best eyeliner you’ve ever done, to lining and painting her lips with your shade of lipstick, which is only a few shades of red darker then her own. You smiled down at your work and started the process of her hair, she turned her back towards you and lulled it to the side letting you do a large braid from her temple almost down to the nape of her neck, her side part was meticulously crafted and pulled back into a low pony tail with the braid wrapping around it, you opted for this hairstyle because you remembered seeing it in a photograph from when she was a teen, it was still beautiful and suited her very well, something different, but also full circle in a way.

Next was her outfit, that was a tough one. “Really… I can just throw something together darling.” She said in the door way of the closet. “No I’m picking.” You pouted up at her sternly. She laughed and joined you in the room, after painstakingly picking each article of clothing you chose a suit, something she doesn’t wear often if at all, something different which makes a statement, it’s a plum colour with very small, thin, green and gold stripes a vintage channel line from the 60’s. And the most important part, matching plumb coloured heels.

You left her alone to get dressed and once she stepped out your breath was stolen from you lungs at how gorgeous she looked, close to 50 years old and yet still remarkably beautiful and very glamorous, the only thing she lacked now was confidence. “You looked incredible!” You said enthusiastically. “I actually feel beautiful… it’s been a while since I’ve worn this.” She said softly. “Are you ready?” You asked hoping for a yes. “I think so my darling…” she replied. “One more thing...” you quickly walked back into her closet to pull down her box containing all of her personal trinkets and walked back out.

Larissa stood curiously watching as you flit about the room before b-lining back to her with something in your hands. You reached for her arm and put your old hair tie with those plastic beads on around her wrist then put her sleeve over the top of it and opened her blazer putting your old pink polkadot hair clip over the waist band of her trousers. “I know it’s silly… but because I’m not physically going to be there, doesn’t mean I’m not going to be with you.” You said buttoning her blazer back up and flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Larissa wrapped her arms around you and pulled you tightly into her embrace. “I love you.” She whispered. “I love you more mum.” You could hear her heart beat quicken at the word. “Now, go… call me if you need anything.” Larissa smirked as she pulled away. “Yes little boss…” she chuckled. “you’re so grown up precious girl, I can’t believe the wonderful woman you’ve grown up to be.” She pulled back and just like that she straightened her posture and a spark of confidence was alight yet again. She walked out the door and blew you a kiss leaving with an ‘I’ll be back soon’ wink.

You might be proud of her, you might love her so much, but Larissa will infinitely be more proud of you and far more envious of her little gift, her beautiful niece, her stubborn yet perfect miracle and her darling bestowed daughter. It’s going to get a whole lot better, because she’s here and she’s home.

@barbarasstar @giogwensversion @yourgaeyisshowing @maxfanartfan @anonymous-zakmo @sabraaabra

[i-heart-yellowstone]

20 - Girls Night in Bozeman

Part 21

Raised Fair Share of Hell

Tag list @bvbwestfall @hcwthewestwaswcn @child-of-of-the-sunshine @elenavampire21 @keep-the-wolves-close @kmc1989 @tallrock35 @whatelsecouldgowrong

Closing the stall door once I had led my horse inside. I made my way out of the barn and up to the main house of my parents. Kayce was currently still at the Commissioners office for the evening and so that left me with Faith and Tate who were hanging out on the couch playing one of the board games we had in the closet.

Entering the office which was the first door on the right down the hall I saw my sister Alana and our mother already waiting for me. I leaned against the doorway eyeing the legal papers laying on the wooden desk. “So you finally decided to have this conversation with us about this.” My sister spoke up seeing the expression on my face looked annoyed.

“You know why I don’t want to talk about what happened. Plus Kayce doesn't get off work until six and he said he'll watch the kids for tonight.”

My sister attempted to keep on a brave face. “Alissa, it wasn’t your fault-”

“Oh really. How wasn’t it my fault that daddy ended up in the hospital because of me.” I raised my voice at her. “He took a bullet to save my daughter. He took a bullet for her when those airport and casino building outsiders came after the Dutton's.”

My mother Eliza clasped her hands together in her lap. “Your father chose to protect you and your daughter. The doctors thought he would make it. You shouldn't blame yourself.”

“Look can we please just not talk about daddy right now. His funeral was hell enough for everyone. I just want to get this paperwork over with and go spend time with my kids.”

Alana nodded her head moving the stack of papers all neat, before sliding them over with a pen to the edge of the desk. “Since mom is the family lawyer she already wrote up the documents we needed. I've already signed most of them. You just have to sign underneath my name to finalize everything. Making the Lambert estate be in our names. We’ll have to get John Dutton’s signature to connect our two properties as one whole one though.”

“Okay. Is that everything that needs to be taken care of?” Leaning over the papers I scribbled my name down, raising my gaze up to my sister.

She shakes her head no, picking her cowgirl hat off the hook on the wall that was closest to where she was standing. “Mostly, yes. It’ll take time for the paperwork to get done. So for tonight we’re all good to go, you can go get drunk at the bar with your friends.”

“That doesn’t happen every time we hang out.” I gasped not expecting her to say something like that.

Alana sent me a small smirk. “Sure, Lissa.”

“How about you join your sister for a night on the town. Kayce can join you two. I can watch the kiddos for the evening, don't you worry.” Our mother entered the conversation.

I slumped my shoulders thinking about it for a moment yet I knew the kids rarely had one on one time with their father because of his work. “I appreciate the offer, mom. But I think tonight should just be the girls going out.” She sent me a simple smile with a head nod in understanding.

“As much as I would like to see Jake get wasted tonight, I need to take care of the cattle before a huge storm comes through tomorrow morning. The forecast looks like hell is coming through Montana but say hi to the gang for me.” Alana picked up the paperwork, putting it back inside the metal file cabinet in the corner of the room. She waved bye to our mom, slipping out of the office. “Bye mom.”

Our mother called back to her while I left the room hearing the front door open meaning my husband was home. “Be safe out there, Lana.”

“Hey baby, how was your day?”

Kayce shut the front door behind him, bending down and removing his muddy cowboy boots. One time my mother nearly lost her mind on him walking through her house with muddy shoes so now he takes them off exactly like my father did and leaves them by the front door. “Long and boring. Not much happened today. I thought you would be gone already with my sister.”

“She isn’t here yet - never mind there she is.” Kayce and I turned our heads hearing multiple horns honks and headlights coming through the front door. Leaning up on my toes I kissed his cheek, grabbing my coat and heading out the door to her car. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Love you.”

Kayce called back before I closed the door. “I love you too!”

Beth and I drove to the bar in Bozeman and met up with my friends who had already gotten a table for our little group. “There’s our favorite Dutton girls of the hour. What can I get you two. I’m buying the first round of drinks.” Jake noticed us walk up first and greeted us with a dorky grin on his face.

“I’ll take an Angry Orchard.”

Beth sat her purse down on the table climbing up on a bar stool. “I’ll take a margarita with three shots of vodka.”

“Coming right up.” Jake left going up to the bar.

Ewan raised his glass of whiskey up to his mouth asking. “I thought your sister was supposed to be coming tonight. What happened to her?”

“She uh - had to prep things for the storm coming tomorrow morning.” I answered his question knowing if I kept it short he wouldn’t ask more questions that would make me talk about the passing off my daddy.

Kelsea nudged my arm once Jake had come back with our drinks, sending our two other friends. “Why don’t you ask her about the more juicy details like when her and her cowboy are gonna have another baby?”

“Kelsea!” I gasped feeling my face turning beat red.

Ewan chuckled pointing his beer bottle at me. “Wait are you telling me your okay with your daughter being the old kid that is physically half you and half Kayce?”

“Do we really have to talk about this specific topic? I thought we were coming to have fun tonight.”

Beth got up from her seat quickly finishing her drink patting Jake on the shoulder. When we were growing up he had a crush on her but everyone knew it was her and Rip for life. “I’ll be back. I’m going to grab us some vodka shots.”

“Beth, we’ve already got drinks and I don’t really like-“ Ewan trailed off until I kicked him under the table.

“Don’t try to talk her out of it. Just take it down like a cowboy would.”

Ewan gave me a nervous look. “I ain’t no cowboy. I’m an engineer.”

“Woah, wait. Is that the Yellowstone cowboys?” Kelsea pointed her index finger in the direction of the bar seeing a couple of people in cowboy hats walk inside and instantly order some drinks.

Ryan, Teeter and the others all gathered out onto the dance floor before I felt Kelsea tugging me by my arm taking me over to where Ewan was standing by a dart board waiting for us to come to a game with him. “Come on, let’s play a game.” She suggested it to me while I noticed a random girl go over to Rip trying to flirt with him.

“Where’s your wife?” She giggled.

Rip pointed his index finger at the dance floor where I noticed Beth glaring at her while taking a long drink from the beer Jake had left on the table. “My wife is standing right over there staring at ya.”

“I’ll handle this.” The girl strolled over to my sister in law.

I sighed covering my eyes with one hand feeling bad for her. “Oh that poor girl.”

“What?” Jake and Kelesa said at the same.

Rip hollered in Liyod’s direction since he was sitting at the bar chatting with the people around him. “Lioyd! Hey Lioyd. We’re done!”

“It ain’t midnight yet.” He replied back.

Rip kept walking over to his wife seconds before his wife smashed the beer bottle she was holding in the girl's face for whatever she had said to her. “Midnight enough.” This caused everyone on the dance floor to start getting into their own fight while Beth began kicking the girl who had fallen on the floor.

Beth went to kick the girl a second time before one of the bouncers put her in a choke hold. Rip rushed over punching the bouncer in the face so he removed his hands from his wife. I watched Ryan punch another guy near the band on stage before I saw the girl who angered Beth coming up behind Jake who was already getting too drunk to notice someone behind him.

“Jake!” I hollered his name jumping down from my seat and shoving the woman away from him who was just wanting to fight anybody in the bar now.

She coughed, wiping away some blood from her mouth. “Apparently you're a bitch too. I was just going to have him buy me a drink.”

“Yeah right. There's not a hint of anger on your face at all.” I scoffed back at her.

She screamed charging at me where she tackled me onto the floor causing Jake and Ewan to get up from their seats ready to fight. “Alissa!” Kelesa screamed not expecting that to happen.

The Yellowstone cowboys didn't stop fighting until one of the other bouncers grabbed a hold of Beth dragging her outside where she shouted. “Fuck. Fuck. Get your fucking hands off me!”

“Get off of her.” Ewan yanked the girl off of me who was trying to punch me but I kept dodging her throws. He shoved her towards one of the bouncers who walked her and Beth outside. Ewan extended his hand helping me up. “I’ve got ya, Lissa.”

A few minutes later everyone from Yellowstone along with me and my friends were standing outside the minute the cops pulled up into the bar parking lot. Rip points his index finger where Beth was sitting in a police car. “You know who that is, don’t you?”

“I know exactly who that is.” The officer walked up to the cowboy. “You need to stop worrying about her, start worrying about you.”

Rip raised his voice. “Fucking bouncer put her in a choke hold, okay. All 110 pounds of her. What would you do if that was your fucking wife?”

“Look I hear you, but this ain’t the old fucking days. The new sheriff he doesn’t put up with this shit.”

Turning my head I saw the new black sheriff walking up to Rip shaking his head. “Decided to come to town and toss the entire bar, I see.”

“You put your hands on my wife and you get the horn.” Rip threatened the sheriff.

I raised my voice aiming my hand at the woman who had flirted with Rip who was standing by one of the other police officers with a busted lip. “The fucking bouncers had her in the choke hold. And that woman started fighting with other people for no reason except that she was wasted drunk off her ass.”

“You and the rest can go, but she hit that girl in the head with a bottle.”

Rolling my eyes I couldn’t believe they were charging Beth when it was the drunk girls fault. “Are you kidding me?”

“Yes ma’am I am. That is aggravated assault.”

Rip questioned him. “Is she even going to press charges?”

“You bet your fucking ass I’m pressing charges!” The woman snapped back at Rip, Beth flipped her off before the police cars drove away with her in the backseat.

Looking over at my friends I knew none of us would be able to drive since we had been drinking the whole night until the bar brawl broke out. Taking out my phone I knew we’d have a different way home. “I’ll get us all a ride home. Just hang on one second.”

“Okay.” Kelesa replied.

Walking off to the side I placed my phone up to my ear dialing my husband. “Hey Kayce, how are the kids doing?”

“They’re asleep in bed now. What’s happening with you and your friends?” Kayce responded.

I clicked my tongue chuckling nervously. “Well the funny thing is - Beth got into a bar fight and now I’m hoping you’d come and pick me and our friends up.”

I could hear the sound of jingling car keys on the other end when he replied back with an answer. “I’m on my way, Lissa Rae.”

“Thank you, Kayce John.” I smiled walking back over to my friends to wait for our ride to get here.

[gummibrr]

Woah! Im posting again. The holidays are right around the corner and am enthralled by the Nutcracker ballet. Not only that but also a forever favorite fic Making a Monster by @absurdmageart!

They're an amazing writer and artist, check them out!

Aside that I'm enchanted by Wine and in combination of both hyperfixations I did reader-insert Lissa as Clara and Wine as the nutcracker solider!

Anyways thanks y'all and see you!

[writerbythewater-blog]

Prompt: This is your last chance

Dimitri wondered why he hadn't become a snack for the Strigoi or turned yet. The team that went into the cave had been forced to leave him behind. He knew the risk when he joined the team, and was just glad that Rose had gotten out safely. He had come to terms with his fate. Of course, he hoped they would kill him rather than turn him, but he knew it was out of his hands now.

The Strigoi had broken his legs before tossing him against the wall of the cave. The large group gathered in the center of the cave to whisper about their plan. Dimitri didn't like the way they kept looking over at him like he was a prize to be fought over. The way they would smile at him made his skin crawl. Enough time passed that his broken legs stopped hurting before two of the Strigoi broke away from the group and walked over to him. He snarled at them as they came close.

"Oh, it seems he still has some fight in him." The older Strigoi said in a playful tone.

The one next to them laughed. "Yes. It's cute isn't it."

"Very." The elder said kneeling in front of him. They grabbed his leg sending a stabbing pain up it. Dimitri held back a scream glaring at them.

"Might be hard to break him." The standing Strigoi said.

"Everyone breaks in time, my friend. Now little Gaurdian I have some questions for you. If you help us we might even let you go." The smile they gave him was sickening sweet. Their lips pulled back slightly to show their fangs.

Dimitri pretended to think about the offer. It was tempting and if he were a novice he might have been foolish enough to believe it, but he wasn't. He knew that no matter what he did he wasn't getting out of this with his soul intact. The Strigoi could make all the pretty promises they wanted to. He knew they were all lies. Dimitri spit in their face.

"I don't make deals with demons."

The Strigoi reared back wiping the spit off their face. They glared at him the grip they had on his leg tightening till Dimitri felt the leg in his bone break further. They growled waving the other Strigoi away to go rejoin the group. Dimitri watched them walk away before focusing on the one holding his leg.

"That wasn't very smart little Gaurdian." They said in a low growl.

Dimitri shrugged trying his best to mimic Rose's I-don't-give-a-fuck smirk. His zen attitude wouldn't help him here, and as wild as he had been when he was younger it was still Rose's attitude he tried to mirror now. Her sarcasm and wit. If he got out of this alive he could tell her about it. She would get a kick out of it he was sure. Besides he wanted his last thoughts to be about her.

"How about we try again? We want you to help us get our hands on that Moroi you were guarding. The last of her line."

Dimitri turned his head away crossing his arms. Nothing would make him hand over his charge. Lissa was his charge and more importantly, she was Rose's best friend. He'd never hurt Rose by handing Lissa over. The Strigoi sighed. Out of the corner of his eye, Dimitri saw it reach out toward his chest. He hissed as they broke one of his ribs.

That was how they spent the next few hours. The Strigoi asking questions about Lissa and Dimitri refusing to answer. For each unanswered question, one of his bones was broken. Halfway through he had started screaming, but he still hadn't answered a question. He was a Guardian. He wouldn't break. After nearly all his bones were broken the Strigoi grabbed a fist full of his hair. Dragging him by the hair the Strigoi walked him over to one of the others.

"One last time little Gaurdian. How can we get to Valissa?"

Dimitri shook his head and was yanked up higher. His head held straight and the Strigoi nodded at each other before they both bit down on his neck. They fed from him together until he was lightheaded. When they were done he was dropped to the floor of the cave.

"He'll pass out soon but should recover by the time we get back to base. We'll hand him over to the boss when we get there and they can choose what to do with him. If he's changed he'll make a good Strigoi, and if not. Well, his blood is sweet, and I'm sure we can find other uses for him."

That was the last thing Dimitri heard before passing out.

[fe-fictions]

How about a story where Robin is dating someone else and Frederick is pining in the background, wallowing how he missed his shot to confess after the war. Yet, he overhears Robin's lover saying that he's only dating Robin to get close to Ylissean's elite. *Holds hands up in prayer* Please make it happen!

(I wrote this for sooo long and it got so much longer than I meant to...it just feels so nice to be writing for Frederick again ;; U ;; )

He was never the type to be regretful, or feel like he’d missed something important. No, he did his best to live honorably and live his life to the absolute fullest.

The struggle came when he realized he had feelings for you. Feelings that he was determined to push aside until the war ended, until things had calmed down enough that he could plan a proper path to courtship with you.

But the knight had taken too long. When he finally felt that he was ready to tell you, he discovered that you were in a relationship with one of the soldiers that had fought valiantly.

In fact, there was little Frederick could find wrong with him; he was charming and kind, friendly with everyone he met, and especially gracious around nobility and royalty among the ranks. Not only that, but he did had a terrible habit of making you laugh quite easily.

Frederick would be lying if he said it didn’t drive him up a wall. The man was quite talented when it came to getting under the lieutenant’s skin, and he was making it even more difficult for him to get any closer to you. 

After all, you were already a high profile individual, so your free time was sparse. But now, the time that you had once spent training him to stomach bear meat and helping him put out and start the camp fires had suddenly disappeared.

Chrom was the first to notice the sudden distance being put between his lieutenant and tactician, although that was namely because of how much more often your new beau had been making an appearance.

The pair of men were sitting in the prince’s tent, enjoying a rousing game of chess, when his Exalt brought the subject up.

“So…Robin’s new relationship is rather…interesting, isn’t it?”

Frederick hoped the twitch of his eye did not betray his otherwise flawless poker face. He moved his rook forward.

“It is certainly quite the change of pace for Robin, yes. It seems that they get along well.”

“I suppose so, yes…but sometimes, I do wonder about his intentions.” Chrom replied, moving his own piece as he spoke.

“What do you mean, milord? You think his intentions with Robin are malicious?”

“Not necessarily malicious, no…but I do not believe his motivations are purely because he wishes to court Robin.”

“Please elaborate, milord.”

“Well, he seems to have taken a lot of interest in the nobility, lately. He’ll tag along with Robin to a council meeting or training session, but he’ll usually float off to speak with Maribelle, or Sumia…sometimes, he’ll corner Lissa.”

“Corner?” Frederick echoed, bristling, “You mean he is trying to ‘play the field’ with the the noblewomen of your court, Prince Chrom? That is unacceptable! Not only because it is harassment towards those fine women, but also because he's taking advantage of Robin!”

“Now, don’t get too far ahead of yourself, Frederick.” Chrom quickly cut in before Frederick could throw in another passionate paragraph about the virtues this man clearly lacked.

The knight huffed, trying his best to retain his patience (and failing).

“I can’t prove anything. I just know what I saw. If his intentions are beyond Robin, we’ll need to figure out what he wants.”

“I will conduct a most in-depth investigation, milord. You needn’t worry.” Frederick rose from his seat, bowing deeply to Chrom. “ I will personally investigate the matter at hand and return with results immediately!”

“But the game isn’t…ah, nevermind.” Chrom sighed, starting to reset the board after the tent flap closed. “You’ve always had one hells of a soft spot for her, anyway.”

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

If there was one thing that everyone around you knew, it was that you always knew more than you let on...and such knowledge you withheld should never be tested.

While the war was over and there was no longer any need for such a keen eye while everyone made the long journey home…you did find that it was getting increasingly difficult to ignore the behavior your lover was portraying.

It started with small mentions of your relationship with the royal family. How you and Chrom seemed to be quite close, and how Lissa got on with you well.

Maribelle was the next mentioned, followed by Sumia, and Ricken…

It didn’t take long to notice his fascination seemed solely focused on the wealthiest of the Shepherds, rather than the whole of your friend group.

He had little interest in Frederick, Vaike, or Stahl…at first you wondered if it was because they were men…but then you realized they weren’t exactly of “noble” birth.

But you opted to ignore it, since he would let the subject go whenever you expressed interest in speaking of something else.

But then he would invite himself into meetings or conversations when you were standing next to them.

If Maribelle and Ricken were talking about strategies for rebuillding the Ylissean economy, it wouldn’t take long for him to appear and start to engage the pair and leave you behind.

Baking with Sumia? He was an excellent baking assistant (for Sumia).

Planning pranks on Virion with Lissa? He had just the thing to really get under the archer’s skin…

It was becoming stifling.

The one thing you were grateful for was that he never seemed able to get close to Chrom, as hard as he tried.

You supposed you had Frederick to thank for that. He didn’t seem fond of your choice in boyfriend, even though his only flaw was he seemed to be overly curious about the wealthier individuals.

“I’ve been meaning to ask…” You had him on a walk one afternoon, doing a lazy patrol of the camp while they set up for the night. “Are you happy with me?”

He seemed genuinely stunned when you asked that, a bewildered smile on his lips.

“Why, whatever do you mean? I find myself enraptured with you more and more with every passing day.”

“I would be inclined to believe that, if I didn’t find you gallivanting around with practically every other Shepherd except for me.”

“What? I’m certain that’s not true.”

“Whenever I’m with Lissa or Sumia, you’re chatting with them like I’m not there. And if Ricken comes over, you’re slinging your arm around his shoulders and carting him away before I can even say hello! It’s a constant issue.”

“You’ll have to forgive me, my dear. It was never my intention to do such a thing. Besides, I think you’re overreacting a bit. I’m just trying to get to know your friends better. You want me to have a good relationship with them, don’t you?”

“Sure, but…” You hesitated, finding it difficult to pull the words together. “But it seems like you’re only interested in a few of my friends. You don’t seem to be interested in Stahl, or Donnel…Frederick is an excellent man to befriend, but you turn your nose up when you see him! A-and that’s not to mention Panne, Tharja or Libra…it just seems like you’re only trying to befriend them because they’ve got notoriety, whereas the others don’t.”

“Hah…it seems I wasn’t as careful as I thought.” Your beau sighed, running a hand through his hair, “You see, Robin, it isn’t false that I want to spend more time with your friends and colleagues who are of noble birth compared to others. But I have a good reason for it!”

“Really?” You quirked an eyebrow, already unimpresed with his confession.

It had already felt as though he was using you to step over and connect with the wealthy. Outright admitting it wasn’t something you were pleased to hear.

“I am doing it for us, Robin! You see, we don’t have the opportunities afforded to those who are of high social standing. If not just you, but the both of us are highly regarded by those in the upper echelons of society, then it will only result in upward mobility for both of us!”

“I can understand that, but…I’m friends with them because they’re good people. Not because I wanted to become a noble, myself.”

“It’s certainly very commendable that you can think that way, Robin, but I’m afraid that’s naïve. You have no idea what it’s like to suffer through challenges that nobility simply breeze past! If I- that is, if we- can move forward and garner that notoriety, think of how much better our futures will be! And the future for our family!”

“Our fami-” You stuttered, eyes blown wide, “What on earth are you talking about?! We’ve barely been together for a few months! You want to have a family with me?”

“Of course! You’re an excellent tactician, and you know so many wonderful, affluent people. It will be to our advantage if we marry!”

“Um…I…think I need to take a walk.” You moved away from him, holding out a hand to stop him when his mouth opened in protest. “Alone, please.”

When you moved away from him, you felt quite shaken. Perhaps it was because you were feeling so out of sorts that it was clear on your face.

You received a few odd looks from other Shepherds, but it was Frederick who expressed the first concern.

“Robin,” His voice was gentle, but loud enough to draw you out of your thoughts. You looked up at him not realizing you were looking deeply troubled. “...Are you all right?”

“Yes, I am, I…” You trailed off, glancing back. The soldier you fancied had already run off somewhere. Likely to chase after the nobles, or maybe sniff out Chrom.

“You do not sound certain.” He was not convinced, “Would you like to talk about what’s troubling you? Perhaps I could be of assistance.”

“I’d hate to bother you with it. It’s…rather trivial, really. And it involves my courtship.”

Frederick did not hesitate, waving a dismissive hand. “I am your ally and friend, above all else. If your relationship troubles you, I wish for you to feel safe enough that you can confide in me.”

The two of you headed away from the camp, finding a peaceful patch of wildflowers to take a moment and enjoy the quiet.

He could practically see the discomfort radiating off you, and it did make him worry about what was going on.

Thankfully, it would not take long for you to explain what the issue was.

“He’s…he’s a good person, I think. We get along more often than not, but lately it feels like he’s not looking to spend time with me.” You sighed, resting your chin on your palm, “It feels like he’s using me to get close to others.”

“Others of notable rank.” Frederick added. You glanced over at him, and he shrugged. “It is not subtle, Robin. He is not as careful as he thinks he is.”

“So you suspect ulterior motives?” Your question was met with a ready nod, the man just shrugging in response. “I asked him about it. He said he’s trying to get close to the nobility for both our sakes. He wants our ‘family’ to have an easier life, an easier path than what he and I have as…non-nobles.”

Frederick had worked very hard to suppress the choke when you said the word “family”. 

“I see. And do you intend to…settle down with this…individual?”

“I don’t know what I intend to do.” You shook your head, “We’ve only been dating for a few months! We’re nowhere near serious enough for that to have crossed my mind. But it's clear he wants it, and if he’s trying to do all this, er, connection building with the royals and nobles of Ylisse, then…I don’t know, maybe it’s good?”

“But if you aren’t looking to marry him…”

“There's no reason for him to say all that.” You huffed, “I don’t know what I want. The way Lissa and Sumia talk about love, it seems like they’re sure. But when he spoke of marriage and family with me…I don’t know, it didn't make me feel sure.”

“It is certainly a conundrum.” Frederick agreed with you, looking up at the sky. “If you wish to hear my point of view-”

“-Which I do-”

“-I do not believe that he is pursuing the nobility with good intentions. I do not mean to speak ill of his character, but he is not the first nor the last to use others as a means to build his reputation.”

“So you don’t think that he’s doing it for ‘us’?” 

Frederick hesitated, looking at you for a long moment. “I do not wish to demean his character, especially when he is not able to defend himself. But…I do not feel that he has the right intention. His actions betray his words, Robin.”

You looked away, frown deep. “Yeah.”

He felt that he said something wrong in that moment, finding a twist in his heart when he saw the hurt in your eyes.

“I did not mean to upset you. I just…I have seen this behavior before. There are many who would find ways to get close to the nobility to enrich themselves. Many friendships and relationships have been broken in the name of self preservation.”

“It makes sense.” You agreed, though you were still unable to really look at him. Frederick wanted to reach out, to hold your hand or put a comforting arm around your shoulders, or…anything to alleviate that pain.

“I’m sorry. And if it is any consolation, I may not be correct- if you speak with him again, perhaps he will tell you his true motives or-”

“No, I don’t think so.” You shook your head, “He does push me away when he gets a chance to get close to one of the Shepherds he wants to speak to. And he’ll forget me in a conversation to focus on others. I went along with it for a while because I didn’t want to deal with the fallout, I guess. But the fact remains that he’s…definitely not with me for me.”

Frederick sighed softly, finding the confidence to at least put a hand on your shoulder. You leaned into his touch, still distraught, but welcoming of his comfort, at least.

“I’m sorry, Robin. I hope that by telling you these things, it does help you more than harm you.”

“Thanks, Freddybear.” You smiled softly, even if he did roll his eyes. “It’s always comforting to know you’re looking out for me. I value your opinion greatly, even if it doesn’t seem like it, sometimes.”

“Most of the time.”

“Perhaps, yes.” You laughed, if only for a few sweet seconds. A comfortable silence fell over the two of you, staring out at the moonlit flowers. “Well…I suppose I ought to get it over with sooner rather than later, right?”

“It doesn’t have to be tonight. You’ve dealt with enough stress as it is. Some rest may do you quite well.” 

“I suppose you’re right,” You agreed, but the conversation had to pause suddenly when the sound of hurriedly crunched leaves reached your ears.

You both turned to find Chrom all but rushing through the thicket into the valley with you, and he heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the two of you.

“Thank the gods, you’re both here. Robin, are you aware that your, er, partner is waiting outside my tent?” 

You shared a look with Frederick. “No, I wasn’t. Why is he…?”

“I don’t know. I was dozing off one moment, and the next he was standing at the entrance asking if I’d like to discuss politics and strategy and whatever else- I-I don’t even know what, but I just laid there and stayed silent for fifteen minutes, and he still wouldn’t leave!”

“Ah.” You shook your head,  earning a sympathetic look from Frederick. “I’ll go have a word with him, and after that, hopefully you won’t have to worry about dealing with his antics ever again.”

“Sounds good.” Chrom’s shoulders dropped with relief, “If it’s all the same, do you mind if I stay here a little while, Frederick? I snuck out the back of the tent and I don’t plan on going back if he’s still going to hover at the entrance for a while. The man is…creepily determined.”

“Understood, milord.” Frederick rose to his feet, offering his hand to help you up as well. 

You nodded to both of them, “I’ll go handle this right now. If I don’t come back, it’s because I’ve collapsed in my tent out of sheer exhaustion.” 

“Please let me know if you need anything, Robin.” Frederick said, his hand still lingering in yours. “Oh, and…if I may…”

“Yes?”

“I want you to know that I would never take you for granted, or use you for my own ends. I respect you, and value you too deeply to ever allow that to happen.”

“O-oh…um…” You blushed, stunned by the sudden admission. Your hand slipped away to nervously tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, “Well, thank you, Frederick. That means a lot.”

You lingered only a moment longer before you headed off to complete your less than enjoyable task, leaving the two men to watch after you in the dark.

Chrom glanced over at the knight, who seemed keen not to lose sight of you.

“That wasn’t exactly subtle, Frederick.”

“I am aware.”

“What happened to playing the long game?”

“There is no game to be played, milord.” Frederick smiled softly, “It is only my wish to seize this opportunity, to become closer with Robin now that it has presented itself.”

“I wish you luck, my friend. Though I doubt you’ll need it- she does tend to have a strange taste in men. You ought to be courting her in no time.”

“Milord, please.”

[abbottmenty]

Melissa : *To Jacob & Gregory * Why are you both wearing flower crowns? Jacob & Gregory: *With little Avani on his lap* Avani, has named us both rulers of this bounteous domain that is our house and apparantly you can not be a proper ruler without a crown. Barbara: And the mountain of blankets and pillows? Jacob: Our glorious throne, obviously. Lissa and Barb: Right... obviously. Bonus: Janine quietly sitting in her corner reading her book and supervising the three

[kradogsrats]

kind of sad I deliberately didn't plan a lot of dark magic spells into NCNE because I actually really like writing them:

He unrolled the map provided by the scouts, weighing down its corners with stones, then laid out the implements for the spell on top of it—the jar of wisps, a closed folding knife set on top of a loosely rolled strip of thin cloth, and a small, well-worn mortar containing the inert stone they would rely on to lead them, along with its matching pestle. Lissa drew a sharp breath, startled, when he snapped open the knife and casually nicked the skin at the base of his wrist. He stretched his hand over the mortar, allowing several drops of blood to fall onto the stone inside. Ignoring the blood continuing to well from the cut, he picked up the pestle and struck a single downward blow to the stone that crumbled it with unnatural ease. A snap of his fingers sparked a flame among the resulting fine gravel, which wavered for a moment before flaring eerily violet as it caught and devoured the stone’s remains in a way no normal fire could. Kpp’Ar lifted the jar of wisps and held it above the mortar, his eyes flashing the same glow as the flames before clouding into the swallowing black of magic. He spoke, the sounds inhuman, guttural hisses that made Lissa's skin crawl. She glanced toward Sarai and saw her eyes tighten, and even King Harrow looked uncomfortable. Only Commander Amaya had no reaction. The wisps seemed to leech the violet light from the fire, taking on its color for themselves as the flames guttered and died. Kpp’Ar opened the jar and held it aloft, speaking another spell in a harsh, choking series of consonants. The wisps rose gracefully out of the jar and into the air above them, clustered tightly together. Then they burst apart like a soundless firework, trailing faint tails of light as they coiled off in all directions. Kpp’Ar’s eyes remained blank voids as he turned his attention to the map. He swept his thumb over the clotting blood from his wrist and pressed it to the paper, at the place that marked the location of the Breach. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a fan of thin red lines spread from beneath his thumb, trailing across the map in the same directions as the wisps. Most gradually faded as they went, reduced to creeping, hair-thin traces barely visible in their meandering. Several, however, angled and converged into a single thick trail and picked up speed. Lissa watched as it swept confidently across the paper, her heart sinking as it passed landmark after landmark, steadily increasing the distance. Finally it stopped, blossoming into a mark like a thumbprint—a perfect twin of the one left when Kpp’Ar lifted his hand away.

[crapmagak]

Fe4 Remake Predictions

Alright, yet again, a nintendo direct is around the corner. And yet again, we might get the Genealogy of the Holy War remake revealed. Personally, my guess is probably not, but it’s a soft probably not.

That all being said, every time a direct arrives, I tell myself I’ll post my predictions for what the Fe4 remake will look like, but never get around to finishing it. So fuck it, Imma post my predictions today before it’s too late.

Prediction 1: The map design will remain mostly untouched. Fe Echoes had a lot of respect and reverence for the old game, and those maps arguably need much more touching up than Genealogy’s. 

Prediction 2: Presentation wise, however, I think these maps will be stylized visually in some way. After all, most maps in Fe4 are the size of entire countries. Maybe the overworld units will be sprites again. Maybe the maps will do some fancy HD2D shit. Can’t say it will be either of those for sure, but some kind of visual abstraction will be employed to make the maps work.

Prediction 3: There will be slight adjustments to the trading system. Characters can still only do it with their spouses, but there’d be slight quality of life changes like getting to choose exactly how much money is given. Still gotta due pawn shop shenanigans to give weapons to non spouses, however.

Prediction 4: The love system will be fully replaced with a simple support system. Pretty much everyone is expecting this, though.

Prediction 5: Only the Castle Towns you start a chapter in will have free roaming segments where you can talk to characters, give them gifts, order food, ect. Since usually there’s a bit of a time skip between chapters and all. The castle towns you visit mid chapter will be more like the towns in echoes.

Prediction 6: There will be an avatar character. I know, I know, it’d be for the best that there wasn’t. However, the main reason an avatar wasn’t included in echoes was because of the story structure. It’d be a lot easier to introduce an avatar character in Fe4. And of course, this is the entry in the series that introduced romance. Story wise they’ll be a tactician for house Chalphy. I also think they’ll make the avatar another manakete who never actually transforms, mostly so they don’t visibly age during the second generation (So it’s less weird when they let you romance those characters as well). You will also get your own child unit/ an apprentice character if you haven’t S supported anyone yet. There will also probably be a lot of “I’m sad my S/O died” angst.

Again, this is not the timeline I desire, merely that which I believe will most likely come to fruition.

Prediction 7: There will be a small handful of new playable characters in the game. Most likely there to round out the cast balance wise, so probably a new ax unit for each generation, and maybe a new mage or wyvern knight. Maybe we’ll even get a token good dark mage.

Prediction 8: The replacement gen 2 characters will still be in the game. They’ll probably get their own unique supports as well. 

Prediction 9: The child characters will probably be rebalanced a little, most so the players can sail their favorite ships without crippling the usefulness of their children. 

Prediction 10: Most of the cousin incest will be removed in the english version. This will mostly come in the form of every potential second generation cousin pair having their S support be written more platonically, and if they actually are cousins, they’ll become “companions” instead of married. Think Owain and any of his potential cousins in Awakening. However, some pairs will slip through the cracks. Like a Lissa sired Morgan with a Chrom sired Inigo/ Brady in Awakening. Arvis and Deirdre’s situation will remain uncensored since it’s both plot important and not exactly a good thing. 

Prediction 11: There will be references to Thracia 776, but mostly in Lief’s support. A whole lotta “You remind me of an old comrade of mine” and “Hey Nana, this reminds me of…”.

Prediction 12: The DLC will be some kind of non canon alternate timeline thing where you get to control both the first and second generations, and you get a lot of interactions between them.

Can’t wait to see how wrong I end up being.

[skoulsons]

uhh inspired by the Winter embrace, Lissa’s chappy 2, and that one joel and ellie post-David hug that Paws did where they’re sitting next to each other and joel hugs her. you know the one

-

“Cee!”

It was a guttural plea. He’d been screaming her name so much that it became a mix of unorganized sounds amidst heavy pants—no longer a comprehensible word. His voice was shaking, breaking more with every breath.

His stump was bleeding. Cee was gone. The hallways were a maze. Cee was gone.

Ezra raced through the halls, propelling himself past each turn with his only arm. His stump stung with every step and attempted swing of his arm, blood still pouring out from the newly opened wound. His right side was coated in it, the blood starting to seep into his waistband and trickle down his leg.

He approached another turn in the hallway and extended his arm, bracing himself for another quick swing around the corner. His fingers grazed the wall but he didn’t catch the corner. Ezra’s built up momentum sent him into the opposite wall and brought him to his knees. He coughed, using the wall and his good arm to try and push himself up to continue his search for Cee.

He coughed again once he was back on his feet. “Ce-”he started before his eyes fixed to the scene in front of him.

It all came into Ezra’s focus slowly. Cee, first. She was kneeling on someone. Her left leg was bent, kneeling on the unnamed person’s chest. Her right leg was also bent, the tip of her shoe to her knee pressed flat into the ground beside the body. She was bent over, her face and both her hands close to the body’s head. He watched her back intently, watching for it to move in tandem with her breath. Her breathing was sporadic and uncontrolled, full of panic. Her hair was disheveled, multiple knots coating the back of her head. She was without a shoe on her left foot and there was a gash along her calf on the same leg.

Second, the man beneath her. The dead man. There was a hint of pride in Ezra seeing the corpse under her and knowing she did it. But his pride quickly soured when he realized that she did it.

He wasn’t there to do it. Whatever this man did or attempted to do to her, he wasn’t there. She had to defend herself. His little bird ended up in a dangerous situation that he couldn’t save her from.

He’s supposed to protect her. Even with one arm, he’d sworn to protect her. That’s his job, anyway. She’s capable, but she shouldn’t have to be.

He should’ve been there. He should’ve strung the man up by the muscles in his fingers. He should’ve spent what strength he had left in his only arm to bruise each and every one of the man's ribs. He should’ve made small but painful cuts in the man's limbs—incisions along the major arteries in his arms and legs. He should’ve taken an ear, teeth, his tongue, or any number of toes from the man while he was alive. Anything, anything to prove that no one goes near Cee.

Third, all the blood. There was a pool of warm, crimson blood still pouring out from the man's abdomen and flowing towards the opposite wall. It was building up under Cee’s right leg, seeping into her pant leg and starting to flow towards Ezra.

His hearing then caught up with his vision. Cee. She was panting, dry heaving… crying. Her form was shaking, her shoulders bouncing with each hiccup she let out.

Ezra’s breath caught in his throat hearing her cries. “Cee!” He shouted, urgently pushing off the wall towards her. He didn’t make it four steps before he tripped over himself, his knees colliding with the floor again. He caught himself with his arm, immediately pushing himself back up and half-crawling the rest of the way to Cee.

He crawled to the left side of the body, settling on his knees on Cee’s left side. He could see what had transpired now that he was up close.

The five inch blade of her knife was plunged into the man’s jugular. Cee’s right hand, covered in blood, was shaking while still holding onto the handle. Tears were hastily falling down her cheeks and dropping off her chin, mixing with the blood on the man’s neck. She was still dry heaving and hiccuping, unaware Ezra was next to her. He looked at Cee’s face, her gaze locked on the man.

Ezra looked where her gaze was fixed. The man’s eyes were wide open—dead and bleak. He reached over and closed them. That’s when Cee noticed him.

She turned, her knee still pressed into the man’s chest. The bloody knife that was just hidden in the man’s throat was now held a hair from Ezra’s. He caught her forearm just in time, holding it tightly as he found her eyes and checked her face.

Four traces of blood followed her jawline down to the bottom of her neck—traces that accurately resembled bloody fingers and the streaks they leave when they’re dragged along a surface. There was a gash in her lip and blood in the corners of her mouth. Her nose and cheeks were covered in speckled blood as well.

“Little bird,” he whispered, his eyes begging for her to recognize him, “it’s me. It’s Ezra.”

Cee’s eyebrows twitched as her eyes darted between his. In his hand, her arm started to shake. She opened her mouth and quickly closed it, swallowing the bile that was building up. Cee tore her gaze from Ezra’s and looked past him, then between them, then beside her. Before her eyes even made it to the dead man’s face, Ezra let go of her arm and immediately found her right cheek.

“Hey, no…” he said, gently directing her face back to see him. “Look at me.”

He kept his hand against her cheek as she glanced back at him. She swallowed again before focusing on her shaking hand that found a resting place on his good shoulder. Her lips quivered as she dropped the blood covered knife, the blade clanking on the floor beside Ezra.

“Birdie,” he breathed, a small stroke of his thumb over her cheek. “Are you with me, Cee?”

Her breathing hitched. Her voice cracked as she choked on tears. “Ezra?” She questioned.

Ezra let out a breath he was subconsciously holding. “It’s me, little bird,” he said.

Her breathing continued in uneven sputters as she bowed her head and let her forehead hit his chest. Ezra moved his hand from her cheek to her back and wrapped it securely across it, squeezing her right shoulder.

His missing arm, a phantom longing he could only describe as agonizing and desperate, craved to hold her. If there wasn’t someone in his life who deserved it, he wouldn’t have cared less about losing it. If there wasn’t a kid in his life who deserved more than 50% of what he could give, he wouldn't have cared less about losing it. If there wasn’t a little girl in his life who, now, he realized all he wanted to do was give 110% for, he wouldn’t have cared less about losing it.

But now there was.

He squeezed her shoulder tight, pulling her body against him. She buried her face deeper into his neck as he pulled her into him, rocking them lightly back and forth. She heaved and coughed beside his neck, trying to catch the breath she’d so desperately lost.

“Here, birdie…” he whispered, falling backwards to sit on the ground next to the body. Cee pulled from him slightly, helping them scoot back to the wall. Once his back hit it, Cee sat beside him, slightly embarrassed.

She was still crying, dried tears and blood along her chin and down her neck. “I lost… track o’ you… and then he… he was… he said…” she stopped, rubbing her forearm across her nose to wipe the snot away.

Ezra took that opportunity to squeeze his arm between her back and the wall and pull her body towards him again. He wrapped his arm across her back again, pulling her into his chest and keeping his hand held tightly to her left shoulder.

She reciprocated it as best she could. She turned into him, her left arm going down by his right side and holding onto the fabric at his waist. Her right hand held onto the fabric on his left side. She buried her face in his chest, right next to his bloody stump.

Ezra rested his chin atop her head. He exhaled, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “Kevva, Cee, I…” he trailed off.

For once, he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know how to express the panic when she was no longer beside him. He didn’t know how to express the urgency in his strides as he raced to find her. He didn’t know how to express the desperation in his kills, not knowing who could’ve taken her and making sure that every single person took their last, most painful breath. He didn’t know how to express the fear that there was a chance she was gone—not that he’d ever truly let that chance reach any level of certainty.

She rested her cheek against his chest, eyeing his stump. She pulled her left hand back from his waist and pressed it to his stump. When she brought it back, fresh blood was on her fingers. “Wait, what…” she stopped, attempting to choke her tears away, “why’s your stump bleeding?”

Ezra smiled lightly, but kept it to himself. I suppose my worried reaction and urgency looking for you surprised some unkind onlookers. “Nothin’ you need to worry about, birdie.” He rubbed her back again. “Soon, once you’ve relaxed, I can take care of you. Then, we can focus on that.”

“But it could get infected…”

“So could that gash in your leg.”

Cee sighed, pulling at the fabric of his shirt. She kept her cheek pressed to his chest, focused on calming her breathing and slowing her heartbeat.

Ezra pressed his lips to her head briefly before pulling away. “I commend your concern, little bird, I do, but I will be fine. Let me take care of you.”

[sorinethemastermind]

Fluffcember 2024: Snowed In | Rayllum & Sorvus & Clauderry Callum is determined to ask Rayla to be his girlfriend this Winter Break. But if he can't even start a fire, how is he supposed to create the perfect moment? Soren has decided to stay on campus this Christmas, but with Rayla and Callum as his only company, he's starting to feel like a third wheel. Except maybe it's not just the three of them left on campus after all. Meanwhile Claudia is trying to have a nice Christmas with her family, but maybe her family isn't at home...

 Usually Terry would have loved to be snowed in with his girlfriend. He still loved to be snowed in with his girlfriend. His girlfriend’s family… not quite so much. 

 But what was a bad situation but a chance to make things better? Nowhere to go but up! That’s what he told himself, anyway, when Claudia suggested they all gather in the living room after dinner for a board game night.

 Viren had said he was busy and Lissa had muttered that he was always conveniently busy when it was time to spend time with his family, after which Viren had cheerily decided that he did, in fact, have time to play boardgames with them. In fact, he was going to take the rest of the day off from work to do just that.

 Claudia had beamed at them both and jumped up, clapping her hands together as she rushed around to gather various games from across the house and compile them in the living room.

 Now it was time. Dinner had been eaten (silently, except for Claudia) and the two girls were gathering some snacks from the kitchen before they began. Terry glanced out of the corner of his eye at Viren. He was scowling at his phone, swiping through messages as though each had personally wronged him. Terry did not want to be whoever he was texting. 

 He considered waiting for the man’s mood to brighten, but it rarely did. Here goes nothing, Terry thought. Or everything.

 “Ahem. Uh, Sir, uhm, Claudia’s dad?”

 Viren took a moment to finish what he’d been typing, exit out of the text thread, and turn off his phone before turning to face him. “Yes?”

 Terry shot a quick glance towards the kitchen, making sure that the others were still distracted. “I wanted to talk to you about Claudia.”

 “Oh? And what about her?”

 Terry swallowed, and then it all came out in a single breath. “Spending the holidays with the both of you really matters a lot to her. It’s all she’s been talking about for months and months! And I won’t pretend to understand what happened between you and your ex-wife, and Claudia is strong and resilient, but I think that it would mean a lot to her if she could feel like you’re all a happy family, for just a little bit. Especially with her brother not being here.”

 Viren stared at him for a moment, forehead creasing into a scowl. “You’re right. You do not understand what happened between Lissa and I.” Then he sighed, the scowl fading. “But I will think about what you said.”

 “Thank you, Sir.”

 “I’m not some noble lord, Terry. Call me Viren.”

 “Yes, sorry. Viren.” Terry corrected himself, giving the man a smile.

 Viren glanced at him for a moment, then directed his gaze to the kitchen, where Terry could see Claudia spinning about as she pulled things down from the shelves before passing them to her mother.

 “You care about my daughter very much, don’t you?” Viren said, more a statement than a question. Terry answered it anyway.

 “How could I not? Just look at her.” he sighed, smile widening. “She’s perfect.”

 “I agree.”

 Terry glanced over at him, a little surprised. He thought it might have been the first nice thing he’d said since they’d arrived at the cabin.

 Viren let out a small chuckle upon spotting his expression. “Claudia is my daughter, I realized she was wonderful long before you did, Terry.” He let out a long sigh then, expression darkening. “I have always been willing to do anything for my family. I try to push them to be the best versions of themselves they can be. The strongest and greatest. But sometimes I can’t help but wonder if, perhaps, I’ve also pushed them away.”

 “You’re talking about Soren.”

 “Yes.”

 Terry wasn’t sure what to say to that, and they both fell silent for a moment. Finally, he asked; “What did you think was the strongest and greatest version of him?”

 “I’m not sure I know anymore.” Viren admitted. “I think maybe… it was too different from who he was. Who he is.” He sighed. “He reminds me a lot of his mother.”

 “And that is… hard for you?”

 “Sometimes.”

 “Have you ever told him that?”

 Viren scoffed. “Of course not.”

 “Maybe you should.”

 Whatever moment they’d been having ended abruptly as Viren got up, tone sharpening again. “You know less about these things than you act like you do.”

 “I’m sorry.” Terry said hurriedly, not entirely sure what had changed. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

 Slowly, Viren sank back down onto the couch. “I suppose you are a part of this family as well, now. Aren’t you, Terrestrius?”

 Terry gave him a nervous smile. “I think that’s up to you.”

 “It’s up to her.” Viren jerked his head in the direction of the kitchen. “And she likes you. So I will trust my daughter’s judgement. If you make her happy, then I suppose you are here to stay.”

 Terry’s smile widened. “Well, thank you.”

 “Do not thank me. I had no choice in the matter.”

 “You had a little bit of a choice.” Terry offered.

 “Then don’t make me change my mind.” Viren said, picking up his phone again and returning to tapping at it.

 “Yes, Sir. I mean, uh, Viren.”

 The man rolled his eyes, smiling almost imperceptibly, but Terry caught it.

[youlikefanficdontyousquidward]

Cursed

Summary: It's called a curse for a reason and when the werewolf escapes and causes harm Jack is left floundering.

Sequels bb!! Original story here. Also given the vampire a little more backstory here again for fun so sorry if you don't want LORE...or more cameos.

Vampire!Reader x Jack Russell

Warnings: animal death, blood, panic attacks, angst, once again these idiots are in love

Translations right at the end 👍

It still felt odd to say you and Jack were dating now but what else do you call two people who love one another and live together.

"Married." Ted chimed in, laughing when you almost dropped your phone. Your frowned at him from your pacing but his smile was infectious and you found yourself laughing with him.

"That make you my new brother in law then?" You joked. Ted gripped your shoulder, shaking you gently as the laughter continued. Since learning how to understand him you'd become a double act, teasing Jack relentlessly. Though in his absence the traitor had turned on you. You flopped down on the sofa next to him, frowning at the lack of messages before tossing your phone aside.

It was another full moon tomorrow and Ted had returned to assist you at Jack's request. It'd been 3 moons since you survived a night at the castle with the werewolf. However each time since then he seemed to be getting worse. More violent and more aggressive with each change, howling behind the bars. It'd frightened Jack when you told him and you'd been banned from staying with him in the cellar.

It was strange, he'd been rather sweet once you'd found him again in the castle. He'd chased everyone else off and you'd spent some time tracking his heart beast. The wolf had stalked towards you in the dim room you'd finally found him in. The moonlight filtering in from the stain glass window and illuminating his soft expression in a rainbow of colours.

He was still stunning like this, bright amber eyes and protruding teeth doing little to rob Jack of his beauty. You'd done as he had instructed you to, just in case of something like this. Keeping your head level and eyes on his as he sniffed the air.

You'd seen the recognition return behind the wolves eyes before he'd hunched back to all fours. You watched curiously as he tore the pillows from the chaise longue, pilling them haphazardly in the corner of this parlor. Then he'd pulled the curtains, tearing them down and padding atop them.

"You making yourself a little bed?" You'd asked at last. His eyes snapped to you and you stilled again. He moved back towards you, shoulders shifting beneath the fur. Stopping by your feet he let out a whine from the back of his throat.

"Oh? Right! yes, thank you." You smiled closed lipped, worried a flash of fang might be seen as threatening to him like this. You followed the wolf back to the pillows, sitting crossed legged with him squatting by you.

He was close, inhaling deeply as he appraised your reaction. You patted the pillow ahead of you humming your approval. Then when his gaze persisted you shifted to lean against them. He'd settled at that flopping hard beside you and burying his nose to your neck.

It tickled as he rubbed against the skin there, huffing hot breathes before moving higher to your jaw. He repeated this for some time before he seemed satisfied and curled against you.

When back to the cabin you told Jack about this. He seemed appreciative that you'd not been in danger. However that didn't change how he treated the next moon. After all, he'd explained, an animal can be unpredictable.

Jack returned the next morning to find you asleep against Ted's arm. He said his greetings as you awoke, kissing your temple.

"You trying to wait up?" He smiled. He moved around the room, drawing the curtains against the rays of dawn. Your groaned, stretching before flopping back against the chair.

"Yeah...Was your trip nice?" You asked, rubbing your head against the throbbing headache.

"Yeah, Lissa was happier than I thought she'd be to see me." Jack admitted sitting on the arm of the sofa. "Been a long while since we celebrated together."

You hummed as Jack ran his hand through your hair. "Told you so."

He laughed lightly, leaning back down to kiss your forehead.

"Oh Ted, I got you some records. Left them by the player outside." Jack said, earning an appreciative sound from Ted. He wandered up and out, the shadow from his frame better at blocking the suns glow coming from the curtain.

"We really need to get new ones." Jack hummed as he took Ted's place by your side.

"You think Lissa would like to meet me?" You asked suddenly.

"Oh... I don't see why not." Jack fumbled at the odd question. You'd seemed very supportive of reconnecting when he'd told you about his sister. Even insisting on helping prepare sweet treats for their family's graves before he left.

"If you don't mind me asking, where's this come from?" He questioned.

"Well you met Eric, suppose that's it for family for me. Still feels odd, last time I courted we were calling it courting." You mumbled.

Jack knew well enough now that if a blush was possible it'd be burning your ears right now. Your arm had come to rest over your eyes and Jack pulled it gently away. He reveled in your embarrassment for a moment before leaning down to kiss you gently.

"Suppose at some point I could introduce you to my oldest friend, he's still alive." You hummed when you parted.

"I'd be delighted to meet him." Jack smiled. "And as for Lissa if she doesn't call there's always next Día de Muertos. Speaking of which I have something for you too..."

Something was an understatement. Jack seemed to have spent most of his trip picking up little trinkets and souvenirs to show you on his return. You shared the day listening intently to stories from his trip but all good things come to an end.

When your strength was returning and the daylight ebbing Ted ushered Jack down to the basement. Then when he returned Ted was frowning at you.

"I know, I know. I promised I'd hunt tonight. You think it'll help?" You asked as you moved to the door.

"Help you for sure." Ted grumbled. He was right, in your concern for Jack and joy of living here you'd forgone your own health. Your eyes were bloodshot, red rimmed and bruising eye bags surrounded them. You'd felt sluggish all week and despite Jack's absence had not remedied it yet.

"You know what I mean Ted." You probed. His shoulders shrugged as he made his way to you.

"I think your scent being further might, yes. Now go before I shove you." He pressed ushering you to the night.

It was cool, the November air almost biting but it'd been a long time since that'd bothered you. The stars twinkled in the clear sky and a low breeze sent the promise of deer through the pines.

You didn't begrudge Jack his condition but in moment like this you did wish yours was more temporary. You scolded yourself for the thought, at least you go to keep your right mind. For the most part anyway.

This thirsty? A hunt was a rather dangerous proposition. Your throat burned all afternoon, your stare catching on Jack's jugular more than you'd admit. You promised years ago never to touch human blood again and you'd been true to that. Sure you were weaker without it but you slept soundly.

The deer you stalked traveled alone and was stationary as you approached. It's head bent as it lapped at a puddle. In a rush of air and fang it was down and twitching. In your right mind you didn't relish the struggle but now its fresh blood washing down your throat thrilled you. You were snarling against its throat when you heard it.

SNAP

Your head whipped up, wide eyes searching for the interruption. You were painfully aware how this looked. The blood dripping down your chin, cooling in the night air. Moments passed in silence until you heard the heart.

By now you'd recognize it deaf, Jack or specifically the werewolf. You rose a fraction at a time, keeping your eyes on the glint of his eyes in the dark. He'd gotten so close and you cursed yourself for being so distracted.

A shame burned through you and you glanced to your bloody hands. It was barely a second but it was enough. Your stare no longer holding him in place the wolf pounced.

He was heavy, crashing into you and sending you to the ground. You shrieked but his hands grabbed your own pinning them to either side of your head. You stilled, his heaving form hunched over you, face wild with frustration. The bright amber of his eyes was lost behind the swell of dark from his blown pupils.

"Jack?" You whispered but he roared into your face. You squinted against the sudden rush of air. Still he didn't attack just huffing above you before his nose was on your neck. It was warm and almost pleasant, tickling up to just under your chin before his hot tongue swiped out.

He lapped against your bloodied face before his attention returned to your throat. A deep rumble came from deep in his chest and his tongue dragged across your skin. You shivered under his touch before you felt the nip of fanged teeth.

Suddenly he wasn't Jack, he wasn't the wolf, he was your sire. Pinning your struggling form into the dirt as you screamed and he bit. Pain erupted, cold blood oozing out from fresh indents in your skin. Your chest heaved and fell in quick succession, blinding pain in your skull like midday exploding behind your eyes.

You managed to pull your legs between you both and kicked up hard. He went flying, crashing against a tree with enough force to fell it. A howling yelp shot straight through your skull as you scrambled back.

Jack, the wolf regained his footing, shaking his head. In the light of the moon he was whining and limping back towards you. You blood continued to ooze coolly, saturating the shirt you wore and the skin around the wolves lips.

Ted's roar sounded and when the wolf turned to his approach you ran.

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

Jack awoke with an ache in his chest that he couldn't place. Blind in the sun he reached out for you only to find dirt beneath his fingers. He tore his eyes open, the glare all he could see for just a moment.

Ted was there, hunching low into his line of sight, brows pulled in concern. He was in the woods, not your bed, not the cage and that fact was hell. Before he could even speak your name the taste hit him. Metallic and sharp on his tongue but awfully familiar.

Shakily he brought his muddied fingers to his lips. The dried blood caked to them flaked off and sat russet in his palm. Tears welled as his chest spasmed, he couldn't speak his throat was far too tight.

"They're okay." Ted spoke at last but the relief only lasted a moment.

"Where?" Jack choked out but Ted just shook his head.

The walk back to the cabin was slow going. Each step felt like he was moving towards something awful. All the same he needed to see you, see you were alive. Even if it meant seeing the hatred in your eyes, the disgust.

Nothing could have prepared him for the empty house. For the closest doors open and clothes missing. Ted tried to speak to him, to show him the note but Jack's world was crumbling and he couldn't hear him.

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

"Well we were called the howling commandos" You joked watching the man opposite you stare back in disbelief. You weren't sure his gaping mouth could get any wider but you were eager to test the theory.

"There were no werewolves on the squad, leave him alone y/n." Bucky grumbled next to him.

"Spoil sport." You frowned. "Don't believe him, Steve was a mummy." You joked.

"Hey I just found out Bucky and him were fighting Draculas so don't!" Sam quipped as Bucky groaned.

"Just Dracula singular." He stated.

"Eh think Draculas plural is more accurate." You added.

It'd been a long time since you'd seen Bucky in person. Not long after he got back he'd stopped responding to your calls and messages. You figured he needed time to adjust and didn't want to push it. When you saw his message you it was the perfect excuse to run further.

"God I need another drink" Sam got up to head back towards the bar as you poked at your glass.

"So you gonna tell me whats up?" Bucky asks. You raise your brows to him but he scoffs. "Come on Y/n, you're both the happiest and saddest I've ever seen you. I just wanna know if there's someone I gotta beat up."

"No! no...." You blurt before laughing a little. The humor doesn't reach your voice but you cave. "I fucked up I think."

"Okay... how so?" Bucky asks leaning closer. All at once you feel 100 years younger, sitting with Bucky in a Polish bar, trying to figure this whole vampire thing out. He'd been the only commando not afraid to join you for a drink and the rest was history.

"Things got complicated, messy... I ran." You admitted.

"They hurt you?" He asked pointing to your bandaged throat. It no longer bled through but it was far from healed.

"You don't understand, he's like me, he's not always in control!" You snap to Jack's defense. Bucky's jaw ticks and your curse. "Sorry..."

"You know I know a thing or two about that, and if you want to make amends you gotta let him do so too. He's probably hurting real bad right now." Bucky says.

"Considering I probably broke his ribs I'd say so." You muttered as you let his words sink in. He was right, Jack held a very low opinion of his werewolf side he probably felt pretty bad about now. If he didn't feel justified in attacking another monster that was. Still you wanted to apologize and that was enough reason to head back. Even just to confirm that home was no longer yours.

"How'd he manage that anyway? Pretty sure I saw you shrug off a mortar shell... is it the blood thing?" Bucky asks taking a long swig of his drink.

"Kinda? I mean I'm keeping my promise to Steve but I think it's more because he's a werewolf." You admit. Bucky chokes in his drink, spluttering as Sam arrives back with the next round.

"Werewolves are real?!" He coughs.

"I knew it!" Sam boasts.

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

Ted doesn't leave the cabin. You've been gone for a week now and Jack's barely moved. A part of him worries this has broken him, that his friend will never recover. The other stays hopeful you were being truthful in your note.

"SOS from friend. Be back ASAP."

He curses that friend for their timing, though he wouldn't blame you for leaving. After a water fight he'd finally seen the bites that littered your body. Then the face you'd made in the woods was still burned in his mind. Utter pain and betrayal. Sure was glad Jack didn't remember that, though the taste of your blood on his tongue did enough.

Jack was asleep. He'd been drinking the night before and Ted had to put him to bed. Now he was alone again in the stuffy cabin taking care of the mess as the dusk cast long shadows through the windows.

Ted had gone to open the window when he saw you shifting over a fallen log. Bags in hand, sunglasses in place and stumbling on the overgrown trail. He's outside in a second, door slammed and bouncing back in its frame.

Ahead Ted stares at you and you can't help but drop your bags, surging towards him. Ted grips you the moment you fling yourself up onto his chest, holding you to the soft moss.

"Did you walk here in the sun?" Ted scolds and you laugh into his shoulder. "You should've called!"

"I know, I'm sorry." You say as he places you back onto your feet. "If it makes you feel better I got a lift to the trail start."

Jack stirred from his sleep, head pounding and throat raw. The front door slamming against the walls pierced like a lance to the skull. He groaned, rolling to his feet and stumbling into the brighter living room. The last light of day didn't help his headache but he continued until he heard your laugh.

His feet move of their own accord, the siren song drawing him to the porch. Ted's shoulders hunch low as he leans over to talk before he turns. The light hits your hair, haloing around your face and it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

Jack's stare cuts deeper than any knife, any stake, any wound you've ever felt. Bucky was right, he was so right. Jack's a mess, red tiered eyes, unshaven, mess of greying hair sticking up at every angle and he's the most perfect thing in the world right now.

You don't know how to start. What to say to him or even if you should approach. Though when his knees buckle and he slumps to his knees your rushing to him. Sliding to your knees and pulling him to you tightly. His arms don't wrap around you though and you shift back as if stung. His glassy eyes are on your throat and a shaking hand rises to the wound.

"No, no. See its okay." You babble out as your own tears well. Pealing the gauze away you reveal the scabbing wound. Its still angry, still raw but no where near the puffy bleeding mess you'd left with.

Not to Jack though. Who'd seen your stake would close and disappear without a trace over the course of a few days. This brutal mark he left on you. Another bite from a monster scarring your skin.

You cannot bare his silence, the thundering of his heart nor the guilt stricken face. You ramble half incoherent apologies between sobs, for not running, for hurting him, for leaving. He doesn't touch you but you freeze under his eyes, finally meeting yours.

"You have nothing to apologize for..." He chokes out. His voice is gruff, raw in his throat. "I'm the one who..."

Jack crumples and his head is on your lap, burying into your stomach. Hot tears soaking into your trousers as he digs his hands into the fabric of your coat.

"Te pido disculpas de corzon, No te imaginas cuánto lo siento." He wails against you. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...I"

He doesn't get to finish. He's being lifted under his arms and tackled back against the cabin floor. Your holding him, hugging tightly against him. This time his warm arms embrace you back, his hands stroking your hair as you cry harder.

"I thought you'd hate." You finally mumble against his chest before rising to see his face.

"I thought you'd hate me!" Jack responds his hand brushing against your cheek. "I'm an idiot."

You laugh lightly, leaning into his touch. "I'm an idiot."

"Your both idiots now get off the floor." Ted huffs.

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

Jack doesn't leave your side the entire night. Your legs flung over his and resting your head against his shoulder. A few times you catch his eyes on your neck again and you kiss under his jaw.

He still looks pained, guilty but he's holding onto you. His hands hot against your body and pulling you flush to him. You'd joke about evening the score but it's too soon you can tell. So you just let him hold you, not that your not enjoying it.

"Is your friend okay now?" Ted asks. He hands you both a cup of tea before settling on the floor. You perk up at his question.

"Yes, thank you. He's actually the one who drove me here." You say. Jack shifts under you, rubbing his face into your hair again.

"Your old friend?" He asks softly.

"The very same, he's was pretty worried about you actually. Eager to get me home quick." You admit. Jack kisses your head again before sipping the tea.

"I'll have to thank him, perhaps get his blessings." Jack hums.

"He's still in town actually, you could?" You phrase it as a question but you can feel Jack nodding against you, drinking his tea again when you speak.

"How do you feel about meeting an Avenger?"

He chokes.

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

Te pido disculpas de corazón, No te imaginas cuánto lo siento - I sincerely apologize, you can't imagine how sorry I am

[emsgwenstan]

Holding on to our family

{Larissa Weems x fem niece reader.}

Words: 2k

Warnings: flashbacks, angst, hurt.

Note/summary: after Larissa’s death, y/n heads back to nevermore to tie some loose end or attempt to anyway.

2 miles to Jericho. That’s it. You know how far the township is from the airport like the back of your hand, but for the first time you wish you didn’t because then the sickening feeling wouldn’t be so prominent. You remember the first time you traveled to Vermont from London, you were 14 and she happily greeted you at the station in Burlington.

The sun was unwelcomly shining and casting rays through the branches, she loved the sun, the shadows whipping over the car from the ungodly speed you were doing. “Auntie lissa I’m scared.” You said. “Just go slow sweetheart, I’ll tell you when to change gears.” She smiled. “Ok, oh my- don’t you get scared passing other cars!” You shrieked. “You will be fine just concentrate on your side of the road. I promise you will be ok.” She said. And you believed her. If only she could see you now.

Passing by the Jericho sign you slowed down to take the turn off for nevermore’s drive way. ‘12 minutes’, you thought opting not to speed trying to drag it out for as long as you can. Once the iron gates came into view, your heart paced quicker. The nostalgia filled your senses as you recall how your nevermore days were the best of your life, you had friends, you did well in school, you had the privilege of having a single dorm with your own space and privacy and it was all thanks to her.

Larissa was the one who helped you on your darkest days, lightest and every other one in between, it started from the day you were born, your mother was absent and you father was always busy with his company and running off with his abundance of secretaries. She is- well was your fathers sister, your aunt consequently, but you forgot that most of the time, she was more like both the parents you needed in one, every holiday she would come back to the uk and visit, doing everything she possibly could, like teaching you to drive.

Putting the car in park in the lot that displays ‘reserved for principle L.W.’ You stepped out, the whole 6 feet of you, plus the extra inches from the heels you had on, straightened your blazer, did up the button then smoothed out your signature Weems, platinum blonde hair. The cobblestone clacking the whole trek, as expected once you rounded the corner many eyes set on your figure, students and teachers all going quiet and whispering to each other. Some you still remember.

Not stopping until you climbed the stairs to her office you made it on top of the mezzanine, your eyes flicked to her hanging portrait on one of the far walls. Pacing to the painting you admired it for a moment before you slid it aside to retrieve the spare key. For the first time in two years you stepped through the threshold of her office, it felt weird, wrong, the fire wasn’t alight, her laptop wasn’t resting on top of her desk, but everything else remained in exact place as the last time you saw it.

You walked around the desk to sit in her chair, just like you had many times before. “Here my sweet, sit here, it will be easier to do your homework.” She’d say. “Thanks lissa, you’re not leaving though?” You asked. “No, I am done for the day, but I’ll be right here on the lounge reading for a bit.” She said coming to stand behind your place in her chair, she pressed a kiss to the top of your head and walked over to lay down with her heels removed and legs slung over the edge of the couch. How you missed her.

As you sat tears started to well in your eyes, you discarded your sunglasses tossing them onto the table and rubbed at your eyes. Just then the door rang with a gentle knock. “Y/n?” A small voice asked as the door cracked open. Lifting your head from your hand a small smile graced your face. “Enid, hi.” You said standing, walking over to her with open arms. “I wasn’t sure if you’d come up here.” She said coming into your embrace. “Yeah well I had to some time.” You said. “I missed you.” She huffed into your chest. “I missed you to little lycan.” You said pulling back with wet eyes and a sniff. “Heeyyy, I love the hair.” You said groggily playing with the pink and blue tips. “Thanks.” She said sadly.

A moment went by when she spoke again. “I miss her too.” She said looking around the room. “Yeah.” You mumbled. A noise emanated through the door, you looked at Enid quizzically. “Um that’s Wednesday.” She said spinning on the spot and going to open the door, the girl really was like a storm cloud, literally black and white, just like how Larissa had explained. “Hello Wednesday.” You greeted. She peered at you unblinking until she looked you up and down. You extended a hand for her to shake and hesitantly she did so. “Y/n Weems, I’m Larissa’s niece.” You explained. “She told me a lot about you… don’t worry I don’t bite.” You said looking at Enid. “Well biting isn’t really a worry for you I suppose is it.” You said trying to ease the awkwardness. The look on Enid’s face was priceless, completely red. Wednesday on the other hand her scowl dropped immediately. “Hey that’s what happens when your added to this one’s close friends story on instagram.” You said giggling.

“You look like her.” Wednesday spoke, most likely her way of a shot at a compliment. “Thanks.” You said. “Ok wens we should go now.” Enid said dragging Wednesday behind her. “Horrified to meet you Wednesday.” You said, she peered over her shoulder and smirked, that gave you hope in possibly being on her good side. The door closes behind them and you paced to the middle of the room. ‘Guess I should consolidate with the staff.’ You thought with a sigh. “You will be fine, I know you don’t like talking to people but I’ll be right there the whole time, just waiting in the car.” She said. “I’m so nervous.” You expressed fixing your necklace in the mirror. “I know but you will feel so happy and relieved when you’re done.” She said standing behind you giving a squeeze to your shoulders. “What if they say they don’t want me as an employee?” You asked. “They would be silly not to consider you.” She said guiding you towards the door. In the end you got your first job at the mayor’s office as the receptionist, all thanks to the encouragement of her.

A while later finally finished meeting and greeting a few of the staff to let them know you will be staying for the week, all of them looked at you sympathetically as if they felt sorry for you, but you knew even when Larissa didn’t express it, that not one of them knew her or even cared enough try take some of the schools stress off her. You saw how it would take a toll, how tired she would be but never gave up and she never gave up on you. “Try again.” She nodded. You shifted for the second time and became the spitting image of your father. “Oh dear-.” She laughed, you cackled at the situation. “Out of everyone to pick.” She continued to laugh. “Ok your turn auntie lissa.” Your 15 year old self said shifting back to yourself and perching on her bed.

You hadn’t bothered to go backdown to the car and bring up your bags yet, when you return into the office you go straight to her quarters door. That damn door, how a piece of wood can be so imposing is beyond you, although once the door is unlocked and the hinges creak open you may never walk back out. You slid the key into the hole and twisted until it unlocked, you lent up against the architrave and observed the room, again everything in its place. Pacing inside you went and flopped on her bed, toeing off your heels and kicking them off the mattress, you snatched one of her pillows and hold it to yourself curling your legs up towards your stomach.

For the next hour you laid in the same position hugging onto the pillow like a life line, her sent still remaining. Pachouli, bergamot, vanilla and almost the faint smell of English breakfast tea. You scrolled through the photos in your phone’s gallery, seeing the ones from when you were born and an early twenties Larissa holding you, looking down at you as if her whole world just lit up. The timeline continued on all the way up to your early graduation from college, with Larissa holding onto your waist and you with an arm slung around her shoulders. You turn off your phone and break down sobbing into the pillow.

———

Two days have passed and all you had done is go through Larissa’s photos, clothes, trinkets and make up. You would take one piece of jewellery and wear it during the day just to feel a little bit closer to her, then when night came you would place it back in the exact spot you had taken it from. Nothing was boxed or packed, you couldn’t find it within you to place her things in a crammed space and send them home, this is what she has to show for her life and packing it away didn’t feel like an option.

Over the next two days you hung out with Wednesday and Enid, taking them into town, going to the weathervane, or just for a drive. You never really noticed how much you missed nevermore until now, unless perhaps it wasn’t the school that you truly missed, the memories are bittersweet, only now do they feel tarnished and painful, nevertheless it’s nice to know that you have a home a true home that comes with a chosen family, on the outings with the girls you were mistaken for being Enid’s older sister, to which you’d correct, though the mistake can be made since she’s 16 and you 23, only 7 years apart.

Returning back to school grounds you opted for a walk down to the lake, it felt like just yesterday you had won the Poe cup, having Larissa cheer you on from the side lines. You remember that even before you celebrated with your team you ran straight to her and embraced her with a joyful scream. It was nearing dawn and you decided to go back to your- her room, where you could use sleep as a procrastination.

“Larissa I’m an adult I can do anything I want!” You yelled. “Yes daring I know that but-.” She began. “No! Stop trying to keep me here, I want to go and experience things myself, I will not be rooted in one place like you, I actually need a life!” You exclaimed. Larissa straightened up and cleared her face of hurt emotions, turning into a stern look. “Fine.” She said. Your stomach churned. How disappointed she is. However you stuck it out and left, but before you could reach the door Larissa stopped you and wrapped her arms around your neck and breathed an I love you, one you didn’t return.

You sat up straight in bed gasping as the memory fades from your eyes, you look around to see the dimly lit room still and quiet through watery vision. “I’m sorry.” You whispered into the room. “I’m so so sorry… I love you too, I love you so much.” You said with your voice breaking and your throat sore. It displayed 3:02am on the clock resting on the bedside, you dragged yourself up and out of the tangled sheets to make a tea for yourself wrapping a blanket over your shoulders and back to keep warm.

With the beverage in hand you sat on the floor leaning against the end of the bed in front of the fire place, you were exhausted, the loop of the memory on repeat making every run through more painful. It was true the whole thing was real, you had been irrationally irritable that day, when you visited Larissa to tell her you were thinking of travelling alone across the world, the worst part was that Larissa was the one who actually encouraged you to travel and explore but to be careful and safe and yet you threw her support and generosity and care back in her face as if she were a monster. 

It only took 2 weeks until you were back in contact with one another, Larissa was relieved to know you were ok and you were relieved she forgave you as well as listened to every ‘I’m sorry’ you had to offer. Turns out going back to London to pack and prepare without her wasn’t fun or adventurous at all, if you were to do something, anything, you wanted to share the experience with her, because Larissa wasn’t just your aunt, no, she was practically your mother, roll model and your best friend. That was the last time you visibly saw her, two whole years ago, you would do anything to go back and wrap yourself around her frame and never let her go.

With the tea finished and cup discarded, you went back to bed in hopes of a restful sleep, but of course you weren’t that lucky. The next morning you felt tired and drained in every way, you spent the day walking the grounds, visiting Ophelia hall to see Wednesday and Enid, and finally ending the day with sitting on the floor of Larissa’s walk in closet to flip through the box she kept her year book, newspaper clippings and sentimental things, but it wasn’t just hers it was your things to, the nevermore newspaper from 6 years ago when you had been early excepted into a prestigious university, the hair clips she would put in your hair every time she came to visit when you were little, Polaroids from over the years and dated notes from significant days in the past.

“Y/n, are you ok sweetheart?” She asked looking up at you from her arm chair in the corner of her room. “Yeah…” you said quietly, looking down. “I wanna tell you something.” You murmured. Larissa slotted the bookmark in between the pages of her book and gave you her undivided attention, you pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to her to unfold. “I can’t say it.” You said pacing about the room. You could hear her unfolding the paper and the silence that followed, but a giggle interrupted the raging thoughts in your mind. “Oh darling… that’s ok, that’s wonderful, you shouldn’t be afraid to tell me such a thing. Come here.” She said, you turned and walked to her with your head down, as you sat lightly on her lap snuggled into her chest and tightly wrapped arms, she spoke again. “I love you no matter who or what you love, if you’re interested in girls or boys, vampires or werewolves I don’t mind……. can I tell you a secret?” She asked. “Yeah.” Larissa inhaled and slowly exhaled before she whispered in your ear. “Really?!” You said sitting upright. “Mhmm.” She smiled. “Oh, I was wondering why you didn’t like that nice man we spoke to at the grocery store the other day.” You said, in response Larissa laughed.

11/5/2019- y/n came out to me!

You traced her cursive handwriting at the bottom of the note you handed to her that day with a smile and placed it back in the box as well as putting the lid back on. Standing back up and turning the light off, you had a strange feeling that something wasn’t right, but ignored it. You grabbed the blanket from the bed and threw it over yourself going towards the office to turn off the lamps and stoke the fire before a knock on the door was heard. Walking over to it you opened the door to be met with one of the staff holding a few papers.

“Evening y/n, these were dropped off this afternoon, I thought I should bring them to you… sorry it’s late and I interrupted.” She said holding out the stack. “No it’s ok Melanie, I appreciate that thank you.” You said taking papers. “You have a relaxing night.” She said turning on her heels to leave. “You too.” You said closing the door. Wonderful, just what you wanted, letters with principal applicants, schedules of new school developments, an obituary form and a mediocre memorial service for Larissa. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.” You said. Somehow you internally corrected yourself with the word ‘language’ as if you could hear the statement about to come from her.

Another knock, you rolled your eyes. “Come in.” Nothing but a stretch of silence. “Melanie, if you forgot to tell me something you can come in.” You said walking back to the door. Nothing could have prepared you for what lye behind it, you opened the door and the wind was knocked from you lungs. No. This isn’t real. “Wow, I’m going insane.” You said peering into those bright cerulean eyes, dropping the blanket from your shoulders. When her hand extended to cup your cheek, almost immediately tears ran down your cheeks. “You’re not real.” You breathe. She stepped closer to run her other hand over your hair. You could feel her. You could see her. You could smell her.

You stood still as if you could blink to hard and she’d be gone. “Hello my darling girl.” She said with a smile. As brief as it may be and as much as you didn’t want to you rubbed your eyes knowing she will be gone in a moment trying to flea from this torment…and yet her grip stayed prominent, her smell still lingers and her form remained. You were in pure shock, you brought your shaking hands to her face to trace at it just to be sure. She was there, she was here, she was home and she was finally back exactly where she’s supposed to be, with you.

“I have a lot to explain, but firstly…” she began. “I love you.”

@sabraaabra

[alpydk]

Red on You (Part 6) - "Death of Peace and Mind"

Gale x Rugan - ZhentWeave Shenanigans

Longer chapter today (4k words, it escaped me) - Chaos carries on - Some angst and some loving. - Thanks to @judasiskariot for the song recommendation for this chapter.

Ao3 Link

Don’t suppose you’ve got any more of those spells up that sleeve of yours?”

Leonidas stood on top of the Flagon Dragon, Darnys next to him, who looked unimpressed at the half rescue that was taking place. The fly spell had run out just short of the academy and, despite the fireball spell having taken out a chunk of the shambling creatures below, more had filled in from the Dock and lower Castle Wards.

Gale could barely hear the question over the sounds of the droning below them, the undead again hitting the walls and main gate that struggled against the constant forward waves. He looked down over the streets, knowing another fireball wouldn’t be enough and the fly spell could only be cast if they were close enough.

“Head down through the building, use the hatch in the basement. Hatch to sewers will get you to the academy.”

Hearing the sending spell in his head, Leonidas nodded in understanding, grabbing Darnys and motioning her towards the edge of the building.

She initially struggled, confused at what he was doing. “Wait, isn’t he going to help us?”

“He is helping us. There’s apparently a way under the building to the academy.”

“Of course. Couldn’t just be easy. Guess this is the point where you should just follow me, then.” She took charge, looking down the corner of the walls and tossing her legs over the edge. The drain lay beneath her feet and though her eyes tried to focus on the dizzying sight of the horde beneath them, she reminded herself of the orders she had been given. Follow orders and you’ll live to follow more.

“You know where we have to go?”

Nodding, she threw herself over the edge, her arms and legs holding onto the pipe as she shuffled down it towards an upper window of the tavern. This was no different to any other heist, she thought to herself. Yes, it was in broad daylight, but the guards were as mindless as they ever were, albeit rotting, and the goal was still the same: to break in and claim an expensive item for their own.

---

Watching as the pair retreated in through the tavern window, Gale now found himself alone on the roof of the academy. The day had been passing slowly before them all, and he felt as the weight of his body seemed to overtake him. When had he last truly slept a full night? It certainly hadn’t been last night as he’d drank kaeth and then conversed with paladins, and nights before had been interrupted by Rugan and drunken shenanigans.

Thoughts had largely been about the present danger, but with the moment of reprieve now came back the worries of Gale’s relationship. The plan had been to end things the moment he got back to his tower, but that had been before the risk of death had faced him. Was Rugan even safe? Was he shut up in their tower, surrounded by magical wards with an unlimited supply of scrolls and other artefacts at his disposal, or had he decided to be the self-destructive idiot that Gale knew and loved? He kept in mind that his last sending spell had been received without issue and that was enough to calm him momentarily. A note was made to send another message in a few hours to check in and then go from there. For now, making sure the others survived was the priority.

He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath at what was the come. He’d await Leonidas’ return, gather with the paladins and Lissa and then come up with a strategy to get them all out of there alive. Leaving the roof, he went in search of a quiet corner, one where he could collect his thoughts without the interruption of the moaning in the streets or the odour of decay. In a short while, they would all get out of there alive and find a way to deal with the problem, once and for all.

---

Gale, Seems I’m here with the noose around my neck again. Sort of serves me right really for pissing about like I have been. Wasn’t your fault though, never was. Look, I’ll keep this sweet, you know me. Never been much for conversation.

Rugan put down the quill and sighed. He’d been over every eventuality of the situation he’d found himself caught in, trapped in a wizard’s residence less than a kilometre from the academy. He’d somehow climbed up the guttering and got through a window into an attic, finding that the row of houses had all been connected by various wooden beams suspended over the upper rooms. Using some nimble footwork had got him to the household closest to the school’s tower, but on descending through the stairwell, he’d caught the attention of what was left of the residents and ended up barricaded in a small study. Books lined the walls, parchment and quills had been left abandoned, a bottle of Chultan Fireswill was now completely empty, his nerves having been calmed. He eyed up a crossbow on the wall, wondering if the adorned arrows next to it could even be fired. After hours being there, he could still hear the undead outside the door, no longer banging to get in but shuffling lifelessly upon the rugs, waiting for him patiently, he felt.

He wanted to say words of love, of goodbye, wanted to be poetic in the same manner Gale was with him, but the writing kept failing him. Rugan wasn’t articulate or educated. He’d just picked up what he’d needed as he’d gone ahead in life. He was charming in his own rough way, and that had been enough to woo the odd lass. Everything else he’d just paid for in one way or another. But with Gale, it was all different. Feelings were involved, a heart full to bursting was involved, and most of all, love was heavily involved. He picked up the quill again, dipping it into the inkwell.

There should be an earring with this, white gold with a sapphire stone. It’s to replace your goddess’ tag old one that you don’t use anymore. Don’t worry, didn’t nick it. Bought it. Astarion’ll vouch for me. If he’s made it, that is.

It’s why we were out so much. Were making money, so I could get it for you. Figured I could ask you

He lifted the quill again, frustrated at how difficult this was. Why couldn’t he just say it? He knew he would’ve had to eventually. Marry me, marry me, you idiot. Come on! Just fucking write it.

Scratching at the parchment, he continued, the desperate thoughts kept to himself.

Just know I love you. Don’t go locking yourself away in your tower whilst I’m gone, yeah? Meet some nice lass…or lad, your choice. Just get over yourself and me.

Going to miss your cooking...

R.

--- 

Blankets and covers were not what Andora expected as she awoke in a small bedroom, her blood-soaked robes removed and replaced with a grey button-down shirt, her blonde hair set into a loose braid over her shoulder. All the curtains had been closed and candles had been lit around her, casting the room in an orange glow. She sat up slowly, the feeling of wool under her fingertips welcome after the cold tiles and grime she’d been sitting in for hours earlier.

“Finally, she graces us with her presence.”

The voice was that of the pale elf from the sewers, perched on the edge of a desk to the right of her, a silver goblet in his hand and his scarlet eyes pinned on her.

She gasped, fear overtaking her, and she backed herself away from him, the sheets gathering in front of her as she tried to scramble from the bed.

“Now, love. Calm down.”

Flashes of the scriptorium shot in front of her vision, her high priest’s pustuled flesh, his hands bloodstained, reaching out for her. Her breathing quickened, and she pushed back, falling from the side of the bed and clamouring to the floor. As she lifted her head, she found the elf stood above her, his footsteps too quick and silent to be that of something natural.

“Get back!” She held her palm up, ready to cast a spell, any spell that came to mind, if it meant her escape. “I’ll do it! I’m not scared of you.”

He sighed and sat on the edge of the bed in front of her, sipping his drink, a deep red tinge left on his lower lip, which he licked away slowly with his pointed tongue. “Obviously.”

Andora realised how exposed she was, huddling on the wooden floorboards at his feet, her legs bare and the shirt barely covering her hips. “Where are my robes?” she asked cautiously, one hand still put forth, prepared for an attack, the other tugging at the hem of the grey cotton trying to cover herself. 

“Well, despite the fine material, they’re currently in cinders in the fireplace. You may not have much knowledge about blood, but I do, and whatever was upon them was not something we wanted with us.” 

She lowered her arm in tentative acceptance of his answer, bringing her hand to cover her legs to give herself some decency, her dark eyes still focused on his movements.

He averted his gaze away from her. “There are trousers in the wardrobe, I’m sure.” Vaguely gesturing across the room, he stepped away from her, giving her a moment of privacy to collect herself up.

She was alive. She could feel no sense of fever or pain in her body and in this room for a moment, it felt as if the calamities that had befallen her had vanished.

“Name’s Astarion,” he spoke calmly, patiently waiting for her to change into something more comfortable.

“Andora,” she replied, getting up and searching for something to cover her lower half, still trying to piece together everything that had occurred. “You were in the sewers with me, weren’t you?”

He gave a dry chuckle, straightening the ruffles of his shirt at his pale wrists. “I was. You fainted on me, quite rude an introduction I have to say.”

“And where are we now?”

“From what I can tell, it’s a tavern near the marketplace. I carried you for quite some time and eventually came across a hatch into a basement. We’ve been holed up here since.”

She approached him, leather trousers hanging loosely from her frame beneath the shirt. Something about him made her curious, his calm demeanour, the way he spoke as if he were a rich red flowing into the goblet he held. “Why didn’t you just abandon me there or stay underground?”

Astarion shrugged at her question. The honest answer was that he’d felt some deep stirring emotion, not felt since he’d last seen Tav at the campsite party so long ago. He felt as if he needed to protect her. “I needed to wash all the remains of those creatures off me. Leaving your pretty face just seemed like a waste.” “Well, I appreciate it. I thank Ilmater for your intervention.” Andora bowed her head to him. She could see how he was no longer stained with blood, causing him to appear more dashing than he had previously. She felt the blush in her cheeks as his gaze seemed to pierce right through her and so she turned away, walking towards a window and pulling the curtains slightly apart. The sunlight streamed in, casting a beam up through the room behind her, her imposing shadow thrown up the wall.

“By the hells! What are you doing?!”

The impatient shout was met with the dive of Astarion to the floor, trying to escape the light that hit his features. She spun with the noise, releasing the curtain from her grasp, letting darkness fall over the room again with nothing but the candles to help her see.

“Astarion?” She peered around, not noticing where he had vanished to.

Dusting himself off, he returned to his feet, an irritated look on his face at what she had done. “They are closed for a reason. Keep them that way.”

She was confused at what the purpose of it was. They were a few floors up from the ground where they couldn’t be seen unless they stood by the windows, bringing attention to themselves, and yet he wanted them all shut. It was then that she remembered how he had looked underground, the pointed fangs, the comment of how he had been bitten. Her mind raced through the teachings of the clergy, of curses and creatures of the night, of undead and lycanthropes, of blood rituals and vampirism.

“You’re a...” The words would not come to her, as if saying them would sign her death sentence.

“A vampire. Yes, darling. And one that right now is incredibly tired and hungry, so I suggest you do not turn this into anything too dramatic.” The revelation had been quicker than expected, much quicker than it had been travelling with Tav through daylight hours. He glanced over the arch of Andora’s neck, seeing the way her jugular pulsed with the quickened beat of her heart. He couldn’t deny his hunger, not right now after hours of running and hiding in gloomy alleyways and grungy sewers.

“Are you going to hurt me?” It was a fair question, her experience with vampires severely limited. She’d heard of them during her childhood on the streets, of friends and family selling their bodies to feed spawn, but she’d never come across one herself. He had now pulled her from the sewers, saved her from the disease that had coated her clothing, even braided her hair. Were the stories from the temple wrong about these monsters?

He stepped closer to her, noticing how her body language had changed, more confident, as if this were a hallowed ground she knew how to tread. Fear in her eyes had become something else, something he’d seen in Tav on one distant night under the Sword Coast stars. “Not right now. No.”

“When did you last feed?”

Her question took him back. Was she trying to calculate how much time she had before he turned on her out of desperation, or was she trying to work out when he would be at his weakest so she could stake him and escape? “A day ago. I dared not take a chance on the rats beneath the city.” He answered, not being entirely honest. It had in fact been longer with the travel to Waterdeep and everything with Rugan, and the idea of shit-stained rats was becoming very tempting to him.

She nodded, leaving the safety of the window, and approached him, pushing her braid aside so he could see her neck fully. “Then you need to drink soon, right?” Sacrifice was what she was made for, something she knew how to do without thinking, something she could finally control after all the chaos that had happened. There was also something she couldn’t explain: how she was drawn to him. Attraction? She wasn’t sure, but she wanted to care for him. A fear lay behind his eyes that she knew all too well: prey in the eyes of wolves.

“What are you-” Astarion unexpectedly backed away, her directness something he hadn’t considered.

“Ilmater requires of us that we should be willing to help all, give all we can to help those in need, even if that involves a sacrifice of ourselves. If you need sustenance, then drink of me.”

He batted an arm away from her, not accepting her words. He knew the gods all too well, having tried his luck with all of them in his two hundred years of servitude to Cazador. Anyone who devoted themselves to them was clearly deranged. “My gods, you’re insane. Out of all the ones to find...”

“Astarion. I believe he led you to me so that we could help each other. You have helped me. Let me help you.”

The words felt like a dagger blade to his cold, dead heart, words of comfort and kindness before she had even grown to know him. His mind clashed with the ideas of sating his hunger or leaving her entirely in the room they’d found themselves. He wasn’t that desperate, and yet there she stood, eyes innocent, skin pure and unblemished, offering herself to him without hesitation. “This isn’t what you want.”

She smiled, her hand raising delicately to touch his icy cheek, a connection both of them didn’t want to fight. “But it’s what you want, what you need. Ilmater protects me, so do not worry.”

He could feel the warmth of her hand as it touched him, hear the beat of her heart merged with quiet breaths. Hunger drowned out all his logic. Want and need drove him forward as he bit sharply into her neck, her blood thick and sweet upon his tongue. She tasted like sunlight would. Honeysuckle, vanilla, summer days spent lying under drifting clouds. Each drop of her cherry nectar to his senses.

“Astarion...” she whispered, her body pressed flush to his, Ilmater’s teachings repeating in her mind. Until I can bear a fraction of your burden, Sufferer, I shall.

The beating of her heart slowed and Astarion returned to his senses, pulling his lips from the arch of her neck but keeping a firm grasp of her in his arms. Her deep brown eyes reflected in the red of his own, and he saw a warmth he had only known once before. The quiet thud between their chests reminded him she was still alive, more alive than anyone he had met before. She was more than sustenance; she was an evening with loved ones, postcoital bliss on a picnic blanket in spring, life itself filled with all its wine and dancing. He brushed his lips upon hers, her taste having him crave more. She did not flinch, did not breathe out the words of her lord. Instead, she pulled herself to him, giving herself in full.  

 ---

Going to miss your cooking...

R.

Rugan felt as if he were trapped in the Gnoll cave again, death coming to claim him as it had tried to so often. He’d written the letter, but waiting the hours for his death was proving overwhelming. The walls felt as if they were closing in on him; the darkness spreading into his veins. There was no escape, and the apprehension was becoming too much to ignore. If Gale were here... Deep down, Rugan knew he had messed everything up. If he had just been honest with his intentions, then it could have all been done differently. He was no changed a man now than he was a year ago when he claimed himself as an ex- Zhent, and it ate away at him, knowing he wouldn’t be able to show differently.

Can’t take the Zhent out of the man... Maybe Astarion was right. Maybe that is why Rugan was repeating the same mistakes, going in circles like a dog chasing its tail. It was in his blood to screw up, after all. Isn’t that what his father had done, followed the coin at the bottom of the bottle, just as Rugan was choosing? He didn’t want to die that way, didn’t want to die trapped in bottle nor cave. He rubbed at his stomach; the scar of Alchemist’s Fire underneath irritated by the leather he wore. He didn’t want to die trapped in the study of some posh prick either, and it was this thought that removed the fear that had been plaguing him.

Zhentarim completed jobs. They not only got into places, but they got out of them too. And he had been a master at getting out of so many situations. He wouldn’t be the softened-up boyfriend living the life of luxury as he had been for the last year. Now was the moment to pull himself together. He checked over the room, the ornamental crossbow hung on the wall, thankfully not as ornamental as he’d initially thought, and he made his choice. Pocketing the letter and taking a deep breath, he unlocked the study door.

---

Lissa stepped towards the paladin Lucius, her white hair glimmering under the dancing lights above her. The paintings of the academy’s previous professors lined the walls, and she felt the gaze of each one on the back of her pale blue neck as she walked forward.

“Excuse me. Are you alright there?” She was quiet, cautious, the body of his ally lying near him with the now dried blood staining the carpet beneath them both.

Lucius hadn’t been aware of his environment for some time as he’d sat on the floor of the halls watching the lifeless body. In his mind he’d been on the battlefield, his men falling around him, screams and violence in a world he could not escape. There were no soldiers to command, no enemy to bring justice to, no battle to win. There was only defeat. “Leave us...”

Her hand drifted to the silver dagger at her side on hearing his voice. He was cold, resigned, not the mighty commander that had broken through the main door. “Can’t do that. Not in the situation we’re in now.” She reached forward, placing a hand on the armour of his shoulder. “Your men need you.”

“My men are dead!” He spun on her, sword drawn at the ready, illusion and reality merging as his head pounded with fever. He stumbled forward as she stepped away from him, watching as she backed up over the muddy field of corpses, the paintings now faces of the gods, watching how he’d led his troops to death.

“No, your men are at the door. Darius has been organising scrolls, Leonidas is on the roof with Gale. Remember?” Lissa continued to step backwards, observing him, drawing him to the main hall where she hoped to get protection from his subordinate.

Mud and death entwined with scarlet rugs and oak, past and present combined, tearing his mind in two. “They…they died in the halls...”

She shook her head. “No. They’re alive. They’re here.”

He saw the face of Darius emerge over her shoulder, alive and well.

“See, all fine.”

Lucius calmed before her lilac eyes, and she drew her hand away from her dagger, falling back behind the soldier that awaited her. She watched as the two paladins approached each other slowly, a relaxed smile creeping up on her lips, as Darius gently pulled the face of his weakened commander towards him. She exhaled, her shoulders lowering. “Thank the gods. I thought we were going to have a-”

Lucius’ head snapped forward; a deep bite placed in the neck of Darius, tearing at the supple flesh available. Blood spurted from the wound as he ripped himself back with a growl, skin and muscle caught in his teeth, his mouth already filled with the fetid taste of pus and rust.

“Fuck. Inveniam viam.” Lissa cast the spell calmly before she could be grabbed, a quick misty step taking her to a room near the main door of the academy.

Lucius’ head twisted at a disjointed angle in search of her, a broken snarl released from his now dead lips and with it came a joined moan as Darius twitched and spasmed on the floor, corruption flooding his system. Lissa frowned unenthused with the situation and entered the room behind her, the undead more an inconvenience than a threat.

Locking the door with a spell, she relaxed and glanced over the study’s contents, taking in the tomes and comfortable furniture that awaited her. She ran a hand through her long white hair and sat down in the large leather red chair, crossing her legs and making herself comfortable.

She spoke, her voice soft and almost a whimper. “Gale, paladins have turned. Trapped by the main gate. Help me, please. You’re my only hope.” She sent off the sending spell before opening the drawer of the nearby desk, pulling out a bottle of Dancing Maiden and smirking to herself. Guess I just wait then…